Transition to Full Day Instruction
2/26/2021
SHS Community:
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 phase will transition the individual cohort and the second phase will entail combining cohorts to bring all students back into the building.
This transition will require some changes in our protocols and shifts in our school day procedures. As always, the success of this plan is largely contingent upon 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. We appreciate your patience and cooperation in working with us to bring our students back to school for full day instruction.
SHS Full Day Schedule:
- March 15-19: Cohort A (A-K) in-person, Full Day
- March 22-26: Cohort B (L-Z) in-person, Full Day
- March 29: Cohorts Combined, Full-Day
Additional Safety Protocols For Full Day with Combined Cohorts:
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, enhancement and more frequent replacement of HVAC filters, we will be providing individual desk shields to all student.
In the majority of our leaning spaces, it is not possible to maintain six feet of distance with the increase in students coming to school. Desks will be spaced apart to the furthest distance as each classroom allows. While we will continue to require that masks are worn by teachers and students (except while eating lunch). We will also provide every student with an individual desk shield. These desk shields will be portable and will travel with the students as they switch classes and attend lunch.
Virtual Learning Instructional Guidelines:
Daily live lessons will be provided and students are required to follow class schedules and attend class meetings. Class lessons will be interactive and will take multiple forms including modeling, mini-lessons, screencast Google Slides, small group projects, project-based learning with benchmarks, etc. Students are encouraged to keep their cameras on to optimize the opportunity for collaboration and interaction with teachers and classmates.
Google Meet is the primary platform for class lessons and Academic Assistance hours.
Virtual students are expected to be active participants in all live lessons.
Cameras are to be on during class instruction unless otherwise prompted by the teacher.
In the event that you are prompted to turn your camera off, please make sure that your avatar is representative of you. Your avatar should consist of your name or your photo. Any avatar that may be considered inappropriate will be reported to administration and is subject to disciplinary action.
Our Genesis Parent Portal Gradebook will be open to parents throughout the day.
Students will be required to follow the SHS Code of Conduct and Virtual Code of Conduct. Our Virtual Code of Conduct is an extension to the Code of Conduct outlined in the SHS handbook.
Related Services:
Attendance:
If students opt for in-person instruction and attend school or a specific class virtually, the extenuating circumstance must be reported to the student’s guidance counselor and approved by the Vice Principal or he/she may receive an unexcused absence for that class.
Teachers will take class attendance every period. Attendance for each period will be recorded in Genesis.
Academic Assistance:
Busing:
Beginning March 29th, our scheduled date for all students to return, more students will be riding on each bus. Students will be asked to space themselves out to the greatest extent possible, and we ask that siblings sit together. It is very important that all students wear their masks appropriately while on the bus.
Hallways:
- Hallways and stairwells are marked to maintain flow and distancing. In addition, the stairwell in the 300/400 wing is a one-way.
- Hallway and gym lockers will not be used in order to allow for traffic flow and prevent gathering of students.
Lunch:
We will be utilizing multiple spaces in each building for student lunches, including the cafeteria and gyms. Students will be required to use their personal desk shield while eating. In addition, masks must be worn at all times unless students are eating.
Sodexo, the district's food service provider, will provide daily lunches to interested students. We are presently working with Sodexo to provide students with a safe process to pick up their pre-packaged lunches. For students who are remaining virtual, the district will continue to provide the free lunches at Sparta High School.
Senior Privilege:
Seniors will have Senior Privilege and Open Campus privileges and will be permitted to go out for lunch as long as all required paperwork has been completed in the Genesis Parent Portal.
Technology Concerns:
Social Emotional Supports:
Social Emotional Learning will be a focus as we transition back into learning through the ALIGN program and other resources. School counselors will be available to students throughout each school day and during Academic Assistance hours.
Our licensed staff is here to assist students in achieving their health and wellness goals, enabling students to make lifestyle choices that help them achieve optimal physical, emotional and behavioral well-being. Please visit our Align Wellness Program website for additional information.
Sparta High School
Website: www.sparta.org
Location: 70 West Mountain Road, Sparta, NJ, USA
Phone: 9737296191
Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaHighSchool-NJ
Twitter: @spartahighschoolnj