COVID FAQ’s
When Little Miners Montessori re-opens on August 31st, we will continue to offer the high quality care and education that LMM is known for, create a healthy-at-school experience that will benefit all of our children socially and emotionally, and ensure the utmost care for all members of our community.
Thank you to all the families who are enrolled for the 2020/21 school year. As we learn more about the virus, LMM will continue to follow what the science and authorities suggest for the health and safety of our community. We will communicate any and all changes with you as they occur.
Additionally, we appreciate the flexibility and understanding of our LMM community as we forge new territory. We are embracing all change this year as an opportunity to safely grow and learn together.
Little Miners Montessori has and is doing their best to put these new policies in place to stay protected as a small school. LMM will offer smaller class sizes and has lowered the ratio in every classroom. Throughout the day, classrooms will not co-mingle with other classes but remain as a cohort with their teachers. Please feel free to communicate any concerns or suggestions that may be helpful to maintaining a safe and healthy school year. I appreciate and thank you all again for your support as we begin a new but different school year.
When Does School Start?
Monday August 31 or Tuesday September 1
Who are my child’s teachers and how do I know what classroom they are attending?
Every parent can access who their child’s classroom and teachers are through their account on Enrollsy.com. Every child will have art within their classroom with Miss Becky for 45 minutes a week.
How will Morning drop-off work?
When arriving at LMM for morning drop-off (8:30-9:00 A.M.) please pull up along the curb and patiently wait for a teacher to greet you. Drop-off begins at 8:30 A.M. If getting out of your car, we ask that you please where a mask and maintain 6 feet of distance. A teacher or staff member will welcome your child to school, ask if your child has any symptoms and take their temperature. The child will say their goodbyes and walk into the school to wash their hands before entering their classroom. We ask that parents do not enter the school. If necessary, please email or call the front office to schedule an appointment. Masks are required when entering the building at all times.
The following are the proper Drop off/Pick up entrances for each classroom
TODDLER PROGRAM
Aspen Class will Enter/Exit through the West playground gate
Birch Class will Enter/Exit through the front door or main entrance
EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM
Poplar Class will Enter/Exit through the front door or main entrance
Willow Class will Enter/Exit through the front door or main entrance
Maple Class will Enter/Exit through the EAST side classroom door
LOWER ELEMENTARY
Redwood Class will Enter/Exit through the East side playground gate and walk to the classroom door
Does my child & teacher/staff member have to wear a mask or face shield when at school?
If your child(ren) attend the Toddler Program, masks or face shields are not required for this age group. The teachers and staff are required to wear a face covering at all times throughout the day.
If your child(ren) attend the Early Childhood or Lower Elementary Program, masks or face shields are encouraged and reminded to be worn throughout the day. The teachers and staff are required to wear a face covering at all times throughout the day.
How will my child social distance from their friends when in the classroom and when on the playground?
As we know, this age group is very social, and it is often difficult to prevent them from social distancing. LMM will remind and encourage them to keep their distance when in the classroom and on the playground. Their teachers have set up the classroom to allow for more space and room while working and learning. There are limited chairs at each table and when working on the floor rugs are spaced 6 feet from each other.
How often is the school cleaned during the day?
LMM will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized twice a day. Following the morning session, each classroom and bathroom will be wiped down and cleaned. Tables/chairs, materials, sinks, toilets, counter tops, and cubbies will be disinfected. At the end of each day, this process will be repeated while vacuuming and fogging the entire school, including every playground by using a non-toxic disinfectant. The classroom windows will be open for proper ventilation.
Where will my child eat lunch?
The full- time toddler children will enjoy their lunch within their classrooms beginning at 11:45-12:30 P.M.
The Early Childhood classrooms will enjoy their lunch within their designated classroom from 11:30-12:15 P.M. For instance, if your child is in the Poplar class, they will all eat together in their classroom and not co-mingle with any other classrooms throughout the school. The Lower Elementary classroom will enjoy their lunch in their classroom from 12:15-1:00 P.M.
Every child should come prepared with their own healthy lunch that is organized in a lunchbox. Please include a cold pack to keep foods fresh. We ask that parents also pack a separate snack that is in its own container or prepackaged. Organizing your child’s lunch in LABELED washable containers is acceptable.
Where will my child have recess?
The Toddler classrooms will enjoy recess on their own specified playground. They will also coordinate between classrooms daily nature walks on the designated path along the school.
The Early Childhood classroom will all have their own specified playground and will play as a class after lunch from 12:15-1:00 P.M. The Poplar class will play on the WEST playground, the Willow class will play on the NORTH playground, and the Maple Class will play on the EAST playground.
The Lower Elementary classroom will have recess on the NORTH playground from 11:30-12:15 P.M.
If my child only attends the morning or afternoon session, when and how do I drop/pick them up?
If your child attends the Toddler MORNING session from 8:30-11:30 A.M., please pull up to the curb and a teacher or staff member will walk your child out to their car. There are no afternoon toddler classes, only morning and full day.
If your child attends the Early Childhood MORNING session from 8:30-11:30 A.M. without lunch, please pull up to the curb and a teacher of staff member will walk your child out to their car. If your child is joining us for the additional lunch hour for the morning session only, please pick up between 12:30-12:45 P.M. by pulling up to the curb and a teacher or staff member will walk your child to their car. If your child is attending the AFTERNOON session with lunch, please arrive by 11:20 A.M. and a staff member will check for symptoms, have your child wash their hands and walk them into their class for lunch. If your child attends the AFTERNOON session without the additional lunch hour, please arrive at 12:30 P.M. by pulling up to the curb and waiting for a teacher or staff member to greet you and walk your child to their class.
How will Afternoon pick-up work?
When arriving at LMM for afternoon pick-up (3:20-3:45 P.M.) please be patient and wait for your child to be walked out to their car with a teacher. If getting out of your car, we ask that you please where a mask and maintain 6 feet of distance. If needing to pick up your child earlier than the pick-up window, we ask that you please call the front office or send an email so we can get your child ready and walk them out to you. We ask that parents do not enter the school. If necessary, please email or call the front office to schedule an appointment. Masks are required when entering the building at all times.
When will Aftercare resume?
Aftercare will temporarily be put on hold until we are able to safely co-mingle as a school. When possible, we would offer aftercare Monday- Friday from 3:30-5:30 P.M for an additional cost. This extra charge would be added to your child’s current enrollment schedule and reflect on your Enrollsy account.
What if there is a Covid-19 case at LMM?
If there is a positive case of Covid-19 at LMM, we will notify all the parents and families to let them know which classroom has been exposed to the virus. The specific classroom will be shut down and every child and teacher within that classroom will be asked to quarantine for 14 days before returning to school. LMM recommends that all family members be tested and staff members. The teacher(s) will do their best to go online to stay connected to their students during the 14-day quarantine period. A deep clean of the classroom will be performed.
What if the Park City School District is ordered to shut down? Does LMM have to follow suit?
No, LMM is considered a childcare service/essential business according to the State of Utah, Department of Health and Child Care Services, www.childcarelicensing.utah.gov If Park City School District is forced to close and resume online learning, LMM will remain open. If a positive case of Covid-19 occurs within the school, we will contain the spread by closing down the specific classroom for the 14- day quarantine period.
What if my family decides to take a trip out of the state of Utah?
If a family takes vacation time during the school year and travels out of the state, the LMM rule requires that you MUST quarantine for 14 days unless you:
- are coming from a lower-risk state OR
- can produce, on request, proof of negative test result for Covid-19 from a test administered on a sample taken no longer than 72 hours before your child returns to school OR
- Must quarantine until you receive the negative test result, but you MUST quarantine until you obtain a negative result
What if my child is sent home with a symptom?
If your child is not feeling well while at school, LMM will immediately contact the parent(s) to come and pick them up. The child will be removed from the classroom and brought to the front office. We ask that a child who continues to have symptoms lasting longer than 48 hours be tested for Covid-19. The child who no longer is showing or has symptoms can return to school after 72 hours or can provide a negative test result.
What if one of my family members is sick or showing symptoms?
LMM respectfully asks that if any family member is not well or showing symptoms related to Covid-19, that their child not attend school until after 72 hours of no symptoms or can provide a negative test result before returning to school.
What if there is a positive case of Covid-19 at your child’s local school, daycare or place of work?
If a sibling attends another local program or school and a child is exposed or tests positive for Covid-19, LMM respectfully asks that the entire family quarantines for 14 days before returning to school. This rule also goes for any family member exposed or positive for the virus who may have contracted from their place of work.