SCHOOL , from Page 1 Library except Linda Byrnes who was absent .
“ As part of the American Rescue Plan or ARP , our district is eligible to receive over $ 5.8 million dollars to help sustain the safe operation of schools and to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our students . In order to apply for this funding , I must submit a Safe Return Plan to the New
One Sindoni Lane , Suite C , Hammonton ( 609 ) 270-7886 • www . meadowsbridalshop . com
Jersey Department of Education with specific criteria . The information presented this evening represents the required categories that must be addressed ,” Chieco said . The Safe Return Plan includes the following : universal and correct wearing of masks ( staff , students and visitors will be required to wear face masks while on school property and on buses as per Centers for Disease Control
Now carrying Blush by Hayley Paige and Maggie Sottero
We carry gorgeous dresses by : Hayley Paige , Maggie Sottero Casablanca , Mori Lee , and so much more !
and Prevention and Atlantic County Department of Health recommendations .), physical distancing ( students and staff within buses , classrooms and cafeterias will maintain a three to six-feet distance where practicable .), handwashing and respiratory etiquette ( all classrooms are equipped with hand sanitizing stations and videos and signage are provided to demonstrate correct methods of handwashing and respiratory etiquette .), cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities including improving ventilation , contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine , diagnostic and screening testing , efforts to provide vaccinations to educators , other staff and students and appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities with respect to health and safety policies .
The entire Safe Return Plan can be found on the district ’ s website ( hammontonschools . org ).
After going through health and safety policies , Chieco then talked about ensuring the continuity of services for grades PreK-12 , as well as district-wide initiatives .
District-wide initiatives include the following : guidance counselors will provide counseling services for all students PreK-12 with an additional counselor being added to the middle school staff to
Wednesday , June 16 , 2021 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3
Chieco : Safe Return Plan tied to potential ARP dollars
reduce counselor to student ratios ; a mental health assistance counselor is being hired to assist all students with social , emotional and mental health needs ; school nurses monitor student health needs and maintain vaccination records as per state requirements ; staff will implement trauma-informed instructional practices ; mental health professional development will be provided to all staff ; all students have access to free meals ; lunch schedules are staggered to reduce the number of students in the cafeteria at one time ; and in order to accommodate six feet of social distancing , alternative locations within the buildings and additional lunch periods will be utilized for meals .
“ For our opening in September of 2021 , the Hammonton Schools will return to full-day in-person instruction . The first day of school for all students is September 1 , 2021 , and I encourage all families to check our district website and Facebook page regularly for updated information ,” Chieco said .
During the meeting , the board of education recognized the Hammonton High School ’ s golf team for its championship season .
Mento said he has a special spot in his heart for the golf team not only because his son is on the team , but also because he ’ s an alumnus .
“ One of my goals as a board member really from the beginning was to bring back the golf team and first couple years I was told it would be impossible … It was really one of my proudest accomplishments bringing back that program and so to see that come to fruition where here we are about five / six years later with the championship team is really fantastic ,” Mento said .
Coach Matias Spahn then gave a speech in front of the golf team to recognize everyone ’ s accomplishments .
“ This is the first time in 27 years that we ’ ve been able to do this as a team since 1994 ; it ’ s been a while . And as Mr . Mento said golf has kind of fallen off before and hasn ’ t gotten the recognition and really hasn ’ t had the good play . You guys have brought it back and of course Olivia [ Strigh ], Noah [ Petracci ] and Ryan [ Craig ] we are definitely going to miss you next year , but I ’ m really excited to look to see what we can do next year with the guys and girls that are coming up ,” Spahn said .
After the presentations , the meeting then moved to committee reports .
Hammonton Board of Education Vice President Michael Pullia gave the finance report and mentioned Resolution No . 17 approv-
See BOARD , Page 12
DiMeglio Septic , Inc .
Est . 1975 ~ DEP 03261 ~ Paul DiMeglio 1 ( 800 ) 427-4617 ~ 561-1007 ~ 561-3597
491 White Horse Pike • Ancora , NJ
• Grease Trap Cleaning • Portable Toilets
• Septic Certifications • Jetting Service