Our response to COVID-19

Guidepost is taking COVID-19 deeply seriously, as you can see through the changes to our daily procedures. However, our approach to COVID-19 is guided by expert advice, which has made clear the fact that transmissions risks in a school context are manageable. They cannot be eliminated, but they can be greatly reduced. Moreover, we also believe that school is profoundly valuable for children and their families. School is a value that is worth the risk—especially the reduced, actively managed risk that will result from following these protocols.

The three basic means of minimizing transmission are:

1. Limiting the social graph of those in school—The fewer in-person connections a child or staff member has, the less capable they are of transmitting the virus even if they have it. Examples of this include containment of community members to specific classroom cohorts, staggered use of public spaces, and reduced cohort sizes
2. Limiting social contact within a classroom, that is, social distancing and masks—The practices, policies, and expectations need to be adapted to each age group
3. Preventative health checks—Daily temperature checks, symptom checks, and protocols that take these as inputs and deliver certain recommended or mandated actions as a result

Expert advice

We adhere to state and local guidelines, as well as follow the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and  The World Health Organization.

Interviews

Our Vice President of Pedagogy Dr Matt Bateman interviews Dr Emily Oster and Dr Amesh Adalja

Recent publications

The virus wasn’t spreading in New York City schools. Why close them?, Washington Post, November 19

Why Are We Closing Schools?, The Atlantic, November 19

Are The Risks Of Reopening Schools Exaggerated, NPR, October 21

Child care not associated with spread of COVID-19, Yale University, October 16

Face coverings UPDATE

We have updated our face covering requirement in order to follow the recently revised CDC guidelines, which recommend that all people 2+ years old should wear a mask both indoors and outdoors when around non-immediate household members.

Hand washing

Everyone is required to wash their hands with soap for 20 seconds upon entering a Guidepost school. Where necessary, children are prompted by staff to wash their hands, such as after using the bathroom or before eating a meal. Children are also given the freedom to practice hand-washing whenever they want, which forms part of the authentic Montessori education experience.

Outdoor time

All children are given the opportunity to spend time outdoors, whether through free play or staggered recess times. We ask that parents send their children to school in weather-appropriate clothing so that no child has to spend recess indoors. 

Sanitizing protocols

We have increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfection in order to follow and exceed the guidelines set by the CDC. This includes ongoing daily practices and professional janitorial services.

Cleaning and disinfecting resources

EPA List of Disinfectants

https://www.epa.gov/pesticide- registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2-covid-19

Disinfecting Solution for the End of Day

4tsp chlorine bleach / qt. water OR 5tbsp chlorine bleach / gallon of water

Please note that this should only be used when children are not present in the building.

If using a store-bought disinfectant, please follow the directions listed on the container.

Sanitizing Solution for Diapering Station

1 tbsp bleach / qt. water OR 4 tbsp / gallon water

Sanitizing Solution for Surfaces/Toys

¾ tsp bleach / qt. water OR 1 tbsp / gallon water

Guidepost Montessori is a a global network of schools serving 3,500+ families with early education programs, including Emergency Care for Essential Workers (ECEW) during the COVID-19 crisis. Looking for more free content? Download Guidepost Parent from the App Store for personalized Montessori inspiration and activities.