Dear CSS Families,
Monday, November 9th marks the return of in-person instruction for some of our students and the following week, November 16th marks the return for the rest of the school and PMS/PHS. I know that there are a variety of emotions and opinions about the virus, schools, and the well being of all of us. Please note that while this is an important milestone, we must proceed cautiously and carefully.
While your child’s teacher will be sending you specific information about their classroom expectations, I wanted to send out a few reminders that apply to everyone. The hybrid schedule allows for in-person instruction two days a week, for those families who chose hybrid back in late August. If you chose hybrid and now want to keep your child remote, please contact me to make that switch. If you chose remote and now want to send your child hybrid, it becomes a little trickier, as we formed our cohorts based on families’ decisions and to be within the guidelines set for us by the NJDOE and the CDC. There is a form on the district websitewhere you can request a switch and I will do my best to accommodate you as soon as it is possible. This delicate balance also makes switching assigned cohorts difficult, and will be considered only in extreme cases.
We have limited entrances to the Walnut St. Doors for K-2 and the “Blacktop” doors for 3-5, with Pre-K entering at their usual spot by the front parking lot. Please complete the Daily Health Form in onCourse for your child. When your child arrives at school, they will be temperature checked and escorted to their classroom. Students are required to wear a mask in school. Please send your child to school with a mask, younger students should have one or two extras. While water fountains are not in use, you can send your child to school with their own water bottle (labeled with their name). We do have a filling station available. Please stress to your child the importance of not sharing their water bottle or other personal items.
While no lunches will be served, you may send a snack in with your child. It must be individually wrapped and must be easily opened by your child. Breakfast and lunch will be distributed on Mondays and you must reserve your request the week before on our website. Weekly meal pickup must be picked up by a parent/guardian.
Each student has been assigned a “Cohort” and these cohorts are now listed with your child's name in onCourse.
- Cohort MR - Hybrid model with students attending in-person 2 days a week between the hours of *8:00AM and 12:45PM. This cohort comes into the building on Mondays and Thursdays.
- Cohort TF - Hybrid model with students attending in-person 2 days a week between the hours of *8:00AM and 12:45PM. This cohort comes into the building on Tuesdays and Fridays.
- Cohort MTRF - Hybrid model for high risk students who will be attending 4 days a week between the hours of *8:00AM - 12:45PM. This Cohort comes into the building on Mondays/Tuesdays/Thursdays/Fridays
- Cohort VIR - Students attend all school VIRTUALLY from home.
All staff and students will be teaching and learning REMOTELY on Wednesdays so the building can be deep cleaned.
Arrival to and dismissal from Charles Street School will be STAGGERED. Please make every effort to be on time for your child’s assigned arrival time and dismissal time. Temperatures will be taken and recorded at the door. Any child registering a temperature of 99.9 and above will be directed to the Nurse for additional screening. Temperatures will be taken no more than 3 times per child at arrival by Staff.
- Kindergarten and 5th Graders - Arrive at 8:00AM / Dismiss at 12:45PM
- 1st Grade and 4th Grade - Arrive at 8:05AM / Dismiss at 12:50PM
- 2nd and 3rd Grade - Arrive at 8:10AM / Dismiss at 12:55PM
Masks must be worn while in line during arrival and dismissal and throughout the school day when your student is in the building.
Personally labeled School wide suggested supplies are as follows:
- 2 extra Face Masks (in a labeled Ziploc baggie)
- Small pack of tissues
- Individual Hand Sanitizer for personal use
- A plastic grocery bag for personal use for trash so as to limit movement
- Filled Water Bottle (Note: the water fountains are not in use)
- Snack - Please send in a snack that your student can open and eat without assistance
- Headphones
- ChromeBook and charger
- Pencil Case for daily supplies
The HYBRID Schedule will be in effect starting November 9, 2020 and will continue for the duration of the year. This applies to all Cohorts as well as “Remote Wednesdays”. Our goal is to be able to switch between in-person and virtual as needed seamlessly. PLEASE FOLLOW THE NEW HYBRID SCHEDULE ONLY.
Regards,
Chris Tracey