Covid-19:  What Our Parents Need to Know

COVID-19 Response Outline

 

Reference

Los Angeles County Schools:

Rising to the Challenge of COVID-19

A Planning Framework for the 2020-21 School Year

https://www.lacoe.edu/Portals/0/LA CO Schools 2020-21 Planning Framework.pdf?ver=2020-05-26-161915-740

 

Introduction

The goal of Waterhouse Guild, at all times, is to protect and promote the complete health of students, parents, staff and visitors. This includes physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional health.

Communication

Overall guidelines and responsibilities for students, parents, and staff will be communicated by:

  • Hard copies given to parents and staff.
  • Email to parents and staff.
  • Posting on the school’s website, waterhouseguild.com.
  • Group teleconferencing as needed.
  • On-site posters and notices as appropriate at entrances and sinks.

Facility

  1. Consider using separate entrance and exit paths to avoid congestion at gate.
    Enter from parking area.
    Exit through garden area.
  2. Classrooms will be arranged as needed to maximize social distancing while taking into account educational needs.
  3. Hand sanitizing stations will be provided at each classroom entrance.
  4. Use of shared materials will be eliminated wherever possible.
  5. Common areas will be cleaned throughout the day as needed.
  6. In addition to our current daily cleaning procedures, a detailed cleaning list (TBD) will be followed at the end of each day.
  7. A visitor log will be kept at the door to track room use outside of Waterhouse hours.
  8. Cones will be provided at classroom entrances to define social distancing requirements in cases where a line forms.

 

Staff

  1. Staff members will be given an exposure questionnaire each morning before entering classrooms.
  2. Staff members will have temperature taken each morning before entering classrooms. If temperature exceeds health authority guidelines, they will be sent home and be required to get tested for Covid-19 before returning to class. If tested positive, staff member will be required to follow public health guidelines before returning.
  3. When feasible, masks will be worn.
  4. Staff will be required to use hand sanitizer when entering or leaving classrooms.

Parents

  1. Parents will follow all staff guidelines.
  2. Parents will be restricted from entering classrooms unless necessary.
  3. Parents will be restricted from congregating in classrooms or breezeway.

Students

Daily before entering class:

  1. Students will be given an exposure questionnaire (with a parent or guardian present).
  2. Student’s temperature will be taken with a non-contact thermometer.
  3. Reminders will be given throughout the day regarding distancing and hand washing.
  4. Waterhouse instruction currently takes place in small groups, this practice will continue.
  5. Inter-mixing of groups will be minimized.
  6. Outdoor activities will emphasize social distancing.

 

 

Integrated Learning

At the Guild we often impart history to our apprentices, beginning with single words. This time our little lesson began with the word Epiphany.

…we celebrate words—Lexicon.

Epiphany is a word that comes from the Koine Greek ἐπιφάνεια, epiphaneia from the verb “to appear” and means manifestation, appearance.

…we connect words to specific spaces in time—History.

Historically, the Feast of Epiphany was part of the Season of Christmas—Christmastide—and is a remembrance of the faithful journey of the three men from the East, the Wise MenMagi.

Most of us are familiar with this stirring carol that celebrates the gentiles, represented by the Magi, approaching Jesus in worship. But did you know that this song has its roots in the American Civil War?

Reverend John Henry Hopkins, Jr., author, illustrator, stained glass window designer, clergyman wrote this song for a 1857 Christmas Pageant. And the song still reminds us today of the great men who traversed afar, guided by a star to see the appearance of the child Jesus, the Messiah.

During those dark nights of Civil War I can’t help imagine that, amid gunfire and cannon roar, surely those who dared to look into the night sky on the battlefield were remembering that star that led the Magi to Jesus. And I can’t help imagining they prayed for peace on earth and good will to all people. And I find it curious that this singular Christmas song arises from this particular era of American history.

…we apply what we collaborate to integrate learning in original ways—Arts.

And so, in the Guild tradition, we made music to integrate this little lesson. Attached is our first recording of the year from Arts—“We Three Kings”—sung by our Primary and early Elementary apprentices with sweet orchestration and instrumentals by our resident musicologist, Miss Hannah (thank you Hannah!).

Here’s to a delightful and rich new year of learning.

WE THREE KINGS

 

—Kim

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