JERSEY CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Safe Return Plan 2022-2023 School Year
Newest Recommendations from the New Jersey Department of Education
Updated September 1, 2022
Dear Jersey City Public School Parents and Community:
Please allow the information below, while continually evolving, to provide guidance and support regarding how our schools are prepared to operate as the school year progresses. The information on this page is based on Governor Murphy’s lifting of the mask mandate and the lifting of the requirements that school districts maintain a policy requiring their unvaccinated staff to undergo routine testing, Executive Order #253, and the recommendations from the New Jersey Department of Education, and the most current information from the NJ Department of Health and the CDC. The District will continue to review Governor Murphy’s announcements and the New Jersey Department of Education's recommendations to adopt procedures and practices that mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus and promote the health of students and staff.
The chart below relies on guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health, the CDC, and the Department of Education. All topics included on this page are subject to revisions based on State and/or local health COVID-19 Activity Level Index (CALI), executive order(s), and Administrative Code 18A 40-10.
COVID-19 Guidelines as per the Recommendations of the New Jersey Department of Health and Department of Education
September 1, 2022
The JCPS District’s goal is to provide high-quality instruction and support for our students and their families as we continue full-day in-person learning with the COVID-19 limitations. We will keep stakeholders informed as we navigate the Covid-19-related health concerns and the Governor’s mandates for educating our students. Your input and patience during this process have been crucial to our decision.
The COVID-19 Pandemic is a fluid situation and may require adjustments and changes with limited warning. Once again, we thank you for our continued partnership and look forward to a wonderful school year.
Dr. Norma Fernandez
Superintendent of Schools
The Jersey City Public Schools must be prepared to provide continuity of instruction if schools are closed for an extended period. Additionally, the District must ensure that all students are provided nutritious meals that can easily be picked up during the school closure.
This document outlines the JCPS District's protocols to provide access to devices, instruction, and meals to support students during remote learning.
The goal of the JCPS is to provide a 2:1 ratio for students to have a device to use in school and an additional device to use at home for remote instruction.
The JCPS District is working to meet this goal in the following ways:
- The District has purchased Chromebooks for every student to ensure a 1:1 ratio.
- To reach the 2:1 ratio, the District has ordered a second Chromebook for every student in Pre K-12. Once the JCPS District receives the delivery of the additional Chromebooks, they will be distributed to achieve the full implementation of the 2:1 ratio.
- Emergency Broadband Benefit Program information was distributed to parents to address the Internet network access divide. Families with free or reduced lunch status and those who saw their income reduced significantly during the Pandemic are eligible to apply. This benefit would allow for more reliable internet access than hotspots which have limited usage hours and are costly to replenish.
- The District continues to provide hotspots to families requiring internet services.
Remote Instructional Day
To maintain the continuity of learning, students will retain their current full-day schedule. The length of the school day is following N.J.A.C.6A:32-8.3.
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- 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. for Pre K-8
- 8:30 a.m. - 3:05 p.m. for high school
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Each school will post its student schedules to individual school websites and teachers' Google Classrooms (K-12) or CORAdvantage (Pre-K).
Each school will create a schedule to provide parents/guardians the opportunity to pick up the necessary student materials and devices for remote instruction.
Remote instruction will be asynchronous (off-screen) while the transition to synchronous (on-screen) remote instruction occurs. Asynchronous learning will not exceed three days.
Asynchronous remote instruction will transition to synchronous instruction once student materials and devices are distributed.
Asynchronous(off-screen) |
Synchronous (on-screen) |
Communication is through JCPSNJ email, Google Classroom, and/or COR Advantage (Pre-K). |
Students are logged in virtually using the Google Meet link in Google Classroom (K-12) or COR Advantage (Pre-K). |
Allows students to work at their own pace. |
Allows for instant feedback and clarification. |
Students can post their work once completed for teacher review and feedback. |
Students can participate in the daily lesson and complete classwork in real-time. |
- According to the guidance provided by NJDOE, Pre-K students will participate in synchronous instruction for a total of 1 hour (four 15-minute sessions). The Early Childhood Department will provide teachers with their schedules.
- Teachers, paraprofessionals, and students in grades K 12 will continue to remotely follow their regular full-day instructional schedule.
- This includes all General Education and Special Education teachers, specialists(i.e., Art, Music, Physical Education, Library Media, World Language, Drama, etc.), ESL, counselors, and other related service providers(i.e., OT, PT, Speech, etc.).
- Two 10-minute breaks should be included throughout the school day, as determined by school administrators.
- The Jersey City Public Schools Attendance Policy, as outlined in the Code of conduct, will continue to be in effect. To address the remote learners' attendance, the following items will also be part of the attendance policy:
- Attendance will be taken daily and recorded on Infinite Campus every day school is in session.
- Students' cameras must remain on during a virtual session. Students may blur their backgrounds if needed.
- As outlined in the JCPS Reopening Plan, remote learning is an extension of the classroom. Therefore, all students will adhere to the Student Code of Conduct when physically in the building or a remote learning environment. This includes but is not limited to; dress code, use of technology, HIB, sexting, other inappropriate uses of technology, academic integrity, etc. An addendum indicated that students should wear uniforms while working remotely from home.
In the event of District School closure, the following extended day activities would continue remotely:
- MorningStars
- Casper
- ExtendedDayprograms (morning, afternoon, and Saturday)
- High School Sports may continue, in in-person, depending on the circumstances.
Students' Access to Instructional Resources
- Students are expected to have a district-issued device and the necessary instructional resources. Hotspots will be made available to any student who does not have internet access.
- If the student does not have these resources, the school will be in contact to arrange for a safe pick-up of the necessary materials.
- The Emergency Broadband Benefits is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford
- internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please view instructions on how to access the program HERE.
Meal Service Distribution
In the event of school closings due to a Covid-19 outbreak, the JCPS is committed to ensuring that all students up to age 18 are provided nutritious meals throughout the closure. Meal distribution sites will be set up at convenient l locations so parents/guardians can pick up breakfast and lunch near their homes.
Meal Service will continue during remote instruction at the sites listed below. Families may pick up breakfast and lunch between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
The following students are eligible:
- Children 18 or younger enrolled in a JCPS/contracted childcare provider.
- Adults over 18 years of age are enrolled in school programs for persons with disabilities.
Ongoing Communication
The Jersey City Public School District will utilize the StraxAR app to enhance communication with parents, guardians, and the community. Please view instructions on how to download the app HERE. In addition, the district will continue to utilize the following platforms for communication:
District Website
- Weekly Messages from Superintendent Walker
- The information is posted as needed to the website newsfeed and linked to Social Media
- District staff directory
- StraxAR
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Blackboard Connect
- Weekly messages from Superintendent Walker
- Informational parent resources are posted
- Board meetings via Facebook/Zoom
Individual School Websites
- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Blackboard Connect
- Academic schedules are posted
- Staff directories email and Google contact information
Additional Resources
School Nurses- During remote instruction, if your child becomes ill with Covid-19 or other illnesses, please email your child's school nurse.
School Counselors K-12 Resources
NJ Mental Health Resources
Elementary/Middle School Pacing Chart
High School Pacing Chart Mindfulness Lessons & Activities
SEL Reflection Proml)ts
JCPS Safe Return Plan Updated December 2021
JCPS COVID Screening App Procedures for Staff and Students Flow Chart
AMERICAN RELIEF PLAN ARP ESSER III GRANT SPENDING DECEMBER 2021
JERSEY CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Safe Return Plan 2021-2022 School Year Document -JUNE 15,
JERSEY CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Safe Return Plan 2021-2022 School Year Document -JUNE 15,
JERSEY CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Safe Return Plan 2021-2022 School Year Document -JUNE 15,
ARP ESSER Safe Return Plan June 21, 2021 Presentation