2020-21 School Year

Dear MIR families,

We look forward to welcoming on-site students back to campus on Tuesday, January 19. We truly appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we reduced our on-site programs around the holiday season.

As you know, MIR has prioritized safety as our guide to help us navigate this school year. While there have been some positive cases of COVID-19 within MIR’s community, there has still been no known transmission of the virus on our campus. This is a testament to the diligence of our staff, the efficacy of our safety protocols, and the cooperation of our families. We will continue our efforts and have updated our Health and Hygiene Program to reflect updated guidance from the CDC, state, and county.

Community spread of the virus is still elevated in our region and current projections show a decline in these numbers beginning in late January. These elevated numbers may increase the likelihood of a classroom quarantine if there is a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 on our campus. While community spread is at its current level, we encourage families to strategize for unexpected closure of their child’s classroom.

In the midst of this pandemic, MIR has done its best to balance the importance of safety with the developmental needs of children and the logistical needs of families. There are no simple answers to the dilemmas that schools and educators have faced, but we will continue to prioritize safety while working to fulfill our mission to support children with beginning their life journey of self-realization, love of learning, and global responsibility.

Our partnership with families is essential to our continued success. We ask you to continue monitoring for symptoms in your household and following guidelines for public health. Your ongoing diligence will help keep MIR’s campus safely open.

If you have questions about your school program, please email admissions@mir.org.

Thank you sincerely for your support.

Jenny Davidson

Dear MIR Families,

With the expected holiday surge of COVID-19 and California’s announcement of the extension of the stay-at-home order, MIR has decided to continue Home Learning for all levels until January 15, 2021. We expect to welcome students back on campus on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.

Essential Worker On-Site Program

To support the Essential Workers in our community, we will offer on-site care from Tuesday, January 5 through Friday, January 15. Please fill out this updated Essential Worker Application Form by midnight tonight (Wednesday, December 30) if you wish to have this option available to you.

Since circumstances change, please fill out this form even if you have participated in previous Essential Worker programs earlier this year.

If your child is completing a quarantine due to exposure to COVID, they may not participate in on-site programs regardless of your status as an essential worker.

Assistant Teachers will lead the on-site programs. They will support learning by connecting children with lessons and follow-up work.

Montessori Home Learning

Montessori Home Learning will begin on Tuesday, January 5 for Elementary and Wednesday, January 6 for Primary and Toddlers.

We will hold a materials supply pick-up prior to the start of Home Learning. You will receive specific instructions this weekend on where and when to pick up materials based on your child’s level. Additional instructions and details for accessing Home Learning will also be sent by email as needed.

Remote Learner Program

The Remote Learner Program will continue as scheduled. MIR will hold a materials supply pick-up for Remoter Learners on Monday, January 4, 12:30-1 p.m. on the south campus in front of the MIR office. If the scheduled pick-up time doesn’t work for you, please email info@mir.org to arrange an alternate time.

Thank you for your continued flexibility and support. We remain hopeful that the rest of the year will continue more predictably.

We wish you a safe and healthy New Year.

Jenny Davidson

Dear MIR families,

Thank you for all of your support and understanding as MIR strives to fulfill our mission within the safety constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our staff has worked incredibly hard to make this Montessori Home Learning session a success and I am deeply grateful for their dedication.

MIR plans to re-open our on-site programs in January, and in order to do so, it is crucial that our entire community upholds public health guidelines throughout Winter Break. Families who do not follow the California Department of Public Health guidelines over Winter Break must self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to MIR’s campus.

We are revising our wellness check questions in anticipation of welcoming students on-site on January 5. The updated Wellness Check will include the following:

• Has your child attended a private gathering with anyone outside your household since December 21?

• Has anyone in your household returned from out-of-state travel in the past 14 days?

• Has your household been following California guidelines for social distancing, hand hygiene, and face coverings?

• Has anyone in your household had a fever above 100.4F in the past 72 hours?

• Has anyone in your household had any of the following symptoms over the past 24 hours: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle or body aches, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, the recent loss of taste and/or smell, fatigue, congestion, headache, sore throat?

• Within the past 14 days, has anyone in your household had contact with someone you know had confirmed, or suspected, COVID-19?

If you do not pass a Wellness Question, please keep your child home, fill out the MIR Attendance Form, and our COVID-19 Prevention Team will help determine a return-to-school date. In order to have a smooth curb drop-off, please fill out the Wellness Check before you leave home each day.

If you have questions about current California guidelines and stay at home order, please refer to the California Department of Public Health. These guidelines include but are not limited to:

• All private gatherings with anyone outside of your household are prohibited.

• Face coverings must be worn outside of the home.

• Individuals must quarantine for 14-days after non-essential out-of-state travel.

While we hope to continue offering our on-site programs without interruption, a full or partial school closure may become necessary again. Since our staff members must also follow MIR’s Health & Hygiene practices for staying home for symptoms or possible exposure to COVID-19, future Home Learning sessions may be necessary if MIR has insufficient staff to supervise our on-site cohorts.

In the case of a future closure, MIR will endeavor to provide Essential Worker Childcare. Please fill out this updated Essential Worker Application Form by December 30 if you wish to have this option available to you. Since circumstances change, please fill out this form even if you have previously participated in Essential Worker programs. If your child is completing a quarantine due to exposure to COVID, they may not participate in on-site programs regardless of your status as an essential worker.

We truly appreciate your support and understanding as we continue to navigate this challenging year.

We wish you a safe holiday break filled with peace and joy.

With gratitude,

Jenny Davidson

Dear MIR Families,

We are writing to inform you that an individual in Nikki’s class was tested for COVID-19 on December 4 and has just received a positive result. The individual was in attendance in Nikki’s classroom through Thursday, December 3.

Now that we have received positive COVID-19 diagnoses within multiple classrooms, MIR has decided to close our physical campus from December 7 until Winter Break. We are deeply committed to on-campus safety and feel that this is our best choice to ensure the safety of our entire community.

Our staff will use Monday, December 7 as an in-service day to plan and communicate the next steps. We will provide a Montessori Home Learning program for all students beginning on December 8. We expect to reopen our campus as scheduled on January 5, 2021. Due to the short-term nature of this campus closure, on-site programs for Essential Workers will not be available.

Our school has committed to the following guidelines for navigating this unusual school year:

MIR will continue fulfilling our mission to support children with beginning their life journey of self-realization, love of learning, and global responsibility.

1. Our students, faculty, staff, and families’ safety and health will lead how and where we learn and operate.

2. We will offer an integrated and sustaining experience for families and staff.

3. Plans will remain flexible and responsive as new information becomes available throughout the year.

Our belief in our mission and our 44 years of experience and expertise will ensure our Montessori programs’ continued quality.

For your own health and safety, we ask that you continue to follow California guidelines for reducing the spread of the virus. If you are interested in testing for your family, San Bernardino and Riverside counties offer and encourage testing for all residents, even if you have no symptoms. Testing is free and results are received in 3-5 days.

• San Bernardino County residents may make an appointment here.

• Riverside County residents may make an appointment here.

If your family or child is tested, please notify MIR if your child or a member of your immediate household tests positive so that we can trace your child’s contacts within the MIR community. We will maintain your family’s confidentiality. This allows us to track possible contacts within our campus and act accordingly.

Please fill out this short form [link removed] to verify that you received this message, and thank you for your support and understanding.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Take care and be well,

Jenny Davidson

Dear MIR families,

We are highly aware of the levels of community spread of the COVID-19 virus. In order to keep our campus safe in December, families who do not follow the California Department of Public Health guidelines over the Thanksgiving break must self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to campus.

We will be adding the following questions to the Wellness Check beginning on December 1:

• Has anyone in your household attended an indoor gathering with someone outside your household within the past 10 days?

• Has anyone in your household returned from non-essential out-of-state travel in the past 14 days?

• Has your household followed California guidelines for social distancing, hand hygiene, and face coverings for the past 10 days?

If you have questions about current California guidelines, please refer to the California Department of Public Health. These guidelines include but are not limited to:

• Private gatherings that include more than 3 households are prohibited.

• All gatherings must take place outside.

• Participants must have 6 feet of distance between households.

• Face coverings must be worn.

• Individuals must quarantine for 14-days after non-essential out-of-state travel.

We truly appreciate your support and understanding as we continue to navigate this challenging year. Our goal is to remain open to on-campus students when we return from the Thanksgiving holiday, and we need everyone to do their part to help make that happen.

We wish you a happy and safe holiday break and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Jenny Davidson

Dear MIR Families,

MIR is announcing a closure of our on-site programs previously scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday, November 23 and 24. Our requirements for staffing classrooms are higher than usual due to the necessity of cleaning and the maintenance of small cohorts. With teachers out of the classroom to conduct conferences, we have growing concerns that any illness or exposure among our support staff will make it difficult or impossible to be successful in our safety protocols. We are unwilling to compromise our practices and are committed to providing a safe campus for your children.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and will endeavor to reschedule the two half-days within this school year.

Our updated school calendar is as follows:

• Thursday, Nov 19: On-site and Remote programs will operate as usual

• Friday, Nov 20: Parent-Teacher Conferences in session. On-site programs end at the following times:

  • Toddlers: 11:45 a.m.

  • Primary: 12 p.m.

  • Elementary: 12:15 p.m.

• Nov 23-24: Parent-Teacher Conferences in session. All school programs are closed.

• Nov 25-30: MIR is closed for the holiday and staff in-service day.

• Tuesday, Dec 1: MIR programs resume their regular schedules.

We are highly aware of the levels of community spread of the COVID-19 virus. In order to keep our campus safe in December, families who do not follow the California Department of Public Health guidelines over the Thanksgiving break must self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to campus. We will be adding additional questions to the Wellness Check beginning on December 1.

Current guidelines from the California Department of Public Health include but are not limited to:

• Private gatherings that include more than 3 households are prohibited.

• All gatherings must take place outside.

• Participants must have 6 feet of distance between households.

• Face coverings must be worn.

We truly appreciate your support and understanding as we continue to navigate this challenging year. Our goal is to remain open to on-campus students when we return from the Thanksgiving holiday, and we need everyone to do their part to help make that happen.

We wish you a happy and safe holiday break and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Jenny Davidson

Dear MIR families,

On Wednesday, the San Bernardino Department of Public Health conducted an initial support visit to MIR’s campus as a follow-up to having our reopening waiver approved. We are delighted to be working in partnership with them to keep our campus healthy and safe for our entire community.

Our visitors received a tour of our campus and offered some additional resources about local guidelines and best practices for schools. They were complimentary of our Health and Hygiene Program and asked to share MIR’s policies as a model of a COVID-19-ready and compliant campus.

During the visit, they were impressed with the beauty and functionality of our campus and our new outdoor handwashing stations, storage cubbies, and outdoor workspaces. We look forward to a continued partnership with them as the school year progresses.

The Department shared some additional guidance about face masks on campus. Please review the criteria below to verify that your child’s face mask meets CDC expectations. If your child comes to MIR without a face mask that meets the criteria, we will follow up with you to ensure your child has something that is compliant with these guidelines.

Choose a face mask that:

1. Has two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric (cotton, synthetic/cotton blend, polyester outer layer).

2. Completely covers your nose and mouth.

3. Fits snugly against the sides of your face and chin with no gaps.

4. Does not have exhalation valves or vents, which allow virus particles to escape.

No neck gaiters: Emerging studies have shown that due to their porous fabric, neck gaiters are not effective in blocking substantial face droplets. Therefore, face masks used at MIR must be made from cotton, cotton/polyester blend, or a medical mask.

Face shields with a fabric drape are permitted under special circumstances. Please review our Health and Hygiene Program for additional information about face coverings and safety protocols at MIR.

Thank you for all of your understanding, support, and cooperation. We appreciate you!

Jenny

Thank you to everyone who has expressed their support and shared their feedback regarding the re-opening of our on-site Elementary program. We truly appreciate the wonderful MIR community and your continued engagement throughout this process.

Updated Drop-Off/Pick-Up Schedules Starting October 19

As we plan for the return of Elementary students, the safety and health of the students, faculty, staff, and families are at the forefront of our thinking. To facilitate an orderly and hygienic drop-off and pick-up process, all students are dropped off at curb. With more Elementary students coming onto campus, MIR will be revising drop-off and pick-up times for all students. Beginning on October 19, drop-off and pick-up schedules are as follows:

Primary and Toddler:

• 8:45-9:15 am: Drop-off for all Primary and Toddler students

• 11:45-11:55 am: Toddler pick-up for Half Day students

• 11:55-12:05 pm: Primary pick-up for Half-Day students

• 3-3:25 pm: Primary and Toddler pick-up for Full-Day students (a change from the current 2:45 pm start)

• 4:50-5:05 pm: Pick-up for All-Day students

Elementary:

• 8:30-8:45 am: Drop-off

• 3:30-3:45 pm: Pick-up for regular day students

• 4:50-5:05 pm: Pick-up for Extended Day students

• Please do not line up early to avoid blocking the parking lots. If you line up early, you may be asked to exit and rejoin the line at the correct time in order to keep the lots clear.

• Families who have Elementary siblings to Primary and Toddler students may use the elementary arrival and departure times for all their children. Each child should be dropped off and picked up at their designated location.

• Families with students on both sides of the campus will need to drop off and pick up the students at each of their designated locations.

We will share more specific orientation details, such as drop-off/pick-up locations and maps, lunch/snack info, and other school-day logistics, in separate emails to families at each level. MIR shares regular updates and full school year information for 2020-2021 on its 2020-2021 School Year website. The site includes links to the Health & Hygiene Program, the revised parent handbook, and most of the details to be shared in these orientation emails. We encourage you to bookmark the site.

Partners in Health

MIR is committed to creating a safe, clean environment that minimizes risk, using the most well-developed advice of public health and facility experts. Through the waiver application process, the Department of Public Health has reviewed MIR’s Health and Hygiene Program and verified that we meet expectations for a safe reopening.

Mitigating the risk of spreading the virus and maintaining a safe environment inside the school, relies on all of us to do our part outside of school. Our partnership with you has never been more critical as we navigate a global pandemic.

We implore all of you to follow the health and safety guidelines laid out by health professionals worldwide:

• Restrict your family's exposure to large crowds.

• Practice physical distancing and wear a mask in public.

• Teach your children the importance of thorough hand washing.

• Do not bring students to campus if they have been exposed to anyone who has COVID-19 or is exhibiting symptoms.

• Take the school's self-screening protocol seriously.

If your child is joining us on October 19 from being in the Remote or Home Learning programs, we encourage you to watch this video with your student to better understand what to expect and for critical preparation information for their return to school.

In peace,
Jenny Davidson

Dear MIR community,

This week, the school received two pieces of good news for our plans to continue welcoming students back to campus.

First, community transmission of COVID-19 in San Bernardino County continues to decline, to the point that the county is very close to achieving the requirements for the next phase of re-opening (red-tier status).

Second, we are pleased to share that MIR has received a waiver from the San Bernardino County Department of Health to reopen on-site Elementary. The Department reviewed MIR’s Health and Hygiene Program and verified that we meet expectations for a safe reopening. With a waiver in place, MIR can offer students and families a consistent on-site program to all families, even if there is some variation in community transmission rates in the future.

Following the waiver approval, we have assessed our options for reopening with staff and the Board of Trustees. We also have taken your feedback into consideration regarding our learning programs and safety protocols. From surveys collected earlier this month, a strong majority of staff and families have confidence in our Health and Hygiene Program and its successful implementation.

With the support of the Board and staff, we are delighted to announce that MIR will reopen our on-site Elementary program as of October 19, 2020. We undertake this important next step with due consideration and with the confidence that welcoming students back onto our campus at this time is feasible and in the best interest of supporting their learning development and our community’s needs.

This adjustment will require the support of our entire community as we adapt our physical spaces to accommodate all students safely. MIR will need to schedule Montessori Home Learning days for some programs to prepare our environments and staff for these changes. We have done our best to reduce the impact on families, and we apologize for any inconvenience.

• Toddler On-site and Remote Learning programs will not require Montessori Home Learning days. The school will be closed for our previously scheduled staff in-service day on Monday, October 12. Toddler students will return to their regular program on Tuesday, October 13.

• Primary Remote Learning programs will not require Montessori Home Learning days. The school will be closed for our previously scheduled staff in-service day on October 12. Students will return to Remote Learning on October 13.

• Primary On-site programs will be closed October 12 for our previously scheduled In-service day. On-site students will participate in Montessori Home Learning on October 13 and 14, and campus will not be accessible to students these days. This will allow staff to prepare our physical environments to meet safety expectations and to make Elementary classrooms available for returning students. The Montessori Home Learning per diem tuition credit will be applied to your account at the end of October for these two days. Primary students may return to campus on Thursday, October 15.

• Elementary On-site and Home Learning programs will be closed October 12th for our regularly scheduled In-service day. All Elementary students will participate in Montessori Home Learning Tuesday, October 13 through Friday, October 16 to allow staff to prepare our physical environments for re-opening our campus. Families with students in the on-site Essential Worker Program will receive the Montessori Home Learning per diem tuition credit for these four days. Families with students currently in the Home Learning program will continue to receive the per diem credit through Friday, October 16, 2020. All per diem credits will be posted at the end of October. Elementary students will return to campus on Monday, October 19.

We realize that the addition of Home Learning days in October will be a change in plans for families who are currently participating in on-site programs. We have kept the campus closures to a minimum required for transitioning our spaces. We truly hope that our Home Learning plans and the per diem tuition credit will assist families in navigating these transitional days.

We are incredibly proud of the developments our teachers have made within the Montessori Home Learning program, and we recognize that students, families, and staff are challenged by the limits of Home Learning. We are so pleased for this opportunity to offer all families a return to on-site learning.

We also remain committed to our Guiding Principles for the 2020-21 school year: MIR will continue fulfilling our mission to support children with beginning their life journey of self-realization, love of learning, and global responsibility.

1. Our students, faculty, staff, and families’ safety and health will lead how and where we learn and operate.

2. We will offer an integrated and sustaining experience for families and staff.

3. Plans will remain flexible and responsive as new information becomes available throughout the year.

All safety protocols outlined in our Health and Hygiene Program will remain intact, and some will be enhanced when Elementary reopens. Please review the program at your earliest convenience. Participation in the program is required for returning to campus.

Thank you for your continued feedback and engagement as we strive to meet the needs of our community during this unique academic year. We know you may have questions, and look forward to providing answers as best we can in the coming weeks.

We truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we join together to support all of our students and families. We can’t wait to welcome your children back to campus!

Jenny Davidson
Head of School

Anne Desmarais
President, MIR Board of Trustees

Remote Learning

When on-site programs resume, Remote Learning options will continue to be available to students who are unable to physically return to campus. Our Elementary Lead Classroom Teachers will be returning to on-site programs, and a team of other Montessori-trained staff will guide a Remote Learning program for Elementary students remaining at home. MIR Elementary families who wish to apply for the Remote Learner program must do so by Friday, October 2, 2020. There is no per-diem tuition credit for this program and tuition will be the same as on-site students. Email admissions@mir.org for an application form. Applications will be processed and families notified asap. Toddler and Primary families already enrolled in the Remote Learning program do not need to reapply.

Dear MIR Community,

Congratulations on a successful start to the 2020-21 school year! Thank you so much for your collaboration and support as we navigate several new learning programs and protocols.

With our initial success, and with decreasing community spread of COVID-19 in our county, we are now exploring our options for welcoming additional students onto our physical campus.

MIR is planning to apply for a waiver from the San Bernardino Department of Public Health to invite Elementary students to return to on-site programs. If a waiver is granted, MIR will implement a phased approach to reopening that will begin with Lower Elementary students and extend to Upper Elementary when we are able to do so within safety protocols.

The timeline for opening additional on-site Elementary programs is not yet determined. It will depend on the status of our waiver application and the preparedness of the school’s physical environments. When on-site programs resume, Remote Learning options will continue to be available to Elementary families who decide to continue learning at home. When our lead classroom teachers return to their on-site programs, other Montessori-trained MIR staff will guide an Elementary Remote Learning program for students at home.

We are seeking community input and collaboration as we plan our next steps for the waiver. Please take a moment to fill out this short survey: MIR Waiver Application Parent Survey [this survey is now closed].

While we are excited to offer additional on-site options, the safety and health of our students, faculty, staff, and families will continue to be our highest priority for how and where we learn and operate. Our plans will remain flexible and responsive as new information becomes available throughout the year. Please visit our on-site Health and Hygiene Program if you have any questions about our current protocols.

Thank you again for all of your support and understanding.

Sincerely,
Jenny Davidson

Dear MIR Community,

Welcome to the 2020-21 school year at Montessori in Redlands! While our programs look a little different this year, the entire MIR team is passionate about continuing to fulfill our mission to support children beginning their life journey of self-realization, love of learning, and global responsibility.

This year, in particular, the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and families will lead how and where we learn and operate. Our plans and programs will remain flexible and responsive as new information becomes available. We strive to offer an integrated and sustaining experience for families and staff. Our commitment to our mission and 44 years of experience will ensure the continued quality of our Montessori programs.

In the next few days, you will be receiving detailed information about the programs your family is participating in this year. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this unique back-to-school season.

Orientation Week and First Day of School for Home and Remote Learners

August 24-28 will be an orientation week for the Montessori Home Learning and Remote Learning programs. MIR will also host a regular curb supply pick-up to support your child’s learning activities at home. We are hosting our first curb supply pick-up on Friday, August 21, 12:30-2 p.m.

Revised School Calendar

MIR’s school calendar includes our best projections for the academic year. We expect some flexibility will be required as circumstances continue to evolve. Additional staff in-service days may be scheduled when we are able to accommodate more MIR students on our physical campus. No in-person community gatherings are planned for next year. Events will be redesigned as online experiences to stay connected, share information, and build community safely.

• Print the Annual Overview calendar for 2020-21 »

• View or subscribe to the online school calendar »

Staff Updates

We are happy to share that almost all of our staff are returning this year, with just a few changes:

• After forty years at Montessori in Redlands, Aedín Artigue will be stepping away from her role as a lead Toddler teacher. Instead, Aedín will be supporting students who are learning from home this year. We are profoundly grateful for her decades of dedication and are so pleased that she will spend this year continuing her work with children and families before her anticipated retirement in Spring 2021.

• Saskia de Jong, MIR’s Occupational Therapist, has decided to leave her regular position at the school as the COVID-19 pandemic poses some obstacles for how occupational therapy services can be offered safely in a school setting. We are so happy that Saskia is willing to stay on as a consultant to the Student Services team this academic year. MIR will delay filling this position until we have additional assurances that students and staff can stay safe during physical sessions.

• We are happy to share the news that Primary teacher Jennifer Helm is expecting her second child this fall. Jennifer will be working with Primary and Toddler Remote Students who will be learning at home at the start of this year. We are so fortunate to have a strong team of staff members ready to support the classroom during Jennifer’s maternity leave. Maria Hernandez, Cheryl Church, and Iris Reynoso will continue working together, and we are excited to share that Brandy Caler, an AMI Primary diploma holder who has previously worked with Maria and Jennifer, will also be joining the classroom team.

Thank you sincerely for all of your support and understanding. I hope you enjoy these last weeks of summer and look forward to welcoming you back to Montessori in Redlands soon.

In peace,
Jenny Davidson
Head of School

Dear MIR community,

With the release of California’s new pandemic plan for safe schools, MIR now has more detailed guidance for the start of the 2020-2021 academic year. California’s reopening framework applies to both public and private schools and currently prohibits Elementary school campuses from opening while San Bernardino County is being monitored for elevated disease transmission. Until our county meets the threshold for reopening schools, MIR’s Elementary students will participate in an updated Montessori Home Learning program.

MIR is a licensed childcare provider and is able to operate on-site Montessori programs for Toddler and Primary children with current safety protocols. We can also offer an on-site Montessori elementary program for essential workers. All of our on-site programs will be utilizing outdoor spaces and spreading out in our available indoor spaces as well. In some cases, that will mean that larger classes will be divided into two different classroom spaces.

Below is the full list of offerings that MIR will have in the fall. All programs will be guided by our Montessori trained staff members

MIR PROGRAMS FOR TODDLER AND PRIMARY STUDENTS, FALL 2020

On-site Toddler and Primary Montessori Programs

1. Our regular Half-Day (9 a.m.-12 p.m. for Primary, 9-11:45 a.m. for Toddler), Full day (9 a.m.-3 p.m.), and All-Day (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) programs will continue.

2. Morning and afternoon childcare is not available due to current safety requirements. If you registered for morning or afternoon childcare programs, those have been removed from your program.

Montessori Remote Learning for Toddler and Primary

1. This program is designed for students unable to physically attend campus.

2. There is no per-diem tuition credit for this program. Tuition will be the same as on-site students.

3. Parents must apply to participate by July 30, 2020. Applications will be processed the first week of August and families notified asap. Apply for Remote Learning »

MIR PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS, FALL 2020

Lower and Upper Elementary Montessori Home Learning

This program has been revised based on parent and staff feedback. Families can expect an updated structure that emphasizes the most effective components of Home Learning and addresses challenges that families navigated. Updates to the program include:

• The use of Google Classroom for improved communication between teachers, families, and students. This will replace the online learning journals and will support collaboration among peers.

• More frequent connection points including small group lessons and regular office hours for students and families.

• Tracking and supporting attendance and engagement in Home Learning activities.

• Orientation sessions for students and parents at the start of the school year and ongoing family support throughout Montessori Home Learning.

• A more unified and collaborative plan by level.

The Home Learning per-diem tuition credit (as outlined on the rate sheet) will apply.

On-site Essential Worker Elementary Montessori Program

1. A Regular Day (9 am-3 pm) schedule is available, with an Extended Day (3-5 pm) option.

2. This program will be guided by Montessori trained teachers who currently fill other positions within our school. Participants will receive Montessori lessons on-site and will not participate in Home Learning with their lead teacher. As with all on-site programs, MIR’s Health and Hygiene Program will be in effect. Family participation in the Health and Hygiene Program is required.

3. Parents must apply to participate by July 30, 2020. Applications will be processed the first week of August and families notified asap. Apply for the Essential Worker Montessori Program »

The Home Learning per-diem tuition credit will not apply.

ORIENTATION WEEK

August 24-28 will be an orientation week for all MIR programs. For families with children on-site, your first day on campus will either be August 24, 25, 26, or 27. By staggering student start dates, we can safely and effectively orient our community to new campus protocols. By August 10, MIR will notify families when their first day on campus will be. Thank you for your flexibility.

Off-site students and families will also be oriented to Montessori Home Learning and Remote Learning during the week of August 24-28th. Curb supply pick-up and orientation sessions with teachers will be scheduled to set students and families up for success.

I want to thank everyone who responded to the parent survey we circulated last week. We received a strong response and truly appreciate your ongoing engagement, questions, and suggestions. We are keeping your responses in mind as we finalize our detailed plans. You can expect regular updates as more information becomes available.

If you have questions about our safety protocols but have not yet visited MIR’s Health and Hygiene Program, please start there. Family participation in the Health and Hygiene Program is required and more detailed information will be added to this program over the next few weeks.

We are confident that the programs we have available for the start of the year will be safe and enriching learning experiences for all students. As always, MIR will continue to prioritize flexibility in all of our plans. Along with our entire community, we look forward to welcoming all students back to our campus as soon as that can be done safely.

Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate these unique circumstances.

Sincerely,
Jenny Davidson
Head of School

Dear MIR community,

The team at Montessori in Redlands has been busy preparing for the 2020-2021 school year and we are narrowing our plans and feasible options for next year. Our main goal has been to build a framework that allows our school to be responsive to the evolving status of COVID-19 transmission in our region and community while continuing to offer the quality Montessori programs that you all know and love.

As you review the scenarios below, please know that we value and appreciate your feedback. There is a survey link at the bottom of this letter to collect your suggestions, questions, and concerns for school next year. Your feedback will be considered as our plans are finalized for the fall. We will share an overview of your community input and will send more frequent updates moving forward.

MIR has completed a full assessment of the resources we have available (supplies, physical spaces, staffing, protocols, and communication tools). Our findings show that unlike many larger school districts, we have the essential resources needed to operate on-site programs next year within recommended safety guidelines. We have been closely monitoring best practices for schools that have successfully reopened and have outlined multiple scenarios we can realistically implement in response to the evolving circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In all of these scenarios, some changes for next year will include:

• The safety and health of our students, faculty, staff, and families will lead how and where we learn and operate. Our Summer Program has successfully implemented MIR’s Health and Hygiene Program and our team is ready to help orient students and families to these expectations in the fall. Family participation in the Health and Hygiene Program is required.

• Only staff and students will be permitted beyond our pedestrian gates. Drop-off and pick-up will take place at MIR’s curb for all students. Specific instructions for curb and parking will be shared before school begins.

• No in-person community gatherings are scheduled for next year. Events will be redesigned online to stay connected, share information, and build community safely.

• The schedule for Elementary Childcare programs will be modified. More information about those changes will be shared with Elementary Childcare families very soon.

• Families should make plans for swiftly changing circumstances:

  • If MIR receives notice of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis on our campus, you may be contacted for an immediate pick-up of your child. A temporary closure (from 3 to 14 days) might be needed for cleaning or for a quarantine depending on the circumstances.

  • If there is a positive case within a household, MIR will require the student to complete a full 14-day quarantine after the COVID-19 positive family member has met CDC requirements for returning to work.

• Remote Learning will be offered to students who cannot physically attend school next year. This might be due to an existing medical condition within the household or to family preference. It is likely that MIR teachers will be present in the classroom with on-site students, so Remote Learning will differ from the Montessori Home Learning program offered in Spring 2020. Families requesting a Remote Learning program are invited to apply by filling out the Remote Learner Application. This will help us understand the reasons for the request and ensure we have the capacity to accommodate your child. In a Remote Learning program:

  • Tuition will be the same as for on-site students.

  • Elementary Remote Students will participate in the classroom by being present online during some classroom work sessions and will have a fixed schedule for staff guidance.

  • Caregivers for Toddler and Primary Remote Students will receive Montessori activities for the home daily and may be invited to attend classroom and group gatherings online.

While we will aim to accommodate as many students on campus as possible, this must be done with a strong emphasis on safety. MIR is currently finalizing a decision model for how and when each possible scenario will be implemented. The two main criteria that will affect our decisions will be:

1. The level of community disease transmission in San Bernardino County: The CA Department of Public Health defines Elevated Disease Transmission if the case rate (per 100,000 residents) is greater than 100 residents, OR the case rate (per 100,000 residents) is greater than 25 residents AND the positive rate is greater than 8%.

2. The presence of COVID-19 among staff and students at MIR: We aim to have zero transmission on the MIR campus and will swiftly respond if or when a positive case is identified.

Scenario 1: MIR Students on Campus

• When all MIR students are present on campus, we have sufficient staffing and physical space to support 6 feet of physical distancing per student. We are adding shaded outdoor extensions to our learning environments that students can access from each classroom. Classes can still be accommodated indoors in the case of inclement weather.

• Each classroom, with the exception of Toddlers, will operate as an isolated unit and will not mix with others. (Toddlers will function as one unit.) We will encourage collaboration and school community in alternative ways.

• MIR’s Health and Hygiene Program will be fully implemented and family participation required.

Scenario 2: Fewer Students on Campus

If MIR opens with all students on-site but a government mandate requires that we reduce our group size, MIR’s campus will be temporarily closed to clean and prepare spaces for the following changes:

• After a brief closure, all Toddler and Primary students can return to campus for on-site learning. Students will operate in isolated groups of 12 that will not mix with others. Primary students will utilize the available Elementary classroom spaces and outdoor learning environments to promote additional physical distancing measures. MIR’s Health and Hygiene Program will remain fully implemented and family participation will be required.

• Lower and Upper Elementary students will begin a revised and updated Montessori Home Learning program until it is possible for all students to return to campus. A per-diem tuition credit will be offered for up to 40 days of Home Learning during the 2020-21 academic year, as outlined on the 2020-21 Rate Sheet.

• On-site programs will be offered to Elementary families who qualify as essential workers. Essential workers will be asked to fill out a questionnaire at the beginning of the school year to qualify for this program.

Scenario 3: Full Campus Closure

• If a government mandate or other circumstance determines that MIR students will be safest learning from home, the campus will be closed and all students will begin a revised and updated Montessori Home Learning program. A per-diem tuition credit will be offered for up to 40 days of Home Learning during the 2020-21 academic year, as outlined on the rate sheet.

• On-site programs will be offered to families of all ages who qualify as essential workers. Essential workers will be asked to fill out a questionnaire at the beginning of the school year to qualify for this program.

We feel fortunate that MIR has the flexibility and resources to adapt to the changing circumstances that may arise in the next school year. We know that students and families benefit from on-site programs and will strive to provide those learning opportunities whenever it is possible to do so.

We would appreciate your input as we finalize the circumstances for initiating these scenarios. Please take a moment to fill out our community response survey. MIR values your input and will continue sharing updates before the start of the school year.

Thank you for your ongoing trust and support. We look forward to partnering with you as we finalize the planning process for next year.

Sincerely,
Jenny Davidson
Head of School

May 29, 2020

Dear MIR families,

As the re-enrollment deadline for the 2020-2021 school year approaches, we wanted to share some additional information about MIR’s planning process for the next year. We are currently preparing for a variety of scenarios, from the almost-normal to the strictest safety protocols, and of course, several options that fall somewhere in between. We are not in a position to predict which of these scenarios will be implemented, but we will have a variety of feasible options to choose from based on the current recommendations and guidelines. The health and wellness of our community will remain our highest priority, and we will continue offering the same high-quality education and care that you have come to expect from Montessori in Redlands.

Many of our tentative plans are designed to allow all, or part, of MIR to continue operating on-site even if there is a future stay-at-home order. As you may have seen, the health and safety measures we are adopting for summer school are based on the rigorous requirements that essential worker childcare-centers have followed since March. Since these have already been demonstrated to be effective, we are confident that we are well-positioned to provide safe on-site care for children and staff.

One of the most significant changes to safety protocols is to limit group sizes and physical interactions between individuals and groups. We are fortunate to have such a large campus and a relatively comfortable climate. Many Montessori schools opening around the world are using their outdoor spaces creatively to adhere to ratios and physical separation while still providing regular school services. We are exploring ways that we can use these strengths and attributes to avoid making significant changes to our schedules or initiating a Montessori Home Learning session. Requirements for group sizes may change between now and the start of school, so we will wait to commit to a specific plan until later this summer.

Our initial plan will be to accommodate all MIR students on our campus, but if group sizes or requirements for ratios require a reduction, we have the option to continue on-site programs for families who most urgently need care. This would include essential workers, households where all adults are working full-time, and families of MIR’s younger students. We will continue this planning process throughout the summer, and we will aim to serve as many children as we can safely accommodate on our campus. If a home learning session is unavoidable, we will use our flexible school calendar to maximize our onsite instruction and ease the expectations of home learning.

We are deeply committed to the health and wellness of our community and look forward to refining and communicating these plans over the summer.

In peace,

Jenny

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Will safety protocols change from summer to academic year?

MIR will follow all guidelines from the CDC, California and San Bernardino County Departments of Health, as well as recommendations for local schools and licensing to keep our students and staff healthy and well. Over the summer, we will continue to adjust those plans as recommendations change, and as we learn new ways of gracefully incorporating them into our daily routines. The teachers and staff who will be working over summer will serve as mentors for all staff returning in the fall. We have also formed a committee to strategize additional support we can offer children mentally and emotionally as they return from this extended time of isolation.

Will MIR change the regular school schedule for next year?

At this time, we are not planning to modify school schedules. We are exploring other creative ways to adhere to the stricter safety requirements expected next year. We are still assessing if, or what, changes will be necessary to maintain safety in our before and after school childcare programs and will keep you updated as plans are confirmed.

What happens if I do not re-enroll by June 1?

Enrollments received after June 1 are possible but will be based on the available spaces we have in our classrooms. We are not able to guarantee placement after this date because staffing must be determined and secured prior to the start of the school year. Based on the enrollment agreements MIR has received by June 1, we will begin offering spaces to students in our waitpool and securing staffing for the next school year.

What circumstances allow for a release of contract?

The MIR agreement allows for a release of contract if the student has a medical need or if the family moves out of the area. We follow best practices for independent schools, and refunds or a release of contract are only granted for these reasons.

Will Essential Workers have continuous on-site care next year?

MIR plans to offer continuous on-site care for essential workers throughout the 2020-21 school year. By following the same safety protocols as current essential worker childcare centers, we expect that we will be able to continue those services even if there is another stay-at-home order issued next year.

Is financial aid available if our family experiences a loss of income?

MIR has refocused our entire budget to help retain families who are facing economic hardship. Our school has awarded unprecedented amounts of emergency financial assistance and will strive to accommodate needs for next year as well. Our funds are limited. Families who are interested in supporting our COVID-19 Relief Fund for financial assistance can contribute on the MIR website.

How will the Flexible School Calendar work?

MIR is drafting a calendar for the 2020-21 school year with some of our regular closures designated as "Flexible Closures." A portion of our Winter Break, the entirety of Spring Break, and several staff in-service days will be tentatively reserved on our calendar. In order to maximize our on-site instruction and ease the expectations of home learning, we may reschedule these school closures to align with a campus closure.

How does the Montessori Home Learning per-diem tuition credit work?

If MIR’s physical campus is closed to protect our community from the virus, we will shift to Montessori Home Learning until it is deemed safe to reopen. A per-diem tuition credit will be offered for up to 40 days of Home Learning during the 2020-21 academic year. Toddler families will be granted a per-diem tuition credit of 50%, Primary will be granted 20%, and Elementary will be granted 15%. This tiered approach is based on the children’s level of independence in each age group and their ability to engage in home learning activities. Families will have the opportunity to donate their per-diem credit to the COVID-19 Relief Fund to support emergency financial assistance for MIR families in need.

If Montessori Home Learning is needed next year, will it be the same?

The MIR faculty has been collecting data about the most effective home learning practices from this Spring. We have learned a lot in a short amount of time and will be using this information to refine and improve our Home learning program if it is needed for the 2020-2021 school year.

Can we choose Montessori Home Learning instead of on-site education next year?

MIR is exploring our capacity to offer Montessori Home Learning for families who may not be ready to return to our on-site programs. We will continue assessing the feasibility of this option and will be interested to know if there is a widespread demand for this service. Please use this poll to let us know if this is an option your family would be interested in.

Will your safety measures be effective with young children?

We have been monitoring the status of childcare centers who have remained open since March and their safety protocols have proven to be effective even for young children. With illness policies that keep sick people home, implement high levels of hygiene, and isolate groups from each other, we do not have to rely on physical distancing alone to reduce risks.

Dear Families,

I am pleased to announce that we will be opening the MIR campus for summer school. We will follow the same rigorous safety requirements that essential worker childcare-centers have implemented since March, and we are well-positioned to provide safe on-site care for children and staff. The 2020 Summer Program will be held in 4 two-week sessions for the following dates:

• Session 1: June 15-26

• Session 2: June 29-July 10 No summer school on Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day.

• Session 3: July 13-24

• Session 4: July 27-August 7

The health and safety of our students and staff is our highest priority as we plan for re-opening our campus to children. Adult/child ratios, our use of physical spaces, student groupings, as well as our cleaning and disinfecting practices will all be significantly modified.

Students in the Toddler and Primary programs will enjoy their regular Montessori program, supplemented with outdoor and water play, music, and arts and crafts. The Elementary Summer Program will support students in building their academic, physical, and social-emotional skills while having a lot of fun. It will also offer much-needed social engagement after an extended stay at home.

Our Safety Team has outlined detailed safety protocols based on CDC, state, and county requirements. We will share detailed information about these protocols as soon as they are finalized. The summer program will give us the opportunity to practice and refine these protocols as we prepare for a larger on-site opening in the fall.

In keeping with this plan, and to meet updated requirements issued by Community Care Licensing, the following modifications will be made to our summer program:

• The daily schedule will be simplified to 8 a.m.-4 p.m. for all ages.

• We will not be able to offer swimming.

• Students will not take physical field trips.

On May 26, we will send more details about the MIR Summer Program and how to enroll. We are implementing a new system for summer school enrollment, which should simplify the process for you.

I continue to be inspired by the creativity and kindness of our community. Thank you for the faith and support you continue to provide to each other and to MIR. If you have any questions, please let me know.

In peace,

Jenny Davidson

Head of School

Dear MIR families,

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as Montessori Home Learning continues. This week, our faculty is reflecting on your feedback on the home learning process and discussing ways we can streamline our support for you and your children. We know that this shutdown has been difficult for parents, and we want to help as much as we can.

I'm writing to share some updates about Montessori in Redlands and our current plans for reopening. The majority of our annual expenses are fixed, meaning that our budgeted expenses for this school year were committed before the current stay at home order was issued. Over the past several years, the MIR board has prioritized the cultivation of a reserve fund for unexpected emergencies, but with the immediate and school-wide impacts of this closure, we anticipate MIR’s financial recovery will take time.

When a campus closure became imminent, our business office took immediate action to freeze non-essential spending and conserve cash to help the school come through this pandemic intact. While we had few remaining options for reducing our projected expenses, our supply purchases, cleaning services, and facility improvements were all placed on hold. These swift decisions, along with your continued tuition payments in this difficult time have ensured that Montessori in Redlands is in a position to chart a course for reopening and recovery.

For the foreseeable future, MIR has refocused our entire budget on a very simple purpose - sustaining and supporting our school community. To us this means:

Supporting families who have been hit hardest by the pandemic

Our school has repurposed every available dollar to our Emergency Financial Assistance program for this year and next. MIR has always maintained a modest financial aid fund for families facing financial difficulties. With the current downturn, our typical financial aid fund will be insufficient. We have reduced all non-essential spending through the 2020-21 school year and have launched the COVID-19 Relief Fund, which several families have already supported with donations. The full extent of our community’s need will only be known in time, but our priority is keeping our children’s relationships intact by not losing any students due to an inability to pay.

Retaining our staff

One of the remarkable characteristics of MIR is the longevity and commitment of our teachers and staff. Generations of MIR students have benefited from the consistency and experience that our staff brings year after year. We aim to continue that experience for your children and beyond.

Essential functioning and maintenance of the school

We know that some essential expenses cannot be reduced or delayed. As we look ahead to plans for re-opening, we will need to invest in additional health and safety equipment, and we will prioritize any spending that directly improves the quality of education we provide. These needs will not be compromised.

LOOKING AHEAD AND PLANS FOR REOPENING

While there is still uncertainty about what the summer and fall will hold, our staff and board are preparing for a variety of scenarios that are likely under current projections. We are closely monitoring government recommendations and are collaborating with a large community of independent schools to share insights and best practices. We anticipate that school will reopen as expected in the fall and we are exploring multiple options for our summer school program.

The MIR team is implementing significant safety measures for health and wellness to keep students, staff, and families safe while there is still risk of COVID-19 infection. We will share our detailed safety plans with you prior to opening. Your cooperation will help keep our community healthy and well.

We are preparing for the possibility that additional stay-at-home orders may be issued if COVID-19 infections increase locally. We know that this could require additional Montessori Home Learning sessions during the 2020-21 school year. Now that the school is in a position to prepare for this possibility, we are planning the following accommodations for next year:

Per Diem Tuition Credit for 2020-21 Home Learning sessions

If MIR’s physical campus is closed to protect our community from the virus, we will shift to Montessori Home Learning until it is deemed safe to reopen. A per-diem tuition credit will be offered for up to 40 days of Home Learning during the 2020-21 academic year. Toddler families will be granted a per-diem tuition credit of 50%, Primary will be granted 20%, and Elementary will be granted 15%. This tiered approach is based on the children’s level of independence in each age group and their ability to engage in home learning activities. Families will have the opportunity to donate their per-diem credit to the COVID-19 Relief Fund to support emergency financial assistance for MIR families in need.

Flexible school calendar

MIR is drafting a calendar for the 2020-21 school year with some of our regular closures designated as "Flexible Closures." A portion of our Winter Break, the entirety of Spring Break, and several staff in-service days will be tentatively reserved on our calendar. In order to maximize our on-site instruction and ease the expectations of home learning, we may reschedule these school closures to align with a campus closure. Governor Newsom has also shared the possibility of schools beginning their academic year earlier than usual. We are exploring this option and will share any new information with you as soon as it is available.

Summer School

We are considering the feasibility of running Summer School under the current and projected safety restrictions and plan to announce the status of Summer Session 1 to families on or before May 26th. MIR summer school is offered in four 2-week sessions and each session will be assessed and confirmed independently of the others.

An updated rate sheet is attached to this email (available online here) reflecting the per-diem credit and rates for the 2020-21 school year. We will be sharing re-enrollment agreements with you on Monday, May 4th.

This global health emergency has created the need, and opportunity, to focus on what is most important. For Montessori in Redlands, that includes fulfilling our mission to support children’s development, and the health and well-being of our community. Those priorities will guide our decisions as we continue to navigate this time of change. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

In peace,

Jenny Davidson

Head of School

Dear MIR families,

As you may know, MIR typically schedules two days of Parent-Teacher Conferences at the end of April. Given the high levels of communication and collaboration between parents and teachers to support Montessori Home Learning, MIR will not be holding Spring conferences as usual. We are revising our schedule for this year as follows:

• Thursday, April 23: Home Learning continues as usual

• Friday, April 24: MIR is closed, staff and students have the day off from Home Learning

• Monday, April 27: MIR Staff In-service day, students have the day off from Home Learning

This plan offers one additional day of Montessori Home Learning guidance, it allows our families and staff to take a day's rest from home learning, and it supports a productive in-service day for MIR staff to work together.

Before the end of the school year, teachers will share a modified progress report summarizing your child's experiences from November through this Spring. Whether your child is moving up or returning to the same classroom next year, each teacher will be prepared to assess and support your child's learning when they return next fall. All children proceed through Montessori at their own pace -- rest assured that our teachers will meet your child wherever they are with compassion and care.

If you have not been in regular contact with your child's teacher about Montessori Home Learning and have questions or just want to connect, I hope you will reach out through your child's Learning Journal or arrange a time for a conversation. We are here for you and want to help however we can.

Sending you best wishes from the entire MIR team,

Jenny Davidson

Dear MIR families,

This week, California Governor Gavin Newsom released a statement calling for California school campuses to remain closed for the remainder of this school year, with the expectation that students' education will continue through home learning. While we are all disappointed by this news, we recognize that this decision is made with the interest of our community’s health and safety in mind.

I know that the transition to Montessori Home Learning has not been without challenge. We truly appreciate the willingness of our families and caregivers to partner with us in this unexpected journey. Fortunately, Montessori educators are experienced in creatively and compassionately responding to the unexpected. I believe we are uniquely suited to continue supporting our families through this and to provide a comprehensive home education program for our students.

The MIR Board and the business office are continuing to assess the financial impact of this campus closure on our school. We are facing a loss of income due to the cancellation of childcare fees and the gala, and new admissions for the spring have been halted, resulting in a loss of tuition.

We are also processing a high volume of requests for emergency financial assistance due to a loss of job or income. If you feel you qualify for emergency assistance, please email me directly. If you wish to make a contribution to our relief fund for families, you may do so here.

Our entire staff is actively working to support Montessori Home Learning, and we are doing everything within our power to avoid layoffs or reduction in compensation. Continued employment will ensure a smooth re-opening of the physical campus when this is over, and we have a fiduciary responsibility to the entire community to consider the ongoing strength of the school.

MIR has some reserve funds and a line of credit, but as a lean non-profit, we will need additional funding to carry the school through the pandemic and campus closure. We are currently applying for small business loans and the Paycheck Protection Program loan that was recently created through the CARES Act.

Every day and every week will give us more information about our sustainability, and I plan to offer updates as frequently as I am able. I am grateful for your supportive messages and solidarity as we do our best to navigate these unexpected changes. We truly appreciate your understanding and ongoing support.

Thank you sincerely,

Jenny

Dear MIR families,

We hope this email finds you and your family well. Thank you for your patience, support, and well-wishes as our entire community adjusts to California’s current stay-at-home order and to home learning.

Above and beyond our anxieties about the spread of this virus, I know that many MIR families have already experienced a loss of income or employment as a result of the pandemic. Our finance team is exploring multiple options to help our community through this difficult time and they are prioritizing support for the most vulnerable members of our school community. Please contact me directly if you have lost employment or if you are experiencing financial hardship due to this pandemic.

Some families have chosen to make donations to help our community through this time and I offer you my sincere gratitude. Your support will help us assist families who need it the most and will help MIR retain its teachers and staff. I know that not everyone is in a position to give, and that's okay. I am deeply moved by how much our community cares for each other and for the long-term sustainability of our school.

Many of you are healthcare professionals, first responders, or work in other crucial roles essential to our local pandemic response. MIR is investigating whether we are able to offer an emergency childcare program for you as essential workers.

If this is a service you would qualify for and be interested in accessing, please fill out this form to help us make a more informed decision. Thank you sincerely for your work, we are all deeply grateful.

Thank you and be safe,

Jenny

We hope everyone is well and finding moments of inspiration and fun while at home!

As we launch the Montessori Home Learning Program, MIR is scheduling time tomorrow (Wednesday, March 25) for students from the following classes to pick up work and belongings for the students. (Please note: it's perfectly fine if another family picks up items for you.)

If your class is not listed here, we are planning to arrange times for you to pick up your student's belongings directly from the classroom.

Items will be handed to you through your passenger-side window. If you prefer to have us put them directly into a trunk or back seat for you, just let us know when you arrive.

PICK-UP SCHEDULE AND LOCATIONS

South Campus Classes

Line up on the curb like you do for drop-off.

• 8:30-9 a.m.: Emily's class. Parents with siblings in Teesie's class can park on the curb between the office and Toddlers and wait for Teesie's pick up.

• 9-9:30 a.m.: Teesie's class.

North Campus Classes

8:30-9 a.m.

• Kristen's class: Line up on the west side of the parking lot (usual location for afternoon pick up).

• Kelly's class: Line up on the east side of the parking lot.

9-9:30 a.m.

• Venus's class: Line up on the west side of the parking lot.

• Roslyn's class: Line up on the east side of the parking lot (usual location for afternoon pick up).

9:30-10 a.m.

• Kara/Jenny's class: Line up on the west side of the parking lot.

• Maria/Jennifer's class: Line up on the east side of the parking lot.

If you have multiple children in multiple classes on north campus, or on both campuses, we suggest you arrange to pick up toward the end of one class's pick-up time and the beginning of the other.

If you need something specific from the classroom, please let us know. We will ask you to pull into a parking spot and will retrieve the item for you.

All student bags not picked up on Wednesday will be brought to the MIR yoga room. Please arrange an alternate time to pick up your student's items.

COMPUTING RESOURCES

Some families have reached out to us to let us know that they do not have (or have enough) computing resources at home to support Montessori Home Learning for multiple students. We have limited supplies of devices that we will check out. If this is your situation, please let us know by 12 p.m. on Wednesday by emailing us at info@mir.org for the first distribution of devices on Thursday. By necessity, we will prioritize families with the highest need. We will schedule a second distribution time as needed.

Dear MIR families,

Over this past week, you and your children have been at the forefront of our minds. The MIR staff shares a mission and long history of supporting child development through Montessori education. This work will continue.

As this pandemic prompted school closures across the globe, Montessori schools began collaborating at a blinding pace to develop strategies for supporting students’ learning and development from a distance. Over the Spring Break closure and during yesterday’s staff in-service, the MIR team has developed our own plan for our Montessori Home Learning Program. We have relied heavily on suggestions from other Montessori schools who are thinking creatively about this, and on many who have refined these approaches after being closed for several weeks already.

Each day this week, we will introduce you to a new component of the Montessori Home Learning Program. Today, we would like to start by sharing the Montessori Home Learning Handbook. It is an orientation to how we expect this process to unfold and the roles that our staff, you, and your student will play.

This work is rooted deeply in our Montessori philosophy: we believe children need both freedom and structure, children are naturally motivated to learn and develop, and adults should serve as a bridge to the children’s environment and learning opportunities.

Our priorities in developing this approach are to:

• Continue to foster each child’s love of learning and to guide learning opportunities for them.

• Support the emotional and mental health of both the child and the parents within the context of this situation.

• Maintain, extend, and encourage community connection in new ways.

We know that this is an extraordinary time and parents are overwhelmed. Starting tomorrow, your teachers will begin sharing resources and suggestions with you. The goals of these resources are to help you and your child establish routines that support learning, and to offer you both some independence.

We acknowledge that you, as parents, have many essential priorities right now. If you are not able to use these resources right away, please be forgiving with yourself. Your teachers will help you prioritize your family’s time and energy by sharing individualized recommendations for your child.

Take care, stay well, and please know that we are here to help.

Best,

Jenny Davidson, Head of School

Mandie Schadwinkel, Assistant Head of School

Jessica Brockardt, Elementary Coordinator​

Dear Parents,

As the situation surrounding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to evolve, MIR is working hard to set up the infrastructure necessary to support our students and families working from home. You may have heard that Redlands Unified School District recently announced that their closure will be extended through Friday, May 1. For the health and safety of our staff and students, the campus closure at Montessori in Redlands will follow the same schedule.

Our physical campus is closed, but Montessori education will continue. Montessori in Redlands is transitioning to a Montessori Home Learning Program for the duration of time that our physical campus must remain closed.

Our students are uniquely capable of taking on the challenge of learning from home, even at the youngest ages. Montessori is a self-directed learning model. In their time in the classroom, students have learned how to concentrate, how to choose and persist through challenging work, and how to reach out for help when needed. These skills can continue to flourish in a home learning environment.

Our teachers will be there to guide the students and to support you. We will provide more detailed information about the Montessori Home Learning Program at the beginning of next week. The program is intended to support both students and parents in ensuring deep and developmentally appropriate learning continues while students are off-campus. All students and parents, Toddlers through Elementary, will have access to their teachers via various forms of communications.

We know these are challenging times, and you have questions. Here are answers to some of the questions we’ve received. We will continue to send updates as this situation evolves. You can also find updates and an archive of emails at mir.org/covid-19.

When will we receive refunds for Spring Break Childcare and Spring extracurricular activities?

Childcare refunds will be processed by the end of next week.

Will we get a reimbursement of tuition fees?

We plan to continue our education program during the closure. The staff will be working during the closure to support your children remotely. Therefore, we will proceed with billing for tuition as scheduled.

All schools are in the same situation: our ability to retain and compensate teachers and support staff is vital to our ability to effectively carry out our mission and be ready to successfully resume normal operations once the pandemic containment period is over. We need to meet our responsibilities to our employees, which allows us to meet our responsibilities to you and to all of our students.

Is financial aid available to us?

We understand that many families may be facing increased financial hardship at this time, and we want to ensure families do not have to add the potential for a change in schools to an already stressful time. We will strive to make financial aid available for families who need it. Feel free to email me so that we can reach out to you with more information.

What about before- and after-school childcare fees?

MIR plans to issue a credit for before-school or after-school childcare fees that are incurred while the campus is closed.

Will the school year extend into the summer?

That is not the current plan; however, we will re-evaluate as the situation evolves. For now, we are continuing full instruction through the Montessori Home Learning Program and expect to end the school as originally scheduled. While the learning at home will be in a different format than in the classroom, we are providing critical structure and learning to ensure all students stay on track for the school year.

At this time, the MIR Summer Program will also continue as planned. For Toddler and Primary students, this program is the same as the school year program, with additional summer-only activities added. We encourage you to sign-up when enrollment opens to help return your students to their routines. The Elementary program provides focused learning activities that support academic and social-emotional skills. It will also give them the social engagement they will need and want after extended time at home.

What support will be available to families whose parents provide “essential services”?

We recognize that we have many parents who provide defined “essential services” and that this sudden school closure presents a real challenge. We are evaluating whether we can safely offer a limited program for parents in this situation. If you find yourself in an emergency situation or truly exceptional circumstances, please feel free to contact us at info@mir.org. We may be able to help or connect you with other families who would be willing to do so.

We’ve been inspired to hear how families are engaging with this crisis in ways that joyfully support their children. One family of another Montessori school wrote:

"We asked ourselves what could we do, and since in Italy schools are also closed and they have English in the academic curricula, my children will do Skype calls with Italian children to work on their 'English Conversations, Pronunciation, Homework.' We proposed half-time English, half-time Italian, so to have a win-win approach. Just 10 or 15 minutes a day."

How is your family responding creatively and generously to empower your children and others during this time? We would love to hear from you to share with other families. We will send more information soon about how you can share your pictures and stories to help our community stay connected.

This situation is challenging in so many ways, I know. We are committed to supporting our staff and families through this difficult time. I deeply appreciate your patience and support.

Sincerely,

Jenny Davidson

Dear MIR Families,

After careful consideration, Montessori in Redlands has decided to adjust our home learning schedule to align with the closure of Redlands Unified School District (RUSD). We now anticipate that our school will be implementing Montessori Home Learning from March 24 through April 3. We hope to re-open our physical campus on Monday, April 6. We feel that this is a critical time to prioritize our community’s health by staying home to observe social distancing.

I know that many of your Spring Break travel plans have been disrupted and children are hearing about school closures on the news. Our most recent blog post shares some helpful tips and resources that can help you navigate these topics with your children in an age-appropriate way. Read it here.

The great news is that Montessori education already has a long and rich history of adapting to the unique needs of a particular time, place, and culture. We can continue to support your child's learning and development, even through a temporary campus closure. Our team is currently working on resources, tools, and schedules that will help you navigate these upcoming weeks at home and we look forward to sharing more with you soon.

If your family needs any assistance in navigating this challenging time, I hope you will let me know. We are fortunate to have a strong community that is willing to help when things get tough. I’ll do everything I can to help connect families who are struggling with community members who are able to help. Please just reach out.

I will also take this opportunity to tell you how much we genuinely love working with you and your children. I know I speak for all of our school when I say that we will miss the regular shared time that we have with your children, but we look forward to staying connected in other ways.

Thank you and be well!

Jenny

Dear MIR parents,

With the rapid changes from the COVID-19 pandemic, MIR has determined that proactive measures to ensure the health and safety of our school community members are necessary. MIR will be closing our campus to students and families from March 19-27, while we continue to assess the situation.

We are passionate about our mission and we are committed to continue supporting your child’s learning and development from home. Staff will meet for our in-service on March 23. After that date, your family will receive information and resources about how this will be structured moving forward.

In order to prepare for this shift, MIR is also closing for two Spring Break childcare days, Thursday and Friday, March 19 and 20. Families who have registered for those two days will be refunded their childcare fees.

Our schedule for the next two weeks will be as follows:

• March 16, 17, and 18: MIR is open for families who have registered for Spring Break childcare. If you need to make changes to your childcare schedules for these days, please email info@mir.org as soon as possible.

• March 19 and 20: Childcare is closed.

• March 23: In-service Day for staff members. MIR is closed to students.

• March 24-27: Teachers and staff will begin supporting Montessori learning from home. The school will assess the situation and communicate with families about the next steps.

We are canceling all school events through April 30. These include:

• Spring Gala

• Spring Carnival

• Parent-Child Night

April field trips will either be canceled or postponed. We will be canceling the Spring season of extracurriculars and processing refunds. We might make changes to the format of Parent-Teacher Conferences (April 23 and 24).

The health and safety of our school community is paramount to Montessori in Redlands. Please expect to hear from me with regular updates and additional opportunities for communication. Look for emails from us and sign up for the MIR text alert system. We will be notifying you of updates through that system. Text MIRRED to 41-411 to sign up.

Many thanks for your understanding. These are challenging times, but I am more than certain that our caring, capable, and creative MIR community is up to the challenges. We wish you health and well-being and look forward to our ongoing work together.

Sincerely,

Jenny Davidson

Dear Parents,

The County of San Bernardino is requiring organizations to cancel events with an attendance of more than 250 people due to the spread of the coronavirus. With this in mind, Montessori in Redlands will be canceling the Spring Gala and the Spring Carnival, both of which are scheduled in April. While we are sorry to lose these important community events, social responsibility is an important part of our mission. If this decision can help slow the transmission of the virus, we know it is the right thing to do.

Our team has already been brainstorming fun alternatives to our annual auction, so stay tuned for other opportunities to bid on the incredible class items you have seen in the MIR lobby. If you purchased a Gala ticket and would like a refund, please email loliver@mir.org with a request. If you bought a ticket and do not request a refund, the payment will be recorded as a donation and dedicated to offset cancellation fees for the event. You will receive a donation receipt for your records.

I know there are many questions about the possibility of school closures. Our administrative and advisory team will continue to monitor recommendations about this rapidly changing situation. At this time, we will continue the precautionary actions we have already established. We will share regular updates as we get more information. If you are not yet signed up to receive our text alerts, please do so by texting MIRRED to 41-411. Texting is used only for urgent communications.

Thank you for all of your help and support in this effort.

Sincerely,

Jenny Davidson