Primary Parent Ed., COVID Clarity, and Montessori Week
In this week’s Lyonsgate update: Casa and Toddler Parent Education sessions; details of enhanced COVID safety measures; no crossing guards March 5; and a brief video interview with Maria Montessori for Montessori Education Week.
Parent Education sessions are intended to help parents of Montessori students better understand how and why Montessori education does things the way it does. It is quite different from the traditional education models many of us experienced, and rumour has it children aren’t always forthcoming with details of their school days.
Casa Parent Education
Wednesday, March 3, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Join the Lyonsgate Montessori Casa staff online for a parent education session to learn how Montessori education approaches language learning and development.
Zoom link was sent via email on Thursday, Feb. 25.
Toddler Parent Education
Thursday, March 4, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Join the Lyonsgate Montessori Toddler staff online for a parent education session to learn about how to incorporate Montessori practices and activities into your home to help your toddler’s development.
Zoom link was sent via email on Thursday, Feb. 25.
Enhanced COVID Safety Measures
We have more clarity on the enhanced measures in place since the return to school enhanced safety measures were announced. This week we had an info session with Hamilton Public Health to explain the new measures, the reasoning behind them, and to answer questions. There were over 200 attendees from child care centres across Hamilton, so you’re not the only ones trying to wrap your head around the new measures and requirements.
Basically, we are back to where we started in September:
- one symptom means exclusion
- asymptomatic siblings must also stay home
- expect more absences and longer wait times for tests and results
Important: you know your children best; if you know your child tends to report feeling unwell to avoid tasks, or when they may be feeling sad and missing home, please talk with them and tell them to please tell us what they are truly feeling — “I miss mom”/”I don’t want to do that”/etc. If they tell us they are feeling unwell we have to take them at their word and send them home, as well as all siblings, and COVID tests or doctor visits will be required. Thank you.
If you ever have any questions you can call Public Health’s COVID-19 line at 905-974-9848 option 2.
COVID tests can be booked here: https://www.stjoes.ca/coronavirus/covid-19-test-home
Lyonsgate’s screening forms have been updated with the new measures and requirements from the provincial government, including the “Next Steps” section after you hit “Submit.”
As has been the case throughout this school year, some of the directives come from the provincial government and some from Hamilton Public Health. It was explained to us this week that a significant reason for the more restrictive measures and the heightened degree of strictness in adhering to them are the COVID variants (B.1.1.7 — the U.K variant; B.1.351 — the South African variant; and P.1 — the Brazilian variant). It is known that the B.1.1.7. variant is more transmissible, but beyond that not a lot is known about the other variants or their effects.
Updated decision charts and Return Attestation forms are still to come from Public Health and we will share and post them at lyonsgate.ca as soon as we receive them. In the meantime, please see below for what to do if a child falls ill or fails screening for one of the other required reasons.
WHEN CHILDREN ARE SYMPTOMATIC
Next Steps
1. Contact the school/child care to let them know about this result.
2. They should isolate (stay home) and not leave except to get tested or for a medical emergency.
3. Talk with a doctor/health care provider to get advice or an assessment, including if they need a COVID-19 test.
4. Retake this screening every day before they go to school/child care.
5. If you think they have a cold or the flu, you should still talk with a doctor or get tested. Symptoms are similar to COVID-19.
Siblings or Other People You Live With:
They should stay at home until the student showing symptoms tests negative, is cleared by your local public health unit, or is diagnosed with another illness.
Going to School/Child Care Again:
Don’t forget to complete a Return Attestation form when they are ready to return to school.
Not sure about returning? Talk with a health care provider.
- If They Test Negative (they do not have the virus):
They can return to school/child care if ALL the following apply:
1. they do not have a fever (without using medication)
2. it has been at least 24 hours since their symptoms started improving
3. they were not in close physical contact with someone who currently has COVID-19
- If They Test Positive (they have the virus):
They can return to school/child care only when they are cleared by your local public health unit.
- If They Do Not Get Tested:
They must isolate for 10 days*. They may be able to return earlier if ALL the following apply:
1. a doctor diagnosed them with another illness
2. they do not have a fever (without using medication)
3. it has been at least 24 hours since their symptoms started improving
- If You Do Not Talk With a Doctor:
They must isolate for 10 days*. After the 10 days, they can return only when ALL the following apply:
1. they do not have a fever (without using medication)
2. it has been at least 24 hours since their symptoms started improving
*Note: we learned at the Public Health session this week that the 10-day isolation period is for symptomatic children. Asymptomatic family members/siblings must isolate for 14 days if the not tested and/or not talk with a doctor conditions are the case.
TRAVEL OUTSIDE CANADA
Next Steps:
1. Contact the school/child care to let them know about this result.
2. They should isolate (stay home) for 14 days immediately after their return except for a medical emergency.
3. Follow the advice of public health.
4. Retake this screening every day before they go to school/child care.
Returning to School/Child Care:
They can return to school/child care only when they are cleared by their local public health unit, regardless of test result.
If They Develop Symptoms:
Contact your local public health unit or doctor/health care provider for more advice.
Siblings or Other People You Live With:
They should stay at home for 14 days too.
IDENTIFIED AS A CLOSE CONTACT
Next Steps:
1. Contact the school/child care to let them know about this result.
2. They should isolate (stay home) for 14 days and not leave except to get tested or for a medical emergency.
3. Talk with a doctor/health care provider to get advice or an assessment, including if they need a COVID-19 test.
4. Retake this screening every day before they go to school/child care.
Returning to School/Child Care:
They can return to school/child care only after 14 days, regardless of test result.
If They Develop Symptoms:
Contact your local public health unit or doctor/health care provider for more advice.
Siblings or Other People You Live With:
Siblings and other people they live with can go to school, child care, or work, but should not leave the home for other, non-essential reasons for 14 days.
COVID ALERT (via the cell phone app)
Next Steps:
1. Contact the school/child care to let them know about this result.
2. They should isolate (stay home) and not leave except to get tested or for a medical emergency.
3. Visit an assessment centre to get them a COVID-19 test.
4. Retake this screening every day before they go to school/child care.
Returning to School/Child Care:
If they test negative (they do not have the virus), they can return to school.
If they test positive (they have the virus), they can return only after they are cleared by their local public health unit.
If They Develop Symptoms:
Contact your local public health unit or doctor/health care provider for more advice.
Siblings or Other People You Live With:
Siblings and other people they live with can go to school, child care, or work, but should not leave the home for other, non-essential reasons until the person who got the COVID Alert tests negative or is cleared by your local public health unit.
TOLD TO ISOLATE
Next Steps:
1. Contact the school/child care to let them know about this result.
2. They should isolate (stay home) except for a medical emergency.
3. Follow the advice of public health.
4. Retake this screening every day before they go to school/child care.
Returning to School/Child Care:
They can return only after they are cleared by their local public health unit.
If They Develop Symptoms:
Contact your local public health unit or doctor/health care provider for more advice.
Siblings or Other People You Live With:
Siblings and other people they live with can go to school, child care, or work, but should not leave the home for other, non-essential reasons.
No Crossing Guards Friday, March 5
Our friendly neighbourhood crossing guard has asked us to let you all know that there will be no crossing guards on duty on Friday, March 5. It is a public school PD day.
Montessori Interview and Education Week
Our friends at the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (CCMA) shared this very short, subtitled interview with Maria Montessori upon her return to Italy after her years spent in India (1947): https://montessori150.org/maria-montessori/maria-montessori-interview
The coming week is Montessori education Week and CCMA has a dedicated web page with a number of interesting videos and links: https://www.ccma.ca/montessori-education-week/. Enjoy!