March 15, 2020
Dear Ridgewood Public School Community,
It is critical that everyone in the community sign up for the Village of Ridgewood E-Notice System at https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/village-info/enotices-and-alerts-registration. Please do this immediately so that you can get vital notifications and information about the Village as it pertains to this public health crisis. Information about our schools as it relates to this emergency will come directly from me. Instructional information will be sent from the teachers and your child’s school. Additionally, I will be sending daily email notices to keep you up-to-date and informed. I ask that you also follow the district on twitter @RwdPub Schools and @RWDSupt, and please follow your schools. We send a lot of important information through our twitter accounts, as well as the district Facebook page @RidgewoodPublicSchools.
This is a dire public health emergency. We need everyone to follow all of the guidance being issued. Simply do not congregate. Our fields, playgrounds, tennis, and basketball courts are closed. I do not want to see anyone gathering on school property, and I do not want to see groups of students congregating downtown. Parents have shared concerns about kids having get-togethers or playdates during this period of school closure and virtual learning. Parents, please step in and say no. Getting together must not happen.
The quicker we halt the spread of this virus, the sooner we can get back to normal. All of our great Ridgewood traditions are in jeopardy. School productions, concerts, athletics, promotion ceremonies, RHS graduation, and prom are just a few events that could be impacted. I don’t want to be an alarmist, but the highlight of my year is graduation. I selfishly want to be there to shake the hands of our graduates.
When this is over, we all have to make sure we support our local businesses because they have been supporting us generously. They will suffer deeply.
While you have time, visit the Census 2020 website at 2020census.gov and get familiar with the information. You may have already received your invitation to participate in the mail. I urge you to take a few minutes to complete the census online, by mail, or by phone. This is also a great opportunity to talk to your child about the importance of the census.
If you haven’t started, engage in family activities such as playing board or card games at home. Here is the first of many suggestions to come–Sushi Go! This game is great fun for the entire family. Amazon still delivers. If you really want to have a laugh and get frustrated, have your child teach you how to play a video game. I know my kids’ hand, brain, finger coordination did not come from me or my wife.
Other things you can do (not my original ideas):
- Exercise (a great stress reliever!)
- Binge-watch shows
- Read a book
- Virtually visit someplace you want to see
- Experiment with a recipe
- Play a game
- Listen to music
- Connect with your kids
- Set up a place and time for your child to learn virtually
Visit your family and friends through FaceTime or some other “face to face” application. Get into a routine, and please make sure you or your kids do not go meet other people in person.
Please visit ridgewood.k12.nj.us for all the information we have sent out in the past, but most importantly for the information about instruction that starts tomorrow, Monday, March 16. I wish you all the best of health.
Sincerely,
Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D
Superintendent of Schools
C: Ridgewood Board of Education
Dr. Wayne Yankus, District Physician
Ms. Dawn Cetrulo, Village of Ridgewood Health Officer/Director
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or ****the right of the people peaceably to assemble***, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
You might want to consider lodging it, Dr. Fishbein.
“I do not want to see groups of students congregating downtown.”
The horror of it all.
Aren’t they aware the only allowed activity is “grinding”, i.e., playing online first person shooter videogames until their eyes bleed?
Enough time doing this and their brainwaves will have been fully and completely reprogrammed.
They will naturally shun actual social activity and maintain antisocial distancing for the rest of their lives and stare uncomprehendingly at others who willingly attend religious services and engage in the defense of their lifestyles, culture, and civil liberties.