4 Quick Updates From Montclair Schools: Coronavirus, Ida Recovery

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair’s public school superintendent recently gave the community an update on several coronavirus and Hurricane Ida-related issues as a new school year ramps up.

Superintendent Jonathan Ponds released the following information on Friday, noting that school workers “exhausted every avenue” to make the reopening possible in the wake of Ida. Read More: Montclair Schools Reopen Despite Setbacks From Hurricane Ida

USE OF SHIELDS

Ponds said that after evaluating research and hearing the opinions of community members on the use of “shields” in classrooms, district officials have decided to continue to use them as an additional mitigating strategy against coronavirus infection.

“We had a robust discussion about their use, and we agreed that because we are not able to maintain three feet of distance they would help,” Ponds said. “Shields also act as sneeze and droplet guards, and neighboring districts are using them as well.”

“When vaccinations are available for all students, we plan on revisiting their use,” he added.

TRANSPORTATION

Ponds also gave an update on transportation issues in the district, including a busing shortage and route problems.

“In addition to a shortage of buses and drivers, which is a statewide and national problem right now due to the pandemic and Ida, we are also experiencing route problems,” Ponds told parents. “We apologize for not communicating to you earlier and for the inconvenience this has caused.”

Ponds said the district is taking the following short- and long-term steps to fix the problems:

Short-term

• Work with Essex Regional Educational Services Commission to determine bus capacities.
• Contact additional vendors and seek other companies that can provide services.
• Explore adjusting scheduled times to fit with bus availability. (This has occurred.)
• Increase capacity to respond to all phone messages and emails
• Call (proactively) parents and caregivers of children who still need transportation

Long-term

• Implement a spring deadline for all transportation requests.
• Require Special Education Supervisors to make requests to our Transportation Manager in the spring.
• Implement earlier bidding of routes.

OUTDOOR LUNCH

According to Ponds:

“I understand that there are some concerns with respect to the outdoor eating areas. We are purchasing different types of tents that will be less burdensome and provide a more stable area. Every school has the appropriate number of tables. Presently, weather permitting, students are eating outdoors. Our Business and Buildings and Grounds Offices in collaboration with me are working to provide additional staff to support outdoor lunch.”

POOLED TESTING

The district continues to work with Ginkgo Bioworks to carry out pooled COVID-19 testing in its schools.

Ginkgo Bioworks, an approved vendor with the New Jersey Department of Education, is used by other school districts throughout the U.S.

According to Ponds:

“Representatives will be presenting at the Board of Education meeting on Monday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Pooled testing will be conducted weekly. Ginkgo Bioworks has a team that will be administering the nose swabs in the schools and will be able to provide us the results within 48 hours. Some of our ESSER funds and state screening aid will fund this initiative.”

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