(Updated August 3, 2020)
City of Lakes Waldorf School is committed to providing a Waldorf educational experience in a caring learning environment that is developmentally appropriate, well-rounded, and experiential for students, which allows them to grow academically, physically, socially, and emotionally in a healthy way. Our recognition of the essential importance of the student/teacher relationship, time outdoors, and our commitment to balance in learning provide a strong foundation for a vibrant and meaningful education even in these uncertain times.
On Thursday, July 30, Governor Walz announced in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) that schools (and school districts) in the state can make their own decision on how to start the year based on criteria set by the state related to the number of cases in the county and a school’s ability to follow specific safety guidelines. Based on the current number of cases of COVID-19 in Hennepin County, CLWS plans to start the school year with a Hybrid Learning Scenario with students on site beginning Wednesday, September 2. We will continue to monitor Hennepin County data over the next month and we will notify families if any changes to our plan are required before the start of school.
We have created two different hybrid scenarios for medium risk and medium-high risk situations. We currently plan to begin the school year with our Hybrid Scenario B that includes in person and distance learning for all grades students. We have decided to take a more cautious approach to the start of the school year in order to better understand how students’ return to school will impact the spread of COVID-19 and the health of our community. If we see the rates of infection trending down in Hennepin County, and have no reports of positive cases within our school community, we will potentially move to Hybrid Scenario A within the first 4 to 6 weeks of school. Likewise, if the rates of infection rise, we may revise our plan and move to our Distance Learning Scenario.
Early Childhood families have enrolled in either a prorated or continuous care option for the upcoming school year. All early childhood students will begin the year on site in largely outdoor programs.
CLWS will follow all required health practices outlined by the Governor and the MDH. Our comprehensive Health and Safety plan will be shared on Friday, August 7. Key aspects of our Health and Safety Plan include:
- Daily Health Screening and preventive hygiene, including home health assessments and washing hands regularly throughout the day
- All students, teachers, and staff required to wear face masks while indoors, or wherever cohorts cannot be maintained or students are unable to maintain proper physical distance
- Classroom spaces that allow for at least six feet of physical space between students, teachers, and staff during the day
- Students and teachers/staff organized into cohort groups of 10-16 people that stay together on one floor throughout the day and use designated entrances and exits
- Additional time outdoors, including possible outdoor “classrooms”
- Increased ventilation and air quality control
- Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting
- Designated COVID-19 Response Coordinator to be the point person for all COVID-19 related issues and to provide families with information
- Communications, training, and coordination
- Parents and visitors have limited access to the campus
Upcoming Events
- Monday, August 10, 7:30 pm: Early Childhood Meeting (via Zoom)
- Thursday, August 13, 7:30 pm: All School Meeting (via Zoom)
- Wednesday, August 19, 1:30 pm: Parent Support Circle (via Zoom)
- Thursday, August 20, 7:00 pm: Parent Support Circle (via Zoom)
- Wednesday, September 2: First day of school for Grades 1-8
- Thursday, September 3: First day of school for Kindergarten and M-F and W-F Preschool
- Tuesday, September 8: First day of school for M-T Preschool
Current parents have access to an archive of all Return to School communications and full, detailed plans in ParentSquare.
We will provide additional details and logistics regarding our return to school on our website in the coming weeks. All questions about our Return to School Plan may be directed to Marti Stewart, Administrative Director, at martistewart@clws.org.