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We wanted to know WHAT IS WORKING IN 20-21? What should we keep? What new things did we learn this year about how to do "school" differently and better? Many of our families joined us for discussions on these topics, and you can find here the recordings of the three CM family town hall discussions from Early Ed and Nurtury, Elementary, and Teen families. If you have further information to share, or couldn't make the meetings, please feel free to email Barbara Burke Fondren directly with your ideas or suggestions!

Visit this link to view a story from the News and Tribune about our CM Community Food Pantry - open 24/7, stop by at any time - no applications required. Visit this page on our website for all the information about the pantry. #CMintheNews #CommunityMontessori

Please find here the recording of the CM family update held Friday, January 8th, 2021. At the end of an emotional and stressful week, with news of both Clark and Floyd Counties moving to “RED” status for COVID infections, and the turmoil in the US Capitol, we had a great discussion today with our families about some strategies for moving forward. We know that working hard to come back to in-person instruction is important to everyone. With this in mind, CM has decided to stay with the same plan created before Winter Break and bring back on campus all Nurtury Learners and Early Education learners on the Hybrid Schedule. ALL of the details are below. Please read this carefully and continue to stay vigilant so that we can try to move forward and keep our school community safe! IN SUMMARY: We miss our children/teens/families! Please stay healthy and read about resources for mental and emotional health in our Courage at CM email, here, and on our INFORMontessori Blog from our School Nurse Consultant, Susan Rothbauer. The schedule below could change at any time due to community spread and CM needs. NURTURY will re-open on 1/11/21 - Nurtury will be opening for all families. Please read additional emails sent directly to you about this program. EARLY EDUCATION will re-open 1/11/21 - Early Education will be open for the Family Support Program (FSP) learners AND hybrid learners. The hybrid Wednesday schedule will be communicated by the studios. Extended learning will be open for Early Education learners only. ELEMENTARY AND TEENS OFF-CAMPUS from 1/5/21 - 2/9/21 - Families enrolled in the elementary and teens will continue to learn OFF-CAMPUS. Extended learning will be closed for these learners. Anticipated re-opening of elementary and teens programs on 2/10/21, and this will be communicated in a family video call at noon on February 1, 2021. PLEASE REMEMBER: FEBRUARY PPC DATE CHANGE - These PPC dates are moved from Thurs. 2/11 and Friday 2/12 to MONDAY, 2/8 and TUESDAY 2/9. This helps to equal out the hybrid learner attendance between Peace and Harmony groups if full Hybrid comes back on-campus. WHILE THERE WILL BE NO LESSONS THESE TWO DAYS, THEY ARE COUNTED TOWARDS YOUR CHILD/TEEN’S ATTENDANCE. Click this link to sign up now for a slot in your studio (be sure to select the correct studio or advisory tab at the top of the sign up). Families should make sure they are connected for text messages (text YES to 67587 to make sure you are signed up). Any closures for COVID and/or inclement weather will be communicated via text. All of this is subject to change based on changing scenarios, community COVID updates, and continuing availability of staff attendance/illness to support the programs. For those returning to campus, please remember this important information: Families should keep their children home if they exhibit any of the symptoms identified on the Parent Screener from ISDH (and linked in the CM Pandemic Plan). This could be up to 14 days, please check with your studio teachers about that process if any situations may apply to you. ANY exposure defined as a close contact for any household member (around the COVID positive individual for 15 minutes) should ABSOLUTELY stay home for 14 days, per the CDC guidelines. We know that making decisions for your child to come on campus during the next few months can be a complicated decision. We understand;). If you were a part of the Family Support Program (FSP) or Hybrid Program, and no longer have a NEED for these programs and prefer to keep your child Off-Campus, please use this Change of Program Form to let us know. You can also use this form to communicate if you want to be added to the waitlist for the FSP program. We appreciate your support, and consideration of others who may need to request these learning options.

Please find here the recording of the CM family update held Wednesday, December 16th, 2020. As the year 2020 comes to a close, we stand united with our families toward a hopeful 2021. We the CM staff have learned so much this year and we are so grateful for your perseverance, dedication, and partnership. You are our heroes and your essential support of your children in this partnership is something we are humbled by each day. IN SUMMARY: We miss our children/teens/families! Please stay healthy and read about resources for mental and emotional health in our Courage at CM email, here. Families should keep their children home if they exhibit any of the symptoms identified on the Parent Screener from ISDH (and linked in the CM Pandemic Plan). This could be up to 14 days, please check with your studio teachers about that process if any situations may apply to you. ANY exposure defined as a close contact for any household member (around the COVID positive individual for 15 minutes) should ABSOLUTELY stay home for 14 days, per the CDC guidelines. NURTURY planning to re-open on 1/11/20 - Nurtury will be opening for all families. Please read additional emails sent directly to you about this program. EARLY EDUCATION planning to re-open 1/11/20 - Early Education will be open for the Family Support Program (FSP) learners AND hybrid learners. The hybrid schedule will be communicated by the studios. Extended learning will be open for Early Education learners. ELEMENTARY AND TEENS OFF-CAMPUS from 1/5/20 - 2/9/20 - Families enrolled in the elementary and teens will continue to learn OFF-CAMPUS. Extended learning will be closed for these learners. Anticipated re-opening of elementary and teens programs on 2/10/20, and this will be communicated in a family video call the week of 2/1/20. FEBRUARY PPC DATE CHANGE - These PPC dates are moved from Thurs. 2/11 and Friday 2/12 to MONDAY, 2/8 and TUESDAY 2/9. This helps to equal out the hybrid learner attendance between Peace and Harmony groups if full Hybrid comes back on-campus. Click this link to access an updated school calendar for your reference. Families should make sure they are connected for text messages (text YES to 67587 to make sure you are signed up). Any closures for COVID and/or inclement weather will be communicated via text. All of this is subject to change based on changing scenarios, community COVID updates, and continuing availability of staff attendance/illness to support the programs. We know that making decisions for your child to come on campus during the next few months can be a complicated decision. We understand;). If you were a part of the Family Support Program (FSP) or Hybrid Program, and no longer have a NEED for these programs and prefer to keep your child Off-Campus, please use this Change of Program Form to let us know. You can also use this form to communicate if you want to be added to the waitlist for the FSP program. We appreciate your support, and consideration of others who may need to request these learning options. As we near the winter solstice, we can rest easy in knowing that the daylight will extend a little each day after. May your families find hope in this season of lights and continue to collaborate, lean on, create community with this extended Community Montessori family. We look forward to the day when there is a steady hum on campus and we can be eye to eye in a 4D way soon. We love and miss you!

This post was written by Susan Rothbauer, Nurse Consultant at Community Montessori. She is sharing some of her tips to help during these particularly stressful times. You can also check out the recent Courage @ CM email from December 15th for more tips and resources! As we near the end of this most trying year, many humans (and maybe even some of us!) are experiencing COVID burnout, overwhelm, and an increase in anxiety, depressive symptoms, and substance abuse. Now that we have a vaccine on the way, many of us see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel, yet we are still IN THE TUNNEL! Going into our period of Winter Break, I wanted to take some time to personally share some suggestions from me as a nurse, but also a fellow human for activities that you may consider to incorporate to support yourself or your family. It’s important to remain steady in our safety practices, wearing our masks, social distancing, and avoiding crowds, etc., but it’s also important to treat ourselves with care and loving attention. Here are some ways that we can care for ourselves, and, in some cases, even help others in the process. Order dinner out. We can support local restaurants without putting ourselves at risk, by having our food delivered, or picking it up, often at curbside. Drink lots of water. Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and veggies. Get some exercise each day, preferably outside if the weather permits. Increase handwashing! Wash your hands hourly for 20-30 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Teach younger children this important habit as well. Limit exposure to the news or social media, particularly if it contributes to feelings of anxiety. Volunteer for a cause. Many volunteer opportunities are on hold for now, but you can still help by providing food and/or money, and there is no shortage of organizations supporting both people and animals. Or donate blood or platelets. These activities support those less fortunate than ourselves, and they also provide a big boost to our self-esteem. At least once a day, clean common surfaces such as kitchen and bathroom countertops, light switches, remote controls, and other high-touch surfaces. Learn a craft, such as knitting or soap-making. With a little practice, you can make handmade gifts for some of those on your gift list. Clean out your closet! Donate items that you haven’t worn in a year to Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or a local homeless shelter. Avoid nonessential indoor spaces and crowded outdoor settings, such as shopping centers, restaurants, sports arenas, theaters, and even churches. If you are at higher risk, you may want to consider having a friend or neighbor run errands for you. Also, many food stores are now offering delivery to either curbside or to your home. Your well-being is worth it. Practice gratefulness. Spending a few minutes at the beginning of each day thinking of several things for which you’re grateful can put you in a positive frame of mind that can last all day. In the evening, go back over your day and list 3 or more things that went well, or things that you accomplished. Remind yourself to feel good about all the good you are doing! Play with the dog! Or the cat! It’s good for you, and for them, too! Revive the art of letter writing and become a pen-pal. Set up a regular Zoom or Google Meet meeting for your family and/or friends. Even though it may not be safe to spend time with those we love in person, we can still interact and enjoy each other remotely. We don’t have to be isolated! Also note that the CDC recommends wearing a mask even inside if someone in the home is infected with COVID, or you are with someone who is vulnerable, such as an older person or one with chronic health conditions. Set up a regular practice of meditation or prayer, inspirational reading, and journaling. This item fits in nicely with the gratefulness practice. It can take just a few minutes a day, or it can take an hour or more, but it’s all beneficial. Use a “brain-training” app, such as Elevate to keep you on your mental toes! Maintain physical distance and limit in-person contact with those outside of your household. This is important even during the holidays. This is hard, but you-re also protecting yourself and those you love. Take a bubble bath. A nice, long soak in the tub, especially near the end of the day, can’t be beat, and it sets you up nicely for a great sleep. And that’s another great self-care tip; get enough sleep! Quarantine if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus. The CDC recommends a full 14 days of quarantine after an exposure, along with testing on day 5 or later, especially if you develop symptoms. Add your own self-care thoughts. We are all different and have different needs, so if my ideas about what constitutes good self-care don’t jibe with yours, think of some things that would work for you! BE WELL! Below are some additional Mental Health Tips shared from the Indiana Department of Health taken from the CDC: The COVID 19 pandemic is stressful for people. Fear and anxiety can be overwhelming and can cause feelings of isolation and loneliness. Stress during a pandemic can cause: Fear and worry about your own health and that of your loved ones, your financial situation or job, or loss of support services you rely on. Changes in sleeping or eating patterns Difficulty sleeping or concentrating Worsening of chronic health conditions Worsening of mental health conditions Increased use of tobacco and/or alcohol and other substances Seek help if needed. If you or someone you care about is distressed or is unable to complete their usual activities because of worry, stress or nervousness over the course of several days or weeks, seek help from a trusted clergy member, counselor, or doctor. See the attached reference sheet for resources in case you need emergency help: https://emergency.cdc.gov/coping/selfcare.asp Other helpful links: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html https://www.cdc.gov/corovirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/stress-coping/index.html www.bewellindiana,org www.projectawarein.org Mental Health Resources: Get immediate help in a crisis: Call 911 Be Well Crisis Helpline: call 211, follow prompt for mental health and select option 3 Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish), or text TalkWithUs for English or Hablanos for Spanish to 66746. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK, 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish, or Lifeline Crisis Chat. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522 National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-8804AChild (1-800-422-4453) National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or Online Chat The Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 TTY Instructions Veteran’s Crisis Line:1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Crisis Chat or text: 8388255 Find a healthcare provider or treatment for substance use disorder and mental health: Treatment Connection Website LookUp Indiana SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) and TTY 1-800-487-4889 Treatment Services Locator Website Interactive Map of Selected Federally Qualified Health Centers

Please find here the recording of the CM family update discussion held November 18th, 2020. In summary, from the family call: Due to the continuing significant increase of cases statewide and locally, and in partnership with conversations from the Floyd County Health Department and surrounding school districts, Community Montessori will be moving to ALL OFF-CAMPUS INSTRUCTION (INCLUDING FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM AND ALL EARLY EDUCATION/COMMUNITY NURTURY LEARNERS) after we return from the November break. OFF-CAMPUS INSTRUCTION FOR ALL LEARNERS will continue for three weeks from Monday, November 30th - Friday, December 18th. No learners will return to the building until at LEAST Tuesday, January 5th. Please note that January 4th is a staff inservice day and no planned instruction will take place on that day. A CM Family Update call will be hosted on Wednesday, December 16th at noon to announce the plan for any potential on-campus learning starting January 5th. Please hold the date on your calendar and look for a link to sign up for this meeting in future emails. We know this is very difficult for some of our families! We are here to support you, and we also want to help us support each other. Some families will be challenged with their work requirements and care/supervision of their children. To assist us all in partnering to support each other, we have created the linked Google Form. Families will view this Google Sheet as families start sharing needs and abilities to support. Similar to the Family Carpool Sheet, as you identify a family that may be able to support you, please contact them and discuss protocols, philosophy, etc. We recommend connecting with each other as soon as possible to set up potential support. You can sign up to ASSIST others who may need childcare/supervision support with their children at this time. You can sign up to REQUEST help with child care and off-campus learning during this time. SIGN UP TO REQUEST CHILDCARE/OFFER CHILDCARE ON THE GOOGLE FORM LINKED HERE. The sooner you fill out this form, the sooner you will be able to give and get support to/from our CM family - view the spreadsheet with the responses, here. We strongly encourage you to ask for support if you need it, and make an offer of support if you can! We can all pull together and help each other. We also know that there may be some needs created by this situation (or ongoing from the Pandemic) in terms of resources needed, services needed, etc. We have relaunched our CM Coronavirus Pandemic Family Resources Spreadsheet (this will also be linked on the website and in Cupola Notes each week). Hopefully these surveys and the results will help us share any community resources or offers of support within our school community here for other needs, beyond childcare. Visit this Google Sheet to see any new responses submitted as well as the past responses from families and our updated school resource list on the first tab of the document. CM Family Pandemic Resources Survey CM Family Pandemic Offers of Service/Help Survey CM Family Pandemic Needs Survey (for your family or organization) Health/Coronavirus survey (please do not respond if you are negative) to share any knowledge about your family’s direct experience with the virus.

Please find here the recording of the CM family update discussion held Tuesday, October 20th, 2020. In summary, due to the continuing increase of cases statewide and locally, the Hybrid program will not be starting on October 26th. The earliest the Hybrid program will start in full capacity will be January 2020. We will give another update by December, if not sooner, about the status of the school and on-campus programs. If you wish to request an early start in the Hybrid program for your learner, please use this form to make the request. Please fill out the form once for EACH enrolled child for whom you wish to make the change. You can also use this form to request a change to Full-Time Off-Campus learning, which will be approved as soon as you make the request. As we come back from the break and we have gathered more information about how the virus spread is increasing in the community, we wanted to take a moment and share important reminders for On-Campus learners about what steps to follow if anyone in the family does not feel well. With the changing nature of the virus, these guidelines are expected to change but the more precautions we take, the better prepared we will be. COVID19 SCREENING AND ON-CAMPUS COMMITMENTS: Screening BEFORE arrival is an essential part and a very vital step in ensuring that we are able to continue to stay open. Please screen your child by using our COVID19 Symptom Screener (including checking their temperature) BEFORE dropping them off. If your learner exhibits any symptoms, please plan for Off-Campus learning until you are able to confirm that these symptoms are not related to Coronavirus. If your child has been tested recently, please make sure they complete their testing cycle AND complete their quarantine period before they enter our campus. Reach out to your studio teachers if you have any questions about this process. When you agreed to On-Campus School, you completed an agreement through FACTS that included information about the following commitments and is linked here for your reference: Families will screen children/teens at home every day they attend On-Campus School. If child(ren)/teen(s) have any of the listed symptoms, they will move to Off-Campus School. Families will verify all parent and emergency contact info is complete and accurate and make any updates immediately (i.e. new phone numbers) AND be able to pick up their child from school within ONE HOUR via one of these emergency contacts. If a COVID-19 test is given, the child/teen will stay in Off-Campus School until results are finalized. If a COVID-19 test is given and it is negative but the learner still has symptoms, communicate with your studio teachers at least 24 hours in advance of returning to agree on a plan before coming back to campus. If a COVID-19 test is given and a positive result is confirmed, this will be communicated to CM Director, Barbara Burke Fondren, within two hours of parents being notified, and the family will follow the steps given by the school. If a learner(s) has a family member (including siblings) who tests positive for COVID-19, the learner/sibling will need to self-quarantine for up to 14 days before returning to school. Please communicate with the studio teachers. If a learner is considered a close contact, they will need to be quarantined for at least 14 days before coming back on campus. Please communicate with your studio teachers. Families will not be entering the school during the day unless they are a planned substitute or for some other planned reason. Based on the current knowledge of COVID 19, we acknowledge that our child is at more risk of becoming infected when enrolled in the ON-CAMPUS SCHOOL. FACE COVERING GUIDELINES - PLEASE READ AGAIN! With the consistent new information about face coverings and safety, please read the following plan on face covering guidelines when on campus: Learners in the 6-9 year old program and up, should wear cloth or disposable face masks. They are able to take a break from their face masks and/or wear face shields when they are given permission from their studio teacher - usually when 12’ away from others. They can always wear face shields over face masks as the safest protection. Learners should be encouraged to use lanyards to hold their face masks and fold their face mask so the insides are touching. Learners should bring at least one spare face covering to school daily. Staff in studios can wear face shields without face masks when they are 12’ away from others for up to 30 minutes. Staff working solo in open spaces or closed spaces should wear face shields or face masks at all times. If staff are touching shared materials without a face mask on, they should sanitize all materials before returning them to the shelf. While inside, learners in the 3-6 program will be supported in wearing face masks but can wear face shields during this learning period. They will be able to take a break(with limits) from their face coverings when they are 12’ away from others(we will encourage them to use their face shield when taking a break from their face mask). While outside, staff and learners can run and play without face coverings while doing solo activities. When playing within 6’ of others, they should wear either a face mask or a face shield. Lunch Procedures: Studios should work to maintain 6’ distance when eating. Studios should eat outside when possible. Studios should eat in shifts when possible. Learners should put their mask back on when moving around in the studio. If a learner is not planning on wearing a face covering, they should opt for Full Time Off-Campus School.

Please find here the recording of the CM family update discussion held Monday, October 5th, 2020. The primary topic of discussion was the plan for Hybrid families and any potential scheduled start date. The talk also included recent updates on the pandemic and how it is effecting CM. There will be another CM family update via video call on the current pandemic situation and the school on Tuesday, October 20th at 12pm. The new potential start date for the full Hybrid program is on Monday, October 26th and an update on that will be given on the 20th. Although ages 6 and up through Teens will not officially start the Hybrid Program, families who feel this is a strong need for their learner to be on campus for 2-3 days per week, can directly email their studio teachers. Studios will add learners as they have capacity and the school can still prioritize safety for staff and learners on campus. All of this is subject to change based on changing scenarios and primarily continuing availability of staff at the school to support the programs. Please keep a close eye on any emails and communication from the school as the pandemic situation continues to evolve!

Please find here the recording of the family reopening discussion held Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020. The primary topic of discussion was the plan for Hybrid families who were scheduled to start on September 8th. The talk also included many recent updates on the pandemic and how it is effecting CM. The Early Education program will start Hybrid learners on September 8th, unless a parent opts to keep them at home. This is ok to do, and will not cause the family to "lose" the Hybrid spot. Ages 6 and up through Teens will not officially start the Hybrid Program on September 8th. However, families who feel this is a strong need for their learner to be on campus for 2-3 days per week, can directly email their studio teachers. Studios will add learners as they have capacity and up to around 35% of learners per studio. All of this is subject to change based on changing scenarios and primarily continuing availability of staff at the school to support the programs. You can view a link to the Parent Symptom Screener (updated 8/27/20) here. You can view updated Family Quarantine information (8/27/20) here. Please keep a close eye on any emails and communication from the school as the situation continues to evolve!

Please find here the recording of the family reopening discussion held Friday, August 14, 2020. We covered all of the important school wide communication sent out the first week of school, as well as recent updates on the pandemic. You can also view a transcript of the chat in the call, here. (This week's discussion included a few links that would be good for information and reference.) Please keep a close eye on the Cupola Notes for more information, as always, and we will host more opportunities for discussions as they are needed.

Please find here the recording of the family reopening discussion held Tuesday, July 21, 2020. The session included discussions and updates specific to teens (first segment), elementary (second segment) and early education (third segment). Please keep a close eye on the Cupola Notes for more information as our Working Pandemic Plan may adjust.

Please find here the recording of the family reopening discussion held Monday, June 29th, 2020. Please keep a close eye on the Cupola Notes for more information throughout the summer.