ELC Weekly Memo

Temple Shalom

Early Learning Center

Harness the power and potential of childhood!

Parent Memo

School Hours: 8:00 am-4:00 pm

Drop-Off: 7:45 am-9:15 am Pick-Up: 3:30 pm-4:00 pm

Contact Info: Lisa: 202-299-4445, Carri: 414-559-3133

ELC Calendar

ELC Directory

Reflections

A weekly column from Lisa and Carri that highlights something

we are thinking and learning about at the ELC

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We are happy to share some updated policies and procedures for the ELC.

Scheduling

Starting June 14 the school will be open from 8 AM to 6 PM! We will still run a dismissal at 4pm. After 4:15 pm, you can text us to let us know you have arrived and walk down to the playground gate for pick-up. As of that day, we will begin doing both drop-off and pick-up from the back parking lot, weather permitting.
As a reminder, we will be closed on Monday, July 5

COVID-19 Testing

As of June 7 we will be discontinuing biweekly prophylactic testing. Students WILL STILL BE REQUIRED TO TEST at least 72 hours following travel on planes, commercial buses, or trains and provide negative test results before returning to school.
Students or staff will still need to get tested if showing more than 1 COVID19 symptom as listed on the screener or upon the medical advice of their health care provider. Negative results will need to be provided before reentry

Floaters and Pods

Now that all of the members of our staff are vaccinated, we are starting to allow teachers to float between pods on a limited basis. That allows us to cover staff absences without having to bring in substitutes or close a pod. This will also facilitate our being open later in the day when the summer session starts in June. The children will continue in pods, indefinitely, however the pods for the fall will return to be same-age cohorts.

Masking

Montgomery County is still requiring masking indoors for everyone ages 2 and older at childcare facilities (excluding napping and eating) and is recommending continued masking outdoors as well. As we always do, when heat and humidity are at their highest, we will take strict precautions to prevent children or staff from overheating with shade and water breaks every 15-30 minutes, as well as daily water play. We have ordered a large supply of disposable masks for children and staff which will allow them to change out of sweaty masks regularly. Teachers are encouraged to use the pop-up shelters for shade.

Containers

The Licensing Department has removed their restrictions on thermoses and reusable containers! We know that is a welcome change for the environmentally conscious among us!

As always please feel free to reach out with questions or concerns!

There is a great book of poetry about outdoor play called A stick is an excellent thing. This book encapsulates with lovely imagery and words what we at TSLEC try to live by everyday. Below is a poem from the book.

How Our Boundaries Free Children

to Play, Create, and Explore

Come together as we dance, sing, pray, and tell a story!

Because we are on Zoom, invite your grandparents, cousins, and other special friends who may be too far away to join us in person to come be a part of this service.

5:30 pm Tot Shabbat

Reminder: ELC Is Closed July 5.

We are looking for Loose Parts

to enhance our summer experience.

Please help us by collecting the following items (no glass, please):

cardboard boxes and other cardboard objects

lids in a variety of sizes

newspaper

empty thread spools

polished stones

mixing spoons and mixing bowls

spatulas and whisks

bottle caps of all sizes

CDs and DVDs

muffin pans and other pots and pans

pine cones

measuring utensils

seashells

tea kettles, pitchers, and watering cans

Toilet/Paper Rolls

Plastic Storage Containers - food delivery containers, margarine containers

Paper Bags

Squeeze Bottles - liquid dish detergent, mustard and ketchup squirt bottles, salad dressings (as long as it can be used to squirt paint and water out of it)

Please fill out the Challah Order Form and challah from Sunflower Bakery will be available for you to pick up each Friday.

You can order each week or place a standing order. Checks, cash, or credit cards are accepted. You can also ask to be invoiced. Please bring payment at morning drop off.

ORDERS ARE DUE BY WEDNESDAY OF THE WEEK YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE CHALLAH.

Challah Order Form