COVID UPDATES--FALL 2021

Everyone is thrilled that we have been able to be back on campus full-time this year. Distance Learning and Hybrid instruction was hard on everyone: students, parents, teachers, staff. For a few months last year I was the designated “teacher” for three of my grandchildren so I can attest to the fact that having students back at school on a daily basis is wonderful. However, we must be cognizant of the fact that COVID is still part of our life, so we can’t call life “normal” yet.

When we read the Press Democrat or watch the daily news we are being reminded that we are currently in a surge caused by the delta variant of the virus. As a school, we have to follow the direction of the California Department of Public Health as well as the PCS District. Therefore, I want to let you know about the current protocols:

1. Volunteers: Only essential classroom volunteers are allowed on campus. An essential volunteer is one that is necessary, not preferred or helpful, for the effective running of the classroom program. A good example would be parents that help with “Centers” in the primary grades.

1. Starting 9/6/21 all classroom volunteers are REQUIRED to show their vaccination card as proof of vaccination to the office.

2. Volunteers MUST come to the office and fill out a daily health screening form before going to a classroom.

3. Volunteers MUST wear a mask at all times while on the campus, both inside and outside.

4. Only IMMEDIATE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS of students may volunteer. (They must live in the same house as the student.)

2. Parents continue to be required to fill out the daily health screening on Parent Square for their children.

3. Penngrove School follows strict guidelines regarding Covid exposure. If there is an exposure at school, the school nurse and district Covid Coordinator work with our staff. Parents are notified and given directions for isolation, quarantine, and testing. If a class is placed on “Modified Quarantine” the students are allowed to be at school and home only. They are not to engage in activities such as sport teams, ballet, martial arts, etc.

4. At times students are absent and parents forget to call in the reason for the absence. If a student comes to school after an absence and there hasn’t been parent contact, the student CANNOT participate in class and will have to sit in the medical tent until we can contact a parent. Please remember to call, email, or use Parent Square to let us know why your children are absent.

5. Once in a while when a student is having a hard day, they might tell their teacher that they feel sick. In our current Covid climate that sets off a whole course of action: testing, quarantining…..Parents, please talk to your children about this and let them know that it is okay for them to tell their teacher that they are having a hard time, or that their feelings got hurt, or they are having a peer issue. Our dedicated teachers and staff will respond kindly and professionally AND you won’t need to bring your child to the doctor or testing site for Covid testing.

From the Principal

This morning I met with a large group of people, all of whom are concerned about traffic issues at Penngrove School during morning drop-off and dismissal. The group included Supervisor David Rabbitt and a member of his staff, Johannes Hoevertsz, Sonoma County Director of Transportation and Public Works and a member of his staff, Officers from the CHP, business owners, longtime Penngrove residents, and parents.

Many ideas for mitigating the awful flow of traffic were discussed and will be explored. Some things can be done quickly, while others will require time to implement. However, there is one thing that everyone who drives to Penngrove School can do immediately and that is to be courteous and respectful of everyone else. The Director of Transportation and Public Works told us that 15 thousand cars travel past Penngrove School on Petaluma Hill Road DAILY. I was amazed by that number. As a school, the safety of our students is our primary concern. It is important that everyone follows the traffic regulations and the CHP will be here at times to assure that happens and to cite drivers that break the law which includes blocking the intersection. The county will be working with the school district to install a “Right Turn Only” sign that will be seen as you leave the parking lot. It will be placed on county land so that it can be enforced by law enforcement. In the meantime, we ask that everyone adhere to the statement that was on the old sign, “Be Polite, Turn Right!”

Best Regards,

Mrs. Rudder

September is Pedestrian Safety Month: Be Predictable and Look Out for One Another

Help get your little panther(s) ready for next Friday's outta this world's 2021/22 Jog-a-thon!

Get them in the space spirit after their meteor-shower by spending a few star-bucks on some space gear!

The sky is the limit! But remember to be safe rather than starry and make sure they can jog through the galaxies in whatever they are wearing!

I have two boys who are Panthers: my 6th grader Tyler and my 2nd grader Dylan. We love spending time together, having movie nights, and playing with our dog, Zoey.

Please say Hi whenever you see me walking around campus!

Layla