• Parents and Guardians, 

    We hope this letter finds you and your family healthy and enjoying summer. With September just around the corner, we are certain you have many questions regarding the 2020-2021 school year. The SBJC Leadership Team, Restart Committee, and Board of Education have been collaborating to provide the safest possible environment for our students and staff while maximizing in-person instructional time. In total, over ninety volunteers of teachers, parents, administrators, paraprofessionals, and outreach workers have met over sixteen days to develop a plan that reflects the guidance provided by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), Center for Disease Control (CDC), New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), and the Bergen County Health Department. Our guiding principle throughout this process and moving forward is that “not one person, student or staff, gets sick due to our educational programs.” 

    On July 31, 2020, the South Bergen Jointure Commission submitted its Restart and Recovery plan to the Bergen County Department of Education for approval. This plan outlines the new protocols and procedures being put in place in preparation for our reopening in September. Ensuring the safety of all students and staff while continuing to provide quality education services has been the guiding principle throughout this plan’s development. The full plan can be viewed on the homepage of our district website. 

    Included in this plan was the district’s proposed reopening schedule. As outlined below, this schedule has been organized into a series of four phases. The details of each phase are as follows:

     

    PHASE 1: 

    September 8 to September 18

    • Full capacity.
    • Allow for virtual instruction for students opting out.
    • 4-hour session day for students.
    • Afternoon for staff: professional development/virtual learning.
    		  

    PHASE 2: 

    September 21 to October 16

    • Full capacity.
    • Reassess schedule and make necessary modifications.
    • Increase in-person instruction to full days if possible based on data surrounding safety.
         

    PHASE 3: 

    October 19 to November 25

      • Full capacity.
    • Reassess schedule and make necessary modifications.
    • Allow for parents who selected only virtual instruction to opt-in for in-person.
    • Full day.
    		  

    PHASE 4: 

    November 30 to January 15

      • Full capacity.
    • Reassess schedule and make necessary modifications.
    • Allow for parents who selected only virtual instruction to opt-in for in-person.
    • Full day.

     

    Attached is the district’s proposed calendar for September-November (Phases 1-3) which has been developed to reflect the phases outlined above. This calendar will be followed by the SBJC Maywood, Lodi, Prime Time & Felician campuses. All annex campuses (Moonachie, South Hackensack, Carlstadt & Teaneck) will follow the calendars for their districts but will adhere to the phases outlined above. Please note that this calendar is subject to change based on data surrounding safety, new guidelines issued by the county or state departments of education, and/or executive order. 

     

    Later this month, you will be receiving information from us regarding the Remote Learning Option. Families can choose to have their student learn virtually for the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, with the ability to opt back in to in-person instruction at the start of Phase 3 (October 19, 2020) and Phase 4 (November 30, 2020). 

     

    Specific questions regarding the reopening phases or calendar should be directed to your child’s building principal or general questions can be sent to my assistant, Ms. Suzanne Owens (sowens@njsbjc.org), and we will return your questions in a timely fashion. 

    These are our plans as of today and are developed with the information that we have at the moment. If anything changes, you will be the first to know. 

    Sincerely,

    Michael D. Kuchar, Ph.D.

    Superintendent