April 11, 2020 (posted on the website)

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Missouri Governor Orders Schools To Remain Closed For Rest Of the 2019-2020 Academic School Year Due To COVID-19

 

Dear Bambini Creativi Community,

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I am sure you were sad to learn the news this week as I was when Governor Mike Parson announced new orders, on April 9th, for all public, private, and charter schools in Missouri state to close through the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. The Governor announced all school buildings would remain closed to the public and classroom instruction, but state education officials said the remote learning should be continuing.

Not having the opportunity to end our school year in-person and together will be a difficult loss for all of us. Our educational team has been discussing and planning contingency plans for our spring school events since we transitioned to e-learning on March 23rd. With the new understanding of the Governor's decision, our educational team will continue to move toward fulfilling those plans and implementing creative solutions for our April and May community events.

In addition, we have been contemplating innovative scenarios and potential alternative dates for our special end-of-the-year events and graduation for the Grande class & 5th-grade class of 2020. We will continue to share updates and details with you in the coming weeks. Thank you for your partnership and patience, and for helping make our e-learning experience meaningful for our students for the remainder of the school year. This time shall pass, and when school returns, we will be even more grateful for our time together.

I wish you peace and good health!

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Brianne Teevan-Bongiovanni

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BRIANNE TEEVAN-BONGIOVANNI
Founder & Head of School

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March 30, 2020 (posted on the website)

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Ciao Bambini Creativi Community, 

 

We thank you for your continued patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.  In the past couple of weeks, we have seen states take aggressive measures to help reduce exposure to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). In accordance with our local government orders to "shelter in place," issued by Kansas City Mayor, Quinton Lucas, Bambini Creativi will remain closed until Friday, April 24th. Based on the current situation, Bambini Creativi and our ThinkSchool Elementary program have pivoted to offer our comprehensive educational experience online (starting on March 23rd). We will continue to offer our educational program via remote learning until government orders are lifted and we are permitted to physically return to school on Monday, April 27th. 

 

The Educational Team at Bambini Creativi continues to work hard to plan meaningful Inquiry-based and Reggio-Inspired curriculum, a variety of interactive learning activities, and opportunities to further develop the whole-child during this time. Our teaching team provides special activities and learning experiences planned for our students every day of the week in accordance with our Program of Inquiry and curriculum map for the school year. Weekly lesson plans are posted on Seesaw every Friday for the upcoming week so families can prepare their schedules in advance. Students can use our online platform to post their work and assignments, as well as connect with their teachers and peers. 

 

During our weeks of e-learning, all community events, clubs, field trips, and aftercare will be canceled. 

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Please remember how important it is during these uncertain times to be sensitive to one another, take our health officials' recommendations and advice seriously, and to take good care of each other and ourselves. It is completely normal to feel grief and disappointment. We will be here helping our students and families, as we continue to implement meaningful learning and stay strong as a community! 

 

Sincerely, 

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Brianne Teevan-Bongiovanni

 

Brianne Teevan-Bongiovanni
Founder & Head of School

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March 22, 2020 (emailed)

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Dear Bambini Creativi School Community, 

 

Our school has been dedicated, over spring break, to pivoting to an e-learning experience starting Monday, March 23rd at 8:15 am. This decision was made as a result of the rapidly changing circumstances related to (COVID-19). As students and parents return from spring break, Bambini Creativi's Head of School and Educational Team were preparing lesson plans and curriculum to continue providing our extraordinary approach to meaningful learning online. Along with having innovative and engaging online content and activities, Bambini Creativi's educational team has made it clear that they will all miss seeing the amici buzzing around the school!

 

This is an unfortunate and unprecedented time that many of us were not prepared for.  We want parents to know we are here to support you every step of the way and to make sure your child's learning and development does not get disrupted during this time. To set you and your child up for success and prepare for Bambini Creativi's Continuity E-Learning experience, I ask that you please fully read and understand, Bambini Creativi's Continuity of E-Learning Policy and Plan on our website at https://www.bambinicreativi.com/continuity-e-learning-plan 

You will find lots of detailed information about our e-learning program, as well as how to prepare and what to expect. Your child's classroom teacher will also be emailing you to welcome you to their e-learning classroom and with additional information to get you set up! 

We are so grateful to our entire community for their patience, understanding, flexibility, and support through this time of uncertainty. Our teachers are all well prepared to carry forward the mission of Bambini Creativi in the days and weeks ahead. We are excited to see our students and families each day through the virtual lens of an e-learning classroom. We have much to do, and always so much to learn! We look forward to starting this adventure with you!

 

Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and for the ongoing partnership to work with your incredible children. 

 

Please feel free to contact me with your questions! I will see you all online!

 

 

Sincerely, 

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Brianne Teevan-Bongiovanni

 

Brianne Teevan-Bongiovanni
Founder & Head of School

 

March 15, 2020 (emailed)

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Dear Bambini Creativi School Community,

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I would like to take the opportunity to update you regarding the Coronavirus and how it is currently impacting schools.  Currently (March 15, 2020), there are 6 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kansas, and 5 confirmed cases in Missouri. Most of the confirmed cases in Kansas are in Johnson County.  No students in Kansas or Missouri have been diagnosed with the Coronavirus at this time. 

 

This is a rapidly-changing situation that is impacting countries, states, and cities differently. We are making decisions based on the most recent information provided by the CDC, WHO, local health agencies and government officials, while keeping the health and safety of our teachers, students, and families in mind.  To reduce the spread of Coronavirus, we will be out of school for Spring Break through March 27th or until further notice. We have spent time considering the best precautions for protecting our students and the local community. 

Please know we are monitoring the situation closely, as the information is changing day-by-day.  Your student’s health and safety are our top priorities.  Parents will be notified via email as significant information becomes available.

 

Sincerely, 

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Brianne Teevan-Bongiovanni

 

Brianne Teevan-Bongiovanni
Founder & Head of School

 

March 6, 2020 (emailed)

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Dear Bambini Creativi Community, 

 

The health and safety of our students and the entire school community are a significant priority to everyone at Bambini Creativi. We have been closely watching the World Health Organization's website and our National Center for Disease Control and Prevention to learn more about how we can respond to the potential spread of this illness and do our best to keep our community safe and healthy. Currently, there are NO confirmed cases of coronavirus disease in the state of Kansas or Missouri. Spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly evolving situation, and we are committed to following its developments, keeping you informed, and doing our best to practice healthy habits. As we enter spring break and the vacationing season, it is important to look for signs and symptoms of illness while traveling nationally and internationally to help prevent the spread of illness and disease. Below you can learn more about Coronavirus and how we can work together to keep our families and our school community safe.

 

What is Coronavirus?

A "novel coronavirus" is a strain that has not previously been found in humans. Although the current coronavirus outbreak involves a new virus that has not been previously identified, coronaviruses are not rare. The common cold is a coronavirus.
Many coronaviruses can spread through coughing, sneezing, or touching an infected person.

 

How is it spread?

Many coronaviruses can spread through coughing, sneezing, or touching an infected person. Scientists believe the new virus can spread from person to person in close contact through the respiratory tract. Scientists believe that the new viruscan spread from person to person in close contact through the respiratory tract. The risk of infection for most people is low. A high risk of infection would involve prolonged contact with an infected individual from less than six feet away. Coronaviruses can cause a range of symptoms, including runny nose, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, and fever. Some are mild while others can lead to pneumonia and other complications.

 

Signs and Symptoms of the Coronavirus

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.

Steps for Prevention 

Important steps you can take to prevent contracting or spreading viruses include:

• Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve while coughing or sneezing

• Washing your hands with soap and water often and for at least 20 seconds

• Using an alcohol-based sanitizer on hands if soap and water are not available

• Avoiding touching your face

• Limiting casual physical contact, such as handshakes and hugs

• Cleaning commonly touched objects and surfaces regularly

• Staying home from class or work if you are symptomatic

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Hand-washing

Handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the most effective way to contain the spread of illness and disease, including COVID-19.

We are asking parents and teachers to prioritize hand washing when students arrive at school, anytime they have used the restroom, and before lunch. These are always good habits and critical to the containment of the disease. Our school team members will be prioritizing hand washing, and we will keep soap fully stocked in bathrooms and classrooms to support these efforts.

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Staff will also reinforce good hygiene and remind students not to touch their face, nose, or mouth, sneeze into a tissue or elbow, and reduce physical hand contact (high fives, first bumps, etc.). 

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*** Hand-sanitizer will be used by staff, team members, visitors and students in our facility during this time. If you do not want hand-sanitizer to be applied to your child's hands, you must inform the office and classroom in writing.

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How can families and partners help?

In addition to regular hand washing, the next best option is to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or sanitizer wipes, with at least 60% alcohol. Currently, our school has hand sanitizer throughout our facility, but because this is a national and global event there eventually could be a shortage. One-way families and partners can help are to provide:

• Hand sanitizer or alcohol-based sanitizer wipes to school offices (at least 60% alcohol, dye-free, and fragrance-free)

• General all-purpose disinfectant in a spray bottle

• Tissues

You can bring donations to your school’s main office. This will help our school's efforts to continue to sanitize surfaces and help with hygiene.

 

School and Common Area Cleaning

The team at Bambini Creativi has been directed to prioritize and increase the frequency of cleaning common and high traffic areas each day. In a normal situation, these areas would be cleaned once a day. We are prioritizing our cleaning areas including bathrooms, the dining room, tabletop surfaces, materials, common spaces, door handles, emergency bars on doors, etc. All efforts will be made to keep students healthy and safe.

 

If a student or Team Member exhibits COVID-19 symptoms while at school 

COVID-19 symptoms include a fever of 100 degrees, cough, and/or difficulty breathing. If a student presents these symptoms while at school, they will be immediately removed to a quarantined space in the school while continuing to be monitored by an adult. A family member or emergency contact will be called to pick them up. We recognize this may cause anxiety and fear for our students and we will do our best to address any concerns. We are committed to ensuring students are supported with love, compassion, and care. If one of our team members exhibit symptoms, they will be asked to leave school and call their healthcare provider immediately. We will monitor the staff person’s health conditions as appropriate.

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Talk with your kids about how germs make us sick, but how we can keep our infection-fighting superpower by taking great care of our bodies. We wash our hands thoroughly to (Tops and bottoms, tops and bottoms, in between, in between, scrub our hands together, scrub our hands together, now they're clean, now they're clean.) We cover and catch our coughs and sneezes in the inside of our elbows. At Bambini school, we say "catch your cough in your chicken-wing!"  We try not to touch our faces and keep our hands to ourselves. We get great sleep. We choose to eat nutritious foods. We choose to keep our community healthy and clean.

Travel Recommendations

With 164 cases of coronavirus already confirmed in the U.S., we ask that you travel with precaution this coming spring break and season.  If you return from your trip with any illness, we ask that you do not return to school until you are well and the CDC recommends self-quarantining for 14 days. So far, in the USA, there are confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the state of  Oregon, Washington, California, Arizona, Wisconsin, Illinois, Georgia, Florida, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Tennessee, New Jersey, North Carolina, Maryland, and Rhode Island. Amid the outbreak, airports around the country, including JFK and LAX, have rerouted passengers coming in from China to screening centers. If passengers show no symptoms during their enhanced screening, they are rebooked to their final destination, although they are asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.

The CDC has updated travel advisories as follows:

• Warning Level 3, which currently includes China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea; the CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to these countries.

• Alert Level 2, which currently includes Japan; the CDC recommends that older adults and those with chronic medical conditions consider postponing nonessential travel.

• Watch Level 1, which currently includes Hong Kong; the CDC does not recommend canceling or postponing travel to this area.

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Additional Resources

National Center For Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html

World Health Organizations https://www.who.int/

How to talk to your child about the Coronavirus https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/

Preparing for the Coronavirus Dos and Don'ts https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200228/preparing-for-coronavirus-dos-and-donts

How to Create a Family Plan https://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/advice/emergency-preparedness/

Family Plan Action Handout http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/download/Family_Action_Plan_handout.pdf

Stop the Spread of Germs http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/download/Family_Action_Plan_handout.pdf

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school. 

 

Sincerely, 

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Brianne Teevan-Bongiovanni

 

Brianne Teevan-Bongiovanni
Founder & Head of School