EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT
Central Office Communications: Week of August 2, 2020
OUR CURRENT REALITY
Hello EHT School Community,
We are one month away from the start of a new school year; one that will start like no other and is still filled with many unknowns. With the help of our Egg Harbor Township School Community stakeholders, a reopening plan will be submitted to the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) this week. The Road Back to School (RBS) plan is a NJDOE mandated initiative where schools must submit their plans to the NJDOE this week. The plan must include a framework for in-person/hybrid learning and all virtual learning. We have created a plan for Egg Harbor Township School District that meets the criteria set forth by the NJDOE. Please remember the plan is the plan as of this moment and subject to change at any time based upon new laws and regulations, Executive Orders or Guidance from the NJDOE.
Please be sure to check out our social media platforms and website for information on our plan. As part of the plan, surveys will soon be made available to gather feedback from Parents and Guardians as to who will be participating in all virtual learning and who will opt out of transportation for the first marking period. This information will assist our administration with scheduling classes, bus routes, food services, and other logistical needs.
This Question and Answer document (linked) was created for our EHT School Community to assist with any common Questions you may have regarding the reopening of schools. This document is inclusive of sub-committee, district committee, and board meeting questions. I hope that you find it helpful, any further questions can be sent to our district email at ehtsd@eht.k12.nj.us. We will monitor and respond as appropriate whether individually or by updating our Q&A document.
Please keep in mind that directives and guidance from the Governor, Atlantic County Executive Superintendent, and/or Health Department may change at any time, therefore adjustments will take place.
Please know that we are still working on the operational pieces to our plan and the designed framework in our RBS plan which will assist us with further planning and needed changes to regulations and policy. We are aware that we can’t please everyone, but our RBS plan is based on input from school administrators, school nurses, guidance counselors, facilities staff, transportation staff, food service staff, teachers, child study team members, para professionals, board members, students, over 800 community members, our school physician, the Atlantic County Department of Health and the Atlantic County Executive Superintendent. Our priority is to reopen schools with the health, safety, and welfare of our staff and students at the forefront of this all.
We are #EHTStrong! We are #EHTReady!
Dr. Gruccio
THE ROAD BACK COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The Board of Education Special Meeting and "Road Back to School" presentation from Tuesday, July 28th is now available on YouTube and Channel 97. Access the link here: https://youtu.be/oklUTLWL8O0
On Monday, August 3rd beginning at 7:00pm, the Board of Education will hold a virtual "Special Meeting" focused on the Road Back." (see the Board of Education Meeting section below)
SUMMER HOURS
NOTE: Many employees are working remotely at this time. Virtual office hours, as listed above, remain the same.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
EHTHS GRADUATION INFORMATION AND DOWNLOAD
CLASS OF 2020 LIVE GRADUATION CEREMONY
This video includes both group and individual ceremonies from July 8, 2020
You can also access the full graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2020 on ehttv.com
The Press of Atlantic City's photo gallery of the EHTHS graduation ceremony can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/32bb31e
EHT’s AVIATION SUMMER PROGRAM GOES VIRTUAL
Take a look at @EHTNJSchools virtual Aviation Summer Program! https://pressofatlanticcity.com/education/egg-harbor-township-schools-aviation-camp-goes-virtual/article_b84c9788-72d5-5436-8a58-a788426c4b77.html
Week 1 of our virtual Aviation Wednesday summer program for middle school students found them receiving an overview of the aviation field, pilot instruments, and related careers by Kurt from the NJ Aviation Council.
Week 2 of our Aviation Wednesday Series found students virtually connecting with FAA AvSTEM program representatives; Lyndsay Digneo who spoke about AC airport history, Christina Young and Jonathon Torres who taught the students about modeling and simulation and smart technologies to expand airport quality and runway security.
Week 3 of our virtual Aviation Wednesday Summer Series featured a virtual glider ride with Lt. Col Michael Castania and designing and altering paper airplanes to understand how planes fly.
Week 4 - This past week: Captain Mann and Mr. Mosely for provided the summer aviation students a virtual tour and history of the 177th Fighter Wing. This was a great way to end this summer's program.
FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE!
FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN: STILL ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS!
Register now for September 2020.
- Click here to complete your registration: http://mvnt.us/m1116199.
- Students must be 5 years old by 10/01/2020.
- If you have already registered earlier this school year, you do not need to register again.
NOW ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS FOR BOTH 3 & 4 YEAR OLDS IN THE HALF DAY PRE-SCHOOL INTEGRATED PROGRAM!
Please only complete the following application/interest form (linked) if your child will be 3 or 4 years old on or before October 1, 2020.
NOTE: There is a $200 a month fee required to participate in the program which is to be paid in advance for each month. A $200 non-refundable deposit will be required and will be applied ONLY to the June 2021 tuition.
SEATS IN THE PROGRAM WILL BE FILLED ON A “FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE” BASIS.
ONCE THE SEATS ARE FILLED, STUDENTS WILL BE PLACED ON A WAIT LIST.
ASPIRE 2020-2021
ASPIRE: VIRTUAL SUMMER CAMP
The ASPIRE VIRTUAL SUMMER CAMP is in full swing! Check out the recent article in the Press of Atlantic City highlighting the work that is being accomplished:
Also, below is a sampling of pictures as students participated in virtual field trips, conducted Science experiments and participated in family fun and engagement! Keep up the great work and virtual engagement!
CLIMATE & CULTURE
We have worked for the culture of our schools to include school improvement efforts to increase student achievement for ALL students. Through professional development opportunities, time and resources we are building an effective learning culture where students are provided a safe learning environment, where teachers collaborate in professional learning communities to review student progress, providing ALL students the opportunity to learn at high levels, and having individualized interventions through the RTI process to assist ALL students with learning. We know that in order to successfully educate each student, we must be cognizant of each student’s individual learning needs. This can only be accomplished if we work together to eliminate any predictability of achievement disparities by race, ethnicity, gender, language, disability, and/or economics.
#EMBRACE
INFINITE CAMPUS PARENT PORTAL ACCOUNT
Do you need an EHT Parent Portal account? Do you have access to log-in? Check out this short video to learn how to request an account. https://youtu.be/bL1Qqs8sNm4
SCHOOL MESSENGER REMINDER!
JUST SEND "Y" or "YES" to 67587
MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION: UPDATE!
See the following link for a daily list of resources: http://www.mhaac.info/uploads/3/4/4/8/34488857/mhaac_virtual_schedule_may_2020__updated_.pdf
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT & RESOURCES
As time passes, it can become difficult staying at home day in and day out. Some days may be easier than others in dealing with this national pandemic amongst other issues. Please know that our guidance counselors, social workers, student assistance counselors, school nurses, and our High School Teen Center serve as available resources daily to assist with any concerns, fears, and/or anxieties. Our district website and school websites provide contact information or call 646-7911 x 1001.
Atlantic County Division of Public Health: “The Source” (linked)
Student resource card (Spanish/English)
EVERY HAND TOGETHER: PURSUING PUBLIC HEALTH
The following link is a playlist from Every Hand Together: Pursuing Public Health and a conversation with Mr. Santilli, Assistant Superintendent and Pam Celenza of New Jersey Child Assault Prevention: PPH Child Abuse Prevention Series (Playlist) (Linked and Below)
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
JOB OPENINGS
For more information you can see all job openings and apply online at: https://www.applitrack.com/eggharbor/onlineapp/
EHT TRANSPORTATION: JOB OPENINGS
Atlantic County Food Bank Resources
FREE FOOD GIVEAWAY
Free & Reduced Meal Program Information
THE NEST SCHOOL STORE IS ONLINE & OPEN!
Virtual Board of Education Meetings
Our Board of Education is going virtual too! Until further notice, Board meetings will continue to be held on designated evenings as advertised, however will now use the Google Meet tool.
The Egg Harbor Township School District's Board of Education will hold a virtual Special Meeting focused on the "Road Back to School" on Monday, August 3rd at 7:00pm. The live broadcast of the meeting can be found at http://eht.k12.nj.us/ During the broadcast, public comments will be accepted by dialing 609-653-0100 ext 1417.
ATHLETICS/FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS/ACTIVITIES
RETURN TO PLAY INFORMATION
Student-athletes and band members participating in Phase 1 summer session can find guidelines and information on the website at http://ehthsathletics.weebly.com
You can also directly access information on the Return to Play Document (linked)
MESSAGE TO OUR STUDENT ATHLETES AND FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS
Phase 1 of the Delayed Fall Season began for Egg Harbor Township High School with the arrival of our football players on July 27th. We welcome all other sports and marching band back to campus on August 4th to begin their workout sessions. All athletes will be required to take part in a pre-workout health screening and abide by safety protocols for workout sessions. This includes the wearing of masks when appropriate, social distancing, health checks, 90 minute practices, no sharing of equipment, and no more than two days of practice per week. Violation of these guidelines could have a program face disqualification as all athletes need to go through Phase 1 prior to any official team practices. Athletes will be grouped into ‘pods’ for health, safety and contact tracing. I cannot stress the importance of these protocols as they are not only in place for workouts at school but also for outside of the practice fields. Actions off the field are as important as actions on the field.
The NJSIAA recognizes the fluidity of this virus and any needed changes would be made prior to August 28th. As a reminder, for the health safety, and welfare of our student athletes, student athletes should be supervised by a board approved staff member during any and all workouts and practices. August 28th will be the last day of summer workouts and a two week hiatus begins where all communications with athletes have to be virtual. No one is permitted on campus for in-person practices from August 29th to September 13th. Official pre- season practices can begin on September 14th. Games will begin on or near October 1st. There will be no long trips, out of state trips, or state championships. All student-athletes and coaches must adhere to this model in order to participate.
July 27 - Football summer workouts begin
Aug 4 - All other sports and marching band summer workouts begin.
Aug 28- All summer workouts end; No activity up to and including Sept. 13th
Sept 14- Official Pre-season practice begin for all sports and marching band
Sept 28 - Tennis games can begin
Oct 2 - Football games can begin
Oct 1 - All other sports games can begin
Go Eagles !
Dr. Gruccio
NJSIAA:
- NJSIAA STATEMENT – UPDATE ON SUMMER WORKOUTS/FALL SPORTS
- NJSIAA builds on Return To Play plan, provides updates on fall sports season
- NJSIAA provides return-to-play guidelines - Phase 1
- NJSIAA Provides Updated, Return-to-Play Guidelines
- May 30, 2020 NJSIAA STATEMENT - Executive Order #149 - Return to Sports
- May 28, 2020 NJSIAA Adds COVID Task Force
- How We Return to High School Sports in New Jersey
- A Message from 2ndFloor Youth Helpline and NJSIAA
- May 8, 2020 Updated NJSIAA Statement - Short Term Guidance
- May 4, 2020 Updated NJSIAA Statement
- April 16, 2020 Updated NJSIAA Statement
- April 10, 2020 Update on Spring Sports Schedule
NCAA
- If you are a student athlete you can visit the following NCAA COVID-19 Resource page
- NCAA Social Series: “Focusing on Mental Health”
- NCAA Eligibility Center COVID-19 Response FAQ Addendum (linked)
ABOUT US
EMBRACE-ENGAGE-EDUCATE
Email: ehtsd@eht.k12.nj.us
Website: www.eht.k12.nj.us
Location: 13 Swift Drive, Egg Harbor Township, NJ, USA
Phone: 609-646-7911
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EHTNJSchools/
Twitter: @EHTNJSchools