Blog

                  The cars started lining up before 9.  The playground was shaded and waiting to be filled with children.  Teachers stood ready, wearing Acorn shirts, and clear masks, ready to greet our children.  Each child entered the playground, after being unbuckled from their cars by their parent and having a temperature check.  Once on the playground, children started at our outdoor hand washing station and then scattered across the playground to play.  Children swung on swings, painted at a picnic table, and zip lined to their hearts’ content.  We spent the majority of our morning outside, just letting the children play and interact.

                  After dividing our children into groups, we talked about some of the changes at The Acorn (teachers wearing masks, lining up a “pool noodle” apart).  Children adjusted quickly, with no signs of anxiety or distress.  Once inside, children washed hands and played with items around the classroom.  All school windows were open and each child had his or her own basket of art supplies.  After snack, which took place at large tables with children appropriately spaced, the big kids were given scissors and pictures to cut and then put back together.  They seemed to love this and particularly seemed to love having a structured task.  The morning ended with sweaty faces and sandy feet loading back into their cars and happy hearts as children and families headed home, ready to come play again tomorrow.

                  As the week unfolded we added more small and large group activities, including nature scavenger hunts and art, making bandanas, washing toys and baby dolls, flashlight drawings, story time and more.  Smiles have been big on the adults and the children alike.  We are thrilled to have had a chance to slowly reopen and to make sure we can welcome children back and enable them to play and interact while protecting the safety of our children, staff, and families.  We are looking forward to having our teachers and students back on campus and welcoming you all with open (and appropriately distanced) arms on August 17.