The Reopening Task Force studied information from multiple sources including, but not limited to:

1. New Jersey Departments of Health and Education

In conjunction with the  Edison Dept. of Health and the State of New Jersey's Governor's Office

2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

In conjunction with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration

3. American Academy of Pediatrics

In conjunction with community medical professionals including Dr. Ayesha Sitlani & Dr. Tracy Zivin-Tutela

4. The National Association of Independent Schools

In conjunction with the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools

5. Consulting Organizations in the fields of education and safety

Such as: EAB, Joffe Emergency Services, OESIS, One Schoolhouse, NBOA

Additionally, the Reopening Task Force studied international approaches to health and safety protocols during school reopenings.  This has revealed four common themes for our consideration. For further information, please see the Reopening Plan.

Our plans were made and organized with three major considerations. Pertinent information regarding each of these considerations is identified throughout this document.

Prevention

• We have made programmatic adjustments to maximize individual and community wellness.

• We are in the process of making physical and social distancing means to minimize risk of exposure.

• We are implementing social distancing, cleaning and disinfecting, and air circulation protocols to minimize risk of exposure.

• We are planning community education about the spread of the virus and how to stay healthy.

• We are introducing hygiene stations in every classroom and in the larger gathering areas.

Detection

• We have created new policies and processes, and adapted others to ensure all  individuals coming to campus are of low risk of spreading illness to others.

• We have created a position of the Pandemic Response Coordinator to monitor regional and local outbreaks to continuously monitor our community risk and our implementation of procedures.

• We have created and are researching additional systems to put in place for the Pandemic Response Coordinator and the School Nurse to monitor closely wellness and illness concerns within our community as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Response

• We will communicate with local health authorities and the internal community when concerns of exposure are presented by COVID-19 symptoms.

• We are prepared to adjust operational modes as needed, should we need to close portions or all of the school.

• We are implementing social distancing, isolation, cleaning, and disinfecting protocols to care for the community in the case of exposure to COVID-19 symptomatic individuals. 

• We are planning for enhanced social and emotional care of community members.

Parent Town Hall Meetings

Wednesday, August 19, 2020
6:00 PM - Early Childhood  7:30 PM - Middle School

Thursday, August 20, 2020
6:00 PM - Lower School 7:30 PM - Upper School

• CDC Reopening Matrix 
• NJ COVID-19 Guidance
• NJ Department of Health

Winter Athletics are happening. 

NJSIAA SETS DATES FOR WINTER SPORTS:

• Basketball: Jan. 26 – March 6
• Swimming & Winter Track: Feb. 16 – March 27
• Girls’ Volleyball: March 16 – April 24

If the progress of the pandemic allows The Wardlaw+Hartridge School to follow those dates, we will attempt to play Upper School and Middle School sports. Read more.

Wardlaw+Hartridge's goal is for our students to engage in authentic learning experiences while not on campus. We continually seek recommendations and engage in professional development from leading organizations to create our W+H community outside of our brick and mortar campus- pioneering the way in New Jersey private school distance learning.  We intentionally use the term distance learning rather than online learning. This choice reflects our belief that quality learning can occur from a distance through the direction and facilitation of our faculty. Continue learning about Distance Learning.

• Am I allowed to return home and still keep active status as a Wardlaw+Hartridge student? 

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is the government agency that oversees F-1 students and I-20 records. The Student and Exchange Visitor Program agency has issued the following statement: 

SEVP is committed to remaining flexible in allowing schools to make temporary procedural adaptations so nonimmigrant students can continue to make normal forward progress in their program of study. Students can temporarily engage in distance-learning, either from within the U.S. or outside the country, in light of COVID-19.  SEVP will provide updated guidance as the scope and length of this situation becomes more clear.

Based on this guidance, W+H has determined that as long as you are working toward completing your classes, you can remain in 'active status' even if you are working online, wherever you are. Wardlaw+Hartridge will need to know where you will be when our classes resume, so that we can make a note in your online I-20 record explaining the situation.  Please provide Mr, Gerard Gonnella, Director of International Student Program, with information if you plan to return home, as soon as you have confirmed details.