Preparing for a school trip to Fords, NJ

Fords, New Jersey is a suburb of New York City, and one of the many places where students travel during the school year. While many teachers might be excited to head to Fords for a short-term field trip, some teachers have concerns about the logistics of getting to and from Fords on their own time. While the district provides transportation for some of these trips, others need to be arranged by parents or guardians.

The Fords Public School District offers a number of trips throughout the year, which include destinations such as Philadelphia, Washington DC, the New York Stock Exchange, the Museum of Natural History, the American Museum of Natural History, the New York Aquarium, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, and Central Park. Most of these trips are coordinated by a district representative who coordinates the trip, and all trips include transportation.

Here are some tips for preparing for a school trip to Fords, NJ as a teacher or parent:

Plan Ahead

While the district typically offers transportation for most of these trips, some are organized by parents or guardians. If your child is taking a trip outside of the school district, contact the district to ask about transportation options.

Ask the Principal

Contact the principal of your child’s school to find out if there are any district trips planned during the upcoming school year. You can also ask the principal if he or she is aware of any trips that will take place within the school district.

Make Sure Your Child Has Visas

Most international trips require students to apply for a visa. Find out if your child’s school requires them to obtain a visa before traveling, and find out what type of visa they need. Most students need a B1/B2 visa, which allows them to enter the U.S. for up to 90 days.

Plan for Extra Time

If you are traveling with your child, plan on extra time to get to and from the destination. Consider leaving your home earlier or later than normal, depending on the destination.

If you are flying, consider changing your flight to arrive before your child does. This will give you more time to make it to the airport, and more time to pick up your child once they arrive.

Get Information

Find out what the itinerary is for the trip. This will help you decide what to pack and what to do while the child is away. Make sure to check to make sure there are no unexpected changes.

Pack a Camera

Bring a camera on the trip. There are usually opportunities to capture images and video of the experience, and the pictures and videos will allow you to reminisce about the trip when you return home.

Be Prepared

Have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. Be prepared for weather issues and illness, such as stomach flu, or even an injury.

Stay Connected

Keep in touch with your child via text message, phone call, and video chat. If your child is sick, stay connected. If you are able to, leave your phone behind when you travel.

The new COVID-19 Delta variant of the coronavirus is sweeping the country. Mask mandates are being re-instituted and the vaccine is being urged more than ever before. COVID cases and hospitalizations have been surging by double digits. The new Delta variation snakes its way through all 50 US states. Experts are warning this new ultra-contagious virus could be the most serious you’ll ever catch in your life. It is impacting everything from elementary schools to big corporations like Apple, and millions of lives and families.

Here’s everything you need to know…

Fast Rising COVID Infection Rates, Hospitalizations & Deaths Due to Delta Variant

The CDC has reported a 36% increase in hospitalizations and a 26% increase in COVID deaths across the United States. This new ‘Delta’ strain of the coronavirus may be the reason.

Other countries, like the UK (United Kingdom), are reporting an enormous surge in COVID cases. This is potentially stalling or leading to a reversal in lifting coronavirus restrictions.

See a more detailed breakdown of the spread of the Delta variant, its origins, and impact on our blog.

What’s Different About the COVID-19 Delta Variant Strain?

The most notable issue with the COVID-19 Delta strain is that it is an evolved, hyper-contagious version of COVID-19.

This new strain is adapting and learning to become more infectious. Some began to think it was safe to leave their face masks at home, venture out to eat, or travel out of state again. We are yet again facing a high risk of infection.

Authorities warn that the vast majority of people will get COVID with this new strain, and the WHO explained that even vaccinated people shouldn’t feel safe against it.

The potential danger of this situation is serious. Therefore, imminent action from our current white house administration is crucial.

Social Media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are taking the lead. They are adding posts to users’ feeds to create awareness about the new Delta strain and blocking comments and text messages which discourage vaccination.

Not surprisingly, News 4 Jax reports that the five states with the most infections of the COVID-19 Delta variant have above-average vaccination rates.

Overcapacity in Hospitals

At the beginning of the pandemic, lockdowns and restrictions were put in place to avoid overwhelming hospitals, and the Delta variant may be tipping us over that edge.

The Director of Infection Prevention at UF Health Jacksonville reported that their hospital emergency room is full, and they are seeing a 7-8% increase in patients each day.

As hospitals become more and more overwhelmed, some medical centers are yet again choosing to reduce ‘elective’ procedures. Unfortunately, this can lead to the worsening of other prevalent health problems.

Who Needs to Keep Wearing a Mask?

Counties like Los Angeles and Las Vegas have already begun reinstating mask mandates for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

Even Apple called off its plan to allow employees to return to the office.

The former head of the FDA recently told CBS News that “this is the most serious virus you can get in your lifetime.” Therefore, both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Dr. Fauci recommend all children ages three and up wear masks as schools reopen this fall; even if they received both doses of the vaccine.

The current COVID vaccine, unfortunately, does not protect against the new Delta variant. Because of this, some vaccine manufacturers are considering developing a third vaccine dose.

Since Delta variant infected persons are ultimately at higher risk of hospitalization and death, it is important that all persons, vaccinated or not, continue to wear a mask.

Quality Face Masks Have Never Been More Important

Face masks continue to be the most effective form of protection from this new strain of COVID.

Former FDA head, Gottlieb says it is important for people to invest in high-quality face coverings such as -. He explains, “Quality of the mask is going to make a difference with a variant that spreads more aggressively as Delta does. People are more contagious and exude more virus.”

Unfortunately, even people who continue to wear face masks often choose fashion masks with non woven fabric. Repurposed clothing, accessories, and simple fabrics are not effective at filtering out the virus. This may not have been as big of an issue with the low transmission rate variants of coronavirus but with the new Delta variant, these masks will create serious risk.

There is a huge difference between the masks mentioned above and legitimate particulate respirator masks. The N95 mask is designed and tested to filter at least 95% of virus particulates in the air. There is also the superior filtering - for those who want even more protection.

Look for the CDC-recommended and NIOSH certified N99 and N95 masks which have official approval numbers.

Summary

The Delta variant is a new hyper-contagious strain of COVID. The data shows that it is dramatically accelerating both hospitalizations and deaths. Thus, hospitals are becoming overwhelmed and are running out of room for new patients.

Even fully vaccinated individuals are being warned that they are not safe from this strain of the virus. Experts state that quality masks are going to make all the difference in being protected.

Now is the time to reload your stock of quality N95 masks before they sell out. Even if you are a medical professional, or are in a profession that requires dust masks, it is vital to ensure you have enough of a supply to weather any pending shortages.