Dear Parents/Guardians,
I hope that this new year brings an abundance of peace and happiness to your family.
As we begin 2022, COVID-19 continues to require resilience among students, staff, and parents/guardians. The large number of cases that are currently being reported in our region has impacted the Willingboro Public Schools as we will not have a sufficient number of staff members to adequately supervise our students for in-person instruction this week.
I have received approval from the Burlington County Health Department to implement Option 2 of our remote instruction plan from Tuesday, January 4, 2022, through Friday, January 7, 2022. The decision to request remote instruction was not made lightly as I believe that in-person instruction is vital for students. However, the safety of your children is always the foundation of all decision-making in the Willingboro Public Schools.
Chromebook Distribution
We have scheduled additional Chromebook distribution dates at the Country Club Administration Building, 440 Beverly Rancocas Road at the following times:
- Monday, January 3, 2022, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 4, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 5, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Thursday, January 6, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Friday, January 7, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m
Click here to set up an appointment. In advance of your appointment, please complete the Technology User Agreement in the Genesis Parent Portal at parents.genesisedu.com/willingboro under “Forms”.
If your child already has a device but it is broken, please indicate that when you set up your appointment and bring the device with you to your appointment.
Technology Support
If you are experiencing any technical difficulties, please email techsupport@wboe.net for immediate assistance. Our technology department can more efficiently assist you via email.
Daily Schedule
We will use the Option 2 Remote Instruction Schedules. Your child will attend school remotely from 8:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Your child’s principal will provide you with further information regarding school schedules. Please note that the number of staff members impacted by COVID-19 may affect individual classes during remote instruction. Principals will inform parents of alternative class assignments when necessary.
Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast and Lunch can be picked up from 8:00 am to 2:00 p.m. at J.A. Cotten Intermediate School, 50 Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive or Memorial Middle School, 451 Van Sciver Parkway. Students do not need to be present.
Student Expectations for Remote Learning
Please review these expectations with your children: Student Expectations for Virtual Learning
Daily Attendance
In order for students to be considered present for the day, they must participate in the full day of remote instruction. Absences will be counted toward the chronic absenteeism rate. The chronic absenteeism rate is 10% or more of a student’s total days of enrollment. Parents
You will receive a link each morning to complete only if your child will be absent for the day. In addition to receiving the links via email each morning, the links will also be posted on the website under the Remote Instruction section.
Contacting the Schools
Administrators, Secretaries, Guidance Counselors, and Nurses will be checking emails and telephone messages regularly. Email is the preferred method of communication.
New CDC Quarantine Recommendations
The Centers for Disease Control issued new quarantine recommendations on December 27, 2021. The New Jersey Department of Health is working to provide guidance to K to 12 schools regarding these recent recommendations. Until further guidance is received, the district will continue to follow the following quarantine guidelines:
Staff and Students who test positive must quarantine for 10 days.
Staff and Students who are considered close contacts in schools must quarantine for 10 days unless fully vaccinated. If a fully vaccinated individual is experiencing symptoms, he/she must quarantine and/or be tested.
Staff and Students who are considered close contacts in the home must quarantine for 20 days unless they are fully vaccinated. If a fully vaccinated individual is experiencing symptoms, he/she must quarantine and/or be tested.
Weekly COVID-19 Testing
The district offers weekly COVID-19 testing for students and staff on Mondays from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Country Club Administrative Building located at 440 Beverly Rancocas Road. The district will now offer a second testing day on Fridays effective January 14, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the same location. A reminder regarding the Friday testing day will be sent to parents and guardians prior to January 14, 2022.
Schools will reopen on Monday, January 10, 2022 (the district is closed for students as this is a Professional Development Day). Students will return on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.
We appreciate your display of resilience and your continued support as we navigate through these unprecedented times. It is my hope that we can move from a state of resilience to one of restorative and renewal.
Please be safe.
Dr. Neely Hackett
Superintendent of Schools