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’s Connected Learning Model 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.
As we plan to reopen this fall during the ongoing pandemic, this resource page will keep you updated on our plans.
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
Willow has formed a Reopening Task Force to focus 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 will rely 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 will seek input and feedback from Willow’s Board of Trustees, parents, and community members throughout our planning process.
See who is on our task force:
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
Creating the best program for every scenario
We cannot yet know what September will look like in this constantly evolving situation. 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:
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. May include rotating groups of children for in-person instruction.
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 this site often over the coming weeks, and you will be receiving regular update emails from the Willow Reopening Task Force. We would also like to invite you to two Town Hall meetings where we will share our evolving thinking on what reopening will look like this fall. School leadership will address a variety of topics, including new safety procedures, health and wellness considerations, program and operations information, and more. We invite all families to attend these virtual meetings.*
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, but interested in learning more, fill out the inquiry below!
Town Hall Meeting
August 12, 2020 • 5 p.m.
*Current families will receive an email with a link to attend the meetings. If you are not currently enrolled, but interested in learning more, fill out the inquiry below!