On Tuesday, August 25, our first group of students will be returning to campus. In order to ensure a smooth start, we have compiled important logistics for our families to be aware of. Please reach out to Rachel Gantt or me if you have any questions that are not answered in the details below.
Q: What will pick-up and drop-off look like?
A: Arrival and dismissal times will remain unchanged however, process will be different.
Arrival: With the exception of EC and Kinder, students will be dropped off in the drop-off lane directly in front of the school and enter through the green side gate. Students will wait in line six feet apart as temperatures are checked and students are cleared to go to their classroom. Students will enter the building through their classroom’s exterior door. Teachers will open their doors and begin greeting students at 7:50am. Morning meetings will begin between 8:15-8:30am.
Dismissal: All students in grades 1-6 will be picked up from one of two car lanes. The car lane closest to the school will be designated for grades 1-3; the second car lane will run the length of the parking lot and is designated for grades 4-6. Parking will not be permitted in this lot in the afternoon. Older siblings will be picked up with their younger siblings (they may need to leave class a few minutes early). There will be five staff members directing traffic during this time.
If you are picking up a child in either EC classroom or Kindergarten, please park in the far lot nearest Camino Cabra, cross over to the main building using the designated crosswalk, and proceed down the fire road to your child’s classroom. Return with your child using the fire road. If a parent needs to pick up their child from EC or Kinder and an older sibling, please discuss these logistics with your younger child’s teacher.
Q: How should we prepare for lunch/snack/water?
A: Please send your child with a full water bottle, a healthy lunch, and a snack that includes fruits and/or vegetables and a protein. Teachers will have planned snack/water breaks when masks can be taken off in a deliberate and intentional manner. Although not required, you may want to consider packing lunch and snacks in disposable bags so that there are less items being transported to and from school. Water bottles should be sent to school daily as our fountains will not be operable.
Q: Do I need to report my child’s risk level before school each day?
A: Yes. We have purchased a Wellness Screener APP that you will need to download on your mobile device (ios or Android). Each morning before school you will need to answer five brief questions and submit via the app. This should only take a few seconds to complete, but it will require you to take your child’s temperature. We are aware that your child’s temperature will also be taken at school - this is an extra precautionary measure. If you wish to download the app now the RGS school code is: riograndeschool-5753.
Q: What should my child come to school with each day?
A: As little as is necessary. The fewer items going to and from home the better. It is not necessary for your child to bring a backpack. Small hand sanitizer for your child to keep at his/her desk will be very useful.
Q: When should my child stay home?
A: Anytime your child is exhibiting any symptoms of being, or beginning to be, ill (ie - sore throat, cough, chills, body aches for unknown reasons, shortness of breath for unknown reasons, loss of smell, loss of taste, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or fever at or greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit). When in doubt, keep them home. Sending a child to school when exhibiting any symptoms of illness will result in them being sent home and requiring them to be tested for COVID prior to their return to school. Please see the linked RGS COVID Symptom Flowchart.
Q: How and when do I need to make decisions as to how my child will participate in school - either on campus or online?
A: Every two weeks, following our co-curricular two week cycle, a survey will be sent to all families asking for the preferred mode of learning. If your child needs to switch to distance due to quarantine from illness, travel, or possible COVID exposure, please contact your child’s teacher and the school administration as soon as possible so that we can assist in making that transition as smooth as possible.
Q: When do I need to return the school’s Social Contract?
A: Social contracts were mailed to all of our families. They will also be available in the Family Handbook. You may access and print via this link as well. Please send the signed contract to school with your child on the first day of school, or scan and email it to Laura Neutra (laura_neutra@riograndeschool.org).
Q: How can I best plan for my child to wear a mask?
A: Students and staff will be required to wear a mask at all times while at school. The most important way to begin to prepare your child is to get them used to wearing a mask for longer periods of time. Practicing over the next two weeks is a great way to build mask wearing stamina. Here is a short video that is kid friendly around the importance of wearing a mask: Watch video here.
When wearing a mask, it’s important to discuss/consider the following with your child:
● Fit: For a mask to be effective, it needs to fit your child. The mask should cover the nose and mouth and not become displaced as the child speaks.
● Two Layers: Masks should have a minimum of two layers - if you can blow out a candle wearing the mask, it’s too thin.
● On or Off: In school, staff will emphasize proper mask hygiene with your child. We will emphasize that the mask be completely on (covering nose and mouth) or when necessary (i.e. eating) completely off. There is no in between.
● Hand Sanitizing: While masks protect students and teachers from possible coronavirus exposure, we recognize that when masks are removed (i.e. eating), students and staff should ensure clean hands. To ensure a safe environment, sanitizing hands prior to mask removal will be a recurring theme for mask education this year.
● Routine: Reinforcing mask protocols while your child is outside of school, will greatly help our staff and teachers get your child to achieve consistent mask usage.
* Many parents have asked about mask breaks in the classroom. Medical professionals discourage this practice other than when a child is eating or napping. Students that are unable to keep a mask on while at school cannot remain at school.
We are all looking forward to beginning the new school year. Thank you for trusting us with not only your child’s education, but also their health and safety. I am quite sure that adjustments will be necessary in the coming months, but I also know that a “new normal” will set in quickly.
Sincerely,
