Welcome to the 2020 – 2021 school year. We are excited to have you and your child(ren)/guardian(s) as a part of the Florence Avenue School Family. Each staff member has been working hard to prepare for the returning our scholars. We have set high expectations and made plans to help every scholar at Florence Avenue School to be successful this school year.

This year school starts on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. with Phase 1 of Remote (Virtual) Learning. The Irvington Public Schools’ Reopening plan is summarized below and located in its entirety on the District website.

The District Reopening plan shall consist of four phases:

• Phase 1: Full-time Remote (Online) Learning from September 9 – October 2, 2020. Teachers providing instruction remotely from home and students receiving instruction at home. Essential employees will report to their respective locations

• Phase 2: Remote Synchronous Learning from October 5 -November 25, 2020.Teachers return and teach remotely from their classroom four days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday). Students remain at home receiving instruction remotely. Wednesday is fully remote learning; however, the District can utilize the day for professional development on a needed basis

• Phase 3: Targeted Instruction (Soft Launch) from November 30 – December 23, 2020. English Language Learners (ELLs), Students categorized as Self-contained classification according to their Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and Tiered 3 students as identified by the District’s facilitated assessment report physically to receive in-person instruction four days a week. Wednesday will remain the day to deep clean the buildings, while teachers and students conduct learning remotely from home. The District can utilize Wednesday for professional development on as needed basis

• Phase 4: Traditional learning (Brick and Mortar schools) from January 4 – June 25, 2001 In-person instruction for every student. Students attend schools daily and receive face-to-face instruction from their teachers. Full entry for all students and staff, Monday through Friday. Note: Full-time remote learning option is available to students upon written request to the Superintendent of Schools or designee Procedures for Submitting Fulltime Remote Learning Requests
  • Submit a written request to the Office of Superintendent of Schools or email request to arashid@irvington.k12.nj.us on or before August 31, 2020

• • Written request must include the child’s name, school, grade level, parent’s contact information, and explanation for the request.

• • Request for students with disabilities will be handled by the Department of Special Services

• • Points of contact for questions and concerns are Dr. Matin Adegboyega at 973-399- 6800 x 2117 or Dr. Latee McCleod at 973-399-6800 x 2167

Chrome book and charger re-distribution will occur on Friday, September 4, 2020 and Tuesday, September 8, 2020. 

Our school uniform colors are hunter green, yellow, white, and khaki. I expect students to dress in uniform daily which will help with creating a commitment of taking school seriously and being fully responsible for their education.  Students and staff will be required to wear masks, maintain physical distance, and wash hands frequently when we return to school. Below are additional expectations of students and parents to support the remote learning for maximum success.

Student expectations: excellent attendance, logging on to Google classroom and Google meet on time for each class, proper classroom behavior, paying attention and participating, completing assignments on time, completing iReady Reading and Math assignments, practicing good hygiene, washing your hands frequently, and wearing your mask, and being responsible for your education.

Parent/Guardian expectations: familiarizing and becoming proficient in Google classroom and Google meet (resources are located on the district website under the department of Media & Technology), support your child/guardian to attend live and recorded sessions at to complete assignments, reinforce proper classroom behavior, make sure they are dressed in uniform, have eaten breakfast, had a good night sleep and reinforce good hygiene practice.

The first few days of school will be an exciting new experience for you and your child(ren) as they make new friends and meet their new teachers and staff even if it over the computer. Your child’s/guardian’s teacher will reach out to you soon to provide the credentials for Google classroom and Google meet.

We look forward to seeing you soon over Google Meet.

Sincerely,

Mary H. Michailidis, Principal