EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT
Central Office Communications: Week of March 14, 2021
OUR CURRENT REALITY
Dear EHT School Community,
One year ago we were going into full lock down for a pandemic we knew little about, where we had no guidance to follow for educating students, and needed quick ideas for education in a virtual world. We held emergency administrator meetings and brain stormed night and day in central office to come up with a plan for online learning. This started with finding a common virtual platform, building a PK-12 schedule, providing professional development for our teachers, and communicating schedules with our students and parents. It certainly was a venture into uncharted territory, however this school community pulled together to make the best of things and I am grateful for that. Here we are a year later, working on getting back to a sense of normalcy. The return to more in -person learning survey results are in and posted on our website, bus passes are completed, class rosters are set, and additional PPE is on its way for the week of March 22nd where we are providing more in -person learning opportunities for students for 4 abbreviated days. Mondays will remain a virtual day for all students/teaching and PD day for staff at this juncture. Our PK, MD, Eagle Academy, and Bridge programs will attend school 5 days per week. We have been working together on innovative alternatives for the Middle School and High School, this includes plans for all end of the year activities. Middle School sports will happen this spring. A letter will be sent home this week outlining information about physicals and start dates.
It is so important to keep abreast of the county cases in order to keep moving forward. The Southeast still remains in Yellow (moderate). Together, we are practicing health and safety protocols to keep our school community safe and our schools open. The contributing factors in making a change to more in-person learning involve:
CDC Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools through Phased Mitigation
Orange to Yellow/Moderate Risk
COVID-19 positive cases in our District
ABSENCE of high/moderate levels of linked transmission occurring in our schools.
Governor changes on capacity allowance
Absence of rapidly accelerating community transmission
Social Emotional Impact on Students
Student Performance Data
**The plan can and will be impacted if these factors change.
The health, safety, and welfare of our staff and students is of the utmost importance to me. My staff and I will be sure to keep abreast of the guidance from the CDC, NJDOE, NJDOH, and ACDOPH. This includes monitoring the status of COVID-19 in our district and county as changes in case data and the contributing factors listed above could have an impact on the EHT Road Forward Plan. We will continue to stress the wearing of masks and the importance of 6 feet of social distancing to the greatest extent practicable. When 6 feet of social distancing cannot occur, we will provide the needed PPE. Our buildings and buses will continue to be cleaned and sanitized on a daily basis. We have just partnered with Walmart in Egg Harbor Township for vaccinating our teachers and staff. Appointments begin this week.
All of us in the Egg Harbor Township School Community are working hard to Move Forward and provide increased in-person learning opportunities for students in a safe environment while still meeting the standards of the Road Back Plan, Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 175, and New Jersey Department of Health Guidance. While we are moving forward, I remind everyone of the importance of teamwork in our school community. I am confident that with respect, understanding, and teamwork our school community will come together to provide the best educational experiences for our students.
I look forward to working together!
We are #EHTStrong ! #EHTReady! #EHTPride #EHTRoadForward
Embrace - Engage - Educate
Yours in Education,
Dr. Gruccio
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
- Martin Luther King Jr.
SPRING AHEAD
#EHTREADY: THE ROAD FORWARD
VACCINATION PARTNERSHIP
EHT School District and Walmart partner to vaccinate district teachers:
#EHTREADY
Students in Egg Harbor Township are #EHTReady. Here is an #EHTReady Video Playlist that we invite you to view and share with your child!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7-frtReHZMPYOk_Rm3qtlRyYz3RXGAjB
COVID-19 WEBPAGE and RESOURCES
Covid-19 Parent Resource Webpage
For the latest parent resource information, announcement and quick links visit: https://www.eht.k12.nj.us/c_o_v_i_d19_-_parent_resources_and_information
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
LIBRARY CARDS
We are proud to announce that EHTNJ Schools - Egg Harbor Township School District is partnering with the Atlantic County Library System to provide library cards for ALL EHT students! Check out the article in Press of Atlantic City for more information: http://mvnt.us/m1198688
READING RESOURCES: PK-12
ONE STOP SHOPPING FOR EHT ED TECH
The EHT IT Department and Professional Development Committee have teamed up to bring an all-in-one Education Technology website for students, faculty, and families. Visit the website here: https://ehtedtech.weebly.com/
IC PARENT PORTAL ACCOUNT INFORMATION!
MORE SELF HELP VIDEOS...
- USE OF GOOGLE CALENDAR to BOOK APPTS. w/ STAFF: Students can book one-on-one appointments with counselors, CST/YST members, or even their classroom teachers. Here is a brief tutorial on how to book appointments in Google Calendar with staff appointment slots: https://youtu.be/-SJFfya0WGo
- GOOGLE CLASSROOM: VIDEO RESOURCE: Need help joining your Google Classroom? This video explains how to find your EHT School District Google Classroom codes and how to add or "join" an active Google Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzvUOJKkh3k&feature=youtu.be
- GOOGLE MEET & GOOGLE CLASSROOM: For students looking to join their class for a live Google Meet session, this is a step by step of video of how to lactate and join the Meet from Google Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=i6lgBOh1YpU&feature=youtu.be
- ACCESSING STUDENT EMAIL (GRADES 6-12): Egg Harbor Township School District now offers an internal email address for students in grades 6-12. This video will demonstrate how to access student email from the district website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVutLPNRs9I&feature=youtu.be
- BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS FOR REMOTE LEARNING: This video offers some basic troubleshooting tips for those using a Chromebook or their own device in the virtual environment: http://mvnt.us/m1154434
- GOOGLE RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS: Google for Education has a resource for parents/guardians to learn and navigate the Google Tools. Take a look at this pdf and click on the embedded links for tutorials and more: http://mvnt.us/m1112980
CLIMATE & CULTURE
The culture of our schools includes our school improvement efforts to increase student achievement for ALL students. Where with Every Hand Together, Every child, Everyday is provided a relevant learning experience. Through professional development opportunities we are building an effective learning culture where students are provided a safe learning environment. Our teachers collaborate in professional learning communities to review student progress in order to provide ALL students with the opportunity to learn at high levels. We have a district -wide initiative that includes 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. All faculty and staff participated in equity training during our professional learning days. Together, we can achieve more!
#EMBRACE
2021-2022 TEACHER & EDUCATION SERVICE PROFESSIONALS VIRTUAL RECOGNITION
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Each day is kicked off at 7:30 am with a member of our school community stating the pledge. Every morning, I look forward to seeing who the guest presenter is and you can too by following our social media pages! @EHTNJSchools
Featuring Jordan
SCHOOL MESSENGER REMINDER!
JUST SEND "Y" or "YES" to 67587
EHT PARENT PORTAL ACCOUNT SET-UP
- Do you need an EHT Parent Portal account?
- Do you have access to log-in?
- Not sure how to request a Parent Portal account?
Follow the easy steps outlined in this video. Check out this short video to learn how to request an account. https://youtu.be/bL1Qqs8sNm4
INFINITE CAMPUS PARENT PORTAL: ACCESS to GOOGLE CLASSROOM & MOBYMAX INFO.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION: UPDATE!
Visit http://mvnt.us/m1184363 to find The Mental Health Association of Atlantic County's Winter calendar for virtual services.
SOCIAL DISTANCING SHOULDN’T MEAN SOCIAL ISOLATION
The NJ Department of Children and Families have compiled a list of resources available 24/7. Visit http://mvnt.us/m1157179 for more information.
ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES!
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
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 Monique Corbitt from Avanzar discussing the topic of Dating Violence. http://mvnt.us/m1116217
PPH: Dating Violence with Monique Corbitt from Avanzar (linked and below).
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
DONATE NOW TO SUPPORT AN INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND
The students at Davenport school need your help to build an inclusive playground. The Community Partnership of Egg Harbor Township has begun a fundraising effort to support ALL the students at @ehtnjdavenport. To pledge your support, click the link here: http://mvnt.us/m1181036 @communitypartnershipEHT
GET A FLU SHOT!
Protect yourself and your community. Get a flu shot! Learn more at www.powertoprotectnj.org #powertoprotectNJ #fightthefluNJ
NJ DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COVID APP
STOCKTON OFFERS FREE VIRTUAL HOMEWORK COMPLETION PROGRAM
Stockton University's Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning is running a Virtual Homework Completion Program. For more information, visit https://stockton.edu/engagement
ATTENTION ALUMNI: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A SUPERHERO!
The Egg Harbor Township High School Eagle Eye Newsletter is looking for alumni who are interested in being featured in an upcoming edition of the online publication. If you have a personal or professional accomplishment, a unique adventure or just something other EHTHS alumni may find interesting, please email:
COMCAST INTERNET ESSENTIALS
omcast will continue offering 2 months of free service to new Internet Essentials customers in response to emergency measures associated with COVID-19. For all new and existing customers, the speed of the program's Internet service has increased. Visit www.internetessentials.com/covid19 for more details.
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
BECOME A SUBSTITUTE WITH EHT!
We're hiring for rewarding opportunities in Egg Harbor Township School District! To apply, visit https://bit.ly/3gGjAxX
UPDATED: MEAL DISTRIBUTION: MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2021
For questions about @ehtnjschools meal distribution, please call or email: 609-383-1464 or beckt@eht.k12.nj.us.
Our EHT Food Service Program will be providing free breakfast and lunch for all students on MONDAY, March 15, 2021. We will be distributing food on Monday which will include 7 days of breakfast and lunch (one meal box per student). In order to reach as many of our EHT families as possible, we are also now providing DELIVERY to several areas in the township. Please access all the images in this post to view the meal distribution stops and times. Additionally, the PICK-UP times at Davenport, Alder, and the High School are as follows:
EHTHS --> 8:00am - 11:00am
Alder --> 9:00am - 11:30am
Davenport --> 9:30am - 12:30pm
Nuestro Programa de Servicio de Alimentos EHT proporcionará desayuno y almuerzo gratis para todos los estudiantes el Lunes, 15 de marzo de 2021. Estaremos distribuyendo alimentos el lunes que incluirá 7 días de desayuno y almuerzo (una caja de comida por alumno). Con el fin de llegar a la mayor cantidad posible de nuestras familias de EHT, ahora también estamos brindando ENTREGA a varias áreas del municipio. Acceda a todas las imágenes de esta publicación para ver las paradas y horarios de distribución de comidas. Además, los horarios de RECOGIDA en Davenport, Alder y High School son los siguientes:
EHTHS -> 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Alder -> 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Davenport -> 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
ATLANTIC COUNTY FOOD BANK RESOURCES
Free & Reduced Meal Program Information
THE NEST SCHOOL STORE IS ONLINE & OPEN!
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING-WORK SESSION
The Egg Harbor Township Board of Education will be meeting, in person, on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 25 Alder Avenue, Egg Harbor Township at 7PM.
For members of the public that do not wish to attend the meeting in person, the meeting will be live-streamed via the EHT School District website through the above video player.
The public will be able to participate in public comment in-person (limited capacity) or by calling 609-653-0100 ext 1417 at the appropriate time. In addition, the Board will also be accepting e-mail and written comments on agenda and non-agenda items up to 4pm Monday, March 15, 2021.
You may e-mail comments to PublicComment@eht.k12.nj.us or mail them to Board Secretary at 13 Swift Drive, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234. Comments will only be read aloud if they are received by 4pm Monday, March 15, 2021 and they include the name and home address of the sender in the e-mail and adhere to the three minute time limit.
Please note, we do not discuss confidential student matters during the public portion of the meeting and public members seeking a response on such items should e-mail the Superintendent separately. The Board reserves the right to not respond to any particular comment, and to not read aloud comments which are profane, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate under the Board’s bylaws. Please be further advised, that by reading e-mails during the meeting the Board does not endorse, or intend to endorse, any statements made during the public comment periods and the person submitting such statement is responsible for any statements found to be slanderous, defamatory, or in violation of the law.
*Please anticipate a 30-second delay for the broadcast to reach the stream.
ATHLETICS/FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS/ACTIVITIES
LIVE STREAMING VARSITY SPORTS
The Egg Harbor Township School District, in conjunction with EHT TV, is currently live streaming all varsity winter sports to support our community, families and students. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and guidelines by NJSIAA, spectators are not permitted to attend in-person, so instead we will bring the games to you no matter where you are. All live streaming can be accessed at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/ehtsports
EARNED THOSE STRIPES!
We are so pleased with the look of our new track and turf! The entire facility speaks to #EHTPride! Students are now using the facility to train and compete.
MESSAGE TO OUR STUDENT ATHLETES AND FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS
Competition for the third athletic season begins on March 16th this week with Wrestling and Volleyball athletes out practicing for competition. Unfortunately, Wrestling will be put on hold until next week because of quarantine.
We are very excited to announce that Middle School sports will happen this spring. Letters will be sent to parents this week that will provide information for physicals and start dates. In accordance with Governor Murphy’s executive order, we will welcome the parents of our student athletes to attend indoor winter sporting events. In accordance with the NJDOH and NJSIAA recommendations, Egg Harbor Township High School will be allowed to invite two parents or caregivers per athlete/performing arts student to attend contests/performances in the gym and/or pool. Our attendance protocol will be aligned to the New Jersey Department of Health’s Guidance for Sports Activities and will include a health screening. More will be shared by our athletic department as we have prepared our facilities to accommodate fans. The attendance requirements of other high schools will vary due to the size and restrictions of their school and/or district as the attendance limit is 35% of the room’s capacity or 150 people total. Please be reminded that it is important for us all to work together to follow the NJDOH and NJSIAA guidance for safety so that our student-athletes can safely enjoy their winter season.
For those who are not permitted to attend, we are live-streaming competition and games can be viewed by our #EHTPride fans and families. Look for the link on our social media sites and webpage.
To all of our students who are involved in Sports and the Arts- thank you for your commitment to serving your passion and our school district!
I am proud of you! Good Luck Eagles!
#EHTPride #EHTStrong
Dr. Gruccio
NJSIAA:
- Mental Health of High School Athletes - Part 1 (linked)
- NJSIAA Announces Spring Sports Plan (linked)
- NJSIAA 2020-2021 Winter Update (linked)
- November: Winter Sports Return to Play Update (linked)
- 10-29-20: NJSIAA Misinformation on Wrestling (linked)
- October 2020: COVID-19 Winter Sports Return to Play Update (linked)
- 9-17-20 NJSIAA Media Guidelines/Fall 2020 Season (linked)
- 9-16-20 NJSIAA Announces Postseason Football Plans (linked)
- NJSIAA WEEKLY UPDATE MEMO: 9-4-20 (linked)
- NJSIAA Covid-19 Fall Season Guidelines (linked)
8-28-20 NJSIAA revises guidelines related to transfers and spectators attending games (linked)
8-25-20 The Case for High School Sports (linked)
8-20-20 NJSIAA Updates Plan for Returning to Play (linked)
- NJSIAA builds on Return To Play plan, provides updates on fall sports season
- NJSIAA provides return-to-play guidelines - Phase 1
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)
WEEKLY DIGITAL NEWSLETTERS
Each week our principals share an update on what is happening in their respective schools. Check out the Weekly Digital Newsletters linked below.
Week of March 7, 2021
G&T Times (The Titanic Edition March 2021)
G&T Times (March/April 2021)
EHT Media Specialists (March 2021)
EHT Nursing Services (March 2021)
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