Dear Springfield Families,

We are excited and looking forward to the beginning of our 2020-2021 Academic School year, which begins on August 27th, 2020.
 

Below you will find an overview of the many procedures that we have implemented and are currently in place at each campus.
 

These policies are in accordance with the most current guidelines and directions put forth by the CDC, Contra Costa County Public Health Services and Community Care Licensing in response to COVID-19.
 

Our goal is to provide your child with an excellent academic education and foundation while ensuring she/he learns in a very safe environment. To this end, please review the current Springfield Montessori School Health and Safety measures.
 

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL STAFF MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS AT ALL TIMES AND FACE SHIELDS DURING THE DROP OFF / PICK UP, CIRCLE TIME / LESSON TIME AND WHEN INTERACTING WITH PARENTS & CAREGIVERS

WALNUT CREEK CAMPUS SCHOOL DROP OFF & PICK UP PROCEDURES:

• Sign in/out sheets will be available for the parents outside by the Main Entrance doors.
• Teachers will receive children at the designated locations and accompany them to the classroom / playground as appropriate. Hand washing will take place immediately upon entry onto the school grounds.
• Please have your child ready with their belongings before approaching the Gate or the Main Entrance.
• All lunch bags, water bottles and jackets should be labeled with your child’s name. Please pack your child’s lunch in a disposable bag. NO LUNCH BOXES.
• All drop off & pick up of children will take place outside the school, at the designated spots only, as detailed below:​
  • Kindergarten Drop Off / Pick Up: Emergency Doors located by Ms. Ria’s class.
  • Toddler Drop Off /Pick Up: Emergency Doors located by the Toddlers’ playground.
  • PREK Drop Off / Pick Up: Main Entrance.
    ​

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

• Temperature checks and wellness assessments will be conducted prior to any child or staff member entering the school. Please keep your children at home if they show Any sign of sicknesses. Consult your doctor as you deem necessary.
• Many hygiene practices are in place, such as teaching children to use tissue to wipe their nose and to cough inside their elbow.
• CDC posters outlining handwashing steps are located throughout the school near sinks for children to follow.
• We require children to wash hands for at least 20 seconds upon arriving at school, before and after eating, after coughing or sneezing, after playing outside, and after using the restroom.
• CDC posters outlining diapering steps are located at all diaper changing stations and Teachers have been trained to follow recommended guidelines.
• Teachers and staff wash hands for at least 20 seconds upon arriving at school, after breaks, before and after preparing food, before and after diapering, after using the toilet, after helping a child use the restroom, after coming in contact with bodily fluid, and after handling garbage.
• We have trained staff to ensure that sinks designated for food preparation not be utilized for any other purposes.
• We have designated bins for separating classroom materials that have been in a child’s mouth so that they may be cleaned and sterilized.
• Food preparation is not performed by the same staff who diaper children.
• Teachers and staff are always required to wear a cloth face covering / mask.
• All celebrations, events, and other gatherings (including birthdays) are on hold until further notice.
• All school/classroom activities will continue as scheduled with modifications/guidelines set forth by the CDC, Community Care Licensing, and Contra Costa County Public Health Department.
• Each child will be assigned an individual table, rug, and a personal art kit.
• Outdoor time will continue, however some areas of the playground, as well as all water fountains will be closed to minimize risk.
• Recess times will be staggered to limit children in the playground areas and to ensure minimal mixing between children.
   

CAMPUS CLEANING / SANTIZATION / VENTILATION:

• We clean, sanitize, and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched multiple times per day, especially classroom materials.
• On a daily basis , doorknobs, light switches, countertops, desks, chairs, cubbies, playground structures, and anything else that is handled frequently by multiple children and staff are cleaned with a disinfectant that is sprayed and allowed to air dry as opposed to wiping down.
• The cleaning products we use are those recommended by the CDC or local Health Department.
• We sanitize sink and toilet handles before and after each child’s use.
• We have removed classroom materials that cannot be cleaned and sanitized.
• All cots and mats are labeled for each child and we disinfect them regularly.
• We consistently monitor that ventilation systems are operating properly and increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible by opening windows and doors, using fans and other methods.
• We ventilate the facilities before and after children arrive.
• EVERY EVENING we have a professional janitorial crew thoroughly clean, sanitize and disinfect the school.

VISITORS:

• Parents / Caregivers are not allowed to enter the school building.
• All visitors are currently restricted from entering the building.

PROCEDURES FOR SICK CHILDREN:

• We have established procedures to isolate anyone who exhibits COVID-like symptoms. In this case, we will notify/communicate with health officials, staff, families, and close off / disinfect areas used by any sick person.

ATTENDANCE & TRAVEL:

• On a daily basis we monitor absenteeism to identify any trends in employee or child absences due to illness.
• We have a roster of trained, back-up staff to maintain sufficient staffing levels.
• For the 2020-2021 School Year, we will require ALL families to sign the CHILD CARE FACILITY REOPENING STATEMENT FOR PARENTS. This document requires parents to inform Springfield Montessori School when they travel and to what location. Additionally, it requires that parents DO NOT bring their child to school and INFORM the school if their child is exhibiting or has been exposed to any person with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19. Your child will not be allowed to begin school until this document is signed.
•  Part of the CHILD CARE FACILITY REOPENING STATEMENT FOR PARENTS is that families are required to complete the TRAVEL HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE if they or their children have traveled. This document is located on the ADMIN tab of your Classroom Shutterfly Website and can be provided to you by the Administration Team at your campus.

ONGOING MONITORING & TRAINING:

• We perform routine, daily health checks on Teachers, staff, and children, including temperature screening.
• We have trained our Teachers and staff on protocols to follow if exposed to a person diagnosed with COVID-19.
• Teachers and staff are required to complete the TRAVEL HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE if they travel.

PHYSICAL / SOCIAL DISTANCING:

• We follow Teacher to child ratio and group size guidance put forth by the Community Care Licensing.
• We have structured classes that will include the same group each day, and as much as possible, the same childcare providers will remain with the same group each day.
• We have devised schedules to limit the mixing of children, such as staggering playground times and keeping groups separate for special activities such as art, music and exercise.
• Classroom seating and nap time - bedding (head-to-toe positioning) has been spaced out to six feet apart.
• Weather permitting, we will extend the indoor environment to outdoors, and move classes outside.
• All classrooms will be rearranged such that furniture and play spaces maintain 6-feet separation.
• All communal spaces have been closed.

Implementing the protocols, practices and procedures outlined above has required the input, effort, and coordination of our collective staff. We are adapting daily to our new normal and continue to monitor all changes to procedures and protocols outlined by the CDC, Contra Costa Public Health Departments, Community Care Licensing and the State of California.

As such, some of the above measures may change without notice to quickly adapt and implement new requirements and best practices. We thank you for your support and for entrusting your children to us!

As always, should you have any questions, please reach out to your campus Director or Administration team.

Springfield Montessori School