First, let me thank you for your support and understanding as we, as a community, responded to the unexpected invasion of COVID-19 in March. I am very proud of the way our students, parents and employees at the Jericho STEM Academy handled the demands we are faced with to protect everyone as we continue to educate our children. I am kindly asking you to keep your child home from school if any older sibling has to stay home because there was a case of covid 19 in their school. When it is safe for the sibling to return to school it will be safe for your child to return to our school. Thank you so much for understanding this new policy. For now, our best advice is to practice responsible prevention to the spread of this virus, to keep students who are ill home from school, and to consult with your doctor if any of the symptoms associated with the COVID-19 virus are present. Together, we will successfully keep everyone safe and healthy. If you have any concern please call me, I am always here to talk with you.
COVID POLICY AT OUR SCHOOL 1-Staggered arrival and dismissal times. We will still be open for before and after care. Pre K hours- 8:30-3:30, Three’s- 9:00-3:00 Toddlers-9:30-12:15 or 9:30-2:30 Late students may between 9:45 and 10:00.
2-Welcome stations outside for taking your child’s temperature, parent daily health survey, hand cleaning and daily health check. Our staff will have a daily health check as well. We will use our outdoor sink to wash hands before your child enters the classroom.
3- Mandatory Valet Service-Your child will be escorted into the school by one our morning greeters. Children 2 and over are encouraged to wear masks but are not required to, You may walk to the door but please social distance. Shoes will be taken off and school shoes will be put on your child and his/her teacher before entering the classroom. Everyone will be asked to please do valet for dismissal as well as pick up. Children will be brought to your car. We will issue you a number to hold up so your teacher knows who has pulled up for dismissal.
4-Classroom Health Checks-Upon arriving in the classroom another health check will be conducted by the teacher. Mid-day health checks will be conducted as well where temperature will be taken again.
5-Children will be in a “bubble.” They will only be with their teacher and assistant throughout the day. Music class will be recorded and viewed on our Promethean Board. Windows will be open for fresh air throughout the day. Extended care may be mixed.
6-Staff clothing-Our teachers will wear scrubs or lab coats and have school shoes as well. All teachers in the schools will have masks and safety visors each day.
7-Classroom supplies-Any toys not easily sanitized will be removed from the classrooms. Each child will have their own labeled box of supplies which will include crayons, markers, glue sticks, paint brushes etc. Toys will be disinfected between each use with sanitizers recommended by the CDC.
8-Social Distancing-Your child will nap 6 feet apart from the other children in the class (if they are in a class that naps.) All mats and cots will be sanitized before and after use. Bedding will be returned each day for cleaning. Children will sleep head to toe. We will encourage social distancing for our children using decals 6 feet away on classroom floors. We will have limited mixing of children within the classroom where they will sit safely apart.
9-Outdoor classrooms will be used as much as possible when weather permits us to do so. Mixed use spaces such as the gym and playground will be sanitized after each use.
10-We will ensure hand-washing strategies which will be increased. Hand-washing strategies include washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; after playing, with toys, after going to the gym or playground, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, we will use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. We will sanitize the bathrooms after each use. Doorknobs will be sanitized throughout the day as well.
11-Health policy-If a child develops a fever, rash, vomits, a cough, runny nose, or is lethargic during the day that child will be removed from the class and the parent will be notified. Your child will be placed in a separate room while waiting. Your child will have to be picked up immediately so please leave us an emergency pick up who will be available if a parent is not. That child may not come back to school for 3 days or until the illness is resolved. Please call the office and let us know why your child is absent.
11A- If a child or staff member develops corona virus we will call the Department of health who will advise us on our plan of action.
11B- Any child who misses 3 or more days of school must have a negative covid test before returning.
12-Visitors will not be allowed in the school and all tours have been suspended.
13- Staff Training- Our staff will have been trained on our new health and safety protocols before we reopen our school.
14-Most enrichment programs and all trips have been suspended at this time.
15-Food Policy- To ensure our safety the food service will be stopped temporarily. Full day students should bring a cold lunch from home. We will not be able to heat any child’s lunch. Please send in the lunch in a labeled cooler bag with an ice pack. The food will be put on a plate by your child’s teacher. We will continue to provide snack each day.
16- It is mandatory for all children 3 and up to wear a mask in our school.
We will ask you to sign a paper acknowledging our new policies before your child begins school. If you have any questions please email me or for existing students message me on brightwheel. As always, your children’s safety is our number 1 priority.
Warm Regards, Ilene Morrin Director Jericho STEM Academy