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October 2021 Bright Beginnings Bulletin

 

The children are doing a great job getting to know the routine at school.  Thank you parents and grandparents for helping us make the drop-off and pick-up go smoothly!  We ask that you please label all of your student’s personal belongings, such as jackets and backpacks etc.  With you not coming into the building to help your child(ren) find their belongings, the teachers end up with a few extra articles of clothing that they don’t know who their owners are.  The month of October is extremely busy with many events.

 

We are excited to say we are Fundraising with Gerten’s Greenhouse this year!  Our Gerten’s 2021 Holiday Fundraiser kickoff begins on October 1st and ends on the 20th.  All purchases will be delivered on November 30th to the school. The greens and poinsettias are beautiful and perfect for the upcoming Holiday Season.  This fundraiser is our only way to raise money for our special events and equipment needed for the school.  If you need more order forms, please ask your teacher.  We would like to reach a goal of 100% participation by all students in the school.  With everyone’s support, we will make this fundraiser a HUGE success! 

 

On 10/4 there will be no preschool.  Osseo District is off.

 

Unfortunately our October 14th & 15th field trip to Waldoch Farms will be canceled due to the high transmissibility of COVID in Hennepin County making it unsafe for our littles. It breaks our hearts not to have this event for our students!  We were hoping and praying we would be able to get back to some normal preschool practices.  We do want to thank our Bright Beginnings Christian Preschool families for doing all they can to take COVID precautions. This helps our staff and students stay healthy and safe. 

 

On 10/21 & 22 the school will be closed for the MN Professional Conference.

 

On 10/28 & 10/29 we will be having our Pumpkin Parties.  When choosing your child’s costume for the Pumpkin Party at school, please keep in mind that they must be non-violent and bathroom friendly.  Some suggestions that work out nice are:  Animals, Insects, Prince/Princess, Cowboy/girl, Storybook Characters, etc.   In the past, the children have brought some type of treat to pass out to their classmates at the end of the party.  They usually go home with plenty of goodies to share with their family!  If the COVID transmissibility is 5% or above our Pumpkin Party Parents will not be able to conduct the party in the classroom.  You will be notified at the beginning of the week if this is the case.  If Party Parents are not able to come into the building, the teachers will implement the event for them.  

 

Other reminders for this month:  Please turn in your Health Care Summary signed by your healthcare provider before October 13th  if you haven’t already.    

 

As a reminder, we will be taking our school pictures on 11/9 & 11/10.  More information on Picture Day will be in the November Bulletin.

 

In God’s love,

Your Bright Beginnings 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.

(1) 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.

(2) 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.

(3) 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.

(4) 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 attached in the Decision Tree document put out by MDH. This document is found at the end of this plan.

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.

(5) 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.

(6) 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.

(7) BBCP PLAN FOR VENTILATION AND AIR FLOW:

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

(8) 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.

(9) 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.

(10) 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.

(11) 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.