SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES

First and foremost, we are here to support you and your children with a balanced educational program no matter the virtual distance. Our priority for the school year will be social and emotional learning, which will be integrated throughout our curriculum. 
  • Regarding communication, we will be in daily communication with you via ClassDojo, phone blasts, school website, and emails.  
  • We will provide basic supplies for your child to start the school year off right!  Details of pick up for those supplies will be announced. 
  • Norjenes will provide packaged ‘Grab-and-Go’ breakfast, lunch and snack, during all phases of the reentry plan at no cost to families.
  • Office hours will be available 5 days a week for parents to reach out to staff members as needed.
  • Details about the Preschool Program can be found on The Orange Public School – School Reopening Guidelines 2020-2021 on the district’s website, see link below. 

ATTENDANCE

​In order for children to obtain the full benefits of the program and reach their greatest potential, it is important for them engage in the learning process whether virtually or face to face. The expectation is that you and your child will engage in all activities during the virtual learning schedule. If your child cannot participant on a given day, please inform your child’s teacher right away. If we do not hear from you or if you do not engage in the learning process during virtual learning for three consecutive days, our social workers will reach out to you to ensure the health and safety of your family. We will work with you to help you find resources needed for better engagement with virtual learning.

For more information please visit Norjenes at www.norjenes.com and ClassDojo.

PHASES FOR REENTRY

More details can be found on pgs. 32-33 in the Reopening Plan on the district’s website.  See chart below for dates and phases.
​Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Phase 4
​9/18/2020 to 10/2/2020
All Virtual
​
​10/5/2020 to 11/25/2020
Remote synchronous (live) learning
​11/30/2020 to 12/23/2020
Soft opening for pre-identified students
​1/4/2021 to 6/2021
Full entry on site learning
(staggered schedule)

Norjenes Scheduling for 2020-2021

DAILY SCHEDULE

​​Phase One 9/8 to 10/2
Full Virtual Synchronous/Asynchronous Learning (everyone is home) – 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Time
​Activity
​Type of Learning
​8:30 am to 9:00 am
Breakfast time preparation/set up for the start of the school day (be sure that all technology is charged up and that materials and supplies for the day are ready in advance)
​9:00 am to 10:00 am
​Greeting Time – live instruction
Message Time – live instruction
Read Aloud – live instruction (story, discussion, questions)
(children will have a 5 min brain break)
​Synchronous (live instruction)
​10:00 am to 11:00 am
​Outside Time/Work Time (flexibility):
Children can work independently on assigned tasks
Children can engage in hands on activities and creative arts (i.e. painting, finger painting, drawing, playdough, collaging)
Children can develop their large muscles by going outside or to the park to run, jump, play ball, ride a tricycle, etc.
Children can engage in mindfulness strategies, yoga, and stress release activities 
Asynchronous (independent learning)
​11:00 am to 12:00 pm
​Large Group Time: music and movement, songs, nursery rhymes, dance, etc.

​Small Group Time (teacher and para will break up into two small instructional groups):
Monday – English Language Arts (ELA)
Tuesday – Math
Thursday – Science
Friday – Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
(children will have a 5 min brain break)
​Synchronous (live instruction)
​12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
​Lunch/Nap Time for Children
​1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
​Outside Time/Work Time (flexibility):
Children can work independently on assigned tasks
Children can engage in hands on activities and creative arts (i.e. painting, finger painting, drawing, playdough, collaging)
Children can develop their large muscles by going outside or to the park to run, jump, play ball, ride a tricycle, etc.
Children can engage in mindfulness strategies, yoga, and stress 
release activities
​
Teachers are available to meet and to provide extra support to children as necessary
​Asynchronous (independent learning)

DAILY SCHEDULE

​​Phase Two 10/5 to 11/25
Full Virtual Synchronous/Asynchronous Learning (everyone is home) – 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Time
​Activity
​Type of Learning
​8:30 am to 9:00 am
Breakfast time preparation/set up for the start of the school day (be sure that all technology is charged up and that materials and supplies for the day are ready in advance)
​9:00 am to 10:00 am
​Greeting Time – live instruction
Message Time – live instruction
Read Aloud – live instruction (story, discussion, questions)
​Synchronous
​10:00 am to 11:00 am
Outside Time/Work Time (flexibility) – children work independently on assigned tasks, engage in hands on activities, creative arts, and/or they can develop their large muscles by going outside or to the park to run, jump, play ball, ride a trike, etc.
Asynchronous
​11:00 am to 12:00 pm
​Large Group Time: music and movement, songs, nursery rhymes, dance, etc.

​Small Group Time (teacher and para will break up into two small instructional groups):
Monday – (ELA)
Tuesday – Math
Thursday – Science
Friday – (SEL)
​Synchronous
​12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
​Lunch/Nap Time for Children
​1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Outside Time/Work Time (flexibility) – children work independently on assigned tasks, engage in hands on activities, participate in creative arts, and/or they can develop their large muscles by going outside or to the park to run, jump, skip, play ball, ride a trike, etc.
​
Teachers are available to meet and to provide extra support to children as necessary
​Asynchronous
Wednesdays​
Children will be working independently from the virtual platforms. This will be a make-up day for children, a day for them to practice developing skills, and to engage in the software programs approved by the district (Teachers will provide guidance for the software programs).

Teachers will be involved in CPT, PD, office hours, assessments, and other paperwork

SELF CARE

As per the Reopening Plan, “research shows the importance of mental and emotional well-being for students and staff, which has both psychological and ultimately academic outcomes. Access to school counselors and school-based health clinics helps students. Counselors and school-based health centers will play an extremely important role in the adjustment period when buildings reopen.”  We will support students, staff, and families with wellness opportunities and activities throughout the school year.  

VIRTUAL PLATFORMS

Our virtual platform will be ClassDojo.  If you are a returning family, you will have the same access to ClassDojo and there is nothing for you to do.  If you are a new family to our school, the teacher will provide an invitation to you with a class code.  You can add the code via the website (Classdojo.com) or you add the code in the ClassDojo app on your phone.  ClassDojo will be updated daily with assignments, videos, announcements, and activities for your child.  In addition, we use Google Meet to have live instructional classes with students and to communicate with our families. 

BEFORE/AFTER CARE OPTIONS

Norjenes Day Care Center offers before and aftercare services for in-district preschoolers.  Before and aftercare hours are 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and childcare vouchers are accepted.  Contact Information:
  •    Norma Adams, Executive Director
             95 South Essex Avenue, Orange, NJ 07050
             973-677-4299

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

Back to School-Open House Night information will be shared at a later date.
Important Message Important Message

Important Message

Dear Norjenes Parents, and Guardians,
 
We are excited for the start of the 2020-2021 school year!  We are your partners in education, jointly dedicated to helping your child grow socially, emotionally, and intellectually.  This school year will be filled with continued opportunities to stretch your child’s capabilities either in person or virtually.  It is going to be a great school year with a different look than in the traditional manner; however, one thing that will remain is the quality of instruction from dedicated staff in the best interest of your children.   Please be reminded that students start their first day of school remotely/virtually on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. 

This school year will certainly look different but our goal is to support your child’s learning journey, collaborate with you along the way, and embrace this educational partnership that we will have together as a school community while we continue to move our district from Good to Great! 
 
Warmest Regards,
Mrs. Adams
Executive Director, Norjenes Day Care Center