COVID-19 Information – Benway School

April 7, 2022

Dear Benway School Community:

As we approach our Spring Break (April 11th through April 15th) we would like to update you on several items. Because of the promising community conditions of high immunity and low transmission, Benway is making the following change to our protocols:

Masks will become optional for all students and staff in Benway beginning Monday, April 18, 2022. Here are important related items to this change:

❖ Parents are responsible for discussing with their child the family’s mask wearing preference; the child will need to fulfill that expectation.
❖ The decision for students and staff members to continue to wear masks is supported.
❖ Masks will be required when a student is symptomatic in the nurse’s office and when returning to school on days 6-10 after being quarantined or testing positive for COVID. Fully vaccinatedstudents with close contact will have to mask indoors for 10 days.
❖ Unvaccinated individuals are encouraged to continue to mask to reduce exposure/illness to COVID.
❖ All students must remain home while sick, and contact the school nurse, for next steps and clearance to return to school.
❖ Only students who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who are unvaccinated or not up to date and have a close contact will be eligible for remote learning.

Benway’s goal is to normalize school experiences as much as possible as we navigate this next phase of the pandemic. It is essential for the academic, social, and emotional well-being of our students. We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these health and safety practices and make adjustments accordingly. We have relied on guidance from the CDC and NJDOH which provides a whole child perspective to guide us as our community transitions back to “normal.”

Thank you for your continued support and understanding. We wish you all a safe and restful Spring Break.

Sincerely,
Benway School Administration

March 4, 2022

Dear Benway Community,

We are writing to update you on adjustments to the COVID-related protocols at Benway School. We will continuously monitor the effectiveness of these health and safety practices and make adjustments accordingly. Because of the promising community conditions of high immunity and low transmission, Benway is making the following changes to our protocols:

Temperature Checks will no longer be required for students, staff and visitors entering the school building. Parents should be monitoring their child on a daily basis for any evidence of illness/exposure. Students that are symptomatic with COVID like symptoms must remain home while sick, and contact the school nurse for next steps and clearance to return to school.
Health Screening Surveys will no longer be required for visitors entering the building, however all visitors must wear a mask.
Only students who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who are unvaccinated and have a close contact at home will be eligible for remote learning.
Benway will not require a travel quarantine, but urges parents and staff to monitor closely for any signs and symptoms of illness.

Benway will continue to monitor the COVID-19 Activity Level in the region and adjust accordingly. We will continue to monitor air quality, ventilation and use the air purifiers with HEPA filters. Our goal is to continue to normalize school experiences as much as possible as we navigate this next phase of the pandemic. It is essential for the academic, social, and emotional well-being of our students.

Thank you for your partnership as we navigate forward!

Sincerely,

Benway School Administration

February 2022

Dear Benway School Community:

On Thursday, February 10, 2022, Governor Murphy announced that the school mask mandate would expire on March 7th, leaving districts to determine their own policy. Based on the current COVID-19 rating for our area, Benway School will continue its mask policy through April 8, 2022. Please note that the State Department of Health will develop guidance for school districts over the next few weeks and there could be some adjustments to the mask-wearing rules for specific populations and/or circumstances. During this time, we will continue to monitor, implement and evaluate the new guidelines set forth by the state health department and CDC guidelines and we will continue to work collaboratively with our Regional Health Departments for guidance.

Be advised that the Federal requirement that masks be worn on public transportation remains in place. This means that while riding on a school bus, a mask must still be worn. Our first priority has been and continues to be, keeping everyone safe. We are hopeful that as the weather warms we can increase use of the outside facilities and open even more windows to continue to reduce or minimize the

risk of transmission in the school environment.

Gov. Murphy cited data showing that the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations were falling in

recent weeks. Should that trend continue, Benway School will be moving to a "mask optional" status

starting after the spring break on Monday, April 18, 2022. While mask use will be optional as of April

18th, we may need to return to a stricter mask policy if necessary. Also, it is important that we support

each family's decision regarding mask wearing - everyone has personal circumstances that they are

considering.

As always, we strive to make the best decisions for everyone's well-being and safety. Navigating these

times has been an ongoing challenge for our school community, and we appreciate your continued

support.

Thank you,

The Benway School Administration

Breakfast and Lunch Programs

For students that are in breakfast and lunch programs, the following links/files are here to help you find where your district has made breakfast and lunch available for you. We will continue to update this page as information is being made available on the locations. Please remember to maintain safe and healthy precautions, especially when going out of your house: Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating. Do not touch your face. Try to keep at least 6 feet of distance from other people. And cover any sneeze or cough with a tissue, inside your elbow, or on your upper sleeve.

Here are the links and information for your district's directions on where these meals are being made available for you.

Bloomfield

Bogota

Clifton

Many families rely on our schools to provide nutritious meals for their children every day. With the assistance of the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture, the Clifton Public School is able to extend school nutrition services to students who need them during this health-related closure.

Breakfast and lunch will be available at three satellite locations, beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Any family in the Clifton Public Schools Community can pick up grab and go breakfast and/or lunch from 10 am to 11 am, Monday through Friday, at CHS, CCMS, and School 17. Meal pick up
will be at specific door locations.

CHS ------------Gym doors at the front of the building
CCMS----------Cafeteria Doors alongside the Stadium
School 17---- Cafeteria doors in front of the building

We are hopeful that this food service assists our families as we all work together to get through this challenging health situation.

Jersey City

All Jersey City children* under the age of 18, regardless of the school they attend, can pick up FREE MEALS at a school nearest their home Between 9:00 A.M. and 12:00 Noon.

Revised Frank R. Conwell, PS #3
Alfred Zampella School, PS #27
Dr. Michael Conti Public School, PS#5
Christa McAuliffe School, PS #28
Franklin L. Williams School, MS#7
President Barack Obama School, PS #34
Martin Luther King, Jr. School, PS #11
Rafael Cordero School, PS #37
Whitney M. Young Jr. School, PS #15
James F. Murray School, PS #38
Joseph H. Brensinger School, PS #17
Ezra L. Nolan, Middle School #40
Dr. Maya Angelou School, PS #20
F. W. Martin Center for the Arts, PS #41
Rev. Dr. Ercel F. Webb School, PS #22
Abraham Lincoln High School
Mahatma K. Gandhi School, PS #23
***G. J. DYNES - REGIONAL DAY SCHOOL
Chaplain Charles Watters School, PS #24
(***for the students of AHM only)
O. Culberth, Jr. School PS 14- New

Lodi

The Lodi Public School District will be implementing the following plan to meet the nutritional needs of students in our Free and Reduced lunch program. A meal will be provided for each student in the free and reduced lunch program grades K-12 and will be available for pick-up at Lodi High School. Pick-ups will be scheduled alphabetically by last name according to the following schedule;

11:00 AM Last names beginning with A-D
11:30 AM Last names beginning with E-K
12:00 PM Last names beginning with L-Q
12:30 PM Last Names beginning with R-Z

Please note that families with children who have different last names may pick up a meal for each of their students during the pick-up schedule for any of their children. The meals will be available for pick up in the Lodi High School cafeteria which can be accessed through door 11 which is adjacent to the rear parking lot off of Sherman Street. This will be the only entrance and location where a meal may be picked up. There will be no access provided through the front of the building. Please note that the meals will be served on a grab-and-go basis. Students will not be permitted to congregate and eat their meals at the school.

Manchester Regional

Montclair

Lunch and Breakfast Pickup
Our food service, Pomptonian, worked with us throughout last week to prepare grab-and-go lunches and the next morning’s breakfast. As a reminder, pick up will be at three locations, Nishuane, Hillside, and Montclair High School between the hours of 11:30 am and 1 pm. In addition, one day a week, a week’s worth of fresh groceries will be provided and distributed by Toni’s Kitchen, under the direction of Mrs. Anne Mernin. More information to follow.

Newark

Parsippany-Troy Hills

Passaic

Passaic public schools are providing breakfast & lunch

Resource centers are open Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 PM beginning March 16, 2020 until schools reopen

Our students will be provided with a single bag that contains one breakfast and one lunch to take home. choose the school easiest for you!

Covid-19 Actions In Congress

The Arc: for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is raising a call to action for people to contact their congress representatives to make sure that the voice of those with special needs does not get overlooked during this time of Coronavirus legislation. To learn what you can do, please click here.

Internet Access

In response to COVID-19 developments, some internet providers are offering free services to low-income families and households with students. We’ll keep you updated with the latest here to help you stay connected.

Free Comcast Xfinity internet

Comcast Xfinity is currently offering its Internet Essentials program free for two months to new customers. The internet provider is also automatically increasing speeds for all Internet Essentials customers. Comcast Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots are also open and free to use by anyone.

Free internet for students from Charter Spectrum

Households with students K–12 or university students can sign up for a new Charter Spectrum internet account to get the first two months of internet with speeds up to 100 Mbps for free. Installation fees will be waived for those who qualify for the offer. Call 1-844-488-8395 to enroll. Spectrum Wi-Fi hotspots are also currently open and free to use.

Free internet for students from Altice

Altice internet providers Suddenlink and Optimum are offering 60 days of free internet service for households with K–12 or college students. Internet speeds are up to 30 Mbps if you do not already have access to a home internet plan. To sign up, call 1-866-200-9522 if you live in an area with Optimum internet service, or call 1-888-633-0030 if you live in an area with Suddenlink internet service.

Support Resources

Articles On Support and Navigating Virtual Instruction

How to Support Children (Spanish Available)

Supporting Teens/Young Adults

Resources For Parents

Free and Discounted Services

Free Entertainment Education and Resources

Well Being Therapy Center

Now enrolling for students in grades 2-4 and 5-7 for Confident Kids Groups Now Online! Keep your child working on positive social skills and healthy emotional coping skills with our Confident Kids Groups.

2nd, 3rd & 4th graders: Tuesdays 6-7pm Starting March 31st

5th, 6th, & 7th graders: Thursdays 6-7pm Starting April 2nd

*Groups meet every week for 10 weeks*

Our Group Will Help Your Child:
• Increase self-esteem
• Practice social skills
• Learn healthy ways of expressing emotions
• Improve friendships and communication

Our Groups Address:
• Positive Social Skills
• Open Honest Communication
• Creating & Maintaining Friendships
• Coping with Emotions and Stress
• Building Self-Confidence
• and more…

We use modern therapy interventions and activities that make our groups meaningful and fun!

Click Here For More Information or to Enroll

More COVID-19 Info From Bogg Center (Rutgers)

http://rwjms.rutgers.edu/boggscenter/links/COVID-19Resources.html

Follow the link for more information on Covid-19, including help with masks and tips for helping your child with masks, both physically and psychologically.

New Jersey Self-Advocay Project

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are not currently holding in-person events or trainings. But that doesn't mean we can't stay connected! We are constantly updating our social media pages, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.

We'll be posting advocacy information, COVID-19 updates, healthy lifestyle tips, instructional videos and ways to stay active while social distancing. We are also working out the best way to keep the New Jersey Statewide Self-Advocacy Network connected without in-person meetings.

We are still here for you! If you ever need to contact us, please don't hesitate to email NJSAP@ArcNJ.org or call 732-749-8514.

For information regarding your Council area, please contact:

COUNCIL 1 Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex & Warren Counties
Advisor: Ashley Ritchey
732-743-8345 / ARitchey@ArcNJ.org

COUNCIL 2 Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic & Union Counties
Advisor: Erin Smithers
732-246-2525 x 26 / ESmithers@ArcNJ.org

COUNCIL 3 Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean & Somerset Counties
Advisor: Erin Smithers
732-246-2525 x 26 / ESmithers@ArcNJ.org

COUNCIL 4 Burlington, Camden, Gloucester & Salem Counties
Advisor: Kelly Mulvaney
732-246-2525 x 37 / KMulvaney@ArcNJ.org

COUNCIL 5 Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland Counties
Advisor: Kelly Mulvaney
732-246-2525 x 37 / KMulvaney@ArcNJ.org