PreK-5 Full-Day Procedures
FAQ's and Important Information Regarding STPS' Return Plans
PreK-5 Return to School Plans
As per Mr. McQueeney's recent letter to parents, all Sparta Township Public Schools will be returning to full days of instruction. We will be doing this in two stages, the first with cohorts, the second with the both cohorts combined.
This transition will require some changes in our protocols and shifts in our school day procedures that are summarized below. The K-5 administrators wanted to share with parents one resource to review our plans for the expansion to full day and combination of cohorts. There may be some logistical differences between schools based on the facility or grade levels served. Any critical differences or adjustments will be communicated separately.
As always, the success of this plan is largely contingent on all stakeholders taking our protocols and procedures seriously and with consistency. This includes keeping students home if displaying symptoms, completing the daily COVID screening forms, and continuing to be cautious while outside of school. As we approach Spring Break, parents are reminded that New Jersey's travel restrictions are still in place and students who travel out-of-state (not immediate surrounding area) are required to quarantine upon return.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation in working with us to bring our students back to school for full days.
March 15th- Cohort A Full-Day
March 22nd- Cohort B Full-Day
March 29th- Cohorts Combined, Full-Day
Thursday, April 1st: Early Dismissal (AES @ 1:15, MAS @ 1:00, HMS @ 1:05)
School Start/End Times:
AES: 9:00-3:45 (3:40 Pickup)
MAS: 8:40-3:25 (3:20 Pickup)
HMS: 8:50-3:35 (3:30 Pickup)
Additional Safety Protocols For Both Cohorts In (combined)
The combination of cohorts obviously increases the amount of students that will be present in each classroom and activity area. This will require each classroom and eating area to become more condensed and less likely to maintain six feet of distance between desks. Parents should know that the distance between student desks is dependent upon several factors including the size of the classroom, the number of virtual students in that class, and the needs of the students. In addition to our current COVID-19 mitigation efforts that include mandatory mask wearing, daily electro-static disinfectant spraying of all classroom surfaces and other high-touch areas, frequent hand washing and sanitizing, and more frequent replacement of HVAC filters, we will be adding the following:
Desk Shields
In the majority of our learning spaces, it is not possible to maintain six feet of distance with the increase in students coming to school. Desks will be spaced to the farthest distance possible and as each room allows. While we will continue to require masks to be worn by teachers and students, we will also provide every student with an individual desk shield. These desk shields will be portable and will travel with the students if they are in a switch class environment, and if six feet of distance can not be maintained in any eating area.Hand Wipes
Each classroom will be provided with a supply of non-alcohol Puresan disinfectant wipes that are food surface safe. These wipes may be used by students when transitioning to different classrooms (switch classes).
Pick-up/Drop-off
Beginning on March 29th, with both cohorts of students returning, there will be a significant increase in pick-up and drop-off traffic. The procedures for each building will not change, but please expect delays. A reminder to please wear masks if you need to exit your vehicle and if you need to speak to staff through the car window.
Please be sure to notify each school of any pick-up changes through our Pickup Patrol system (more information about PUP in the FAQ section). Any daily changes must be made by a building-specific time. This ensures that all parties involved get the message about the change. Please adhere to the following times:
AES- 3:20
MAS- 2:30
HMS- 2:45
Lunch and Recess
Weather permitting, students will have opportunities throughout the day to take breaks outside. NJDOH guidelines still require masks to be worn while outside, and we will not be utilizing or sharing playground equipment at this time.
Student Lunches
Screentime
Student Absence Reporting
New to Pickup Patrol? See the FAQ below.
Busing
Beginning March 29th, our scheduled date for both cohorts students to return, more students will be riding on each bus. Bus drivers will be told to space students out to the greatest extent possible, will group siblings together, and at least one window on each side of the bus will be open for ventilation. It is very important that all students wear their masks appropriately while on the bus.
School Nurses
AES:christine.aloisio@sparta.org
MAS: caitlin.hoynesoconnor@sparta.org, alexa.griffin@sparta.org
HMS: lillian.farrell@sparta.org
Class Schedule
Specials Classes
Before/After School Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, students may remain virtual throughout the entire school year. While we will be asking students who wish to change to in-school by March 8th, we will have another opportunity to change in early May.
2. Students have not had a "full-day" of school since last March and the transition may be difficult, what are schools doing to ease that transition?
Our teachers certainly anticipate this and will incorporate throughout the day different forms of breaks and movement that address the initial exhaustion of being in school for a full day.
3. Will students still be using Chromebooks?
Yes. Parents need to know that most teachers will still have virtual students learning along with the students in school and we will continue to use Google Classroom as our platform for accessing learning resources and activities. Students will be expected to continue to bring their chromebooks home everyday and charge them overnight. PreK-2 students should keep chromebooks at home.
4. I have never used PickUp Patrol, how do I sign up?
If you have not registered yet, please contact the school so that we can email you a registration link. You must use PickUp Patrol to report ALL absences and changes to your children’s dismissal plans.
The PickUp Patrol app is delivered through the web rather than from an app store, and can be found here: https://app.pickuppatrol.net/parents
Please login and add the link to your home screen. If you need help doing this, instructions can be found HERE.
5. Will students have a snack break?
Students will not have snack in the classroom. We would not be able properly clean and disinfect all classrooms after a snack period. We highly recommend that students have a healthy breakfast prior to coming to school and a big lunch for school. Individual class lunch times will be communicated by classroom teachers.
6. My child was getting related services during the afternoon block, now how will they receive services?
Students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) who remain on virtual instruction may continue to receive related services virtually; this will be coordinated between the related service providers and the families.
7. My child is in a Cohort, do I need to complete the request form that will be sent from the district, indicating my desire for him/her to attend everyday?
No. The form is for those that are virtual, and want to now join the combined cohorts OR for any Cohort A or B students that want to shift to virtual.
8. What percentage of students are all-virtual?
Between 18% to 25% of students at AES, MAS and HMS are all-virtual.