ECE Connection
Special Edition
November 3, 2021
During this past week you should have received the following communication from Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Christine Johnson, around upcoming travel guidelines and testing.
If you recall, last year we partnered with Riverside Medical Group and we tested students after long breaks and holidays. We were able to do so because the New Jersey Department of Education allowed for remote learning. This provided us with a buffer of time so that families could return from travel, we could arrange for the administration of all tests, and so we could receive results.
This year, the New Jersey Department of Education does not allow for remote learning in order to provide that buffer period after long breaks and holidays. As a result, there is not enough time to test all students.
This year, we are going to try something different for the teacher's convention long weekend and Thanksgiving. Rather than test all students, we ask all families to identify with a particular scenario and communicate with their building principal.
Review all of the following scenarios:
- If a vaccinated student or staff member travels internationally, testing is encouraged upon return, but is not required. You do not need to inform the school or PK provider.
- If an unvaccinated student or staff member travels internationally (outside the U.S.), they must follow the guidelines in our reopening plan. The Hoboken Public School District will require a Negative PCR to return to school or work for any individual (unvaccinated) after any international travel whether during breaks or otherwise to return to school. The test must be conducted 3-5 days after returning home (PCR Test must be administered in NJ). The student will quarantine and work via Google Classroom until the results are obtained. Please notify your child's Family Advocate immediately if your unvaccinated child will be traveling internationally.
- If travel is within NJ, NY, DE, CT or PA, testing is not required for vaccinated or unvaccinated students or staff. You do not need to inform the school or PK provider.
- If a vaccinated student or staff member travels domestically (in the U.S. but outside of NJ, NY, DE, CT or PA) testing is encouraged upon return but is not required. You do not need to inform the school or PK provider.
- If an unvaccinated student or staff member travels domestically (in the U.S. but outside of NJ, NY, DE, CT or PA) testing is required upon return. Options for testing are as follows:
- You may independently arrange to have your child tested by a medical professional using either a 48 hour PCR or a Rapid Test,
- You may independently purchase a rapid home test kit, or
- You may request a kit from your school principal at no cost. Please notify your child's principal or PK provider immediately if your unvaccinated child will be traveling domestically. Communicate the means in which you will have your child tested or if you need a test provided by the school.
If one or more of your children have to test as a result of any of the scenarios above, please be sure that you send the results to your child's Family Advocate before or upon returning to school on Monday, November 8, 2021.
Have a restful extended weekend,
Lauren Eakin, Supervisor of Early Childhood