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
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.
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)
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