COVID-19 Updates

May 12, 2023

Dear Midland Community

The Public Health Emergency declaration expired on May 11, 2023.  It has been a long slog since the onset of the Pandemic in March 2020. As many of you may recall, the initial shut down was broadcast to last for a period of two weeks. However, from the onset, we had a strong suspicion that we would need to buckle up for a much longer length of time for the “shut down.”

The pandemic was an unprecedented, life-changing event. Throughout the Public Health Emergency, we experienced many ups and downs, however, always diligent and committed to doing our level best to keep our students and the adults we serve as safe as possible. This commitment extended to our staff and other key stakeholders who interact with Midland’s programs.

As we move forward, we will need to remain vigilant regarding the need for universal health precautions including maintaining up-to-date boosters (in close consultation with each person’s physician/health care liaison) and good hand-washing.

On behalf of Midland and our entire community, a heart-filled thanks to everyone who had a hand (sometimes in a disposable glove) in making this happen. We are grateful that the height of the pandemic has passed.  The recovery stage is, at times, almost as challenging. The past three years have placed an unmeasurable strain on all of us. It has been a time filled with much raw emotion, often fueled by conflicting information and polarizing debate. As time passes, the charged memories of the pandemic will begin to fade. I encourage everyone in our community to take stock in who we are and who we strive to be. As part of our collective healing, let’s continue to be guided by the principals that set our Midland community apart. Our commitment to being resilient, open to new challenges, respectful of varied opinions, honest and sincere in our communications, celebrating our successes, grieving when we need to be consoled and perhaps most important, kind and caring to each other.

Be kind, be safe and stay well.

Best regards,

Shawn M. McInerney

President and CEO

Midland School’s Emergency Remote/Virtual Plan 2023-2024
Midland Emergency Virtual Plan

Midland Adult Programs – COVID Activity Level Update May 4, 2022
COVID-19 Activity Level Update May 4, 2022

Midland School Mask Mandate Update March 2, 2022
Mask Mandate – March 2, 2022

Midland Adult Programs Revised COVID Protocals
Midland Adult Programs – Revised COVID Protocals 4-1-2022

Midland Support Coordinator Agreement
Midland Support Coordinator (DDD) Agreement-2021

March 1, 2023

Dear Midland Community,

I hope that this update finds you, your family members and friends in good health.

We are witnessing significant improvements related to the COVID-19 virus; with a substantial decline in transmission rates across New Jersey. Notably, Somerset County has reported a low rate of positivity for the past several weeks.

The federally declared Public Health Emergency (PHE) is slated to end on May 11, 2023. Accordingly, Midland has unwound and dialed back many of our COVID-19 protocols. Needless to state, we are very grateful to our entire Midland community for our combined commitment to keep everyone as safe as possible.

Our community’s efforts were one of several factors that bolstered our response: our ability to secure vaccinations early, the development and implementation of a comprehensive COVID-19 response plan and our work with the advice of experts in the area of infectious disease control, to name a few.

We have remained committed to balancing our safeguards juxtaposed to tangible ways to return to post-pandemic life. Our focus remains on a science-based approach, including practices such as maintaining up-to-date boosters (in close consultation with each individual’s physician/health care liaison) and good hand-washing. Please be cognizant that the commonly accepted guideline for an individual to receive the COVID-19 booster is if their last inoculation occurred in September 2022 or earlier.

Likewise, we ask that everyone be mindful of each person’s individual health status. Please continue to keep a Midland student or adult home if they exhibit signs of illness such as a temperature in excess of 100° (without the use of fever reducing medication), cough, and/or congestion, until these symptoms have abated.

March 2023 marks the third anniversary of this pandemic, and we are all somewhat fatigued. However, thankfully, the health of our County, State, and Nation has improved. If we all work together, we will remain a healthy, robust, and vibrant Midland community.

I thank you for your continued cooperation and support of Midland and our mission, which is imperative and critical to so many… in so many ways.

 

Best regards,

Shawn M. McInerney

President and CEO

Midland School’s Emergency Remote/Virtual Plan 2022-2023
Midland Emergency Virtual Plan

Midland Adult Programs – COVID Activity Level Update May 4, 2022
COVID-19 Activity Level Update May 4, 2022

Midland School Mask Mandate Update March 2, 2022
Mask Mandate – March 2, 2022

Midland Adult Programs Revised COVID Protocals
Midland Adult Programs – Revised COVID Protocals 4-1-2022

Midland Support Coordinator Agreement
Midland Support Coordinator (DDD) Agreement-2021

Midland Policy for Emergent Infectious Diseases

Midland Policy for Emergent Infectious Diseases

Midland School’s Emergency Remote/Virtual Plan 2022-2023
Midland Emergency Virtual Plan

Midland Adult Programs – COVID Activity Level Update May 4, 2022
COVID-19 Activity Level Update May 4, 2022

Midland School Mask Mandate Update March 2, 2022
Mask Mandate – March 2, 2022

Midland Adult Programs Revised COVID Protocals
Midland Adult Programs – Revised COVID Protocals 4-1-2022

Midland Support Coordinator Agreement
Midland Support Coordinator (DDD) Agreement-2021