Updated Friday 4 February 2022
We want to thank all our parents and carers for working in partnership with us to keep everyone at FMS safe.
For 2 years now as we have managed this pandemic, we have been very lucky to have no positive cases onsite that forced FMS to close. You have assisted us all the way and staff continue to maintain exceptionally high hygiene standards, setting very strict protocols with you children about handwashing and cleaning surfaces after use.
Moving forward until Friday 25 February 2022, we have 3 main risk mitigation strategies:
- All 5-12 year old students and all staff to take a RAT every Monday and Wednesday. To attend school, tests must be negative. If positive, please inform us via our admin email and follow NSW Health guidelines.
- If any child in a family tests positive, all children in that family must isolate for 7 days.
- No parents onsite until further notice. We anticipate Monday 28 February for a full opening of our campus but this is still to be confirmed.
Communication of positive cases
- Should we be notified of a positive case, we will notify you.
- No notifications mean we have no reported positive cases on site at FMS.
Week 2 RAT kits
- Family packs will be sent home for 5-12 year olds with your eldest child on Friday.
We expect a further delivery for weeks 3 & 4 and hope to deliver this to you in bulk via your children.
Drop off and pick-up
Drop-off and pick-up arrangements will follow the same practice as Term 4 2021 for the first 4 weeks of this term.
Should parents continue to wear masks at drop off and pick-up times?
Yes
Should students wear masks?
It is only compulsory for secondary school students. FMS students may decide if they wish to wear a mask.
Ventilation
Fresh air is the most effective form of ventilation to minimise risk of transmission. We will continue to keep windows and doors open and offer as much indoor/outdoor learning as possible. As an added precaution, all air conditioners were serviced at the end of Term 4 2021.
Are visitors allowed onsite?
We will continue to limit visitors onsite other than to support essential school activities and student needs.
Will co-curricular activities take place?
Yes. Singing, sport, chess and gardening will all resume.
When will the welcome BBQ, information evenings and other community events be held?
We anticipate returning to normal operations in week 5 of Term 1 but will monitor the situation before releasing dates.
Thank you most sincerely for your patience, understanding and ongoing support.
‘Hi Denice and team
Just read your back to school newsletter and just wanted to say thanks so much for the clear information, pro-active communication and directions and for the preparedness Montessori is showing on this – fully agree with the doors and windows being open and as much outdoor learning as you can manage. I also am very glad you are taking a balanced approach and co-curricular activities are still continuing – giving the kids as much ‘normal’ as possible.’
Talking with your children
Here are some resources for guiding your children through these unprecedented times.
From the Forestville Montessori School blog
Filter
Montessori groups for parents:
The following parent groups are facilitated by Montessori teachers and Montessori teacher trainers.
- Birth-3 support group – COVID-19: Montessori infant–toddler parent support.
- Pre-primary support – at home during coronavirus: the adventure you never planned on taking.
- Lower and upper primary support – Montessori elementary at home during school closure: parent support Facebook group.
Prospective families – meet our Principal
As Montessorians, we believe in the power of human connection and adaptation. In moments that feel unfamiliar, we thrive.
Forestville Montessori School committed to our students and families. To ensure the safety of our community, we may have to temporarily close our doors.
However, if we do, our community remains open in new, exciting ways.
For families who are interested in learning more about our school, please fill in our contact us form and we will be in touch to arrange a one-on-one discussion with our Principal, Denice Scala. During this conversation, we’ll learn more about you and your child(ren), and give you the full introduction to our school.
Topics we will cover include:
- What our classrooms look like (including class sizes and materials)
- Who makes up our wonderful, dedicated staff and how they build collaborative, long lasting meaningful relationships with your child (ren)
- A ‘day-in-the-life’ of our students – across all programs
- Our nurturing, child-centred community based on mutual respect
- How we support co-operation over competition
- Our focus on your child(ren), their inner drive, their desire to be independent
- Our very special parent community
You’ll have questions; we’ll have answers
After your conversation with Denice, you’ll have plenty of time to ask questions! No matter the circumstance, we want you to be as informed as possible before making a decision on your child’s future.