118¿ª½±

The return to school will be reviewed on October 1, 2020, and will be based on consultation with the Department of Health and guidance from the NJDOE.

Prior to the first day of school teachers will be sending emails to each student with the link to their first Google Meet and related Google Classroom for their first-period class at each grade span.

Yes, even if the district opens remotely, we must be prepared for a phased-in return to school. Any return to school will not be a full regular reopening. By scheduling your child with the correct “return group” (in-person or fully remote), we can ensure that your child receives all the classes they require, that we have enough space in classrooms for social distancing upon return, and will limit the need to change teachers upon return.

Due to the many changes that are being implemented, schedules and class assignments will be released on the Parent Portal by Friday, September 4, 2020.

118¿ª½± collaborates closely with the Clifton Department of Health. One-third of new cases in Clifton over the past several weeks have been in children ages 2 months to 19 years of age. The majority of those were in school-age children.  This local health data, combined with the challenges of mask-wearing and ventilation during hot weather caused the district to reconsider the original reopening plan and postpone in-person re-opening for a short period of time. The decision to reopen in-person will be evaluated on October 1, 2020, with an intended start date of October 12, 2020.

Even if we start off remote as a district, your choice will ensure that your child receives all the classes they require, that we have enough space in classrooms for social distancing upon return, and will limit the need to change teachers upon return. Requests to change your selection prior to the end of the marking period will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Yes, families may choose to use their own devices.

Supply lists have been greatly minimized and will be posted on each school web-page. District provided supplies and books will be distributed during the first week of school. Parents will be notified of distribution times via BlackBoard and alternative evening times will be available.

In preschool, breakfast will be delivered and served individually in the classroom. In grades K through 8, breakfast after the bell will be available for grab and go pick-up and eaten in classrooms. At Clifton High School breakfast will be socially distanced in the cafeterias, with one student per table. Lunches will be grab and go at dismissal district-wide. Pick up locations will be posted for grab and go meals for all eligible students who choose the fully remote option, or if the district is running remotely.

All student schedules are following New Jersey graduation requirements. In-person and remote options are scheduled with a student's counselor and all schedules are developed to ensure that your child receives the courses needed for graduation. To the degree possible, we are honoring specialized course requests. Some electives might not be available for fully remote students. However, all special education and advanced programs are available in-person and remotely.

Yes, we will be offering Accelerated options remotely. Scheduling of the courses will be determined by the number of Accelerated students choosing the Fully Remote options.

Boys and Girls Club has its own fee schedule. Please contact the Boys and Girls club with questions about registration and fees.

After much parent input and changes to strengthen our program, we wanted our students to have as much “face to face” time online with teachers as possible. We have chosen a period by period synchronous model of instruction so that students can learn new material and receive immediate support. We are planning other options including some recorded lessons and remote evening tutoring options for families who need additional help. If your child cannot participate in synchronous period by period online lessons with their teacher please reach out to your school Principal to discuss possible accommodations.

There will be some periods of "asynchronous" learning or work done independently. This will follow the school schedule and some may be assigned to be completed after school hours.

Yes, we will be offering Accelerated options remotely. Scheduling of the courses will be determined by the number of Accelerated students choosing the Fully Remote options.

The district is providing special education and related services to both in-person and fully remote students. Related service providers will reach out to you to arrange tele-therapy for those students choosing fully remote.

Elementary TAG and Elementary ART TAG will not be a pull-out program for the 2020-2021 school year. Classroom teachers will make modifications and provide enrichment projects embedded into classroom instruction at a child’s home school. Art enrichment activity will be provided

Teachers will be grading and providing feedback on assignments just as they do during a regular school year. Progress reports, report cards, and grades will be given. Grades will be based on assignments, projects, participation, tests, and quizzes. Tests will be modified for the virtual environment.

Virtual classes will follow similar class sizes to regular in-person instruction which varies by grade and subject.

We are requiring our teachers to teach from a classroom unless they have been approved for accommodations under CDC, ADA, or FFCRA guidelines.

Teachers will be following a period by period schedule with Google Meets/Hangouts for the duration of each period. Students will follow schedules described in the reopening plan. Teaching style will vary by grade and subject.

Students are required to complete one marking period in the instructional options chosen to be eligible to switch tracks. A written request must be submitted to the building principal at the end of the marking period to return to in-person instruction if in-person services are being provided. This request must be submitted at least 14 calendar days before the student is eligible for in-person services.

Students are required to complete one marking period in the instructional options chosen to be eligible to switch tracks. A written request must be submitted to the building principal at the end of the marking period to switch to full remote instruction. This request must be submitted at least 14 calendar days before the student is eligible for in-person services. (Requests made before a marking period ends, may be considered on a case by case basis)

At all grade spans, the students will receive the same standards-based instruction in both the in-person and fully remote tracks.

We are working closely with the Boys and Girls Club and the Clifton Health Department to find a solution to providing aftercare in a way that will keep our students safe.

For sports, we are following the NJSIAA Medical Advisory recommendations.  Specific to outdoor sports, the medical professionals and the Governor have indicated that there is no scientific evidence supporting that outdoor contact sports contribute to the spread of COVID-19. While football involves contact, it doesn't allow for personal contact which is defined by the CDC as being within 6 ft of a person for more than 10 minutes.

While some districts may be planning on in-person instruction, these plans are all subject to health and safety concerns. There is no inter-district choice available.

The program page in a student's IEP will continue to be followed to the greatest extent possible. While we are trying to limit movement between classrooms, any service that requires going to another class will still be allowed to meet the students’ needs. Students assigned to the Resource Room will travel to that class. All classes are following social distance guidelines and health and safety protocols throughout each school. Inclusion classes will also take place per a student's IEP.

Students will attend special education programming as designated in their IEP while in school and virtually, adhering to the IEP to the greatest extent possible.

Related services will be provided both in-person and remotely (virtually) depending on the student’s needs, the nature of the service, and the frequency and time to deliver those services.

Paraprofessionals, if required in the student’s IEP, will be provided PPE to help maintain both staff and student safety. Social distancing will be practiced as much as it can be. However, most students with 1:1 paraprofessionals assigned require more close proximity assistance.

An IEP is based on a student's individual learning needs, based on multiple assessments, student performance in many areas, and long term data collection. An IEP provides the appropriate educational program for your child and any changes must be made through the IEP meeting process. Please reach out to your child’s case manager if you have individual inquiries.

The district has created two specialized videos to help increase mask usage and tolerance.
Please see links below:

Students in self-contained classes such as classes for students with Autism, behavioral issues, Language Learning Disabilities, Multiple Disabilities, and Preschool disabilities will attend school face to face four days a week. This includes students from preschool to grade 12.

Using the guidelines for the health and safety of all involved, PPE will be worn during the assessments. Assessments are scheduled in a 1:1 setting adhering to social distancing protocols. Any necessary materials are wiped down and sanitized.

Yes, restrictions about class sizes have not changed. We must still adhere to NJAC6A:14.

Services will be provided remotely as determined in the IEP to the greatest extent possible.

Classroom settings will have plastic barriers to ensure that classes adhere to separation and spacing requirements among students.

Bilingual and ESL instruction will continue to follow all requirements. While we are trying to limit movement between classrooms, any service that requires going to another class will still be allowed to meet the students’ needs. Students assigned to the pull out Bilingual or ESL will travel to that class. All classes are following social distance guidelines and health and safety protocols throughout each school. Class size will depend on student needs and allow for social distancing.