Dear Early Learning Families,
As always, we hope this message finds you well.
Yesterday, the staff and Robyn met for quite some time to try and align each classroom's efforts to stay connected and provide content for your little ones at home. As you are so well aware, our program is a play-based, hands-on, socially interactive learning environment. So much of our time is spent interacting with our students while they are engaging in their classroom environments. As teachers, we look for those moments to step in and point out the connections we see children making each and every day. Teacher-directed structured activity time is organically woven into our day so that it is balanced with opportunities for movement and play. We understand that attention spans are short in general and students have the opportunity to opt out of an activity if they are not productively engaged. Admittedly, it is challenging to recreate this type of environment at home and we are working on ways to facilitate this process for you.
Robyn will be forwarding videos and activities from each center later this evening so that you have a handful of learning experiences to begin implementing tomorrow. We expect content to become more robust as we move forward and find our rhythm and flow. You can expect to receive something from your center each week day, and we appreciate your providing us with feedback so that we can continue to make the necessary adjustments.
It is important for you to know that in light of the circumstances created by COVID-19, many of you have asked about "tuition freezes" or withdrawals. Please understand that holding a space for your child, without tuition payments, is simply not an option. As of today, we have been able to keep every one of our teachers employed and "whole". An unintended consequence of having tuition payments withheld has unfortunately put our teachers' jobs in jeopardy. Beginning next week, we will have no choice but to reduce our workforce (hopefully only temporarily) in order to respond to the situation at hand. We will continue to staff our centers based on expressed need, and provide at-home instructional guidance and support for those who remain enrolled and current with their payments.
We understand why some families have had to make this difficult decision, and are acutely aware of the current situation. Regrettably, the drop in tuition revenues is forcing us to respond accordingly. As we have expressed in previous communications, you do have the option to withdraw, if you purchased Tuition Refund Insurance through Dewar. Please reach out to Robyn if you would like to explore this option.
Thank you for your partnership at this challenging time. We are grateful for the support, humor, and appreciation so many of you have shown to us. We hope you will remain engaged as part of the Mead community, and we look forward to seeing you back on campus soon.
Please remember to keep Robyn informed of your child(ren)'s intended return date.
Our sincere and kind regards,
Robyn & Stephanie
Robyn Santagata Stephanie Whitney
Director of Early Learning Head of School