20 August 2021
Dear Parents/Guardians:
We are looking forward to a much more typical 2021-2022 school year -- one more in line with pre-pandemic school years. However, we will continue to adhere to safety measures and remain responsive to new information, as shared by the Bergen County Department of Health and the New Jersey Department of Education. The attached Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Chart should provide you with information about what our schools will look like until further notice.
As you prepare for the first half-day of school, Thursday, 2 September 2021, please be sure to log into the Genesis Parent Portal to complete all of the required forms in the Summer Packet. Having all of your child(ren)'s required information prior to the first day of school is a safe way for all of us to begin the year.
Once all of your required forms are completed, you now will be able to access your child(ren)'s teacher assignment(s). To do so, you must be in the Parent Portal and click on "Student Data" and then "Summary."
- For TBD students, the teacher listed will be the child's classroom teacher.
- For CDW students, the teacher listed will be the child's Homeroom/Period 1 teacher. A full middle school schedule will be distributed to students on the first day of school.
As a reminder, we use an emergency notification system for school closings and/or school messages that links directly with the Genesis Parent Portal. Please be sure to update your Guardian 1 and Guardian 2 information (home phones, cell phones, e-mails) under the "Contacts" tab in the Genesis Parent Portal.
Our latest District Newsletter, which highlights school news and standard procedures, is attached. This Newsletter, along with the FAQs, are also posted to our social media feeds and website for easy reference. I encourage you to visit our web calendar to view school and District events, as you plan your schedule for the year. Some important dates to note:
- 8/26: CDW Principal Meet-and-Greet at 7:00 PM
- 8/30: Kindergarten Round-Up for Incoming K Parents at 10:00 AM or 7:00 PM
- 8/31 and 9/1: CDW New to District Student Orientation start times were communicated to new families
- 9/23: CDW Back-to-School Night at 7:00 PM
- 9/29: TBD Back-to-School Night and Book Fair start times will vary by grade-level
To ensure a smooth opening, please remember that our first day of school is a half-day, with no lunch served. Students in Grades 1-8 will be dismissed at 12:30 PM on Thursday. Preschool and Kindergarten students will be dismissed at 11:45 AM on Thursday. Everyone will enjoy full days of school, beginning on Friday, 3 September.
Should you have any questions prior to the start of the school year or during the year, please contact the school's Main Office. We are happy to help you. The principals, faculty, staff, and I are looking forward to more typical 2021-2022 school year with you and your child(ren). See you on Thursday, 2 September!
Respectfully,
Danielle M. Da Giau, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Old Tappan Public School District