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July 21, 2020
Dear Lacey Township School District Families:
I hope this communication finds you well and enjoying the beautiful summer weather that we’ve been having. Two weeks ago, the Governor and the NJ Department of Education released guidelines for the reopening of schools. The guidelines, titled The Road Back: Restart and Recovery Plan for Education (RRP) provides districts with the information necessary to ensure that schools reopen safely and are prepared to accommodate students’ unique needs. Since the release of this information, five focus area subcommittees - comprised of Board Members, school nurses, administrators, teachers, guidance counselors, and CST members - have met to explore a variety of re-entry options that will best serve our district in September. Based on analyses and recommendations from these five subcommittees, an overall physical review of our facilities, and our overall enrollment, we have concluded that the best re-entry model for all six of our schools will be a Hybrid A/B Cohort Model that will utilize a mix of in-person and remote learning. This model schedule will remain in effect for as long as local and state guidelines require.
The Hybrid A/B Cohort Model
Structure
This model will provide students with face-to-face instruction on alternating days. Cohorts will be created based on student surnames, which will accommodate families in having consistent cohort days for multiple children. In essence, the district’s entire school population will be divided in half, creating Cohort A (surnames ending A-L)* and Cohort B (surnames ending M-Z)*. As per the illustration below, Cohort A will attend school in person on Monday/Wednesday; Cohort B will attend school in person on Tuesday/Thursday; and cohorts will alternate attending school in person on Friday.
On the day students are not scheduled to be physically present in the classroom, they will complete remote assignments created by the teacher to support and correlate the face-to-face instruction that they received the previous day. If this hybrid model is in place for the entire 2020-2021 school year, it has been calculated that A and B days are balanced with a total of 90 A days and 90 B days.
Schedule
The Hybrid A/B Cohort Model will allow our buildings to operate at 50% capacity. To accommodate additional considerations such as daily prep, daily duty-free lunches, and adequate time for cleaning and sanitization protocols for both buildings and transportation, the instructional day will be shortened for students to a five hour day as follows:High School - 7:05 am - 12:05 pm
Middle School - 7:30 am - 12:30 pm
Mill Pond - 8:15 am - 1:15 pm
Lanoka Harbor - 8:40 am - 1:40 pm
Cedar Creek - 9:05 am - 2:05 pm
Forked River - 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
PreK AM - 8:15 am - 12:15 pm
PreK PM - 9:15 am - 1:15 pmOn Monday, July 20, Governor Murphy announced that parents worried about sending their children back to school during the coronavirus pandemic will have the option to choose an all-remote learning option when school opens in September. While the guidelines for this all-remote instruction option have not yet been released, it is important for us to have preliminary information about parental intention with regard to student attendance.
The Lacey Township School District Reopening Plan will be released to families on or around August 1st. It will include much more detail as it relates to the ten critical areas of operation outlined in the Restart and Recovery Plan for Education guidelines. To assist us with further planning, we ask that families complete the School Reopening Family Survey, Part 2, which, as mentioned above will provide us with the necessary information for continued planning. Please complete a separate survey for each child in your family. The School Reopening Family Survey should be completed by Sunday, July 26, 2020.
Stay safe!
Sincerely,
Vanessa P. Clark, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools*This is estimated and is subject to change to ensure a balance between the Cohorts
July 10, 2020
Due to Tropical Storm Fay, the saturation of the field, and the impending scattered thunderstorms for Saturday, we will be holding the two graduation ceremonies at 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM on Sunday, July 12, which is forecasted to be the nicest day of the weekend. We cannot wait to celebrate the Class of 2020!
Please be reminded that our Self-Reporting Form for the Graduation ceremonies is now available to be filled out. Only one form needs to be completed by each attending party.
Mr. Brandis
July 9, 2020
8:00 Update
Good Evening, unfortunately due to Tropical Storm Fay we must postpone tomorrow's High School Graduation Ceremony to the rain date of Saturday July 11th at 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM. We will continue to track the storm and send out any updates if necessary.Mr. Brandis
5:00 Update
Dear 8th Grade Parents,I am pleased to share with you the details of our in-person 8th Grade Promotion Ceremonies scheduled for Monday, July 13 with a rain date of Tuesday, July 14. We will be holding two separate ceremonies for our students to be held on the Lacey Township High School Football Field.
Please click here for all of the details regarding the ceremony.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone on Monday at our Promotion Ceremony.
Be well and stay safe,
Mr. King
June 30, 2020
Dear Lacey Township School District Families,
I hope this communication finds you well. As you may have heard, the New Jersey Department of Education and Governor Murphy have released guidelines for reopening school in September. While the guidelines are extensive, we have been planning for school reopening for quite some time. Your feedback and input regarding what school will look like in September are very important to us. We are asking that every family complete a School Reopening Family Survey by Friday, July 3. While your responses are anonymous, the information you provide will help guide our re-entry plan.
Please click here to access the School Reopening Family Survey.
We will continue to update you as our plan develops. In the meantime, I wish you all the best for a restful and relaxing summer.
Sincerely,
Vanessa P. Clark, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
June 16, 2020
Dear Eighth Grade Parents,
It is with great pleasure I inform you that on Monday, July 13th, 2020, the Lacey Township Middle School will be holding an outdoor promotion ceremony to celebrate and honor your child’s promotion from 8th grade to high school. The day will be divided into several ceremonies in order to maintain social distancing, and all state health guidelines will be followed. The ceremonies will take place on the Lacey Township High School football field.
We thank you for your participation in the promotion ceremony survey we recently sent to you. Over 600 responses were received, and the majority of them were in favor of an in person ceremony. Keep your eye on your email over the next couple of weeks for another survey requesting your participation. This survey will include important questions regarding you and your child’s participation in the in-person ceremonies on July 13th, particularly who will be attending the ceremonies.
Reminder for our Virtual 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
The Lacey Township Middle School’s Virtual Promotion Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 17 at 6:00 PM on Youtube. You will be emailed the link for the ceremony on Wednesday, June 17.8th Grade Promotion Certificates and Gift From the LTMS PTC Pickup
8th Grade Students or their parents may pick up your 8th grade promotion certificate along with a generous gift from the LTMS PTC on the same day that you drop off your textbooks according to the schedule below. In the event you do not have textbooks to drop off, promotion certificates can still be picked up according to the schedule, or throughout the summer by calling (609)242-2100 to set up a pick up time.8th Grade Textbook Drop Off and Certificate/Gift Pickup Schedule
Thursday, June 18 - 8th Grade Only- 9:00 am to 11:00 am - Last names ending in A-D
- 11:00 am to 1:00 pm - Last names ending in E-I
Friday, June 19 - 8th Grade Only
- 9:00 am to 11:00 am - Last names ending in J-M
- 11:00 am to 1:00 pm - Last names ending in N-R
Monday, June 22 - 8th Grade Only
- 9:00 am to 11:00 am - Last names ending in S-V
- 11:00 am to 1:00 pm - Last names ending in W-Z
Thank you again for your input in the promotion ceremony survey, and please keep a lookout for the Virtual 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony link to be emailed to you this Wednesday, and please keep a lookout for a follow up survey concerning the in person promotion ceremonies.
Thank you, and stay well,
Jason King
Principal LTMS
June 5, 2020
Dear Middle School Class of 2020 Parents,
We hope you and your family are doing well during these trying times. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of year-end events for our Middle School Class of 2020 as they prepare to leave LTMS and move on to high school.
Due to the current health-related restrictions, we are preparing a variety of possible events as we wind down this very unique school year. We are asking for your input in order to assist us in finalizing our plans. More about that below. Additionally, we have prepared a Student Celebration video to commemorate the end of the school year for our Middle School Class of 2020.
Student Celebration Video - June 17 at 6:00 pm
On June 17, we will stream a Student Celebration Video acknowledging the Lacey Township Middle School Class of 2020. This year our students who have won academic awards will be recognized during our Student Celebration Video. This celebration video will encompass many of the traditional elements of a promotion ceremony with some added items to make it more meaningful for everyone who views it.You can find a link to the broadcast on our district website. The video will be available on June 17 at 6:00 pm at the following link.
Student Celebration Video Link
Promotion Ceremony Options
As mentioned above, the two options to recognize our Middle School Class of 2020 students are as follows.Option #1: Eighth Grade Celebration Week - June 18 through 24
Our Eighth Grade students will have the opportunity to visit Lacey Township Middle School one last time to bid farewell as they leave us for high school. During this visit, students will pick up promotion certificates, awards, a gift from the PTC, and a yearbook if one was ordered and not yet picked up. Our intention is to make this visit very special as we recognize that so many milestones have been lost. We will schedule appointments to limit the number of students in one space, while also meeting all requirements of social distancing and safety. More information will be forthcoming as we get closer to June 18th.Option #2: Promotion Ceremony - July 13 (time will depend on social distancing requirements at the time of the ceremony as per the NJDOE guidelines)
We are excited to be able to celebrate Lion Pride and commemorate the amazing accomplishments of the Middle School Class of 2020. We are committed to holding a ceremony that allows our 8th grade students to celebrate the rich traditions of Lacey Township Middle School. On July 13 (rain date July 14), we will hold a promotion ceremony/ceremonies at the Lacey Township High School Football Field based on social distancing requirements that apply on that date. We are required to submit our promotion plan to the NJ Department of Education 7 days prior to the event and we must ensure compliance with the varying restrictions including the following:- The ceremony will take place outdoors and all attendees must remain outdoors at all times during the gathering, with the sole exception of restroom use.
- We must consider class size and the available space available in light of social distancing protocols to determine the number of ceremonies needed. Depending on the number of people allowed to gather at an outdoor event at the time of the ceremony, we may need to conduct multiple ceremonies and to follow CDC and NJDOH recommended cleaning protocols in between ceremonies.
- According to state guidelines, we will keep the ceremony at an appropriate length to honor our 8th grade students and to minimize potential exposure to all attendees.
- As per the governor’s Executive Order, all attendees must wear face coverings in accordance with CDC recommendations.
- We may consider limiting the number of guests that are permitted to attend the ceremony or we may hold a student-only ceremony. This decision will be determined at a later date.
The final plan will be shared with students and families once it is approved by the NJ Department of Education. Keep in mind, there may be modifications to the ceremony plans up until the week of July 10th as restrictions and guidelines continue to change.
Eighth Grade Dance Update
The Lacey Township Middle School continues to work side by side with the LTMS PTC and representatives from the Middle School Class of 2020 on plans for a special day where the Class of 2020 can celebrate and be together when social distancing restrictions are lifted. Unfortunately, the traditional dance has been canceled due to the social distancing restrictions placed on all events.Materials Drop Off for Eighth Grade - June 18 through 24
Our eighth grade students will drop off all district-issued items that need to be returned to LTMS, which include but are not limited to, textbooks, library books, school-issued calculators, and athletic uniforms. All students will be required to pay any outstanding fines at this time. We encourage you to check the parent portal and bring a check with you in case there are fines to pay. More information will be forthcoming as we get closer to June 18th.If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email. Thank you for your continued support and remember to remain Lion Strong!
Sincerely,
Jason R. King
Principal, Lacey Township Middle School
June 4, 2020
In the best interest of the health and safety of our staff and students, the district has made the decision to run our Extended School Year (ESY) program remotely. More detailed information has been sent via email to the parents/guardians of students who are eligible to attend ESY. Please reach out to your case manager if you have not received this notification.
As a reminder, the Remote ESY program will run from Monday, July 6th through Thursday, August 6th. The schedule will be Monday to Thursday from 8:00AM - 1:00PM.
June 1, 2020
Dear Class of 2020 and Parents,
We hope this communication finds you well. By now, you should have received Friday’s notification that we will be holding a graduation ceremony for the Lacey Township High School Class of 2020. While we are still planning and waiting for more detailed guidance from the NJ Department of Education, we believe we can make the event memorable for our seniors and families while abiding by social distancing restrictions. We appreciate your patience and flexibility.
Please review the following updates regarding year-end events, including the graduation ceremony:
Academic Excellence Awards and Scholarship Night - June 9 at 6:30 PM
A viewing event for Scholarship Night and Academic Excellence is scheduled for June 9th at 6:30 pm. The video is being produced by Mr. Muermann and our amazing WLTS crew. Scholarships and academic awards will be distributed starting the week of June 15 as described below.Certification of the Class of 2020 Video Celebration - June 12 (Time TBD)
On June 12, the official last day of school, we will stream a Celebration Video conferring the Class of 2020, affirming that graduates have met all responsibilities of the Lacey Township School District and the State of New Jersey and are ready to receive the hard-earned and much-deserved Lacey Township High School Diploma.Senior Diploma Distribution - June 15 through June 26
Between the dates of June 15th and June 26th, seniors will have the opportunity to visit LTHS to bid farewell one last time in the building. During the visit, seniors will pick up their Accomplishment Bag, which will include their LTHS diploma, cap and gown, yearbook, senior T-shirt and other senior items. These pick up times will be scheduled appointments to limit the number of students in one space, meeting all requirements of social distancing. More information will be forthcoming as we get closer to June 15th.Materials Drop Off for Seniors- June 15 through June 26
Seniors will drop off all school district issued items that need to be returned to LTHS, which include, but are not limited to, Chromebooks, textbooks, athletic and band uniforms, and library books. All students will be required to pay any outstanding fines at this time. We encourage you to check the parent portal and bring a check with you in case there are fines to pay. Keep in mind all fines must be satisfied prior to receiving the LTHS Diploma. This exchange will take place during Senior Diploma Distribution as outlined above. More information will be forthcoming and will include exact times and an entrance location as we approach June 15th.Graduation Ceremony - July 10 (time will depend on social distancing requirements at the time of the ceremony as per the NJDOE guidelines)
We are excited to be able to celebrate Lion Pride and commemorate the amazing accomplishments of the Class of 2020. We are committed to holding a ceremony that allows our seniors to celebrate the rich traditions of Lacey Township High School. On July 10 (rain date July 11), we will hold a graduation ceremony / ceremonies at the Lacey Township High Football Field based on social distancing requirements that apply on that date. We are required to submit our graduation plan to the NJ Department of Education 7 days prior to the event and we must ensure compliance with the varying restrictions including the following:- The ceremony will take place outdoors and all attendees must remain outdoors at all times during the gathering, with the sole exception of restroom use.
- We must consider class size and the available space of the football field in light of social distancing protocols to determine the number of ceremonies needed. Depending on the amount of people allowed to gather at an outdoor event at the time of the ceremony, we may need to conduct multiple ceremonies and to follow CDC and NJDOH-recommended cleaning protocols in between ceremonies.
- Students will walk across the stage and pose for a picture individually.
- According to state guidelines, we will keep the ceremony at an appropriate length to honor our graduates but to minimize potential exposure to all attendees.
- As per the governor’s Executive Order, all attendees must wear face coverings in accordance with CDC recommendations.
- We may consider limiting the number of guests that are permitted to attend the ceremony or we may hold a student-only ceremony. This decision will be determined at a later date.
The final plan will be shared with students and families once it is approved by the NJ Department of Education. Keep in mind, there may be modifications to the ceremony plans up until the week of July 10th as restrictions and guidelines continue to change.
Senior Prom
The Lacey Township High School Administration continues to work side by side with the LTHS PTSA and representatives from the Class of 2020 on plans for a special day where the Class of 2020 can celebrate and be together when social distancing restrictions are lifted. Unfortunately, the traditional prom has been cancelled due to the restrictions placed on all prom venues.If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email. Thank you for your continued support and remember to remain Lion Strong!
With Great Pride and Care,
Gregory J. Brandis
Principal, Lacey Township High School
May 29, 2020
Dear Class of 2020 Students and Parents,
Let us begin this letter by thanking you for your emails and phone calls with suggestions on how and when to hold a graduation ceremony for the Lacey Township High School Class of 2020. We have received promising news. On May 27th, the New Jersey Department of Education released guidance that beginning July 6th, modified in-person commencement ceremonies are permitted.
In response, we are proud to announce that a graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 will be celebrated on the football field at Lacey Township High School as early as July 7th. Per the NJDOE Guidelines, there are many critical factors to consider for commencement ceremonies, especially for in-person, outdoor ceremonies. One factor to consider is the guidance language that specifically states, “These ceremonies must meet the relevant capacity limitation on in-person gatherings in place at the time of the ceremony.” As of the writing of this communication, and in accordance with Executive Order 148, that capacity is 25. We expect that number to change between now and July 7. We will continue to plan accordingly as information becomes available to us and we will keep you informed. For now, what we know is that a graduation ceremony will take place; what we don’t know is what it will look like exactly.
We speak to you now Class of 2020. We have watched you accept disappointment with grace and humility. We have watched you serve as role models for the juniors, sophomores, and freshmen who are more than likely wondering what their own experiences at Lacey Township High School will look like in the future. And we have seen the bonds that you have formed with each other in the face of this unprecedented crisis. For all that and so much more, we owe you this ceremony and we look forward to seeing you at graduation!
For more details about the guidance that was provided to us, please see the links below:
- NJDOE Broadcast - COVID-19 Update: New Jersey Commencement Ceremonies
- COVID-19: Alternatives to Traditional Commencement Ceremonies (Update)
Thank you for your continued support and remember to remain Lion Strong!
Sincerely,
Vanessa P. Clark, Ph.D.
Superintendent of SchoolsGregory J. Brandis
Principal, Lacey Township High School
May 5, 2020
Dear Lacey Township School District Families and Staff:
I hope this message finds you well as we begin to enjoy the beautiful spring weather. As you know, Governor Murphy announced yesterday that all schools in New Jersey will be closed for the remainder of the school year. Our school calendar has been revised to reflect Friday, June 12 as the last of school. Remote instruction will remain in place during this extended closure.
While the Governor’s announcement was important in helping us plan for the rest of the academic school year, we are still awaiting additional guidance about the orders that govern social distancing. In the meantime, we have been brainstorming ideas about how to address year-end events with a special focus on our high school seniors and their graduation. We are also discussing milestone events celebrated at our elementary and middle schools. To that end, we have included students and parents in the conversation as we explore our options. I realize that you all want to know how we are going to proceed moving forward, but we want to ensure that our plans will be well thought out. We will be sure to share our plans for these events as soon as we are able.
Thank you for your patience. As always, we appreciate your support during this challenging and unprecedented time.
Be safe!
Sincerely,
Vanessa P. Clark, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
April 18, 2020
Dear Lacey Township School District Families and Staff:
On April 16, Governor Murphy announced that New Jersey public schools will remain closed through Friday, May 15th. What does that mean for our school community? It means we will continue remote learning as we have for the past five weeks. We will have more details soon about plans for the next month and beyond should the school closure extend beyond May 15.
As we enter week six since our school buildings were closed, I want to extend another tremendous thank you to our students, teachers, staff, and parents. Your resiliency has positively contributed to this challenging situation and together, we will continue to support our students in instruction that is meaningful and engaging.
I know there are many questions as we look to the future and while we don’t have all the answers, we will address them as information becomes available to us. A question that many are asking is: what are the plans for our traditional end-of-year activities?
We continue to hope we can return to our school buildings before the end of the school year. We also continue to plan for the possibility that we might not. There are so many activities and events that students look forward to whether as a culmination of the school year or a school career. We are especially focused on our high school seniors and on milestone events such as prom, scholarship night, awards night, and graduation. In his most recent newsletter to parents, Principal Brandis wrote, “I want to assure senior students and their parents that if school closures extend beyond May 15th, we are working collaboratively with senior class representatives, advisors, high school administration, central administration, Members of the Board of Education, and the PTSA to celebrate all of the hard work the students of the Class of 2020 have invested into their 13 years of school.”
We will continue to collaborate with all of our students, parents, and staff on how we will make those events most meaningful should they need to be postponed or held in an alternative manner that allows us to commemorate their accomplishments. The same is true for those milestone events celebrated at our elementary and middle schools such as award ceremonies, field days, end-of-year concerts, and moving-on ceremonies. We will share more once we have more direction from the State and as our plans evolve.
We appreciate your support, hard work, and above all, your collaboration during this challenging and unprecedented time.
Be safe!
Sincerely,
Vanessa P. Clark, Ph.D.
Superintendent of SchoolsApril 5, 2020
Dear Lacey Township School District Families and Staff:
This past Wednesday, a communication was sent about Spring Break where we asked the community for input about whether to shorten Spring Break or keep it as scheduled. The rationale outlined a few reasons for why we might consider this, including the fact that travel is essentially banned and most people are home; to maintain the educational momentum that has been established in this new landscape of remote learning; and finally, to end the school year early, providing students a longer respite for a summer break.
The survey question presented to the school community was to take off for a 4-day weekend, Friday, April 10 (Good Friday) to Monday, April 13, return to remote learning April 14-17, and use those four days to end the school year on Friday, June 12 instead of Thursday, June 18.
At the close of the survey, there were a total of 2,243 responses and 92 email responses. The results indicate that 84% of respondents favor the proposal. As a result, our 12-month calendar will be adjusted to reflect the following:
- Spring Break will be a 4-day weekend - Friday, April 10 through Monday, April 13, 2020
- Remote learning will continue Tuesday, April 14 through Friday, April, 17, 2020
- Last day of school will be Friday, June 12, 2020
In addition, there has been a great deal of speculation about whether school will reopen on Monday, April 20. On Friday, March 27, Commissioner of Education Repollet released an important Broadcast regarding continued school closures. In it, he stated, "The Department has received numerous inquiries regarding the date on which students will return to school. Understandably, everyone eagerly anticipates the day when we can resume our normal schedules. But to be clear, as directed in Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 104 and affirmed in Executive Order No. 107, all public, private, and parochial preschool program premises, and elementary and secondary schools, including charter and renaissance schools, shall remain closed to students as long as the executive orders remain in effect...the decision to reopen schools lies squarely with Governor Murphy. We do not intend to assess the reopening of schools until at least April 17, 2020, at the earliest.”
We will continue to update you as information becomes available to us. In the meantime, continue the great work you are all doing. Remember to take breaks and most importantly, reach out if you need help. We are always here for you.
Sincerely,
Vanessa P. Clark, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
April 1, 2020
Dear Lacey Township School District Families and Staff:
I hope this communication finds you well. There has been much discussion in our school community about Spring Break, which is scheduled to take place from Friday, April 10 through Sunday, April 19. The discussion has centered around whether we should work through a part of Spring Break and end the school year early. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, travel is essentially banned and most people are home. The rationale is to keep the educational momentum going, and again, end the school year early.
We are grateful for the commitment and hard work of our staff and families in continuing to support our students in engaging in instruction that is meaningful and engaging. In the spirit of continuing this collaboration, we want your input in a survey to help inform our decision in the following:
Take off for a 4-day weekend, Friday, April 10 (Good Friday) to Monday, April 13, return to remote learning April 14-17. We would then use those four days to end the school year on Friday, June 12 instead of Thursday, June 18.
Please reply by Friday, April 3, 6:00 pm, so the information can be shared with members of the Lacey Township Board of Education.
Survey Question: Do you prefer that we continue remote learning April 14-17 and end the school year on June 12 as described above?
Click here to access the survey.
Sincerely,
Vanessa P. Clark, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
March 27, 2020
Dear Lacey Township School District Families and Staff:
Our Lacey Township School District families have been doing a fantastic job supporting their children during the transition to virtual learning. Below you will find important updates regarding distance learning, virtual grading, and report cards for our elementary schools, middle school, and high school.
Preschool
The preschool students have been engaging with their families to complete activities that reflect early learning skills. We will continue to provide activities that support early literacy skills and early math skills.Grades K-4
We encourage our parents and students to continue communicating with their teachers. The activities that we prepared for the students were designed to carry us through spring break. Those activities can continue to be found on the district website here. Should the closure extend beyond that time, we will continue to develop new ideas and strategies to meet the needs of our students. As a result of the district closure, virtual parent-teacher conferences will be held in lieu of 3rd marking period report card grades during the week of April 6 through April 9. Teachers will set up conferences with parents directly.Grades 5-6
Students are engaging in a variety of activities to review previously-learned skills which are enhanced through our Google platform. We encourage our students to continue submitting their work through Google Classroom and teachers to continue communicating with our families regarding student progress. The activities that we prepared for the students were designed to carry us through spring break. Should the closure extend beyond that time, we will develop new ideas and strategies to meet the needs of our students. Please note that the third marking period report cards will reflect grades based on student progress and performance throughout the marking period.Grades 7-12
We will be moving forward carefully and cautiously with the intent of rewarding our students and families for their continued hard work in this virtual learning environment. Please take a moment to review the LTHS and LTMS Grading Guidelines and Marking Period Grades document. This document outlines the high school and middle school plan for returning to graded assessments and assignments and the end of the 3rd marking period.Sincerely,
Vanessa P. Clark, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
March 26, 2020
Dear Lacey Township School District Families and Staff:
In an effort to keep you informed, please see below for updates.Special Education
Click here for a letter from the Director of Special Services, Mr. Joseph BondNew Jersey Cancels Statewide Student Assessments
On Tuesday, March 24, 2020, Commissioner of Education Repollett released a Broadcast informing districts that the State of New Jersey is cancelling all statewide student assessments for the spring 2020 testing window. Please note that the cancellation of statewide assessments will not prevent students from meeting their graduation assessment requirements. Please refer to the Commissioner’s letter below for more detailed information: https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2020/mar/24/New%20Jersey%20Cancels%20Statewide%20Student%20Assessments.pdfAdvanced Placement (AP) Exams
CollegeBoard has released information for AP students. CollegeBoard is providing live and on-demand AP courses for free and developing a new at-home testing option. The full exam schedule, specific free-response question types that will be on each AP Exam, and additional testing information will be available by April 3. Click here for more detailed information: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/coronavirus-updatesSincerely,
Vanessa P. Clark, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
March 24, 2020
Click here for the lastest Free and Reduced Meal Services information document. Posted 3/24/20 at 7:00pm
March 22, 2020
Dear Lacey Township School District Families and Staff:
Let me begin this correspondence by thanking you all for your patience, understanding, and commitment as we navigate through this challenging and changing landscape of virtual education at home. The stories from around the community have been heartwarming -- from teachers delivering innovative and engaging lessons to students committed to learning in a meaningful way -- our school community has come together in just a few short days to accomplish what should have taken years to plan and implement. With your help, we are teaching and learning through new methods and in doing so, have completely redesigned what school looks like. It is not perfect. We will learn and adjust. It is my sincere hope that we will return to our buildings and classrooms soon, but until then, please know that we are all committed to educating our students virtually and we will continue to explore innovative and engaging ways to do so.
With all of that said, the purpose of this communication is to provide you with updated information as it relates to Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 107, which directs all New Jersey residents to stay home until further notice. These measures are being taken to flatten the curve in order to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19.
School Meals
Following the guidance of the New Jersey Department of Education and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the Lacey Township School District will continue to provide meals for students who are qualified for free and reduced meal services. Please note that these meals will be available for pick up only at Lacey Township High School in the main entrance vestibule according to the schedule below:- Mondays between 10:00 and 11:00 am for Monday/Tuesday meals
- Wednesdays between 10:00 and 11:00 am for Wednesday/Thursday/Friday meals
Click here for the updated Free and Reduced Meal Services information document.
Anyone with specialized needs or who find themselves in a situation requiring additional assistance are encouraged to contact the Director of Food Services, Ms. Crystal DeCaro cdecaro@laceyschools.org.
Academic Update
One of our goals for the coming week is for teachers to establish a routine for themselves and their students. Many teachers will begin (and in some cases, continue) to use recorded videos for the delivery of new instruction. Additionally, teachers will begin to explore the use of video conferencing platforms such as Google Hangouts for live chats and reinforcement of new material and to connect with their students and each other. As we transition to our fifth day of remote learning today, I am confident that our learning opportunities and capabilities will continue to grow.Communication Needs/Change In Contact Information
If families have changed any contact information, such as parent email addresses and/or phone numbers, that may not be updated in our student information system, please reach out to your building principal or child’s counselor via email. It is imperative that school staff be able to reach all Lacey Township School District families at this time, especially those students who have not logged onto their virtual classroom or completed assignments. Please reach out to us for any of your needs and we will reach out to you as well.Open Facilities/Locations
As directed by Executive Order 107, and until further notice, all district buildings will be closed. This does not impact the pick up of school meals in the Lacey Township High School main entrance vestibule.Communication is important during this time of remote learning. Please contact your child’s teacher and/or principal with any concerns via email. We will keep you updated through calls, texts, emails, and posts on our website.
Sincerely,
Vanessa P. Clark, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
March 16, 2020
In our commitment to continually update the Lacey Township School community with information related to the district closure due to the COVID-19 virus, today, Monday, March 16th, Lacey Township School District has completed a virtual homeschooling plan. The virtual homeschool plan will provide instructional activities focused on the review and retainment of currently taught content.
Additionally, the Lacey Township School district has updated our coronavirus information page. Webpage links specifically related to grade level activities, free and reduced meal services, counseling resources, special education resources and additional information on the COVID-19 virus are provided.
As a reminder:
Preschool through 4th grade families that do not have internet access can pick up your child's instructional packet at your home school Tuesday, March 17th between 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Please enter through the main entrance of the building.5th - 6th grade parents who do not have access to a computer at home may pick up an assigned Chromebook for their child at Mill Pond Elementary School between the hours of 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Tuesday, March 17th. Please enter the building through the doors next to the cafeteria.
7th - 12th grade academic assignments will be delivered using online instructional models For any questions related to the assignments, students should contact their teacher through the appropriate platform and email.
Access to all links can be found on the menu on the left, titled Virtual Home Instruction Information.
Thank you for your cooperation as the school community faces this unprecedented closure. May you and your family continue to be safe and healthy.
March 14, 2020
Lacey School Community,
We would like to thank the Lacey Township School Community for their patience and cooperation during the evolving response regarding the COVID-19 virus. As stated in earlier messages, the Lacey Township School District will continue to provide information as we receive more guidance from government officials. Lacey Township School District has been vigilant in following the guidance set forth by the New Jersey Department of Health and the New Jersey Department of Education regarding the COVID-19 virus. To be clear, as of today, Saturday, March 14th, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lacey Township.
As a direct result of the Governor’s message and in light of guidance that was received today, Saturday, March 14th, from the New Jersey Department of Education the Lacey Township School District has adjusted our school calendar. The Lacey Township School District will be closed for students Monday, March 16th through Thursday, April 9th. In addition, all school related events will be canceled and/or postponed during this time. Champions before and aftercare services will also be suspended. Spring break will continue as originally scheduled. The virtual home learning plan will not be implemented during spring break.
We, as a school community, will continually revisit this plan as more information is made available to determine if we can return to a regular school schedule on April 20th or will need to continue with our virtual homeschooling plan.
Following the guidance of the New Jersey Department of Education and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the Lacey Township School District will continue to provide meals for students who are qualified for free and reduced meal services. Please visit www.laceyschools.org and click on the Free and Reduced Meal Services Information Resource link for specific directions regarding meal pick up locations and times.
Instructional support will be provided to all students during this closure. Families who have access to email and internet services will receive instructional guides and attachments sent to the email address that was provided to the school district. Please contact your child's school’s main office phone if you do not receive these materials, need any assistance in acquiring these materials, or do not have reliable access to the internet.
Preschool through 4th grade families that do not have internet access can pick up your child's instructional packet at your home school Tuesday, March 17th between 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Please enter through the main entrance of the building.
5th - 6th grade students who do not have access to a computer at home may pick up an assigned Chromebook at Mill Pond Elementary School between the hours of 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Tuesday, March 17th. Please enter the building through the doors next to the cafeteria.
7th - 12th grade academic assignments will be delivered using online instructional models including Canvas for the high school and Google Classroom for the middle school. For any questions related to the assignments, students should contact their teacher through the appropriate platform.
The intent of this closure is specifically related to the promotion of social distancing and in no way is related to an identified case of COVID-19. During this closure, it is expected that students engage in all provided instructional activities. The Lacey Township School District also encourages parents and students to follow the Centers for Disease Control recommendations. Links to these and other recommendations may be found on the Lacey Township School District home page.
We understand that this health-related closure presents difficulties for all of our families, however, it is the intent of the Lacey Township School District to implement guidelines that will promote the health, safety, and well-being of the entire community.
We will continue to update the community with information as it becomes available.
Free and Reduced Meal Services
Suggested Daily Schedule For Home Learning Grades K-12
Special Education Modifications for ParentsSincerely,
Dr. Vanessa Clark
Superintendent of Schools
Lacey Township School DistrictStephen J Decker
Assistant Superintendent
Lacey Township School District
March 13, 2020
Dear Parents and Staff,
In response to Governor Murphy’s address at 2:30 today, the Lacey Township School District will complete our plans for a potential school closure. The Lacey Township School District is committed to provide information on the Coronavirus and the potential impact upon the community. Further announcements will be forthcoming when direction from government officials is provided.
In addition, the Lacey Township School District is postponing our Red Night Out scheduled for Tuesday, March 24 due to Coronavirus concerns. Further information will be provided when the event is rescheduled.
As a reminder the Lacey Township School District will have an early dismissal on Monday March 16th and Tuesday March 17th. Please continue to visit our website for all information concerning the COVID-19 virus.
Sincerely,
Stephen J Decker
Assistant Superintendent of Schools
March 12, 2020
Dear Parents and Staff,
The Lacey Township School District will have an early dismissal on Monday March 16th and Tuesday March 17th 2020, so that all staff in each of our buildings can focus on finalizing our COVID-19 contingency plans. We do realize calling for an early dismissal can cause a hardship for our families. However, this is necessary in order to ensure we are fully prepared with our response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Home Instruction plans.
All after school activities are canceled on these two early dismissal days with the exception of:
- Middle and High School Athletics, which will run as scheduled
- Champions After care for registered students. If you are not a registered user of Champions after care program and wish to use their service please visit www.discoverchampions.com to register.
Friday, March 20th will still be an early dismissal as previously scheduled.
IMPORTANT:
This is also a good time to remind our community to continue to utilize the COVID-19 Information Page on our district website as the source of official district information on this situation. Perpetuating rumors on social media creates anxiety and misinformation and is counterproductive at best. At worst, it causes unnecessary fear and mistrust.I’d like to personally thank all the dedicated members of our administration team and staff for their efforts to go above and beyond to ensure our students and staff are safe. In addition to the collaborative work being done by our instructional and support staff members, our facilities, transportation and cafeteria staff continue to work diligently to ensure our schools are prepared for any health related school closure.
Sincerely,
Stephen J Decker
Assistant Superintendent of Schools
March 10, 2020
- All LTSD building and instructional operations are continuing under normal conditions.
- Any school or district closures will be directed by either the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) or the health officer of our jurisdiction.
- School-sponsored field trips will continue as currently scheduled depending upon location.
- Currently, LTSD has NO reported cases of COVID-19. If your children are sick, please keep them home.
- LTSD continuously monitors New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), NJDOH and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assess changing conditions.
- As of March 9, 2020, 12:15 PM, from the CDC’s Media Telebriefing: The greatest impacts of COVID-19 appear in older adults with underlying medical conditions.
Additionally, cleaning protocols continue to be implemented throughout the district:
- Common touch surfaces are sprayed with a disinfectant, allowed to remain wet and wiped after two or more minutes, for maximum antiviral effectiveness.
- Encouraging frequent hand washing with soap for 20 seconds or more during school hours.
- Disinfecting common use computer keyboards.
- Using a disinfectant on all classroom desks and seating surfaces, as well as, finger and hand touch areas.
- Disinfecting all school bus seats daily.
