Fall 2021 Return to School

For all previous COVID-19 school updates, presentations, and plans (March 2020 - June 2021) click here

2021-22 SY Important Parent/Guardian Return to School Documents

Fall 2021 Return to School Updates/News

Click Here to View Upcoming Mobile Testing & Vaccination Clinics @ SOMSD

September 2021:

As a Matter of Fact: Back to School Special Edition Newsletter (9/10/21)
Confirmation: All District Schools Across All Grade Levels (PreK - 12), First Day of School, Mon., September 13 (9/8/21)
Important SOMSD Update: New School Reopening Date for All Students, Monday, September 13 (9/6/21)
S OMSD Community Guidebook: Fall 2021 SOMSD Return to School (9/1/21)

August 2021:

Fall School Reopening: Health & Wellness and Lunch Update Video Presentation (8/30/21)
SOMSD Community Letter: Upcoming Mobile Testing & Vaccinations at SOMSD & Vaccination Importance (8/26/21)
- Download Letter PDF
- Spanish: Haga clic aquí para leer la carta en español: https://bit.ly/3mFGsDf
- Haitian Creole: Klike la pou li lèt la an kreyòl ayisyen: https://bit.ly/38fiCWn
District “As a Matter of Fact” August Newsletter: Reopening Message from the Supt; 21-22 SY COVID-19 Parent Agreement; Travel & Quarantine Guidance; Tech Updates and More (August 19, 2021)
Return to School: CDC Travel Quarantine Guidelines for the Unvaccinated (8/18/21)
- Spanish Translation: bit.ly/3sqa1tc | Haitian Creole Translation: bit.ly/3sp4kvy
COVID-19 Onsite Mobile Vaccination Clinic Available at CHS on Aug 17 & Sept 7: Open to SOMA Residents Age 12+ (8/5/21)
Fall 2021 Safe Return to School Update Letter from Superintendent Taylor (8/4/21)
- View/Download Safe Return to School PPT Presentation
- Watch Fall 2021 Return to School Video Presentation - https://youtu.be/-rrCSHbpVv8
- Spanish: Haga clic aquí para leer la carta en español: https://bit.ly/3xtsFkK
- Haitian Creole: Klike la pou li lèt la an kreyòl ayisyen: https://bit.ly/3xpZA9Y

LEA Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Service (June 24, 2021)

SAFE RETURN PLAN (2021-22 SY)

VIEW/DOWNLOAD: Safe Return Plan (English) | Haga clic aquí para ver el plan de regreso seguro a la escuela (Spanish) | Klike la a pou wè Retounen an Sekirite nan Plan Lekòl la (Haitian Creole

Through the Federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, an additional $122 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) is being provided to states and school districts to help safely reopen, sustain the safe operation of schools, and address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation’s students. The purpose of this funding is to support local educational agencies in preparing for and responding to the impacts of COVID-19 on educators, students and families. Each school district must plan to use at least 20% of ARP ESSER allocations to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions to respond to students’ academic, social and emotional needs. The District shared a survey with stakeholders seeking feedback. SOMSD's Safe Return Plan incorporates the federally-required components of the state of New Jersey’s template and was submitted to the state on June 24, 2021. The questions in the template have been included in the ARP ESSER Fund application.

On an important note, the District's goal, and the Governor's mandate is to return to pre-Covid normal operating school procedures (this includes lunch/snacks and normal operating hours) with all students in school at the same time. As we work on finalizing and fleshing out the nuanced details of our September reopening, the District is solely following state guidelines (with input from our local health department), and unless the mandate changes, we are moving forward with preparation to have all students in school full-time (five days a week). At this point, there will be no virtual option provided, all instruction will be in-person and students will be required to wear face masks. The details regarding how snacks/lunch will be served, how we will manage full classrooms if social distancing is still mandated are being finalized via the reconvened task force and will be an evolving situation as we continue to receive guidance from the state and our local health departments. As we continue to monitor our Covid rates at the local and state level, if there are any major changes mandated the District will respond accordingly.

Safe Return Plan (Haitian Creole

A District That Celebrates

Fall 2021 Return to School