Metuchen School District

Due due the forecast for high temperatures and humidity plus the masking requirement, the Metuchen Public Schools will operate on an early dismissal schedule on Wednesday June 9, 2021. Bussing will be provided. Lunch will not.

Due due the forecast for high temperatures and humidity plus the masking requirement, the Metuchen Public Schools will operate on an early dismissal schedule on Monday, June 7, 2021. Bussing will be provided. Lunch will not. The Edgar athletics dinner will still take place as scheduled. As a reminder, Tuesday is already an all-remote, early dismissal day with all four building being used as polling places. Wednesday and Thursday are full days. Friday starts three consecutive scheduled early dismissal days for students. The Edgar promotion exercises are on Friday evening at MHS. The MHS graduation is Tuesday, June 15th.

Hello. I hope this email finds you well. Our central-east region of the state and New Jersey are still in YELLOW status, indicating a moderate risk of transmission. Below are some updates regarding our practices: Temperatures checks The district will no longer conduct temperature checks on students and staff. Daily Wellness/COVID Screening Forms The district will continue the use of daily screening forms for all students and staff. Guidelines continue to require some form of a screening process to confirm that students and staff are free of COVID symptoms. Summer Programs Temperature checks will not be required for district summer programs. The need for wellness forms will be reassessed over the following weeks, depending on updates from the NJDOH. Masks The mask mandate is still in effect for schools. There are no changes. Close contacts Vaccinated individuals are not required to quarantine if identified as a close contact of a COVID-positive person. Proof of vaccination will be required. Unvaccinated individuals need to quarantine. Travel Vaccinated individuals are not required to quarantine following travel. Proof of vaccination will be required. Unvaccinated individuals still need to quarantine. Testing · The last district sponsored Covid Testing for the school year will be on Thursday June 10th. Thanks to all the staff and families who took advantage of this testing to help slow the spread of the virus. MHS play: Little Shop of Horrors. Go to Mhsfootlighters.com. Performances: Friday June 4, Saturday June 5, and Sunday June 6, each one at @ 7:00 pm. Performances will be viewed online. There is no on-demand option. Tickets - $12.00 - sold online. Check it out! Edgar Promotion · Friday, June 11th at MHS · Rain date is Monday, June 14th at MHS · 5 guest tickets per eighth grader (two for on the field and three for the bleachers) · Only ticketed guests will be permitted on school grounds · The event will be livestreamed MHS Graduation · Tuesday, June 15th at MHS · Rain date is Wednesday, June 16th (and then June 17th, 18th, etc) at MHS · 5 guest tickets per graduate (two for on the field and three for the bleachers) · Only ticketed guests will be permitted on school grounds · The event will be livestreamed Tuesday June 8 is an all-remote early dismissal day because all four school buildings are being used as polling places.

Hello. I hope you are enjoying your Friday off and will have a nice holiday weekend. On Monday, please take a moment to remember why we are off – to honor those in the military who have died while serving to keep us free. Our central-east region of the state and New Jersey are still in YELLOW status, indicating a moderate risk of transmission. Below are some updates regarding our practices: Temperatures checks · Starting June 1st, the district will no longer conduct temperature checks on students and staff. · As the outdoor temperatures soar, it is likely that thermometers will record elevated temperatures, resulting in false positives and causing unnecessary alarm. Daily Wellness/COVID Screening Forms · The district will continue the use of daily screening forms for all students and staff. · The NJDOH guidelines have not changed. · Guidelines continue to require some form of a screening process to confirm that students and staff are free of COVID symptoms. Summer Programs · Temperature checks will not be required for district summer programs. · The need for wellness forms will be reassessed over the following weeks, depending on updates from the NJDOH. Masks · The mask mandate is still in effect for schools. · There are no changes. Close contacts · Vaccinated individuals are not required to quarantine if identified as a close contact of a COVID-positive person. Proof of vaccination will be required. Unvaccinated individuals need to quarantine. Travel · Vaccinated individuals are not required to quarantine following travel. Proof of vaccination will be required. Unvaccinated individuals need to quarantine. Let’s go Mets! And Knicks fans, “We here!”

The Metuchen Public Schools will operate on an early dismissal schedule on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 due to the unique combination of high temperatures, high humidity, and the indoor masking requirement. See your school websites for the early dismissal schedules. After-school sports will continue as scheduled. I understand that this decision creates child-care issues for many families, and I carefully weighed that against the benefits of an early dismissal. Thanks for your understanding. Stay cool and check on your neighbors and the elderly.

May 21, 2021 Happy Friday! I hope this message finds you well. It looks like we have a summer-like weekend ahead of us. Please enjoy the outdoors and your families. For the first time all year, this week we reported zero staff/student COVID cases. The state CALI report still has us in YELLOW (moderate risk of transmission) but we are definitely heading in the right direction. Here is a summary of the mandates for K-12 schools as of May 19, 2021: TRAVEL · Students and staff who are unvaccinated should quarantine for 7 days (if they have a negative PCR Covid test 3-5 days after travel) or quarantine for 10 days without a test. · Vaccinated students and staff returning from domestic travel do not have to quarantine. SPORTS Regardless of vaccination status, social distancing should be followed by athletes, when not actively playing, and by coaches, referees, trainers, and spectators. Masks are not necessary outdoors. SCHOOL Masks must be worn outdoors for physical education class and outdoor recess. EXTRACURRICULAR · Outdoor extra-curricular activities and outdoor events on school property, such as graduation ceremonies and other end of the year events held outdoors: masks are not required regardless of vaccination status. · The guidance states that schools may implement more restrictive precautions if they desire to do so. We reserve the right to mandate masks if/when we deem them appropriate. DISTRICT NOTES Our school nurses still encourage masks whenever feasible. For more information, here are the controlling documents: · https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/RecommendationsForLocalHealthDepts_K12Schools.pdf · https://nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/COVID_GuidanceForSportsActivities.pdf · https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2021/may/19/NJDOHTravelandMaskingClarificationsforK-12Schools.pdf NOTE: The indoor mask mandate is still in effect. There are no changes. REMINDER: Tuesday, June 8th is primary election day in NJ. As such, we will have an all-remote, early dismissal day. Dr. Vincent Caputo

May 14, 2021 Good afternoon. I told you the nice weather was coming (eventually). I hope this message finds you well. The board of education approved an update to the current district calendar. Tuesday, June 8th is now an all-remote, early dismissal day. In addition to the usual safety challenges that primary election day brings, we also cannot require voters to wear masks. Our students and staff have been so diligent in masking that it has become necessary to allow the buildings to be used exclusively as polling places on June 8th. As a reminder, the last three days of the school year (June 11, 14, and 15) are all early dismissal days for students. Details will be forthcoming from Mr. Peragallo and Mrs. Azevedo, but here are some important dates to keep in mind: Edgar promotion will be June 11th at MHS (note those changes) with a rain date of June 14th, MHS graduation will be on June 15th (rain date is June 16th), and MHS Project Graduation will be held June 15th even if outside graduation needs to be postponed due to rain. New Jersey’s CALI report puts the six regions of the state, and New Jersey as a whole, in YELLOW (moderate risk of transmission). All schools remain open for everyday in-person attendance. Here is what I sent to staff earlier this morning regarding masks: #1 - the CDC mask announcement yesterday does not apply to schools, and #2 – the NJDOH has not even adopted these guidelines for the general public, much less schools. So, the result is no change. Mask up. Stay safe. Happy Friday. VCaputo

Hello and I hope this message finds you well. There is good news on the COVID front. Vaccinations are on the rise and readily available for those 16 years and older, and approval for usage in younger children seems to be right around the corner. Cases are down statewide and locally. The state’s CALI report this week shows that the state and our central-east region of the state are both in YELLOW status. We will continue to welcome all students who want to attend in-person, regardless of their A week/B week designation. Of course, you may also remain hybrid or all-remote. This week, we had the following in-person attendance averages at the four schools: MHS=29%, Edgar=57%, Campbell=77%, and Moss=58%. Please follow notification protocols at each school for changing your child’s designation among remote, hybrid, and fully in-person. Have a great weekend. Happy Mother’s Day. None of us would have been anything without our moms.

April 30, 2021 Good morning. I hope this message finds you and your family well. I am happy to share with you that the district can welcome back all students in our four schools who choose to attend school in-person, both weeks, starting on Monday, May 3rd. Campbell was already scheduled to allow both cohorts to merge on Monday. Now we will do the same at Edgar. The latest COVID-19 Activity Level Index (CALI) Weekly Report from the NJDOH indicates that our region has moved out of the high-risk transmission range (ORANGE) and into the moderate-risk transmission range (YELLOW). As a result, and in accordance with the current NJDOH guidelines, both elementary and secondary students can now attend school “with a minimum of 3 feet of physical distancing between students maintained in classrooms with strict adherence to mask-wearing.” You will continue to receive information from your building principals with additional details about arrival, dismissal, lunch, and more. Remember, we are not out of the woods yet. Should the CALI status return to ORANGE, students are Edgar School would return to hybrid A week/B week status. Keep social distancing. Keep wearing a mask for public health and as a show of solidarity for our neighbors who are not vaccinated and for our friends around the world, like in India, where COVID cases are spiking. Please take advantage of our district COVID testing at MHS each Thursday and Saturday, with no out-of-pocket cost. Thanks, and have a great weekend.

April 23, 2021 Good morning and happy Friday! Spring sports are underway. We have an eye towards exciting year-end events. And like many parent of high school seniors, we are down to the final three colleges before my daughter decides by next week. She’s got great choices and we are so proud of her. Bussing starts Monday for eligible Campbell and Edgar students. You will receive an email today or tomorrow with your bus assignment information. The bus pass will follow next week. Monday is A week. Busses will pick up eligible A week and fully in-person students at their assigned bus stops beginning Monday, April 26th. COVID testing continues at MHS every Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning. Please take advantage of the convenience and get tested. In addition, encourage social distancing and mask wearing. Let’s drive these numbers down so we can finish the school year strong and head into hopefully and well-deserved and enjoyable summer break. Five of the six regions of the state (including central east which includes Metuchen) and the state as a whole, remain in ORANGE status. This means there is a high risk of transmission of COVID-19. With those conditions in mind, I want to provide updates for those parents waiting for the chance to send their children in-person every day, both A week and B week. At Metuchen High School, since we have room to accommodate the relatively low in-person enrollment and maintain six-feet of social distance, we continue to allow students to attend in-person every day if they choose. While NJ is still in ORANGE status, we cannot make the necessary accommodations at Edgar School to allow any more students to attend in person. If/when we move into YELLOW status (and I think numbers are trending in a better direction this week), then I will make the decision to allow Edgar parents to send their children in-person every day. The earliest that could happen now would be 5/3. I will assess the conditions next Thursday and let everyone know if we can allow that. If we are still ORANGE, then I will re-assess each subsequent Thursday to make a decision for the following Monday. The NJDOH guidelines are very clear in the requirements for high/middle schools versus elementary schools. Speaking of which, last night I made the decision to allow parents to send their Campbell children to school in-person every day, A week and B week, beginning Monday, May 3rd. Campbell parents will get school-specific notification of any changes to procedures. And finally, this coming Monday, April 26th, parents of Moss students will be able to send their children in-person every day regardless of A week/B week designation. I am grateful to the Moss staff and am confident in their plan. Have a great weekend. Dr. Vincent Caputo

Good afternoon, MHS community. As you know, we were all-remote Thursday and Friday in order for our team, including our school nurse, to complete contact tracing and to consult with the County Health Department. We have identified several cohorts that are suspected sources of transmission. The students involved in these activities and their related close contacts continue to be quarantined for the appropriate 14-day period. Today we have consulted with our school physician and the County Superintendent, and with their approvals and that of the County Health Department, we have determined that we will re-open MHS starting Saturday morning for the ACT and other high school activities. We anticipate regular in-person school on Monday. If there are any changes, I will be in touch. Please maintain social distancing, avoid all indoor gatherings, and continue to wear your masks. Thank you. Dr. Caputo

Hello and good afternoon. I hope this message finds you well. Five of the six New Jersey regions (including central-east of which Metuchen is a part) and the state as a whole remain in ORANGE status. This indicates a high risk of COVID-19 transmission. Please adhere to six-foot social distancing guidelines, avoid indoors gatherings with people not in your household, and wear your mask. As many of you already know, Metuchen High School has been all-remote for the last two days. This has allowed us to complete COVID contact tracing and for extensive communication with the County Health Department and our school physician. A collaborative decision will be made later today about whether MHS must remain closed for 14 days, or if we can reopen beginning as early as Saturday for the ACTs. Stay tuned for a message that will go out to the MHS community. While the COVID cases statewide and locally are high, we continue to plan for allowing students to attend in-person both weeks. We are working with our food-service provider to have enough in-person lunches. Bussing, pending County approval, is set to resume on April 26th, regardless of whether we are still hybrid or open to all students in both weeks. Those of you who have signed up will soon receive your bus passes. For the remainder of this school year, of course, parents may choose to keep their children all-remote. Since February, all MHS students have been able to attend in-person both weeks. I will continue to keep you all updated on whether we are able to allow full in-person attendance both weeks at Moss, Campbell, and Edgar, beginning on April 26th or May 3rd. Testing each Thursday and Saturday will continue. Food pickup also is available as scheduled. Please stay safe and enjoy the weekend. Dr. Vincent Caputo

Hello and good afternoon. I hope this message finds you and your family well. New Jersey and each of the six regions of the state are ORANGE. This means there is a high rate of transmission currently. Among staff and students this past week, here in Metuchen, we had double the number of new cases compared to any other week in the last 13 months. We need to do better. Get vaccinated as soon as you can get an appointment. Keep wearing your mask and social distancing. And please avoid large or indoor gatherings. Beginning April 19, all individuals 16 and older are eligible for vaccination. Fully vaccinated people (two weeks after the last shot) can now avoid quarantine when returning after domestic travel or when deemed a close contact of someone who tests positive. So, what about parents having the opportunity to send their children every day both weeks? We are doing everything that we can to keep April 26 as a possibility for that. We are working with our bussing company and our food service provider. Principals are making the necessary preparations for more students. While the NJDOH has reduced the 6-foot distancing requirement when masked and in the classroom, there are two other factors that I am watching closely to ensure we contribute to the public health: the state and regional CALI report and the local cases. With both trending in the wrong direction, we still have much to do to make 4/26 a reality. Thank you in advance. COVID testing continues at MHS on Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Here is the link with instructions on how to schedule a tele-med visit and secure a test time: https://www.metuchenschools.org/article/384549?org=msd. Please consider getting you and family tested regularly. The NJDOE released its school performance reports. You can find the reports for our schools as well as any district or school in the state. Click here: https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/ For most students, there will be no spring state testing this year. Some students still need to be tested. Your schools will be in touch. It looks like there will be new state testing to start the school year in the fall. More information to be released about that. Spring is here. Many seniors are making post-secondary plans, including deciding on colleges. There is still lots of work to accomplish preK to 12 in the next two months. There are also some fun school and district events coming up. Enjoy and continue to keep you and your neighbors safe and supported from COVID, racism, and mental health stresses. Thanks. Dr. Caputo

Good afternoon. I hope this message finds you well. We have summer-like temperatures on the eve of spring break. Below are some updates for this week and next. I’ll communicate again on 4/9 unless there is something timely to report before then. Our COVID status remains ORANGE. This means across the state and the central-east region of the state, the transmission rate remains high. Percent positivity and case rates have both increased in our area. In no way are we done with this pandemic. Please continue to wear a mask and social distance from others. Stay outside when you can and continue to keep your bubble small. As a reminder, travel restrictions are still in place. Those traveling during the week will need to quarantine and will be excluded from school buildings and co- and extracurricular activities. Please communicate with your teacher, principal, nurse, coach, and/or club advisor. Testing is an important tool to reduce the spread of the virus. To that end, we will continue our COVID testing at MHS tomorrow, next Thursday and next Saturday even while we are on spring break. I encourage you to take advantage of this testing. Keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. I will repeat my message from last week. While we have had many requests from parents to have their children attend every day, every week, at this point we can only accommodate that at MHS. At Moss, Campbell, and Edgar we are still targeting 4/26 or 5/3. Yesterday the NJDOH reduced social distancing from 6 feet to 3 feet under certain circumstances, with several conditions. I am also closely watching the local case numbers and the weekly state CALI reports. There are many details to be worked out over the next month. I can assure you we would like nothing more than to offer every day, every week attendance for all families who want that. Here are two other reminders. There are no meals served next week. The district is always looking for daily subs – apply online. Thanks for all the support you provide us. Have a great spring break. Enjoy and stay safe. Thanks.

Dr. Caputo's Presentation at the March 23rd Board of Education Meeting regarding Hybrid Learning Survey Results: https://5il.co/qwyv

Good afternoon. I hope this email finds you and your family happy and healthy. You may notice our flags at half-staff through Monday. Over the last several years, we have seen increased discrimination and hate directed toward Asian-Americans. This week’s violence and murders in the Atlanta-area were just gut-wrenching. Racism anywhere is racism everywhere. The Metuchen Public Schools stand with our Asian-American families. We must fight hard all the time for a society in which we want are children to grow up. Take a minute this weekend to check in on your neighbors. Yesterday’s CALI report keeps the state and the central-east region in ORANGE status. This means, while we have more residents receiving vaccines each day, COVID transmission remains high. Stay vigilant. COVID testing is available Thursdays and Saturdays at MHS for students and their families and staff and their families. Make your tele-med appointment, then pick your testing day and time. There should be no out-of-pocket cost to you. Testing will continue through spring break – same days and times. Travelers and residents returning from any U.S. state or territory beyond the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging following recommendations from the CDC. If travel is unavoidable, travelers should consider getting tested with a viral test (not an antibody test) 1-3 days before the trip and again 3-5 days after the trip. If travelers test positive, they should self-isolate for at least 10 days and should postpone travel during that time. If travelers test negative, they should quarantine for a full 7 days after travel. If testing is not available (or if the results are delayed), travelers should quarantine for 10 days after travel. Click here for full link: https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/travel-and-transportation/are-there-travel-restrictions-to-or-from-new-jersey. travelers must still adhere to quarantine rules even if fully vaccinated. Here are some questions that I have been getting about all students in all schools attending five full days every week: Q1: When might all students be able to attend five days per week? A1: While MHS students can currently attend both weeks due to lower in-person attendance there, we cannot commit for the other three buildings, to a specific date at this time. However, April 26 or May 3 are possible, depending on: Whether the NJDOH changes its guidance for schools (now that the CDC has made 6 vs 3 feet recommendations) The state COVID transmission status (we need to be yellow on the CALI report) Cases locally in Metuchen. We have seen a high number of cases in Metuchen over the last two weeks. We need to drive these numbers down. Q2: Can it be sooner? A2: No. I don’t think it can be earlier than April 26. We want five weeks out from this week for fully vaccinated staff (and of course, we want two weeks after spring break because of travel despite recommendations not to.) Q3: What happens next? A3: The administration continues their daily meetings. We also have upcoming collaborative meetings with our District Leadership Team, the Instructional Council, the School Leadership Teams, and my Parent and Student Advisory groups. I will continue working with the board and will provide brief updates at the next several board meetings. Q4: What can you do? A4: Wear a mask (or two masks). Maintain social distancing. Wash your hands frequently. Finally, congratulations to the Campbell School Green Team. This morning, the team was awarded a $10,000 grant from Sustainable Jersey for Schools. Way to go! You can hear the announcement for yourself and learn more about our project at Facebook.com/SustainableJersey. We were announced approximately 25 minutes into the presentation!

Good afternoon. I hope this email finds you and your family doing well. Here are some updates: Three of the six regions of the state (including central-east) are in ORANGE. The state of New Jersey is also ORANGE. This indicates a HIGH rate of COVID-19 activity. Please continue to adhere to social distancing and mask wearing. While more and more people are vaccinated, we still have a long way to go. Now is not the time to let down our guard. COVID testing is available Thursdays and Saturdays at MHS for students and their families and staff and their families. Make your tele-med appointment, then pick your testing day and time. There should be no out-of-pocket cost to you. Testing will continue through spring break – same days and times. Travelers and residents returning from any U.S. state or territory beyond the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging following recommendations from the CDC. If travel is unavoidable, travelers should consider getting tested with a viral test (not an antibody test) 1-3 days before the trip and again 3-5 days after the trip. If travelers test positive, they should self-isolate for at least 10 days and should postpone travel during that time. If travelers test negative, they should quarantine for a full 7 days after travel. If testing is not available (or if the results are delayed), travelers should quarantine for 10 days after travel. Click here for full link: https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/travel-and-transportation/are-there-travel-restrictions-to-or-from-new-jersey. travelers must still adhere to quarantine rules even if fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated individuals (two weeks after final dose) or those with proof of a positive test within the past 90 days are no longer required to quarantine as a close contact. Meals will continue to be served at MHS for the next two weeks. Meals will not be served over spring break and will then resume upon our return to school. Dr. Herzog's presentation at the March 9th Board of Education Meeting regarding the Mental Health Initiative Update, can be found here: https://5il.co/qj5d My presentation at the March 9th Board of Education Meeting regarding Hybrid Learning Survey Results: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1J_rVvmzvbuK3feduvZ5Kjzzo4b1RSZHvZ7JyvbTywYQ/preview The last two days have felt like spring training weather. The next few days are back to March weather and March Madness. Don’t forget to spring your clocks ahead this weekend. Dr. Vincent Caputo

Dr. Herzog's Presentation at the March 9th Board of Education Meeting regarding the Mental Health Initiative Update, can be found here: https://5il.co/qj5d

Dr. Caputo's Presentation at the March 9th Board of Education Meeting regarding Hybrid Learning Survey Results: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1J_rVvmzvbuK3feduvZ5Kjzzo4b1RSZHvZ7JyvbTywYQ/preview

Good afternoon. As always, I hope this message finds you well. Yesterday’s CALI report puts New Jersey back in ORANGE status, with three of the six regions of the state (including central-east) in ORANGE and the other three in YELLOW. Please continue to avoid gatherings, especially indoors. And despite what some states are doing, please continue to wear a mask. Let’s be honest, it is not that big of an inconvenience. Keep your family and your neighbors safe. Get tested at MHS each Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning. Students and staff, and their respective families are eligible. Register for a tele-med appointment. Then pick your appointment time. Testing is critical for returning to normal. So far, we have tested over 1100 individuals. Get your test as early as tomorrow! If travel is unavoidable, travelers should consider getting tested with a viral test (not an antibody test) 1-3 days before the trip and again 3-5 days after the trip. If travelers test positive, they should self-isolate for at least 10 days and should postpone travel during that time. If travelers test negative, they should quarantine for a full 7 days after travel. If testing is not available (or if the results are delayed), travelers should quarantine for 10 days after travel. People who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 3 months and recovered do not need to quarantine or get tested again during that three-month period as long as they do not develop new symptoms. If new symptoms develop after travel, people should follow instructions for what to do if you're sick. At this time, individuals who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 should continue to follow the State's travel advisory. Here is an update regarding meals. Parents/guardians of roomers can pick up 7 days’ worth of breakfast and 2 weekend lunches each Friday from 7:30 to 9:00am. Parents/guardians of zoomers can pick up breakfasts and lunches on Mondays and Thursdays from 7:30am - 9:00am. Pick up at the High School, door #29. We will serve MHS roomers lunch on March 23, 24 and 25. Campbell and Edgar have ½ days for conferences. On Monday, March 22 parents/guardians can pickup for Campbell and Edgar roomers: 3 lunches and 3 breakfasts. Will not be serving breakfast/lunch during spring break. Have a great weekend. Be extra nice to each other!