Thomas Jefferson School

March 26, 2021
A Message from Our Principal



Dear Thomas Jefferson Families,

 I hope this reaches everyone doing well as we head into the weekend. Hopefully the rainy weather will subside so that we can enjoy some time outside. I can tell you that my family took advantage of the mild weather last weekend and this past week---as we pry the technology and devices away from my 10 year olds’ hands and get them outside. We were playing basketball in the driveway, going for some walks and riding bikes. Then, before you know it, our kids start to slowly gravitate toward the house again to go back inside and we are getting them to stay outside for some more time. It’s a battle---I am living it right alongside all of you! We truly are in this together. Despite our busy lives and schedules--be there right alongside your kids for a few minutes every day or night and time during the weekends. Read, draw, get outside now that the nice weather is here. Just unplug from phones and devices for some time each day to be together and reconnect with each other
 
This is just a reminder that we have a short week coming up. As we head into our Spring Break, there will not be any Office Hours, remote classes or interventions after 1:00pm on Thursday, 4/1. School is closed Friday, 4/2-4/11. School will resume on Monday, April 12th. 
 
On Tuesday night, 3/23, we had the privilege of one of our own parents, Mrs. Linda McGovern who is also a behavioral health expert, give a virtual presentation to our families titled, ‘Parenting During a Pandemic. I thank those of you who were able to attend. For those who were not, we are hoping to provide the same, if not a similar workshop for our families early next Fall in preparation for the school year. This was a great information session for our families where Mrs. McGovern discussed such topics as: mental health, how to diagnose when our kids are struggling and need support, what parents can do to help, the importance of setting expectations and routines, the importance of keeping our kids motivated and connected to friends, ‘COVID fatigue’ and how to get our kids the help that they need. We thank Mrs. McGovern, tremendously, for this great presentation and look forward to more in the future. 
 
Thank you again for all that you do. Enjoy your weekend and the upcoming spring break. 
 
Thank you for your partnership with us,
David
 
Facebook: Thomas Jefferson Middle School-Rockaway Borough
Instagram: tjprincipal
Twitter: Principal of TJ
Phone Number Main Office: 973 625-8603
Nurse: 973 625-8603 ext. 305
Counselor: 973 625-8603 ext. 331


A Very Important Note

Dear Rockaway Borough Families,
The health and safety of our school community is a shared responsibility between home and school, and all stakeholders must do their part. Please know we are counting on everyone to help keep all members of our community safe.
If you have not done so already, a parent/guardian must fill out a COVID-19 screening certification form, certifying that the student and family will follow the district’s health screening protocols. The form can be accessed by clicking the link below. This is a one-time certification for the 2020 - 2021 school year. 
Failure to fill out the certification form will result in a student being placed on all virtual learning.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter and as always, please stay safe and healthy.
Sincerely yours, 

David Waxman
Principal
Nurses Corner Update





















IMPORTANT COVID-19 UPDATED INFORMATION FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS


The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) recently made some revisions to the exclusion guidelines for students and staff. Please take a few moments to read through these changes.
Schools are no longer required to exclude “in-school” close contacts of someone who becomes ill with Covid-19 Compatible Symptoms*, but who has not yet been tested for Covid-19. So whereas recently we sometimes had to send an entire classroom home if someone in the class became ill, the NJDOH no longer requires schools to do this.

At this time, if someone becomes ill during the school day, only the ill individual will be sent home, and they must remain at home until they test negative for Covid-19, (or for ten days from the onset of symptoms if they choose not to be tested)“In-school” close contacts, such as those who were in the same classroom as or who worked with the ill individual, will no longer be sent home at that time, as had previously been required. However, any siblings or household members of the ill individual must be sent home and must remain home until the ill individual tests negative for Covid-19, (or for 14 days if the ill individual is not tested). 

Schools are still required to exclude “in-school” close contacts of anyone who tests positive for Covid-19. Students and staff members determined to be close contacts of anyone in school who tests positive for Covid-19 will need to be quarantined for 14 days from the last date of contact with the positive individual. 

The NJDOH is once again permitting pre-existing conditions to be taken into consideration when determining if symptoms warrant Covid-19 exclusion criteria. Per the NJDOH: "For students with chronic illness, only new symptoms or symptoms worse than baseline should be used to fulfill symptom-based exclusion criteria". Please remember, documentation of pre-existing conditions/chronic illness must already be on file with the nurses.

The NJDOH continues to prohibit schools from accepting healthcare providers' notes stating an alternate diagnosis in the absence of a negative Covid-19 test. Per the NJDOH:  " An alternate diagnosis (including a positive strep test or influenza swab) without a negative COVID-19 test is not acceptable for individuals who meet COVID-19 exclusion criteria to return to school". 

Guidelines that have not changed but are worth repeating are:

If someone in a student's household is being tested for Covid-19 due to illness, the student should stay home until the test result is received. 

If a student has a household member or other close contact outside of school who is ill with Covid-19 Compatible Symptoms*, the student must remain at home until the ill individual tests negative for Covid-19. If the ill individual is not tested, the student must remain home for 14 days from the date of their last exposure to the ill person.  

If someone in a student's household tests positive for Covid-19, the student must remain at home for the recommended period of quarantine, (generally 14 days, but may be longer if isolation of the ill individual is not possible).

Students with Covid-19 Compatible Symptoms* must not come to school until they receive a negative Covid-19 test, have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, and other symptoms have improved. If the student is not tested for Covid-19, they must be excluded from school for ten days from the date of symptom onset. A screening tool follows this update for your reference.

*Covid-19 Compatible Symptoms: At least two of the following symptoms: fever, chills, shivers, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, congestion or runny nose; OR at least one of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of sense of smell, or new taste disorder. 

Parents/Guardians: Please review this form daily before sending your child to school and report your child’s information to your child’s school nurse, (Mrs. Denise Jacobus, RN, at djacobus@rockboro.org or 973-625-8602 for Lincoln School, or Mrs. Linda Savercool RN at lsavercool@rockboro.org or 973-625-8603 for Thomas Jefferson School), if any of the symptoms or close contact/exposure fields are checked off.


Section 1: Symptoms

Any of the symptoms below could indicate a COVID-19 infection in children and may put your child at risk for spreading illness to others. Please note that this list does not include all possible symptoms and children with COVID-19 may experience any, all, or none of these symptoms. Please check your child daily for these symptoms:

Column A  Column B
                              

___ Fever (100.0F or higher)      ___Cough
___ Chills                      ___Shortness of breath
___ Rigors (shivers)             ___Difficulty breathing
___ Myalgia (muscle aches)   ___New loss of smell
___ Headache                   ___New loss of taste
___ Sore throat                                                                        
___ Nausea or Vomiting
___ Diarrhea
___ Fatigue (feeling tired)
___ Congestion or runny nose

Students who are sick (e.g. fever, vomiting, diarrhea) should not attend school in-person. If TWO OR MORE of the fields in Column A are checked off, or AT LEAST ONE field in Column B is checked off, please keep your child at home and notify the school for further instructions.

Section 2: Close Contact/Potential Exposure

Please verify if in the last 14 days:
_____Your child had close contact (within 6 feet of an infected person for 15 or more minutes during a 24-hour period) with a person with COVID-19. 
_____ Someone in your household is diagnosed with or is being tested for COVID-19, or someone in your household has any of the COVID-19 symptoms listed above in Section 1
_____ Your child has traveled from any U.S. state or territory outside of New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, or has traveled out of the country.


If any of the fields in this section are checked off, contact your child’s school nurse, Mrs. Denise Jacobus, RN at djacobus@rockboro.org or 973-625-8602 for Lincoln School, or Mrs. Linda Savercool, RN at lsavercool@rockboro.org or 973-625-8603 for Thomas Jefferson School, for the most current exclusion recommendations before sending your child to school. Contact your child’s healthcare provider or your local health department (973-537-7118) for further guidance.   

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**REMINDER**

No Vented Masks Allowed UNLESS a Surgical Mask is on Underneath It  

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One More Gentle Note

In recent months, everyone has certainly experienced very trying times with all that is going on around us. That being said, it is important to note that our students learn better with breakfast and a good nights sleep. With our cafeteria still closed, please be aware we have no access to breakfast or any type of snacks.


Spring Break Travels?


If your family plans to travel out of state or out of the country beyond the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) please inform the school nurse as your child will need to remain home for the recommended quarantine period which is currently 10 days, upon return to New Jersey. Your child may participate in school remotely during the recommended quarantine period and will receive full credit for attendance.

Please contact Mrs. Savercool, School Nurse for further information if you have any questions, at 973-625-8603, ext. 305 or lsavercool@rockboro.org.



MARCH 2021 CYCLE CALENDAR



APRIL 2021 CYCLE CALENDAR
























A Note From the MARCHING BAND ROOM at Morris Hills for 8th Graders and Parents...



If you (or your son/daughter) has never participated before, next year is a GREAT year to join!!!! There's no experience necessary, and it is a fantastic way to meet and make lifelong friends, while having unique and incredible performing opportunities!  If you'd like to get a quick glimpse into what life in the MHMB is like, please watch THIS VIDEO that one of our outstanding band parents put together! Registration is open to students in grades 8 through 12 that attend (or WILL attend) Morris Hills.

There are summer practices, and the rehearsal schedule is limited to September and October......two rehearsals a week plus Saturdays. (And one Sunday for championships!)

Anyway, here is the link to sign-up:


Regarding the schedule:  HERE is a preliminary schedule of practices, competitions, events, etc. As we've learned...things are subject to change, but this will give a great idea as to what the schedule will be. For note, band camp is August 9th through 13th.


RICHARD HARTSUIKER
Director of Bands
Morris Hills High School
973-664-2336

CHECK OUT OUR UPCOMING STEM ACTIVITIES & VIRTUALS......























































From the HOME AND SCHOOL....

There are several HSA board member seats available for the upcoming 2021-22 school year. We are also looking for someone to take over the Tricky Tray for 2021. 

Please reach out to Donna Hawkes at dhawkes@rockboro.org or join us at our next virtual HSA meeting on Wednesday April 14 at 7 pm. 

Thank you!
Donna Hawkes


*New* Chocolate Fundraiser
Click Below

*Last day to order is 3/29*



8th Grade Fundraisers


























































































LOCAL ACTIVITIES

SPRING BREAK CODING CAMP
March 29 - April 5

It's not too late to register!

eSports Apprentice
Streamers and Gamers
Whether you want to be the next pro gamer, streamer, or gamecaster this course will teach you the basics to get started! No longer just a hobby, eSports is the fastest-growing career for the next generation. Over 400 million people watched YouTube videos and Twitch streams of video game competitions this year alone! In this course, students will develop game-play skills...

Ages: 8-14




Minecraft® Modders
Use your favorite game to learn the basics of modding and foundations of programming. Learn scripting and logic statements as you create your first mods! Introductory coding will also be taught through a simulated environment inspired by Minecraft. Student projects will be...

Ages: 8-14




YouTube®
FX Masters
In the digital age, nothing is impossible! Become a master of illusion by learning the techniques used by Hollywood masters to create FX magic. Whether you want to enhance your YouTube videos or create a cool scene to amaze your friends; this class teaches...

Ages: 8-14     



Youth Programs I youthprograms@wpunj.edu I 973-390-2236


See the

New Clubs

4-H

Might

Have For You




































Offerings for Parents, Students & Professionals
March 1, 2021

Center for Pre-College Programs Bulletin:
As we all adjust to the "new normals," we have planned 2021 offerings for a variety of settings and scenarios. Giving students authentic, rich, culturally relevant and safe learning experiences remains our top priority, while continuing our commitment to support educators and families in providing high quality STEM learning. We view these opportunities as a challenge and a privilege in these unique times. Learn more about our upcoming events and how to register

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Center for Pre-College Programs Summer 2021
 
The programs are designed to encourage and prepare students to succeed in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 

Program Dates: 

Tuesday, July 6, 2021 – Friday, July 30, 2021

9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

(Monday – Friday)

Application Deadline: April 16, 2021


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College Prep Boot Camp

SUMMER 2021

Ideal for rising 9th - 12th Grade Students

Program will run from Monday, August 2, 2021 through Friday, August 6, 2021, 

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Daily)

Application Deadline:   Monday, July 19, 2021
Click here for more information

Academy College Courses for High School Students

SUMMER SESSION 2021

Monday, June 28, 2021 - Monday, August 2, 2021 (Monday - Thursday)

Application Deadline:     May 28, 2021


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What's New in Our Schools and in Our Community
Respect Yourself and Others
Achieve Excellence
Make Good Choices
Stay Safe
Thomas Jefferson School - 95 East Main Street, Rockaway NJ 07866 - Phone: 973-625-8603