Metuchen School District

1/4/21 Thank you to those who took advantage of our free Covid-19 testing for all staff and students last week. Beginning January 7th, we will offer testing on Thursdays from 2:30 to 6:30 pm for staff; 3:30 to 6:30 pm for students; and on Saturdays from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm (staff and students). Learn more here: https://5il.co/o9a5 You must register in advance and complete a virtual “telemedicine visit” prior to Test Day. No walk-ups will be permitted. You will be asked for insurance information when you register. If you do not have insurance, the test will be given to you free of charge. You must arrive at your test with your PRINTED Telemed Covid-19 Test Script in hand, which will be emailed to you after your telemed visit. Moss, Campbell and Edgar students must be accompanied by an adult in order to be tested. To register for a test, please go to https://backtoworksolutions.com/MetuchenPSD.html. Any questions can be sent to Covidtesting@metuchenschools.org. Testing takes place in the MHS Wrestling Room (enter from outside rear door by baseball field). To those who will be tested, thank you for doing your part to ensure a safe return to school in 2021. Dr. Vincent Caputo

Thank you to those who took advantage of our free Covid-19 testing for all staff and students today. Beginning January 7th, we will offer testing on Thursdays from 2:30 to 6:30 pm for staff and from 3:30 to 6:30 pm for students; and Saturdays from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm (staff and students). You must register in advance and complete a virtual “telemedicine visit” prior to Test Day. No walk-ups will be permitted. You will be asked for insurance information when you register. If you do not have insurance, the test will be given to you free of charge. You must arrive at your test with your PRINTED telemed Covid-19 Test Script in hand, which will be emailed to you after your telemed visit. Moss, Campbell and Edgar students must be accompanied by an adult in order to be tested. To register for a test, please go to https://backtoworksolutions.com/MetuchenPSD.html. Any questions can be sent to Covidtesting@metuchenschools.org. Testing takes place in the MHS Wrestling Room (enter from outside rear door by baseball field). To those who will be tested, thank you for doing your part to ensure a safe return to school in 2021. Happy New Year! Dr. Caputo

We are happy to announce that we are offering free Covid-19 testing for all staff and students. We have partnered with Back to Work Solutions and have scheduled our initial Test Day for this Thursday, December 31, from 11 am to 3 pm in MHS Wrestling Room (enter from outside rear door by baseball field). You must register in advance and complete a virtual “telemedicine visit” on Tuesday or Wednesday prior to Thursday’s Test Day. No walk-ups will be permitted. You will be asked for insurance information when you register. If you do not have insurance, the test will be given to you free of charge. You must arrive at your test on Thursday with your printed Telemed Covid-19 Test Script in hand. Moss, Campbell and Edgar students must be accompanied by an adult in order to be tested. More information can be found on this flyer https://5il.co/o7j7. To register for a test, please go to https://backtoworksolutions.com/MetuchenPSD.html. We will begin weekly testing next week and will forward information when available.

Hello. I hope you are doing well as we close out 2020. Calendar – see you on January 4, 2021 when we will continue to follow our approved district hybrid calendar. Lunch – Meal pickup will restart on January 4, 2021. We are collaborating with Pomptonian. Pickup will either continue daily for lunch - or it may switch to twice per week (and include breakfast in addition to lunch). Stay tuned. I will update the community next week. We have clear advice regarding the holidays from the governor and mayor. Please adhere to it. Don’t travel. Avoid gatherings. Wear a mask. I want to say thank you to the entire Metuchen community. To our staff – thank you for providing excellent instruction in a full-day, hybrid schedule. I really appreciated your collaboration all summer and into September as we returned our most needy students right away and then all our students by October 1. I look forward to our continued work together on 2021. To our parents, thank you for your trust and cooperation. Your confidence is us is greatly appreciated. Your children are our most important stakeholders. We are here to work together with you to see that they get the best academic and social-emotional instruction that we can provide. Your elected board members are committed to seeing that instruction in Metuchen is second-to-none. That’s part of why I love working here! And to our students – thanks for your efforts to be better yourselves - and for your feedback - so that we can be better for you. Your accomplishments in music and art and on the athletic fields this fall have left me impressed and inspired. Your work in the classroom is certainly noticed. It’s a great time to take stock and reflect on where we are and where we want to be by June. Keep working with us to make the educational experience the best it can be. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hello. I hope this message finds you and your family healthy and safe. Below is information of interest for you this week: We continue to follow our approved district calendar. Next week, all schools are remote for students. You may see teachers working in-person or from home. We return to our in-person hybrid schedule on January 4, 2021. The COVID-19 Weekly Activity Report for week ending December 12, 2020 can be found on the NJDOH website at: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/statistics/covid/index.shtml. As of the week ending December 12, 2020 (MMWR week 50), all six regions in the state have a COVID-19 Activity Level Index (CALI) Score of 3 and the statewide activity level remains at high. The NJDOH Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report can be found here: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/flu/surveillance/Flu_Report_2020_Week_50.pdf. Influenza activity remains low across the state. Get your flu shot now. The Metuchen Education Foundation has approved Dr. Sandy Vorensky’s grant application for "Math Path." Please consider participating in Metuchen Education Foundation fundraisers if you can. All the monies return to the schools to support innovative pilot programs not currently included in the budget. Each year, thousands of dollars of grants are approved. I will try to highlight the great work by this organization as well as the great work of the PTC and the school PTOs. The FBI is raising awareness for parents and caregivers of school-age children about potential disruptions to schools and compromises of private information, as cyber actors exploit remote learning vulnerabilities. We have been asked to share with all parents/guardians. See the PSA at this link: https://www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2020/PSA201215 My daughter received her first college acceptance this week. Good luck to our MHS seniors who are also awaiting word. Thank you for your continued support. Stay well. Enjoy some football and basketball this weekend.

Metuchen Public Schools will operate all-remote, on an early-dismissal schedule on Thursday, 12/17/2020. Kids can be kids - and play in the snow by mid-day. And adults can be adults - and shovel while there is still plenty of daylight (or they can be kids and play in the snow too!). Check the individual school website or look for a communication from the principal about the schedule specifics for tomorrow. Under N.J.A.C. 6A:32-8.3(e) and Executive Order (E.O.) No. 175, a school day, whether in-person or remote, must consist of at least four (4) hours of active instruction, exclusive of recess periods or lunch periods, and which may include synchronous and/or asynchronous instruction to students by an appropriately certified teacher. I believe this is the best of both worlds. We plan to implement this schedule for weather-related closures this year. Thursday will count toward the required number of instructional days and we will be able to move the last day of school (including MHS Graduation) up to 6/15/2021. If there has even been a year that we all could use a long summer, it is this one! The Board will consider and most likely approve this calendar change when it reconvenes in January. Enjoy tomorrow and be safe

Hi everyone! I hope this message find you and your family well. If you are struggling with COVID, please get well soon. If you need any assistance from us, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask. Calendar: As most of you know already, we are sticking with our approved hybrid district calendar. All students will be remote for the next two weeks. You may see some teachers working in-person while others choose to work from home. Then, in the new year, we will return to our hybrid schedule, starting on January 4, 2021, with B-week students and all staff in-person. Tweets from Governor Murphy today: “Just because a vaccine is right on the horizon doesn’t mean we can start to let our guard down. Do your part. Every day. There is no light switch. We have to get through this winter. We cannot give up. We cannot just let this virus run rampant and have its way with us. All of us need to fully recommit to doing our part to slow the spread. We have to fight to protect every resident, every family, every community.” Lunches: We are partnering with Pomptonian Food Service to provide free school lunches for all students. No preordering is necessary. Last day for lunch pickup is 12/23/2020 from 7:30am to 9:00am. Lunch pickup is at MHS door #29. Lunch pickup for zoomers and lunch service for roomers then resumes on 1/4/2021. Tomorrow is Cookie Day in the Caputo household. Yum! Enjoy the weekend. Stay distant. Mask up. Wash your hands.

1. NJ COVID information: a. NJ COVID-19 Dashboard: https://covid19.nj.gov/forms/d... b. COVID-19 Activity Level Report: COIVD-19 activity level for the state is HIGH and for the Central East Region (including Middlesex County), it is also HIGH. See the link below for more information: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/d... 2. NJ Flu information: Flu activity level for the state is LOW and for the Central East Region (including Middlesex County), it is also LOW. It is a great time to get you and your loved ones vaccinated against the seasonal flu. See the link below for New Jersey’s Influenza-like Illness Weekly Report: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/d... 3. District calendar: We are following our district calendar and will remain hybrid until 12/11 as scheduled. Next week is A-week. Then, beginning on 12/14, we will be all-remote for students. Staff have the option of working from the buildings or from home. We will return to our hybrid plan on 1/4/2021 with B-week. 4. Winter sports update: The opening dates for all winter sports have officially been pushed back to January. This will give us additional time to assess the viability of offering sports here in the district. As you know, we are making every effort to provide students with as many co- and extra-curricular opportunities as we can. At this date, I cannot say if it will be safe to offer indoor winter sports. Stay tuned. 5. Masks: NJDOH explicitly changed their wording from “face coverings” to “masks”. Based on that change, our nurses advise that all students and staff should wear masks rather than gaiters or bandanas. (However, there is not specific language at this time saying gaiters and bandanas cannot be worn. This is however the interpretation of our nurses, who are our medical experts.) Here is a link with some info: https://www.cdc.gov/coronaviru... Wear a mask! 6. Cooperation: I want to again encourage you to cooperate with contact tracing calls from the state, county, and the district. And please continue to report to us positive cases and close contacts, even if your child is all-remote. It helps us greatly in completing the tracing and reporting that we must do. 7. Update NJDOH guidelines for schools: https://www.state.nj.us/health... 8. Social-emotional character development committee: The SECD Committee is proud to release our first podcast: Coffee Talk. Each month the podcast topic will vary to match current happenings and be influenced by parent/community feedback. This month’s topic is “The First Steps”, how to approach your child when you notice they are getting upset. Click on the following link to access the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/CoffeeTalkPC1. We would greatly appreciate your feedback on our podcast and will do our best to include questions from parents on upcoming topics. Please reach out to: SECD_MSD@metboe.k12.nj.us 9. The Footlighters are filming their performance of the musical The Drowsy Chaperone for viewing on: • Thursday December 3 • Friday December 4 • Saturday December 5 7:00 pm - performances will be viewed online. If you would like to see the production, you will buy tickets and view the film online. For tickets go to: mhsfootlighters.com. Scroll down to The Drowsy Chaperone logo and click on Buy Tickets Today. This takes you to the website for purchasing tickets and viewing the film. There will also be info here for how to access the film. Tickets are $12.00 per device - so people in the same house can all view! 10. Parent Instructional Technology Support: Please join us for our upcoming workshops: a. Tuesday, December 8th: Google Classroom, Drive, Meeting and Room b. Thursday, December 10th: Grade 1-5 Technology Platforms Workshops will take place at 10am and 4pm. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/MSD1220

Happy Thanksgiving. That’s it. That’s the whole message. Detailed Friday communications will continue next week. Be safe!

Hello. I hope this email finds you and your family staying healthy. Below are some updates: Winter sports: The start of the winter season has been officially pushed back by the NJSIAA. While I am still unsure of the likelihood of having indoor winter sports, at least I have more time before decisions need to be made. Practice start dates, per the NJSIAA are as follows: Ice hockey: December 16 Basketball: January 11 Swimming and winter track: February 1 Wrestling: March 1 Two notes: (1) There is no guidance on middle school basketball, so obviously if we were to have a season, practices would not begin before January 11. (2) As a reminder, these are only guidelines from the NJSIAA and decisions about whether we will be participate will be local ones. COVID-19 updates Here is a link to the COVID NJ Alert App. Consider downloading it. https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/app. Please cooperate with district and county contact tracing. You may receive calls from the County Health Department, the school principal, the school nurse, or Mr. Ortman, our district safety coordinator. Thanks. Our mitigation efforts include the following: conducting entry screenings and temperature checks, ensuring that all staff and students wear masks, keeping everyone in the buildings six feet apart, cleaning all high contact areas throughout the day, and conducting process cleaning every night. State COVID-19 dashboard: Visit the website here for the daily updates: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_dashboard.shtml Middlesex County reported 347 additional cases on Thursday New Jersey’s rate of transmission (Rt) = 1.42 Across the state, there have been 56 school outbreaks with 239 linked cases In Middlesex County, there has been one school outbreak reported with 3 linked cases NJDOH COVID-19 Activity Level Report: This is a weekly report, usually available on Thursday or Friday. You can find the latest version here (as soon as it is published): https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/COVID_19_Report_Week_46.pdf Statewide Activity Level = HIGH Central East Region (includes Middlesex County) Activity Level = HIGH Flu shots: In order to help keep its residents safe and continue to practice social distancing, Middlesex County Office of Health Services is highly recommending flu shots. Please consider getting vaccinated. Traveling? Please visit https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/travel-and-transportation/which-states-are-on-the-travel-advisory-list-are-there-travel-restrictions-to-or-from-new-jersey Here is a list of FAQs about travel: https://nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/Travel_advisoryFAQs_6-25-2020.pdf You will be excluded for 14 days – for the safety of the staff and students in the buildings. Thanks in advance for your honesty. I appreciate it. On campus? All visitors to our campus, including the front and back fields and the stadium, must wear a mask. Thank you for your cooperation. Calendar: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/903203/2020-2021_School_Calendar_Board_HYBRID_Sept.pdf. The eight school days prior to Thanksgiving (11/16 to 11/25) are all-remote for students. The buildings are open and staff may be working in-person or from home. Lunches: Our lunch pickup system remains in effect. I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. If you have any questions, let us know. Maintain social distancing. Wear a mask. Get tested. Have a great weekend. Go Bulldogs! Go Scarlet Knights! Go Broncos!

Hello. I hope this message finds you and your family healthy and happy. If there is anything that we can do to help, please let me know. Below is some information for you: School security drills for November – expect test calls on Tuesday As you are likely aware, in accordance with N.J. School Drill Law N.J.S. 18A:41-1, every school is required to have one fire drill and one school security drill each month. Following directives from the Officer of the Governor, adjustments have been made to the types of drills being conducted to help reduce the likelihood of virus transmission during the school year. The New Jersey Department of Education and the Office of School Preparedness & Emergency Planning are requiring each school to conduct a Notification Drill during the month of November. This drill will identify the capability of schools to effectively communicate emergency messaging to all stakeholders. Please expect high-alert test messages to come from the individual schools at these approximate times: Metuchen High School - Tuesday, November 17, 12:00 p.m. Edgar Middle School – Tuesday, November 17, 12:00p.m. Campbell Elementary - Tuesday, November 17, 12:00 p.m. Moss Elementary - Tuesday, November 17, 12:00 p.m. This is not an emergency situation, rather, this is a drill designed to monitor and ensure the functionality of our notification system. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your school principal. COVID-19 updates Here is a link to the COVID NJ Alert App. Consider downloading it. https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/app. Please cooperate with district and county contact tracing. You may receive calls from the County Health Department, the school principal, the school nurse, or Mr. Ortman, our district safety coordinator. Thanks. COVID-19 notifications from the district: Our goals include speed and transparency. There will be three levels of communication when we are informed of a positive COVID-19 result: A general notification from me to the students, parents, and teachers at the particular school. If necessary. a notice or phone call from the principal informing anyone who may have been a close contact. (Please be patient with us as this communication is made prior to the complete contact tracing and the summary meeting with the County Health Department.) If necessary, a follow-up from the principal confirming those who are (and those who are not) a close contact. Those confirmed as close contacts must quarantine for 14 days. There is no longer the option to test out of quarantine. Our mitigation efforts include the following: conducting entry screenings and temperature checks, ensuring that all staff and students wear masks, keeping everyone in the buildings six feet apart, cleaning all high contact areas throughout the day, and conducting process cleaning every night. State COVID-19 dashboard: Visit the website here for the daily updates: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_dashboard.shtml Middlesex County reported 231 additional cases on Thursday New Jersey’s rate of transmission (Rt) = 1.30 Across the state, there have been 51 school outbreaks with 192 linked cases In Middlesex County, there has been one school outbreak reported with 3 linked cases Across the district: we had 1 new case this week, bringing our total to 12. 9 staff members and 11 students are excluded as of today due to a positive test or designation as a close contact. all Metuchen schools remain open. NJDOH COVID-19 Activity Level Report: This is a weekly report, usually available on Thursday or Friday. You can find the latest version here (as soon as it is published): https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/COVID_19_Report_Week_45.pdf Statewide Activity Level = MODERATE Central East Region (includes Middlesex County) Activity Level = MODERATE Free drive-thru flu shots: In order to help keep its residents safe and continue to practice social distancing, Middlesex County Office of Health Services will be offering drive-thru flu clinics. This is a free service being offered to all Middlesex County residents ages 6 months and up that meet a set of criteria. To learn more about how to get your free flu shot, upcoming clinic dates, and tips on how to fight the flu this year, residents can visit: http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/flu. Traveling? Please visit https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/travel-and-transportation/which-states-are-on-the-travel-advisory-list-are-there-travel-restrictions-to-or-from-new-jersey Here is a list of FAQs about travel: https://nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/Travel_advisoryFAQs_6-25-2020.pdf You will be excluded for 14 days – for the safety of the staff and students in the buildings. Thanks in advance for your honesty. I appreciate it. On campus? All visitors to our campus, including the front and back fields and the stadium, must wear a mask. Thank you for your cooperation. Calendar: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/903203/2020-2021_School_Calendar_Board_HYBRID_Sept.pdf. The eight school days prior to Thanksgiving (11/16 to 11/25) are all-remote for students. The buildings are open and staff may be working in-person or from home. Maintain social distancing. Wear a mask. Get tested. Have a great weekend. Go Bulldogs! Go Scarlet Knights! Go Broncos!

Hello. I hope you and your family are well. Here are some updates for this first week of November: COVID-19 updates Here is a link to the COVID NJ Alert App. Consider downloading it. https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/app. Please cooperate with district and county contact tracing. You may receive calls from the County Health Department, the school principal, the school nurse, or Mr. Ortman, our district safety coordinator. Thanks. COVID-19 notifications from the district: Our goals include speed and transparency. There will be three levels of communication when we are informed of a positive COVID-19 result: A general notification from me to the students, parents, and teachers at the particular school. If necessary. a notice or phone call from the principal informing anyone who may have been a close contact. (Please be patient with us as this communication is made prior to the complete contact tracing and the summary meeting with the County Health Department.) If necessary, a follow-up from the principal confirming those who are (and those who are not) a close contact. Those confirmed as close contacts must quarantine for 14 days. There is no longer the option to test out of quarantine. Our mitigation efforts include the following: conducting entry screenings and temperature checks, ensuring that all staff and students wear masks, keeping everyone in the buildings six feet apart, cleaning all high contact areas throughout the day, and conducting process cleaning every night. State COVID-19 dashboard: Visit the website here for the daily updates: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_dashboard.shtml Middlesex County reported 169 additional cases on Tuesday New Jersey’s rate of transmission (Rt) = 1.28 Across the state, there have been 25 school outbreaks with 111 linked cases In Middlesex County, there have been no school outbreaks reported NJDOH COVID-19 Activity Level Report: This is a weekly report, usually available Thursday or Friday. You can find the latest version here (as soon as it is published): https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/COVID_19_Report_Week_44.pdf Statewide Activity Level = MODERATE Central East Region (includes Middlesex County) Activity Level = MODERATE Free drive-thru flu shots: In order to help keep its residents safe and continue to practice social distancing, Middlesex County Office of Health Services will be offering drive-thru flu clinics.This is a free service being offered to all Middlesex County residents ages 6 months and up that meet a set of criteria. To learn more about how to get your free flu shot, upcoming clinic dates, and tips on how to fight the flu this year, residents can visit: http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/flu. Traveling? Please visit https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/travel-and-transportation/which-states-are-on-the-travel-advisory-list-are-there-travel-restrictions-to-or-from-new-jersey Here is a list of FAQs about travel: https://nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/Travel_advisoryFAQs_6-25-2020.pdf You will be excluded for 14 days – for the safety of the staff and students in the buildings. Thanks in advance for your honesty. I appreciate it. On campus? All visitors to our campus, including the front and back fields and the stadium, must wear a mask. Thank you for your cooperation. Calendar: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/903203/2020-2021_School_Calendar_Board_HYBRID_Sept.pdf. Next week is A-week at all four schools. Remember that the eight days prior to Thanksgiving (11/16 to 11/25) are all-remote for students. The buildings are open and staff may be working in-person or from home. Maintain social distancing. Wear a mask. Get tested. Have a great four-day weekend. The weather looks great. Go Bulldogs! Go Scarlet Knights! Go Broncos!

Hello. I hope this message finds you well. Please have a happy - and safe - weekend. Below are some updates. COVID-19 Here is a link to the COVID NJ Alert App. Consider downloading it. https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/app. Please cooperate with district and county contact tracing. Thanks. COVID-19 notifications from the district: Our goals include speed and transparency. There will be three levels of communication when we are informed of a positive COVID-19 result: A general notification from me to the students, parents, and teachers at the particular school. A notice from the principal informing anyone who MAY BE a close contact. (Please be patient with us as this communication is made prior to the complete contact tracing and the summary meeting with the County Health Department.) A follow-up from the principal confirming those who are (and those who are not) a close contact. Those confirmed as close contacts must quarantine for 14 days. There is no longer the option to test out of quarantine. State COVID—19 dashboard: Visit the website here for the daily updates: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_dashboard.shtml New Jersey reported 1477 additional cases on Thursday Middlesex County reported 121 additional cases on Thursday New Jersey’s rate of transmission (Rt) = 1.25 Middlesex County’s rate of transmission (Rt) = 1.23 Across the state, there have been 28 school outbreaks with 122 linked cases In Middlesex County, there has been 1 school outbreak reported NJDOH COVID-19 Activity Level Report: This is a weekly report. You can find the latest version here: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/COVID_19_Report_Week_43.pdf Statewide Activity Level = MODERATE Central East Region (includes Middlesex County) Activity Level = MODERATE Free drive-thru flu shots: In order to help keep its residents safe and continue to practice social distancing, Middlesex County Office of Health Services will be offering drive-thru flu clinics beginning Wednesday, October 28th. This is a free service being offered to all Middlesex County residents ages 6 months and up that meet a set of criteria. To learn more about how to get your free Flu Shot, upcoming clinic dates, and tips on how to fight the flu this year, residents can visit: http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/flu. Traveling? Please visit https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/travel-and-transportation/which-states-are-on-the-travel-advisory-list-are-there-travel-restrictions-to-or-from-new-jersey Here is a list of FAQs about travel: https://nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/Travel_advisoryFAQs_6-25-2020.pdf You will be excluded for 14 days – for the safety of the staff and students in the buildings. Thanks in advance for your honesty. I appreciate it. Calendar: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/903203/2020-2021_School_Calendar_Board_HYBRID_Sept.pdf. Next week is B-week. Students have school only on Monday and Wednesday. All staff will be participating in professional development workshop on Tuesday so students should use the time to catch up on assignments. Reminder - the eight days prior to Thanksgiving (11/16 to 11/25) are all-remote for students. The buildings are open and staff may work in-person or from home. Happy Halloween! Vote by November 3rd at 8pm.

Hello. I hope this message finds you and your family doing well. Go Bulldogs! Go Scarlet Knights! Go Broncos! Here are some updates: COVID-19 notifications from the district: Our goals include speed and transparency. There will be three levels of communication when we are informed of a positive COVID-19 result: 1. A general notification from me to the students, parents, and teachers at the particular school 2. A notice from the principal informing anyone who MAY BE a close contact. (Please be patient with us as this communication is made prior to the complete contact tracing and the summary meeting with the County Health Department.) 3. A follow-up from the principal confirming those who are (and those who are not) a close contact. Those confirmed as close contacts must quarantine for 14 days. There is no longer the option to test out of quarantine. State COVID—19 dashboard: Visit the website here for the daily updates: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_dashboard.shtml. Middlesex County reported 88 additional cases on Thursday New Jersey’s rate of transmission (Rt) = 1.17 Across the state, there have been 25 school outbreaks with 111 linked cases In Middlesex County, there have been no school outbreaks reported NJDOH COVID-19 Activity Level Report: This is a weekly report. You can find the latest version here: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/COVID_19_Report_Week_42.pdf Statewide Activity Level = MODERATE Central East Region (includes Middlesex County) Activity Level = MODERATE NJDOH guidelines: · As a reminder, and in consultation with the County Health Department and the County Superintendent, here are the guidelines that we are following: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/RecommendationsForLocalHealthDepts_K12Schools.pdf. Safety is our primary concern. We also feel an obligation to keep the schools open when we can. · As of this week, we are following new recommendations. No longer can we accept negative tests from days 5 and 8. But testing is very critical to public health, so you should still consider getting a test. Here is a graphic on why you can’t test out of quarantine… https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/COVID-Cannot-Test-Out-of-Quarantine.pdf · New CDC guidance was released this week. The big message is that besides masks, the most important thing we can enforce is social distancing. We continue to do everything we can to ensure everyone is six feet apart. · We are trying to support all of the co- and extracurricular activities we can. Winter sports are still up in the air. We are proceeding with the typical pre-season signups and paperwork. Stay tuned. Help prevent the spread: Stay socially distant – both indoors and outdoors Wear a mask indoors when you are not with your family group Wear a mask outdoors when you can’t stay socially distant Wear a mask when you are anywhere on school grounds, including at outdoor sporting events Wear a mask when you are driving in a car with anyone not in your family group Wash your hands with soap/water or use hand sanitizer Stay home if you are sick or symptomatic In general, minimize your risks of getting and spreading the virus Traveling? Your children will be expected to learn virtually during the 14-day quarantine period that follows a trip that the family takes to a state on the NJ quarantine list. Here is the latest guidance (updated on 10/20): https://nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/Travel_advisoryFAQs_6-25-2020.pdf District calendar: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/903203/2020-2021_School_Calendar_Board_HYBRID_Sept.pdf. Please note that all students will be remote for the eight days prior to Thanksgiving. So, from November 16 to November 25, all students will participate virtually. And finally, election season is underway. You have until 8pm on Tuesday, November 3rd, to cast your vote. Make sure your voice is heard!

Good morning! I hope this message finds you healthy. Below are some updates along with some website addresses so you can find additional information. Have an enjoyable weekend. Stay healthy. Vote. State COVID—19 dashboard: Visit the website here for the daily updates: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_dashboard.shtml. Middlesex County reported 89 additional cases on Thursday New Jersey’s rate of transmission (Rt) = 1.16 Across the state, there have been 22 school outbreaks with 83 linked cases In Middlesex County, there have been no school outbreaks reported NJDOH COVID-19 Activity Level Report: This is a weekly report. You can find the latest version here: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/COVID_19_Report_Week_41.pdf · Statewide Activity Level = MODERATE · Central East region (includes Middlesex County) Activity Level = MODERATE NJDOH guidelines: As a reminder, and in consultation with the County Health Department and the County Superintendent, here are the guidelines that we are following: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/RecommendationsForLocalHealthDepts_K12Schools.pdf Help prevent the spread: Stay socially distant – both indoors and outdoors Wear a mask indoors when you are not with your family group Wear a mask outdoors when you can’t stay socially distant Wear a mask when you are anywhere on school grounds, including at outdoor sporting events Wear a mask when you are driving in a car with anyone not in your family group Wash your hands with soap/water or use hand sanitizer Stay home if you are sick or symptomatic In general, minimize your risks of getting and spreading the virus Traveling? Your children will be expected to learn virtually during the 14-day quarantine period that follows a trip that the family takes to a state on the NJ quarantine list: https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/travel-and-transportation/which-states-are-on-the-travel-advisory-list-are-there-travel-restrictions-to-or-from-new-jersey Flu vaccine: Please get vaccinated against the flu. This is more important than ever before. See here for more information: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/flu.shtml Executive Order 187: This week, Governor Murphy issued an executive order permitting limited indoor sports practices and games. The NJSIAA followed up with their plan. We have not made any decisions for winter sports at this time. Close contact, high risk, indoor sports are much different than the sports currently happening now. Please to be patient. Science and public health must guide this decision. We are trying to support as many co- and extra-curricular activities for our students as we can. I will stay in touch with updates. Reminder: The district will be all-remote for the eight school days leading up to Thanksgiving, 11/16 to 11/25. All students will be learning virtually from home on those days. This is part of our approved district calendar and is in place to allow for families (if they choose) to isolate for two weeks before the holiday. A similar all-remote period will be in effect leading up the to the winter break. You can view the calendar here: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/903203/2020-2021_School_Calendar_Board_HYBRID_Sept.pdf

Good afternoon. It feels like fall outside so I made some pumpkin chocolate chip bread last night. I wish I could share some with everyone. I hope this message finds you well. Here are some updates: State COVID—19 dashboard: Visit the website here: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_dashboard.shtml. · Middlesex County reported 91 additional cases today · New Jersey’s rate of transmission (Rt) = 1.19 · Across the state, there have been 16 school outbreaks with 58 linked cases · In Middlesex County, there have been no school outbreaks reported Help prevent the spread: · Stay socially distant – both indoors and outdoors · Wear a mask indoors (and even outdoors when you are not with your family group and when you are anywhere on school grounds) · Wash your hands with soap/water or use hand sanitizer · In general, minimize your risks of getting or spreading the virus PSATs: · PSATs will be administered on Wednesday, 10/14, at MHS for A week and B week sophomores and juniors, plus select seniors who need PSAT for the alternate graduation pathway · At MHS only, this will be a remote day of instruction / independent work for freshman, and seniors, plus students who decide not to take in-person PSAT · All teachers at MHS will report in-person: some will proctor the PSAT, others will provide extra help, small group instruction, or meet with their class in regular period if they choose · Lunch pickup will be available for all as usual in the morning · Bagged lunches for the in-person test takers will be provided after the test as student are leaving the building · Students will be dismissed following the test, probably around 1:00 pm · On Thursday, 10/15, we will resume with our regularly-scheduled hybrid instruction (A week) Have a great weekend. Stay safe. Enjoy your families. Mask up. VOTE today!

Good afternoon. I hope this message finds you and your family physically and mentally healthy. Here are some updates as we head into the first weekend of October: Wear a mask. Masks work! Here’s an article on gaiters: https://medical.mit.edu/covid-19-updates/2020/08/neck-gaiters. We know there are better options than single layer gaiters, but covering your nose and mouth helps prevent the spread. And remember, the material and thickness are as important as the type of face covering. Get tested! https://www.nj.com/opinion/2020/09/think-you-were-exposed-to-covid-19-heres-what-test-you-should-take-opinion.html utm_source=twitter&utm_content=nj_starledger_twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=starledger_sf New state COVID-19 dashboard: Visit the state’s COVID-19 website here: https://covid19.nj.gov/. Scroll down for the dashboard, which includes health and schools data. For example, as of today: · Middlesex County had 74 additional cases · New Jersey’s rate of transmission (Rt) = 1.19 · Across the state there have been 11 school outbreaks with 43 linked case · In Middlesex County, there have been no school outbreaks · Plus lots of other useful information Mayor Busch continues to keep us all updated on cases in Metuchen. We appreciate his communication and transparency. Mental health first aid: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2020/09/five-ways-you-can-help-youth-take-care-of-their-mental-health-when-going-back-to-school/?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWWpGbVpURmlaVEprWWprMSIsInQiOiJKb3RPSldYN0t0U3daNXZrTzRYelFCNWhyVGNGV2Y3RjlWZXgrK0J3OVlUV2lhZFBaWnhqOEp4ZmM3RkZGZUtFUHVPc3RzMzljU2RZXC9Id0ZPSTVER0xQNDNEQ21LN1lOTnNndEI3YlQyT2tPNWhKaUhlbk5mWndsYURkaG1ZSUwifQ%3D%3D. Here are some tips for helping students: 1. Ask how they are doing 2. Give reassurance 3. Provide practical help 4. Develop routines 5. Be a role model Campbell dismissal plan update: See plan here from Mr. Porowski: https://5il.co/lr2h. Thanks for pay attention to the specifics. We know it’s not always convenient, but we have made these revisions after consultation with the Metuchen Police Department. Lunches: Roomers will eat socially-distant inside (and outside of the school building when feasible). Zoomers and all-remote students can pick up lunches at the high school. IMPORTANT NOTE: we have noticed some unsafe driving practices at MHS during the morning arrival/lunch pickup timeframe. Please drive slow. We have staff and students in the lots and crossing the road to the building. Please follow all signs and directional arrows. They are there for the safety of all. Thanks. Chromebooks: Please charge your devices at night and for Roomers, please make sure your battery is at 100% when you leave for school in the morning. Thanks! Screening questions: Thanks for remembering to fill out the screening questionnaires in the morning for those attending in-person. Our staff and other students really appreciate it. Thanks also for your patience. I realize we are using different tools across the district: Google, Pickup Patrol, and Genesis. It may be an inconvenience and I will continue to monitor this with the principals, but please know that these tools meet a variety of needs depending on the school, and any screening procedures, while not foolproof, help to improve the safety for all. Thanks! Did I say it already? Wear a mask. Masks work! Have a nice weekend.

Good afternoon. I hope this message finds you well. As we close out September, I want to thank you for the feedback on remote instruction. It helps us improve now and as we transition to hybrid instruction beginning next week. Thanks also for everything you are doing to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. You can stop the spread by minimizing the risks you and your families take. Hybrid instruction We currently have almost 40 students in-person every day. Beginning Thursday, October 1, they will be joined by our Week A Roomers. We will be doing temperature checks and reviewing screening questionnaires before students enter the building. You can really help us and make your child’s morning smoother by reviewing and completing those questionnaires in a timely manner each morning. Restart and Recovery Plan: As a reminder, here is our County-approved plan shared with you on August 3: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/833170/Metuchen_Restart_and_Recovery_Plan_July_31__2020_FINAL.pdf, see especially Remote Learning Policy starting on p.27 As a reminder, here are the options for parents: Per Governor Murphy, parents may choose 100% all-remote instruction for their children. Parents can request a switch from in-person to all-remote instruction with three days’ notice. We can probably make this change more quickly so the student can participate as a Zoomer. Parents can request a switch from all-remote to in-person instruction with three days’ notice. With principal approval, the students would attend during their next assigned A or B week. No changes to A/B week designation will be made. Thanks for your cooperation. Currently, parents have indicated that 65 to 70% of our students will be attending school in-person. Please contact the school principal directly, as soon as possible, with your requested changes. Stay home if you are sick: Children should stay home if they are sick. Attending school with symptoms risks forcing a classroom or a school into quarantine. If they have symptoms and stay home, they protect all of us and help to keep the schools open. COVID testing If you are experiencing symptoms or think you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should get tested. See here for more information: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/testing It's especially important to get tested if: · You are experiencing symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, sore throat, muscle pain, shivering, headache, or new loss of taste or smell) · You have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 · You are an essential worker (health care worker, first responder, food service worker, or transit worker) · You were recently in a large crowd where social distancing was hard to maintain · You recently travelled to an area or a state with high COVID-19 infection rates Lunches This week, we handled out over 350 lunches on both Monday and Wednesday. Lunches continue to be offered for free to all students regardless of free-and-reduced-lunch status. Beginning next week, however, there will be CHANGES to lunch distribution: · Schools are closed on Monday, 9/28. No lunch distribution. · Tuesday, 9/29 – lunches will be available for pickup at MHS door #30. · Wednesday, 9/30 – lunches will be available for pickup at MHS door #30 · Beginning, Thursday, 10/1 – lunches will be served in-person for the Roomers and will be available for pickup at MHS door #30 for Zoomers and all-remote students. Mask etiquette Masks must be worn in school. To build stamina, children could be wearing masks around the home. Remind children not to share masks. Masks must be worn properly. They have to cover both the nose and the mouth to be effective. As a reminder, these are the best ways to stop the spread of a respiratory virus like COVID-19 and to minimize both your risk and the risk to neighbors: Maintain social distance Wear a mask Wash your hands Extracurricular activities MHS sports – fall sports are practicing and scrimmaging. If you want a season, wear a mask. MHS marching band – the band is practicing. If you want a season, wear a mask. Edgar sports – teams are practicing; we are planning to run a compressed, more-localized schedule. If you Clubs at Campbell, Edgar, and MHS – we are committed to offering as many clubs as we can safely. Some will be stating up shortly. Others maybe later in the fall.

Good afternoon. I hope this message finds you well, your families healthy, and your children doing well, both academically and social-emotionally. Here are some updates: Self-quarantine The following is from the New Jersey Department of Health COVID-19 Public Health Recommendations for Local Health Departments for K-12 Schools (Updated September 8, 2020) Stay Home When Sick or if Exposed to COVID-19. Students and staff should stay home if they have: • Tested positive (viral test) for COVID-19 • COVID-19 compatible symptoms • Potential exposure to COVID-19: · Recent close contact (being within 6 feet for at least 10 minutes) with a person with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. · Travelled to an area with high levels of COVID-19 transmission in the past 14 days: § NJ travel advisory list: https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/travelinformation/which-states-are-on-the-travel-advisory-list-are-there-travelrestrictions-to-or-from-new-jersey § International travel advisory: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html See here for full NJDOH information about their school closure recommendations: https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/RecommendationsForLocalHealthDepts_K12Schools.pdf Extracurricular activities · MHS sports – fall sports are practicing. I visiting all the high school teams this week. If you want a season, wear a mask. · MHS marching band – the band is practicing. If you want a season, wear a mask. · Edgar sports – we are planning to run Edgar fall sports on a compressed, localized schedule; more information will be forthcoming; coaches have been or will be in contact shortly. · Clubs at Campbell, Edgar, and MHS – we are committed to offering as many clubs as we can safely. Some will be stating up shortly. Others maybe later in the fall. COVID testing If you are experiencing symptoms or think you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should get tested. See here for more information: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/testing Lunches Lunches are available to all students via pickup at MHS on Mondays and Wednesdays. This week, we handled out 317 lunches on Monday and 358 on Wednesday. Mask etiquette · To build stamina, children should be wearing masks, even around the home, over the next couple of weeks. · Remind children not to share masks. · Masks must be worn properly. They have to cover both the nose and the mouth. · As a reminder, these are the best ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 and to minimize both your risk and the risk to neighbors: o Maintain social distance o Wear a mask o Wash your hands Hybrid instruction · We are still committed to starting our hybrid in-person instruction plan beginning on October 1 with week A students in-person. We will continue to monitor health and safety conditions. · Restart and Recovery Plan: As a reminder, here is our County-approved plan shared with you on August 3: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/833170/Metuchen_Restart_and_Recovery_Plan_July_31__2020_FINAL.pdf, see especially Remote Learning Policy starting on p.27 · As a reminder, here are the options for parents: o Per Governor Murphy, parents may choose 100% all-remote instruction for their children. o Parents can request a switch from in-person to all-remote instruction with three days’ notice. We can probably make that change more quickly. o Parents can request a switch from all-remote to in-person instruction with three days’ notice. Students would attend during their assigned A or B week. o Please contact the school principal directly, as soon as possible, with your requested changes. MHS SAT and PSAT · SAT – next Wednesday, we will be offering the SAT at MHS as part of the Senior Day option; as a reminder this administration is only for current MHS seniors who have pre-registered. There is a cost of $52 for the test and $68 for the test with essay. Contact Mr. Peragallo with any questions. For other regular SAT administrations, please consult the College Board website. · PSAT – as we do annually, we will be administering the PSAT at MHS in October. There is no cost to families.

I hope this message finds you well. Here are some updates: Remote instruction: For most of our students, remote instruction will continue for the month of September according to the regular school schedules. Other students are being phased-in for in-person instruction throughout the month of September. Most teachers have already been teaching from the buildings. All staff are required to be in-person beginning 9/16. Lunches: Lunch are free for all students through the end of December, and are available for pickup at MHS on Monday and Wednesday from 7:30 to 9:00am for the month of September. An updated plan will be shared prior to October 1, when in=person hybrid instruction begins district-wide. Clubs: We are trying to run as many of our clubs this year as possible. I will be making recommendations to the Board at the 9/22 meeting. Athletics: MHS – football and field hockey began today; all other fall sports can start on Monday, 9/14. Scrimmages can begin 9/24. Games can start on 10/1. Student-athletes will not enter the building during the month of September. All activities will be outside. We will revisit this for October. Edgar – we are still in the planning stages for fall middle school sports. Intramurals will also hopefully start up in October. SAT & ACT: SAT Senior Day will be September 23, 8:30am. Only for MHS seniors. Regular SAT is also scheduled for November 7 - open to everyone through College Board ACT - October 24 and April 17 Future dates for SAT - March 13 and May 8 Thanks and have a great weekend. A big 16-game stretch starts tonight for the Mets. If they qualify for the playoffs, the season will be a success in my mind. Good luck to your favorite NFL team. I’ll be trying to stay awake for the Broncos game late on Monday night. Pay attention to news stories about science, truth/lies, and voting rights. Support your neighbor, mask up and stay safe!