Our children did not miss a beat this first week back after the holidays! They were eager to return to their Festival of Lights study that had to be paused just before the break. Primary children were able to take their Australia works home Friday to share their knowledge of Australia and their Festival of Lights experience with parents. Elementary and upper school students continued their studies of Africa/Europe and South America/Asia, respectively. We will share our whole-school Festival of Lights video later this month.

With rumors of a wintry mix heading our way, Thursday we conducted a test of our reverse notification system used for inclement weather and emergency announcements. If you did not receive an email, text, or phone call test-message, please contact Jaime in the main office to update your contact information (864-226-5344 or jemery@msasc.org).

Thank you, parents, for working with us as we manage all of the moving parts associated with operating a school and childcare program during a pandemic. Our Extended Care program will be available again starting Monday, Jan. 11. We apologize for any inconvenience due to the program being closed this past week. We assure you that such decisions are made only when absolutely necessary, in accordance with the regulations and guidance that we must follow and with the well-being of all in mind.

Glad to see all of our MSA friends and family again!

Dr. Dana Hill

Reverse Notification System:

Montessori School of Anderson's Reverse Notification system was tested on Thursday, January 7, 2021. All information was obtained by the MSA Data Sheet that you submitted for the 2020-2021 Academic Year. If you did not receive a test notification or if your students' contact information has changed since starting school, please notify the Main Office so the information can be updated.

Please note: The Reverse Notification system will only be utilized and activated for emergency situations or school closures.

Warm Winter Wear:

Please be sure that your student(s) have warm winter wear available to use on campus. South Carolina weather is unpredictable and we want to encourage outdoor play and exercise as much as possible. Included on the appropriate clothing list are gloves, hats, closed toe shoes and coats. This recommendation is applicable to all students Infants thru High School.

COVID Notification:

Should your student(s) or anyone in your household have a diagnosis of Covid positive or a Direct or Indirect contact to a person diagnosed with Covid, please notify MSA immediately so we can take the proper course of action to reduce the rate of transmission on the MSA campus. Please send all communication to schoolnurse@msasc.org.

MSA Infectious Disease Policy:

Children are expected to be in good health when in school. All students must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school (without taking fever-reducing medication). Absences; excused or unexcused will be recorded for all students. Any student experiencing a fever 100.4°F or greater, vomiting, experiencing diarrhea, or simply feeling too poorly to focus or concentrate on classwork will be removed from the classroom. His/her parents/caregiver will be called to pick up the child. The child should be isolated until the parent arrives. No student will be allowed to leave campus without the direct consent of the parent/guardian.

COVID Change: Any student (or faculty/staff) who is diagnosed as COVID-19

positive will be reported to SC DHEC and MSA will follow their guidelines for when the student may return to school and whether others must be isolated/quarantined.

MASK REMINDER:

Please continue to send your child with a face covering each day. It is important that they have a clean, well fitting face mask. We do provide a disposable option if theirs becomes soiled while at school.

With wishes of peace and continued good health,

Susanna Merriman, RN

#MASKUP