Clinton Township School District

Where Children Come First

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As always, I recognize and value your support of our teachers, staff, and the Administrative Team. Let us not forget our children, they have been magnificent. Due to the efforts of our entire educational community, we have all maintained a safe and healthy school environment, responded to the ever- evolving situation, and our children have progressed. Our response to this challenging situation has been measured and thoughtful, not reactive.

We all recognize the need to move forward and transition to a full day of school with the blending of the Cohorts. The goals for the fourth-marking period are:

• Maintain Health/Safety
• Social Integration
• Emotional well-being for ALL
• Return to Routines (Reintroduce “normal” as the data allows)

As we continuously review the metrics of Covid, we note some changes that offer good news and show New Jersey’s systemic initiatives are resulting in some positive changes. However, the Central West Region had been in the “Orange” level, moved to “Yellow” for two weeks and as of today, we were notified that we have moved back to the “Orange” level due to the increase in cases and positivity being experienced across the state. Our District maintains continuous communication and monitors all data. We will continue with our transition plans as noted below. These plans are in alignment with requirements and mandates of the “Orange” level.

As stated and repeated at the BOE meeting on March 15, our Transition Plans will be measured and flexible, and follow the current information, thus information may change. All current protocols are being maintained. To support the honoring of the protocols, classrooms will be moved, and daily schedules refined. This allows for the increase in our in-person student population. In the weeks prior to Spring Break, our C cohort remains virtual. In the fourth marking period, 93 students will return from Cohort C. Families opting to remain virtual in the fourth marking period will have that option and will not be moved to in person instruction.

The District Advisory Committee met on Friday, March 12, 2021. This group is composed of parents, nurses, teachers, administrators, and the Supervisor of Building and Grounds. Representatives from the Board of Education are also present. The Advisory has met four times since July to review the plans and offer information. The meetings are relevant to this evolving situation. At our last meeting, additional parents were included.

The meeting focused upon three primary areas:

• Travel during Spring Recess and the NJDOH Quarantine Guidelines – which can influence the operations of the district and exposure.
• The participation of students in sports outside of the school district (Travel, etc.)
• The blending of Cohorts

As offered during a formal presentation at the March 15, 2021 Board of Education meeting, the current “Transition Plan” has taken into consideration these factors and adjustments to the plan have been made to reflect these concerns. The combinations of student cohorts, the extension of the school day, and the addition of lunch service have been reviewed and adjusted as needed. Our plans will remain flexible to respond to any changes in Covid data across our region.

At this time, please review the information below and the linked document entitled CTSD Daily Protocols, and the schedules below, for the two weeks prior to the Spring Recess and the week after Spring Recess. Further information may be found at the following links:

BOE Presentation from March 15, 2021
CTSD Daily Protocols

With Sincere Appreciation,
Johanna S. Ruberto, Ed. D.

Most respectfully, please honor the guidelines from the CDC as it relates to travel and subsequent quarantine requirements. If your child or anyone in your household is experiencing any illness or any COVID-like symptoms, your child and any siblings should stay home. If a child is sent home from school with COVID-like symptoms, all siblings will be sent home as well.

Fourth Marking Period Begins April 12, 2021

Returning C cohort students will be notified of the newly assigned cohort (A or B) prior to 4/12. Please follow your new A or B assignment.