Admin Corner July 13, 2020

Country Montessori School

Admin Corner

July 13, 2020

“Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war.” Dr. Maria Montessori

Upcoming Dates/Events:

• August 7 – Last day of summer camp
• August 13 – Virtual option orientation (enrolled virtual students only)-Information coming
• August 14 – New student/new classroom orientation (enrolled on-site students only) Information coming 
• August 17 – First day of school (On-site and Virtual)
• September 7 – No school, Labor Day

The school has been busy researching, planning and preparing for the fall 2020 semester.  We are working on making each classroom environment compliant with the required safety measurements from the CDC, state, county and community care licensing, and are also conducive to each unique classroom space and the three different levels that CMS serves.  

In the June 30 Admin Corner we announced that we are offering two options for this fall, onsite and virtual.  A preference sheet was sent out to all families to assist us in knowing how many students we have enrolled in each option and can plan accordingly.  If you have not completed your preference form please do so by July 17.  We are looking forward to seeing our students again on-site and virtually.  

This situation is new to all of us and we are navigating through it together.  I understand that our families are anxious to know all of the details and we will share them as we finalize them.  We are planning with deliberate and thoughtfulness in this time of uncertainty to make sure our students’ high level of education won’t be compromised and that the environments are safe.   Below you will see pictures of one of our Early Childhood classrooms that we have designed and will be the model for the other EC classrooms to follow.  We are currently working on our elementary rooms that will have the same safety and health measures.  

Classroom Environments:

• Stable groups (numbers to be provided based on enrollment)
• Classroom spaces divided by shelving or partisan
• Tables/work rugs spaced 6 feet apart and assigned seating for both (each child will have their own workspace not shared by anyone else)
• Plastic/Cardboard table corrals for tables of more than one student
• No apron/jacket racks
• Designated bathrooms
• Designated cubby space for lunches, work 
• Student water bottles will be permitted (will be placed on their table)
• Each student will have a pencil box of supplies on their table
• Group snack
• Assigned lunch tables/seats-Rotation for elementary 
• Utilizing outdoor learning spaces
• Designated/Rotation of playground

What does the Virtual Option look like?

Our virtual option will mirror the on-site classroom and will be live Monday-Friday. Our goal is to have our virtual learners experience be as close to what they would have on-site. We know that in the beginning, it may require additional communication with our parents and students, with the intention to have the communication balance out as it would if the student were on-site. 

• Class will begin on time
• Attendance/Tardies will be recorded
• Each student needs access to an electronic device and a quiet workspace/desk/table
• Students need to be dressed and fed breakfast before class begins
• Recess/snack and lunchtime will be assigned
• Google classroom and Zoom will be used
• Lessons
  • All lessons will be given live, some pre-recorded may be used
    • Zoom lessons will not be recorded
  • Lessons will be given individually and in small groups
    • Work will be sent home and turned in 
    • Schedule to be determined
      • Will occur during the regular school day dismissal procedure
      • Materials/Supplies will be provided
  • Enrichment Classes
    • Spanish-Live
    • Music-Live
    • PE-Live, may have some pre-recorded lessons
    • Computer-Pre-recorded lessons will be phased in
    • Elementary Art-Live and may have pre-recorded lessons
    • Reading Groups-Live
• Communication
  • Students 
    • Individual check in times will be arranged on as needed basis
  • Parents
    • Check in times will be arranged
      • Before or after school, not during the regular school day on as needed basis

 2020-2021 Fall Enrollment

If you have not yet submitted your re-enrollment packet or your fall instruction preference please do so at your earliest convenience.

School Health & Safety

Country Montessori School is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for all our students, their families, our staff and the community.  We are diligently working to ensure we are following county health, community care licensing and CDC recommended safety measures.

SAFETY MEASURES

CMS will be implementing the following safety procedures in addition to existing health and safety protocols:

• Daily temperature checks are mandatory for all students and staff before drop-off.  Any student with a temperature exceeding 100 degrees will not be allowed to attend school that day.
• Stable groups of students will be put in place
• Teachers will remain with the same stable group to the extent possible
• Visitors on campus are limited and must be allowed in by administration
• CMS will follow enhanced sanitation practices and practice frequent handwashing
• Handless sanitizer stations will be in all buildings
• Staff will sanitize supplies and facilities throughout the day
• Daily cleaning and enhanced sanitation will occur at the end of each day with a focus on disinfecting all “high touch” areas
• Lunch areas for all students will be set up to allow for social distancing
• CMS staff will wear face mask throughout the day
• County regulations require children 2 years and older to be in the possession of a mask and to wear it when it is not possible to meet the 6 feet social distancing.   
• Outdoor space will be utilized as much as possible
• Recess times will reflect the same grouping of students 
• Play structures will be phased in and sanitized (schedule TBD)
• Water fountains will be taped off
• All outdoor playground toys / equipment used will be sanitized regularly
• Parents who are dropping off at CMS will also be subject to a temperature check
• Parents will sign in using a no touch sign in with a QR code they will scan with their smartphone camera app. 
• Parents who are dropping off must also wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouth
• Parents will be asked to initial a daily self-disclosure form 

After School Care

Please let us know on your preference sheet if you will be requiring morning or after school child care.  

Daily Self-Declaration by Families

In an effort to protect the health and safety of our entire community families and staff will need to initial a daily self-declaration prior to entering the campus.   

Cheers,

The CMS Family