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July 20, 2021
Dear Burlington Township Families:
I want to provide some updates regarding school plans for the fall.
The District adopted a preliminary plan in June. Since then, the state has provided guidance for schools and we have engaged in more detailed planning. The situation around COVID-19 continues to be an ever-changing one. While these are the recommendations by various officials as of today, they may change based on the actual circumstances as we approach the fall. Our community has been very understanding that we are all in this together and, in Burlington Township, we are trying to determine the best balance between safety and instruction. We appreciate your continued support and feedback. As we have done for the last year, families and students are encouraged to join us for input sessions by completing this form.
IN PERSON LEARNING
The State of New Jersey has released their guidance requiring all Districts to provide 5 full days per week of in person instruction in the fall. Burlington Township Schools will be in session, and expects to remain in session, throughout the school year. Of course, we will have plans for emergency situations that may arise. As of now, it is not likely that we will move to remote instruction. The state is no longer under an executive order declaring a state of emergency statewide and, as of now, there is no anticipation that one will be declared during the school year. The school times for the fall are below, and more information will be provided in August.
Burlington Township High School - 8:00 A.M. to 2:02 P.M
Burlington Township Middle School - 8:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.
Fountain Woods Elementary School - 8:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
B. Bernice Young Elementary School - 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
SNOW DAYS AND EMERGENCY CLOSURES
The District has 3 emergency closing days built into our calendar. These days are built in to provide flexibility in case weather or other emergency conditions exist that prevents us from opening school. A law passed last year indicates that schools cannot move to remote learning unless an emergency is declared for more than 3 days. Therefore, there will be no single day remote learning sessions expected this year. Of course, this situation could change based on actual circumstances during the school year.
MASKS
According to the state of NJ, masks are a local decision. As of now, the CDC has recommended that unvaccinated persons wear masks indoors and vaccinated persons do not need to wear masks indoors. Although, just yesterday, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended universal masking in schools. The guidance provided from various authorities has caused frustration and confusion. It is important to remember that we are all living this at the same time and trying to figure out the best way to move forward in the safest manner possible. In Burlington Township, we are working to provide a safe environment and achieve balance in our approach. As of now, the District’s masking protocol for the fall will be as follows: masks will be required inside only and required for all individuals during arrival, dismissal, and transitions throughout the building and in classrooms; when seated in class, students will have the option to remove their masks, if desired. We are working on more details for specialized classes and small group instruction where students may be closer together. Per the CDC and NJDOH, students will be required to wear masks on school buses unless it is excessively warm. Of course, this situation could change based on mandates or recommendations by state authorities during the school year. We will need to be prepared to move between more restrictive and, hopefully, less restrictive masking recommendations during this upcoming school year.
Any individual choosing to wear a mask should not be subject to any questions regarding their reason for doing so or their vaccination status. These matters are considered private.
VENTILATION
This balanced approach to masking is based on our knowledge of the success we experienced last year in providing a safe environment and our knowledge of our buildings and procedures. Arrival, dismissal, and transitions are when a large number of people are in close proximity. Generally, these areas include hallways that do not have the same accessibility to fresh air as classrooms with windows. Last year, the District upgraded filters to the extent possible based on the ventilation systems in place. The District is working on additional ventilation upgrades in large areas, such as cafeterias and gymnasiums, in an effort to provide a safe environment in areas where masks will be removed for instruction or eating.
VACCINES
The state of New Jersey requires schools to ensure students have routine vaccinations as required by the NJ Department of Health (NJDOH). The District will adhere to these requirements. If your child is behind on routine immunizations, please consider making an appointment with your primary care provider quickly.
Regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, the District is not requiring anyone to be vaccinated while the vaccine is on emergency use authorization by the Federal Drug Administration. If this authorization changes, the District will re-evaluate the situation and adhere to requirements that the NJDOH may put in place. The District will seek information from families and state databases on vaccinations to understand who among our student population is vaccinated. This information will become very important during contact tracing.
Only designated staff members will be permitted to ask staff, students or families about an individual’s vaccination status.
CONTACT TRACING AND QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION
The COVID-19 pandemic continues and the District will continue to follow the guidance of the NJDOH regarding contact tracing, quarantine, and isolation. The best way to protect one another is for symptomatic persons to isolate and be tested. If the District becomes aware that a person who tests positive has been in our buildings, we will conduct contact tracing to identify close contacts. Close contacts will be required to quarantine for a period of up to 14 days. Vaccinated individuals will not need to quarantine based on the current guidance.
UPDATES
The District recognizes that our families need to be informed. This presentation will continue to be updated throughout the month of July. Please join us for input sessions. The information exchanged in these sessions helps inform the decisions made during this challenging time.
As a community, we will continue to work together and care for one another to provide the safest environment for learning for our children.
Wishing you all the best,
Mary Ann Bell
Mary Ann Bell
Superintendent of Schools
Soaring Beyond COVID-19, 2021-07 Updates
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