Author: Foothill Montessori

To accommodate physical distancing during the school day drop off and pick up times we ask all our families to pay close attention to the map showing the particular entry/exit points for your child’s class. We encourage you to revisit the Student and Parent Protocol section of our Safe Return to School for additional details regarding morning drop off and afternoon pick up so that you and your child are well prepared for the first day of school. All Extended Care morning arrivals and afternoon departures will be facilitated at the main entrance (parking lot door).

Every student will need to have a Screening Form completed prior to arrival at school each day. Parents are asked to show the person completing screening the email response they received from that day’s submission of the form at the entry point.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind our families that students and staff showing any of the following symptoms are asked to stay home from school:

• Chills, fever (below 35°C/95°F or above 38°C/100.4°F)
• New or worsening cough
• Shortness of breath
• Lost sense of smell or taste
• Nausea/vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Congestion or runny nose

Anyone who has exhibited symptoms that could be COVID-19 can return to school if:

• No fever for 24 hours and without the support of medication;
• AND no additional symptoms have presented;
• AND if a healthcare provider confirms that the cause of the fever or other symptoms are not COVID 19 related- based on a negative COVID-19 test and this test is shared with the school.

In the next few  days, please look to your child’s teachers sending you an invitation to a virtual Back to School Night.

This school year will require everyone to follow a great many new procedures. We recognize that new routines and systems can be challenging to learn and remember. We ask that everyone be mindful of showing patience and tolerance as we navigate these new procedures together.

This summer our administrative team is actively planning for the 2020-21 school year. While we have made considerable progress in each of our main areas of focus- 1) the health and safety of our community, 2) the educational experience of our students and 3) the financial health of the school, much work still needs to be done prior to the return to school.

Our plans continue to be aligned with Utah’s color-coded risk phases so that if the city or state moves into a different risk status at any point in the school year, we are ready to shift too. FMSL continues to take into consideration the guidelines provided by the state of Utah and the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We are collaborating with our Health and Safety Committee, schools within Utah and across the country to develop best practices for operating during a pandemic. Ultimately, every decision we make is guided by our commitment to our students and their families while doing all we can to protect the health and safety of our community.

The Health and Safety Committee will be meeting in the next few weeks to review safety protocols and measures. Margaret Mc Donald is coordinating efforts in this area. The committee’s focus points are: Building Sanitation, Physical Distancing, Hand Hygiene, Health Screening, Illness Policy and Face Coverings

Academically, in 2020-21 we must be prepared to switch between different learning models based on community health risks. A task force of teachers from each program level has been organized to develop plans for three different learning models:

1. On-site instruction
2. Hybrid model
3. Distance Learning 2.0

As we design for these three different teaching and learning models, we are focusing on the developmental considerations of each program. During on-site instruction all programs will run close to normal yet modifications and protocols will be in place to reinforce good hygiene, allow for social distancing, and curtail the mixing of groups. The hybrid model, available to Elementary students, will be a blend of on-site and distance learning instruction. Distance Learning 2.0 will combine synchronous (live) instruction with asynchronous (accessible anytime) instruction and materials in a schedule intentionally designed to provide a healthy school/life balance. It is important to note that this will be much revised from the “emergency” distance learning program offered this past year. Distance learning will be optional for Toddler and Early childhood students. Brandi Allen will provide oversight in this area.

The financial implications of COVID-19 have meant we have had to return to the drawing board and rebuild the budget for 2020-21. This is the collective effort of the administrative team. Our goal is to allow the school to keep a balanced budget without negatively impacting the resources for teaching and learning. We recognize that our families have also been impacted financially and understand the enormity of the financial commitment that enrolling in a private school places on a family while we are experiencing a pandemic. It is our hope that the tuition scenarios outlined below will help you move forward in making a decision that is right for your family. The following decisions are based on our projections of income from tuition for 2020-21 and anticipated operating expenses for these unusual times.  Please review the following information to see how tuition will be addressed for each of the color coded risk levels:

* Distance learning is optional for Toddler and Early Childhood students. Families of children in either of these programs may elect to reserve their child’s place at 50% of the daily tuition rate for the period of time that we are in red.

Please note, that while invoices for 2020-21 include a Field trip and Activity fee the risk level at any given time will determine whether students can participate in off campus events. Should Winter Sports need to be canceled applicable fees will be credited.

We feel it important to point out our current withdrawal policy- All withdrawals must be submitted to the Director of Admissions in writing. Any early withdrawal will result in the forfeiture of the entire $650 commitment fee. If you withdraw your child:

• Between July 21 and August 25, you will be responsible to make payment for 30 days of tuition, in addition to the forfeiture of the $650 non-refundable commitment fee.

• Between August 26 and November 30, you will be responsible for 50% of the academic year tuition.

• After December 1, you will be responsible for 100% of the academic year tuition.
• After January 31, you will be responsible for 100% of the academic year tuition plus summer tuition if you chose the Full Year Option.

Dear FMSL Parents,

What a year we have had! I want to thank all of you for your love and support. The past few months, in particular, have been trying and you have been incredibly gracious and patient with our school and our administrative team.  While the future of COVID-19 remains somewhat uncertain, we are comforted by the newfound realization that our community will endure trials together and that in collaboration we will continue to move forward. I want to especially thank the parents on our Health and Safety Committee who have worked with our admin team to prepare for the future. And I would like to recognize Brandi Allen, Margaret Mc Donald, Jemmyn Buchanan and Jordan Newbould for their quick implementation of a Distance Learning program.  They have supported parents and staff through this difficult transition.

As we look at the future, you can expect some changes in our administrative team moving forward.  It is with great trust and confidence that I announce that Brandi Allen and Margaret

Mc Donald will work together as Co-Directors of Montessori Community School, beginning this summer and moving forward, with Candace Wiseman as our Summer Camp Director.  While I will remain part of the admin team and will consult with and support them for many months, possibly years, to come, I will no longer carry the title of School Director.  I have a strong desire for increased time spent with my family as I move towards a part time schedule.

Please note that this transition began before COVID-19 impacted our on-site instruction and that our team has been working to prepare for this transition for some time. Each and every member of our administrative team is prepared to support our students, parents and staff in whichever ways possible to ensure a smooth and stable transition.  I will be working closely with the team throughout the summer, preparing for the fall, and next year when we all gather together again on campus. As you have probably noticed, Brandi and Margaret have each taken on more and more responsibility throughout the year and particularly with the onset of COVID-19.  As our Uinta Parents have already been informed, a new teacher, Joshi Haskell, will join Christian full time in the Upper Elementary classroom this coming fall.

In addition to my support of the admin team, I am pleased to announce that Cherie Mockli, LCSW, and former FMSL employee, will be joining FMSL in the fall to provide support to students, parents and staff.  We realize that there is no way to know exactly how the stress of COVID-19 and the extended time away from classes will have impacted our student body. We are pleased that Cherie will be here to provide support. More information about Cherie is forthcoming but please note that I plan to work closely with her as she navigates her way through FMSL.

Our team will spend the coming months clearly outlining these new roles and responsibilities and we appreciate your support as we do so.  While it might be unnecessary, it feels important for me to let you know that this transition is in no way related to COVID-19, it does not reflect a personal concern about FMSL in any way, and that this is an inevitable transition for which I have been preparing since 2018. My commitment to FMSL has been to help them transition to a dedicated admin team and I am pleased that Margaret and Brandi, with the support of Robyn Eriwata-Buchanan, Jemmyn Buchanan, Ramira Alamilla and Nanette Cenaruzabeitia, have decided to step into this role at the most fitting time for us all.  My love for and dedication to Montessori Community School is as strong as ever.  However, my personal circumstances have changed more quickly than anticipated and I am looking forward to increased time with my family.

My position as School Director, like all my time at FMSL, has stretched me in unimaginable ways.  I have learned so much about collaboration, trust, advocacy, compassion, forgiveness, connection, and humility. I feel honored to have helped implement the vision that Robyn and her family so lovingly share with our community.  And, I thank you for being my partners in helping our community strive to be strong and supportive of the children whom we all love so deeply.

And it is with deep gratitude and a full heart that I bid farewell to 2019-2020. Please do reach out with any questions as I remain a devoted member of our admin team.

In deep gratitude,

Britney

Dear FMSL Staff and Families,

Teaching music at FMSL for the last few years has been so rewarding and I am so thankful.  As time is short, I have decided to spend more of it with my kids and teaching private violin lessons. I have had a chance to work with all the Early Childhood, Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary students.  They are gracious, kind, eager to learn, and wonderful students.   I will really miss singing and playing instruments with them, seeing their eyes light up when we make music together, and watching their interest in music grow.  It has been a blessing working with amazing, supportive teachers, administration and parents. Memories from this time will carry with me.  Wishing you the best!

Sincerely,

Ana Bunce

Music Specialist

Joshi has worked as a Montessori Middle School Teacher since 2009. A former Montessori student, she received a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Utah in 2005. In 2012 she completed the NAMTA/AMI Introduction to Adolescent Studies in Cleveland, OH. In 2016 she completed the CMSTEP Curriculum course. She has enjoyed working with students throughout her life as a Secondary Montessori Teacher, Physio-Neuro Therapist, nanny, tutor, as well as an art and physical education specialist.

In her spare time, Joshi enjoys being outdoors, creating art, and spending time with her husband, family and friends.”

Dear Parents and Students,

It is with mixed emotions that I write to tell you I will not be returning to teach in Uinta next year as I am moving into administration full time. For the past several years, my time has been split between the upper elementary classroom and administration and I am grateful for the opportunity that has afforded me to work, not only, with the Uinta students and families but, also, the greater school community and FMSL itself. While the day has arrived for me to leave the classroom I know that that the classroom will not completely leave me; I will continue to draw on the lessons I learned there and the experience I gained from working alongside you and your children as I enter my new role. I thank you for your generosity, partnership and support.

I am happy to announce that we have hired a wonderful individual to join Christan in upper elementary. Joshi Haskell is a teacher with 13 years of classroom experience, 8 years of which were actually here at FMSL. Joshi and I have worked closely together in the past and I know that her skills, passions and creativity will be a wonderful addition to not only Uinta but also the entire elementary program. Just so you know, Joshi was instrumental in starting our Business Ventures and Market and she contributed to establishing many of the milestones and traditions of the Upper Elementary year such as team building at CLAS Ropes course and the collaborative effort that is the Valentine Social. I am excited to see what she will bring to our program.

Christian will continue to steer the ship that is Uinta. He has been an amazing co-teacher and I know that, moving forward, Uinta class is in very capable hands. I have the utmost confidence in him to continue the program that you have grown accustomed to while also holding space for it to grow and morph as each new community of students needs. He is an intuitive and humble Montessori guide that honours the Child and the potential each holds within. With his leadership, guidance and his amazing capacity to collaborate I know that he and Joshi will make a great teaching team. The children are very lucky.

Words cannot express how much each of your children has touched my heart and taught me how to be a better person through their caring thoughts and actions. I truly want you to know how much I appreciate all of you. Please do reach out if you have any questions or concerns. I would be happy to talk with you.

I really feel blessed to have been able to teach at FMSL for the past 25 years and contribute to its growth and development. I have had a wonderful time teaching children, watching them grow, and being inspired by their creative and thoughtful minds. I look forward to the new ways I will contribute to the future generations of students and the future of FMSL.

With gratitude,

Margaret