Welcome Back - Return Again to In-Person Learning

Update 5/20/22

Due to the High COVID 19 Activity Level in Somerset County and an increase in reported positive COVID-19 cases in our district over the past week, on Monday, May 23, 2022 the district will return to the mandatory masking protocol which was in effect earlier this school year.  

Therefore, all staff, students and visitors must wear a properly fitting mask while inside district buildings and on school buses.  

These requirements apply to the school day as well as during any indoor extracurricular activities.  The requirements, and any exceptions, are detailed in Appendix C of the Road Forward Policy.  

The district will continue to monitor COVID-19 cases and will revisit the use of the mandatory masking protocol should the COVID-19 Activity Level decrease.  

Update 5/9/22

Students in grades 6-12 who are identified as close contacts of a person who has tested positive and who are fully vaccinated and up to date with their vaccines may be able to attend school-sponsored events/activities which occur outside of school hours on day 6-10 of their quarantine period, provided that they wear a mask during the event/activity. Permission should be sought from their building principal.  The close contacts chart (Español)has been updated to reflect this protocol revision.

Update 3/17/22

At their meeting on March 17, 2022, the Board of Education acknowledged changes to the Road Forward Policy appendices which included revisions to the district's masking protocol.  These revisions, which become effective on Monday, March 21, 2021, were approved by the Safe Return/Reopening Committee at their meeting on March 15, 2022.  The changes came about after consideration of the most recent Somerset County Health Department Covid Reports as well as changes in CDC guidelines.  The CDC now uses a Community Level designation to reflect CDC activity and bases that level on the hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. The revisions to the Policy at Appendix C now indicate that, effective Monday, March 21, 2022, the district will implement a voluntary masking protocol provided that the Somerset County Department of Health Report indicates a level of activity of low or moderate, a CALI score of 1 or 2 and a CDC Community Level of green or low.  Students who choose to continue to wear masks are free to do so and there may be occasions when students, such as those who are returning from quarantine as a close contact, may still be required to wear a mask.  A table is provided to show the masking protocol.  Updated graphics: isolation of positive persons (Español); quarantine of close contacts (Español).

Update 2/25/22 

At their meeting on February 24, 2022, the Board of Education acknowledged changes to the Road Forward Policy appendices which included revisions to the district's masking protocol.  These revisions were brought about by the expiration of governor Murphy's executive order which had mandated universal indoor mask wearing in schools.  This mandate will expire on March 7, 2022.  The district's revised protocol was developed after review of the NJ Department of Health's updated guidance on universal indoor masking in schools, after consultation with the Somerset County Department of Health and after discussion with the district's Safe Return Committee. This graphic depicts the current masking protocol.  

The updated mask protocol would make the wearing of masks by staff, students and visitors to district buildings optional, provided that the county had a COVID-19 Activity Level Index or CALI score+ of 1 or, put another way, provided that the county was in the green or low activity level area of the COVID Regional Risk Matrix. To date, the county remains in the yellow area or moderate activity level with a CALI score of 2.  The Somerset County COVID-19 Weekly Report is typically received by the district late in the week and will be updated on the district and school websites as soon as possible. 

After March 7, should the county achieve a CALI score of 1 or be considered in the green area of the COVID Regional Risk Matrix, all staff and student families will be notified that the wearing of masks in district buildings is optional.  Students and staff members should respect an individual's choice to keep wearing a mask after they are no longer mandated.  Mask wearing will remain mandatory on all school buses and vans per the Department of Health's guidance.

More information about this protocol will be sent out in a letter from Superintendent Ravally early next week.

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Update 2/11/22 

We have posted a letter from Dr. Ravally with information about Governor Murphy's recent announcement and about the district use of the on line Covid screening form.  La carta en Español

Update 1/18/22 - 5:17 pm 

Students and instructional staff return to a full day in person schedule on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.  The district has once again begun use of daily Covid-19 screening forms for students and staff.  Parents/Guardians should complete the form, available through the Genesis Parent Portal, every morning the student is expected to enter his/her school building.  If the student is symptomatic, has tested positive or has been exposed to someone with Covid-19, parents/guardians are asked to please keep the student and any other unvaccinated school age children in the household home.  After a parent/guardain has reported symptoms of Covid-19 in their child, a positive test or exposure to someone with Covid-19, someone from the school will get in touch with them.  They may be asked to complete a more detailed symptom form to assist the nurse in determining the date the student can return to in person instruction. 

In conjunction with the Somerset County Department of Health and in alignment with the NJ Department of Health's updated Recommendations with regard to K-12 Schools, changes to the district Isolation Protocol have been made.  It is expected that these revisions will be acknowledged by the BOE at their meeting on January 27, 2022.  Graphics linked here depict the new guidance. Positive Persons  -  Close Contacts 

As always, if you have any questions please reach out to your child's building principal or contact Mary Clark, Coordinator of Policies, Regulations and Communications 732-873-2400 x 206 or via email reopen@franklinboe.org

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Updated 1/6/22

Due to the continuing rise in the number of Covid related staff absences and in order to effectively perform contact tracing on reported Covid-19 cases, all Franklin Township Public Schools will pivot to virtual instruction.  The district will have 8 days of remote learning, Tuesday, January 4 through Thursday, January 13, 2022*.  The district is prepared with a Remote Learning Plan and has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions page.  If you have any questions, you may reach out via email reopen@franklinboe.org

Remote learning plan class schedules at FHS; HSC; SGS; CES; CRS; EAS; FPS; HIL; MAC and PGM are provided for your information

Our technology team and instructional technology coaches are able to help with remote learning issues.  Here is the link for Tech Support Questions / Request for a Hotspot and/or Chromebook Repair 

It is anticipated that meals will be available in bulk as grab and go packs at four locations on two dates.  On Thursday, January 6, 2022 and Thursday, January 13, 2022 meals can be picked up during the hours of 10:00am - 1:00pm at Elizabeth Avenue School, 363 Elizabeth Avenue, Somerset; Hillcrest School, 500 Franklin Boulevard, Somerset; and Pine Grove Manor School, 130 Highland Avenue, Somerset.  Meals will also be available at the Hamilton Street Campus of Franklin Middle School, 415 Francis Street, Somerset from 10:00am - 3:30pm on these dates.

*At this time we anticipate that this period of virtual instruction will conclude on Thursday, January 13, 2022.  Friday, January 14, 2022 is a planned teacher professional development day and there is no school for students.  Monday, January 17, 2022 is a district wide holiday in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.  

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Also on this page is information on how families can register to have their children, who are FTPS students, screened for Covid-19 using a test administered by the partner company of the NJ Department of Health assigned to the district.  A letter from Dr. Ravally dated October 14, 2021 (Español) contains the link to the registration form for this testing.  This is a salvia screening test.  It is anticipated that the turn around time for the results of the screening test for students will be within the week.

On this page you will find information on our Covid Related Protocols as well as the Road Forward Policy and its Appendices which outline the district's plan for the 21-22 school year.  As the year progresses and regulations and guidance change, these protocols and appendices are updated and typically acknowledged by the Board of Education at thier next meeting.    

As previously announced there will be no late busses for extracurricular activities at the secondary level this fall.  Clubs members in conjunction with their advisor will determine if these activities should be held in a hybrid or remote format.  Office hours at the secondary level will be in person, but family pick up will be needed.  Family pick up will continue to be used for athletics and performance rehearsals.

If you have any questions please reach out to your child's building principal or contact Mary Clark, Coordinator of Policies, Regulations and Communications 732-873-2400 x 206 or via email reopen@franklinboe.org