2022-23 School Year Guidelines

In this 2022-23 SY Return to School Guidebook what we hope you will notice is that we are transitioning, like most other school districts, with far fewer restrictions connected to COVID-19. We are hopeful that this transition will ultimately be to an ‘endemic’.

Return to School Guidebook:

• Click Here:  View 2022-23 SY Return to School Guidebook
• Download printable PDF:  2022 - 23 SY Return to School Guidebook
• Spanish:  2022 - 2023 SOMSD Guía de regreso a la escuela
  • View: Ver traducción al españo | Download:  Descargar PDF en español 
• Haitian Creole:  Gid pou Retounen Lekòl SOMSD pou Ane Eskolè 2022-23: 
  • View:  Li Tradiksyon Kreyòl Ayisyen | Download PDF:  Telechaje Tradiksyon Kreyòl Ayisyen an

2022-23 SY Emergency Virtual/Remote Instruction Plan:

• View or Download Emergency  Virtual/Remote Instruction Plan (10/4/22)

2022-23 SY Return to School: Key Highlights

1. All SOMSD school buildings PreK-12, buses and facilities, regardless of vaccination status, are now mask optional/friendly. District exceptions, where mask will be required, include:
   • During large indoor gatherings;
   • For individuals returning to school after COVID positive isolation on days 6-10 - indoors and outdoors;
   • As recommended by the DOH (i.e., significant increase in transmission, outbreak)
2. Isolation is required for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and students/staff must stay home when experiencing symptoms of COVID-19;
3. Quarantine is no longer recommended for people who are exposed to COVID-19 in schools and Early Childhood Education (CDC, August 2022);
4. The District will no longer provide remote access to our classrooms due to Covid-related absences. We are moving back to pre pandemic absence protocols, therefore, absences for Covid-19 will be handled like any other absences for illness, and school work will be provided as it would be in the case for any other illness or absence from school;
5. We will no longer maintain the weekly Covid dashboard of cases nor will we send school notifications for positive cases.  If there is an outbreak in a SOMSD classroom or school or program, only the affected groups will be notified with public health guidance;
6. Weekly testing for unvaccinated personnel in school districts is no longer required (August 15, 2022, Governor Murphy signed executive order 302);
7. In addition to above requirements, parents may make masking and testing decisions for themselves and their children - in school and out in the community -  understanding that they and their children could be exposed to COVID-19 at any time;
8. We are encouraging vaccinations.

Spanish | Haitian Creole

For the 2022-23 SY, the USDA meal waiver extension (which provided free meals to all SOMSD students for the 2021-22 SY) will not apply for the  upcoming SY.   For 2022-23 SY SOMSD will offer students healthy meals daily at a reasonable price:

• Elementary:   $3.25
• Middle:        $3.50
• High School: $3.75

Families may prepay for student meals through the Meal Pay Plus online payment system.  

To Receive Free & Reduced Meal Benefits or the 2022-23 SY eligible families must complete a new  free and reduced lunch application online:  Free & Reduced Lunch Application

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The free & reduced meal lunch application needs to be completed every year if families wish for their child(ren) to be considered for free/reduced lunch.  Your status from the previous school year does not carryover from year to year.

• SOMSD Community CLICK HERE to view/download the 2022-23 SY Testing, Progress Reports, Report Cards and Elementary Conference Days
• Click Here for printable PDF