Dodger families,
With Black History month already coming to a close and Women’s History Month on the horizon, please know that our schools are committed to celebrating the contributions of Americans from all backgrounds and identities throughout our curricula. During these months we are proudly showcasing the successes of Black Americans and women in all subjects as a part of the important diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice work that our district is undertaking. If you are not familiar with our new 2023 District Goals and Targets which include these priorities, please take a moment to explore them. We look forward to sharing over the next few months how we are using data-driven and research-based strategies to ensure that all students flourish in our schools.
In the meantime, please consider the following timely reminders regarding school operations:
When planning Spring Break activities, be mindful of quarantine requirements.
Spring Break will take place from March 29 to April 2. While we encourage families to plan activities that promote wellness and bonding opportunities, parents should be aware that district quarantining expectations remain in effect. Accordingly, any individuals engaging in non-essential travel outside of NJ, NY, PA, DE and CT for a period of greater than 24 hours should quarantine for 10 days upon their return to NJ. In an abundance of caution, our schools will not reduce the expected quarantine period upon the receipt of a negative COVID test. Current NJDOH guidance requires compliance with these rules for vaccinated individuals, as well. Per the State of New Jersey, essential travel is defined as:
Individuals traveling to and from the state for work.
Individuals traveling to and from the state for medical reasons, including individuals providing comfort and support to a patient.
Military personnel traveling to the state by order or directive of a state or Federal military authority.
Individuals traveling to comply with a court order, such as child custody.
If you have any questions regarding these quarantining rules, please contact your school nurse for clarification.
Our region remains rated at “High Risk,” trending toward “Moderate Risk”
While our nation and region appear to be experiencing a decline in COVID transmission, our schools continue to experience new cases. Families are encouraged to remain diligent in exercising safe behaviors. Mask wearing, social distancing, fresh air, and hand hygiene remain critically important to our continued success.
Increases to in-person learning will occur when two consecutive CALI reports show that we are no longer at the “High Risk” level.
The MPS team is highly committed to providing in-person learning for all students to the maximum extent that transmission rates will allow. Current guidance from the Madison Health Department indicates that the district can move forward with increases to in-person learning when two consecutive CALI reports show that we are no longer at “High Risk.” Anticipating such a shift to occur soon, our school principals and Central Office team are finalizing our plans for moving MJS and MHS toward Phase 2 and moving the elementary schools toward Phase 3 to the greatest extent possible in the current year. Rates permitting, we endeavor to begin the 2021-22 school year with full in-person learning in place. We look forward to sharing the details of our plans to increase in-person learning in the coming weeks.
Thank you for taking the time to consider all of this information. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the contents of this message or any other topic related to our district, please contact Executive Secretary Patti Cleary at clearyp@madisonnjps.org. Mrs. Cleary can help route your question to the appropriate individual.
Upcoming Events:
Tues, Mar 9 - Special Board Meeting for Preliminary Budget Presentation, 7pm
Tues, Mar 16 - Regular Board Meeting / Preliminary Budget Adoption, 7pm
Wed, Mar 17 - Superintendent Coffee, 7pm
Tues, Apr 20 - Regular Board Meeting, 7pm
Wed, Apr 21 - Superintendent Coffee, 7pm
Tues, Apr 27 - Special Board Meeting for Final Budget Hearing, 7pm