2021-2022 Health, Safety, and Learning Environment Protocols that were approved by the Board of Education on July 28, 2021. Although we developed the following protocols, the Governor, NJDOH, or NJDOE may sign Executive Orders or directives that may necessitate changes to our plan. Updates will be shared as they become available.
Below is a summary, full version can be viewed here
2021-2022 Health, Safety, and Learning Protocols
HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDANCE. The district will continue to utilize guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), and the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to design and implement health and safety protocols specific to the GTSD.
VACCINATION. Per Executive Order No. 253 all GTSD employees and contracted service providers are required to be fully vaccinated by October 18, 2021 or submit to weekly COVID-19 tests.
SCHOOL DAY. All students are required to report to school each day for a full day of instruction. The remote instruction option for parents is no longer permitted in New Jersey.
COMPLIANCE. The district will continue to comply with NJDOH, NJDOE, and CDC directives along with New Jersey Executive Orders, Codes, and Statutes.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND COHORTING. Students will be spaced three feet to six feet from each other. Staff will be spaced six feet from students and from each other to the maximum extent possible. Students will remain in cohorts but may be required to cross cohorts to receive appropriate services and supports.
LUNCH. Lunch will be offered to all students at no cost via the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option. Weekly, online sign-up for lunches will continue as students will be required to select their daily meals.
CLEANING AND DISINFECTING. Limited use of shared supplies between students is permitted. Students will use hand sanitizer or soap/water before and after leaving classrooms, including the gymnasium. Classrooms will be cleaned and disinfected at least daily.
MASKS. Masks are optional on school property including school buses.
DAILY COVID-19 SCREENING. Parents and staff are expected to screen daily for COVID-19 but are not required to submit a daily report. Rather, parents and staff will submit a self-certification in August certifying that COVID-19 screenings will occur daily and that students and staff will not report to school should they display COVID-19 symptoms which are delineated on the self-certification form.
ISOLATION AND EXCLUSION. Students who report to school with COVID-19 symptoms will be escorted to the isolation room where they will remain until pick up by a parent/guardian or another responsible adult.
Staff who report to school with COVID-19 symptoms will be required to leave campus immediately.
Students and staff will be isolated and excluded from school based upon NJDOH Guidelines. Close contacts will be identified and will also be excluded from school based on NJDOH Guidelines.
A close contact is any individual within six feet of someone with suspected or known COVID-19 for 15 or more cumulative minutes during a 24-hour period.
REMOTE INSTRUCTION. As stated previously, remote instruction is no longer an option for parents.
Remote instruction will be provided for those students excluded from school due to COVID-19 symptoms or COVID-19 diagnosis.
Remote instruction will be provided for all students should the district be required to shut down due to a declared state of emergency, a declared public health emergency, or health-related school closure.
Chromebooks and Internet service will be provided to those students in need.
COMMUNICATION. The Superintendent will maintain ongoing communication with all relevant NJ departments and agencies and will share updates with the school community as they become available.
Although the district developed these protocols, the Governor, NJDOH, or NJDOE may sign Executive Orders or directives that may necessitate changes to our plan. Updates will be shared as they become available.