Concern about COVID-19 (coronavirus) has created a rapidly evolving environment where changes are being made quickly in the interest of public health. The World Health Organization has declared an international pandemic and almost all parts of our daily lives are being disrupted.

If you or anyone in your family believes they have been exposed to COVID-19, please let your school administrators know immediately. If you believe you are sick and need help, the CDC has recommendations for what to do.

For families who must stay home with their children during this time, we have put together resources for you to continue learning, discovering, and exploring every day. Visit our Stay at Home Resource site. Most schools are hosting their own at-home learning – please reach out to your directors for more information.

When the time comes to return to school, these resources should help your family:

Our school on Three Chopt Road in Richmond filmed the following videos showing how the drop-off process may look and what children can expect. Each school is responding differently based on their licensing and state regulations, so please reach out to your school’s directors if you have questions.

MESSAGE TO CHILDREN ABOUT CHANGES TO SCHOOL:

AN EXAMPLE OF A DROP-OFF AT OUR THREE CHOPT SCHOOL:

It is the responsibility of the owners and administrative team at each school to select and follow the guidance that is appropriate for their specific school at that specific time. The following strategies may vary school to school.

• Our normal exclusion of “24 hours fever free without fever suppressing medication” is being adjusted to “72 hours fever free without fever suppressing medication and without a confirmed diagnosis.” There are reports of fever levels fluctuating among diagnosed individuals, which is the reasoning behind this change.
  • Our normal exclusion for fever begins at 100 degrees, however, if we witness a child with a cough, and shortness of breath we reserve the right to exclude for slightly elevated temperatures below 100 degrees.
• Temporarily suspended the self-serve aspect of Family Style Dining and the use of the Dining Car.
• Canceled all field trips until further notice.
• Temporarily suspended preschool’s programmatic use of the Village space.
• Staggering playground times.
• Removing toys that are not easily cleaned from classrooms.
• Suspending any non-essential visits from members of the community, including enrollment tours.
• Water fountain usage will be a refill station only.
• Increasing the Daily Health Checks throughout the day.
• Children will be signed in and out by the administration, limiting contamination potential. At drop-off, each child and staff member entering the building will have their temperature checked by an administrator. Screening questions will be asked daily.
• Masks are encouraged and provided in most schools.

Partnering with you

• Exclude your child from LeafSpring if any family member has developed symptoms of COVID-19 or has been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed. Isolation times should follow recommendations of the Health Department or CDC.
• Diligently watch for symptoms and adhere to the new exclusionary timeline changes stated above.
• Verify email and cell numbers for emergency communications.
• Inform us of ALL travel, domestic and international, to areas identified as high-risk locations by the CDC.
• Be patient with us – this is new and everything we are doing is to keep our families and staff safe and healthy.