We are so happy to welcome both our new and returning families to a brand-new school year. Though we are getting used to some new things (Covid, phases, bubbles, oh my!), you can be sure that beneath our masks, we have huge smiles on our faces because we are just as excited as ever to start this new school year with our amazing Pinnacle families!
The wellbeing of our community is our number one priority. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have made some pragmatic changes to the start of our school year. Although some details will look different, our commitment remains to provide intentional learning opportunities rooted in developmentally appropriate and best practices. and the Reggio Emilia Approach.
So, how does a three-year-old socially distance? Your children are here to learn, grow, and expand their understanding and thinking. We understand the importance of hands-on, collaborative experiences anchored in relationships with both teachers and peers- which is why we developed the concept of “classroom bubbles.” Each classroom will socially distance as a cohesive unit with no intermixing of outside teachers or children.
Separation difficulties can be normal at the start of every school year. Some of our first-time students may have an especially hard time saying goodbye at the gate as they adjust to their new teachers behind a mask. Parents, this is hard. And we understand the enormity of our request for you to trust the process. The hand-off is often the hardest part and once in the classroom children become immersed in their paintings at the easel, intricate building of homes for their dinosaurs, and sense of belonging within their classroom family. Developing a consistent goodbye routine and talking to them about what they can expect will also help to alleviate some of their uncertainty.
We are cautiously optimistic we will be welcoming parents back into our classrooms as we move through the return phases outlined in A Path for our Return to Pinnacle. For now, although we will be physically distancing, we remain socially connected with parents as children’s first and most important teacher.
Have you ever asked your child what they did at school today and they replied, “Play?” It is reassuring to know a little about your child’s school day. Revisiting their experiences also facilitates deeper learning and connections. Your classroom Daily Journal remains an important tool in the emergent classroom. This one-page resource is emailed out at the end of every class day and highlights some of the meaningful play, learning, and relationships from the day. It is important to remember that even if your child is not featured in the day’s Daily, it is intended as a starting point for cultivating conversations with your child. We encourage you to find a moment to slow down and share it will your child; ask what they remember from the experiences and about their other classmates. You can also stay connected by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and this blog where we will periodically highlight children’s thinking and role as active sense-makers in their own education.
Some things look different, but the important things have stayed the same. We remain committed to our students and families as an active community dedicated to raising competent, creative, and caring children. Together we are stronger- we’ve got this!
Helpful Resources:
A Path for our Return to Pinnacle https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5771608c414fb5bdf8e68072/t/5f4fd2f72fa4ee1e6d740683/1599066871780/PPP+Path+to+Return+Fall+2020+%28reduced+size%29.pdf
Pinnacle Presbyterian Preschool Covid-19 Child Health Screening Questionnaire
(to be completed each day your child attends school)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGhqaz7qSUTHd_soKy7NDWjKMeUYCzSEJLZgHQYFMOHSCn6Q/viewform
Conscious Discipline on Covid-19
https://consciousdiscipline.com/covid19/
