31 March 2023

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):           

We are looking forward to the spring temperatures ahead and will be thrilled to know when the cold weather truly is behind us. To date, we have not used any of our three (3) emergency closure days that are built into our calendar. Within a month, you will be sent a revised school year calendar showing the return of our three (3) unused emergency closure days at the end of June, which will solidify our last day of school. In the meantime, should you have any questions regarding the year-end, please do not hesitate to contact the school principal or main office secretary.

Here is the March edition of our District Newsletter, which highlights some of our events over the past month.

Although in another region of our country, our District shares in the grief of those families so tragically affected by this week’s dreadful event at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. Our hearts are extended to their school community and to the families in Nashville, who have been faced with the most horrific occurrence imaginable – the loss of life.

In our schools, the safety of our students and staff is a top priority. The administrative team regularly meets with the Old Tappan Police Department to review our security and emergency procedures. With their guidance, we continue to evaluate our safety measures, as well as practice our safety protocols in collaboration with first responders on a consistent basis. Each month, we conduct various types of drills, as required by law. Additionally, on a daily basis, the Old Tappan Police are present and visible in our school buildings and on our school grounds, as they conduct multiple, daily walk-throughs and on-site assessments.

There is no doubt that there will be media coverage of this tragic incident over the weekend and in the weeks to come. As such, some families will be faced with questions from their children. To assist you, please feel free to contact either school’s counselor, Ms. Dockendorf (TBD) [email protected] or Ms. Adamo (CDW) at [email protected]. The school psychologists and social worker are available for your support as well, Ms. Joroff (School Psychologist) at [email protected], Dr. Lew (Psychologist) at [email protected], and Dr. Polizotto (Social Worker) at [email protected]. Of course, Ms. Santa, Ms. Boyce, and I are always available to speak with you, to share resources with you, and to meet with your child(ren).

I thank you for your continued support, as our faculty and staff work alongside you and your child(ren). Our schools are rich learning environments, in large part, due to the strong partnership we share.

Respectfully,

Danielle M. Da Giau, Ed.D. 
Superintendent of Schools
Old Tappan Public School District