Bogota Board of Education

26-August-2020
On Tuesday-25-August the Bogota Board of Education held their regular meeting fro the month of August. In his report Superintendent, Mr. Damian Kennedy said that due to the State of New Jersey reduction in state aid the 2020-21 school year budget would have to be amended. He added that a number of grants awarded to the district would help to off set some of those reductions. Another item Mr. Kennedy mentioned was that the Board of Education will be working with the Bogota Borough Council to assist in child care for local families in need. 
  The main agenda item past was the plan to start the 2020-21 school year with remote learning.  This will have the first day of classes on Wednesday-9- September with all Student using online learning.  This will continue at least until Monday-19-October. Prior to that day the School District, in conjunction with the State of New Jersey Department of Education will evaluate the health situation to see if in-school learning can begin. At this time the Teachers will conduct their class from their classroom inside the buildings. This allows them to have access to their needed educational supplies and equipment. All Students will be required to have  District owned Chromebooks, which will have software needed and passwords for full access. Teachers will have control of the links and videos that may be needed as part of  the lesson plan. It was also mention that all Students will be required to attend class in a school uniform shirt. Along with a moment for the Pledge of Allegiance, and morning announcements. This is to re-enforce the daily routine the school day. Also Students will be graded and evaluated on a more rigorous basis. If Students are showing that they are falling behind in their studies, additional online will be scheduled. Lesson will need to be preformed and grading standards will be enforced. School days will be close to the normal time frame with morning, and afternoon, sessions with a meal break in between. He also said that each building will have an expanded maintenance staff to provide constant cleaning of  all sections of the buildings. Teachers will report to their buildings on Tuesday-1-September for their personal development orientation, along with extra security and covid-19 training. 
     Mr. Kennedy confirmed that, in accordance with  New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJISAA) guidelines, all sports practices and training camps will stop on Friday-28-August. The stoppage will be in place until after the school year starts. In- addition all Fall indoor Sports season will be postponed until February-2021. This includes Women’s Volleyball and gymnastics. The Fall outdoor sports season are scheduled to allow practice starting on Monday-14-September with the regular season starting on the last week of September into the first week of October.  This will includes Football, Cross- Country, Soccer, along with Field Hockey,  and Women’s Tennis. All dates  and seasons are subject to change based on guidance from the Governor and Department of Health. 
  All the other agenda item were past, a majority by unanimous vote. All Personal and Finance items are contingent upon and could be modified based on student participation and the district’s receipt of sufficient State School Aide and other revenue funding. Payment shall be made only if the services are provided and performed in full. 
   Addition information about the District reopening plans can be found at: Bogota School re-opening 2020 ;  Bogota hybridvirtual-parent-portal 
 Along with information in both English and   GUÍA DE USUARIO - Español  at  https://www.bogotaboe.com/domain/423
   The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday-15-September at 7:00p This would be a virtual meeting with information on how to view this meeting will follow. Updates and announcements from the Bogota Board of Education will be available at:     www.bogotaboe.com

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