Here's What's In The Gloucester Township K-8 Back To School Plan

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Gloucester Township K-8 Public School District has a summary of its safe return to school plan posted on its website.

A discussion about the plan that was to take place Monday night was postponed when members of the public refused to comply with a mask mandate, the Sicklerville Sun reports.

As of Thursday, no new date had yet been set for the postponed meeting. The next meeting is currently scheduled for Sept. 25, at the district administration building.

The district has no control over the mask mandate. Earlier this summer, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that New Jersey students, educators, staff and visitors must wear masks in school buildings regardless of vaccination status. Read more here: NJ K-12 Students Must Wear Masks This Fall, Gov. Murphy Says

When the school year starts, students and staff will be encouraged to obtain their own face masks of their choice. The district will have a supply on hand for those who need them.

Students will also be required to wear face coverings on buses. There will be some exceptions made to this rule, as spelled out in the district’s plan posted on its website.

Another aspect of the plan that is out of the district’s control is vaccinations for school staff.
On Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that all school staff in all pre-K through 12 schools must be vaccinated by Oct. 18, or they will be subject to weekly COVID testing. Read more here: NJ Teachers, State Employees Must Be Vaccinated Or Face Testing

While the school day will be held fully in-person, students who must quarantine due to COVID-19 infection or exposure will learn remotely.

Students in grades 2-8 will be issued Chromebooks. Students quarantined for possible COVID-19 exposure by the school nurse and/or health department for more than three consecutive days are able to participate in class remotely and receive attendance credit. Entire classes and/or schools could temporarily move to remote instruction by directive and/or recommendation of the appropriate health agency.

Some other things the district has control over, and that is spelled out in the plan include:

Social Distancing: Desks will be separated, faced forward and spaced to allow for maximum social distancing. PK-Kindergarten students will utilize tables for social development. Locker and bathroom procedures will limit student contact to the greatest extent possible and may vary from school to school/grade level to grade level. Students will be placed in cohorts with minimal contact with students outside of their cohort to the greatest extent possible. Middle School students and students with unique schedules will be less “cohorted.” In the cafeteria, students will be spaced as best as each building is able. Students will sit with their immediate classmates to limit the number of students in contact.

Screening: Parents/Guardians and Staff will be reminded weekly of screening guidelines and asked to self-screen prior to entering school buildings.

Enhanced Cleaning: Handwashing stations and hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the building and classrooms. All buses, classrooms and bathrooms will be disinfected nightly. “High touch” surfaces such as doorknobs will be disinfected regularly throughout the day in addition to nightly cleaning.

Special Education: Student IEPs will be met. Individual concerns should be addressed through a specific student’s case manager.

Medically Fragile Students: Parents/guardians of medically fragile students or students with health conditions that may make them more susceptible to or exacerbate the symptoms of COVID-19 should consult with their medical providers and the school administration and nurse concerning any necessary accommodations, including home instruction.

After School Activities: The district anticipates resuming after school clubs and activities. After school activities and building use will be limited for community groups to allow for appropriate cleaning.