22 December 2020
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):
Regardless of the conditions surrounding this festive season, this time of year always offers one pure gift – the gift of modeling conversation for our children. While this is a year-round responsibility, the holiday times remind us to recognize the importance of our communicative experiences, even those seemingly common and simple. They are rich learning opportunities for students of all ages. Young people’s communication skills are influenced by the examples that they see and hear around them. Often forgotten, the art of listening is the foundation of effective communication. Although this is not a concrete school subject, like mathematics or science, it does permeate all academics as well as relationships inside and outside of school. Our educators who listen to their students with interest, attention, and patience set good examples. Just as in school, family members can model the same at home. Ways of modeling effective listening skills include picking out highlights of a conversation, asking relevant questions, relating personal experiences to that being discussed, and encouraging talking and listening to non-verbal messages. Whether at home or at school, children are always learning. Thank you for your continued partnership this year and always. Our students need us all!
As we approach December break, please consult this resource if your family plans to travel to a location outside of New Jersey. If necessary, please let the school know if we need to plan for your child to learn remotely, for the purpose of quarantine, upon your return from travel. For your reference, here is an overview chart with the updated CDC and NJ Department of Health guidance regarding quarantine periods. We are always available to answer any of your questions.
Of course, we want to maintain a healthy school environment so that in-person instruction is able to continue for our TBD and CDW students and teachers. As you know, this is based on reciprocal trust. If your child develops one or more COVID-19 related symptoms during December break, please contact your doctor and the school nurse, and keep your child home from school when we return in January for the specified amount of time. It is important to inform the school nurse if your child was tested for COVID-19, as well as to share the results. Please feel free to contact Ms. Lehmann (TBD) at 201-664-7176 ext. 1104 / [email protected] or Ms. McCarthy (CDW) at 201-664-1475 ext. 2103 / [email protected].
We encourage you to follow the health protocols and procedures in place for the safety of your family, which, in turn, will allow us to safely return to in-person instruction in January. We look forward to seeing our students back in school on Monday, 1/4/21.
Wishing your family a healthy December break and 2021 ahead!
Happy Holidays,
Danielle M. Da Giau, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools/Acting Principal, CDW
Old Tappan Public School District