*Updates to policies due to Covid-19 ​*

June 2021

Dear AWB Families,

            In the 2021-2022 school year, we will continue to follow the guidance for childcare facilities regarding COVID-19 issued by the CDC, PA Dept. of Health, and the Allegheny Health Dept.  Due to vaccinations being unavailable for the children in our care, we will be following the same successful COVID-19 policies and procedures that were put in place last year for the continued good health of our children, staff, and families.  These may change based on the issuance of new guidelines, the approval of vaccines for children under 5, and/or based on what is safe and practical when working with young children.

            Last year went pretty smoothly and the children handled masks brilliantly.  We want to remain open and illness free as much as possible and we will need your help to do it.  We are grateful for your support, patience, and transparency as we venture forth into another great year together!

*Please read through these policies and procedures carefully:                                                                                         
  1. Staff and children ONLY will be allowed in our classrooms and hallways when children are present.  We will make exceptions (by appointment) for therapeutic support specialists.                                                        
  2. Children age 2 and up will wear a well-fitting mask (over mouth and nose) except when eating or napping.  Children under 2 will never wear masks.  2 year olds must be able to wear and remove their own mask to attend the older drop-in room.                                                                                                              
  3. All staff and support specialists will wear masks in the building and outside when in close proximity to children (6ft.)                                                                                                                                                                       
  4. Parents must wear masks to the doors at drop off/pick up and maintain physical distancing of 6 feet when encountering other families and staff.                                                                                                                   
  5. All children and staff will enter and exit the building through the side door by the parking lot.  Preschool staff will be waiting for preschool students at the door.  All drop-in children and staff should ring the doorbell at the N. Howard door to announce their arrival and then walk to the side door where a staff member will meet them.                                                                                                                                                 
  6. A staff member will do a general health and temperature check for each child at the door and then escort the child to their classroom.  If a child has a fever of 100.4F or greater or has signs of visible illness, they will not be admitted to our care.  They can return after they are fever-free with no medication for at least 24 hours, and are symptom-free.                                                                                                                                  
  7. If a child or family member has COVID symptoms or is exposed to someone with COVID, a 14 day quarantine or negative test result (day 5 or after from exposure)  and no symptoms are required to return to AWB.                                                                                                                                                                        
  8. All children who eat lunch at AWB will do so in their own classrooms.  AWB is NUT-FREE.  Please do not send any lunch items with peanuts or tree nuts (including granola and nut butters) in your child’s lunch.  Anything that looks like it might have nuts of any kind will not be opened and will be sent home.             *If you send sunbutter, please label it.                                                                                                                                       
  9. We will continue to try to spend time outdoors as often as possible.  Please send appropriate outerwear including hat, gloves, and proper footwear (no crocs, flipflops, or sandals.)  We will also try to ventilate classrooms as much as possible.  Please send an extra sweatshirt to keep in your child’s cubby for when the classrooms get chilly.