Conrad Updates
July 2020
What's new?
Dear Conrad Families,
How are you all? All of us here at Conrad have missed you so very much and we are so excited to see our students again on August 20th! I hope you are staying healthy and happy and have enjoyed these summer months.
As we look to begin this new school year, I want you to know that creating a safe learning environment is the top priority for our students and staff. As a parent, I think about my own children going back to school during this time and how safety is my highest priority. I consider all of the students and staff at Conrad "my children and family" and want to ensure that they all feel that sense of security. The most important safety measures that will be in place for our staff will include social distancing, frequent hand washing, and wearing a face covering/mask. For students, we will be teaching and practicing frequent hand washing, teaching and practicing adequate spacing (personal space), and our staff will be frequently cleaning and sanitizing play items/equipment. I hope this update will help answer additional questions you may have. Let's get this school year started!
To begin with, this week is Registration Week. Our wonderful secretaries, Melissa and Donna, have been busy meeting with parents to gather registration and welcome documents. If you have not done so yet, please use this registration link to schedule a time to turn in all necessary documents. Remember, you must wear a face covering and practice social distancing while in the Conrad foyer. In addition, class lists have been posted on the foyer windows.
I hope you all received the District 8 Reopening Plan last Friday, July 24th. If you did not receive it, you can find it on the district website at http://www.ffc8.org/reopening2020, or you can email me (sdlee@ffc8.org) and I will send it to you. As you review it, I'm sure there are questions related specifically to our preschool program. I want to make sure to answer a few of those questions here, but to also offer an opportunity to call and have any additional questions you may have. You can reach me at Conrad (719) 304-3500 throughout the week between 7:30-3:30. We are developing a building specific plan for our students and staff at Conrad, and will release more information after August 5th once teachers and paras have had the opportunity to review and share their thoughts and ideas.
Instruction
As stated in the D8 Reopening Plan, all preschool students will begin the school year in-person on August 20th, 2020. If you are concerned about your child attending school in-person due to medical needs, please call to speak to Mrs. Lee and discuss possible options. To clarify, the FFC8 Virtual Academy is not an option for preschool as it is not designed for preschool students.
As stated in the district's Reopening Plan for Preschool learning environments:
"• Students will be grouped together and stay together throughout the day (known as a “cohort”)
• Library will rotate into classrooms
• Cohorts will engage in outside recess at specific times of the day"
To clarify, our students' cohort will be their preschool classroom. Our classrooms stay within a ratio that supports a cohort of 16. At this time, our class sizes range from 10-14. With library, our students will still be able to check out a library book. For recess, classes will go one at a time, wash their hands before entering the playground as once they leave, and each classroom will bring their own toys to the playground which will be cleaned after use. Portable hand washing stations will be located on each playground to allow for hand washing while outside.
Face coverings/masks
Another question has been around the use of face coverings/masks. Preschool students will not be required to wear a face covering/mask. If you would like your child to wear a mask that you provide, you may do so. All staff will wear a face covering/mask. Teachers will have the option to wear a clear face shield so that students can see her face. I hope this helps relieve some anxiety for both parents and students!
Health Screening and Temperature Checks
All staff will be required to answer health screening questions specific to COVID and have their temperature checked daily at the start of the day. Students will have their temperature checked daily as they are signed into their session, and the health screening will be more observatory or parents may be asked questions as they check in their child. Once students check in and enter the classroom, they will be assisted in washing their hands before beginning any classwork. A nurse will also be at Conrad at the beginning of each session to assist with student or staff needs. More information will be contained in the Parent Handbook that will be available after August 5th.
Drop off/Pick up
Due to social distancing guidelines, our entries and exits for drop off/pick up will look different than they have in the past. The procedures are still being worked on, but we will not have all students dropped off/picked up in the office lobby.
Orientation
All parents/guardians are expected to participate in an orientation with their child's teacher. At this time, our program is working on specific details regarding what and how orientation will look. Be on the look out for more information to come about this!
Snacks
I am still working on clarification for snacks in the classroom. Students will still have snacks while attending their 3-hour session. Teachers will practice correct hand washing with their students before and after snack time. More information to come!
Transportation
Returning students may use their bus pass from last school year. New bus students, please email Melissa (mschneider@ffc8.org) a head shot picture of your child so that she can upload it into the system. Bus stop times and locations should be available around August 17th. For more information or questions specific to transportation, please contact the Transportation Dept. at (719) 382-1335.
I will be honest that there may be some questions that do not have answers just yet or information may change with additional guidance and recommendations from the CDC and El Paso County Health Department. As our district continues to work closely with these agencies, our Conrad team will continue working to build comprehensive plans to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff. Remember to check our Conrad Facebook page and/or our Conrad website for updates. Also, encourage your friends and neighbors to refer to these sites if they are seeking communication updates about preschool and early intervention.
In closing, I want to reiterate that safety is our top priority during this unprecedented time. Our staff is dedicated to providing your children continued in-person learning throughout the school year. Again, please call if you have additional questions or need more information that may not be clear through online communication. I value your partnership and appreciate your grace through this journey!
Stay safe and healthy! See you soon!
Stephanie Lee
Conrad Administrator
(719) 304-3500
How to stay in contact
Email: sdlee@ffc8.org
Website: https://www.ffc8.org/Conrad
Location: 10605 Jimmy Camp Rd, Fountain, CO 80817
Phone: (719) 304-3500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConradFFC8