Tuscan Tidings
Newsletter, Issue 1, Vol. 11 | UPDATED 12.21.20
Live Q&A: Post SOMSD Return to School Town Hall WebEx
Post Town Hall Live Q&A Event: https://bit.ly/2K4UNbt
You can view the Town Hall video on the District's YouTube channel or website: https://bit.ly/34nj8Ae
Monday, Dec 21, 2020, 07:30 PM
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Principal's Message
Greetings Tuscan Family!
We hope that you and your children enjoyed the wonder and excitement of our 1st Snow Day of the school year!
Much like everything else we have experienced in 2020, our traditional holiday celebrations have been very different. However, we can still choose to celebrate this holiday season with gratitude and love.
When we give thanks for our amazing Tuscan school community of students, parents, teachers, and staff our hearts are filled with gratitude. Your hard work and good deeds are truly a gift.
During these most challenging times, as devoted parents and dedicated teachers, we know that you are shouldering an enormous amount of pressure and stress. You have all given so much of yourselves to support student learning and the social/emotional needs of Tuscan’s children. As a caring Tuscan Family you have also generously offered support to make the holiday season brighter for your neighbors and community members in need.
This year has taken a toll on all of us. We hope that while taking care of your children and families, you will remember to also take good care of yourself. Know that your health and well-being are important!
If you need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out to us via email at ROARforTuscan@somsd.k12.nj.us as we are here for you and stand ready to offer guidance for accessing resources and support.
Thank you again for all you have done throughout this intense school year in support of student learning. Please try to do all that you can to find time to make your self-care a priority this holiday season and throughout the New Year.
Wishing you an abundance of good health, wealth, love, laughter and all the joys of the Season!
Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year!
Be well and stay safe,
~Ms. Majeed
SOMSD Return to School Virtual Town Hall
Please view the SOMSD pre-recorded Return to School Town Hall video led by Superintendent, Dr. Ronald G. Taylor, District administrators, and other key experts. The video provides an overview and previously shared key information and outlines and provides updates regarding facilities upgrades, hybrid and virtual scheduling details for January 2021, health & safety, technology, staffing, and special services to help parents make an informed decision for their child(ren's) January 2021 return to school.
You can view the Town Hall video on the District's YouTube channel or website: https://bit.ly/34nj8Ae
In addition, below please find links for Monday's, Post Town-Hall Live Q&A event taking place on Mon., 12/21, after viewing the video, if there any additional questions we encourage you to pre-submit your question.
Post Town Hall Live Q&A Event: https://bit.ly/2K4UNbt
South Orange & Maplewood School District
The Best Children’s Books of 2020!
The Best Children’s Books of 2020!
The children's books on the websites listed below have been carefully selected by librarians, editors, and educators. Most of these titles are available at the Maplewood or South Orange Public Libraries or through MackinVIA or Epic!
Enjoy!
The New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2020
Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) - Notable Children’s Books - 2020
The Best Books of 2020 from Bank Street College (There are several lists, divided by age level.)
The Best Books of 2020 from School Library Journal
The Best Books of 2020 from Kirkus Reviews (for grades 3 and up)
Additional Resources:
Anti-Racism Reading Lists
Social Justice Books
We Need Diverse Books
~Ms. Popp
Message from School Nurses: Understanding Contact Tracing
Understand Contact Tracing and help the Department of Health keep your family safe from COVID-19 spread
WHAT IS CONTACT TRACING? Contact Tracing is the long-standing Public Health practice used to identify those who come into contact with people who have tested positive for many contagious diseases; for example, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and - recently of course - COVID-19. Contact tracing is a little like detective work: trained staff interview people who have been diagnosed with a contagious disease to figure out who they may have recently been in contact with. Then, they call those close contacts* and encourage them to quarantine to prevent spreading the disease. Think of it as part of public health work, part investigation.
If a resident of South Orange or Maplewood tests positive for COVID-19, contact tracing begins:
The local Department of Health (DOH) officers recommend that the COVID-19+ resident inform their close contacts of their positive result. *Close contact is defined as being within six feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
The local DOH officers and/or trained professionals will:
- Call that COVID-19+ resident to determine close contacts to whom they may have spread the virus; then they will get in touch with those close contacts
- Give instructions about next steps, such as self-isolation for the COVID+ individual and quarantine for close contacts
- Maintain confidentiality of the COVID+ individual
- NOT ask for your Social Security Number, bank account or salary information, money, or credit card numbers.
We encourage you to answer the phone – the DOH may be calling you!
Be well. Be safe. Be part of the solution to keep your family and friends safe from COVID-19 spread.
DECEMBER 2020 EARLY DISMISSALS, PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES & SCHOOL CLOSINGS
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