Important message regarding COVID-19

March 13, 2020

Dear Friends,

The New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education (NJCIE) is committed to the well-being, health, and safety of the school staff we support as well as our own staff. We understand the growing concern and uncertainty that you may have for your students, your colleagues, and your loved ones.

NJCIE is actively monitoring the coronavirus situation to determine safe practices, and we will continue to check for updates and follow guidance from the schools we serve, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the New Jersey Department of Health and Department of Education. 

While we are continuing our services to districts that remain open and following their guidance, some of the preventive measures NJCIE is taking are:

  • Reviewing constant hand washing and sanitizing procedures with our staff

  • Performing extensive cleaning and sanitizing of all surfaces and electronics in our office several times a day

  • Monitoring school districts and their plans in response to the outbreak

  • Communicating with all staff on their visits to districts and with whom they have been in contact

  • Advising all staff who are not feeling well or have family members who are not feeling well to stay home

As instructed by the CDC, some of the ways you and your students can help are:

  • Using non-contact methods of greeting and avoiding handshaking

  • Washing your hands for about 20 seconds with soap and water after going to the bathroom; after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; and before eating

  • Creating habits and reminders to avoid touching faces and cover coughs and sneezes

  • Disinfecting surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks, and handrails regularly

  • Limiting food sharing and handling food carefully

  • Staying home if you and/or another family member are not feeling well

As always, the health and safety of our team, the districts we serve, and our NJCIE friends are paramount. We will continue to actively monitor this situation and follow instructions from the CDC, the World Health Organization, and the State of New Jersey.

Please stay well, remain calm and be healthy as we are all in this together to make it through this challenging time.

Fred Buglione

President and CEO

NJCIE Team