West Essex Regional School District to Begin New Cohort Schedules This Week – TAPinto.net

NORTH CALDWELL, NJ — It was announced during the recent Board of Education meeting that, beginning this week, Monday, Feb. 1–which coincides with the beginning of Marking Period Three–West Essex Regional High School will begin classes with an in-district one cohort model and West Essex Regional Middle School will begin a two cohort in-district model.

The district has conducted surveys throughout the pandemic to solicit feedback and input from all stakeholder groups. On Jan. 13, a third marking period questionnaire was sent out to parents to confirm whether their children would attend virtually or in person for the third marking period. Superintendent Damion Macioci said, “We needed a full-fledged commitment for either fully remote learning or in-person learning for use to be able to create a schedule for marking period three, we needed numbers.”  

Once provided with that data Director of Guidance Lisa Hulse and principals Dr. Gina Donlevie and Caesar Diliberto were able to evaluate facility needs conforming to social distancing protocols and the numbers of students that would remain all virtual versus those who would be on campus. The result of that data confirmed that the high school would have 48% (512 students out of a 1,071) of its student population committed to in person learning which would allow for a single cohort to attend in person instruction.  

Donlevie reported that marking period three in the middle schools will have two cohorts alternating in-person instruction and the students will attend alternating days and each cohort will attend in-person instruction two days a week. District wide, Wednesdays will still be devoted to all classes meeting virtually. The middle school has a student population of 560 and 219 have opted for fully remote while 341 students have opted for in-person learning. Those opting for remote instruction in the middle school equaled 39% while those opting for in-person instruction equaled 61% of the student body.  In order to comply with six feet social distancing requirements two cohorts are required for the middle school for in-person instruction. Donlevie confirmed that for marking periods one and two that had a three-cohort model there were 185 students per day and for marking period three with a two-cohort model will equate to 171 students daily.

Diliberto discussing the single cohort logistics for the high school announced that most of the classrooms are able to accommodate 48% of the student population that have signed up for in person instruction.  When there are more than 10 students assigned to a classroom, satellite rooms have been set up in the library and black cafeteria and any overflow students would then be assigned to a satellite area and the student would log on as if they were remote for the period. Hulse stated that she and math supervisor Greg Aschoff created a rotating system so that students will know in advance whether there is a potential for them to assigned to the satellite room(s) for the period.

However, Diliberto noted that it is very rare that there is ever 100% attendance pre-Covid or currently, but nonetheless plans have been made to accommodate any potential overflows and the cafeteria and library will be disinfected after each period. Regarding transportation, siblings will be required to sit together on buses and any eligible seniors will be permitted to drive to school and park on campus.  

Board President Mary Wojtowicz commended the staff “that have been working very diligently and with such passion to get out students back into the buildings more often and I know that they are really dedicated to moving along to our next phase.” 

Board member Anthony Rubinich asked for confirmation that the district teaching staff will be present versus other districts in Essex County that were unable to open their doors for in person learning due to staff shortages and Macioci confirmed necessary staff is available and to support the staff’s numbers the district has hired six full time permanent substitutes, in addition to the regular substitutes that have been board approved.

Ryan Gupta, director of Curriculum, and Instruction, reported that between Jan. 8 and Jan. 11 surveys were distributed in order to garner feedback seeking various stakeholders and feedback was provided on questions that related to opinions on the amount of screen time the students are currently experiencing, levels of engagement, opinions regarding all remote Wednesdays, input as to the 88-minute lunch block and specific preferences for in person learning.  

Gupta reported that the data received from the students was “the most response we have ever received, and it was the most participation to our surveys.” 

Student responses increased by over 300 responses for a total of 948 responses and parent responses increased slightly by 50 for a total of 1,100.  Macioci noted that the increase of student response was attributable to feedback from the high school students who have been included in the building operation committee who suggested that it would be optimal to have students partake in district surveys at the beginning of a class versus on their own time.

Based on the results of the survey, data and committee discussions, Gupta confirmed that: “the bell schedule will remain as is; “All Classes Meet Wednesdays” will continue to be virtual and dedicated to support/enrichment; screen-time will continue to be addressed within the classroom through various forms of instructional activities.”  Gupta confirmed that adjustments to curriculum and instruction are continuous.

In other news, the board accepted the retirement of long-time Special Education educator Lisa Rubell who will retire on July 1 after 28 years in district.  Well wishes were sent by Wojtowicz, Macioci and Diliberto, who remarked that he had co-taught with Rubell many years ago. Macioci referred to Rubell as “a hard worker, passionate and always put her kids first. We will definitely miss her, and I wish her nothing but the health, happiness and success in her retirement.”

Agenda items included board approval for the high school swim team to begin practice at the Caldwell Community Center pool.