BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield School District announced it would hold classes virtually through Nov. 2, changing the original plan from the hybrid model that was going to be put in place to open the school year. Announced on Aug. 18 at a Board of Education meeting by Superintendent Sal Goncalves, the decision came a week after Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order allowing New Jersey school districts to begin the year virtually to address safety concerns.
In a statement before discussing the virtual learning plan at the meeting, Goncalves said a hybrid plan was submitted to the New Jersey Department of Education and the Essex County Office of Education in late July but was still being modified as recently as a week before the BOE meeting to account for community survey results.
“Despite our best efforts to develop a plan to partially restore pupil–teacher contact, I am reminded of my foremost responsibility as your superintendent — a duty that must be prioritized higher than any of the considerations I have shared with you,” Goncalves said. “My first commitment is to preserve the health, safety and welfare of our pupils, teachers, administrators and support staff, and, given that daunting responsibility, it is with reluctance but with a particularly cautious mindset that I announce that the Bloomfield Public Schools will have a complete virtual learning plan for September 2020.”
Pointing out that though New Jersey is on a downward trajectory of COVID-19 cases, there are no guarantees that there will not be a resurgence in the area as the fall begins. The hybrid plan remains ready to be implemented, and Goncalves will report on the status of it on a monthly basis beginning in September.
“I am driven by a twofold concern: 1) Bloomfield will not have adequate instructional coverage to support an in-school, hybrid plan, and 2) a potential outbreak, even an isolated transmission within our schools, would force an immediate shutdown during the fall, further compromising an already vulnerable learning model,” Goncalves’ statement, which was also posted on the district website, read.
In November, families will again have the option to choose between the hybrid option and remaining all virtual. In September and October when all students are virtual, supports will be given to students and staff.
“We’re well aware that our students are coming back to us as fragile as ever,” Assistant Superintendent Joe Fleres said at the meeting. “We want to make sure that we have all the necessary means to address what they need. Our guidance staff has worked very hard in providing some parameters for our counselors to be able to touch base with our students and make sure they have an outlet, when they do return virtually, to see those familiar faces and be as comfortable with our learning plan as possible.”
The district will open for staff on Sept. 1 for professional development and to review scheduling procedures. On Sept. 2, students will receive Google Classroom codes and will join their classes. Classes begin on Sept. 3; Sept. 3 and 4 will be half days for students and full virtual days for staff.
Preschoolers at the Early Childhood Center will receive instructional materials and activities. Morning sessions at the preschool will run virtually from 9 to 11:30 a.m., while the afternoon sessions will run from 12:30 to 3 p.m. The full-day program will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with an hour-long lunch break at 11:30.
Elementary school schedules are broken down into 39-minute periods, each dedicated to a different class. Learning ends every day at 3:08 p.m., but teachers will be available until 3:35 p.m. for family communication and support.
Bloomfield Middle School students will follow their period-by-period schedule as assigned, and a morning and afternoon “help desk” will be available to reach out to students and communicate with families. The same model will be in effect at Bloomfield High School. Middle school and high school students will be assigned timeslots throughout September to pick up necessary items such as textbooks, instruments and workbooks.
Special education students whose IEP outlines inclusion services will follow the virtual schedule for their school. Other special education students will have modifications and specific accommodations based on their needs.
“We’re committed to making sure that our students continue to get the excellent education that they receive in the Bloomfield School District,” Goncalves said at the meeting. “We will continue to use this document. It’s fluid, it’s a work in progress. I ask for patience. Ask questions. We may not have an immediate answer, but we’re going to work together to solve it.”
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