Schools Announce Reopening Plan

Posted August 31st 2020

The Avalon Stone Harbor Schools announced the plan for reopening with a four-phase schedule that recently was approved by the Cape May County Department of Health and the State of New Jersey. Phase 1 begins with the opening of school on Sept. 8, and students in grades K-8 returning on a hybrid schedule for a week of half-day instruction.

Phase 2 moves forward on Sept. 14 with a full day hybrid model, hosting half the students on Monday and Tuesday and the remaining half on Thursday and Friday, with all-remote learning on Wednesdays. Teachers will be in the classroom on Wednesdays using Google Meet with students for virtual instructions.

Phase 3 would be considered as a return to a five-day schedule, but only implemented if public health conditions improve and state and county guidance changes.
Phase 4 would be the full return to a normal school day.

“We are very excited about finally opening our schools and getting students back into the classroom,” said Chief School Administrator Stacey Tracy.

Students and staff will be required to wear masks throughout the day, with the exception of lunch and outside when social distancing is available. Additional safety measures have been implemented including separate entrances, staggered locker-usage times, acrylic plastic barriers installed on all students’ desks, and the scheduling of multiple outside breaks throughout the day. Grades 5-8 will experience a block schedule each day so there is minimal movement between classes, and grades K-4 will be scheduled to remain in the classrooms for a majority of instruction.

“So far, 2020 has been a year unlike any other in our lifetime and the current challenges are unprecedented,” said Dr. Renee Murtaugh, the supervisor of curriculum and instruction. “However, I believe that together the Avalon and Stone Harbor Schools family will prevail and achieve all the goals that we set.

I feel very fortunate to be working with such a great staff and community and look forward to a successful 2020-2021 school year.”

Photo caption: Stacey Tracy, chief school administrator for Avalon Stone Harbor Schools, announced a four-phase reopening plan starting Sept. 8.