June 25, 2020
Dear Families,
We want to thank you for your patience as we continue to plan for our fall opening. We are feeling very optimistic regarding our ability to move forward with face-to-face learning. I have spoken to several of you and so appreciate your feedback and suggestions. The summer has given us the opportunity to contemplate the best way for our children to ease back into school and reconnect with friends and teachers. While we know the restrictions may appear different or confusing at first, children by nature are flexible, and we feel confident that they will adjust with the loving hand of their teachers to guide them. Our campus is looking beautiful with many flowers in bloom. We all hope to get back to Jarrow soon!
I am so grateful to our administrative team who are working hard and have the vision to put in place options which ensure we utilize all the resources available to us. Our teachers have been meeting to discuss creative ways for their classes to operate knowing that things will need to run a bit differently. That said, the spirit of Montessori and the connectedness we feel towards our community can only grow stronger, as we navigate together the twists and turns that the pandemic has thrown our way. Information is trickling in slowly, but here’s what’s new since my last message:
What’s New!
As we evaluate our outdoor and indoor spaces, our faculty are working on reconfiguring the classroom layouts to accommodate our current students. We are so lucky to have ample outdoor spaces that can be used for lessons, children’s work areas, and staggered playtimes.
As it stands, our classroom design is based on the Boulder Health Department guidelines to facilitate physical distancing, which follow these ratios:
Student Ratios:
Toddler:
Ratios will not alter from our licensing restrictions, as these are based on the child's age.
Primary:
Ratios for Primary are usually 2 teachers to 20 students. We will be starting the year with Primary classrooms at no more than 15 students, a Lead and an assistant teacher.
Elementary:
Guidelines have not been publicized as yet, but we are planning for reduced classroom group numbers, dividing the students into smaller groups with a Lead teacher. The details of the implementation will be shared once we have the logistics finalized.
Before and After Care:
Due to the restrictions and the requirements of the Boulder Health Department, we will unfortunately
not be able to offer any before or after care or after school extracurricular programming
for at least the first semester. We hope as the virus abates and restrictions ease up that aftercare can be reopened as a programming option for families who need it.
Distance Learning:
I want to emphasize that the resumption of distance learning will be factored into our plan if needed. Potential closures of a class or the school will be based on Boulder Public Health, mandates from the Governor’s Office, or cases that emerge at Jarrow.
We will not be using BVSD as a guide regarding COVID-19, as their conditions and school schedule will be very different from ours. We will use BVSD closures regarding weather conditions, but I want to ensure that a distinction is made regarding the virus.
Zoom Parent Meeting - Date TBD:
Once our plans are finalized, we will hold Zoom meetings by program level to answer any questions you have. Please feel free in the meantime to email me (
debbiesl@jarrow.org
) and we can set up a time to chat. Because the plans have altered as new guidelines emerge, I want to get us as close to a ‘set’ schedule before we all meet.
Important Dates for the Beginning of School*:
Monday, August 17th:
Classroom visits for all new and move-up children at Jarrow
Tuesday, August 18th:
First Day for all 5th & 6th graders in Upper Elementary
First Day for all 2nd and 3rd graders in Lower Elementary
First day for all returning 4 and 5-year-olds to Primary and all Kinder students, including new students
Phase-in Day 1 for Toddlers (phase-in schedule will be shared in July)
Wednesday, August 19th:
First day for all 4th graders
First day for all 1st graders
Phase-in day 1 for new and move-up 3 and 4-year-olds in Primary (phase-in schedule will be shared in July)
Phase-in Day 2 for Toddlers
Thursday, August 20th:
Regular day/Schedule for all Primary, Lower and Upper Elementary students
Phase-in Day 3 for Toddlers
Friday, August 21st:
Regular schedule for Toddlers, unless otherwise recommended by the Lead teacher.
*These dates may be subject to change if new guidance rules necessitate alterations.
Update from the Boulder Health Department
As of this letter I want to let parents know that neither Boulder or the Governor’s Office have put out any guidance for elementary-aged children as yet. I know this is confusing as we are hearing from other schools as to their plans, but until we know exactly what is required or sanctioned, we are keeping our plans fluid so we can adapt to guidance as it emerges. I have spoken to our contact at Boulder Public Health and she confirms that NO guidance is yet available for elementary or older students.
It is our understanding, at this time, that these are a few of the guidelines we will need to follow:
- Groups are kept stable, meaning no mixing of children between groups.
- Teachers are stable within their groups.
- No co-curricular teachers will be able to enter stable groups.
- Masks will be required for students in the Primary (as they are able) through Elementary programs.
- Data Point: Children under the age of 10 have had little to non-existent impact on the spread of COVID from either child to child or child to adult. The spread of COVID by children over the age of 10 is still being evaluated.
- Room size has to allow for socially safe distancing.
I will continue to keep you updated as new information becomes available. For now, I hope you are staying well and enjoying your summer break.
In peace,
Debbie
