January 1, 2022
Dear Burlington Township Families:
As part of our continued efforts to communicate with our families, I want to offer some important information. The pandemic has definitely continued to be challenging. We have worked with the Burlington County Department of Health and the County Office of the New Jersey Department of Education, and have received approval to move our District to all remote learning for the next two weeks. This decision was not made lightly. We know in person learning is best for children and families. However, the increase in the positivity of cases and the number of cases is causing concern in our region and in Burlington Township. At this time we do not have sufficient staff to adequately supervise students in a safe manner.
MOVE TO REMOTE INSTRUCTION
Before winter break we sent a letter to the community that included a link to our Chapter 27, move to remote learning plan as adopted. In that plan we acknowledge the need to seek the approval of both the Burlington County Department of Health as well as the County Office of the New Jersey Department of Education. We have received both approvals to move to remote instruction on a temporary basis due to concerns over the number of cases we have among staff, the number of cases within the community and the number of cases we were seeing before the break in our schools. We understand that this is a difficult time for students and families. Please note, the number of staff impacted may also impact individual classes during the remote instruction time. We appreciate your continued support and understanding as we work diligently through these unprecedented times to keep our students and staff safe during this pandemic.
This plan calls for a staff only day prior to the beginning of remote learning to allow staff to ready themselves for the switch. Monday, January 3, 2022, is a staff only 4 hour day for preparations as we move to remote learning for all students. Remote learning will begin on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 until Friday, January 14, 2022. The schedule will be as follows:
Monday, January 3, 2022 - staff only; NO STUDENTS
Tuesday, January 4, 2022 - REMOTE, schedules to be communicated
Tuesday, January 18, 2022 - return to school for students, early dismissal
**Please do not contact the schools regarding chromebooks, we will be sending additional information to our families.
NEW CDC ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE GUIDANCE
The District has been informed that the NJDOH is working on updated guidance to schools based on the most recent CDC guidance regarding shortened isolation and quarantine times. The updated information will be shared with our community when it is available. When we return to in-person learning on January 18, 2022, it is very important not to send children to school if they are displaying symptoms of COVID-19. As a community that cares about one another, we do not want to put other people at risk for contracting the virus.
We will be sending follow up communications during the next few days. Please continue to check your email and text message for additional details. As a community, we will continue to work together and care for one another to provide the safest environment for learning for our children. As we move forward into 2022, we will continue to SOAR beyond COVID-19!
Wishing you all the best,
Mary Ann Bell
Mary Ann Bell
Superintendent of Schools
