Return to School Updates

As we announced on October 27, our previous plan (in concert with Governor Murphy's Executive Order 175) to offer in-person educational opportunities beginning on November 12th, has been postponed to January 19.   Please view below for communications and other important resources.

 Resources for Families (Hybrid Instruction):

• SOMSD Procedure for Contact Tracing in the School Setting (Message from School Nurses) - February 5
• SOMSD Stages to Re-Entry One Pager (revised January 2021)
• Return To School - Technology Equipment Request Form for Students (scroll to the bottom of the page)

News & Updates (Current):

February 2021:

• Superintendent's Update:  School Reopening Update (2/26/21)
• Superintendent Taylor’s Statement to the SOMSD Community from 2/22 BOE Meeting (2/23/21)
• Virtual Instruction Schedule to Begin for all  Grade-Levels Beginning on Monday, February 22 (2/17/21)
• Virtual Instruction for All Students Effective February 16 (2/15/21)
• Pending:  Superintendent's Video Message & Reopening Update, February 15, 2021
• New Dates:  Change of Request from Virtual to Hybrid Instruction (2/5/21)
• Message from SOMSD School Nurses:  Procedure for Contact Tracing in the School Setting (2/5/21)
• Superintendent's Message:  District Newsletter, As a Matter of Fact (2/5/21)

January 2021:

• Hybrid Instruction to Resume on Mon., February 1:  Joint Statement on Behalf of BOE, SOMEA & Administration (1/27/21)
• District Newsletter:  Week in Review Update & Launch of SOMSD Covid-19 Dashboard (1/22/21)
• Superintendents' Phase 3 Reopening Video Message & Report (1/18/21)
• Important School Reopening Announcement - From the Desk of the Superintendent:  Phase 3 Re-Entry Extended and Phase 4 Paused (1/12/21)
• Return to School Updates for Families: Wednesday, 1/13, District-Wide Asynchronous Day (1/11/21)
• District Newsletter:  Return to School Edition: "As a Matter of Fact" (1/8/21)

December 2020:

• SOMSD School Reopening FAQs (includes general FAQs and questions from the 12/17 Live Q&A)
• SOMSD Post Town Hall Live Q&A WebEx:  View Video on SOMSD YouTube Channel
  • Download 12.21.20 Live Q&A WebEx Presentation 
• Pre-Recorded Return to School Town Hall Video (12/17)
  • Return to School Town Hall Presentation:  Download or View PPT Slideshow 
  • SOMSD School Phase-In Stages of Re-entry One-Pager (12/17)
  • REMINDER:   Parent/Guardian Return to School Preference Form due by Mon., Jan. 4, 2021
• Return to School Town Hall Date Change and Delivery Format Change to Pre-Recorded Webinar (12/4)
  • Pre-submit questions by Thursday, 12/10 

October 2020:

• Superintendent Message:  School Reopening Postponed to January 19 Due to Facilities Upgrades (10/27)
• Superintendent Taylor Message to SOMSD Community:  School Reopening Update (10/22)
• Phased-In Return to School Presentation (from 10/19 BOE Meeting)
• 10/19 Board of Education Meeting - View recording from 10/19 BOE meeting where Superintendent Taylor shares a comprehensive presentation regarding the details of the District’s phased-in return re-entry plan (presentation begins at the 8-minute mark)
• Return to School Update Letter (10/15)

 

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Return to School Preference Forms (January 2021)

To gauge where our District families currently stand, we are sending a revised version of the "Return to School Preference Form."  We understand that some families may still be apprehensive about sending their children back to school during this pandemic. Knowing this, the District would like to provide parents/guardians with flexibility, but also needs to plan in advance for scheduling purposes and ensure we are abiding by social distancing requirements.  Final responses will be due by:  January 4, 2021

• PreK - 8 “Return to School Preference” Form:
  • • • • PreK - 8 Return to School Preference Response Results (click here to download)
• CHS “Return to School Preference” Form: 
  • • • • CHS Return to School Preference Form Response Results (click  here to download)

 

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Informational Events:

To help families make a more informed decision on whether your child will attend school in-person (hybrid instruction) or continue with all-virtual instruction we are inviting the community to join us for a few upcoming virtual events. We encourage families to attend these events.  If you are unable to attend, all presentations will be sent to families via email and WebEx recordings will be posted to the District website.

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. All-District Return to School Town Hall (Pre-Recorded Webinar) - December 17, 2020 - Click here to view video
               • Questions for 12/17 pre-recorded Town Hall can be submitted here (submit questions by 12/10)  https://bit.ly/THQuestions
            2. Board of Education Virtual Meeting - Monday, October 19 @ 7:30pm - View recording