Dear Penns Grove-Carneys Point RSD Parents, Guardians, Students and Staff, 

Every school year brings rewarding moments and challenges. Nonetheless, the district is enthusiastic about reopening the school buildings in a safe and healthy manner for everyone. We have returned to in person instruction during the summer. It was great seeing the students and staff interacting once again. We missed interacting with our students, our teachers and you- our community. I can say that the students have become the benefactors of the work planned and delivered by our instructional staff. From day one of the summer program, our students embraced the instructional program and were certainly happy to be back in brick and mortar; that is a testament to our teachers, support staff, paraprofessionals, and administrators working in synchrony. They are appreciated. 

The PGCP Safe Return Plan is based on the guidelines provided by the NJ State, New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Salem County Department of Health (SCDOH). The district administrative team, coordinated by Mr. Sage Schmidt, has been working on the safe return plan of our students and teachers. Our school buildings will have regulations on entry for all visitors to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for our students and staff. Frequent cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting methods will continue to be utilized by our custodial staff. The maintenance crew is actively working on the air conditions and ventilation units and the grounds crew is assisting while ensuring our surroundings are kept clean and safe. The administrative team, the facilities and the food service departments have continuously worked all summer long to prepare for our students and teachers. 

Our district goal is to work towards regaining knowledge and skills, to improve students' outcomes. We are a great school district and we need to live it by our words and by our actions. With your help working as partners, we will get through another challenging year together. We need now more than ever to continue working together. 

As we strive to give every child a quality education, I encourage you to take advantage of every opportunity to help improve the lives of our students this year. As a leader, during these challenging times, making hard decisions can be difficult and unpopular. My top priority, along with the board of education, is to take care of the needs of our students, faculty, staff, and community. I ask you to join me in making this your number one priority as well. We are a school community that is "Building Leaders and Achievers." 

Be safe, stay healthy, share kindness, continue doing safe practices by wearing your face mask and getting vaccinated! 

"With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts"; Eleanor Roosevelt 

My best for the coming year,
Dr. Zenaida Cobian
Superintendent of Schools