Back to School Guide: New Jersey's Plan for Healthy Return

After over a year of Zoom lessons, virtual teaching, and cancelled extracaricular activies, students can finally look forward to returning to in-person education and reconnecting with peers. With COVID-19 still present, particularly the new Delta variant, it is important to ensure all safety measures are in place upon returing. Each state has specified different restrictions and procedures for their education systems. Here is what you can expect from New Jersey's Department of Education.

New Jersey has put together plenty of resources to help guide students and staff back to a safe and healthy learning atmosphere and is set to bring all students and staff back for in-person learning this fall. Regardless of vaccination status, masks will be required in all school buildings for the start of the academic year.

New Jersey  As stated on nj.gov, Masks will be mandated for the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. "The Governor signed an Executive Order which will mandate masking in the indoor premesis of all public, private, and parochial preschool, elementary, and secondary school buildings, with limited exceptions. The EO is effective on Monday, August 9. 2021" (nj.gov) There are a few exceptions to this mask mandate, which can be found in depth online at covid19.nj.gov

In addition to the mask mandate, some schools and educators may choose to leave windows open to minimize the spread with fresh air flow. It may be a good idea to get into the habit of sending children to school with a few layer options, depending on the temperature and season.

For more information on New Jersey's reopening plan and procedures, please visit covid19.nj.gov

U.S Department of Education has also put into place a procedres roadmap to safely bring students, educators and faculty back to school. The goal of the roapmap is to support students, staff and their community in preparing for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year. View the Return to School Roadmap (U.S Department of Education).

• A fact sheet for schools, families, and communities on the Return to School Roadmap, reviewing the three “Landmark” priorities, and elevating schools and districts that are addressing each in effective ways.

• A guide for schools and districts outlining what schools can do to protect the health and safety of students, including increasing access to vaccinations and steps for implementing the CDC’s recently updated K-12 school guidance.

• A checklist that parents can use to prepare themselves and their children for a safe return to in-person learning this fall, leading with vaccinating eligible children and masking up if students are not yet vaccinated.