Important Documents:
– Covid-19 Safety Plan (Including Covid-19 Prevention Plan and School Guidance Checklist)
– Middle School Re-opening Plan
– Elementary Re-opening Plan
– Covid Protocol Quick Reference Guide: What do I do if my child or household member has symptoms or is exposed?
History
The Valley Montessori School buildings were closed from March 16, 2020 through June 9, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our dedicated teachers and staff implemented distance learning during that time. VMS is committed to ensuring student and staff safety as we navigate this uncharted territory. We are continuously monitoring the guidance offered by the CDC, WHO, California Department of Public Health, the Livermore School District, AMS, CAIS, Community Care Licensing, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the joint guidance from the the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) in partnership with the Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE).
VMS opened 6/15/2020 for a summer program to support our families that were considered essential workers and those that needed to return to work outside the home. The program ended on Wednesday, August 5, 2020.
The 2020-2021 school year began on August 17, 2020. Toddler and Primary families were welcomed back to VMS with a complete on campus program including strict safety protocols. (A Distance Learning option was also available for Primary students.) The balance of the community participated in Distance Learning due to state mandate. For those families with parents that needed to return to work, we offered Elementary and Middle School students childcare which provided a place, supervised by VMS staff, to participate in Distance Learning.
Reopening Plan for In-person Instruction
We continued to follow the ACPHD/ACOE Guidance regarding a return to in-person instruction. Effective, October 13, 2020, Alameda County elementary schools were permitted to open for in-person instruction with strict safety protocols in place and a published reopening plan submitted to the county and posted on the school’s website. VMS began a thoughtful & measured approach to return to in-person instruction to ensure the integrity of the Distance Learning program remained intact during the transition. The plan was submitted to the ACPHD/ACOE on 10/15/2020. As case numbers decreased in Alameda County in March of 2021, VMS submitted a plan to the ACPHD/ACOE for expansion of in-person instruction in the elementary program and re-opened the Middle School for in-person instruction. All students wanting to come back to campus were permitted to do so. Those students that opted to stay home, remained in the Distance Learning program.
Summer Program and 2021-2022 School Year
VMS has moved to 100% in-person learning for all program levels, toddler through middle school. Safety protocols will continue in order to mitigate the risk of Covid-19 transmission, including masks for all students and staff while indoors.
Following is a list of VMS communications published since the onset of the pandemic:
April 28, 2021: Wednesday News
April 21, 2021: Wednesday News
April 14, 2021: Wednesday News
March 31, 2021: Wednesday News
March 24, 2021: Wednesday News
March 17, 2021: Wednesday News
March 10, 2021: Wednesday News
February 24, 2021: Wednesday News
February 17, 2021: Wednesday News
February 10, 2021: Wednesday News
February 3, 2021: Wednesday News
January 27, 2021: Wednesday News
January 20, 2021: Wednesday News
January 13, 2021: Wednesday News
January 6, 2021: Wednesday News: Looking Ahead in 2021
December 16,2020: Wednesday News: Staying Diligent over Break
December 9, 2020: Wednesday News: Health & Sickness Reminder
December 4, 2020: Stay at Home Order
December 2, 2020: Wednesday News: Staying Grateful
November 18, 2020: Wednesday News: Staying the Course
November 13, 2020: New VMS Travel Policy
November 11, 2020: Wednesday News: Collaboration
November 4, 2020: Wednesday News: The Value of a Montessori Education
October 28, 2020: Wednesday News: Conferences & Guidance regarding Symptoms
October 21, 2020: Wednesday News: A Message from our Board President
October 15, 2020: Reopening Plan for Elementary In-Person Instruction
October 14, 2020: Wednesday News: Thoughtful and Measured Planning
October 7, 2020: Wednesday News: Caring for our Community
September 30. 2020: Wednesday News: Fall Events
September 23, 2020: Wednesday News: Colds, Flu & Covid
September 18, 2020: Waiver Submission for Covid-19 Reopening Plan for Elementary In-Person Instruction
September 16, 2020: Wednesday News: Covid Liaison & Elementary Waiver Process
September 9, 2020: Wednesday News: Peace Curriculum
September 2, 2020: Wednesday News
August 26, 2020: Week Two
August 19, 2020: Welcome to the new school year!
August 12, 2020: Back to School Checklist: See Class Pages for links
August 5, 2020: Wednesday News: Gearing up for 2020 – 2021
July 29, 2020: Wednesday News: 2020-2021 Programs
July 24, 2020: Childcare for Distance Learning Students
July 22, 2022: Wednesday News: FAQs
July 17, 2020: Special Update Regarding School Reopening
July 15, 2020: Wednesday News
July 8,2020: Wednesday News including classroom video tours
July 1, 2020: Wednesday News
June 24, 2020: Wednesday News
June 17, 2020: Wednesday News: Summer Session Underway
June 10, 2020: Wednesday News: Year End Update and Important Dates
June 3, 2020: Wednesday News: Last week of School
May 27, 2020: Wednesday News: Summer Update & Clarifications
May 20, 2020: Wednesday News: Looking Ahead to Reopening
May 20, 2020: Registration is Open for Essential Worker Program
May 19, 2020: Essential Workers Childcare Program Protocols
May 13, 2020: Wednesday News: Community Impact Fund & Essential Worker Childcare Program
May 8, 2020: Free Online Parenting Workshops
May 6, 2020: Wednesday News Update including Learning Assurances
April 29, 2020: Wednesday News Update including Essential Worker Program
April 22, 2020: Weekly Wednesday News including Summer Update
April 15, 2020: Distance Learning Extended through June
April 3, 2020: Spring Break and Beyond
April 2, 2020: California Department of Education Update
March 27, 2020: Elementary and MS Update: Website Pages
March 27, 2020: Early Childhood Update: Website Pages
March 25, Update: Remote Learning extended through May 1, 2020
March 18, 2020: At Home Learning Update
March 16, 2020: Shelter in Place & Distance Learning
Common Sense Media – De-Stress During Coronavirus Uncertainty
Child Mind – Talking to Kids about the Coronavirus
March 13, 2020: School Closure
March 12, 2020: Gala Live Event Cancelled
March 10, 2020: Door Notice
Preventive Measures are Key!
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- Wear a face covering indoors.
- Practice social distancing by staying 3-6 feet from others outside your household.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Modeling this action as an adult reinforces its importance. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.