School Opening Updates
August 28, 2020
Dear Atrium Community,
We’ve planned and prepared all summer, and I’m thrilled to begin the new year with you very soon. With so many uncertainties in our world, I am especially eager for Atrium School to once again be the joyful, unified and purposeful place for your children’s growth, and a beacon for all of us in demanding and wearying times. I can’t wait to begin the familiar ritual of greeting you all each morning at the base of the ramp. I’ll be smiling behind my mask.
Last week you received the Reopening Handbook (available here behind MyAtrium), which I hope you have thoroughly read. This message includes further updates about the start of the year. This week and next, you will also receive messages from your children’s teachers with details about their specific classrooms and school supplies, and from PTA Class Parents about virtual social gatherings.
Dropping Off Children at Atrium
For safety’s sake, morning drop-off will be staggered between 8:15 and 8:55 a.m. Once each child’s daily health attestation is affirmed (details below), children will exit vehicles--already masked--at the usual drop-off point at the base of the ramp. Parents may not leave their vehicles.
Pre-K, K and 1st Grade: arrive between 8:15-8:30 a.m. for “outdoor start” on the playground.
2nd Grade through 5th Grade: arrive between 8:15 to 8:55 a.m.; enter Atrium via ramp entrance.
Middle School: arrive between 8:25 and 8:45 a.m.; enter via Cafe door.
The Grades 2–5 time is meant to provide flexibility for multi-child families; please contact Marshall or Kathy with any questions about sibling drop-off.
Carpools are strongly discouraged for safety reasons; COVID spread within a carpool brings risks to your child, and risks broad exposure across the student body. Please do not jeopardize our shared commitment to face-to-face learning.
After School and Morning Care
Because of daily building preparations and the need to safely group children in cohorts, Atrium cannot offer morning care as we begin the year. The earliest drop-off time is 8:15 a.m. A survey is being emailed shortly to PreK to 5th Grade parents to determine after school needs; please respond to that survey promptly so that we can structure the program. The After School Program will be offered daily until 4:30 p.m.
Parent Preview Days
Previously, we communicated that parents could visit the building the week of September 1st to 4th. To give teachers additional time to prepare classrooms, we are moving these visits to Monday and Tuesday, September 7th and 8th. Scheduling will be shared next week; parents can make appointments between noon and 6:00 p.m. on those two days.
Safe Campus Preparation
In August, Atrium School engaged IndoorDoctor of New Hampshire for comprehensive air quality testing and documentation throughout the building. The results were very encouraging; the fresh air flow in our building is excellent and levels of particulate matter are very low and healthy. We now also have numerous hi-grade HEPA air filtration machines placed throughout the building. To further enhance air quality, we will routinely open windows and maximize fresh air circulation with our HVAC system.
We have also raised two large tents on campus, located on the Atrium Space sun deck and on the playground field. Every class or pod at Atrium will have access to tents for weekly scheduled classes. Numerous sinks in the building, which previously only ran cold water, are being modified to run hot water as well, for better handwashing practices.
Health
New Flu Vaccine Requirement: As you likely saw, last week the Commonwealth of Massachusetts instituted a new flu vaccine requirement for school children. To resume school at Atrium in January, your child must receive the flu vaccine by December 31, 2020. For further information, please visit this official Massachusetts information page about these new flu vaccine requirements.
Daily Health Attestations: Each day, parents must attest to the health and well being of their child prior to morning drop-off at school. The daily checklist will include temperature, freedom from symptoms, recent travel history and exposure. Details will come next week about the logistics of this daily health attestation.
As school approaches, please continue to practice mask-wearing rituals with your children, and help them practice eating neatly and then cleaning their eating space. This will familiarize children with new rituals, and empower them to help everyone be safe.
Recap of the Start-of-School Schedule
September 7 & 8
Parent building visits BY APPOINTMENT
7th & 8th grade parents pick up student Chromebooks
September 9-11 (Wed-Fri)
Pre-K to 5th Grade: On campus half days
Gr 6: Half Days On campus Wed & Thurs, remote on Fri
Grade 7 & 8: Remote learning (Wed-Fri half days)
Beginning September 14 (Mon)
Regular Schedule Begins for PreK through 5:
Full Days, Mon-Thurs (3:00 p.m. dismissal)
Half-Day Friday Noon dismissal
Grade 6 & 7 On Campus (Mon -Thur); Remote (Fri)
Change: Sept 16: Gr. 8 begins on campus (Wed & Thur)
Look for further details from Middle School team
The Family Directory, Parent Handbook, and 2020-21 Calendar
These key resources will be delivered to you next week, via MyAtrium. This year, the Reopening Handbook is considered an addendum to the Parent Handbook. For the Parent Handbook, please be sure to submit the signed acknowledgement form, per usual.
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In closing, I want to acknowledge that school may feel strange and otherworldly as we start this year--at Atrium we are accustomed to exuberance, spontaneity and ease. Safety rituals now require us all to be more conscientious and more careful. I encourage everyone to shine where Atrium also shines: in kindness and compassion, and in assuming positive intent on everyone’s part. The first few weeks will likely feel choppy, and it will take some time to become practiced at our new routines. Our collective adaptability is a tremendous asset, and working together we will become a well-oiled, safe and joyful community!
Warmly,
Marshall