Weekly Hot Topics:
● We hope that this edition of the Nish News finds you and your family well. Per the district, the optional virtual learning window will end on Wednesday, January 19. We very much look forward to welcoming all students back to in-person learning on Thursday, January 20. We are also excited to commence our second cycle of CI/Aesthetic classes on Tuesday, January 18! Please see below for additional health and safety reminders, as well as information for joining our monthly PTA meeting on Thursday evening.
Virtual Learning
Per the district, the optional virtual learning window will
end on
Wednesday, January 19, 2022. With the exception of COVID related quarantines due to a confirmed positive case/exposure, all students will return to in-person learning on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Important Health Reminders
● Nurse’s Note: Please see the below reminders from Nurse Anne Ndungu:
○ Vaccinations: If your child(ren) have an upcoming vaccination appointment, or if your child has been vaccinated, please share this information with Nurse Ndungu as the district is working to maintain accurate student records.
Nurse Anne Ndungu may be contacted at 973-509-4236 or
andungu@montclair.k12.nj.us.
● Exposure & Positive COVID-19 Results
○ Please notify Nurse Anne Ndungu if your child tests positive for COVID-19 or has been exposed to the virus. Additionally, please forward any PCR test records to the health office. This information will assist us with ascertaining a safe return date.
● COVID Daily Health Form: Please remember that all families are required to complete the School Safety Check for each child on Mondays and Wednesdays within the Genesis Parent Access portal. This form should be completed on these designated days
prior to your child’s arrival at school. Families will receive reminders to complete the safety check, as well as when the form has not been completed. Please reach out to the main office or our school nurse should you experience any difficulty completing the required safety check.
● Donations: Gently used clothes of all types (pants, long sleeve shirts, short sleeve shirts, jackets, etc.) are needed in all sizes for the Nurse’s office. These items are used throughout the school year and provided to children as a change of clothes in case of accidents, etc. In addition, donations of new underwear in all sizes are also needed. If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Ndungu at
andungu@montclair.k12.nj.us.
● Masks:
○ As recommended by the CDC and mandated by Governor Phil Murphy in
Executive Order 281,
indoor masking will continue in our schools for all individuals including students, teachers, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.
○ Please send your children to school with extra masks and baggies to place their clean and dirty masks. We are noticing that many masks are breaking or damaged throughout the course of the day.
○ Please visit
this updated resource from the CDC for guidance pertaining to masks.
●
COVID Testing: The Montclair Public Schools will be providing Covid-19 testing to all staff and students on Friday, January 14 and 21, from 4-6pm. All testing dates will be held at the Annex Atrium at 141 Park St. with parking in the rear on North Fullerton Avenue. If applicable, please remember to bring your insurance card and ID. There will be no out-of-pocket cost to families and staff members.
CI/Aesthetics Postponement
CI/Aesthetics will be further postponed until Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Similar to last year, we will not be hosting virtual students during CI/A classes. During the week of January 18th, students engaged in virtual learning will instead be instructed to complete an activity on a choice board (
available here) in lieu of their CI/A class.
Day of Service Donation
We will continue to collect shoes to donate to the Kiwanas Club. Please drop any gently used or new shoes off in the large bin located in the front entrance. We will be collecting shoes between January 10, 2022 through January 14, 2022.
Outdoor Lunch/Recess Reminder:
Please dress your child with weather appropriate clothing. On any given day, if the Real Feel temperature outside reaches 40 degrees or below, the building administrator will look at a variety of other weather variables, such as windchill, precipitation, and cloud coverage in order to determine if students will eat their lunch inside or outside for that day. Each variable individually affects whether the air will feel cooler or warmer than what the actual temperature reads. The determination will be made by 9:30 am each morning. Students will continue to go outside for recess, as long as the Real Feel temperature remains above 28 degrees.
Item Drop Off
Any items (i.e., water bottles, lunch, etc.) that must be dropped off after school has started should be left in the large bin outside of the main entrance (Door A). All items should be clearly labeled with your child’s name. A staff member will regularly check the bin and deliver the item to your child.
Toys & Pokemon Trading Cards
Just a reminder that students should not bring toys from home to school. We have been observing that many students are bringing Pokemon trading cards to school. Please ensure that your child leaves these items at home. Thank you for your partnership with this matter, it is greatly appreciated.
Parking Lot
Please remember that visitors are not permitted to park in the staff parking lot prior to the start of school, as well as during school hours. This includes when dropping children off at the YMCA before care program. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Productions
The Nishuane SNAP team has begun to explore creative options for this school year’s school production. We are currently in search of members of the Nishuane community that could potentially provide audiovisual support with the production. If interested, please contact Mr. Eric Eder at
Eeder@montclair.k12.nj.us.
Nishuane Compliment Jar!
● It has been such a pleasure to welcome your children to Nishuane. Our staff have worked tirelessly to create a bright and welcoming environment for your children's return. In an effort to have staff receive that same love and kindness that they pour into your children; we would like to introduce a virtual compliment jar for Nishuane. These compliments/kudos will be shared with nominated staff members. We hope this compliment jar will bring a smile to our staff members and remind them that they are appreciated. This link will be shared weekly via the Nishuane News. Feel free to add a compliment at any time throughout the school year.
Compliment Jar:
https://forms.gle/7KWsAEttFLpwvCoW7
P.S. In addition to your child's homeroom teachers, don't forget about our Related Arts Teachers, Curriculum Support Teachers, Resource Room Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Nurse, Counselor, Custodians, Office Staff, PTA, and SATp Committee
Upcoming SEPAC Events
●
Upcoming Meetings
Jan. 31, 2022 - 7:00 pm - Tentative topic - Self Care for Parents and Caregivers
Feb. 28, 2022 - 7:00 pm - Tentative topic - Assistive Technology Presentation