TPS Families -

Winter has definitely made itself known this week! I hope that you are all safe, warm, and healthy. Unfortunately, COVID also continues to make itself known, but I am optimistic that the impacts of the Omicron variant will soon be behind us as and our numbers will continue to decline.

I hope that everyone was able to stay safe and warm in last week's first snowstorm and snow day of the school year. If are not receiving notifications in the way or ways that you would like to, please be sure to update your Blackboard notification account. Instructions can be found on our website.

Our Tiger Tots registration is underway and Kindergarten registration begins next week! Please check the TPS website for registration dates, forms, and information. We look forward to welcoming our next batch of Tigers!

Finally, I would like to offer continued thanks to all of you for your dedication, flexibility, and understanding as we continue moving forward, mitigating risk, and prioritizing the health of students with little to no compromise to instruction. I appreciate each and every one of you.

Yours in Education,

Shauna C. DeMarco

Superintendent Tenafly Public Schools

We'd like to send a special shout out to our staff, students, and families for your remarkable flexibility, unending dedication, and especially perseverance.

To our nurses who monitor COVID cases in their schools, complete contact tracing, follow the daily symptom tracker, and continue tending to scraped knees, stomach aches, and the regular bumps and bruises, we appreciate you!

To our teachers, who continue to give 100% to their classrooms, while gathering work and zoom links for our virtual students, covering additional classes, and supporting each other to ensure that our students always get the most out of each and every day, thank you!

To our administrators and support staff who add to their daily workload by volunteering to do whatever is needed to keep their schools running smoothly, monitoring lunchrooms, chaperoning recess, and even covering classes when needed, you are an inspiration!

And to our parents and students who work with us as we continue to swim through these unchartered waters, thank you for your enduring support as we do our best to communicate changes and guidelines and provide a quality Tenafly education. Thank you!

Tenafly Public Schools is currently working to refine our guidelines relative to quarantining following the NJDOH's announcement earlier this week. The announcement directs K-12 schools to follow CDC guidelines relative to quarantining for five days and then masking and social distancing for an additional five when diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19. We are currently reviewing these guidelines to ensure that we implement them correctly and communicate all pieces of the new guidelines effectively. Please note that until we announce new TPS guidelines, the guidelines currently in place remain in effect. These guidelines specify a 10-day quarantine period.

For the most up-to-date information on quarantines and COVID exclusions, visit our COVID Communications page. We will communicate updates and changes relative to testing, quarantines, and related guidelines later next week and will notify you of the changes that result from this continued review.

Earlier this week, our NJ Governor confirmed that the mask mandate "shall remain in full force and effect for all public, private, and parochial preschool programs and elementary and secondary schools,..." and that all schools must "maintain a policy regarding mandatory use of face masks by staff, students, and visitors" for the foreseeable future. Please be sure to wear a well-fitting mask and bring an extra to school in case the one being worn gets soiled. At this time, our mask rule is simple: over the nose, under the chin, and snug fitting!

The Leonia School District teamed up with the NJDOE and Walmart to provide a vaccination opportunity for students ages 5-11 next Tuesday, January 18th from 3:15-6:30pm. The site is open to any child whether or not the child lives in Leonia. To sign up, use the form below to schedule an appointment.

January 18th Vaccinations for children ages 5-11

With the snowy weather upon us, please be sure to verify and update your Blackboard information and notification delivery preferences. Instructions on how to update your preferences can be found on the TPS website. Are primary numbers associated with your account outdated? To update the primary numbers, please contact your school secretary and email/copy info@tenafly.k12.nj.us. Thank you.

Kindergarten registration packets for the 2022-2023 school year are now posted on the TPS website. Forms can be completed now and returned to the registrar during the specified week for each school:

• Mackay: January 18 - 20, 2022
• Maugham: January 25 - 27, 2022
• Smith: February 2 - 4, 2022
• Stillman: February 8 - 10, 2022

Please note that all forms should be completed online and emailed to the registrar. Proof of residency must accompany the forms. Questions? Contact the registrar at registrar@tenafly.k12.nj.us.

Electric, gas and water utility companies in New Jersey will resume shut off of service this month for customers with unpaid overdue balances. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities' (NJ BPU's) utility assistance program can help, giving residents time to apply for help and bring down their balances before January. Visit the Family Support page on the TPS website for more details (information available in English and Spanish).

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For instructions on how to enter a ticket, visit the TPS website.