August 20, 2021
Dear Parents,
We have been so happy to have all the classrooms buzzing with activity as our students return to campus this week. The sounds of children playing, singing and making new discoveries have been so exciting as I experience my very first back-to-school week as Executive Director. We are delighted that your family has joined us for a new year of growth and learning.
We know that you likely have questions about the Governor’s health update and our evolving process to ensure the safety of your children and our entire community. We are in touch with the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) and Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) to stay up to date on the latest protocol. I will share information with our Escuela community as frequently as necessary to make sure everyone has the most current information possible.
In response to the uptick in cases and concern about the Delta variant, we are increasing some restrictions. In the interest of increased safety, we are making the following updates to our current operating plan, beginning Monday, Aug. 23. These will also be updated in the Covid Operating Plan, available on the homepage of our website.
- Children 3 years and older will wear masks at all times on the school grounds, unless eating, drinking or napping.
- Only vaccinated adults who have submitted the Vaccination Verification Form will be allowed on campus to pick up their child from Before Care (7:30-8 a.m.) or Extended Day (3:45-5 p.m.). For everyone else, we are providing assisted pick-up from 4:30-5 p.m. in the south parking lot. We are no longer providing the Health Screening option to enter campus. No visitors will be allowed inside the classroom; vaccinated adults who come on campus to pick up a child must wait outside the classroom, and a staff member will bring the child out.
- Everyone who enters the campus must wear masks both indoors and outdoors.
Additionally, given the increase in students attending in-person school city-wide and a spike in positive cases statewide, including breakthrough infections in people who have been vaccinated, it is important to state that we might be faced with temporary classroom or school closures. This is an outcome we were lucky (and vigilant) enough to avoid last year, and will do everything in our power to prevent this year. But we must plan for every possible scenario, and, if this occurs, we are prepared to meet your child’s social, emotional and educational needs remotely. We also remind you that in the event that you have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid – even if you have been vaccinated – do not enter campus or send your children to school. Notify the NMDOH and the office.
In-person school is optimal for children to learn, to explore community building and to practice collaboration. At Escuela, we are committed to providing this opportunity safely and seamlessly, but this is not something we can do without your help. Last year, Friedje called upon our “QuaranTEAM” to be active participants in keeping our community safer. And, this year, I am calling on parents, guardians, relatives and friends of our children to continue to be diligent in promoting and implementing best practices with regard to the pandemic. You are entrusting us with your children, but you are also entrusting one another.
We keep each other and our children safer by practicing an abundance of caution and not taking unnecessary risks; by helping children practice mask wearing, and modeling proper mask wearing ourselves; and by washing hands thoroughly and frequently.
I hold the sincere belief that everyone on our “QuaranTEAM” will do their part to make this a safe and successful year for all of our children. I want to thank you, our families, for your ongoing commitment to the community and our safety. You have been incredible allies in a difficult time and, for that, we are all extremely grateful.
With gratitude,
Kate Chavez
Executive Director
