The world has been profoundly affected by what Scripture would call “pestilence” through a new virus which quickly spread across the globe this past year. Both our preschool and afterschool joined with other schools across New York and the nation by ending school in-person early this past spring, New York State has done a good job of slowing the spread of the virus, so that children may return to schools in person. We are thankful to God for the discipline that many New Yorkers have shown to slow the spread by wearing facemasks, maintaining social distancing, and washing hands regularly.

Each month seems to bring new discoveries (both encouraging and indicating varying precautions), so these new policies should be considered dynamic and fluid. They may change throughout the course of the year. By relying upon CDC documents, NYS Dept. of Health documents, Tompkins County Health Dept. (TCHD) consultation, Day Care Council, and The Office of Children and Family Services  (which oversees our New York State licensed afterschool program), and participation of  both staff and parents of children in our programs, we have developed the following guidelines for schools. Note: those various guidelines are not always uniform. We thank our parents for participating in this process which will protect children, their families, staff, and others in the community.

Handbook Signing and the Role of Families: Every year we ask families to sign a copy of the handbook, and retain a handbook for themselves. This year we will have a supplementary signature page for the above health and safety protocols.

We know that your children are only in our program a relatively short period of the day, and during that time we will do everything we can to protect them. We would also ask that when they are outside of the program, in their homes, neighborhood, and community or with other friends, that families would practice all that we are trying to do here. We are not only trying to keep our children safe, but also our staff.

By signing below you are stating that you have read the above policy, and you will abide by it. You are also agreeing to do your part – as much as you are able – to follow safety protocols in your homes and beyond to keep both the staff and other children safe as you bring your child here. Life in general is an act of “faith,” and we know that risks are taken individually or in groups. We are doing what we can to limit those risks, as we believe you are doing. Fortunately, our Lord tells us that “the just will live by faith,” (Habakkuk 2:4) so we can have peace.

I have read and understood the above Novel Coronavirus Supplemental Guidelines and will follow them:</Supplemental Preschool Guidelines Related to the Novel Coronavirus

We all appreciate that each family has a slightly different standard for risk and safety, and there will be differences of opinion about practice. – most of these policies are mandated, a few others are flexible. As we begin the year, we are trying to err on the side of safety.  We appreciate your efforts to follow the guidelines and to share any ideas you may have to improve those practices; as Scripture says, “speaking the truth in love.” We also would like to keep in mind that the children we serve have been anxious about the changes brought on by the virus, and we are here to remind them that we have “the peace that passes understanding.” We will do everything that we can to keep your children, our families, and our staff safe.   We will work to explain why the protocols are necessary, while reminding the children that our God and Good Shepherd is completely in charge of the sheep of His pasture. He would regularly tell His disciples to “fear not.”

By now, most children and families are familiar with wearing facemasks, maintaining social distancing, and good hygiene. We will continue to have children wear facemasks, maintain social distancing, and wash their hands regularly. In addition, parents and other family members will realize that we are limiting access to the inside of the preschool area in order to maintain what has been known as “static cohorts.” Below are some bulleted procedural changes, followed by a description of the flow of the day.

We will have additional information available online, through email, and in our Zoom family orientation, (Preschool – Thursday September 3, at 5:30 p.m. also available as a cloud recording).

• Health Checks: We have simplified this process for families: You simply agree to not bring your child to school if they are ill in any way. Signing this agreement is your pledge regarding this important issue.

We will do a quick health assessment (taking temperature, and just asking the child or parent if they are feeling well) Temperatures of 100º or above would indicate that your child should stay home, (the TCHD recommends your child get tested in this case, or if symptoms persist for more than 2 days). Please let us know if your child has any symptoms which may possibly indicate the SARS-Co V-2 virus. We note that about 16% of children who have the virus are asymptomatic, (CDC). Many children will have mild symptoms of an illness other than COVID-19. The CDC and NYS Dept. of Education both recommend a child stay home for 24 hours after symptoms resolve. http://www.nysed.gov/common/nysed/files/programs/reopening-schools/nys-p12-school-reopening-guidance.pdf (p. 40). https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/symptom-screening.html. Our policy is that if a child displays any symptoms, we ask that they stay home for the next two days after the cessation of symptoms (without Rx treatment)  A child may return earlier with a physician’s note.

• • Symptoms (Source: CDC) “People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: Fever or chills; Cough; Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; Fatigue; Muscle or body aches; Headache; New loss of taste or smell; Sore throat; Congestion or runny nose; Nausea or vomiting; Diarrhea. This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.”
  • Positive Test/Exposure/Quarantine/Isolation/Return to School: Should your child, (or anyone in your household) test positive for the virus or be exposed to another person with the virus, the TCHD will do a contact trace for your family, which would include the children in our program(s). TCHD would determine who would need to be quarantined in the program and who would not. Quarantine times would be directed by TCHD, but they are usually 14 days from exposure. People with a positive test would be in isolation, and they would be under the direction of the TCHD who would let you know when your child would be able to return to school. New York Department of Health advises one “may return upon completing at least 10 days of isolation from the onset of symptoms or 10 days of isolation after the first positive test if they remain asymptomatic.”

According to the TCHD, it would be unlikely that a program would have to shut down for a time of quarantine. However, if the government decides that schools in general must do distance learning, we too will shift to a remote learning model.

• Facemasks: Each child is asked to have two facemasks:  one which they wear to school, and an extra in case the other one is lost or soiled. If your child has not been used to wearing a face mask, we would encourage you to practice wearing it more often in the weeks leading up to the beginning of school. There will be “mask breaks” while social distancing during the course of the day, both to give the children some greater normalcy while seeing their classmates’ faces, and to enable them to eat at snack time, and provide a break for the skin and freer breathing. Although facemasks are not required outdoors, for some activities facemasks will be off, and for others they will be on. Of course social distancing will be practiced as much as possible, especially during the time when the masks are off.

• Social distancing and dividers: Making most things a “teachable moment” will lower anxiety while increasing understanding. In all activities we will practice social distancing. We are also purchasing, and making our own, dividers for table time, and closer activities such as snack, crafts, and some play activities.

• Bathroom Use: In most cases, bathroom use will be single use, but when the class is preparing for snack time, children will line up (practicing social distancing) and will go into the bathroom one by one, one using the stall, while the other washes their hands after using the toilet. Staff will monitor the bathrooms, and clean touched surfaces after using the bathroom. Note: we are encouraged that the new research and information indicates that almost no virus transmission occurs via touch.

• Playtime: Given the low risk of transmission by touch, children may be sharing some toys deemed safer to share (i.e. kick balls); safe space will be maintained, and toys will be regularly cleaned. Outdoor play may include time without a mask when appropriate.

• Snack time: Tables will be separated further apart than the past, and dividers will be used on the tables while the children have their snack.

• Chapel time: The sanctuary is a very large space and we will have the children spaced widely apart, but chapels will be held as they normally are. Chapel may also be a time when we have a mask break. Singing will be rare, and if done, will be done with the recommended space (12 feet) while wearing masks, and at the end of chapel as we leave the sanctuary.

• Facility and Supplemental Space: We are blessed to have a large area (in and out) for children to utilize. We will be expanding the area we normally use, by including the sanctuary as a regular additional space. Our air exchange is also being redesigned to enable fresh air to be pulled in during both heating and cooling seasons. We will also take time between our programs to ventilate the space in an aggressive manner. More time will be spent outside this year than in previous years.

Arrival:

Until in-person instruction is reinstated at ICSD schools, parents will be dropping off children at the front entrance, and waiting in their cars until the child enters the building. When schools reopen, as children arrive off the bus, they will social distance outside the door, and each child will enter as teachers do the health check one by one. As usual, children will then use the bathroom and wash up afterwards.

Schedule: Following arrival, children will be either doing homework, reading, crafts, or playing (all while social distancing).

Snack time will be a time closer in proximity and of course without masks, but children will be behind barriers.

Although the NYS guidelines permit removing masks outdoors, some activities will be with masks on, and others will enable the children to have a mask break.

Pick Up: This year we are not requiring parents to sign out children. Instead staff will sign out the children when the children are picked up.

Parents and other family members are asked to remain in their cars, and call ahead with an anticipated time for pickup – or call if you have set a regular time, and there is an exception which would change that time. We will try to have children ready for pickup when you arrive.

We have added a new rear sidewalk. We are planning on doing pickup at the backdoor in the fall and spring (when it is lighter out and we expect the children to be at play outside), and at the front during winter months and when the weather prohibits being outside.

We are all hoping and praying for both a medical intervention and simply the cessation of the pandemic. When that arrives, most people will have a new and deeper attitude of gratitude. We all look forward to that!

St. Paul calls God’s people “More than conquerors…” (Romans 8:37) The main reason we have our programs is so that students and their families have the confidence and faith that God is with them in this life, and even beyond in the resurrection! As we think about the comforting words of our Lord Jesus Christ, we realize we are all learning to trust Him who gives us perfect peace in the trials and storms of life; and He has special compassion for children: “But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” (Luke 18:16 – 17)

In spite of all of these special protocols, we are confident that our children will have a joyful year of learning and growth.

Thank you very much for your help to make this year a safe and blessed year!

Every year we ask families to sign a copy of the handbook, and retain a handbook for themselves. This year we will have a supplementary signature page for the above health and safety protocols.

We know that your children are only in our program a relatively short period of the day, and during that time we will do everything we can to protect them. We would also ask that when they are outside of the program, in their homes, neighborhood, and community or with other friends, that families would practice all that we are trying to do here. We are not only trying to keep our children safe, but also our staff.

By signing you are stating that you have read the above policy, and you will abide by it. You are also agreeing to do your part – as much as you are able – to follow safety protocols in your homes and beyond to keep both the staff and other children safe as you bring your child here. Life in general is an act of “faith,” and we know that risks are taken individually or in groups. We are doing what we can to limit those risks, as we believe you are doing. Fortunately, our Lord tells us that “the just will live by faith,” (Habakkuk 2:4) so we can have peace.