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HVRSD prepares for full-day, in school instruction

by Community Contributor

The following letter was sent to HVRSD families May 7:

Dear HVRSD School Community:

As we prepare for a return to full-day, in-person instruction, please take note of the following health and safety information:
Lunch PlansEach building principal will share the specifics of their school lunch plans next week.  We will maintain 6-ft social distancing during the lunch periods by staggering the lunch periods, using classrooms, cafeterias, gymnasiums, and outdoor spaces. Masks will be worn at all times and only removed while eating. Our custodial staff will clean the spaces before, after, and between lunch sessions.  Our school lunch plans have been reviewed and approved by the Department of Health.  Click on this link to see the CDC guidelines that we are following.

FREE Lunches for Every Student!The Federal Government is providing free lunches to every student this year and next school year, but the lunches must be pre-ordered. Food served by the district will be pre-ordered, pre-packaged, and delivered in small groups (there won’t be a buffet line or crowded serving line). We are also working with our food service provider to ensure our students have quality choices that are served in environmentally friendly packaging.  Ordering details will be shared next week.

Daily Student ScreeningsAlthough families are no longer required to submit daily screenings online, please help protect all of us by monitoring your family members for these symptoms.  Do not send your child to school if they are sick or exhibiting any symptoms. Call your school nurse for guidance.

Quarantine GuidelinesWe are following the New Jersey Department of Health Guidelines which include:
Close Contact with a positive case:
Without testing – 10 days are required; return on Day 11
With testing – The testing must be done between days 5-7 after contact. Once results are in and the test is negative, please send the results to the school nurse. The student may return to school on Day 8, with a negative test result.

The close contact must remain symptom-free during this time.

Quarantining for close contacts still uses this definition:  Being within 6 feet of someone with suspected or known COVID-19 for 15 or more minutes in a 24 hour period.

New Jersey Travel Guidelines

Unvaccinated travelers and residents returning from any U.S. state or territory beyond the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) need to self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging following recommendations from the CDC:

If travel is unavoidable, get tested 3-5 days after your trip and stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel, even if your test is negative.

If travelers test positive, they should self-isolate for at least 10 days.

If travelers test negative, they should quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.

If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.

You no longer need to quarantine or get tested before/after domestic travel if you are fully vaccinated or have clinically recovered from COVID-19 in the past three months.

Mitigation Strategies

  • Masks are required to be worn by all students and staff as per the Governor’s executive order. 
  • Our custodial and maintenance staff continue to work diligently to ensure all educational spaces are cleaned and sanitized.
  • Hand sanitizer and handwashing is available throughout our schools.
  • We are following the New Jersey spacing guidelines for social distancing in our schools.
  • Daily student temperature screenings.  

Athletic / Outdoor Events As per the NJSIAA, masks are to be worn at all sporting events. Additionally, attendance at outdoor activities will continue to require masks at this time. Mask breaks and lunches outside will take place during the school day; masks will be able to be removed at those times.
 
I think we are all excited about the positive trends in COVID cases; however, it is important that we continue to remain vigilant in our efforts.  Please help us by following the daily screening guidelines so we can have a safe and worry-free end to the school year. 

I thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Thomas A. Smith, Ed.D.Superintendent of Schoolshe/his/him[email protected]

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