September 2, 2020 — Welcome to New School Year

Message from the Superintendent of Schools

September 2, 2020 

Dear Parents and Community, 

Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year. As we begin this year, the first word that comes to mind is “different.” For the first time ever, “back-to-school” will actually mean returning to the continuation of online learning and seeing our images in a Google Meet. It is certainly not the ideal situation. However, given the global coronavirus health crisis and all the concerns related to it, virtual instruction is the most appropriate educational model to start the school year.  

Our top priority continues to be the health and safety of our students, staff, families, the entire community, and we hope to be in our classrooms and offices soon.  Further, our priority continues to be the intellectual and social development of our students and staff.  So, as we did during the spring, we will continue to prepare, empower, and inspire our students.  We have grown from our experiences and are better prepared to teach and learn this year. I’m confident that all of us involved in the virtual learning process will adapt and flourish. 

The first day of virtual learning will be Tuesday, September 8. Full, specific details are available here, and I encourage you to read through these carefully, so you’ll know exactly what to expect. In addition, here are a few general recommendations: 

  • If possible, create a dedicated workspace for your child, and be sure they have all the necessary supplies. 
  • Talk with your child, emphasizing that school is important. Whether they’re being instructed in-person or virtually, they need to do their best. 
  • Each morning, try to ensure that your child is well-rested and has a meal. We want them to be as prepared for virtual instruction as they were for in-person instruction. The District will continue to provide 5 days worth of meals following a rotation schedule beginning on Tuesday, September 8. 
  • Make sure both you and your child know how to reach out to the teacher, as needed, to ask questions. 
  • Each day, discuss with your child what they are learning in school,what learning tasks they have completed and what they need to complete for the next day’s classes.


All of us in New Brunswick, from students and their families, to teachers and school district staff, to administrators and the community at large, are about to experience a school year like no other. The pandemic has impacted all our lives since March. However, considering the exceptional quality of our district’s educators and the deep commitment to education that I see among our parents and community, I know our students will succeed. They will do well and be ready to return to their school building as soon as it’s safe to do so. 


In the meantime, let’s all work together to Prepare, Empower, and Inspire lifelong learners and leaders! 

 


Thank you, 

Dr. Aubrey A. Johnson 
Superintendent of Schools