Ridgewood School Home School Day 6 ,Due to COVID 19

March 23, 2020

Dear Ridgewood School Community,

We all made it through our first weekend of this period of home instruction. I am sure you needed rest. Please remember the Governor’s closure of schools is open-ended.  I wish I could give you a definitive timeframe, but that is unknown. When I have new information, I will let you know as soon as possible.

This week, we will be having an instructional day on Friday, March 27th instead of a professional development day. Please note this change on your calendar. Professional development days are extremely important, but the Ridgewood Education Association (REA) and I agree that the continuity of instruction is more important. The REA has been very supportive, and I appreciate their partnership during these historic times.

NJ COVID-19 INFORMATION HUB: Use this link to find up-to-date information and to ask questions concerning COVID-19.  https://covid19.nj.gov/

SOCIAL DISTANCING: Unfortunately, I am hearing from some people, mostly those in the medical field, that they are seeing groups of students together. I also saw some school-aged kids coming out of the tea shop on Maple Avenue. This weekend, we (the RHS, GW, BF principals and myself) sent letters to students grades 6-12, as well as to RHS Alumni, stressing the need to adhere to social distancing. This virus is hitting the young adult population, and we need their action to stop it. The letters can be viewed here on the district website, and you should feel free to share them. I know this is a challenge. My wife and I went from being empty nesters to having four of our five adult children home with us because of COVID-19. They left their friends and lives at college, medical school, and work. They eat a ton and leave their stuff all over. My wife loves the mess….enough said.

REMINDER: Use the links below for important information from the Village and the district.

• Sign up for Village E-Notice System – https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/village-info/enotices-and-alerts-registration
• Twitter Accounts – @RwdPub Schools and @RWDSupt
• District Facebook Page – @RidgewoodPublicSchools

ANNUAL SCHOOL ELECTION: The Annual School and Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, May 12. All registered voters will be receiving vote-by-mail ballots, and there will be no polling places in the May 12, 2020 elections. For more information, click here to visit the website of the Bergen County Clerk’s Office.

CENSUS 2020: This weekend my family completed the Census questionnaire. It was simple. Fill it out as a family, and send your redacted “receipt” to your principal. Let’s see which school has the highest percentage of completed questionnaires.  If you have multiple children in a school, each one counts. If you have children in multiple schools, send it to each principal because each student counts. Attached is my redacted receipt.

• Fill out the Census online at https://my2020census.gov/
• Or you can respond by phone at 844-330-2020.

TODAY’S GAME SUGGESTIONS:

• Left – Right – Center. This is a great dice game which is available online. You could play for Cheerios. I would normally say chocolate chips, but I hear they are starting to be hard to find. Sorry!

Other things you can do:

• Keep moving! Today is a cardio and push-up day.
• Back in the day, I was a science teacher. Here are some really cool Twitter feeds: @ZonePhysics and @HubNature. Check them out!
• Movie pick: Young Frankenstein. This is an oldie but goodie.
• Baked goods: My morning food ritual involves eating a banana and oatmeal. This morning, the banana had freckles. I think it is time to bake banana bread.
• Take today off from your projects around the house.
• Remember the Ridgewood Public Library has online resources.
• Call someone you have not talked to in a while. They will appreciate it. If you can make a video call, that’s even better for face-to-face connection.

VALLEY HOSPITAL NEEDS OUR HELP: Valley Hospital has been a partner with the district and parent organizations for decades. Now, they need our help. Please drop off the following items Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the main entrance on 223 North Van Dien Avenue in Ridgewood.

• N95 masks
• Surgical masks
• Face shields and goggles
• Fluid resistant isolation gowns
• Non-latex (nitrile) gloves
• NEW oral thermometers

The Red Cross is alerting everyone to a blood and platelet shortage. Please donate if you can. https://www.redcrossblood.org/

Keep supporting our local businesses. Many restaurants are offering curbside pickup and delivery. Door Dash is another great option.

I wish you good 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