Health and Wellness

Will the Toddler and Children's House programs run if there is an ordered shutdown? 

We can consider ourselves an Essential Program because we provide care to Toddler and Preschool children. So, the answer is yes, as long as Essential Childcare programs remain open, we can provide on-campus programming for Toddler and Children’s House.

Will schedules change and we have alternate calendars? 

Due to our open campus and large classrooms, we have plenty of space for all our students enrolled to return to campus and be able to physically distance. As of right now, there are no plans to change our current calendar. We might move larger community events online instead of holding them on campus.

How can you physically distance young children? 

It is difficult for our younger students and even older students to understand what this means and be consistent about it. Our faculty and staff are going to be focusing on personal hygiene, new cleaning protocols within the classrooms and in between communal activities (such as playground use).  Students will be getting lessons on washing hands frequently, staying at the proper physical distance, using tissues, etc. We will mitigate risk by cleaning materials between each student, having the children assist us with cleaning (using age-appropriate products) and modeling distancing. Students will have dedicated personal spaces in the classroom in which to work and we will move to more personalized materials vs. communal ones.

Will students be required to wear masks?

As of now, students age 6 and up and including all adults will be required to wear masks on campus at all times. Students between the ages of 2-6 have the option to wear a mask. Although, we recognize that this is not ideal and it makes it hard to hear, see non-verbal cuing, facial expressions, etc. it is in our communities best interest. We recommend that students have a mask for each day and also two additional ones in case the first one gets wet or ruined at some point during the day. Students will wear masks outside as they have trouble maintaining social distance. We will provide students the opportunity to take a mask break outside alone, if they should need to.  We do currently have teachers piloting different kinds of masks and face shields for lessons on phonics where the mouth needs to be seen, but at this time masks are the covering of choice. They have proven to be the most effective. Students will be provided proper storage for their masks while eating or drinking as well as have lessons on how to take them on and off properly.

How will snack/lunch/food work? 

All parents will be asked to send any food and water necessary for the day in with the student in personalized containers that they can open. My Hot Lunch will be suspended for the first semester and we will not have any outside food coming onto campus. Students will be asked not to share food and all food prep and food activities will be temporarily stopped. Students will eat outside if possible or at their designated spaces in the classroom. Students will be asked to bring in everything they need (placemat, napkin, fork, spoon, etc.) and these items will need to be cleaned daily at home.

Will you still have before/afterschool care and studios?

As of now we are still working out the details on these programs. We will provide care of some kind, but it is important that students are limited in their cohort groups and not intermixing. We will be able to finalize these plans after the Supplemental Programs survey comes out asking parents who need these different program options. We hope to have those plans finalized and ready for the Phase 2 communication. If you need care, busing, etc. please make sure you complete the survey.

How will all these new protocols affect the Montessori classroom and my child’s ability to receive instruction? 

Our Montessori students are adaptable and flexible. We are already seeing students in SummerScape settle into the new routines and protocols. While students will not be able to move freely about the classroom, engage socially with peers and work collaboratively with them in the same way as they have before, the faculty and staff at MSR are committed to providing them with the best possible Montessori experience that we can give them safely. The new protocols in place will still allow them to have the individualized instruction and class community, it will just look different. Students will still have lessons, opportunities to work on projects and a proper work cycle and use of the materials. They just may have their own set, their own work rug, their own home base. The current class sizes allow for some of this additional cleaning and protocols and as they become part of the routine, the routine becomes the new normal.

How will we keep the community of MSR strong and cohesive? 

It is very important to us that our community stays strong. Communication is key and we are committed to providing frequent, open, transparent communication with you. The classroom teachers have been discussing alternative and creative ways to engage our students, allow for connection opportunities and support parents and allow them to feel connected to the classroom community, teachers and school. We will be providing opportunities for parents to engage since visits to the campus will need to be limited. Stay tuned as activities unfold.

What will drop-off and pick-up look like? 

Due to our small parking lot, we already have a staggered start. It is possible that we may extend the start times out to allow for different levels to arrive, have their temperature checked and complete the screening and cleaning process. Again, these plans have not been finalized yet as it depends on what decisions we make about before school care. School may begin earlier and have both a staggered start and end. In addition we do have a new temperature screening process that every child and adult who comes onto campus (out of their car) need to follow.

What about Interdisciplinary? 

As our Interdisciplinary staff are the ones who interact with the most students during a day, we again are looking at creative ways to provide instruction to students and keep the cohort groups intact.

Will MSR be taking any trips this year? 

Unfortunately, we will not be able to take any trips this year. What we are discussing and planning for are creative ways for our Elementary students to still receive those experiences in different ways.

How is Blended Learning at each level different from the last trimester of the 2019-2020 school year? 

We learned so much from those 11 weeks -- what worked and didn’t work. At the Toddler/CH level we hope to be on campus as much as possible. Faculty are planning week long mini units for students and work, lessons, materials, descriptions will be provided for families in packets and activity bags. We recognize the need for more hands on activities that are ready to go versus “on-line” time. We will still utilize Zoom, Loom and Google Classroom on the Lead Mine Campus for our platforms, but these will mostly be for check-in opportunities with the teachers, to receive some lessons and to connect with peers and classmates. For Lower Elementary, Faculty have been discussing workbooks and packets that will be premade and sent home and additional projects are activities that students can do. Upper Elementary that were the most successful at Blended Learning have been discussing appropriate amounts of time, recommendations for screen time and how they could make their Blended Learning more consistent and sustainable. All the teams have been working with our Educational Technology Director on programs and websites that worked best and where our students were most successful. The Plus portion of Blended Learning really adheres to the need to have the students who are at home engaged and connecting with their peers and teachers who are on campus. The use of videos, live feeds and Zoom to allow students to join class meetings, discussions or observe lessons are some of the suggestions for this.

What are my options for choosing the Blended Learning Plus model?

Because of the work, planning and need for consistency in enrollment of the Blended Learning and Plus model, we are asking for quarterly commitments from parents. You will commit to a model (On-Campus, Blended Learning Plus) for a full quarter and would have the opportunity to phase in or out the next quarter. These are typically August, October, January, March, June. Again, the survey will allow us to finalize these plans because Blended Learning Plus for one student looks very different from Blended Learning for 30 students.
 
What are the protocols and procedures for illness on campus? Of Covid-19 on campus? Will I know if my child was in a space with someone who has it? 

We are committed to communicating with our families while upholding confidentiality. We will have specific step by step guidelines and procedures for a positive COVID-19 case, exposure to COVID-19, returning to campus, and student illness. These procedures are currently under review with our consulting medical professionals and legal team. These will be available to you as soon as they are finalized. It is important to remember that COVID-19 symptoms are similar to the symptoms for other common illnesses and viruses. It is important for us as a community to stay empathetic and supportive of each other. No one wants the virus or chooses to get it. It happens and it does not make anyone a bad person or irresponsible. We need to come together and be supportive, not shaming, dismissive or accusatory. It will be a particularly sensitive year for us in regards to illness and your partnership in following the protocols, informing us of illness (any kind) and keeping us in the communication loop will be the best way we can mitigate risk and spread should someone in our community become infected.

What guides our decisions and how do we make them?

Our decisions are based on science, research and data. We are looking to our government agencies and health officials to guide us. In addition, we have a strong partnership with NCAIS (North Carolina Association of Independent Schools), AMS (American Montessori Society), IB and others. In all of these networking groups we are sharing resources, discussing steps and ideas and hearing feedback on different scenarios. It is important to us to be committed to making the best decisions possible for our students, faculty/staff and community.

Are the faculty/staff ready to come back? Are they supported and being taken care of at this time? 

The faculty/staff from the moment the school year ended have been engaged in Task Force Work with administration and the BOT. It was important to us that they have a voice, share their opinions and experiences and be part of the solutions, new policies and procedures and to make sure they feel comfortable and confident in the new logistics and procedures that they will need to implement. This is uncharted territory for all of us and we will be mindful, observant and actively listening to anything that needs to be tweaked, edited, changed, altered in order to make the experience better.

Can I travel or take trips? 

We recognize that we cannot mandate that families do not travel, but we are asking for a Good Faith commitment to our community. Be smart, keep yourself informed and if necessary, quarantine yourself and your families in order to keep the rest of our community safe.

What is being done with our air filtration and systems, janitorial staff, etc. 

Tom Thomas, Buildings and Grounds Director, has been hard at work since the summer began. We have hired additional staff that will be helping with the misters and Clorox 360 machines nightly. The filters in each classroom have been upgraded. In addition, the air will be circulated nightly and classrooms will be encouraged to open windows and doors when the weather permits us. There are new specific cleansing  guidelines that our cleaning crews are following and we are providing hand sanitizing stations, proper cleaning materials for the classrooms and his team will be in charge of cleaning the outdoor spaces and playgrounds in between student cohort use.

 

How will the student cohort bubbles work at Brier Creek?  Will students see all of their teachers?

Students will be based in one of two cohorts: the Middle School cohort or the Upper School cohort. Students from the Middle School and Upper School will not take classes together or be in the same occupations, activities, intersessions, etc. Students will follow their normal schedule and move from classroom to classroom following the school social-distancing traffic plan. The school anticipates offering in person learning for all students whose families are comfortable attending on campus. MSR will announce class size for on campus cohorts before the start of school.

How has IB responded this year to the pandemic?  Will IB make accommodations for this school year as well?

The IB made accommodations this year by assessing seniors on both official IB Internal and External Assessments. May 2020 examinations for seniors were cancelled with IB grades determined by the other diploma assessments already mentioned. IB as an organization is dedicated to equity and fairness. The IB will make accommodations this upcoming school year that meet the demands of the pandemic.

How will new students be integrated this upcoming school year?

As a faculty, we will have a series of activities designed for community building at the start of the school year.  Additionally, new students will be paired with one or two buddy students to facilitate their integration socially and academically into the community.  Also, our comprehensive advisory program will provide both social-emotional and academic supports throughout the school year.  Additionally, the advisor for all new students will hold weekly check-in meetings with each new student to ensure that they have everything they need.

If conditions require the Governor to institute a stay at home order, will the daily schedule for Blended or Virtual Learning change?

Yes, the faculty is currently planning improvement and modifications to the Blended/Virtual Learning Daily Schedule.  These modifications are still under discussion and will be announced before the start of a required period of Blended Learning.

Will the school day start and end times for the Brier Creek Campus change for the new school year?

The Brier Creek Campus will not need to utilize staggered start times, due to the availability of two drop-off locations on campus.  There will be no change to the start and stop times for the Brier Creek Campus.  Drop off will be from 7:45 am to 8:00 am for both MS and US school students.  Pick-up will run from 3:10 pm to 3:25 pm for all students.

    •    Families with ONLY Middle School students will drop at the Middle School Traffic Circle
    •    Families with ONLY Upper School students will drop at the side walk in the middle of the Upper School Parking Lot.
    •    Families with both Middle and Upper School Students will drop all students off in the middle of the Upper School Parking Lot.

In the morning parents must wait until their student has been cleared for class activities for the day by a temperature check. Students with temperature above 99.6 degrees will be instructed to return home for the day.  A 2nd temperature check with another device will be performed to verify the high temperature.  If the student’s temperature is still above 99.6 degrees the parent will need to take the student home until all fever and symptoms have been absent for 72 hours.

Will masks be required during recess and physical education classes outdoors?

Yes, the epidemiologist has recommended that students wear masks while playing or exercising outside to insure no transmission.  When students run or exercise their breath and exhaled droplets extend further than the normal social distance of 6 feet.  Wearing masks increases safety both indoors and outdoors.  Teachers are researching methods to allow individual students to take mask breaks during the day.  The epidemiologist will review mask break procedures.  Students will want to change masks after exercising outdoors.  Students should have one primary mask for each day and two backup masks.

Where will students eat lunch?

Students will eat lunch in smaller socially distanced groups in both classrooms and outdoors as weather permits.  Large lunch groups in the Kennedy Center or the Upper School Commons will not be utilized this school year.

How will busing from the Lead Mine Campus and South Point Mall in Durham work this school year?

Buses will pick-up and run on the same schedule as last school year from both locations.  Students will be socially distanced and must wear a mask while transporting on the bus.  Bus capacity will be limited due to social distancing, so therefore, there will be NO SINGLE DAY BUS DROP-INS permitted.  Parents should complete the survey communicated to families on Friday, July 17th to indicate interest in busing for the 2020-21 school year.

Will classes be held outdoors to improve community safety and health?

Outdoor education is an integral part of the Montessori curriculum and philosophy.   Faculty will be taking students outdoors for class even more than in previous years.  The Re-Opening Task Force is researching additional resources to facilitate more classes being held outdoors when weather and conditions permit.

What new health and safety measures and protocols will students experience during on-campus learning?

All students and staff in the Middle and Upper Schools will wear masks throughout the school day. Epidemiological research indicates that wearing masks and social distancing greatly reduce the transmission of Covid-19. Guidelines will be created concerning the usage of masks outdoors and during recess. Students and teachers will socially interact and collaborate during classroom instruction while social distancing at 6 or more feet.   Additionally, students will continue to work collaboratively in groups, while socially distanced at 6 or more feet apart.

What health screenings and protocols will parents need to perform at home?

Parents will perform a health check of each of their students every morning at home before departing for school.  Parents will keep students home who are experiencing any of the following symptoms: fever of 99.6F or higher, 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, and/or diarrhea.  Students may return to on-campus learning 72 hours after the last symptoms have abated.  The health and safety of all members of the community rely on good-faith communication and transparency of everyone.  The Montessori School of Raleigh pledges to communicate to parents and families in a timely and transparent manner about possible exposure to COVID-19 and/or other illnesses.   All members of the community rely on each family to communicate information to the school in a timely and transparent manner about any possible exposure to COVID-19 and/or other illnesses.  The community relies on parents to faithfully keep their children home from school if they are exhibiting any symptoms to avoid exposing other individuals to illness.  Only by collaborating and partnering together can we maintain the highest levels of health and safety for our students and children.

What health screenings will students experience at carpool in the morning?

Student temperatures will be checked by faculty and staff as car riders exit their vehicles.  Student temperatures will also be checked before students are permitted to board MSR school buses in the morning.  Any student with a temperature above 99.6 degrees will be required to return home until symptoms have been absent for 72 hours.  We will test twice with a different device to insure accuracy.

What will be the plan if a child or teacher is exposed or diagnosed with COVID-19?

If a community member is exposed or diagnosed with Covid-19 the school will coordinate with the NC Department of Health and Human Services. The community will be informed about possible exposure within the school and the individual cohort or bubble, following government laws concerning patient confidentiality. The DHHS will direct the school, through the use of contact tracing, as to who must be quarantined for up to 14 days.  If negative Covid-19 test results are returned earlier than 14 days the individual may return to campus at that time. Community members who are quarantined will receive instruction via the Blended Learning Plus model until they may safely return to campus for instruction.

Will families be able to travel before the opening of school?

Families will be encouraged to not travel outside the state of North Carolina for a period of 14 days before school opens.  To protect the health and safety of all community members, parent education will be a major school initiative this school year.  Parents will be informed of health and safety protocols necessary to protect the health of all community members. The school anticipates in this unprecedented time that parents and families will take their social responsibilities to protect everyone's health very seriously.  Protocols will be followed if community members fail to adhere to health and safety guidelines.  Families will be informed about quarantining protocols for instances in which school health and safety guidelines and protocols are not followed.

How will mask wearing be enforced with students in the classroom?

Students will be asked to step outside of the classroom to place their mask on properly.  Teachers will have meaningful conversations with students about our ethical responsibilities to protect ourselves and those in our community.  Parents will be called to pick up students who will not voluntarily and consistently wear their mask as required by Wake County and North Carolina legal requirements.

How will students and teachers partner to clean and sanitize our school home?

The teachers and staff will be doing the primary cleaning of bathrooms and common areas throughout the day.  Students will be responsible for disinfecting their  own workspace/desk/chair at the end of each block before moving to the next class.  Students will also clean their lunch location, their own personal yoga mats, their own school materials, and other items that they utilize throughout the day.  The teachers will supervise closely all of the student cleaning in their classrooms to ensure thoroughness and consistency.  We will also ask students to wipe the toilet handle and locations they touch in the  bathroom after each use.  A faculty or staff member will disinfect the bathrooms every 90 minutes between classes.  Students will not utilize common spaces without the direct supervision and follow-up cleaning by a teacher or staff member.

What cleaning and disinfecting solution will MSR utilize on tables and hard surfaces?

The supply list will ask each student to have a 16 oz spray bottle for their own daily supplies.  The staff will fill the bottles each week with LEMON-QUAT One Step Disinfectant Germicidal Detergent and Deodorant.  This disinfectant is safe to touch and does not harm the skin.  Students will use this cleaner to clean their own workstations (desk and chair) and supplies during the school day.  Jobs and practical life skills are an important element of Montessori education principles developing empathy, compassion, a sense of service in students, and independence and self-efficacy. 

How many students will opt for On-Campus Learning and how many will opt Blended Learning Plus?

We anticipate that less than 10% of families will choose the Blended Learning Plus model.  National surveys and other schools’ experiences bear this out.  The survey for busing, after-school care, and blended learning plus will be sent to families today.  We should have solid numbers to share in a couple weeks.

Will students be permitted to use a cubby on campus this school year?

We will start the school year with rigorous health and safety protocols and procedures.  As the year proceeds and conditions change in the community, we plan to adapt and allow our practices and protocols to evolve.  Later in the school year, the faculty will examine the traffic flow and time required for students to potentially visit a cubbie once a day or at times that students are easily socially distanced and supervised.

How many students will be assigned to each Middle and Upper School class?

Most Middle School classes will have between 6 and 15 students assigned.  Most Upper School classes will have between 4 and 12 students assigned.  All classes will be taught with a minimum of 6 feet of social distance between each student and only in classrooms that can accommodate that number of students. 

MSR tuition has always been advertised to families as all inclusive with regards to the field trips and overnight trip experiences.  As those opportunities were not available last spring and likely will not be available for the foreseeable future, how will those funds be redirected?

Funds are being redirected in the budget to hire additional faculty and personnel and to purchase cleaning supplies, medical supplies, HVAC upgrades, technology, software applications, educational subscriptions, laptops, web cameras, conferencing microphones, i-Pads, classroom furniture, outdoor furniture, event tents, and other educational materials and supplies.  The Montessori School of Raleigh is a non-profit institution and intentionally stewards financial resources for the benefit of student educational and health and safety needs.

What leadership opportunities will be available for in person learners this school year?
 
All of the traditional student leadership roles for community meeting, student council, and student occupations/intersession leadership opportunities will be available this upcoming year.  The pandemic will not diminish any Montessori student leadership this school year. We anticipate that our faculty will find new ways to expand the leadership opportunities for students .
 
When will we know about outdoor sports, such as cross country and other Fall sports?

Sports will follow the guidelines of the NCHSAA and our athletic conference.  The state has announced that Fall sports will not start until after September 1st.  I anticipate cross country operating as it is a natural sport to socially distance outdoors.  As the school receives guidance about sports, our Athletic Director, Courtney Nutter, will share timely information with families.

Updates since 5-8-20

Drivethroughs, Waves, and Pickup
The Virtual Learning Steering Committee is planning to host “Drivethroughs” starting on May 29 and continuing through June 5. A schedule designating the date for each grade or level will be shared soon.

Teachers and staff have items to pass along to students, and parents may arrange in advance for personal belongings to be packaged for pickup. Courtney Nutter, Director of Athletics, asks that students and parents locate school athletic uniforms and have those ready to return. (See more below.) Melissa Edwards, Director of Educational Technology, asks that students and parents locate library books belonging to the school and have those ready to return as well. While we are exchanging items, teachers are looking forward to standing six feet apart and waving farewell to their students in cars. Stay tuned for details!

MINER ATHLETES - please start looking for those sports uniforms that may now be in the back of your closet or in a corner of your room. Put all pieces of your uniform in a bag labeled with your name, for our contact-free drop-off. Details for drop-off dates and times will be announced soon. Thank you!

No Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Among MSR Students or Staff
We are thankful we can still report that we know of no confirmed cases of COVID-19 among MSR students or staff. As more cases of COVID-19 are being confirmed across the state, including in our community, we recognize that our students are facing many challenges during this time, and we encourage families to reach out to MSR staff if they need additional support or accommodations. Please use the “Contact Us” page on our website.
 

UPDATES SINCE May 1, 2020

Drive Throughs, Waves, and Pickup
The Virtual Learning Steering Committee is planning to host “drive throughs” as we move closer to the end of the school year.  Teachers and staff have items to pass along to students, and parents may arrange in advance for personal belongings to be packaged for pickup.  And, while we are exchanging items, teachers are looking forward to standing six feet apart while waving farewell to their students in cars.  Stay tuned for details!

If You Need Something from School
If you need to collect personal items or school materials from Lead Mine or Brier Creek Campuses, please reach out to Amanda Rugh arugh@msr.org or Kate Falkiner kfalkiner@msr.org.  They will work with staff to locate what you need and leave it outside for you to collect.

A Few New Articles That May Be of Interest

“It’s OK to Not Be a Perfect Quarantine Employee”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/opinion/coronavirus-parenting-work.html

“Toddlers to Teens: How to Help Kids Cope with Stress from COVID-19”
https://thriveglobal.com/stories/helping-kids-cope-coronavirus-stress/

“Virtual Babysitting Provides Relief for Working Parents During Covid-19”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/manondefelice/2020/04/27/virtual-babysitting-provides-relief-for-working-parents-during-covid-19/#397d6bcb38bc

We Are Here to Answer Questions and Provide Support
We are responding to phone calls and emails and are available should you have questions or need support.  Do not hesitate to reach out to teachers, division heads, or any member of the administrative team.  Here is a link to our “Contact Us” page on the website.

No Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Among MSR Students or Staff
We are thankful we can still report that we know of no confirmed cases of COVID-19 among MSR students or staff.  As more cases of COVID-19 are being confirmed across the state, including in our community, we recognize that our students are facing many challenges during this time, and we encourage families to reach out to MSR staff if they need additional support or accommodations.  Please use the “Contact List” above.
 
We are committed to protecting and promoting the safety and health of our students, our staff, and their families. If you believe you or an immediate family member may have been exposed to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), please call your local health department. In Wake County, you can call 919-250-4462. You should also call your doctor to tell them your situation. Please do not go out in public until you have spoken to the health department.  If you or an individual in your household tests positive for COVID-19, please notify us.  
 
Anxious?
The pandemic is raising anxiety in children and in adults.  We found this list of Anxiety Management Tools for children, teens, and parents.  Perhaps it offers resources that you will find useful.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/53ac8b10e4b0f28174f9af81/t/5e99dbe436fb606f192764d8/1587141611598/Covid+Resource.pdf

Stay well.

Archive of COVID-19 Communiques
All Updates related to COVID-19 may be found here on our website.

Monday, May 4:  A Head’s Day.  No classes!

Expressing Gratitude for All Who Treat COVID-19 Patients Here and Around the World
Please join us in keeping all healthcare providers in our thoughts.  These brave professionals risk their lives everyday to care for others. We applaud them and their families for the sacrifices they are making.

If You Need Something from School
If you need to collect personal items or school materials from Lead Mine or Brier Creek Campuses, please reach out to Amanda Rugh arugh@msr.org or Kate Falkiner kfalkiner@msr.org.  They will work with staff to locate what you need and leave it outside for you to collect.

A Few New Articles That May Be of Interest

“'It Was Just Too Much’: How Remote Learning Is Breaking Parents”

“Four Important Parenting Lessons from Life in Lockdown”

“Helping Your Child or Teen Stay Socially Connected During COVID-19”

We Are Here to Answer Questions and Provide Support
We are responding to phone calls and emails and are available should you have questions or need support.  Do not hesitate to reach out to teachers, division heads, or any member of the administrative team.  Here is a link to our “Contact Us” page on the website.

No Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Among MSR Students or Staff
We are thankful we can still report that we know of no confirmed cases of COVID-19 among MSR students or staff.  As more cases of COVID-19 are being confirmed across the state, including in our community, we recognize that our students are facing many challenges during this time, and we encourage families to reach out to MSR staff if they need additional support or accommodations.  Please use the “Contact List” above.
 
We are committed to protecting and promoting the safety and health of our students, our staff, and their families. If you believe you or an immediate family member may have been exposed to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), please call your local health department. In Wake County, you can call 919-250-4462. You should also call your doctor to tell them your situation. Please do not go out in public until you have spoken to the health department.  If you or an individual in your household tests positive for COVID-19, please notify us.  
 
Anxious?
The pandemic is raising anxiety in children and in adults.  We found this list of Anxiety Management Tools for children, teens, and parents.  Perhaps it offers resources that you will find useful.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/53ac8b10e4b0f28174f9af81/t/5e99dbe436fb606f192764d8/1587141611598/Covid+Resource.pdf

Stay well.

Archive of COVID-19 Communiques
All Updates related to COVID-19 may be found here on our website.

UPDATES SINCE April 17, 2020

Expressing Gratitude for All Who Treat COVID-19 Patients Here and Around the World
Please join us in keeping all healthcare providers in our thoughts.  These brave professionals risk their lives everyday to care for others. We applaud them and their families for the sacrifices they are making.

Extension of Virtual Delivery of the Program
•    On Friday, May 1, we will announce plans for how we intend to complete this academic year.  We will also share updates on planning for major end-of-year events and celebrations.   
•    We will honor our highly accomplished Seniors at Commencement, and we are working now to plan various scenarios for hosting this historic and celebratory event. Stay tuned.  

If You Need Something from School
If you need to collect personal items or school materials from Lead Mine or Brier Creek Campuses, please reach out to Amanda Rugh arugh@msr.org or Kate Falkiner kfalkiner@msr.org.  They will work with staff to locate what you need and leave it outside for you to collect.

A Few New Articles That May Be of Interest

“Don’t Freak Out About Quarantine Screen Time”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/06/opinion/screen-time-kids-covid.html

“Parenting During COVID-19? FSU Psychology Researchers Offer Their Advice”
https://www.newswise.com/coronavirus/parenting-during-covid-19-fsu-psychology-researchers-offer-their-advice/?article_id=730224

“Three Hours Longer, The Pandemic Work Day Has Obliterated Work-Life Balance”
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-23/working-from-home-in-covid-era-means-three-more-hours-on-the-job

We Are Here to Answer Questions and Provide Support
We are responding to phone calls and emails and are available should you have questions or need support.  Do not hesitate to reach out to teachers, division heads, or any member of the administrative team.  Here is a link to our “Contact Us” page on the website.

No Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Among MSR Students or Staff
We are thankful we can still report that we know of no confirmed cases of COVID-19 among MSR students or staff.  We are aware of a family in which one person has the virus and is self-isolating.  Our thoughts are with that family. As more cases of COVID-19 are being confirmed across the state, including in our community, we recognize that our students are facing many challenges during this time, and we encourage families to reach out to MSR staff if they need additional support or accommodations.  Please use the “Contact List” above.
 
We are committed to protecting and promoting the safety and health of our students, our staff, and their families. If you believe you or an immediate family member may have been exposed to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), please call your local health department. In Wake County, you can call 919-250-4462. You should also call your doctor to tell them your situation. Please do not go out in public until you have spoken to the health department.  If you or an individual in your household tests positive for COVID-19, please notify us. 
 
Anxious?
The pandemic is raising anxiety in children and in adults.  We found this list of Anxiety Management Tools for children, teens, and parents.  Perhaps it offers resources that you will find useful.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/53ac8b10e4b0f28174f9af81/t/5e99dbe436fb606f192764d8/1587141611598/Covid+Resource.pdf

Stay well.

UPDATES SINCE April 3, 2020

Expressing Gratitude and Keeping Others in Our Thoughts
We see frontline healthcare workers on the news and note their courage and commitment. We also know the toll this pandemic is taking on them and their families, both physically and emotionally. Please keep these professionals in your thoughts.

THANK YOU to All Parents and Students Who Completed the Recent Virtual/Distance Learning Survey
We appreciate so many parents and students responding to the Survey! We have shared the results broadly to several committees at the school, and we will be meeting this coming week to discuss the results and any adjustments we will make to the delivery of our program as a result of the responses.

Extension of Virtual Delivery of the Program

• We are extending virtual delivery of our program for an indeterminate length of time.
• All events between now and April 30 are being canceled, postponed, or redesigned to be held virtually. Planning is well underway to host virtual versions of some of our spring events. Watch for details in Miner Details and in communiques from faculty.
• Remember also that all overnight trips for the year are canceled.
• We will honor our highly accomplished Seniors at Commencement, and we are working now to plan various scenarios for hosting this historic and celebratory event. Stay tuned.

If You Need Something from School
If you need to collect personal items or school materials from Lead Mine or Brier Creek Campuses, please reach out to Amanda Rugh arugh@msr.org or Kate Falkiner kfalkiner@msr.org. They will work with staff to locate what you need and leave it outside for you to collect.

A Few New Articles That May Be of Interest
“Reviving the Family Meal During the Coronavirus Pandemic”

“Tips for Families: Coronavirus”

“Six Messages to Reassure Kids When Covid-19 Hits Your Family Financially”

We Are Here to Answer Questions and Provide Support
We are responding to phone calls and emails and are available should you have questions or need support. Do not hesitate to reach out to teachers, division heads, or any member of the administrative team. Here is a link to our “Contact Us” page on the website.

No Confirmed Cases of COVID-19
At this time, we know of no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the MSR community. Should we learn about any new developments going forward, we will share them with you.

If you believe you or an immediate family member may have been exposed to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) please call your local health department. In Wake County, you can call 919-250-4462. You should also call your doctor to tell them your situation. Please do not go out in public until you have spoken to the health department. If you or an individual in your household tests positive for COVID-19, please notify us.

Expressing Gratitude and Keeping Others in Our Thoughts
Again this week, we ask you to keep the brave people who serve on the frontlines of this healthcare crisis and their families in your thoughts. These professionals risk their lives every day to help others, and they are an example for us all.

Extension of Virtual Delivery of the Program
As we announced last week, we are extending virtual delivery of our program for an indeterminate length of time. Please assume that all events between now and April 30 will either be canceled or postponed. Remember also that all overnight trips for the year are canceled. As soon as we have details about virtual versions of some spring events, e.g., Humanities Night and theater and musical performances, we will be in touch. We will honor our highly accomplished Seniors at Commencement, and we are beginning now to plan for various scenarios for hosting this historic and celebratory event. Stay tuned.

Taking the Pulse
Now, two weeks into virtual teaching and learning, we are reviewing where we are and brainstorming ways to ensure that we can sustain everyone’s eagerness to engage and reduce exhaustion as we continue through April and most likely through May. As we take stock of strengths and challenges, we want to know how parents and students are perceiving the virtual program. Look for a survey to arrive soon asking for your input. Thank you in advance for sharing your ideas!

A Few New Articles That May Be of Interest (click to read)

“Figuring Out Home Schooling in the Age of Coronavirus”

“A Survival Guide for Parenting Through the Global Pandemic”

“How the Coronavirus is Influencing Children’s Play”

We Are Here to Answer Questions and Provide Support
We are responding to phone calls and emails and are available should you have questions or need support. Do not hesitate to reach out to teachers, division heads, or any member of the administrative team. Here is a link to our “Contact Us” page on the website.

No Confirmed Cases of COVID-19
At this time, we know of no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the MSR community. Should we learn about any new developments going forward, we will share them with you.

If you believe you or an immediate family member may have been exposed to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) please call your local health department. In Wake County, you can call 919-250-4462. You should also call your doctor to tell them your situation. Please do not go out in public until you have spoken to the health department. If you or an individual in your household tests positive for COVID-19, please notify us.

Stay Well.

UPDATES SINCE MARCH 19, 2020

Expressing Our Gratitude and Keeping Others in our Thoughts
As we prepared the Update for this week, we did so aware of the sacrifice and plight of millions of healthcare workers, police, firefighters, and first responders across this country and around the world who are risking their lives daily to care for others. We are grateful for the sacrifices of these brave professionals, and we wish for them and their families health and wellness.

Extension of Virtual Delivery of the Program
On March 12 we first announced the transition to a virtual delivery of our academic program through April 3. Since then, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has ordered all public schools in the state to remain closed through May 15, 2020, and this week several counties including Wake and Durham have issued stay-at-home orders. In light of these developments and conditions in general around the country, the Senior Leadership Team met on Thursday and made the decision to extend virtual delivery of our program for an indeterminate length of time.

We did not make this decision lightly. We miss our students and their families, and we are entering a time of year that under normal circumstances would be brimming with special events and celebrations that we all enjoy. The priority, however, is keeping everyone safe and well. Therefore, please assume that all events between now and April 30 will either be canceled or postponed. Remember also that all overnight trips for the year are canceled. We monitor conditions constantly and should we see the possibility of returning to a normal schedule, we will give families at least a week’s notice.

In the meantime, we continue to teach students, create ways to stay connected, care for our students, our families, and each other, and believe in the time-tested capacity of this remarkable school to meet all the challenges of this unwelcome event. We also will turn our attention now to making plans for virtual versions of some spring events, e.g., Humanities Night and theater and musical performances. Stay tuned and let’s all think positive thoughts for May.

A Few New Articles That May Be of Interest

“No, We Aren’t All Going to Die”: Experts on How to Talk with Kids about Coronavirus
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/24/coronavirus-kids-how-to-talk-to-children-death-virus-expert-guide

Feeling Anxious? Here's How to Talk to Your Kids About the Coronavirus Pandemic
https://www.sciencealert.com/you-re-not-the-only-one-who-s-anxious-here-s-how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-global-threats

Working from Home with Kids Seems Unsustainable. Here’s How to ease the Burden
https://www.vox.com/identities/2020/3/25/21193142/coronavirus-covid-19-kids-work-from-home-child-care-school-cancellations

We Are Here to Answer Questions and Provide Support
We are responding to phone calls and emails and are available should you have questions or need support. Do not hesitate to reach out to teachers, division heads, or any member of the administrative team. Here is a link to our “Contact Us” page on the website.

No Confirmed Cases of COVID-19
At this time, we know of no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the MSR community. Should we learn about any new developments going forward, we will share them with you. 

If you believe you or an immediate family member may have been exposed to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) please call your local health department. In Wake County, you can call 919-250-4462. You should also call your doctor to tell them your situation. Please do not go out in public until you have spoken to the health department. If you or an individual in your household tests positive for COVID-19, please notify us.

Stay Well.
 

An Update from Belinda Wilkerson, College Counseling
• The SAT for May has been canceled.
https://pages.collegeboard.org/natural-disasters
• The ACT for April has been canceled.
http://www.act.org/content/act/en/covid-19.html

Students who are registered for either of these dates will receive an email from the respective organizations.

Just Say “No” to Playdates
This article by a pediatrician caught our eye. He recommends not scheduling playdates for children during this time.
https://www.drstevesilvestro.com/no-coronavirus-break-playdates-heres-why

Collecting Materials from School
As Virtual Learning begins this Monday, March 23, you may remember that you need to collect materials from school. The plan for LMC is that someone will be in the Admin Building on the Lead Mine Campus from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon each weekday next week. If you call the school in advance or email Front Desk Administrative Coordinator Amanda Rugh at arugh@msr.org, we will set materials outside for you.

If you need to retrieve materials from the Brier Creek Campus, please email Administrative Coordinator & Registrar Kate Falkiner at kfalkiner@msr.org, and she will assist you.

Spring Break
We hope this week has given you and your family time to absorb the changes we are all experiencing and the time to talk about virtual learning, which begins on Monday, March 23. Good Friday, April 10, and Easter Monday, April 13, will continue to be school holidays. Should families decide to follow through on family travel plans over the originally scheduled Spring Break dates (April 4-13), we will accommodate student absences.

Transition to Virtual Instruction

Beginning on Monday, March 23, we will transition to virtual teaching and learning through Friday, April 3. We will continue to monitor the situation and reevaluate at the end of this month whether virtual teaching will need to continue past April 3. Given current conditions in this country and around the world, an extension of virtual instruction seems likely.

We are fortunate that during this time of great uncertainty, we as a school have the resources, the nimbleness, the skill and expertise in our staff, the partnership with parents, the support from our Board, and the teamwork to continue to educate our students and sustain operations. That is, our stewardship of the school and its mission continues. Although the timing for a return to a more normal approach is unknown, what is not unknown is that our students must continue to learn and that we will continue to teach.

Encore, Afterschool, Athletic, and Community Events
Encore and all other afterschool, athletic, and community events are suspended until further notice. We are also canceling all overnight trips through the end of the year. If circumstances improve, we will design creative ways to give our students alternative off-campus experiences to enjoy before the year ends.

Parent-Teacher Conferences Scheduled for Friday, March 27.
Conferences will be conducted by conference call. Teachers will be in touch to explain the mode of communication that will be used. Please make sure your child’s teacher has your preferred contact information prior to your scheduled conference time.

Caring for Our Students, Our Families, and Each Other
As we launch our virtual instruction program and support parents with resources to use during this time, we are also caring for faculty and staff. All administrative offices are working remotely to conform to best practices in social isolation. The campus remains open for any employee who has a need to come to campus, but we monitor the numbers to avoid having more then two to three employees on campus at any one time. Although it should be clear that full compensation and benefits continue for all employees through this period, as delivery of the program and operations continue, we are being explicit in this update to allay any concerns that anyone might have.

We Are Here to Answer Questions and Provide Support
We are responding to phone calls and emails and are here for you should you have questions or need support. Do not hesitate to reach out to teachers, division heads, or any member of the administrative team. ​Here is a link to our “Contact Us” page on the website.


No Confirmed Cases of COVID-19
At this time, we know of no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the MSR community. Should we learn about any new developments going forward, we will share them with you.

If you believe you or an immediate family member may have been exposed to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) please call your local health department. In Wake County, you can call 919-250-4462. You should also call your doctor to tell them your situation. Please do not go out in public until you have spoken to the health department. If you or an individual in your household tests positive for COVID-19, please notify us.

Archive of COVID-19 Communiques
All Updates related to COVID-19 may be found on our website by clicking here.

Stay Well

From Interim Head of School Jeannie Norris

On behalf of Board President BJ Stolz, the Senior Leadership Team, and faculty and staff, I write to share our plans in the face of the rapidly changing environment surrounding COVID-19. On Tuesday of this week Governor Cooper declared a state of emergency for North Carolina. Yesterday, the World Health Organization declared the spread of COVID-19 a pandemic. We have been closely monitoring the situation and following the recommendations and guidance of the CDC and the state and local health department.  We have developed a plan for MSR that we believe will allow us both to continue to educate our students and reduce health risks for our community.

Spring Break
Spring Break, formerly scheduled for April 6 through April 13, will be moved to next week, March 16 through March 20. Good Friday, April 10, and Easter Monday, April 13, will continue to be school holidays.  Should families decide to follow through on family travel plans over the originally scheduled Spring Break dates, we will accommodate student absences.

Transition to Virtual Instruction
Beginning on Monday, March 23, we will transition to virtual teaching and learning through Friday, April 3.  We will continue to monitor the situation and reevaluate at the end of this month whether virtual teaching will need to continue past April 3.  

Our teachers have been preparing for this possibility and will be ready to support and educate students through virtual channels.  Head of Lower School Aubrie Hile-Hoffer and Head of Middle & Upper School James Taylor, along with their respective faculty, will share a detailed explanation of this approach with students and parents soon. In anticipation of this eventuality, your children have already been introduced to techniques they will use to learn in a virtual domain.  While different than most of us are used to, we believe virtual delivery of our program is the best way to continue our students' learning while keeping everyone safe.  Science magazine recently called virtual program delivery “the most powerful nonpharmaceutical intervention that we can deploy” as a society to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus.   Here is a link should you wish to learn more:

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/does-closing-schools-slow-spread-novel-coronavirus

Encore, afterschool, athletic, and community events
After the school day tomorrow, March 13, Encore and all other afterschool, athletic, and community events are suspended until further notice.  This includes Donuts with Dads scheduled for March 18-19.  We are also canceling all overnight trips through the end of the year.  If circumstances improve, we will design creative ways to give our students alternative off-campus experiences to enjoy before the year ends. Parent-teacher conferences that were scheduled for Friday, March 20 have been rescheduled for the same times on Friday, March 27 and will be conducted by conference call.  Teachers will initiate the conferences by calling parents at the scheduled time. Please make sure your child’s teacher has your preferred contact information prior to your scheduled conference time.

We understand the difficulty our decision will create for families.  Please know we are committed to supporting students and parents through this unexpected transition.  

At this time, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the MSR community.  As is most always the case, we have faculty and staff not feeling well and absent from school.  Because of the current situation, these colleagues have gone through the correct professional channels and followed all protocols and recommendations of health officials and their personal doctors.   Should we learn about any new developments going forward, we will share them with you.  

If you believe you or an immediate family member may have been exposed to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) please call your local health department. In Wake County, you can call 919-250-4462. You should also call your doctor to tell them your situation. Please do not go out in public until you have spoken to the health department.  If you or an individual in your household tests positive for COVID-19, please notify us.  

All Updates related to COVID-19 may be found here on our website.

As always, we value your partnership and look forward to working with you and your family as we move forward.

Sincerely,

Jeannie Norris
Interim Head of School.  

 

 

COVID-19: Update 3-6-20

Our Tactics: Increased Focus on Cleaning and Disinfecting
County and State health officials have assured us that we should maintain our regular, routine cleaning procedures in schools. They have stressed that we should approach the Coronavirus (COVID-19) the same as influenza. 

Here is a summary of cleaning protocols from Tom Thomas, Director of Buildings and Grounds. 

• Floors are swept, vacuumed and mopped daily.
• Kitchen or kitchenette counter tops are cleaned with a disinfectant cleaner daily.
• All bathrooms are mopped and cleaned using an antimicrobial cleaner and disinfectant daily.
• All door handles are wiped each night with an antimicrobial cleaner and disinfectant.
• When a deep clean is required, bleach is used.
• Classroom and common areas are routinely disinfected. (The disinfectant used is hospital grade and effective for 30 days.) This protocol was initiated in January when we were seeing an increase in students and faculty with flu. The protocol will be continued until further notice. 
• We are disinfecting busses daily.

Our Tactics: Handwashing and Elbow Bumps
• Faculty, staff, and students wash hands upon arriving on campus and before beginning work, and frequent handwashing continues throughout the day.
• We have adopted the practice of bumping elbows and/or waving instead of shaking hands.

Our Tactics: Staying Up to Date
The Administrative Team monitors the CDC site daily and stays apprised of updates coming to us from State health officials and various associations to which we belong.

Here are inks to sites we are monitoring, and you may wish to monitor them as well.
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/ 
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/press-releases

Our Tactics: Virtual Learning
The Educational Leadership Team (ELT) in partnership with MSR Director of Educational Technology Melissa Edwards met and began preparing for the possibility that at some point local authorities could close schools in the Triangle. Virtual platforms and learning software are already integrated into much of the delivery of the curriculum, especially in the upper divisions. 

ELT’s focus now is on organizing material so it can be delivered completely through virtual channels, even for our youngest learners. The goal, even in virtual space, is to provide students with a consistent and familiar schedule, knowing that this is the best framework for learning and engagement. If school closings are announced, we will be in touch with parents to provide details on virtual learning, as well as recommendations, suggestions, and resources for activities that parents can use at home.

School Travel
Spring Domestic Trips: We are seeing travel discouraged across many sectors. We had no international travel scheduled for this year, and at this time, we are evaluating all of the domestic trips scheduled for April and May. We will share additional information as we make decisions. 

Field Trips: We will evaluate the risks for field trips and make decisions on a case-by-case basis. We believe, however, that field trips that place students in crowed settings, e.g., theaters, auditoriums, etc., where they are in close proximity to large numbers of other students, is counterproductive to keeping students safe. Please stay in touch with your child’s classroom teacher for updates. 

Family Travel
As we approach Spring Break in a few weeks, we encourage parents to stay informed about health conditions in destinations being considered for family trips. Travel bans can appear with short notice and quickly affect departures from and returns to the US. These sites provide much information. 

• https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/
• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

Your Partnership
The goal always is to keep children and teens well and to limit exposure to illness. Please do not allow your child to come to school if they are experiencing any of the following:

• Temperature of 100 degrees or higher within the last 24 hours
• Diarrhea or vomiting within the last 24 hours
• Severe cough
• Severe cold, especially with greenish/yellow nasal discharge

If diagnosed with
• strep, a child must be on antibiotics 24 hours before returning to school
• flu, a child should stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone, and the fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®

Tips
• When coaching your child at home to wash hands, suggest they either sing the “Happy Birthday” song while they wash or count slowly to 20. That is the recommended amount of time to ensure washing is thorough.
• Discourage children at home from sharing straws, drinking cups, utensils, etc.

Links to sources of information on how to talk to your child about the virus
• https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/
• https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/how-talk-your-kids-about-coronavirus-ease-their-fears-ncna1129851
• https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus#Make-sure-you-understand-the-risks
• https://time.com/5776857/how-to-talk-to-kids-coronavirus/

Link to tips on how to talk with children/teens about unsettling news of any kind in the media
• https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/explaining-the-news-to-our-kids

As there are updates about the virus or changes to our plans, we will update you. In the meantime, we know you join with us in being vigilant, following recommended protocols, and using common sense. Thank you for your partnership.