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August 12, 2020
Authored by:
Brian Berg-Principal and MPA Staff
We shall walk together on this path of life,
for all things are part of the universe
and are connected with each other to form one whole unity.
— Maria Montessori
Montessori Peaks Academy
Restart Plan
Fall 2020
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Montessori Peaks Academy Restart Plan
Principal’s Message
Hello MPA Families and Students,
Over the summer, MPA has been creating the best Restart Plan possible during the current
COVID-19 pandemic. During these challenging times I reflect on the stories of the past told to
me by my grandfathers. Both of these great men lived during the 1918 Influenza Pandemic,
Great Depression, WWII and other pandemics
such as polio and measles. Their advice was
simple, “Do your part!”, which to their generation
was to face the challenges head on, accept the
situation, and do your best. Simple advice, yet
wildly complex. The baseball picture from 1918
shows the players doing their part. We all have a
role to play during these times. and Maria
Montessori said it best, “We shall walk together
on this path of life...” We, together, will walk
through this pandemic, through the challenges and do it with grace and courtesy.
On the following page, the MPA staff has reaffirmed their commitment to your child’s health,
safety, and learning needs, which means doing our part whether it is learning in-person or
learning remotely. Changes will continue to happen all during the year, but our commitment to
the MPA vision, mission and values are timeless.
The document you are about to read will change by the week moving forward. As we learn
about the pandemic, we as a charter school must shift and adapt along the way in order to stay
safe for everyone involved. This working document, or MPA Restart Plan, is for both parents,
staff and the MPA Board of Directors to work from, question, revise and update to the best of
our abilities. Parents, as you read the document, ask yourself what is my part that I must do to
ensure my family's safety, as well as, the MPA staff safety. If each of us does our part, then we
together become our own champions and heroes.
Peace and Progress,
-Mr. Brian
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Montessori Peaks Academy Affirmation of
Commitment to Our Community
At the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year, MPA’s Staff committed to a set of Core Beliefs that set
forth the philosophical base for how we interact with students. With the current changes to the
educational landscape due to the COVID-19 crisis, our Staff further sets forth the following:
We commit to:
● Provide the whole child with a safe place to learn, the ability to express themselves, and the tools
they need to learn individually;
● Meet every child where they are each day and help them become independent learners; and
● Keep Montessori philosophy and methods at the center of our teaching.
We resolve to:
● Hold true to keeping Montessori values in both physical and remote learning to the best of our
ability and resources;
● Value and support our staff and families with open communication with grace and courtesy; and
● Be flexible as the world around us continues to change.
We intend to:
● Create a positive, peaceful learning environment for our students, staff, and families;
● Foster an adaptive learning environment that addresses the academic, health, and emotional
needs of students while maintaining flexibility with regard to current safety protocols; and
● To continue to use beautiful Montessori materials and to walk with grace and courtesy.
We ask for:
● Cooperation and support from our community as we strive to keep our staff healthy and safe in
an environment full of challenges and changes;
● Open and timely communication from our parents to continue quality learning for all children;
and
● A resilient and accepting community to engage in continued discussion keeping in mind MPA’s
Vision and Mission no matter what difficulties lie ahead.
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Restart Dates Remote Start
• August 24: PreK-6 students will begin remote learning until Sept. 4th. Preschool will be
included in the remote start up session to make connections with students and teachers.
Primary Level (3yr, 4yr, Kindergarten) • September 8: Kindergarten students will begin in-person learning, unless the family
selected a remote learning option.
• September 9: Preschool students (3yr, 4yr) will begin in-person learning.
Lower Elementary • September 8: 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade students will begin in-person learning.
• September 8: Remote students will continue with online instruction.
Upper Elementary • September 8: 4th, 5th, 6th grade students will begin in-person learning.
• September 8: Remote students will continue with online instruction.
Homeschool Programs • August 21: Remote begins for Connections, 1-6 grades
• August 25: Remote begins for Options, K-2 grades
• August 26: Remote begins for Options, 3-8 grades
• September 8: Options Students K-2, begin in-person
• September 8: Options Students 3-8, begin in-person
• September 11: Connections Students 1-6, begin in-person
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Staggered Start/Staggered End Times Start Times
● 1st Wave: 7:50-8:00 am All Kindergarten students and Lower and Upper Elementary
Students by family last names A-M
o Families who have Kindergarten students with MPA siblings (A-Z) will need to
use the 1st Wave drop off time. (We need all Kindergartners in by 8:10 am for
Specials to begin).
● 2nd Wave: 8:00-8:10 am All Preschool students and Lower and Upper Elementary by
family last names N-Z
End Times
● 1st Wave: 3:00-3:10 pm All Kindergarten students and Lower and Upper Elementary
with family last names A-M.
● 2nd Wave: 3:10-3:20 pm All Preschool students and Lower and Upper Elementary by
family last names N-Z.
Learning Choices MPA wants families to attend school in a way that fits their family’s needs during the
COVID-19 pandemic. Attendance policies in Colorado still allow students to attend from
home if you are concerned about sending your child back to the school building. MPA is
offering both in-person and remote learning options for children K-6. We are not requiring
families to make one decision for the entire school year. Thank you for making your
learning choice by August 7th, 2020. For those parents who did not make a choice, we at
MPA will place your child based on best fit. At this time, any changes need to be requested
in writing (email to Ms. Veronica) by Friday, August 21, 2020. Please note, if your family
opts to switch back to in-person learning, students will only be able to do so at one of three
re-entry points*:
● Week of October 19th, 2020
● Week of January 6th, 2021
● Week of April 5th, 2021
*If your family experiences a change in life situation and you need to alter your choice outside of
these windows, please contact administration. Students with IEP’s can request changes based on
programming and current needs.
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100% Remote Learning Choice K-6 and The Homeschool Program
MPA has been developing a Montessori and software support learning platform after learning
what works best for students during the Spring 2020 remote learning session.
● Remote learning will require a device, i.e. Chromebook or laptop to engage with online
learning and instructional support.
o MPA will check out devices on a request basis.
o Students will continue to use Google Classroom for remote learning this fall.
o Additional software platforms will be used to support learning such as Lexia,
IXL, Eureka Math, Accelerated Reader, etc. depending on the level.
o Montessori materials will be sent home on an as needed basis for students to use
at home and then returned.
● Students will have a scheduled day to follow, time to check in with their remote teacher
or classroom teacher and discuss expectations and choices. Students will experience both
synchronous (happening at the same time as the in-person class) and asynchronous (not
happening at the same time as the in-person class) learning opportunities throughout
the week.
o Each week, students will interact with their teachers in a face-to-face (Zoom or
Google Classroom) environment.
o Necessary District assessments, as well as MPA-specific assessments, may be
delivered remotely.
o Teachers will have student data to plan for remediation and extension.
o School-based staff will serve as community outreach liaisons to engage students
and families to ensure success in remote learning.
o Teachers will develop and enhance tools for remote learning and in-person
learning during the additional days for training (8/12 - 8/24) before the start of
school.
● Primary Remote Draft Schedule (will be handed out at the Greet & Meet times)
● Lower Elementary Remote Draft Schedule (will be handed out at the Greet & Meet
times)
● Upper Remote Draft Schedule (will be handed out at the Greet & Meet times)
The Homeschool Program
In addition to the above information, the homeschool programs will be providing weekly
content and activities for suggestion of participation of enrolled participants. Student
participation will be noted; however, data and performance will not be noted. The HS Programs
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will continue to provide a valued level of enrichment, both remote and in-person, while the
parents maintain academic and intervention responsibility.
Montessori in the Home Montessori education is not solely materials, but ultimately a philosophy that inspires children
to invest in their own education. We strive to inspire our students, through the Montessori
philosophy, to take initiation in their education while at school. Here are some ways to
encourage the Montessori philosophy at home:
Grace and Courtesy ● Stress kindness and care of self, others and environment.
● Extend this practice to online platforms and live class sessions.
● Understand the environment in which one is interacting and adjust one’s physical and
emotional output accordingly.
● Find opportunities to support one’s self, family and community.
Physical Environment ● Provide students with a shelf/area with all their materials.
● Set up a designated work space either on the floor or at a table.
● Limit interruptions from external sources.
Social/Emotional ● Inspire independence.
● Ask that children show patience when needing assistance.
● Encourage collaboration with classmates (with new considerations to COVID-19).
● Care for the environment, self and community.
Cognitive ● Provide support on a task only when necessary, without overly correcting or explaining.
● Provide the ability to repeat works until confident about concept (mastery).
● Help your student to move from concrete into abstract understanding only when ready.
● Aid focus and retention by limiting distractions.
Outdoor Education ● Inspire an appreciation of nature.
● Use the power of imagination.
● Develop a love of observation.
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In-Person Learning Choice PreK-6 and HS ● 100% in-person learning will be offered beginning on September 8, 2020 for K-6
students, and the homeschool programs
● Pre-school (3 -year- old and 4-year- olds) will start in-person on September 9, 2020.
● In-person learning will have more health and safety protocols to protect staff and
students.
● 100% in-person learning will be offered beginning on September 8, 2020 for homeschool
students. This program is an enrichment program where parents are responsible for the
core curriculum at home.
The Preschool Program Tuition
● During the first two weeks of remote learning (August 24-September 4) the preschool
students can join the remote lessons and activities guided by their lead teacher.
● The MPA Tuition Policy and FAQ can be found at this link: MPA Tuition Policy and
Frequently Asked Questions
Health and Safety at MPA The opening of schools on September 8 with the in-person model at MPA will be contingent on
virus levels in our community. Depending on how COVID-19 is spreading in our community,
we will move between remote learning, in-person or hybrid learning, and fully in-person
learning depending on public health levels as determined by JCPH. These levels and the type of
learning model we will use are summarized in the diagram below:
https://mpeaks.jeffcopublicschools.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=15014114https://mpeaks.jeffcopublicschools.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=15014114
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Currently, MPA is following the guidelines of Level 2: Safer at Home guidelines to open school
on September 8th.
*The following information has been collected from the Jeffco Public Schools Restart Plan,
Colorado Department of Education, Jeffco County Department of Health and Children’s
Hospital.
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Masks All students and staff are required to wear masks or face coverings. Exceptions are made for
health conditions, and appropriate breaks will be taken. Personal protection equipment (PPE)
will be provided to staff including masks (in some cases medical grade, depending on the role),
face shields, gloves, and sanitizer. Supplies will be provided to students who need them.
Students (or parents) who refuse to wear a mask and who do not have a valid and approved
exception, will not be able to attend in-person classes.
Mask/Face Covering Dos and Don'ts
Face Coverings will comply with applicable state and local mask orders. Face coverings are
strongly encouraged unless six feet of physical distancing can be maintained, or mitigating
circumstances preclude use. We encourage cloth face coverings over the nose and mouth for
students up to age 10 years if physical distancing is not feasible, and require cloth face
coverings over the nose and mouth for students age 11 years and older, unless the student
has a health reason for not wearing a mask or if a child is unable to wear a mask safely without
supervision.
*Mask guidelines may be subject to change due to local ordinances-
https://www.jeffco.us/4056/Mask-Guidance - Jeffco mask requirement as of July 24, 2020.
https://www.jeffco.us/4056/Mask-Guidancehttps://www.jeffco.us/4056/Mask-Guidance
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Hand Washing Hand washing and sanitizing is required at regularly scheduled times or at teacher’s request
during the school day. These schedules will be set and communicated at the school level.
Students or families who refuse to follow the hand-washing protocols will not be able to attend
in-person classes.
Social Distancing Schools and staff will practice social distancing, and utilize masks/face coverings and other
appropriate protective equipment when 6 feet of distance is not possible to maintain.
Employee COVID Testing MPA employees who use Kaiser Permanente health insurance will have free COVID testing
provided by their Primary Care Providers. (PCP). Employees not insured under KP can get
screening at their PCP office or the free testing site under the CDPHE. Testing for COVID-19
https://covid19.colorado.gov/are-you-sick/testing-for-covid-19
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Student COVID Testing MPA parents are responsible for the cost and process of having their child tested for COVID by
their Primary Care Provider (PCP) or the free testing site under the CDPHE. Testing for
COVID-19 Paperwork from the PCP will be required by MPA before allowing the student back
in the cohort or classroom.
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Cleaning Classrooms School classrooms and common areas will be cleaned regularly, and sanitized as needed,
according to protocols developed by the Custodial Services Department, JCPH, and CDPHE.
Cleaning will be completed primarily by our custodial staff, with light spray/maintenance
completed by school staff during the school day. Cleaning and sanitizing classroom spaces will
be everyone’s job and responsibility and sufficient cleaning materials and supplies have already
been purchased.
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Student Cohorts PreK - 6th Grade Students will stay with the same cohort of students for the entire day. Cohorts will be capped at
25 in-person students for Lower and Upper Elementary and Primary will be capped at 20 in-
person students.
Homeschool Students will stay with the same cohort of students for the entire day which will include both
classrooms. Music, Art and PE teachers are also included in these cohorts on those specific days.
Employee Contact Employees will practice six feet social distancing from one another. This includes during lunch
breaks, planning periods, and in staff meetings or other professional development. Where
possible, meetings of employees will be conducted virtually. Some exceptions for employees
will exist for special responsibilities that require less than six feet distancing and, in these
situations, appropriate protective equipment and hygiene/sanitation must be used. Employees
(including supervisors) who fail to adhere to these provisions to limit employee contact will be
subject to disciplinary action including dismissal.
https://covid19.colorado.gov/are-you-sick/testing-for-covid-19https://covid19.colorado.gov/are-you-sick/testing-for-covid-19
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Screening Processes and Medical Safe
Rooms Lower and Upper Elementary
Upon arriving in carline, each Lower and Upper Elementary student’s parent will have to
present the School/Child Care At Home Screening paper to school personnel. If this paper is not
available, the parent will be asked to go back home and do the screening and return with the
paper. The student will NOT be admitted in the building until we have received the screening
paper. PLEASE be sure that you have a thermometer at home! We will NOT be screening
students in the carline. There are NO EXCEPTIONS. We must keep the carline moving quickly.
This also means that we are asking that there be NO WALK UPS for drop off. If you absolutely
must walk up, we will be asking for the same screening paperwork, and your child will NOT be
admitted to the building without it.
Primary (PK and K) Upon arriving at school parents must walk their child to the exterior classroom door and sign
their child into the program. This rule is required by child-care licensing. Parents are
encouraged to take their child’s temperature at home prior to arriving at school and fill out the
paper screening form. The form will be handed to the teacher at the door. The same criteria
applies to all students. If they have any of the symptoms on the paperwork, they will be asked
to return home.
Homeschool Programs Upon arriving in carline, each homeschool student’s parent will need to present the
School/Child Care At Home Screening paper to school personnel. If this paper is not available,
the parent will be asked to go back home and do the screening and return with the paper. The
student will NOT be admitted in the building until we have received the screening paper.
PLEASE be sure that you have a thermometer at home! We will NOT be screening students in
the carline. There are NO EXCEPTIONS. We must keep the carline moving quickly. This also
means that we are asking that there be NO WALK UPS for drop off. If you absolutely must
walk up, we will be asking for the same screening paperwork, and your child will NOT be
admitted to the building without it.
The Home Screening Form is available here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QvUySW3MBhAXYsWcdMeIVcVMnYjps5UD/view?usp=sharing
Parent COVID-19 Guidance to help with when to send your child to
school.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QvUySW3MBhAXYsWcdMeIVcVMnYjps5UD/view?usp=sharing
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Link: CDPHE: Can I go to school today?
Getting Sick at School:
If your child gets sick at school, we will adhere to the Children’s Hospital Guidelines that have
been set forth here:
https://www.childrenscolorado.org/4a1be5/globalassets/community/managing-covid-19-symptoms-
and-exposure-in-schools.pdf
Your child will be evaluated in the clinic. If it is deemed necessary, they will be escorted to our
isolation area. This area is actually the back part of the old clinic. Our Clinic Aide now works
mainly out of the office behind the clinic. You will be called, and we will ask that you ring the
doorbell upon arrival. We will escort your child out to you.
Ventilation Ventilation system improvements and modifications are being assessed and upgraded if
possible, to reduce virus spread. Fans and air purifiers may be permitted in classrooms
(approved by MPA maintenance director). Rooms with windows are encouraged to leave them
open all day. Frequent outdoor cohort breaks are encouraged to help ventilate the room.
Quarantining and School Closure Decisions relating to quarantining or building closures will be made in collaboration with JCPH
based on the facts and the individual circumstances. Minimally, if a student or staff member
tests
positive, the other students in their cohort, or any they may have had contact with, will be
quarantined for a period of 14 days and transition to remote learning for that time.
A classroom or cohort should be closed if there is a single confirmed or probable infection in the
cohort because all members of the class or cohort should quarantine for 14 days.
Should the following situations occur, the school will be closed:
● Five or more class/cohort outbreaks happen in a 14-day period.
● 5% or more unrelated students/teachers/staff have confirmed COVID-19 within a 14-day
period.
● Additional time is needed to clean the school before students/teachers/staff return or
gather student/teachers/staff illness data and confer with public health.
● A school cannot operate because a large number of students/teachers/staff are absent.
“Large number” is determined by the school/district.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VdL-vLQF9t1WQTYwFv8-Tmh_Dcvkbizf/viewhttps://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com_-3Furl-3Dhttps-253A-252F-252Fwww.childrenscolorado.org-252F4a1be5-252Fglobalassets-252Fcommunity-252Fmanaging-2Dcovid-2D19-2Dsymptoms-2Dand-2Dexposure-2Din-2Dschools.pdf-26data-3D02-257C01-257CRoberta.Gillis-2540childrenscolorado.org-257C1900727750da45331bec08d83a39c339-257Caf8d3786f13d43d5b752d893b9462e87-257C0-257C0-257C637323367042171669-26sdata-3DqTrFZSrsrkozR-252BuQq93GOHA6zgn8jZCVXH9RA7aRBM4-253D-26reserved-3D0&d=DwMFAg&c=5lx1ZzcfXa-bLvuqJP7laBQ2kX8-JKYTXQswZIymiVE&r=1WhK1FZvj8ETh-B8QPRCdFOwOBm34HbfqKqrxBeIj6U&m=2n8O_TZ-gIU-rrpoM3H5djn6VOkTFiSFehGsdaaDGvk&s=HNszOCJdLTNzvB5h7SBHZ_1RVuEZ1Txd0ef83pC0-sI&e=https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com_-3Furl-3Dhttps-253A-252F-252Fwww.childrenscolorado.org-252F4a1be5-252Fglobalassets-252Fcommunity-252Fmanaging-2Dcovid-2D19-2Dsymptoms-2Dand-2Dexposure-2Din-2Dschools.pdf-26data-3D02-257C01-257CRoberta.Gillis-2540childrenscolorado.org-257C1900727750da45331bec08d83a39c339-257Caf8d3786f13d43d5b752d893b9462e87-257C0-257C0-257C637323367042171669-26sdata-3DqTrFZSrsrkozR-252BuQq93GOHA6zgn8jZCVXH9RA7aRBM4-253D-26reserved-3D0&d=DwMFAg&c=5lx1ZzcfXa-bLvuqJP7laBQ2kX8-JKYTXQswZIymiVE&r=1WhK1FZvj8ETh-B8QPRCdFOwOBm34HbfqKqrxBeIj6U&m=2n8O_TZ-gIU-rrpoM3H5djn6VOkTFiSFehGsdaaDGvk&s=HNszOCJdLTNzvB5h7SBHZ_1RVuEZ1Txd0ef83pC0-sI&e=
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Signage Signage will be posted at entrances, exits, sinks, and throughout the building regarding social
distancing, cough covering, hand washing, and any other important reminders.
Building Movement We will maintain six- foot social distancing for staff and children as much as possible.
Hallway passing will be staggered to limit interactions. We will utilize physical
demarcations outlining six- foot intervals for pick up, drop off etc. and traffic flow in
hallways.
Common Spaces Students will access common spaces such as libraries and cafeterias as a cohort and
sanitize between cohorts.
We have developed procedures/schedules to reduce simultaneous, multiple users and thus
contact with others in restrooms. There will be increased cleaning and disinfecting high-
touch areas, such as door handles, faucets, and paper towel dispensers.
Homeschool: The Friday Connections program will be accessing common spaces including
the art room, music room and gymnasium. Proper cleaning/ sanitization procedures will be
implemented.
Recess ● Cohorts will play together on specific playground locations, which will be rotated over
the course of the week so students can experience other equipment, courts and the field.
● Cohorts will not be able to interact with each other.
● We will stagger the recess schedule to limit interactions between cohorts.
● Playground equipment may be used by cohorts of students as long as they wash their
hands upon returning into the school.
● Students will maintain six-foot social distancing during outdoor activities, as much as
possible. If multiple groups of children are outside at the same time, maintain distance
between each group.
● Activities where germs could spread easily, such as sandboxes, water tables and games
that involve touching, like ‘tag.’ will not be allowed.
● Materials, such as balls or other outdoor toys will not be used across groups of children.
● In the case of indoor recess, we will provide indoor extracurricular programs that
adhere to physical distancing and masking guidelines.
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Morning Carline
● Please arrive at scheduled Waves:
o 1st Wave: 7:50-8:00 am All Kindergarten students and Lower and Upper
Elementary students by family last names A-M
▪ Families who have Kindergarten students and siblings N-Z at 1st Wave
(We need all Kindergarten students in by 8:10 am for Specials to begin).
o 2nd Wave: 8:00-8:10 am All Preschool students and Lower and Upper
Elementary students by family last names N-Z
● Primary parents MUST park and walk students to the outside classroom doors. If a
primary parent has an elementary student (1st-6th) please drop them in the carline loop
first, then drive around to the primary parking lot to park and walk the child to the
classroom outside door.
● Elementary (1st-6th) Parents must stay in their cars at all times when on the MPA
grounds.
● MPA Health Screener Forms are required to be filled out by the parent for each child
before carline. Upon arrival at MPA carline loop, (parents need to be wearing masks in
their cars) the forms are given to an MPA staff member before the child exits the car. If
the child’s screening sheet is marked all NO and the temp is under 100.4 F, then the
child is welcome to step out of the car and go to school. If the screening sheet shows any
YES symptoms or a fever, the child stays in the car and goes home until they may return.
● Lower Elementary students enter the building by the Front Office doors.
● Upper Elementary students enter the building by the Art Room doors.
● Late students: Any students arriving any time after 8:10 am, we ask the parent and
student/s remain in the car. Call the front office at 303-972-2627 to have an MPA staff
member collect the health screening sheet and student at the car.
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Dismissal Carline
Dismissal Times
● 1st Wave: 3:00-3:10 pm All Kindergarten students and Lower and Upper Elementary
family last names A-M.
● 2nd Wave: 3:10-3:20 pm All Preschool students and Lower and Upper Elementary by
family last names N-Z.
Preschool/Kindergarten Sibling pick-up
● Enter Capri Ave from Kipling.
● Please park your car and follow the path you use for morning drop-off.
Preschool/Elementary pick-up
● Enter Capri Ave from Kipling.
● Please park your car and follow the path you use for morning drop-off. After your
preschooler is loaded into the car, please pull forward to join the elementary car line.
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Kindergarten ONLY pick-up
● Enter Capri Ave from Kipling.
● Once you have your student loaded in the car you may exit the main car line and
proceed to crosswalk. From the crosswalk you will merge into the elementary carline
after the roundabout.
Kindergarten AND Elementary Sibling pick-up
● Enter Capri Ave from Kipling.
● Once you have your kindergarten student loaded please remain in the car line and pull
forward as directed. You will join elementary carline to pick up your elementary
student.
Elementary ONLY pick-up
● Enter Capri from Wadsworth.
● Please proceed through the car line as directed.
Carline Signage
Preschool and Kindergarten students who have siblings will be given a red sign to signify to
staff you are merging into the elementary carline to pick up a lower or upper elementary
student(s).
Before/After Care & Enrichment
Before/After Care will not be offered at MPA until further notice.
Parents/Volunteers/Visitors Volunteers, visitors, or non-employees will not be allowed to enter the building during the
school day in order to minimize interaction with additional individuals.
Early pickup procedures: If you need to pick up your child early, we ask that you call ahead.
Please ring the doorbell upon arrival, and we will escort your student out to you.
Preschool parents will be going to the outside classroom door for drop off and pick up.
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Group Events
Special events including guests are not permitted for Fall 2020.
Health Screening Staff
● Staff will be asked to self-report symptoms using the home screening form prior to
arrival on school grounds daily and drop off the completed form in the designated area.
CDE/CDPHE Home Screening Form
● MPA will screen employees on site who were unable to self-report prior to arrival on
campus.
Students
● Parents will screen their Homeschool, Primary, Lower and Upper Elementary students
at home and bring the screening paperwork with them to the carline or to the Primary
outside doors. MPA will be using the Colorado Department of Education and Colorado
Department of Public Health & Environment form for the Home Screening.
CDE/CDPHE Home Screening Form
Symptomatic Individuals
High Risk Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
● Fever of 100.4 F or higher ● Cough ● Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing ● New loss of sense of smell/taste ● Body aches ● Sore throat ● Gastrointestinal issues (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
MPA will follow the Jeffco and Jefferson County Public Health COVID-19 quarantine
process for symptomatic staff and students along with the Children’s Hospital
Guidelines set forth above.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L58-g7iEGqdpGr-cECVGWX7GDPFB93cc/viewhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1L58-g7iEGqdpGr-cECVGWX7GDPFB93cc/viewhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1erH8QjJ4HN2exI4xNMUL7_r1Ffuw3fTmVv6QGFOiP0g/edit?usp=sharinghttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1erH8QjJ4HN2exI4xNMUL7_r1Ffuw3fTmVv6QGFOiP0g/edit?usp=sharinghttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1erH8QjJ4HN2exI4xNMUL7_r1Ffuw3fTmVv6QGFOiP0g/edit?usp=sharing
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Confirmed Cases - Incident Response ● MPA will have a response team that will work to identify and respond to primary or
secondary COVID-19 exposure. ● MPA will collaborate with Jefferson County Public Health and Children’s Hospital
regarding quarantining and school closure. Decisions will be made on a case-by-
case basis. Minimally, if a student or staff member tests positive, the other students
in their cohort, or any they may have had contact with, will be quarantined for a
period of 14 days and transition to remote learning for that time, which includes
sibling, before/after care cohorts, and possible carpool cohorts.
● A shift to remote learning (10-14 days) due to school closures or cohort dismissals will
occur in the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case among students or employees.
● MPA will close off areas used by the ill persons and wait as long as practical before
beginning cleaning and disinfection to minimize potential for exposure to
respiratory droplets. Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in
the area. Restrict access for two hours after the sick person has left. If possible, wait
up to 24 hours before beginning cleaning and disinfection.
● All areas used by the ill persons will be cleaned and disinfected, focusing
especially on frequently touched surfaces.
● Symptomatic students/staff on school grounds will be isolated until they can
return home safely. Symptomatic individuals will remain in the designated
isolation room until they can be picked up.
● MPA will work with Jefferson County Public Health and Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment to develop guidelines on return to school and
contact tracing to avoid school closure. The Jeffco district will provide rapid
availability testing for symptomatic staff and students or in the case of exposure.
Guidance released to help schools respond to COVID-19 cases and outbreaks
Health and Safety in the Classroom Sanitization
● Deep cleaning and disinfecting of all Montessori Peaks Academy buildings will be
done prior to staff and students returning.
● Summit Cleaning, our professional cleaning company, will do additional
cleaning, disinfection, and deep cleaning.
● We will train all staff in Standard Precautions and sanitization practices via
Children’s Hospital nursing.
https://covid19.colorado.gov/press-release/guidance-released-to-help-schools-respond-to-covid-19-cases-and-outbreaks
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● MPA will use appropriate cleaning supplies to routinely clean, sanitize, and disinfect
surfaces and objects that are frequently touched.
● MPA will follow CDPHE cleaning and disinfecting guidelines outlined in CDPHE
Cleaning Guidance.
● Staff will wash hands regularly throughout the day and when transitioning between
areas.
Ventilation
● We will confirm that MPA’s ventilation systems operate properly per OSHA
guidance.
● We will increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible by opening windows
and other methods (air purifiers) when indoor and outdoor conditions safely permit.
● MPA will encourage students to work outside with their cohorts when possible and
properly supervised.
● Fans and air purifiers may be permitted in classrooms (approved by MPA
maintenance director).
Learning Materials
● Materials or classroom items that cannot be easily cleaned or sanitized will be
removed from the classrooms.
● All high-touch surfaces and shared objects will be regularly cleaned.
● Classrooms will clean works and learning materials between student use by a single
cohort by creating a sanitation station in each room.
● MPA will provide adequate supplies to minimize sharing of high-touch materials to
the extent possible (art supplies, equipment, works, etc.) or limit use of materials
and equipment by one group of children at a time and clean and disinfect between
use.
Classroom Spaces
● Classrooms will maintain 6-foot distance between children in the classroom, as
much as possible.
● Teachers will reconfigure classroom seating to allow for appropriate, safe spacing
during work time.
● MPA will utilize physical demarcations outlining safely spaced work areas in
classrooms.
● When possible, MPA will use physical barriers in areas where it is difficult for
individuals to remain at least 6 feet apart.
https://covid19.colorado.gov/cleaning-guidancehttps://covid19.colorado.gov/cleaning-guidance
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Special Education/Section 504 ● MPA shall provide accommodations stated in IEP and 504 plans. If students are
attending school remotely, we cannot guarantee that they will work with their usual
providers.
● Maintain cohorts to the greatest extent possible. Some cohort mixing may be
unavoidable.
● Minimize contact between special service providers and non-client students and
other adults in classrooms.
● Use face shields (or N95 masks) as an added barrier option for staff and for teachers,
especially when working in close proximity or when students are unable to wear
masks consistently, such as in some special education classes.
● Use portable physical barriers (plexiglass or clear screens) in areas where it is
difficult for individuals to remain at least 6 feet apart.
● Consistently practice adult handwashing when transitioning between cohorts.
References CDE & Colorado Public Health and Environment Health/Reopening Guidance Colorado Health Institute Guidance Early Childhood Division Resource Guide for Childcare Providers During COVID-19 CDE COVID Safe Physical Distancing Guidance
Healthy Childcare Colorado CDPHE Environmental Cleaning Guidance for COVID-19 CDC Handwashing Guide CDC COVID 19 Considerations for Schools Restart Jeffco Jeffco/Jefferson County Public Health Quarantine Process Jefferson County Public Health
https://www.cde.state.co.us/communications/20200720reopeningguidancehttps://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/sites/default/files/file_attachments/Covid%20Schools%20June%202020_0.pdfhttps://mcusercontent.com/77bac9f533d6bce265cae77d9/files/b1f1f380-6888-47cc-85e7-8d6a6c0c73c3/July2020_ProviderCOVIDResponseGuide.pdfhttp://www.cde.state.co.us/planning20-21/physicaldistancing#cafeteriahttps://healthychildcareco.org/https://covid19.colorado.gov/cleaning-guidancehttps://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.htmlhttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/schools.htmlhttps://jeffcopublicschools.org/restart_jeffcohttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1erH8QjJ4HN2exI4xNMUL7_r1Ffuw3fTmVv6QGFOiP0g/edithttps://www.jeffco.us/3999/Coronavirus-Disease-2019-COVID-19