As the 2021-22 school year comes to a close, I began thinking…

When the year started, most children attended in person unless there were specific medical needs.  The students and staff remained in their “pods,” or classrooms, throughout the day. Furthermore, to limit interactions outside of the classroom, the therapists and ancillary teachers (art, physical education) went to the rooms, and breakfast and lunch were also delivered and served in the classroom.  Temperatures were taken upon entrance to school each day and children with any of the potential COVID-19 symptoms were isolated, sent home, and then if positive quarantined. They returned to school once symptoms dissipated.

So where are we now, on June 2, 2022? 

As winter turned to spring, we are still in our classroom “pods,” but students are going to gym, playground, and outdoor classrooms as the weather permits.

Temperatures are still taken upon arrival, and we continue to ask our families to keep their child home should they have any illness.

I am thrilled to report that more than 80% of our staff are vaccinated.  We have had a small number of COVID-19 cases among our students and staff. When we have experienced COVID, we have closed the classroom in accordance with CDC guidelines. We have not had to close our school. The extensive mitigation procedures and modifications worked, and our staff and students were able to stay safe.   

We anticipate that there will be numerous revisions in the health and safety requirements for schools for school year 2022-23 based on CDC guidelines. We plan to see our students fully engaged in school and therapies, and again be able to walk our halls.  I do miss the children’s laughter!

I am looking forward to the 2022-23 school year, and I know our parents and staff are, as well.

I appreciate the continued support of our staff, students, and our community as we met the challenges of COVID-19 and look forward to the future!  It was quite a year!

Our new health and safety plan will be submitted to the Barber National Institute Board in July and will be available on our school’s webpage at that point.

Congratulations, students and staff! We had an outstanding year!