Parent Portal
Responsible Reopening
2020–2021
Responsible Reopening
2020–2021
The Willow School is committed to delivering an exceptional educational experience that is safe for every student and every member of our community. Willow Together is a Connected Learning Model that allows your family to decide if in-person or online instruction is best for your child. Learn more about the principles of this model, how it will work, our protocols to ensure safety and health, and more HERE.
Find out more about how are planning for a responsible reopening on this page.
Our guiding principles as we plan for responsible reopening are our:
Continued commitment
to joyful, virtues-based learning that meets the individual needs of our students and families.
Responsibility
to provide a safe and healthy experience for our students and families.
Care and attention
to foster a sense of belonging for all students.
Support
for our students, families, employees, and community during these challenging times.
Flexibility
to move seamlessly between models as needed.
The Willow Reopening Task Force
At the end of the 2019-20 school year, Willow formed a Reopening Task Force that focused on the two main goals of our reopening plans:
- Assessing and implementing new health and safety procedures.
- Evolving our educational program to fit the needs of modified in-person instruction, intermittent distance learning, and a blended learning model that includes both in-person and virtual instruction options for students.
Willow’s task force relied on guidelines and recommendations from public health experts, the CDC, state and local government officials, the New Jersey Department of Education, and the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools. The task force also gathered input and feedback from Willow’s Board of Trustees, parents, and community members throughout our planning process.
Our task force consisted of:
Dummy
Willow Reopening Safety Task Force
- Francisco Ayala
- Meagan Coy
- Jim Gast
- Jay Gaussoin
- Tasha Odom
- Lisa VanderVeen
- Kerri O’Malley
- Carol Fontaine
- Denise Touhey
- Alicia Zurlo
Willow Reopening Education Task Force
- Francisco Ayala
- Meagan Coy
- Jim Gast
- Jay Gaussoin
- Tasha Odom
- Lisa VanderVeen
- Kerri O’Malley
- Sarah Miller
- Sally Zeiner
- Alicia Zurlo
- Denise Touhey
Willow Reopening Parent Feedback Committee
- Francisco Ayala, Head of School
- Meagan Coy, Assistant Head of School
- Lisa Vanderveen, Director of Admissions
- Kerri O’Malley, Director of Marketing & Communications
- Sandra Jesina & Inderpal Bhandari
- Katherine Campagna
- Stephanie Catalli
- Sarah Cox
- Andi Dickens
- Jackie Glass-LoFaro
- Veronica Westberg & Gregory Hill
- Adam Kalkin
- Todd Malosh
- Elizabeth & Zac Pessin
- Sara Sorenson
Related Resources
- CDC Recommendations for Safely Reopening Schools
- NJ DOE The Road Back Plan for Education
- American Academy of Pediatrics Guidance for Schools
- National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine: Reopening K-12 Schools During COVID-19
- NAIS COVID-19 Guidance for Schools
- NJ Department of Health COVID Guidance, including regional weekly reports
- NPR: How Safe is Your School’s Reopening Plan?
Task Force Updates
- Planning for Fall 2020 (6/1)
- Fall Reopening Update and Parent Survey (7/6)
- Resource Page Announcement (7/10)
- Reopening Parent Town Hall Invitation (7/24)
- Town Hall Recording and New Parent Survey (7/30)
- Preschool Parent Meetings Invitation (8/6)
- Rescheduling August Town Hall (8/10)
- Reopening Update: Additional Town Hall Details (8/11)
- Preschool Parent Meeting Follow Up (8/20)
- Second Town Hall Recording and Fall Commitment Survey (8/20)
Creating the best program for every scenario
While we are committed to providing as much in-person instruction for students as possible, we are first and foremost committed to delivering an exceptional Willow education no matter what. Our Reopening Task Force is planning for different scenarios, based on our area’s stage of reopening. We will be ready to pivot, as needed, to meet any circumstance this fall. Visit our Willow Together page to read our current plans!
Continued Distance Learning
(STAGES 0 & 1)
Building on and refining our distance learning program established in the spring, teaching and learning will be delivered remotely through a combination of daily synchronous (live) instruction and asynchronous (accessible anytime) activities.
Hybrid Learning
(STAGES 2 & 3)
Combine classroom and online education, allowing children to choose to attend class in-person or opt to attend online. Implement social distancing and other safety requirements in the classroom. This is our current plan! Read more here.
Return to Full
In-Person Instruction
(STAGE 4: New Normal)
All students, faculty, and staff return to classrooms, updating our educational model and safety procedures with new best practices as applicable. Possible continuation of distance learning option as needed by the Willow community.
Connecting with you
As our plans take shape through the summer and relevant guidelines are updated, we are committed to sharing our process and planning with you. We will be updating our Willow Together page, which outlines our reopening plans, and you will be receiving regular update emails from the Willow Reopening Task Force. We also held two Town Hall meetings where we will share our evolving thinking on what reopening will look like this fall. Watch our first Town Hall here, and our second town hall here!
Town Hall Meeting
July 29, 2020 • 5 p.m.
*Current families will receive an email with a link to attend the meetings. If you are not currently enrolled, email our Director of Enrollment Management, Lisa VanderVeen, below!
Town Hall Meeting
August 19, 2020 • 5 p.m.
*Current families will receive an email with a link to attend the meetings. If you are not currently enrolled, email our Director of Enrollment Management, Lisa VanderVeen, below!