Community Update on Pandemic Response Team Subcommittees |
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As discussed during the Board of Education meeting on January 26, the district has formed three Pandemic Response Team (PRT) subcommittees, one for elementary, middle and high
school. Each subcommittee consists of members from each of our schools’ Pandemic Response Teams. School PRT members have been meeting since August to implement the MTPS Restart and Recovery Plan in each building. The district subcommittees include PRT
representatives from various stakeholder groups including parents, all categories of school staff, Board members and administrators. They relate to a broad range of grade levels, student needs, programs, etc.
The starting point for subcommittee discussion will be a review of the draft plan for implementing Phase 6 (collapsing of cohorts) presented by administration at the January 20 Board Workshop meeting. The subcommittees’ recommendations will be considered in making any revisions to that plan, if needed. The subcommittees will also work to identify strategies to ensure safe and effective school operations during Phase 6 of the MTPS Restart and Recovery Plan, as well as look at effective ways to maximize afternoon instruction time for students and make recommendations to administration. The subcommittees will not be determining if or when Phase 6 will be implemented. We will be moving forward with Phase 6. The timing of that movement will be determined by administration in consultation with medical and public health experts and after review of health data related to the school and community.
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Due to the threat of inclement weather, the District will distribute school meals tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 30, at High School North and High School South only (not Ocean Avenue) from 1:30 - 3 p.m.
Additionally, we will add a distribution day on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at High School North, High School South and Ocean Avenue Elementary School between the hours of 7:30 - 9:00 am and 11:45 - 1:30 pm.
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To assist administration and teaching staff with planning, we are asking families to indicate their intention related to their children attending on campus in-person learning five (5) days per week.
Parents are asked to complete a selection form for each child by logging into the Parent Portal, select the ‘Forms’ icon on the left side, and then navigate to the ‘5-day per week in person survey’. Please complete a selection form for each of your children by selecting the child’s name at the top of the screen.
The selection form deadline is Monday, February 1, 2021 at midnight.
The Selection Form is not a survey. Your child will be placed on the schedule you select. If you incorrectly completed the form, please notify your child's principal via email on Monday, Feb. 1 with your correct selection.
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Watch the MTPS Preschool Open House Presentation and Q&A |
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Members of the District Administrative Team and select educational staff met virtually with community members on Thursday, Jan. 28th for the MTPS Preschool Open House. Watch the presentation and question and answer session by following the video link. Please follow along with the MTPS Integrated Preschool Presentation.
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MTPS Arts Academy Application Deadline Extended; Information Sessions Upcoming |
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We have extended the application window for the Middletown School District Arts Academy until Friday February 12th. We are also going to offer a virtual information session for each middle school 8th grade student who is interested in attending on Wednesday, February 3rd as shown on the time schedule below. If interested, please join using the Google links below.
Upcoming Arts Academy Information Sessions
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YMCA Offers COVID-19 Response Resources for Parents, Guardians and Teachers |
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Access the Feb. 3rd
BOE Special Meeting
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The Board of education is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Feb. 3rd for a Special Meeting.
The public comment portion of the meeting will be held from 6 - 6:30 p.m.
Please follow the link, or the U.S. dial-in phone option, to attend the meeting.
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Watch the Jan. 26th Board of Education Voting Meeting |
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Nut Swamp Math-A-Thon Raises $34K for St. Jude Children's Hospital |
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During the first week of January, Nut Swamp Elementary School students and staff embarked on a philanthropic mission to support families in need at St. Jude Children's Hospital.
From Jan. 4-8, students kindergarten to fifth grade took part in a mathematics challenge that raised $34,000 for the Tennessee-based research hospital, which, through donations and fundraising, is able to provide treatment to patients without billing for treatment, travel, housing or food.
"Prior to winter break, Nut Swamp teachers introduced the idea of participating in a Math-a-Thon to raise money for St. Jude children and families. Teachers explained the background of St. Jude to the students and made them aware of the hospital's mission," said Nut Swamp Mathematics Specialist, Abby Friend, who collaborated with third grade Nut Swamp teacher Diane Montesano to organize the fundraiser. "Our Nut Swamp K-5 Tigers wanted in! Excitement grew when students found out that they could be a part of helping St. Jude accomplish their mission."
In December students began registering for the Math-A-Thon fundraiser. Some registered as individuals and others teamed up with siblings. Leading up to the District's winter recess, students worked to develop their persuasive writing muscles by crafting speeches about the cause that could be delivered to friends and family members over the holiday break.
After students collected donations and sponsorships, they returned to class ready to solve math problems and raise funds.
"The students completed one math activity per day, and at the conclusion of the fundraiser, the Nut Swamp community had raised over $34,000," said Friend. "We were very pleased."
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NJDOH and CDC Offer New Guidance Related to COVID Quarantines |
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We are no longer required to quarantine individuals who were in close contact with an individual that exhibited COVID-compatible symptoms in school.
Individuals who are currently under quarantine for being in close contact with an individual who exhibited COVID-compatible symptoms in school can return to school upon clearance by a school nurse.
School personnel will notify you if your child is affected by the new quarantine recommendation. Please note, individuals who are being released from quarantine due to this change in recommendation may be required to quarantine if the individual who was exhibiting symptoms receives and reports a positive test result.
Additionally, all household contacts of symptomatic individuals will still need to quarantine for 14 days, or until a negative test result is received. Changes in the guidance from NJDOH have been reflected in the daily Health Screening Forms for students and staff.
If you have any questions about your child’s need to quarantine, please contact your school nurse or building administrator. For additional information please review the MTPS COVID-19 Dashboard.
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Watch the MTPS Budget
Background Process Presentation
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During the Jan. 20th Board of Education Workshop Meeting, Edward O'Malley of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. delivered a presentation regarding an update to the District's health insurance renewal strategy. You may follow along with the video by reviewing the full Renewal Strategy Update Presentation.
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High School South Students Offer District Peers a Helping Hand |
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Middletown students in need of help with school work are now able to look within the district for a helping hand.
Helping Hand is a group of High School South honor roll and Advanced Placement-level students motivated to offer free academic aid to fellow district students in need.
Additionally, the group offers services to parents to help better understand the work their students are focused on.
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Watch the 2021 MTPS Kindergarten Orientation
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On Wednesday, Jan. 6th members of the district administrative team hosted more than 270 families of incoming kindergarten students during an annual Kindergarten Orientation event.
This was the first time administrators conducted this event virtually, and you may watch the orientation in full by following the video link.
Following a presentation that discussed the registration process, and a day in the life of an MTPS kindergartner, team members took more detailed questions from the audience.
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District Launches Course Selection Website for Middle & High School Students |
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On Thursday, Dec. 17, the District hosted more than 300 eighth grade families for its virtual 8th Grade Open House and Pathways & Academy Night. This informational session for incoming students of High School North and South served as an introduction to the course selection process.
On Friday, Dec. 18 the District launched its new MTPS Course Selection Website, a user-friendly and interactive platform dedicated to providing middle school and high school students with information, resources and supports for their future course selection process.
The MTPS Course Selection Website includes course descriptions, informational videos and slideshow presentations, important documents and applications, and additional content pertinent to student experience.
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YMCA Academy Space & Child Care Subsidy Available for Expanded Care |
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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.
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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.
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