Updated information regarding school reopening! Learn more about what to expect.
The earliest possible return date for KIPP Newark students who choose in-person instruction has been revised to February 1st, 2021. We will still offer 100% remote instruction for families who choose that option. You can learn more about this decision and our remote, hybrid, and in-person plans in this letter to Newark families.
This plan was developed in light of the information and guidance we have received from the NJ Department of Education, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and health experts as well as with input from our staff, students and families. We will continue to amend, adjust and improve these recommendations as new information emerges and with continued feedback from you.
As we navigate the 2020-21 school year with safety top of mind, we couldn’t be more grateful for your flexibility, persistence, and partnership! Please continue to visit our website for regular updates and click here to see our Smart Start Family Handbook which provides clarity on the most critical components of the start of this new school year. Click here to visit our Remote Learning site.
Our guiding principles:
We will protect the health and safety of students, staff, and families.
We will provide a safe environment for our students to learn and thrive.
We will make sure our students’ and families’ needs are met.
We will create a supportive environment for staff to excel in their work and feel safe.
KIPP Newark will operate schools FULLY REMOTE through February 1, 2021. Students will not return to school for in-person learning until Monday, February 1 at the earliest. Our school buildings will stay open for food and technology distribution, but all classes will be remote. This means that if you chose the hybrid option when you submitted your return to school survey, your child will now also learn remotely up through at least February 1st.
We believe this shift is in the best interest of the health and safety of our students, families, and staff members. We appreciate your patience and understanding as our plans evolve.
Important Dates:
Check out our School Resource Pages for more information on events and resources from your child’s school.
The health and safety of our students, families, and staff are a top priority as we enter this school year. Below are our guidelines for when we reopen our school buildings:
Classroom set up will ensure that everyone is maintaining a distance of 6 feet from one another whenever possible. If 6 feet in the classroom is impossible then we will separate students by at least 5 feet with plexiglass partitions.
For meal and grocery distribution updates, please click here.
When our schools reopen, students will eat all meals in classrooms and be required to wash hands before and after eating.
We remain committed to providing community resources that will help our students continue their education remotely—and keep our families safe.
The New Jersey Department of Health has established a hotline (800-222-1222) to answer questions about COVID-19. Operated by the Poison Information and Education System, the 24-hour public hotline is staffed with trained healthcare professionals and can accommodate callers in multiple languages. The New Jersey Department of Health Local Public Health Directory lists all local health departments in the state.
KIPP is offering access to devices to help support remote learning. We also have a robust tech section on our Remote Learning site that offers support and information on connecting to classrooms as well as answers to common tech questions. Our remote learning programming will have significant online components. To request a device or wifi, learn tips for connecting to Google Classroom, and more, please click here.
Students who already have their technology device from last school year are encouraged to contact our Family Support Team in case they are having any issues with their current device. The technology team will follow up directly and students can pick up a replacement Chromebook.
Tech Support Hours and Hotline:
Tech Support for KIPP Newark is available Monday – Friday from 10AM to 4PM. The established hotline for tech support is 973-679-7939.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our goal is to provide you and your family with as much information and resources as possible to support the health and safety of our team and family. Below, you’ll find the answers to a number of questions you may have related to the 2020-21 school year and our virtual launch. We will be updating these FAQs throughout the year and in advance of reopening in-person instruction.
What is the timeframe for re-opening in-person instruction?
Students will not return to school for in-person learning until Monday, February 1 at the earliest. Our school buildings will stay open for food and technology distribution, but all classes will be remote. This means that if you chose the hybrid option when you submitted your return to school survey, your child will now also learn remotely up through at least February 1st (an additional couple of weeks).
When in-person instruction becomes an option, can our family still choose virtual instruction?
When it is safe to return to the classroom, we will provide a virtual option for families who do not feel comfortable with in-person instruction.
What will remote learning look like this fall?
In consideration of all that we have learned from the spring, we will be deeply student and community-centered in our approach to virtual learning. The educational experience for all students will focus on relationship-building and live interactive learning.
We will provide:
To learn more about our virtual instruction plan, please visit our Remote Learning site.
Will technology be provided for students?
KIPP Newark is offering access to devices to help support remote learning. We also have a robust tech section on our Remote Learning site that offers support and information on connecting to classrooms as well as answers to common tech questions.
Are KIPP Newark facilities open during virtual learning?
All KIPP Newark buildings are closed to students, except for meal pick-up, until further notice. We are currently preparing each school for when we can safely welcome students back to the building by updating our health and safety protocols, cleaning procedures, and operational procedures.
Will my school continue to provide meals to students?
Yes, we are committed to providing students with meals. Please head to our Newark nutrition pages to learn more about locations for food distribution and what we offer.
What do families need to do to prepare for virtual learning?
What are the general behavioral expectations of students for virtual learning?
Will extra-curricular activities continue virtually?
Many school clubs or interest groups may continue virtually—so be in touch with your school to learn more about options.