Lafayette will start the school year with a full, in-person schedule, as superintendent announces her departure

Lafayette. Students will report back to class on Sept. 7, wearing masks and social distancing.

| 17 Aug 2021 | 02:08

Lafayette Superintendent Jennifer Cenatiempo announced a normal, full-time, in-person start to the school year.

School will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 7, with classes to be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., five days a week.

Cenatiempo cited the governor’s executive order mandating that masks be worn by all students, staff, and visitors to start the school year.

She said three-foot distancing between students will be observed throughout the day. Students will use their lockers, with increased daily cleaning and disinfecting throughout the building.

Hand sanitizing stations will be in place, temperature scans will be conducted, and fog sanitization done at night, when the building is unoccupied.

Cenatiempo said two nurses’ offices will be open to students this year, the second to be used for sick students.

“If a student has to be quarantined due to a Covid-19 diagnosis for 10 to 14 days, the student will be able to attend school remotely,” Cenatiempo said. “All students are required to wear masks on all buses.”

“We will continue to refine our plans over the coming weeks as additional guidance is shared,” she said. :Let’s focus on the positive and the things we can control, how we can help our students, and let’s build on our success because we were open full time last year and everyone did great.”

Cenatiempo also announced that she is leaving the school.

“It’s been a great five years, and I am humbled and grateful to have served,” she said. “My heart will always be with Lafayette School.”

PRE-K SCHOLARSHIP DISCUSSED
School board member Kathleen Zagula wants to establish a sponsorship program for children whose parents want to send them to a pre-K school but do not have the funds because of the hardships caused by Covid-19.
“Lafayette does not have a state-sponsored program,” Zagula said. “As a district, we want to help a family that needs help so their child can attend pre-K school.”
Zagula said the board will have to check with a lawyer about the programs available, and then vote on the proposal.
“Lafayette is a very supportive community, and that’s why a lot of people love living in this community,” she said.
There will be an update on a possible sponsorship program for pre-K at the next school board meeting in September.
“It’s been a great five years, and I am humbled and grateful to have served. My heart will always be with Lafayette School.” Superintendent Jennifer Cenatiempo