Clark Schools Reopening Plans Include Split Day Schedule

CLARK, NJ — Clark Public Schools released its plans, on Tuesday, to reopen schools in September with a split day schedule for all students.

Arthur L. Johnson High School, Carl H. Kumpf Middle School, Frank K. Hehnly Elementary School, and Valley Road Elementary School will be running on an a.m./p.m. schedule where half of the students at each school will be assigned by the district to one of the two in-person sessions.

The Preschool class is already a half-day program.

This split day schedule allows the district to create the needed social distancing while also allowing students to be physically in the school buildings every day.

For students in the same household, the district noted it will make every effort to keep those children in the same session regardless of the specific schools that they attend.

Additionally, the district is asking parents to complete a form about whether they plan to send their child or children back to the physical school building(s) in Septemeber. This will give the district an idea of in-person student enrollment to appropriately plan. Forms must be filled out by Monday at noon.

Here are some of the highlights from the plan:

• Every effort will also be made to have students in the a.m. session seated at different desks than those desks used during the p.m. session.
• As a result of this a.m./p.m. approach, students will not eat lunch while in school. However, grab-and-go lunches will still be provided to our students in the free and reduced lunch program.
• Parents/guardians are being asked to have their children picked up immediately upon the conclusion of school each day.
• All self-contained special needs classes across the district (including Preschool ABA class) will operate under their more typical, full-day schedules due to the more limited number of students in these classes. These students will eat lunch in their classrooms.
• The district's before/after care program will not be offered for the time being. However, the
  Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA will be providing an offering at their location in Scotch Plains. Transportation to their site will be provided by the YMCA.
• Students, unless medically unable (documented via a physician's note), must wear face
  coverings at all times when a six-foot social distance cannot be maintained. Staff members and visitors (with the exception of those visitors under two years of age), unless medically unable (documented via a physician's note), must wear face coverings at all times regardless of social distancing.
• Transportation will be provided to eligible students in both the a.m. and p.m. sessions.
  Face coverings must be worn at all times.
• Pritchard Industries, the district's custodial services company, will be disinfecting school buildings throughout the course of the school day and each evening.
• Each classroom will be equipped with disinfecting alcohol wipes that can be used as needed
  on, for example, student desks and technological devices. Cleaning stations with additional disinfecting items will be located throughout each building at various locations that only staff members can access.
• Parents/guardians will need to complete a release form that states that they will take their child's temperature and check for the various COVID-19 symptoms no more than an hour before sending him/her to school each day.
• If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, the parents/guardians of the students in that class(es) will be notified. However, the students and staff member(s) in that class(es) will not be required to quarantine as a result of preventive measures being taken.
• Wherever possible, one-way hallways will be put into place.

To see Clark Public Schools' entire reopening plan click here or see below:

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.