From Robyn Santagata, Director of Early Learning April 29, 2020 Dear Early Learning Families,
I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for your feedback and candor in our most recent survey. We are working hard to meet the needs of our families and I appreciate learning about your specific thoughts, ideas and needs. Your responses reaffirmed just how much each family is sheltering in place in their own unique way. You have all fallen into your own rhythm and have created a routine that works for you. While suggestions for support were wide and varied, the following themes emerged.
Suggestions for daily activities are clearly appreciated. They are fun, engaging, and easy to implement for some of our families, while other families do not have easy access to the materials needed or are truly pressed for time as they meet the demands of working from home.
While not an initial concern, some of our families are now questioning the length of time their child is away from the classroom, and would like to better understand how to minimize any potential learning gaps. Additionally, some families would like help preparing their child to return, whenever that may be.
Understanding that the teachers were such an important part of their child's daily experience prior to this crisis, some families would love their child to have virtual time with teachers and classmates.
We have taken your suggestions to heart and are implementing what we hope will be meaningful changes. Center Directors are in the process of connecting with families. If you have not already heard from your HCD, s/he will be reaching out this week. Maintaining relationships with you and your children is so very important to us. We would love the opportunity to lay eyes on you or speak by phone, address any questions you may have, offer support or advice, and coordinate time for your child to see their teachers.
Teaching teams have put together a take-home bag for each and every student with activities and/or materials to use at home. These bags are ready for pick up! Feel free to stop by any weekday between 7:30 am and 5:30 pm. If you contact us prior to your arrival, we are happy to meet you at the door. Additionally, if there is any particular material you'd like to borrow from your child's center, let us know and we will coordinate that, as well.
Please do not worry about any potential gaps in learning. All children, regardless of age, are in the same boat right now. Classroom routines do not necessarily translate to the home environment and everyone will experience a "gap" in some small sense, even if it is a simple shift in nap times. Helping your child transition back is exactly what we are here for. We will definitely provide you with information to help prepare your child. We would also like to send you a handful of articles to help you better understand how learning through play can translate to home. The basis for any kind of academic learning lies in a child's social and emotional development. To that end, your family's mental health is the most important thing right now. How your child felt during this time will stay with them far longer than any specific activity or skill-building exercise. Quality engagement is far more important than the quantity of activities. This is a chance to build positive, family, and life memories. Please keep this in mind every single day. Spend time playing, laughing and enjoying your time together. That's what they and you will remember!
Please know that we are in this together. We look forward to providing you with the information you seek as we move forward.
Sincerely,
Robyn Santagata Director of Early Learning
© 2019 The Mead School | 1095 Riverbank Road | Stamford, CT 06903 School: 203-595-9500 | Early Learning Center: 203-595-0708 | Fax: 203-595-0735 | Voice Mail: 203-595-0853 |