FROM THE DESK OF Phyllis Alpaugh



SUPERINTENDENT'S
NEWSLETTER

Rockaway Borough Schools
May 2021


CURRENT AS WELL AS SUMMER REFERENDUM
PROJECTS TAKE SHAPE IN THE BOROUGH
RAMS CORNER

For more information regarding these or other topics, feel free to contact me at pa@rockboro.org


Dear Rockaway Borough Parents
and Families,


With the end of the school year less than a month away, both schools are planning for End of the Year activities. While the past year has been anything but normal, the current health conditions and the most recent positive trends regarding the virus have certainly been encouraging in both bringing the majority of our students back and making plans for our graduating 8th graders as well as all other students. In addition, recent Executive Orders from the Governor have lifted a number of restrictions making it a bit easier to plan traditional activities as well as safely accommodate family members and guests even if they are modified. While activities like Field Day, Claps outs and Awards Ceremonies will be a bit different than past years, I am happy to report we are doing our best to schedule as many celebrations and end of year festivities as we safely can. Moving forward, both principals as well as targeted teachers and grade levels will be sharing appropriate information via newsletters, emails, Google classrooms, Classtag and social media.

I look forward to these events and the anticipation of celebrating our students for all their accomplishments after a very difficult year.

Best wishes,
Phyllis Alpaugh
Superintendent of Schools
UPDATE on CDC MASK GUIDELINES


ROCKAWAY BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT



Dear Parents and Guardians,
 
As many of you are already aware, the CDC as well as the Governor recently announced updated guidelines regarding indoor mask wearing, in particular for those individuals that are fully vaccinated. While this is a positive move forward, state and local health officials in New Jersey have not changed this directive for schools so we will continue to "mask up" in the Borough especially when indoors. While many of our staff have been vaccinated, the majority of our students are not and cannot; so we will continue with established protocols that to date have proven to be successful for the remainder of the school year pending future guidance. We will, however, take advantage as much as possible of getting students outside for fresh air, outdoor learning, and much needed mask breaks with the appropriate social distancing always in mind. Many thanks to our Buildings and Grounds department for all their hard work in maintaining and creating some great outdoor spaces for both students and staff.
 
In regards to travel quarantining, while the Governor also lifted the travel advisory, the state did defer to the CDC, the NJ DOH and local health officials.  Since all these groups recommend delaying travel and quarantining but do not require it, Rockaway Borough Schools will do the same and only recommend, but not require quarantining after domestic travel.  This new policy went into effect this past week with the hopes of getting everyone back into the classroom for in-person learning this last month of school. For those travelling internationally, please consult your individual school nurses for guidance.
 
As always, thank you for your continued support and help. Please remember we have a long weekend coming up for Memorial Day with both Friday May 28th and Monday May 31st off for the holiday.  
 
Sincerely yours,
Phyllis Alpaugh
Superintendent
This issue's FEATURED ARTICLE...
The Importance of Mental Health Awareness in Schools
May is designated as Mental Health Awareness month and now more than ever, it is a timely reminder of the importance of good mental health and the impact it has on learning, achievement and academic performance. Addressing mental health needs in school is critically important as 1 in 5 children and youth have a diagnosable emotional, behavioral or mental health disorder and 1 in 10 young people have a mental health challenge that is severe enough to impair how they function at home, school or in the community. Students in general struggling with mental health issues have a harder time feeling motivated, remaining optimistic, and concentrating in school as well often carry lower grade point averages. Adolescents in particular with even minor mental health concerns are more vulnerable to social exclusion, discrimination, stigma (affecting readiness to seek help), educational difficulties, risk-taking behaviors, physical ill-health and even human rights violations.

If we have learned anything this past year during the pandemic is that the emotional well-being of children is just as important as their physical health as good mental health allows children and young people to develop the resilience to cope and manage stress, grief and anxiety even during the most trying times.

What are some things that all schools can do to become more aware of the mental health needs of their students and staff? as well as
  • Implement time and safe spaces in class for regular check-ins with students.
  • Give basic mental health training to all teachers.
  • Give basic mental health training to all students.
  • Have designated and accessible resources for all parties.

In response to this growing need to mental health awareness, the district is moving forward with a number of initiatives to support mental health for both students and staff. Last week, Thomas Jefferson hosted a Mindfulness Fest to stress the importance of Mental Health during this all important month of May. Activities included yoga, mindfulness and writing.  While 6th-8th graders participated in actual yoga sessions out on the field, 4th and 5th graders joined author Rashmi Bismark for a discussion and book talk on the origin of yoga and mindfulness with each student receiving a copy of her book, Finding Ohm, courtesy of the Home and School Association and the Municipal Alliance Committee (MAC). Click here for a short, but quick video that highlights the success of this school-wide initiative.

Lincoln Elementary as part of their daily schedule instituted the practice the Morning Meeting this past year for all grades so students whether in-person or virtual could check in with their teacher as well as their classmates. The Morning Meeting is a key element of the Responsive Classroom which is an evidence-based approach to teaching and discipline that focuses on engaging academics, positive community, effective management and development awareness. Targeted staff will focus on training over the summer in the hopes of turn-keying important information so all teachers will be able to create safe, joyful and engaging classrooms and school communities where students can successfully develop strong social and academic skills.

Also as part of our overall efforts to better support good mental health for our entire school community, the district will use grant money to retain the services of licensed clinicians to provide school based counseling and related counseling services for the 2020-21 school year. As part of the shared service agreement, THRIVE Alliance Group (the designated licensed clinicians) will additionally train selected staff in both schools regarding overall mental wellness so they can in turn better identify students in need and proactively address their concerns as well as assist with professional development and programming for parents. As a school district, we will also continue to share relevant resources and information via our website and newsletters as well as pair up with local agencies and groups such as Prevention is Key (PIK) and the Municipal Alliance (MAC) to continue to offer programs and events regarding the mental wellness of all.