Covid-19 and our day to day life at CMP
Looking around the classroom, the children are working (playing) and learning, it feels right, actually dare I say-normal. This is a happy place.
This did not happen by accident. It takes a lot of intentional planning. I could share about the time and process to individually plan a learning curriculum and make the materials for each individual child. But you already know that. That is what we as teachers and you as a parent signed up for when you enrolled your child at CMP for a Montessori education. That is our passion and our purpose.
What we all did not sign up for is Covid-19. But it is here. It has changed all of us in one way, shape or form. I want to share with you how it is effecting CMP as a whole to give you the full transparent picture of why we have new drop off and pick up protocols/times.
In Dane county, early childhood programs have been required to limit class sizes to in hopes to lessen the spread of Covid. This is wise and we have complied completely. Countryside Montessori Preschool has changed from 62 students to 28 students. We have seven full time and one part time staff member. The math is not magical. Through a business lens this did not work and created immediate job insecurity. However, this is when we knew we have creative colleagues and, in your case, dedicated teachers to make this school keep running. We are now job sharing. Not at all ideal financially but it is keeping us all employed, CMP can remain open and your child has a community to learn in.
You may be wondering why we are sharing this. Here is the why. Many of you have asked what we can do or how can we help? I want you to know that statement is kind and priceless. It is what makes CMP a special place. These are the ways and the whys of how we can help one another through the Corona coaster of day to day operations:
1 Action: Follow the social distance drop off and pick up protocol. There has been continuous signage. If you have any questions-please ask. We are happy to help. Please share if you have different pick up people at times so everyone is on the same page.
Why: To follow state mask and social distance mandate and keep everyone healthy. As we tell the children-respect and kindness. We do appreciate your patience at drop off and pick up. As we are now your child’s coatroom support inside to put belongings away and get acclimated or prep to leave. Utilizing the role of supporting yet encouraging independence without your child feeling overly rushed.
2 Action: Drop off and pick up on time. (Be sure to read the why)
Latest drop off is at 8:30.
Pick up times are 12:10, 2:10 and the latest full day time is 5:25.
Why: This piece has many layers. With less students that means less overlap of teachers. So, when we are at door health screening and greeting or saying goodbye that is a specified planned time. Our next role in the classroom begins directly after and every minute effects the next. In addition to the sanitizing after each person. We are human and recognize once in a great while there is an emergency. On an everyday basis though, it is helpful to plan a few extra minutes ahead.
We also may just seem like we are playing on the playground in the morning so it’s no big deal. It is getting cooler and that will make a difference and again effect other children and the schedule.
3 Please read carefully ~ Your child’s pod/classroom is only as safe as your family pod at home. All of our choices effect one another.
These are not ideal scenarios or frankly something we even wanted to write about, yet communication is knowledge. We want the schedules to be more flexible and have parents enter the building to drop off and pick up. In fact, every teacher deeply misses the coatroom chats and sweet goodbyes. But, due to Covid, this is not currently possible. The time will come again when this can happen.
Some protocols just look different right now. Countryside is still the same place. Filled with a community that works together to make the best learning environment for the children.
Respectfully,
Ms. Patty and Ms. Debby
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