Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  What does it look like, sound like during the pandemic?

    Posted 02-03-2021 11:12 AM
    Dear Peers, 
    I run a half-day preschool program in a school district in Los Angeles.  We switched to remote learning in mid-March 2020.  Talks about re-opening have been ongoing.  Teaching staff are apprehensive about returning on site and have asked to see images/videos of what other programs that are on site are doing.  Does anyone have photos or videos they can share?  It will help lower (or so I hope) anxieties.  Any suggestions to address teacher concerns, would be greatly appreciated.  
    Humbly, 
    Nellie

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    Nellie Rios-Parra
    Director of State Preschool
    Lennox School District
    Inglewood, CA
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  • 2.  RE: What does it look like, sound like during the pandemic?

    Posted 02-03-2021 11:45 AM
    Hi Nellie,

    I work at a private school in Falls Church Virginia. Our Infant-Toddler Program re-opened on June 1st and has been able to stay open! Preschool through 8th grade has been open successfully since early September. Children preschool up wear masks as does all faculty. Daily health screens are done through an app every morning with questions about symptoms and temperature screens for faculty and students. It took some adjusting, but overall, everyone is HAPPY to be back in school together. 

    You can photos and videos of our campus life on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/colts1939/ 

    I hope this is helpful!

    Best,
    Alison

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    Alison Ketcham
    Early Childhood Coordinator
    Congressional School
    Fairfax VA
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  • 3.  RE: What does it look like, sound like during the pandemic?

    Posted 02-03-2021 12:10 PM
    Dear Alison, 

    Thank you for your response.  I am looking for an App to use with families to complete the Daily Health screening at drop-off.  What app are you using?  

    I appreciate you sharing your FB page as it provides great visuals of children actively engaged and learning.  I will share with staff.  This is very helpful.   Bless you for sharing!

    Warm regards, 
    Nellie

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    Nellie Rios-Parra
    Director of State Preschool & School Readiness
    Lennox School District
    Los Angeles CA
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  • 4.  RE: What does it look like, sound like during the pandemic?

    Posted 02-03-2021 12:28 PM
    Hi Nellie,

    Glad to help! Especially in these times. 

    Here is the app we use: https://magnushealth.com/features/covid-19-health-tracking/ 

    Best,
    Alison

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    Alison Ketcham
    Early Childhood Coordinator
    Congressional School
    Fairfax VA
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  • 5.  RE: What does it look like, sound like during the pandemic?

    Posted 02-03-2021 12:38 PM
    Dear Alison,

    Thank you very much for sharing the App!  It's comprehensive.  

    Gratefully,
    Nellie

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    Nellie Rios-Parra
    Director of State Preschool & School Readiness
    Lennox School District
    Los Angeles CA
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  • 6.  RE: What does it look like, sound like during the pandemic?

    Posted 02-04-2021 08:16 AM
    Allison,
    What app does your system use for the daily health screening questions? I feel like we miss that important time of talking with the parent about the child  at drop off because we are reading the health questions from a card. We have also been open since last fall with a few weather closures and 2 week long district closure before Christmas. Our staff and students have been healthy with only one positive child case and that child contracted the virus during the district wide quarantine but did not present any symptoms. 
    Thanks
    Caroline Turner

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    Caroline Turner
    Pre-K Teacher
    Avery County Schools
    Elk Park NC
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  • 7.  RE: What does it look like, sound like during the pandemic?

    Posted 02-04-2021 08:33 AM
    Hi Caroline,

    Our school uses Magnus Health for our student health records. Magnus also offers an app: https://magnushealth.com/features/covid-19-health-tracking/ 

    I am not sure about the logistics of getting just the app, but we have found it much smoother to have parents fill out the app which is checked over by our school nurse so we can have a regular drop off in the morning. I totally understand your feelings, we also started out with screening every child ourselves every day. We do not let parents inside, so these brief interactions we get to have at pick up and drop off are so meaningful. 

    Best,
    Alison

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    Alison Ketcham
    Early Childhood Coordinator
    Congressional School
    Fairfax VA
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  • 8.  RE: What does it look like, sound like during the pandemic?

    Posted 02-04-2021 10:26 AM
    We are a part-time preschool that operates in Ohio.  We opened in September with weeks of discussion with the teachers on what precautions would make them feel safe and understanding social distancing with preschoolers is not developmentally appropriate.  Our staff along with our 2.5 -5 year olds wear masks. We have kept our numbers low at 9 children with 2 teachers which was a huge financial hit but we increased tuition to help defray the cost. If they could not afford the increase, we offered scholarships. We do daily temperature checks as they are getting out of the car at drop off.  We also collect a signature paper that verifies children are illness free, they have not been in contact with anyone with COVID and the family is feeling fine.  Honestly, we have not found an elevated temp yet and parents are pretty responsible keeping their children home. Parents do not come into school and classrooms are very self-contained. The instances of COVID  have been through spread outside the school, not in school. It has been a year of different stresses but overall, we are thankful to be here with our precious preschoolers. Parents are incredibly grateful and understanding that we are even here.  Let me know if you have any other questions.

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    Angie Seiller
    Administrator
    POP Kids School
    Mason OH
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  • 9.  RE: What does it look like, sound like during the pandemic?

    Posted 02-04-2021 10:52 AM
    Greetings Angie, 
    Thank you for your response and sharing your experiences.  The process you describe with lots of staff input sounds holistic and inclusive.  The cap of students (9) is tough to support financially and it sounds like the increased tuition is something parents could sustain with scholarships as a good buffer for those that need it.  I appreciate you taking the time to respond.  I know it has helped me and will certainly provide food for thought for others.

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    Nellie Rios-Parra
    Director of State Preschool & School Readiness
    Lennox School District
    Los Angeles CA
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