From the Head: Questions, Answers, and Updates

Questions, answers, as well as updates…

We created our Reopening Plan several months ago, and we knew our thinking might change when the doors actually opened. Here is a list of a few tweaks, some updates as well as some reminders based on our experiences over the past few weeks.

Tweaks and Updates

• Precautions around travel to high-risk states have changed according to DC's Department of Health. If you have travelled to a high-risk state, you now have two options:
  • You may choose to quarantine for fourteen days; or,
  • You may quarantine for between 3 – 5 days in which you get tested on day 3, 4 or 5. Then, you continue to quarantine until you get your test results back.
• Number 1 above also applies to DC residents who may receive visitors from high-risk states.
• On cold days, we may use ear thermometers for the health check at drop off. Our touch-less thermometers struggle to be accurate on cold days due to the air between the thermometer and students’ foreheads.
• It is no longer necessary for all parents to show their Magnus app results at the door. Rather, only parents who enter the data after 7:30 AM need to show it. Nurse Lexi checks the Magnus reports at 7:30 AM and distributes them to the teachers.
• We are removing the late arrival window that runs from 8:30-8:45 AM. At 8:30 AM, all classroom assistants will rejoin their classroom communities and will no longer be stationed at their class entrance points. Anyone arriving after 8:30 AM should initially report to the main entrance where a staff member will notify the classroom teachers of the new arrival, and check the child's temperature. We encourage all families to arrive before 8:30 AM to help ensure a smooth and safe arrival. 
• For dismissal, parents and guardians should pick up their children from their designated entrances instead of in front of the school as detailed in the original arrival and dismissal procedures.

 Reminders

• Have your placards with your child’s name and room name on your dashboard at pick up.
• When parking in front of the school, please keep the alley way clear and be sure to pull up as far as possible to make room for other cars.
• This year, more than any other, is a great year to get a flu shot.
• Remember to send at least two face coverings to school with your child.
• Bandanas, gators and face coverings with ventilators should not be used as face coverings.
• Maintain physical distance and wear face coverings during arrival and dismissal.
• Send your children to school dressed in layers as the open windows that are used for air flow may cause the rooms to get cold at times.

Thank you, very much, for your ongoing support. Everyone’s goal is to keep doors open and children in classrooms and by working together, we can do it!

Sincerely,

Kevin Clark