South Hills Child Development Center, Inc.
(814) 838 7114
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Health and Safety Plan for South Hills dated 7/17/2020, Amended 10/7/2020 (With New Daily Documentation Added)

1/6/2021

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Health and Safety Plan for South Hills dated 7/17/20 Amended 10/7/20
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CONFIRMED: REOPENING MON, DEC 21

12/18/2020

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Parents,

I’m happy to confirm that in-person classes will resume on Monday, December 21 prior to our scheduled Christmas/ New Year closure.

The final Covid tests for all South Hills teachers and staff (including Mr. Jerry, who is only here after close) have arrived and ALL are NEGATIVE. Contrary to rumors that have unfortunately circulated among parents, NO South Hills student has tested positive for Covid due to the one staff member who was positive. That teacher is now cleared to be out of quarantine/isolation after experiencing only a minor symptom.

Thank you for participating in the Zoom Academy classes this past week. We were happy to see our students daily online, but now we are even happier to know we can return to our students on Monday to celebrate the holiday!

We hope that you will join us on Monday! We have heard from many of you that you will not be returning next week, or even for a few weeks after the holiday break, and we wish we could still offer Zoom, but all teachers will be in their classrooms full time as of Monday.

Thank you to those of you who offered such amazing support to us at this stressful time! Many have asked what we might need, and I can only say that we used an extraordinary number of disinfecting wipes to deep clean the school (still not done but by Monday we will be in great shape!), so any donations would be appreciated to replenish our supply.  Other than that, seeing your smiling faces will be our best holiday gift!  

Blessings and Gratitude,

♥ Ms Connie

Connie Kerr Vogt
Owner/Administrator
South Hills Child Development Center Inc.
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Details for South Hills Zoom Academy

12/14/2020

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Parents,

I am writing to share official details of this week's South Hills Zoom Academy (virtual learning). If you were with us for virtual learning in the spring, this is just a refresher.

As a reminder, we are closed as of today, Monday, December 14 through Friday, December 18. Zoom Academy will begin tomorrow (Tuesday, December 15) and continue through Friday, December 18. We will re-open for in-person classes on Monday, December 21. Please read on for a full update!

Zoom Academy consists of TWO components: (1) LIVE classes and (2) DAILY pre-recorded lessons.
 
In order to access our virtual learning, you’ll need to do the following:
  • Download the Zoom app to your cell phone, iPad, laptop, or desktop computer.
  • Navigate to your child’s Classroom Handout folder on Dropbox for your full class schedule for the coming week.

WEEKLY CLASS SCHEDULES & DROPBOX
 
Within your child’s Dropbox Handout folder, please select the Zoom folder, which will contain a sub-folder for the week (Dec 15 - Dec 18). Within this folder, select the PDF containing your Class Schedule for the week. This schedule contains a complete schedule of your LIVE classes for the week, as well as links to your child’s pre-recorded lessons (7-10 minutes each).
 
If you are having difficult in accessing your Zoom folder on Dropbox, please contact Beth HERE to ensure that you receive a copy of your weekly class schedule.
 
ACCESSING YOUR LIVE CLASSROOM ON ZOOM

 
Our objective is to connect your child with his/her teachers as well as classmates in a few LIVE sessions each day this week. Daily sessions with your child's class will be offered beginning at 9:00am each day. Music classes with me, Ms Connie, and Spanish/ Sign Language classes with Ms Pam will also be available in the mornings and afternoons. All LIVE sessions are available for you to “pick and choose” times that fit best into your family’s schedule.
 
In order to access any of the LIVE sessions, simply open the Zoom app on your device, select “Join a Meeting”, and type in the applicable Meeting/ Classroom ID and password listed at the top of your class schedule. Be sure to write in your child’s name before selecting “Join”. NOTE: A Zoom account is not necessary to join a LIVE session.
 
I recommend joining your first LIVE class 5-10 minutes early in order to test your audio and video. You can also access a test meeting on the Zoom website HERE in order to test your audio previous to joining your first meeting. If you’re having any issues with Zoom, be sure to review Zoom’s support page HERE for assistance.  
 
PRE-RECORDED ZOOM CLASSES
 
Links to all pre-recorded Zoom sessions are included in your weekly class schedule. Pre-recorded sessions are available for your child to view at your convenience. These lessons are 7-10 minutes long and cover critical subjects such as Literacy, Math, and Handwriting. Please watch ALL applicable lessons linked for a given day in order to meet required State Standards and South Hills’ Curriculum.
 
SUPPLIES
 
If applicable, your weekly class schedule will list any specific materials that will be needed for the week’s lessons (LIVE and PRE-RECORDED). Materials will only include items that we are certain you already have in your home.
 
In addition to materials around your home, please print any activities located in the week’s “Supplies” folder on Dropbox (Located within your child’s weekly Zoom folder, if applicable).

Please ensure your child has a bell available for music class (or anything that might sound like a bell, like a spoon and pan lid perhaps!). I welcome your entire family to share in my music presentations as we sing and dance to traditional Christmas and Hanukkah songs!
 
KINDERGARTEN - INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS
 
For Kindergarten students ONLY: LIVE INDIVIDUAL sessions with BOTH Ms Robin and Ms Pam will take place DAILY. Your child will attend one 20 minute session with either Ms Robin or one 20 minute session with Ms Pam EACH day during the week! You’ll be receiving an email shortly with simple instructions on how to sign your child up for these individual sessions.

We look forward to seeing your children on Zoom Academy soon!
 
Kind regards,

♥ Ms Connie

Connie Kerr Vogt
Owner/Administrator
South Hills Child Development Center Inc.
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FOLLOW-UP TO 12/12 CLOSURE NOTICE

12/13/2020

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Parents,

This is a follow up to the email you received yesterday (Saturday, December 12 - see below) regarding our closure this week. As an important update to that notice, we will be CLOSED effective Monday, December 14 through Friday, December 18. Zoom Academy (virtual learning) will begin on Tuesday, December 15 through Friday, December 18. We will re-open on Monday, December 21. Please read on for a full update!

I’ve received numerous questions and comments via email since yesterday’s notice and I am working diligently to respond to everyone. If you emailed me and I have not yet responded, I appreciate your patience.

In the meantime, here are responses to common questions I am receiving:

1. What classes were affected?

Yellow, Green, Purple and Blue classrooms (full day, year round classes) could have potentially been affected, as I included in yesterday’s email. As an additional precaution, I chose to close the entire school.

2. Will all teachers and administrative staff be tested?

Yes, all teachers and staff are signed up to receive Covid tests this week. This was not required by the Department of Health (as these individuals did not make direct contact with the teacher who tested positive), but we want to ensure the safety of all of our students and staff.

3. Will we really be re-opening on Friday?

Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear likely that all teachers will have their Covid test results by Thursday, so we will need to remain on Zoom Academy from Tuesday until Friday, reopening on Monday, December 21.

4. How does Zoom Academy work?

A mix of live and pre-recorded lessons will be available for your child via Zoom this week. Please look for an additional email from me sometime tomorrow (Monday, December 13) afternoon containing all details related to Zoom Academy.

5. To address other concerns related to our Covid policy:
  • Since our re-opening in May, staff members definitely do not interact as they typically would pre-Covid. We all stay in our own space/classrooms as much as possible and social distancing is a priority.
  • Teachers do not eat together or have breaks together.
  • Tours and all IEP meetings and conferences were moved to Zoom.
  • Staff meetings moved to Zoom in March.
  • Our staff holiday party was a Zoom gathering.
  • Teachers are keenly aware that the choice they are outside of school can affect all of us at South Hills.  We are all about making good choices, as we teach your children!  
  • The teacher who tested positive has only a minor symptom—thank you for your concern about her!

Going forward, I have made the decision to require all teachers to be tested at the beginning of each month as an additional safeguard, even though this is not part of PDE, DHS or even Department of Health policy.  

Although we are not permitting parents to remain in the building beyond 15 minutes (and continue to request a quick entrance/exit) and prioritize social distancing rules with parents/ guardians, I strongly encourage parents to be proactive in regards to Covid testing, as testing would be additional protection for all of the staff and children.

Thank you for the kind emails of support; they are MUCH appreciated!  This is obviously an extremely stressful time for me and the South Hills’ staff, especially with our holidays arriving, and the festive plans we have for the children!  My staff and I continue to work hard behind the scenes to keep your child moving forward in his/her skills and still enjoy the season.

Please watch your email for further details related to Zoom Academy tomorrow!

Kind regards,

♥ Connie
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NOTICE: South Hills Closure 12/14 - 12/17

12/12/2020

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Parents,

In order to ensure the health and safety of our staff and children, I am writing to report that South Hills will be CLOSED effective Monday, December 14 through Thursday, December 17. Zoom Academy (virtual learning) will begin on Tuesday, December 15 through Thursday, December 17. We will re-open on Friday, December 18. Please read on for a full update!

One of the South Hills’ teachers of a full day classroom has tested positive for Covid-19.  Fortunately she was ONLY in the classroom one day while contagious, which was Monday, December 7. She developed a mild symptom on Monday evening, she did not return to South Hills, and will remain in quarantine for the required period. She was tested on Wednesday and her positive result was just returned.  Due to confidentiality orders, I cannot say who the teacher is, nor give any details.  But all children attending full day could have potentially been exposed.  That would include the Yellow, Green, Blue or Purple rooms.

The Erie County Department of Health has strongly suggested we close the entire school and not reopen until Friday, December 18.  All children attending full day classes (Yellow, Green, Purple, Blue classrooms) should quarantine immediately until that date as well. The staff who have had close contact are also quarantined.  I know this will create panic and hardship for many of you, but please know I place your child’s, family’s and my staff’s health and safety as a priority!  The Department did say they feel our plan is extremely well done, and that our practices are excellent, but we all know that this illness is lurking everywhere, and even with the best plan, it is possible to contract it.
 
PLEASE watch carefully for any symptoms/signs of Covid-19 in your children.  These signs might include any combination of the following:

    Fever or chills
    Cough
    Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    Fatigue
    Muscle or body aches
    Headache
    New loss of taste or smell
    Sore throat
    Congestion or runny nose
    Nausea or vomiting
    Diarrhea

We begin Zoom Academy on Tuesday, December 15 through Thursday, December 17 so your children, regardless of full or half day class, will continue their work online with their teacher.  We will be offering a mixture of live and recorded lessons to align with your own schedule. There is a Zoom folder in your Parent Handout Dropbox folder and by Monday afternoon you will receive all the pertinent information and the schedule for your child’s attendance.

Kindergarten students will have required live sessions to work individually with Ms Robin and Ms Pam. Details to follow in your Parent Handout/Zoom folder on Dropbox .
 
Our cleaning protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Erie County Health Department; Jerry and I will be devoting ourselves to disinfecting throughout our closure to ensure the healthiest environment possible, as we have always done.  

I am working diligently to organize this and promise I will be sending communication via Dropbox and email so please keep checking for notifications of postings!   

Be safe!

♥ Connie
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Health and Safety Plan for South Hills dated 7/17/2020, Amended 10/7/2020

10/10/2020

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Health and Safety Plan for South Hills dated 7/17/20 Amended 10/7/20
File Size: 277 kb
File Type: pdf
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Health and Safety Plan for South Hills dated 7/17/2020, Amended 8/6/20

8/8/2020

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Health and Safety Plan for South Hills dated 7/17/2020, Amended 8/6/20
File Size: 271 kb
File Type: pdf
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Parents and Staff,

South Hills Child Development Center Inc. has added two sentences to our Health and Safety Plan, dated July 17, 2020.

On page 8, the following sentence has been added to the Social Distancing section:

During afternoon PreK Enrichment classes for our full day 4 year old and older students, children will be mixed with a maximum of four children from another pod for one/half day per week (11:30am-5:30pm).


We have also added the following to the list of items to bring for your child’s use (See page 16):

An old cloth adult t-shirt (for use as a paint shirt) clearly labeled with your child's first and last name.


Thank you for reviewing this important amendment to the Health and Safety Plan dated July 17, 2020. You can download a copy of the updated plan using the link above.

When you sign the Acknowledgment Documentation (Included in the Health and Safety Plan), you indicate that you have reviewed these amendments.


Thank you,

♡ Ms Connie

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Health and Safety Plan for South Hills Child Development Center Inc. dated July 17, 2020.

7/19/2020

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Health and Safety Plan for South Hills dtd 7.17.2020
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July 17, 2020

Parents,

Above is the official Health and Safety Plan for South Hills Child Development Center Inc
dated July 17, 2020
. All current and incoming parents/ guardians should review this plan carefully and complete the required documents included within the PDF to submit upon their return to the school.

This plan dated July 17, 2020 will be uploaded to all South Hills’ families
via the parents’ Drop Box folders, emailed to all current families, distributed as a paper copy in
each child’s Take Home Folder, and posted on the home page of the South Hills website
www.shills.info.

This plan supersedes the Reopening Plan dated May 17, 2020 which addressed the May
26, 2020 reopening of South Hills following our mandated closure.
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IMPORTANT: SOUTH HILLS OFFICIAL REOPENING PLAN

5/17/2020

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South Hills Reopening Plan 5-17
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May 17, 2020
Parents,

South Hills Child Development Center Inc. is set to re-open on Tuesday, May 26. 

Our official Reopening Plan dated May 17, 2020 is downloadable ABOVE as a PDF.  Please read this document carefully! 

The Reopening Plan dated May 17, 2020 highlights our safety procedures during Phase 2 of the Pennsylvania reopening plan. Amendments to this plan will be released as Covid-19 developments are announced in the coming weeks and months.

On Wednesday or Thursday of this week, you will be contacted by phone to discuss how you choose to proceed with enrollment. New students will receive details regarding orientation.

If you are currently enrolled in the Spring 2020 term (ending FRIDAY, JUNE 12), your options are as follows:

  1. Return in person beginning Tuesday, May 26 until the term concludes on Friday, June 12.
  2. Continue with Zoom Academy through Friday, June 12. If you choose this option, you understand that only one teacher will be able to continue our entire virtual learning initiative (as all other teachers will return to the school) and it will most likely not be your child’s current teacher. Kindergarteners do not have the option for Zoom Academy after May 22.
  3. Withdraw. Deposits will be returned and refunds for pre-paid tuition will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

If you are registered for Full Day Preschool, Kindergarten, or School-Age beginning Summer 2020 (starting MONDAY, JUNE 15), your options are as follows:

  1. Attend in person classes beginning Monday, June 15.
  2. Attend online classes via Zoom Academy beginning Monday, June 15. If you choose this option, you understand that only one teacher will be able to continue our entire virtual learning initiative (as all other teachers will return to the school) and it will most likely not be your child’s classroom teacher. Kindergarteners do not have the option for Zoom Academy. We are brainstorming potential School-Age program ideas via Zoom, if there is an interest.
  3. Withdraw. Deposits will be refunded.

IMPORTANT: If you choose to withdraw your child for the summer term, you are also forfeiting your enrollment for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year (Not applicable to School-Age students). If you hope to eventually return to us, we can keep your child on our waiting list. However, we must fill any vacant spots and cannot guarantee that an opening will be available or which classroom will be available for your child.

Additional updates below:
  • Zoom Academy ends Friday, May 29 for the half day preschool program. 
  • We had hoped to extend the school year for two weeks for our half day students, but that will not be possible now; for closure we would LOVE to have you call and make an appointment to meet with your child’s teacher briefly in our foyer for some parting words.
  • Starting Monday, May 18, teachers will be working in the school and the foyer will be open approximately 9:00-4:30pm. Mothers, please stop by the foyer to pick up your Mother’s Day plant that your child grew if you haven’t already—please hurry as your plants won’t survive long!
It has been an unprecedented school year, and the lack of graduation/closure is so sad for all of us here at South Hills. We enjoyed our Parent Conferences with you last week SO MUCH!  We are proud that we could continue with your child via Zoom Academy, and are grateful for your financial support during this time. There are no words of gratitude that will suffice…you have blessed all of us here on the staff of South Hills…keep in touch with us, please,if you are leaving, so we can hear of your children’s grand accomplishments!

ღ  Ms Connie
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SOUTH HILLS ZOOM ACADEMY - WEEK SEVEN UPDATES!

5/8/2020

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May 8, 2020
Parents,

Updates this week are as follows:


MEETING IDS + PASSWORDS ARE CHANGING!


  • Starting Monday, May 11, ALL classrooms have been designated a new Classroom ID and password! You will find these on your weekly class schedule along with your conference room credentials! Old classroom IDs and passwords will no longer be applicable to South Hills.

CONFERENCES

  • Next week, Zoom Academy will still operate as usual, but parents will also be attending conferences. I am leading conferences with Erica in the Green Room but will also sit in on all conferences for children with IEPs. I look forward to meeting with you! With the exception of the Green Room, all assessments are in your Dropbox handout folder now; I will add the Green Room assessments by Sunday a.m. and am actively working to complete those now.
  • Conferences have strict time limitations and are NOT intended as a time to discuss our time line to reopen the building. Conferences are intended as a time to discuss your child’s achievements. Teachers and I will refrain from answering any COVID-related questions during conferences.
  • CONFERENCE ROOMS WILL BE ACCESSIBLE VIA A DESIGNATED ZOOM MEETING ID AND PASSWORD. PLEASE REFER TO YOUR MAY 11 CLASS SCHEDULE (LOCATED IN YOUR CLASSROOM DROPBOX) FOR YOUR CONFERENCE ROOM ID AND PASSWORD.
  • In order to ensure that conferences remain private, teachers will need to “admit” parents into the conference prior to joining. After you type in your conference room credentials, you will be placed in a temporary “waiting room” until the conference before you has ended.

RE-OPENING

  • Our May 26 re-open date is still pending. The staff and I have much training to complete and additional guidelines continue to be given to me. I will be sending you the details of our plan to reopen once it is firmly established. Until then, I appreciate your patience.
  • Based on your feedback, I am also working to offer the option to continue with Zoom Academy for those children whose families do not want to return prior to June 12, the final day of the spring term.
  • I am receiving over 50 emails daily and am far behind in my responses. I do apologize, but I am meeting constantly with my attorney, accountant, licensing representatives, insurance company agents and so many others, while trying to take all the required COVID training and attempting to develop our potential re-opening plan. As a result, while I do read all of your emails, I am simply unable to reply to everyone at this time.
  • However, I do appreciate your continued communication with us. In order to ensure that your feedback and concerns are documented and addressed moving forward, please reach out with questions and concerns to Beth (HERE) first!

INVOICING

  • Your final invoice for the spring term was sent out on May 1. This invoice contains your tuition for the entire month of May and the first two weeks of June (through June 12). Please refer to your invoice for a full break-out of your weekly tuition and the dates covered.
  • Summer term begins on June 15. You will receive your summer invoice closer to that date.

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT

  • Remember to stop by the South Hills foyer on Saturday (tomorrow) between 9-3:00pm to retrieve your Mother’s Day gift from your child (One at a time please!)! For those who do not celebrate this holiday, you can still locate your child’s spring creation tomorrow in the foyer and enjoy it even though it is SNOWING as I write this! Please do not go beyond the foyer.

Happy Mother’s Day!

♥ Ms Connie

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South Hills Child Development Center Inc.

3808 Caughey Road
Erie, PA 16506
(814) 838-7114 | Email
Open Monday to Friday 7:15am - 5:30pm
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