LEA Name: South Brunswick School District
Date (mm/dd/yyyy):06/16/2021 Date Revised (mm/dd/yyyy):12/15/2022
1. Maintaining Health and Safety
A. Universal and correct wearing of masks
Masks are optional in the South Brunswick School District during the school day. Masking is encouraged during periods of increased respiratory illness, clusters of cases, and confirmed outbreaks. Staff and nurses may reinforce that masks are being worn properly and provide replacement masks to those who need them.
B. Physical distancing (e.g., including use of cohorts/podding)
Following lessons learned through the pandemic we remind others of
physical distancing and are mindful when in the presence of others. Future physical distancing requirements for in person instruction will be determined after additional guidance is provided from the NJDOH and/or Governor.
C. Handwashing and respiratory etiquette
Students and staff are reminded of germ transmission, proper mask wearing, handwashing and social distancing.
D. Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, including improving ventilation.
Enhanced cleaning procedures and practices were outlined in detail in the district's Restart and Recovery Plan.
All South Brunswick School District indoor facilities have adequate ventilation, including operational heating and ventilation systems. Recirculated air has a fresh air component, windows are opened to gain additional ventilation if necessary. A/C unit filters are maintained and changed according to manufacturer recommendations. Also, during recent ventilation upgrades, ionizing scrubbers were installed that remove and kill 99.4 percent of contaminants going through them. South Brunswick School District employs trained HVAC staff who are available to monitor and service all systems 24/7.
Additional cleaning includes facilities and buses.
E. Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, in collaboration with the State, local, territorial, or Tribal health departments
We no longer contact trace, but positive results are reported to the school nurse through a form for reporting to the Department of Health. Same is true of staff.
F. Diagnostic and screening testing
Since the Governor no longer requires weekly screening of non-vaccinated staff members there is currently no weekly screening. However, we do provide at home Covid tests if required to families of students.
G. Efforts to provide vaccinations to educators, other staff, and students, if eligible
We are no longer providing clinics for Covid vaccines. Our in district health care facility does have these available for existing staff.
H. Appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities with respect to health and safety policies
When necessary accommodations for students who are unable to wear a face covering are addressed according to that student's need and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
2. Ensuring Continuity of Services
Describe how the LEA will ensure continuity of services including but not limited to services to address students’ academic needs and students’ and staff social emotional mental health and other needs which may include student health and food services. (0 of 1000 maximum characters used)
The South Brunswick School District continues its delivery of services during the 2022-2023 school year. While it is the closest in daily operations to pre-Covid, one challenge still exists; staffing. We still struggle to find substitute teachers and are experiencing limited applications for existing postings.
3. Public Comment
Describe how the LEA sought public comment on its plan and how it took those public comment into account in the development of its plan. (0 of 1000 maximum characters used)
The South Brunswick School District uses its Board of Education meetings to present and seek public comment. In addition, virtual forums were offered for staff and parents to hear plans, ask questions, and offer suggestions. Families received surveys during the earliest stages of the pandemic to offer input and feedback.. Student focus groups also convened at the secondary level. Finally, we created a District Re-Entry team that included community members, staff, and parents.
Describe how the LEA ensured that the plan is in an understandable and uniform format; is to the extent practicable written in a language that parents can understand or if not practicable to provide written translations to a parent with limited English proficiency will be orally translated for such a parent; and upon request by a parent who is an individual with a disability as defined by the ADA will be provided in an alternative format accessible to that parent. (0 of 1000 maximum characters used)
This will be posted on our website, which can translate to other languages. If a parent asks for assistance learning we will provide translation or explanation.
Briefly describe any guidance professional learning and technical assistance opportunities the LEA will make available to its schools. (99 of 1000 maximum characters used)
We will continue to use survey results from staff to provide support and professional development.