Tuscan Tidings
Newsletter, Issue 1, Vol. 27 | 05.03.21
May 3rd, 2021 Tuscan School Reopening for Grades K - 5 in Combined Hybrid Cohorts
Dear Tuscan Family~
As you know, Phase 5 of the district’s reopening plan begins tomorrow, Monday, May 3rd, 2021, with a greater number of students in Grades K – 5 attending Tuscan in person in combined cohorts.
Throughout each new phase of our district’s reopening plan we have continuously faced new challenges and demonstrated improvements in broadening our use of technology to deliver remote instruction. In Phase 5 we will continue to expand our repertoire of strategies and techniques for engaging our students in meaningful learning experiences while remaining focused on meeting the needs of all students attending Tuscan both virtually and in person.
If your child is approved for hybrid, technology is required for attending school in person as the mode of instructional delivery will remain the same at this time.
We understand and anticipate that especially for our students in Grade 3 – 5, an in person return to school under more restrictive COVID-19 safety protocols may not align with their imagined expectations of a normal, pleasurable or enjoyable school day at Tuscan. In person learning at Tuscan provides a change in setting that some students may internalize as more restrictive than the physical comforts of learning from their home or other setting.
We know that due to a variety of reasons mainly medical and/or health related it is not possible for all members of our school community to return to Tuscan in person. We understand that our remote students might wish for a physical presence at Tuscan that is not possible at this time. Our goal is to provide all Tuscan students, remote and in person, with the same level of instruction and teacher attention along with opportunities for virtual interactions with peers.
We all deeply know and understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating, causing many to lose the lives of their loved ones and/or their livelihoods. We know that our transition to in person learning has been and continues to be an arduous journey. We understand that staying positive when faced with ongoing feelings of frustration and disappointment can be extremely challenging. Please know that we deeply thank you for all the positive ways, private and public, that you have shown kindness and empathy when faced with adversity. You have our heartfelt gratitude as your children benefit greatly from the positive example that you set. When our students are faced with unsettling, upsetting and challenging times, your words and actions serve as a model for our students to ROAR (Respect Others Act Responsibly).
Please know that we deeply care and we are concern about the health, safety and well-being of our Tuscan family. Your voice and insights are highly valued and we invite and welcome parent involvement. As we begin Phase 5, we ask for your continued patience as we continue to explore different technology resources, tools, strategies and techniques for the simultaneous delivery of instruction and ongoing school community building for remote and in person learners, faculty and staff.
If you have any questions or concerns about any aspect of your child’s Tuscan experience, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or reach out to Tuscan School Administration at ROARforTuscan@somsd.k12.nj.us. We always welcome the opportunity to answer questions and address concerns.
Until next time, be well and stay safe!
~Ms. Majeed
Tuscan Facilities Update from Mr. Bertani
The health and safety of students and staff remains our number one priority. To that end, we are happy to report a number of updates to Tuscan School Facilities. Over the past two weeks we have received two new/replacement uninvent motors and 18 air purifiers. With this step, all teachers are able to teach from their original classroom spaces and students will be learning from their homerooms/classrooms. Students coming into the building for the first time next week will notice a number of school upgrades (i.e. signage for masks and social distancing, hand sanitizer stations, movement signage, and directional floor markings). These have all been put in place in accordance with the districts Covid-19 initiatives.
As a reminder at the elementary school levels and in accordance with state guidelines, students' social distancing will be reduced to three-feet. We understand that in some instances the capacity of the room or the design of the instructional space may not easily allow for three feet of social distancing. Anticipating this concern, in accordance with the recent CDC and NJDOH guidance, the district has purchased individual partitions for each of our hybrid elementary students. This does not mean that each student will utilize a desk partition daily, but it is a fail safe to assist our teachers in efficiently organizing our classrooms in the safest and most age appropriate way.
Have a great week!
Mr. Bertani
Make Every Day Earth Day from Mrs. Van Tine
While I don’t think concepts of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle should be relegated to only one day, I try to use the day as a way for them to make an appearance in the music room in a creative way.
In past years after covering the traditional musical instruments I have used the inspiring documentary Landfill Harmonic,which chronicles a school in Paraguay that built an orchestra out of recycled materials, to create a pop up “maker space” within the music class for the Tuscan students to explore and create non-traditional instruments.
At home (for this year) this could be an interesting challenge to see what the students can find and create from items in the house. It doesn’t just have to be a musical instrument-any form of recycled art is fabulous!
Please share with me any videos or pictures you take -I would love to see and share the students (and your) creativity.
Claire Van Tine-Music Educator
Here’s my recycled instrument! Enjoy-
An important message from Mrs. Sullivan and Mr. P...
If you don't take care of your body, where will you live???
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and the first week in May is National Physical Education and Sport Week! One specific event we want the whole Tuscan community to participate in is called Project ACES (All Children Exercise Simultaneously), on Wednesday, May 5th.
This is an annual event and has been in existence for 33 years! This is also a global event with people all over the world exercising together, and has been labeled as the world's largest exercise class! It is a symbolic gesture of fitness and unity to show the world how important and fun being physically active is! For more information you can go to www.projectaces.com.
The Tuscan community participates in Project ACES every year, and nothing will stop us! We are hoping that the whole Tuscan community will participate in this event with their families any time on Wednesday. We have included the link below for the video provided by the Project ACES coordinators. We hope everyone will join us and participate in this awesome event!!!
~Ms. Sullivan & Mr. Panayoutou
Reporting Your Child’s Absence
If your child will be absent for the day or any part of the school day
- Please email TuscanASAP@somsd.k12.nj.us and your child’s teacher before 7:30AM or as soon as possible
If you are unable to email
- Please call Tuscan School (973-378-5221 option 1) before 7:30AM to leave a voice message
CONTACT TRACING IN THE SCHOOL SETTING
The SOMSD school nurses developed a chart to summarize the response to COVID+ activity in the school community and to provide clarification on school notification procedures.
When a SOMSD staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19, it is the responsibility of that staff member or the parent of the student to notify the principal who notifies the superintendent. The respective local Department of Health (DOH) – South Orange or Maplewood - will be notified immediately. The local DOH, who receives the actual lab report, conducts Contact Tracing. Based on the circumstances of each case, the local DOH provides the District with guidance as to the appropriate and timely notification of staff and families of a confirmed case while maintaining confidentiality.
Click here to view the "NOTIFICATION OF SCHOOL COMMUNITY PROCEDURE" document
Grades 3-12 Free Online Mathematics Competition Stevens Institute of Technology Mathematical Olympiad!
Tuscan School Hours 8:45 am -12:45 pm | 2:15 - 3:30 pm Small Groups
- April 23, 2021 | District-wide Asynchronous Day
- April 26, 2021 | PreK - 2 hybrid cohorts (A, B and C) will now be combined/consolidated attending school 5 days a week. PreK in their current early dismissal schedules; and K-2 in their current 4-hour day schedules
Special Services: ELL, multi-subject POR and Self-Contained programs in grades K-5 will be in school 5 days a week beginning on April 26 in their current 4-hour day schedules
- May 3, 2021 | Grades 3 - 5 in-person hybrid students will return to schools in one consolidated group (joining the PreK - 2 students)
Students will attend school in-person 5 days a week, under their current four-hour schedules (there will be no virtual Fridays)
Students who have opted for virtual/remote instruction will continue to sign-in via Google Meet/CANVAS for virtual instruction
2021-22 SY Kindergarten & PreK Registration Now Open
Additional Information & Resources for the Community
TUSCAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The School District of South Orange and Maplewood
Email: ROARforTuscan@somsd.k12.nj.us
Website: www.somsd.k12.nj.us/tuscan/
Location: 25 Harvard Avenue, Maplewood, NJ, USA
Phone: 973-378-5221