Main Office 973-383-5300 Attendance Line 973-383-5300 ext. 225 McKnewsletter Weekly M.E. McKeown School http:/www.mckeown .org November 20, 2020 FROM THE DESK OF THE PRINCIPAL Good Afternoon McKeown Families: We would like to thank you for your continued flexibility as we move into the holiday season. As we all know, COVID-19 cases in our state and our region have climbed significantly over the past few weeks. Yesterday, the New Jersey Department of Health raised the COVID-19 Activity Level Index (CALI) warning in our area to an Orange phase. We are still able to conduct in-person instruction during the Orange phase, but with recent NJ Department of Health data indicating we may quickly transition to the Red phase (Very High) in the coming days or weeks we are taking a conservative approach to the upcoming school days.. Again, transitioning to the Orange phase does not “automatically” close schools as that is a procedure completed by an Executive Order of the Governor of New Jersey. The new CALI Phase determination does dramatically change the protocols that schools must follow in dealing with probable viral cases, possible viral cases and symptomatic cases by requiring contact tracing in each case that will put a tremendous burden and onus on the contact tracing investigation by the school. In addition, the County Department of Health has been overwhelmed in recent weeks with the increase in positive cases, contact tracing and has indicated that recent data indicates we could see a dramatic increase in cases, upwards of 50-60 cases per day as we enter the Holiday season. Understanding this, next week we are planning to continue with in-person instruction on Monday, November 23 and Tuesday, November 24. On Wednesday, November 25 we will move to an all remote day of learning for students. Our staff will be accessible on Wednesday from 8:30-12:30 p.m. If you need assistance you can reach out to your child’s teacher between those hours. Please know that this schedule could change over the weekend if we are notified of any positive COVID-19 cases in our school district. In that case we would have to shift to a fully remote learning platform for all three days next week. Further guidance will be sent out next week with regards to our future instructional plans after the Thanksgiving break. It has been recommended by the Sussex County Department of Health that County School Districts shift to a remote learning platform after the Holiday break due to the Orange phase combined with the travel plans, visitation and family holiday gatherings. Our administrative team will continue to work closely with the Department of Health and aggregate the necessary data to make decisions that are in the best interest of our students and staff. In closing, it is up to each of us to take every precaution to protect our families and to improve this pandemic situation in our community. The holiday season is one in which we cherish to celebrate with our families and friends and we honor that long standing tradition. I would ask that you keep in mind that we have had no “in school” transmissions in our investigated cases of COVID-19 and almost all cases have been linked to “community/household” cases. Please be mindful that large gatherings and “parties” could contribute to additional cases which will impact our school opening status. Once again, we would like to thank you for understanding and support as we work our way through the 2020- 2021 school year. Warmest regards, Dr. Janet Goodwin Board of Education Meeting November 23 rd Regular Mtg. @ 7:00 pm
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Main Office 973-383-5300 Attendance Line 973-383-5300 ext. 225
McKnewsletter Weekly M.E. McKeown School
http:/www.mckeown .org
November 20, 2020
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRINCIPAL Good Afternoon McKeown Families: We would like to thank you for your continued flexibility as we move into the holiday season. As we all know, COVID-19 cases in our state and our region have climbed significantly over the past few weeks. Yesterday, the New Jersey Department of Health raised the COVID-19 Activity Level Index (CALI) warning in our area to an Orange phase. We are still able to conduct in-person instruction during the Orange phase, but with recent NJ Department of Health data indicating we may quickly transition to the Red phase (Very High) in the coming days or weeks we are taking a conservative approach to the upcoming school days.. Again, transitioning to the Orange phase does not “automatically” close schools as that is a procedure completed by an Executive Order of the Governor of New Jersey. The new CALI Phase determination does dramatically change the protocols that schools must follow in dealing with probable viral cases, possible viral cases and symptomatic cases by requiring contact tracing in each case that will put a tremendous burden and onus on the contact tracing investigation by the school. In addition, the County Department of Health has been overwhelmed in recent weeks with the increase in positive cases, contact tracing and has indicated that recent data indicates we could see a dramatic increase in cases, upwards of 50-60 cases per day as we enter the Holiday season. Understanding this, next week we are planning to continue with in-person instruction on Monday, November 23 and Tuesday, November 24. On Wednesday, November 25 we will move to an all remote day of learning for students. Our staff will be accessible on Wednesday from 8:30-12:30 p.m. If you need assistance you can reach out to your child’s teacher between those hours. Please know that this schedule could change over the weekend if we are notified of any positive COVID-19 cases in our school district. In that case we would have to shift to a fully remote learning platform for all three days next week. Further guidance will be sent out next week with regards to our future instructional plans after the Thanksgiving break. It has been recommended by the Sussex County Department of Health that County School Districts shift to a remote learning platform after the Holiday break due to the Orange phase combined with the travel plans, visitation and family holiday gatherings. Our administrative team will continue to work closely with the Department of Health and aggregate the necessary data to make decisions that are in the best interest of our students and staff. In closing, it is up to each of us to take every precaution to protect our families and to improve this pandemic situation in our community. The holiday season is one in which we cherish to celebrate with our families and friends and we honor that long standing tradition. I would ask that you keep in mind that we have had no “in school” transmissions in our investigated cases of COVID-19 and almost all cases have been linked to “community/household” cases. Please be mindful that large gatherings and “parties” could contribute to additional cases which will impact our school opening status. Once again, we would like to thank you for understanding and support as we work our way through the 2020-2021 school year. Warmest regards, Dr. Janet Goodwin
Board of Education Meeting
November 23rd Regular Mtg. @ 7:00 pm
Main Office 973-383-5300 Attendance Line 973-383-5300 ext. 225
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
Nov. 23 Board of Education Regular Meeting – 7:00 pm
Nov. 26 Happy Thanksgiving!
Nov. 27 School and Office Closed
FROM THE DESK OF A SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER:
McKeown School will once again be participating in the Stuff the Stocking collection of holiday
donations run by Project Self Sufficiency. This year will be a little different due to
COVID-19 precautions. PLEASE BE ADVISED that only NEW, UNWRAPPED items will
be accepted. Please NO SOFT ITEMS, such as blankets, stuffed animals or pillows. There is
also a great need for gift card donations.
There will be a donation box set up in the main lobby where students can drop their items or
gift cards. The box will be in the lobby starting, Monday, November 9th, through
Thursday, December 3rd.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bradley
FROM THE DESK OF A TEACHER KINDERGARTEN TEACHER:
As we watch the leaves turn, and the seasons change, we can observe a change in our Kindergarten students as well. Our little learners have become Scientists, Readers, and Mathematicians. Currently, they are researching and exploring the Season of Fall across the curriculum. As Scientists, they took to the field to examine and identify characteristics and properties of indigenous tree and leaf species. They also have investigated the characteristics and the complete lifecycle of a pumpkin. After our learners collected a variety of leaves, they sorted them and compared the number of leaves in each category; telling which group had more or less, and how many more or less! Our Kindergarten students are really “FALL-ing” in love with reading about Autumn. It is truly unbe-leaf-able how much our students have grown in just three short
months!
--Miss Alger
Main Office 973-383-5300 Attendance Line 973-383-5300 ext. 225
COMMUNITY
Since we were not able to do our annual Teachers’ Appreciation Dinner, we are
going to stock the teachers’ lounge from 11/23 to 11/25 with all kinds of
goodies instead!
There are two options to donate:
1. Monetary donations sent into school, dropped off at the book fair, or online
at https://mckeown.new.memberhub.store/store
Follow the link to “Stock the Lounge”
2. Prepackaged snacks and beverages sent into school or dropped off at the
book fair.
If you are interested in helping out, please contact Chrissy Whitehead at:
Main Office 973-383-5300 Attendance Line 973-383-5300 ext. 225
Main Office 973-383-5300 Attendance Line 973-383-5300 ext. 225
Main Office 973-383-5300 Attendance Line 973-383-5300 ext. 225
Main Office 973-383-5300 Attendance Line 973-383-5300 ext. 225
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