In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ACS teachers and staff have been working diligently this week to prepare for a possible closing of the school and the implementation of at-home instruction as well as following cleanliness and disinfection protocols recommended by the health department.
School was closed on Friday, March 13 for a teacher In-Service, with teachers using the time to create virtual lessons to to provide students with course content remotely if needed. Facilities staff and teachers also spent Friday doing a deep cleaning of all Early Ed to high school classrooms, bathrooms, and common areas, including disinfecting walls, door handles, door frames, sinks, mirrors, table and desk tops, toys, and cubbies. Chromebook surfaces were also cleaned. Oblen said teachers and staff will continue to follow the health department’s guidelines for daily cleaning.
Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen sent a letter by email to all parents and guardians on March 11 describing the details of the school’s Remote Teaching Plan. Oblen said that under the plan, all students in grades K-12 will use Google Classroom and Zoom for at-home instruction. Students who do not have a computer or tablet at home will be able to borrow a Chromebook from the school. Oblen said another letter will be emailed to parents and guardians with specific instructions on remote instruction in the event that school must be closed.
“Most importantly, we are committed to be in prayer for our school, our families, and our community,” Oblen said. “We are in uncharted waters, but we know the God who is in control of all things and it is His perfect love that casts out all fear.”
Oblen said the NJ Department of Education has approved a written directive that schools are to provide home instructional services to enrolled students if required to close. In addition, N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-9 states that: Any day in which students impacted by a public health-related closure have access to home instruction services will count as a day of education toward the compliance with the 180-day requirement in accordance with this directive.
If a student does not have a computer or device to use at home, parents and guardians are asked to contact their child’s principal so that a Chromebook can be loaned to you — Upper School Principal mmchale@acseht.org or Elementary Principal galford@acseht.org.
