Q: Is the Government or School Administration considering closing the schools as a precautionary measure to avoid the spread of coronavirus?
The state Departments of Health and Education (NJDOH) are part of a joint task force on the CoronaVirus (COVID-19) issue, which meets regularly. The health department is considered the state’s lead agency on this matter, and school districts should look to it for guidance. Currently, NJDOH does not recommend school closure for outbreaks of infectious disease. iLearn Schools is working with local health departments to ensure that recommended control measures (e.g., exclusions, increased cleaning) are being followed. In addition, the local health department in conjunction with NJDOH may recommend enhanced surveillance be conducted in a school to monitor the progression and ultimate decline of an outbreak. If necessary, school closure should be utilized on a limited basis to prevent the spread of infection when:
1. Infections are expected to affect a large number of susceptible individuals
2. Recommended control measures are inadequate
3. The facility is unable to function due to increased illness affecting students and staff
4. The health department declares an epidemic or cause of ill health to be injurious or hazardous. In the case of public schools, the local health department may serve notice of closure recommendation to the district board of education. The local health department has the authority to close child care centers. Further information can be found in NJDOH Outbreak Guidance for Schools: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/schoolhealth.shtml.
Q: Do I have the option to keep my child at home until this situation clears?
A: At this time, there is no recommendation from the NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) to keep your child home as a precaution. Should the NJDOH alert iLearn Schools to close due to the spread of COVID-19, all parents, students, and staff will be notified via robocall, text message, and email.
Q: If I keep my child home, will that count toward the 18 days of excused/unexcused absences?
A: As per our attendance policy, any absence will count toward the 18 days of absence policy. iLearn Schools already has a strong instructional technology program that gives our schools an advantage over many other schools in regard to this situation.
Q: How does iLearn prepare for the possibility of a shut down due to the CoronaVirus?
A: iLearn Schools has been preparing for the possibility of an extended closure and will provide online/remote education should there be a school closure advised by NJDOH.
Q-Does iLearn plan to cancel school events, such as international trips and parent nights?
A: Only should iLearn Schools close will school events and parent nights be canceled. Any school closures or updates will be communicated in a timely manner. Depending upon the destination of international trips, iLearn Schools’ leadership team will determine whether it is safe for students and staff to attend. Based on current mandates, no international trips will be taken to Level 2 and 3 countries. As a result, iLearn Schools’ Italy trip is canceled.
The state Departments of Health and Education (NJDOH) are part of a joint task force on the CoronaVirus (COVID-19) issue, which meets regularly. The health department is considered the state’s lead agency on this matter, and school districts should look to it for guidance. Currently, NJDOH does not recommend school closure for outbreaks of infectious disease. iLearn Schools is working with local health departments to ensure that recommended control measures (e.g., exclusions, increased cleaning) are being followed. In addition, the local health department in conjunction with NJDOH may recommend enhanced surveillance be conducted in a school to monitor the progression and ultimate decline of an outbreak. If necessary, school closure should be utilized on a limited basis to prevent the spread of infection when:
1. Infections are expected to affect a large number of susceptible individuals
2. Recommended control measures are inadequate
3. The facility is unable to function due to increased illness affecting students and staff
4. The health department declares an epidemic or cause of ill health to be injurious or hazardous. In the case of public schools, the local health department may serve notice of closure recommendation to the district board of education. The local health department has the authority to close child care centers. Further information can be found in NJDOH Outbreak Guidance for Schools: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/schoolhealth.shtml.
Q: Do I have the option to keep my child at home until this situation clears?
A: At this time, there is no recommendation from the NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) to keep your child home as a precaution. Should the NJDOH alert iLearn Schools to close due to the spread of COVID-19, all parents, students, and staff will be notified via robocall, text message, and email.
Q: If I keep my child home, will that count toward the 18 days of excused/unexcused absences?
A: As per our attendance policy, any absence will count toward the 18 days of absence policy. iLearn Schools already has a strong instructional technology program that gives our schools an advantage over many other schools in regard to this situation.
Q: How does iLearn prepare for the possibility of a shut down due to the CoronaVirus?
A: iLearn Schools has been preparing for the possibility of an extended closure and will provide online/remote education should there be a school closure advised by NJDOH.
Q-Does iLearn plan to cancel school events, such as international trips and parent nights?
A: Only should iLearn Schools close will school events and parent nights be canceled. Any school closures or updates will be communicated in a timely manner. Depending upon the destination of international trips, iLearn Schools’ leadership team will determine whether it is safe for students and staff to attend. Based on current mandates, no international trips will be taken to Level 2 and 3 countries. As a result, iLearn Schools’ Italy trip is canceled.