SCHOOL , from Page 1 Phil Murphy announced the school mask mandate will be lifted effective March 7 . Beginning March 7 , masks will be optional for students and staff in all buildings at the Hammonton School District .
Chieco read a statement that was posted on the school ’ s website ( hammontonschools . org ) and Facebook regarding the mask mandate being lifted .
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Wednesday , February 16 , 2022 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3 beginning March 7 , masks optional for school students , staff
“ Beginning March 7 , masks will be optional for students and staff in all buildings . Anyone choosing to wear a face covering will be permitted without limitation . Mitigation strategies of maintaining appropriate social distancing in classrooms , multiple daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces , hand sanitizing stations and in-room air purifiers will remain . The health , safety and well-being of our students and staff remain the main priority of the administration along with the board of education ,” Chieco said .
Chieco said the district ’ s COVID-19 cases have “ drastically decreased over the past several weeks .”
“ With the removal of masks , the New Jersey Department of Health will be providing new guidance on quarantine and close contacts . Regardless of masking , parents are reminded to please keep your children at home if they are ill . This is the most effective means of protecting our schools ,” Chieco said .
As a result of declining cases and reduced restrictions , many activities will resume including the Book Fair at the elementary schools , guest readers for Read Across America Week , class field trips , spring play and concert at the middle school , eighth grade dance and Great Adventure trip , Shrek musical production at the high school , senior class trip to Florida , Academic Excellence ceremony , Mr . Hammonton , the hop and prom .
“ Our approach to surviving the COVID-19 crisis has been to methodically evaluate policies and procedures to ensure that our schools remain a safe learning environment for all of our children . Due to our diligence , we have been able to keep our doors open while other districts have closed or modified schedules . We all can agree that the best education is provided with students actively learning with their teacher in a classroom . Our commitment to providing the best education to the children of Hammonton remains firm , and we look forward to the exciting activities planned for the remainder of the school year . Please check the district and school websites and Facebook pages for information related to upcoming events . Thank you for continued support of our schools ,” Chieco said .
During the meeting , there was a presentation recognizing the Governor ’ s Educators of the Year for the 2021-2022 school year . At the Hammonton School District , those educators included the following : English as a Second Language ( ESL ) teacher Christian Febles at the high school , seventh grade science , technology and engineering , arts and mathematics teacher Megan Goblirsch at the middle school , nurse Cindy McBride at Warren E . Sooy Elementary School ( WES ) and response to intervention ( RTI ) teacher Judy Rybacki at Early Childhood Education Center ( ECEC ). McBride was the only one who couldn ’ t attend the meeting , but she was still recognized and congratulated .
“ I would just like to be the first to welcome and congratulate all the teachers of the year . It ’ s a tough job being a BOE member especially in these trying times , so I have to say it ’ s a real treat to have you here tonight . And I would like to acknowledge all of your accomplishments and successes in the classroom , so once again congratulations to our teachers of the year ,” Mento said .
The Hammonton Education Foundation ( HEF ) President Roseann Struble presented a $ 500 grant to each educator to use in their classroom . According to Struble , the HEF has provided $ 556,000 in grants throughout the years , and $ 36,000 of those funds have been awarded to the Educators of the Year recipients .
“ The impact the teacher has on their students is remarkable . They help to mold and shape our students , and we are so grateful for the dedication and influence they provide . The recipients of this year ’ s teacher of the year award are outstanding , and the Hammonton School District is extremely fortunate to have them ,” Struble said .
The board then moved to committee reports .
For committee reports , board member John Lyons gave the finance report .
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