March 23, 2020
Dear AMA Parents, Grandparents, and Guardians,
Wow, it is finally starting to sink in as Governor Gretchen Whitmer issues a shelter-in-place order for all Michigan residents for the next three weeks and closes schools until April 13. The purpose of this email is to check in on YOU. In just a matter of days, so much has been added to your plate. Please know that you are not alone. If you need anything during this time, I’m only an email away. Our teachers are also ready and willing to help. Our building will be closed, but we will be working from home. Food will be distributed at AMA on Wednesday, March 25 and Wednesday, April 1 from 11-1 pm.
Please know that during these times, there is no expectation of perfection. Our staff has worked to give you resources to help create some normalcy for your kids, but we don’t expect you to do it all. We know that you may have so many other things you are trying to shuffle.
We have provided various schedules for you to choose from on our website, but please know that each family situation is different, and it is okay to do what works for you. I do suggest coming up with a routine. This will help not only your kids, but you as well. Also, although it can be a battle, consider limiting screen time as it can cause kids to become anxious and grouchy. Great options for screen time are board games, puzzles, reading or writing, going for a walk or even a bike ride. Again, you need to do what works best for your family, but I want you to know you have my support through all of this!
At this moment, all of us are living through a historical moment. If you are looking for a meaningful assignment to give to your child while we are stuck at home, consider doing a “living through history” assignment. They could jot down their thoughts, questions, concerns, and observations about what’s going on. They could do this as a letter or a daily journal entry or have them post short videos of what they are thinking. “Flipgrid” is great for this. Here are some suggestions to get them started:
- Your family’s trip to the grocery store and “stocking up”
- Cancelled family vacations, canceled field trips, cancelling school
- How weird it is to have to learn at home
- How are you occupying your time?
- How do you feel about this? Psyched that you don’t have to come to school? Bored? Worried? Bummed that you won’t get to see your friends?
- What is changing for you because of this?
- What kinds of things are your families saying/doing/thinking?
- What is your “must have” if you are going to be cooped up for a while?
- What are your “binge watch” recommendations?
- Where is your new desk?
If your child feels comfortable, they can go a little deeper, but remember, they do not have to share anything that they do not want to.
- What is your #1 concern about what is going on right now?
- What is a small way in which your life has changed right now?
- What mattered to you a few days or a week ago that now seems irrelevant? Vice versa?
Remind your child that they are creating a primary source documentation of what one student was thinking in March of 2020 during the global pandemic. Now that we are all a part of history.
Finally, please know that “we got this.” Each of you have raised AMA-zing children. Take time to enjoy your kids, have fun with them, and love them. They will remember that for the rest of their lives. We will get through this together! Again, if you need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Stay healthy and safe,
Renee Arnot
Renee Arnot
Proud Executive Director
Just checking in Google Form
list of locations in Wayne County providing free meals
March 15, 2020
Thank you for being so patient as we all navigate this unprecedented health crisis in our community.
During the next three weeks, and through our scheduled spring break, BOTH Upper & Lower will be CLOSED for all personnel and students. The exception to this is that BOTH Upper & Lower will be open on Monday, March 16 from 8:00 a.m. until noon for parents to pick up any student medication that is needed at home and any supplies from student lockers or desks that are needed.
Teachers have also prepared packets for each grade level. The purpose of this will be to give our students some options for learning during their time off if they choose. Again, this work is just for skills practice and review and to help prevent what we will call, the “Spring Slide!” We will be providing resources to our website and Facebook page with ideas for parents as well.
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Food Service
Currently, we are working on a plan for our AMA families in providing meals for our students. We would appreciate your assistance by completing this SURVEY, to see what options would be best for you and your family. Once the plan is finalized, we will send further communication.
March Breakfast & Lunch
We will credit parents for the meals that were not delivered in March. Parents can email our Food Service Director, April Blackburn, at ablackburn@charterschoolpartners.com to inquire about the amount of their credit.
Field Trips
All field trips will be rescheduled. If we are unable to reschedule for some reason, we will communicate with the families of that field trip regarding refunding their money.
Kidztime
We will credit parents for the remaining days in March, starting Monday March 16. That payment would remain as a credit on their account and be applied to April bills once we reopen.
We will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 over the next three weeks. We don’t know if schools will re-open after Spring Break and will await guidance from the State of Michigan and the CDC. If we are unable to open schools after Spring Break, a decision will be made prior to April 6. We will continue to communicate with you.
We will also keep you updated by our School Messenger system and utilize our social media channels. Lastly, feel free to get up-to-date information from the CDC website.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions.
Stay healthy and safe!
Sincerely,
Renee Arnot
Renee Arnot
Executive Director
March 13, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians/Staff and School Community,
First, thank you for your patience and support as we collectively navigate an evolving COVID-19 response plan. Late last evening, Governor Whitmer directed the closure of all K-12 schools statewide from Monday, March 16, 2020 through Sunday, April 5, 2020 in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Governor also noted that the number of presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Michigan is now 12.
In light of this information, and out of an abundance of caution, American Montessori Academy will also be closed today, Friday, March 12, 2020, with staff reporting for a day of professional development and preparation of resources to support students and families to minimize disruption to learning during the course of this extended school closure. Our offices will likewise be staffed, Monday, March 16 from 8-12 pm for those students/families that may have belongings to pick up at school.
All after-school activities, and events scheduled on Friday, March 13, 2020 through Sunday, April 6, 2020 are likewise cancelled, in accordance with the Governor’s guidance.
Please also note that learning at our schools primarily occurs inside classrooms with face-to-face teaching by certified instructors using interactive technology tools. We are committed to providing students and families with resources to support continuation of meaningful learning during school closures; however, we are not suggesting that this replaces instruction. Any guidance on recovering the learning that may be lost during a potential school closing will come from the Michigan Department of Education.
We will remain vigilant in monitoring the ongoing guidance provided by our health officials, and in sharing timely and accurate information to the extent possible. We are developing a “Frequently Asked Questions” document with additional guidance/clarification of setting aside attendance policies, resources available to support families, and will address specific questions students; families or staff members may have over the coming days and weeks.
We understand that closing school can be difficult for our families; this is a highly unusual situation that calls for our careful and thoughtful response in order to maintain safe and secure learning environments for our students and our staff. As always, we value our strong community partnership as we work together with our students, staff, families and community to promote the safety, health and well-being of all.
Sincerely,
Renee Arnot
Renee Arnot
Executive Director
https://www.waynecounty.com/departments/hhvs/wellness/novel-coronavirus-information.aspx
https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html