Learn about all we are doing to keep our students and staff safe

We will be offering 5 full days of in-person school instruction.  Our school will comply with ALL CDC guidelines, and our academic program will adhere to the NJ Common Core Learning Standards.  We will primarily focus on the core subjects English, Math, Science, and Social Studies, and instruction will be delivered in small group settings both in classrooms and outdoors. In addition to the core subjects, students will also receive instruction in Music, Art, and a Foreign Language.  

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Registration application, health form, and the 2020-2021 school calendar can be downloaded from our website. Parents with incoming students need to request a transfer of records from their child’s departing school. Applications should be completed and returned via emailed to Mr. Joel at joelgarcia@learningcenternj.org.

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Preschool Instruction

• Pre-school instruction focus on the social-emotional development, perceptual motor development, and cognitive development of each young learner

• Learning will take place at each child’s individual pace and skill level

• Educational centers will be designed to stimulate the young imagination and promote independence

• Hands-on activities and experiences will challenge and encourage our learners to build and strengthen both their social skills and communication skills

• Our curriculum will lend itself to providing continuous attention towards preparation and readiness for subsequent developmental milestones

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K-8 Instruction

• Our state certified teachers will follow the NJ Common Core Learning Standards

• All instruction will be in small groups not to exceed 10 students

• Instruction will be provided based on individual learning needs informed by submission of student assignments and assessments

• Social-emotional learning will be integrated into instructional outcomes

• Independent and collaborative tasks will be aligned to class instruction

• Units will be designed with clear learning targets

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Arrival / Dismissal

• Upon entering, a staff member will implement the following recommended CDC screening:
  1- A temperature check 2- A visual check for symptoms 3- A few simple questions

• All parents are asked to wait in their cars until after a staff member has cleared the student to enter

• If your child exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, you will be asked to take your child home and cleared by their doctor before returning

• All parents have the responsibility of assessing their child’s health and temperature (without medication) BEFORE sending him/her to school

• Student dismissal will be arraigned outside of school

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Learning Spaces

• Instruction via ZOOM will take place in each classroom during in person learning

• Students will remain in classrooms with minimal movement throughout the building

• Outdoor space will be used as much as possible, weather permitting, for both physical activity and INSTRUCTION. (Outdoor tents are being ordered for regular use)

• Students must wear a mask at all times in learning spaces

• Face shields will be provided by the school and will allow a child to lower his/her mask if necessary

• In all rooms seating will be configured to maximize space between students

• Desks will face in the same direction, 6 feet apart unless the desks are equipped with barriers

• All pillows, soft material items, and removable rugs will be taken out of the classroom

• Instructional materials and classroom materials will not be shared

• Hand sanitizer will be available at all times in learning spaces and students will be required to sanitize hands before entering any learning space

• Lockers will not be used. Students will transport personal and learning materials to and from home on a daily basis

• Specials teachers will travel to the classes for instruction

• Each learning space will be limited to one cohort of students at a time

• Personal computers are not allowed

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Meals

• All meals will be eaten in the classroom (although there will be a shift to the school cafeteria at some so long as it can be safely)

• Food deliveries to the school are prohibited

• No heat-ups will be allowed

• No sharing of food or eating utensils

• No parties or celebrations of any kind will be permitted until further notice

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Restrooms

• Procedures will be established to limit the number of students in hallways

• Bathrooms will be used by only one student at a time

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Hand washing

• Lessons and practice sessions on how and when to wash hands will be conducted

• A hand washing schedule will be adopted school-wide for staff and students

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Personal Items

• Borrowing and sharing of items is prohibited

• Reusable water bottles are encouraged

• Traditional backpacks are not allowed; however, washable string bags are allowed

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Recess

• Recess will be held outdoors as long as weather permits

• Face coverings are required outdoors

• All outdoor activities will be structured

• Shared equipment is prohibited

• Items from home to be used during recess are not allowed

• Students will be individually assigned equipment during recess by the school

• Individual equipment will be sanitized between use

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Remote Learning

• If the Governor issues a state wide shut down of schools, all learning will be moved online immediately

• If there is exposure to COVID-19 that requires a cohort to quarantine, learning will be moved online for a minimum of 14 days

• Instruction via ZOOM will be utilized in the classroom during in person learning

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Staff

• All staff members will be subject to the same daily screening as the students prior to entering the building

• All staff will be required to sign a daily assurance that they have not been exposed to anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, and have not had symptoms of COVID-19, since the last time they were in the building or the past 14 days, whichever is shorter

• All staff will also be subject to the same protocols in the event they are symptomatic for any illness and/or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19

• All staff members have the responsibility to do a self-assessment and take their own temperature before leaving their home

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Universal Precautions and PPE

• All staff members are required to follow universal precautions

• All staff members will be required to wear a face mask that is provided by the school or their own as long as it meets school and CDC guidelines

• A re-usable face shield will be provided to each staff member who is required to have contact with students at less than a 6 foot distance

• Disposable face masks will be available to all staff members

• Disposable gloves will be provided

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Visitors

• Essential visitors will be required to be screened as all others entering the building and will be required    to wear a mask and use hand sanitizer

• Visitors, including parents, are strongly discouraged unless there is a compelling reason

• Duration of all visits will be kept to a minimum 

• Face masks must be worn at all times while in the building 

• Hand sanitizer must be used before entering

• Visitors are encouraged to bring a minimal amount of personal belongings into the building

• No volunteers, interns, graduate students, bus personnel, non-emergency related repairmen, or non-essential staff will be allowed in the building 

• No in person conferences

• Visitors will be given a statement on COVID 19 exposure and will be asked to report any symptoms or diagnosis to the school occurring within a 14-day period prior to entering the building

• School visits will occur after school and by appointment only

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Daily Cleaning and Maintenance

• Rugs will be vacuumed daily with an HVAC vacuum

• Spraying of a CDC approved sanitizer will be used regularly for classrooms, therapy spaces, nurse’s office, and other high frequency areas, when space is empty

• Surfaces, materials, and equipment will be cleaned and disinfected between uses

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All staff members will participate in cleaning and sanitizing

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ANYONE WHO IS SICK AND/OR IS EXHIBITING FEVER OR OTHER COVID 19 SYMPTOMS IS REQUIRED TO STAY HOME AND REPORT SYMPTOMS TO THE SCHOOL NURSE

Symptoms of COVID-19 include but are not limited to

• Rash

• Fever

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Chills

• Muscle pain

• Sore throat

• Loss of taste or smell

• Unexplained red or pink eyes

• Gastrointestinal discomfort

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If symptoms of any illness present during the school day the following steps will be taken.

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For students:

• Student will be placed in isolation room for assessment

• A student with a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or above will be sent home until they are fever and symptom free and cleared by a Doctor

• Further action will be determined in consultation with the nursing office personnel, who will ensure compliance with the Clifton Health Department and current CDC guidelines

• A doctor’s note will be required to return to school depending on the diagnosis

• Guidance from the Clifton Health Department will be followed in the event that someone in the building has been reported ill with COVID-19 symptoms

• Anyone entering the building will be required to sign a daily assurance that they have not been exposed to anyone with COVID-19, and have not had symptoms of COVID-19 since the last time they were in the building or the past 14 days, whichever is shorter

• Student must wear a mask while walking to the isolation room for further assessment

• Nurse will contact parent to pick up the student

• If a student’s condition requires emergency medical attention, an ambulance will be called for immediately

• Student must continue to wear a mask while leaving the isolation room to exit building 

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For staff members:

• Staff will be asked to leave and call their physician. After nursing assessment, if it is deemed he/she is unable to drive home on their own, he/she will be moved into isolation room and asked to contact someone to pick them up or be transported to the hospital via ambulance

• If a staff member suspects a student is ill, the student will be taken to the nurse for further assessment.  The nurse will then follow the steps listed above

• Staff members will be required to sign a daily assurance that they have not been exposed to anyone with COVID-19, and have not had symptoms of COVID-19 since the last time they were in the building or the past 14 days, whichever is shorter 

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**The isolation room will be immediately cleaned and disinfected after use**

In the event of a positive covid-19 case in school

• Current CDC guidance calls for School to be closed for 2-5 days for deep cleaning and ventilation if anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 has been in the building

• Current guidelines will be followed in consultation with the Clifton Department of Health

• Virtual teaching will resume for all students for the duration of the closure

• Any staff or student diagnosed with COVID 19 will be allowed to return to school after

  1. Having two negative COVID 19 test results

  2. Receiving written medical clearance (doctor’s note)

  3. In accordance with any updated CDC/Department of Health guidelines