Madison Schools To Dismiss Early For Coronavirus Prep

MADISON, NJ - In order to prepare for the arrival of the encroaching novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, the Madison School District will be closing early Tuesday, according to Superintendent of Schools Mark Schwarz.

"Considering what we know about COVID-19, our most optimistic scenario is that pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions will contain or control the spread of the disease to the extent that our institutions can continue to operate without interruption," Schwartz said in a missive to the community. "For such efforts to be successful, however, our schools must be prepared for increased absences among staff and students who may be affected by COVID-19. Accordingly, we have initiated efforts that will ensure continuity of education by making all learning resources available online and/or at home."

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In order to prepare for what Schwarz said is a likely scenario, all Madison Public Schools will conduct a single session, early dismissal, schedule on Tuesday.

After students are dismissed, faculty and staff will engage in the following planned activities:

Collaborative training regarding how to best provide lesson and curricular resources to students online and/or at home.

• Planning and preparation to ensure accessibility for current and future lessons.
• Developing credit-recovery options for MHS students whose absences may exceed 20 days.
• Preparing device and internet access options for students, as needed.
• Preparing for the delivery of related-services to absent students, as appropriate.
• Developing Information for families in Spanish and other language, as appropriate.

On Thursday, the NJ DOE released guidance for NJ schools which invites
districts lo develop and submit an implementation plan for distance learning should school closures become necessary to protect the public health.

In addition to usual precautions, Schwarz noted the following actions have taken place over the last two months to increase our efficacy in resisting Coronavlrus and Flu spread:

Regularly disinfecting high touch surfaces, including the use of electrostatic sprayers when students are not present.

• Reinforcement or respiratory hygiene practices, handwashing and hand sanitizing.
• Ongoing communications and meetings with various health officials and emergency
• management teams at the local, county and state level.
• Administrative planning meetings to develop contingencies for possible outbreak.
• Ongoing dialogue with other concerned school districts.
• Daily monitoring of Coronavirus news and Information.
• Evaluation of field trips and school events with respect to risk of exposure.

Schwarz said at whatever point a closure may become necessary, the calendar includes three relief days that would not require additional instructional days to be scheduled:

• 1 unused snow day (day off for staff and students)
• 1 scheduled staff in-service day (currently scheduled for May 26)
• 1 additional instructional day (NJOOE requires 180 days, Madison schedules 181 to
• accommodate situations such as this)

"If it becomes necessary to close before we receive NJOOE approval, these days will provide a buffer for our district to prepare for virtual learning while allowing time for the NJ DOE to consider and authorize our plan," Schwarz said. "Once approved, the full details of the plan will be shared with you. Should the need to close become apparent, we will provide families with as much advanced notice as possible."

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