March 13, 2020

Dear Galloway Families:

This morning I learned Governor Murphy was holding a press conference today. In the event that the

Governor announces the closing of schools to help mitigate the spread of COVID19, we decided to

accelerate our efforts regarding continuity of education. Please carefully review the following

information.

Educational Packets

➢ Attached is a packet of schoolwork to continue the important work of educating each child.

Please only use this packet if school is closed.

➢ These grade - content - program based packets were created by our Directors of Curriculum and

Special Education along with our District Teaching and Learning Facilitators and Preschool

Master Teacher.

➢ These packets are designed to provide lessons and learning activities to students as well as to

meet the requirements of the Department of Education’s waiver for closure.

➢ These packets, along with supplemental resources, are also available on the district website in

PDF format: http://www.gtps.k12.nj.us/online_hub.html. ➢ The packets include two weeks worth of lessons so please have your child complete some work

each normal day.

➢ If your child receives related services, please know that these services will be made-up when

school re-opens.

➢ Should a closure last longer than two weeks, we will provide additional materials and contact

you regarding access.

➢ During the closure, you can email your child’s teacher with any questions regarding the work.

The teachers will respond the same day or within 24 hours.

➢ Upon return to school, students will submit completed work to their teachers. The work will

be reviewed for completion but will not be graded in a way that affects a student’s report

card.

Nutrition for Students Who Qualify for Free/Reduced Meals

➢ To help support our children who qualify for free/reduced meals, our Food Services staff will be

packing “grab and go” breakfast and lunch.

➢ These meals will be available for pick-up at two locations during designated times.

➢ Additional details regarding meal pick-up will be provided to families via email, phone call, and

Facebook post - please look for this information in these formats.

Staff Access During a School Closure

➢ Because this type of school closure is being done with a 180-day waiver, the school day does

count and does not need to be made-up.

➢ While most staff members will be working from home, a limited number of staff members will

be working in-district.

➢ All staff members are required to check email and voice mail at least once daily.

Resources

➢ We have many resources on our website regarding the COVID19 virus, including a page with

resources on how to talk to your child and ease their concerns about the coronavirus.

➢ The link for that page is: http://www.gtps.k12.nj.us/COVID19/TalkingPoints_COVID19.htm

Although your children will not be physically present during a school closure, please know that we care

about their education and well-being. Please look and listen for additional information. If you have any

questions, please contact me at giaquintoa@gtps.k12.nj.us. Thank you and take care.

Sincerely,

Annette C. Giaquinto, Ed. D.

Superintendent of Schools

C: Galloway Township Board of Education