COVID-19 Update

Children learn best when they are at school. In addition to academics, children learn social and emotional skills, engage in physical activity and connect with their peers. We want to continue supporting children and their families with in person care and classes. To do so, we have implemented specific steps to keep students and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. See some of the highlights in this section.

We all need to take care of each other and do our part. We are asking all staff and families to agree to follow the recommended guidelines of the CDC when AWAY from school, so that we will all be in a better position and not to have to face additional closures during the school year. We want to ensure the safety of all students, staff and families and we must remain vigilant to protect the health of everyone involved at Decatur Montessori School.

• Parents are asked to keep children home if they show signs of illness.
• Carpool times are staggered to minimize the number of children arriving at the same time.
• Access to buildings is restricted to staff and children only. Children should arrive during designated carpool times.
• Staff greets families at their vehicles and conducts initial health screenings, including temperature checks.
• Children will not be allowed to join the classroom if they are exhibiting any of the signs or symptoms of COVID-19.

• Staff is advised to stay home if they have signs of illness and do not feel well.
• Staff is screened upon arrival with daily health screening questions and temperature checks.
• Staff wears protective equipment during the day while working with children and other staff members.
• Staff has been instructed in proper way to wear face coverings, including care of reusable face coverings (wash daily).
• Staff is trained in CDC guidance for proper cleaning and disinfecting protocols.
  

• Social distancing is practiced, modeled, and encouraged in an age-appropriate manner. Staff will model and instruct as needed.
• Physical distancing is implemented through seating arrangements at snack/lunch, naps, circle and activity times (designated seats, tables distanced).
• We restrict nonessential visitors, such as prospective parent tours
• Seating and nap mats (with head-to-toe positioning) are spaced out as much as possible with six feet being optimal.           
• Snacks/Meals are served in classrooms with spaced out seating when possible. Staff will place each child’s meal on a plate, to limit the use of shared serving utensils and ensure the safety of children with food allergies.

• We follow proper hand hygiene guidance for adults and children such as washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (about as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice).
• In addition to usual handwashing, we make sure to wash hands:
  – upon arrival in classroom in the morning
  – before and after eating meals and snacks
  – after blowing noses, coughing, or sneezing or when in contact with body fluids
  – after toileting or changing diapers
• Children are encouraged to avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. We also provide instruction on how to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or an elbow.
• Signs are posted in each building/classroom regarding proper hygiene (such as handwashing procedures, covering coughs, etc.)
• Nap sheets/blankets sent home weekly for laundering unless soiled during nap.

• The school continues to follow our rigorous hygiene, sanitation, and disinfection procedures. We also pay attention to the following:
  Routinely clean, sanitize, and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched. Such as doorknobs, light switches, countertops, chairs, and playground structures.
  2. Clean and sanitize all materials used in the environments at the end of the day.
  3. Cleaning of nap mats and washing of individual bedding as needed but at least once a week.
• All bathrooms will be cleaned and disinfected regularly throughout the day.
• The sharing of materials is minimized as much as possible. Materials that are shared are disinfected between uses by staff.
• Extensive use of disinfecting products is completed when children are not present, and the facility aired out before children return