03/24/2020
Hello Everyone:
I just wanted to say that I will be posting updates with the things I know and don't know about the status of our school opening again or not. It is easier at this time that families email me back with various questions and concerns as I am working by myself from home and trying to keep up with the status of what is going on at Capitol Hill regarding payments to everyone affected by this "shut down" and how long it may last. I urge each and everyone of you to pay attention to what is going on in Washington and our State of Maine. In a nutshell, no pun intended, it became more confusing after watching the Presidential Address Briefing last night, which can be seen in full on Fox, CNN or many other news networks and for those of you who don't watch TV, these networks can be screened on your devises.
Please also be aware that the State of Maine has sent child care providers recommended protocols for operation which, in my opinion, are still in complete contradiction with staying ahead of the curve with this virus that stays airborne for 3 hours before falling to the floor and can remain on surfaces for days. We would need one or two additional personnel just to take temperatures of all children every hour or two, constantly attempting to disinfect surfaces, would have to wash floors and vacuum rug every 3 hours, disinfect all playground surfaces after every group uses it. They also recommend removing all sensory tables and items. Our children at the school actively use all of the items in each classroom, this means we would actually have to take everything of the shelves for disinfection and constantly have to disinfect before
allowing another child to use it. This may be feasible with one or two children, but in group care, I don't see it possible.
Believe me, I want us to all get back to work asap so this is my questions to all of you. If we reopen when this 15 day "lock down" except essential services is over, who would be returning to our school? It also has to be understood that the school cannot be held legally responsible for the possibility that parents, children and staff, for contracting and spread the COVID 19 virus. It can also not be held responsible for what I strongly consider unsafe practices with the restrictions of staff to properly supervise and care for the individual needs of all the children.
With symptoms now being reported to be even longer then suspected, it has to be understood that if we open, every parent, child, staff and other people that all associate with, will considered to be exposed.
Our school will not survive with out parents paying and I am being told that, if your day care providers' rules are that parents are expected to pay for closings, such as snow days, they are still expected to pay for this COVID19 closing that no one was prepared for. If you are continuing to get paid by your employer, please strongly consider what our school means to you. Parents are our employers! It is vital during this huge time of question, without knowing what the government is going to do for businesses, that if you can pay us, please do. It's all over the news to support local businesses and prior to this COVID19 event, I believe parents feel that their child care is a vital service for their ability to work.
If you feel you are not going to be able to return to NAMS if we reopen because you are a teacher or your company is going to continue to have people work from home, as companies are making decisions faster then the government, and many of our parents work remotely anyway, please let me know as I have lots of new parents that want the slots and want to send their security deposits and registration fees.
Thanks and stay safe everyone!
