23 March 2020
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):
As we embark on the second week of e-Learning, I cannot begin to count the number of phone calls and e-mails that our outstanding teachers, principals, and I have received with an outpouring of support and encouragement. Thank you so much because we know these e-Learning Days would not be possible without your partnership! We recognize that everyone is juggling so much, and we appreciate your true collaboration. Because we know how important it is for students to hear instruction from teachers and for teachers and students to connect with each other, as time goes on, you will see increased opportunities for teacher-student interaction. This is an adventure for us all!
I have already received a number of submissions for the New Jersey CareOne Assisted Living and Senior Living facilities – THANK YOU! If you and/or your child(ren) are interested in joining us in this thoughtful effort, please:
- Write a letter or create a drawing of appreciation to a CareOne healthcare worker and/or write a thinking of you letter to or make a drawing for a CareOne resident. Click here for some ideas for salutations, content, and closings.
- Send the letter(s)/drawing(s) to me, digitally, at [email protected] by Friday, 3/27/2020.
- I will digitally send all collected letters/drawings to our CareOne parent-contact, who will deliver them to the facilities’ staffs and residents.
- Please note that I will not forward your e-mail address or your name, unless you and/or your child include it in the letter’s closing or on the drawing.
At this point, I still have not received any additional information about the school closure’s timeline. I expect to hear more sometime this week, and, once I do, I will be certain to share that with you. To date, there continue to be no known cases of COVID-19 among our students, faculty, and staff. As I mentioned in my previous messages, if this were to change, the Health Department would notify me, and I would, in turn, send notification to you as quickly as possible.
Despite no known cases of COVID-19 among our students, faculty, and staff, it is imperative that you and your child(ren) continue to practice social distancing (keeping 6 feet from others around you) throughout this school closure. Here are some reasons for social distancing:
- You may be carrying the virus and not know it. Even if you or your child(ren) do not show symptoms of COVID-19, you could be a carrier of the virus to others.
- You and your child(ren) may feel well now, but the virus could take time to develop and present itself.
- Everyone has to do his/her part to help this situation get better. Getting together with friends and/or having play-dates may cause the situation to worsen.
One of our talented TBD teachers shared this short PBS video with me. It’s informative for those in the upper-elementary and middle school grades. To learn more about the mathematical interpretation of social distancing, take a look! It’s Okay To Be Smart: COVID-19
I will be in touch, again, very soon.
Stay healthy,
Danielle M. Da Giau, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Old Tappan Public School District