District Launches COVID-19 Dashboard and Data Hub |
|
State and local data trends related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) indicate rising numbers of laboratory confirmed positive cases. Since October, the district has experienced multiple new cases that are consistently reported to our school community by email via our SchoolMessenger notification system.
These COVID-19 updates have regularly been distributed to our entire school community, regardless of which individual schools were impacted by newly confirmed positive cases.
The process by which the District will report future confirmed positive cases is changing with the launch of the MTPS COVID-19 Dashboard, a dedicated information hub for data displays, communications storage and community resources related to COVID-19.
The MTPS COVID-19 Dashboard will be updated in real time as new information is made available to the District. Future communications regarding positive laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 will be delivered by your building principal.
Questions about COVID-19 procedures may be directed to your building principal and nurse.
|
|
Superintendent Walker, Twp. Administrator Mercantante Update BOE on COVID-19 Data |
|
During the Nov. 18 Board of Education Workshop/Voting Meeting, Superintendent of Schools, Mary Ellen Walker, and Middletown Township Administrator, Tony Mercantante, addressed the Board of Education and school community regarding local health data related to COVID-19, and the decision making process behind temporarily pivoting certain schools to virtual instruction. |
|
|
NJSIAA Updates
Winter Sports Schedule
|
|
On Thursday, Nov. 19, the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic AssociatIon (NJSIAA) delivered an updated timeline for the start of the winter sports season.
The district is thrilled that our student-athletes will have the opportunity to practice and compete this winter season.
|
|
|
NJDOH Elevates Region
to High Risk; Updates Returns to School Protocols
|
|
Please be advised that on Thursday, Nov. 19, the New Jersey Department of Health elevated our region to color code “Orange,” indicating a high risk regarding the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis.
When school districts are in a region with a “High” COVID-19 activity level, such as ours, the NJDOH requires more stringent quarantine protocols. Due to our designation of “High” activity level, the district will need to exclude individuals who are determined to be close contacts of another person who has reported COVID-19 compatible symptoms. Prior to this week’s change in activity level designation, the district was notifying individuals of their need to quarantine once a person deemed to be a close contact tested positive for COVID-19.
This change in quarantine protocol will likely increase the number of individuals who will be identified as close contacts and be required to quarantine because of their connection to an individual with COVID-19 compatible symptoms. Decisions on when close contacts of individuals exhibiting compatible symptoms can return to school are dependent on the ill person's medical evaluation and COVID-19 test results.
|
|
Bayshore Jazz Band wins Middletown's Got Talent Prize |
|
The votes have been counted and the Bayshore Jazz Band won their age bracket in the "Middletown's Got Virtual Talent Show". The public voted after the program's premiere, which was part of the Middletown Month 2020 celebration.
|
|
|
YMCA Academy Space & Child Care Subsidy Available for Expanded Care |
|
The New Jersey School-Age Tuition Assistance Program can help you pay for care for your school-age child in need of child care as a result of COVID-19 remote learning schools schedules. To be eligible for this assistance, you must be:
a NJ resident; your child must be attending school remotely, either part-time or full-time; and
your annual gross household income must be $150,000 or less.
As part of this initiative, the state will pay your licensed or registered child care provider through December 30, 2020 for child care during the school day.
|
|
Strategic Planning: Milone and Macbroom Present Capacity Analysis |
|
During the Nov. 18 Board of Education Workshop/Voting Meeting, Rebecca Augur and Mike Zuba of Milone and Macbroom delivered a presentation regarding a capacity analysis of Middletown Township Public Schools.
|
|
|
Watch the Nov. 18 Board of Education Workshop/Voting Meeting |
|
As we approach Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season, the State of New Jersey is asking non-essential personnel, students and their families to please be mindful of any trips you have planned, or are thinking of taking in the near future.
As of Oct. 27th, there are 41 states and territories included on New Jersey's Travel Advisory List. Traveling to a listed "hot spot" location will require your entire family to quarantine for 14 days, beginning upon your return to New Jersey.
We understand there are situations that require travel. If you are traveling, we ask that non-essential personnel, students and families communicate with their school nurses, who will provide you further advisement.
We thank you for your cooperation, and wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday season.
|
|
MTPS Students Earn Memberships
to League of Women Voters
|
|
Earlier this week it was announced that High School South juniors Jessica Hoffman and Charlotte Parauda were sponsored for student membership in the League of Women Voters.
The League of Women Voters is an organization that encourages participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
Hoffman and Parauda are participants in the MTPS Government, Law and Public Policy (GLP3) Pathway, and learned about the League of Women Voters in a recent virtual seminar, in which a guest speaker delivered a presentation related to current events in connection with the GLP3 curriculum.
GLP3 educator, Anthony Nemati, said Hoffman and Parauda are a model example of what this pathway is intended to inspire.
"The GLP3 Pathway deals in subject matter that the League of Women Voters is founded upon, including the processes of government and public policy, and voting rights," said Nemati. "These students are putting message and focus of this pathway to action, and it's a lot of fun to see that happen."
|
|
High School News Teams on the Air with New Episodes This Month
|
|
High School South Television and Film students were starting from scratch this year with a new anchor, director and crew for the group's anticipated opening episode of Eagles on the Air.
Follow the video link to see episode one of this magazine style news show, including coverage of South's upcoming virtual plays, student achievements in film and athletics and much more.
|
|
|
Episode two of High School North's monthly production, North News, is out now, and features lead anchor Sophia Haber Brock, who was recently honored at the Point Lookout Film Festival with the Student Rising Star Award. This month's episode includes coverage of North's recent Sustainable Jersey Bronze Certification, and a guest speaker series that brought award winning filmmaker Mark Clauburg and actress Kristy Swanson, who starred in the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
|
|
|
Watch the November Parent Information Committee Meeting |
|
The MTPS Parent Information Committee met on November 10th with members of the district administrative team to discuss various topics related to COVID-19 procedures and protocols, and various other topics. You may watch that meeting in full by following the associated video link. There will be no Parent Information Committee meeting in December.
|
|
|
District Provides
COVID-19 Related Update
|
|
On Wednesday, Oct. 28th, District Director of Staff Development and Special Projects, Devyn Orozco, provided the Board of Education an update on COVID-19 related matters.
Topics included district procedures for positive cases, guidance from state and local health departments, and where we stand in our Phased Reopening Plan.
|
|
|
District Earns NJSPRA Recognition for Reopening of Schools Website |
|
On Friday, Oct. 16th Middletown Township Public Schools was recognized by the New Jersey School Public Relations Association (NJSPRA) during the organization's annual School Communications Awards presentation.
"Our School Reopening Website provides extensive, up-to-date information to our school community on our phase-in reentry plan, progress toward our goals, resources, and much more," said Superintendent of Schools, Mrs. Mary Ellen Walker. "I thank Mr. Chris Rotolo for his work creating and maintaining this valuable information hub for our parents, students and staff."
When the site was launched in August, it served as a pivotal information hub for district families and personnel, offering the school community a user-friendly format to analyze and interpret the many facets of our Phased Reopening of Schools plan.
As we prepare for Phase 5 of the reopening plan, the site continues to evolve with new information, district communications and additional updates made in real time.
Be sure to check the MTPS Reopening of Schools Website as we continue to progress toward Phase 5.
|
|
Relaunch of MTPS LinkIt Student and Parent Portals |
|
The District is extremely excited to announce the re-launch of the MTPS LinkIt Student and Parent Portals.
Many parents created accounts through the Student/Parent Portal in the Spring of 2020. LinkIt has since changed how they present data to students and parents, and have created separate Student and Parent Portals.
Over the following weeks, LinkIt will directly email all parents/guardians whose email addresses are stored in PowerSchool. These emails will include a unique registration code, link to the Parent Portal, and instructions for creating an account.
If you need assistance upon receiving your new registration code, or if you don’t receive an email with a registration code by November 9, please contact Director of Staff Development and Special Projects, Devyn Orozco, at orozcod@middletownk12.org.
|
|
State of New Jersey Launches
COVID Alert Phone App
|
|
COVID Alert NJ is New Jersey's free and secure mobile app that anonymously alerts users if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The app also provides users with up-to-date information on New Jersey reopening news, key COVID-19 metrics, and a user-friendly symptom tracking tool. COVID Alert NJ uses Bluetooth proximity technology. The app will never record any identifying data. All users will remain anonymous. |
|
|
How it Works:
-
Download COVID Alert NJ on the App Store or Google Play Store. Opt-in to receive "Exposure Notifications"
-
As you go about your day, the app will use Bluetooth to sense any "close contacts"—other app users who are within 6 feet of you for more than 10 minutes
-
When your app senses a close contact, your phone will exchange a secure random code with the close contact's phone. It's important to note that your location and name are never disclosed
-
If you test positive for COVID-19, a public health representative will call you and ask if you're willing to anonymously notify your "close contacts" by uploading your app's close contact codes
-
Each day, the app will compare your list of close contact codes to the list of codes associated with positive COVID-19 app users. If there's a match you will get an Exposure Alert, along with appropriate next steps
|
|
MTPS Accepting Applications for Substitute & Leave Replacement Teachers |
|
The Middletown Township Public School District is now accepting applications for Substitute and Anticipated Leave Replacement Teachers for all Pre-K to 12 positions. To apply, please visit middletownk12.org/employment and follow the prompts for Contracted and Substitute openings.
|
|
On Friday, August 13th the district launched its MTPS Reopening of Schools Website, an information hub complete with Frequently Asked Questions and additional resources regarding the district’s reopening of schools plan.
As a follow up measure, the District recently developed a page on its Reopening of Schools Website dedicated to documenting a timeline of new updates and resources for our phased reopening plan.
As the Reopening of School's website is updated, the "Latest Updates" page will offer parents, guardians, staff and students easier access to this information.
|
|
You can review the Board of Education's Sept. 9th Special Meeting by following the link to the right. |
|
The Middletown Township Public School District requires that a daily health screening form must be completed each day before your student(s) enters the building. Please visit the home page of your school's website to access your school's unique screening form, or follow the links below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
