COVID-10 Health Protocols and Summer Announcements
July 10, 2020
Dear Evergreen families,
As we prepare to reopen our building for the curtailed summer session on July 10, I am pleased to share the COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines for the summer and for the 2020-2021 school year. You can read or download the full document here.
In the guidelines, you will see our comprehensive plans for safely reopening according to CDC guidance and Maryland State Department of Education requirements. We will continue to work with our cooperating nurse, Donna Katula from Healthlink throughout the 2020-2021 school year as well.
I am grateful to Lourdes Buenaflor and the administrative team for their countless hours developing the plan. And I am grateful to our families for all your support during these challenging times. We are as eager as you are for the full resumption of school, and I appreciate your patience as we open programs on a limited basis now.
Twelve Key Points
While the report includes considerable detail, here are some key points:
1. Student groups will not commingle at any point during the day
2. Class groups will be limited to 13 children
3. Nap, Eday, Recess and Specials programs will be restructured to prevent comingling
4. Eday programs will be closed during the summer session and will end at 4:30 pm during September. Earlybird will resume when feasible.
5. Parent-administered morning health checks using an online survey tool are required every day (See: https://forms.diamondmindinc.com/evergreenschool/studenthealthscreening)
6. Children will have their temperature taken before they exit their car each morning and again later in the day
7. Cars should enter through Windham Lane during morning arrival and depart on Plyers Mill. See revised traffic pattern diagram
7. Teachers will emphasis on hygiene good hand washing throughout the day
8. Children should only bring essential items to school
9. Parents, visitors and other non-essential adults will not be allowed into the building
10. All adults and Elementary children will be required to wear masks in the building. Masks are recommended but optional in the Primary program
11. Certain high-risk classroom activities will be temporarily suspended
12. Procedures in case of a positive case are explained
Summer Programs Begin, July 20
Our Toddler summer program will resume 8:30 am on the 20th. We ask that Toddler families read the document carefully. Melanie Binder, the Toddler team and Admin Team will hold an information session and Q&A via Zoom to review the Toddler guidelines on Wednesday, July 15 at 8:30 pm.
Other summer program including Montessori Summer, Summer Care and Create Arts camp will also begin on Monday, July 20 at 8:30 am. Camp Director Stephanie Ugol and the Admin Team will hold an information session and Q&A via Zoom to review the camp guidelines with on Tuesday, July 14 at 7:30 pm. If you have questions about the summer program, please email Stephanie at [email protected].
Summer Director Update
Due to the health crisis, I am sad to let you know that Stephanie will not be able to be onsite to lead the summer program in person. In her place in the school building will be Ms. Wendie Marsh. Wendie has extensive experience as a Director, Assistant Head, Director of Education, Summer Camp Director and teacher at Montessori schools in the Greater Washington area. Stephanie will be available, on a limited basis, off campus to coordinate the transition. In addition, you can contact Wendie through the [email protected] email address next week.
(here is the sunscreen & insect spray form that is required for campers)
Staffing Update 2020-2021
I am sad to report that we recently learned that our newly-hired Primary teacher, Ms. Genean Grobe has decided not to join Evergreen in the fall for personal reasons. I am, however, thrilled to let you know that Wendie Marsh has accepted the position as lead Primary teacher in the Discovery room. As you see above, Wendie has considerable Montessori experience as well as a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion work. I am thrilled to have her with us!
And finally, Kimberly Sandridge, our Spruce class teacher and Primary Team Leader will expand her position to Director of Early Childhood Education and take on additional responsibilities including the development of the new remote learning plan (which will be available in early August), supporting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the Primary and Toddler programs, supporting the AIMS/AMS accreditation process and more.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Warm regards,
