Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Back to School 2022

  


  • The entire faculty and staff have been hard at work making preparations for our 4800 PK-12 students to have an exceptional 2022-23 school year.
  • Click for the 2022-23 District Calendar.
  • Student bus information will be available on 8/24 in the Realtime parent portal.
  • Pre-Kindergarten orientation will be held on 8/29 at 1 p.m.
  • Kindergarten orientation will be held at each K-5 school on 8/29 at 2 p.m.
  • In-person Back to School Nights will be held at 6:30 p.m. as follows:
    • MOHS 9/13
    • MOMS 9/14
    • K-5 schools 9/15
  • MOTSD will provide full-day, full-time, in-person instruction and programming for the 2022-2023 school year. We will continue to follow the guidance of the New Jersey Department of Health and the New Jersey Department of Education to ensure student and staff health and safety. 
  • Phase II of the CMS renovation is nearly complete!

  • On 9/5 8-9 p.m. I will conduct a Back to School Parent University session via Zoom. Check your email on 9/5 for the Zoom link. 
    • Upcoming Parent University Sessions (dates TBD)
      • September: School Safety & Security w/ Mr. Carifi & Dr. Zywicki
      • October: Mount Olive Tiers of Success w/ Dr. Zywicki
      • October: NJ Health and PE Standards w/ Dr. Bangia
      • November: Taking Advantage of MOTSD Athletics Programs w/ Mrs. Suflay.
  • MOTSD is in need of substitutes and leave replacement teachers. Please apply online at applitrack.com/mtoliveboe/onlineapp/

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    Monday, June 20, 2022

    Last Day of School 2022

     



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    Location: Mt Olive, NJ, USA

    Friday, April 29, 2022

    April 29, 2022 Updates for MO Families

     

    • The inaugural season of the MOHS girls flag football team is off to an auspicious start.
    • The MOHS Drama Club recently put on a stellar performance of Something's Rotten. Save the date for the the MOMS Drama club production of Annie which will take place 5/12-5/14 in the MOHS PAC. 
    • On 4/25 Dr. Sumit Bangia was appointed as assistant superintendent, effective July 1. She replaces Lisa Schleer who has left the district for the private sector. Dr. Bangia is an accomplished and well-regarded leader with over two decades experience in education. Parents, teachers, school counselors, and building and central office administrators took part in the four-round interview process, which began in March. During the interview process, I was completely blown away by Dr. Bangia's expertise and technical knowledge. She’s the perfect addition to our team. Dr. Bangia is a Mount Olive High School alumna from the class of 1997.  Currently, she serves as assistant superintendent in Mountain Lakes. In addition to her school and district supervisory roles there, she developed a dual enrollment program for the district, led the QSAC monitoring process, and organized the district’s strategic planning initiative. She is also an adjunct professor at Seton Hall where she specializes in teaching graduate-level curriculum development and instructional planning. Dr. Bangia began her career teaching at Randolph High School before moving on to serve as supervisor of humanities in Verona and director of secondary education in Caldwell-West Caldwell. She holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education (concentration in social studies) from Pennsylvania State University, a master’s in administration and supervision from Montclair State University, and her doctorate in educational leadership from the College of Saint Elizabeth.  Please join me in welcoming home Dr. Bangia to Mount Olive!
    • MORT capped off a fantastic season with a tremendous showing at the FIRST National Championships in Houston!

    • TREP$ a project-based entrepreneurial education program is in full-swing this month at our elementary schools!
    • Thank you to St. Claire's EMS who recently visited Tinc Road School to discuss health care careers with our kindergartners.
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    Location: Mt Olive, NJ, USA

    Friday, February 11, 2022

    2/11/22 updates for Marauder Families

      

    • As per Governor Murphy's announcement, masks will be optional in all MOTSD schools effective 3/7/22.
      • Masks will still be required on buses as per federal regulations.

    • Our celebration of Black History Month will again feature activities at each school and grade level, as well as, featured alumni speakers. 






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      Location: Mt Olive, NJ, USA

      Thursday, January 27, 2022

      1/27/22 Updates for Marauder Families

       

       

      • Our schools have remained open over the past month as we weathered the post-holiday Omicron surge. Positive COVID19 cases have continuous declined over the past two weeks in MOTSD and our region is now in the orange category for this week's CALI report. Effective 1/31/21, the synchronous remote option will be suspended. Students who are quarantined as per DOH guidelines will receive individualized remote home instruction in the same manner that was provided from September to December 2021. 
      • On January 12, 2022, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy re-declared a public health emergency. As per Executive Order 281, the mask mandate remains in effect in New Jersey schools. The mask mandate will continue for 30 days, unless the Governor extends the public health emergency an additional 30 days.  
      • As per the NJDOH Guidance released last week, the following quarantine timelines are in effect: 
        • Persons who test positive for COVID-19 and are symptomatic or persons with COVID-19 symptoms who did not get tested or waiting on results:
          • Stay home and isolate for at least 5 full days (day 0 is the first day of symptoms).If symptoms resolve (fever-free for 24 hours), you can return to school after 5 full days (i.e., on day 6).
          • If symptoms persist (fever or other symptoms have not improved), continue to isolate until fever-free for 24 hours and you may return to school when the other symptoms have resolved. 
          • Individuals must wear a well-fitted mask when around others through day 10. For those ending isolation on day 5, this would be during days 6 through 10. 
        • Persons who test positive for COVID-19 but have no symptoms:
          • Stay home and isolate yourself from other people for at least 5 full days (day 0 is the day of the positive viral test).
          • If no symptoms develop, isolation can end after 5 full days (i.e., on day 6) students may return to school.
          • If symptoms develop within one week of the positive test, the 5-day isolation period starts over with day 0 being the first day of symptoms. Please contact your building nurse if this applies to your child.  
          • Individuals must wear a well-fitted mask when around others through day 10. For those ending isolation on day 5, this would be during days 6 through 10. 
        •  Close Contacts of a Positive Case:
          • Unvaccinated individuals must quarantine if they come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. 
          • Fully vaccinated individuals or those who had COVID-19 in the last 90 days DO NOT have to quarantine unless they start showing symptoms. 
          • When on Quarantine:  
          • Stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days (day 0 through day 5) after the last close contact with a person who has COVID-19. The date of the exposure is considered day 0.  
          • If COVID-19 symptoms develop, get tested and follow isolation recommendations.
          • If asymptomatic, get tested at least 5 days after the last close contact. If the test is positive, follow isolation recommendations. If the test is negative, the individual can end quarantine after day 5.
          • If testing is not available, the individual can end quarantine after day 5 (as long as there were no COVID-19 symptoms throughout the 5-day period). 
          • Continue to wear a well-fitted mask when around others through day 10.  Continue to monitor for symptoms.
        • To keep our learning community safe, any Marauders who have symptoms of COVID19 should stay home and get tested.
        • In order to provide better service to residents during a time of overwhelming need, drive-up testing is available daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at LabQ 100 International Drive in Budd Lake.




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        Location: Mt Olive, NJ, USA

        Thursday, January 13, 2022

        1/13/22 Updates for MOTSD Families

         

        • As per the NJDOE's Road Forward and in light of the current lack of test availability and result delays, parents will be provided with the option of requesting synchronous home instruction for students who are unable to get tested, are awaiting a test, have been exposed, are quarantined, are experiencing symptoms, are COVID19 positive, and/or are experiencing other extenuating circumstances. Synchronous remote home instruction will be an option until 1/28 only. 
        • Our schools have remained open over the past two weeks while the increase in positive COVID19 cases has plateaued. That being said, there continues to be a strain on district operations as we try to cover faculty and staff absences while simultaneously contact tracing and ensuring our multi-layered mitigation protocols. It should be noted that this spike is related to overall community spread and not the result of outbreaks within our schools. Please be advised of the following operational adjustments: 
          • Our nurses, teachers, and administrative team have been working around the clock. Please understand they are overwhelmed and there will be delays in responding to your emails and calls.  
          • Due to bus driver shortages, routes will need to be doubled up and rescheduled. Parents should expect bussing delays until 1/28. 
        • We will continue to monitor reported cases with MODOH on a daily basis and are prepared for contingencies based upon our 2021-22 Safe Return to School Plan. I ask all Marauder families to still be prepared for the following scenarios and contingencies:
          • Staffing Shortage: If we are unable to safely staff a school or schools for proper instruction and supervision, there may be the need to temporarily switch to remote instruction. 
          • COVID19 Outbreaks: Each day our administration and MODOH reviews the case data and specific contact tracing results for each school. If the total number of quarantines and positives exceeds 2% of the total school population, there may be the need to  temporarily switch to a shortened (half-day) instructional schedule. Lunch would be served grab and go. If switching to a shortened instructional schedule does not reduce the incidence of positive cases, it may be necessary to switch to remote instruction. 
            • Note: If either of the above scenarios should occur, specialized programs would continue to attend in-person daily and faculty will continue to teach from the school buildings.
        •  On January 12, 2022, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy re-declared a public health emergency. As per Executive Order 281, the mask mandate remains in effect in New Jersey schools. The mask mandate will continue for 30 days, unless the Governor extends the public health emergency an additional 30 days.  
        • As per the NJDOH Guidance released yesterday, the following quarantine timelines are in effect: 
          • Persons who test positive for COVID-19 and are symptomatic or persons with COVID-19 symptoms who did not get tested or waiting on results:
            • Stay home and isolate for at least 5 full days (day 0 is the first day of symptoms).If symptoms resolve (fever-free for 24 hours), you can return to school after 5 full days (i.e., on day 6).
            • If symptoms persist (fever or other symptoms have not improved), continue to isolate until fever-free for 24 hours and you may return to school when the other symptoms have resolved. 
            • Individuals must wear a well-fitted mask when around others through day 10. For those ending isolation on day 5, this would be during days 6 through 10. 
          • Persons who test positive for COVID-19 but have no symptoms:
            • Stay home and isolate yourself from other people for at least 5 full days (day 0 is the day of the positive viral test).
            • If no symptoms develop, isolation can end after 5 full days (i.e., on day 6) students may return to school.
            • If symptoms develop within one week of the positive test, the 5-day isolation period starts over with day 0 being the first day of symptoms. Please contact your building nurse if this applies to your child.  
            • Individuals must wear a well-fitted mask when around others through day 10. For those ending isolation on day 5, this would be during days 6 through 10. 
          •  Close Contacts of a Positive Case:
            • Unvaccinated individuals must quarantine if they come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. 
            • Fully vaccinated individuals or those who had COVID-19 in the last 90 days DO NOT have to quarantine unless they start showing symptoms. 
            • When on Quarantine:  
            • Stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days (day 0 through day 5) after the last close contact with a person who has COVID-19. The date of the exposure is considered day 0.  
            • If COVID-19 symptoms develop, get tested and follow isolation recommendations.
            • If asymptomatic, get tested at least 5 days after the last close contact. If the test is positive, follow isolation recommendations. If the test is negative, the individual can end quarantine after day 5.
            • If testing is not available, the individual can end quarantine after day 5 (as long as there were no COVID-19 symptoms throughout the 5-day period). 
            • Continue to wear a well-fitted mask when around others through day 10.  Continue to monitor for symptoms.
          • To keep our learning community safe, any Marauders who have symptoms of COVID19 should stay home and get tested.
          • In order to provide better service to residents during a time of overwhelming need, drive-up testing is available daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at LabQ 100 International Drive in Budd Lake.




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