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September 2021 Bulletin

Welcome everyone!  We hope all of you had a wonderful, safe and relaxing summer.  We know the first few days of school can sometimes be a time of high anxiety for both the children and their parents, especially during these unprecedented times. Please read our “Preparedness Plan” on our website, found under the Monthly Bulletin, which explains how we plan to implement precautions for our students, staff and Bright Beginnings Christian Preschool to stay safe and healthy.

 

The first day of school is Monday, September 13th for the MWF students and Tuesday, September 14th for the T-Th students. To minimize large groups in the preschool, only the student(s) and one parent are allowed in the building.  Adults are required to wear masks, unless they have a medical reason not to and students are not required, but strongly encouraged to wear masks. Please be aware of social distancing.  At drop off, place your student’s jacket and backpack on the floor below their name tag on the wall outside of their classroom.  Students then should be escorted to their classroom.  2 minutes before class is dismissed, your teacher will come out to talk to all parents to share information and answer any questions.  After the first day of school, parents will NOT be allowed in the building until it is safer.   

 

Second day of school and beyond, until it is safer, students will be dropped off and picked up curbside at the main entrance doors, forming a car-line from left to right.  Once your car is at the beginning of the line, you will be asked at each drop off the COVID Symptom Questions of your student,

Do they have a: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat or runny nose, new loss of taste and/or smell, in the past 14 days have they been in contact with someone who has tested positive, have they tested positive or is currently being ruled out, have they been instructed to self quarantine?  If the answer to all of  these questions is “No”, your student can be unbuckled and sent to the staff member who will take their temperature. 

 

Your child will be appointed a day to be the “Special Person” at some point.  At this time, your child will bring a snack and beverage to share with their classmates and teachers on that designated day.  The snack must be nutritious and store bought.  The beverages must be either a jug of 100% juice (62 oz.) or half gallon of milk.   Please be aware if your child has a friend in their class with a food allergy.  If you’re not sure, please enquire with your teacher.  

 

If you were not able to attend the Open House on September 8th, please contact your child’s teacher to receive the pertinent paper work.  Please make sure all of your forms are turned in.  If you have a returning student, please make sure their records are all updated.  This procedure is required by the State.  These forms include the Registration, Emergency Card, Permission, Immunization and Healthcare Summary.  Sign up for “Remind”.  Remind is a requirement of each family to receive important classroom/school messages via text.

 

Bright Beginnings Christian Preschool does have a website where you can access the Bright Beginnings Bulletin, Monthly Calendar, Yearly Calendar, and Forms. The web site address is www.bbc-preschool.com.  We also have a Facebook page you can “Like”, to be able to follow any of our school announcements!

  

At any time during the school year, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to speak with a staff member.  Communication will be extremely important this year as we navigate through another year of doing Preschool in a new way.  Together we hope your student(s) will have a safe and delightful preschool experience!

 

Live Jesus in our hearts.  Forever!

Your Bright Beginnings Christian Preschool Teaching Staff

 

Bright Beginnings Christian Preschool

COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS PLAN

2021-2022 School Year

Bright Beginnings Christian  Preschool is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our students, families, and staff members. This plan was developed in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to ensure we implement strategies and procedures to preserve public health.

This plan has been developed by the Preschool Director. Guidance and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Minnesota Department of Health.

 

  • BBCP PLAN FOR HANDWASHING:

Students will sanitize their hands during health screening at check-in, with hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol. Parents or staff will administer hand sanitizer and supervise students while using it. Sanitizer will not be accessible to students without parent or teacher help.

Students will wash their hands with soap and water after using the restroom, and before and after snack. Students will also wash their hands with soap and water after blowing or picking their nose, coughing, or sneezing, or placing hands in their mouth. Staff will supervise students while they are washing their hands to ensure proper handwashing technique. CDC guidance for handwashing will be posted by each sink.

Face coverings will be worn by staff members conducting health screenings and in contact with parents. Staff within the classroom can choose whether they would like to wear a face covering, they will not be required within the classroom. Any outside visitors or non-preschool staff members will be required to wear a mask. Outside visitors and non-preschool staff member exposure will be extremely limited. Face masks for students are not mandated, but strongly encouraged.

 

  • BBCP PLAN FOR CLEANING AND DISINFECTING:

All cleaning and disinfecting will be done following MDH and CDC guidelines, using approved products. For a list of products used, please contact the director.

Bright Beginnings Christian Preschool will clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, counters, tables and chairs, shared toys, program equipment, and other items. This will be done before and after each class session and throughout the day/class time.

 

  • BBCP PLAN FOR ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE:

We will be using the main doors for curbside drop off and pick up.  

ARRIVAL: Parents will do curbside drop off.

A designated staff member will greet families at the curb. A health screening will be conducted by a staff member when the student enters the building. Staff conducting health screenings will wear personal protective gear such as a mask and gloves. During the health screening temperatures will be taken. A physical assessment will be done of the child looking for any signs of illness including flushed cheeks, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing (without recent physical activity), fatigue, or extreme fussiness. Parent/guardian will be asked to confirm that the child does not have fever, shortness of breath or cough. If a child is presenting any signs of illness or has a temperature above 100 degrees, they will be sent home and any areas the student or parent came in contact with will be cleaned and disinfected immediately.

If a child passes the health screening, a staff member will escort that student to put their things away and be brought into the classroom where the teacher will greet them.

DEPARTURE:

Staff will dismiss child to parent at curbside at main doors.

 

  • BBCP PLANS FOR SICK CHILDREN, STAFF, AND VOLUNTEERS: 

Daily health checks for students will be performed upon arrival as listed above in section 3.

Health checks will also be performed on staff members upon arrival. Staff are asked to stay home if they are showing any signs of illness. We will not allow any volunteers at this time.

Staff and families will be expected to follow the exclusion guidance listed on the Decision Tree document put out by MDH. If you would like a copy of this document, please make a request and it will be emailed to you.

If someone becomes sick with COVID-like symptoms, they will be isolated and sent home. If a case of COVID is confirmed, students and/or staff with a confirmed case will follow the guidance listed on the Decision Tree. Any confirmed cases must be reported to the MN Department of Health, and they will determine when it is safe to return to school.

If a family member of a student or staff member has a confirmed case of COVID, the student or staff member will also be asked to quarantine for 10 days to assure they have not contracted the virus. A negative test result for the child or staff member must accompany their return.

The preschool director will oversee all communication regarding COVID and any information families or staff need to know.

 

  • BBCP PLAN FOR PHYSICAL DISTANCING THROUGHOUT THE DAY:

Physical distancing will be encouraged when appropriate.   We will not mix classes together for group activities.

Students will remain with a consistent group of students, in a consistent space, with consistent staff.

 

  • BBCP PLAN FOR SOURCE CONTROL AND CLOTH FACE COVERINGS:

Face coverings will be worn by staff members conducting health screenings and in contact with parents. Staff within the classroom can choose whether they would like to wear a face covering; they will not be required within the classroom. Any outside visitors or non-preschool staff members will be required to wear a mask within the classroom. Outside visitors and non-preschool staff member exposure will be extremely limited. This does not include custodial staff who will be in the room while school is not in session. Face masks for students are not mandated, but strongly encouraged. 

 

  • BBCP PLAN FOR VENTILATION AND AIR FLOW:

We will work with Maple Grove Covenant staff to ensure ventilation systems are working properly.

 

  • BBCP PLAN FOR MITIGATING COVID-19 IN PLAYGROUND USE:

We currently do not have access to a playground. However, large motor activities will take place outdoors when possible or in the gym otherwise.  Students will also wash hands after “gym” time.

 

  • BBCP PLAN FOR MITIGATING COVID-19 DURING MEALS AND SNACK TIMES:

Snack tables will be cleaned and sanitized before and after use. Students will wash their hands with soap and water before and after snack time. Staff will wash hands and wear gloves while preparing and serving snack. Students will be spaced out as much as possible.  The special person of the day will provide the snack for the class that is store bought and unopened.  Leftovers will not be sent home.

 

  • BBCP PLAN FOR MITIGATING COVID-19 DURING FIELD TRIPS AND EVENTS:

Once school starts, we will not participate in large group activities such as family events, whole school gatherings, parties or celebrations that involve outside assistance. These types of activities will be reviewed on a month to month basis to determine if we can add them to the program safely. 

 

  • BBCP PLAN FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND TRAINING:

This plan is available to all Bright Beginnings Christian Families. More specific details will be communicated separately to families about the school year protocols.

This plan will be received in an email and posted in our classrooms.

Staff will receive initial training on this document and continued training as any changes are made.