WMS Wednesday Weekly - July 28, 2021

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY

July 28, 2021

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 1

Deadline for Camp Families to Submit COVID Test Results to Nurse Kathy

Results must be sent to nurse@wmsde.org by 4 p.m.

August 2-6

Camp Week 6

August 4

Camp Spirit Day: Disney Day

August 9-13

Camp Week 7

August 11

Virtual Admissions Open House

12-1 p.m., Zoom

Camp Spirit Day: Camp Shirt Day

August 15

Deadline for Camp Families to Submit COVID Test Results to Nurse Kathy

Results must be sent to nurse@wmsde.org by 4 p.m.

August 16-20

Camp Week 9

August 18

Virtual Admissions Open House

12-1 p.m., Zoom

Full Calendar

The More We Learn

Over the past two weeks, our teachers have attended the Science of Teaching and School Leadership Academy focused on sharing the latest research in neuroscience, cognitive psychology and education research.

This was an opportunity for us to learn more about how students learn, as well as how to design lessons and action research projects with that in mind, setting students up for success in school and in life. We took part in discussions with renowned experts in their fields - Daniel Willingham, Adele Diamond and others - to learn more about the science of literacy, numeracy and executive functioning.

Maria Montessori observed children, noted how they learned best, and developed materials and lessons to engage them in their own learning, all with an experienced teacher as a guide. What she did not have is the benefit of the knowledge neuroscientists, psychologists and others have today. She could not have known that the Montessori Method of education not only engages children and motivates them to learn, but is also proven to benefit the development of neural pathways that build knowledge for their use throughout their lives. As a careful observer and scientist, she established an educational method that continues to serve children today. And we, at WMS, have the benefit of her knowledge and of living in a time when we can add to that strong foundation.

In a few short weeks, we will return for another school year. Some things will be as you remember them from the past year or the year before, and some things will change. WMS is a school that you can count on to work on behalf of children, a school where the teachers are not only dedicated to their field, but are eager to continue to learn from the current best practices. We look forward to preparing for the year ahead with some new tools in our toolbelt and many tried and true ones that we know serve our students and families so well. We will be in touch over the next few weeks with more information about the year ahead. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the remaining weeks of summer!

Lisa A. Lalama

Head of School

NEWS & NOTES

Message from Nurse Kathy: Non-COVID Illnesses

While COVID-19 remains on all of our minds, it is important to be aware that there are other illnesses, some contagious, that we are seeing in our children. As life begins to return to “normal,” physicians throughout the country have seen an unseasonal surge of winter viruses such as severe colds, croup (which causes a severe cough described as a barking in nature), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and seasonal influenza.

We will continue to require bi-monthly COVID-19 testing of all of our campers. The remainder of tests will be due on August 1 and August 15. Regardless of COVID-19 results, if your child continues to experience symptoms such as a fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, rashes with fever, gastrointestinal symptoms or any symptoms out of the ordinary, please consult with a physician to rule out contagious diseases that require treatment.

Please keep your child home if they are too sick to make it through the full camp day. Your child should stay home if they have difficulty concentrating or participating. If your child becomes ill during the camp day and needs to go home, the school nurse or administration will call for a pick up.

Thank you for all you do to keep Camp Montessori happy and healthy!

COVID-19 Testing: Next Results Due Sunday for Camp Families

Thank you for all of your efforts to keep our community healthy through regular COVID-19 testing!

This summer, all families must submit a negative COVID test result prior to their child's first week of camp. (The test must be taken during the week before the child begins camp - older test results will not be accepted.) Following this initial test, all camp families will follow a bimonthly testing schedule, with results due on the 1st and 15th of each month.

Results must be emailed to Nurse Kathy at nurse@wmsde.org as soon as they become available. If you are sending a screenshot, please include the date tested.

Important: Please understand that if no results are forwarded to Nurse Kathy, your child will not be permitted on campus for camp. If your results are forwarded after 4 p.m. on the due date, you may experience a delay in drop-off the next morning. A last-minute result may delay or prevent your child from attending camp; time must be allowed for communication to the staff members conducting screenings in the car line.

Upcoming required due dates (for camp families only!) are as follows:

Sunday, August 1
Sunday, August 15 (test on our after August 8)

You are still welcome to have your child tested more frequently and may forward the results to Nurse Kathy.

Click here to find Delaware Curative testing locations near WMS.

Thank you, and please contact Nurse Kathy if you have any questions!

Full list of test sites: coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing-events

More Information about WMS COVID-19 Testing Requirements

Policies & Procedures

WMS's COVID-19 policies are based on guidelines from the CDC and State of Delaware Department of Education Office of Child Care Licensing. We continue to monitor those sources for information to adjust our policies and practices as needed.

The Wednesday Weekly shares WMS news and events that are relevant to the families in our community.

Please send submissions to wednesday-weekly@wmsde.org by 4:30 p.m. on the Friday prior to the issue in which you wish to include your information. Content may be edited for length and style and may be held for a future issue due to space constraints.

For more information, contact Noel Dietrich, Director of Advancement & Communications.