Dear Upper Elementary Families,
We are very much looking forward to seeing the children again after such a long break. Yesterday the Jarrow Journal was sent out to all families, and I hope you got a chance to look it over.
This follow-up email contains very important information specific to Cypress parents.
It has always been our goal to safely reopen, and bring all our children back to campus in August, knowing our new normal would be based on the current guidelines given the ongoing pandemic conditions. It has been an anxious time for us all trying to determine the best way to plan for many unknowns. I want to assure you that our decisions are weighed very carefully and are based on the best information being shared with schools both locally and abroad. We recognize this is a dynamic situation, and for that reason, I ask you all to be flexible and know that changes may come up before school starts.
Each week the Boulder Department of Education for Independent Schools has been briefing us on updates from the Boulder Public Health Department, State of Colorado, CDC and local conditions. We have modified our planning over the last several months keeping our practices aligned with these weekly updates. We are now at a point where we need to make strategic decisions as we look to the start of school. Please be mindful changes could still occur if our directives are altered by public health or the Governor.
Moving our Upper Elementary program to a temporary new site:
We have made, what we hope, is a decision that will greatly benefit both the Cypress Room and all the children at Jarrow. Beginning this August, the Upper Elementary program will reside at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies (
MECR
), Boulder’s Montessori Teacher Training facility. MECR is located in central Boulder, at
4745 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80301, just a few blocks east of 30th street and approximately a 10-minute drive from Jarrow’s campus.
We will have the use of the spaces for as long as is needed to ensure our ability to deliver 5-day a week in-person programming for all Cypress students, while meeting the enrollment needs of our entire toddler through the 3rd-grade community.
Key factors in this decision:
- Adequate space for up to 6ft physical distancing and enough space for big work to occur.
- While the class is considered one stable group the ability to break the class into smaller groups for lessons necessitates more spaces that will accommodate 6ft distancing in each room.
- Any Co-Curriculars that we are able to accommodate must be held in these spaces- children can not travel to different rooms other than these spaces contained at MECR or at the Jarrow campus.
- Proximity is close to Jarrow
- Flexible lease and the environments are already set up for Montessori classrooms- Jarrow will bring our own materials, computers, install Apple TV’s and any other items needed.
What do spaces look like?
Please see photos below the body of this email.
Will there be enough spaces at MECR for all the students to spread out?
Yes, MECR has three very large classroom spaces that allow us to spread out comfortably with enough workspaces for all the students and ample outside space for learning and recreation.
What is the group size going to be?
The Dept. of Education has approved us to operate as one stable group of approximately 29-32 students with Andrea, Danielle, and Matt as the shared lead teachers. The students will be divided into smaller groups during the day, but as they are one stable group, lunch, recess, recreation time, and the mixing of students for lessons will be allowable.
Will the students have in-person co-curricular classes?
We are hoping to start with art (Tania) and outdoor education (Amy), in-person. Depending upon the guidelines regarding whether ‘external’ teachers may come into the stable group, modifications might have to be made. Spanish and Music will be on hold and it is not clear if PE will be run in the same manner.
Will there be outdoor opportunities?
Yes, but it will look different! We are looking to take advantage of the outdoor spaces within the Boulder community and the surrounding area around MECR. There is a beautiful river adjacent to the building for daily walks and outdoor lunch, the school is on a cul-de-sac so there is space for the students to exercise, we are looking to take advantage of walks such as Chautauqua, parks nearby and opportunities for exploration in nature. Biking and other outings are planned, however using public transportation is on hold.
All PE equipment has to be individualized (no shared balls, jump ropes, etc. are allowed) so we will determine the best way to ensure our children get daily exercise and outdoor play. The teachers have some great ideas for outdoor activities that will be shared in their upcoming parent letter.
What if I have two children at Jarrow, how will drop- off and pick- up work?
Drop off
Jarrow 8:15-8:45
MECR 8:45- 9:00
Pick Up
Jarrow 3:25-3:40
MECR 3:45- 4:00
Will both sites have health screening?
YES….
Daily temperature checks- 100.4 is the benchmark
Wellness symptom checklist
Masks will be required for all adults and students when indoors or when not adequately physically distanced outside.
*Mask recommendations in this weeks Jarrow Journal
Will distance (online) learning be used again this year?
Yes, only in the event that Jarrow closes for an extended period of time, it is our intention to use online learning. We assume that rolling closures will be necessary this year, as suspected cases of COVID come up. In the event the State of Colorado mandates closures or we have an outbreak at Jarrow our programs may be closed for longer periods of time. Teachers will be in touch regarding online learning if and when the necessity arises.
Are we following BVSD closures?
For all practical purposes we are not tied to BVSD. We are decoupling our school from any other school closures and making decisions based on the conditions at Jarrow and what is best. We will only be following BVSD for weather-related closures.
Meet and Greets
for all incoming 4th graders and new students to Jarrow:
A schedule will be sent out regarding a short
meet and greet
with the teachers prior to school starting.
Summary
MECR has been very flexible with us, and we are both excited about the opportunity to have this partnership on behalf of children’s Montessori education. Jarrow’s Upper Elementary teaching team is so excited to have the opportunity to bring the children back together and to teach in person.
As schools around the country grapple with being unable to bring all students back for regular in-person learning, Jarrow is incredibly fortunate to have the flexibility of space and staff, a partnership with MECR, and the support of our incredible parent community that gives us great hope for in-person learning starting this August. We know that this will feel like a big change for many students and families; please feel free to reach out at
debbiesl@jarrow.org
to set up a time to talk if you have any questions.
Thank you all so much for all your efforts and sharing your ideas and feedback with us. We look forward to a fun and successful school year and appreciate your willingness to help us facilitate a safe environment for all our children.
In peace,
Debbie
