Pandemic Emergency Operations
“The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.” Kakuzo Okakura
Recent times have been challenging. The pandemic has caused everyone to adapt to a new normal for the safety of our communities. We feel proud that our staff has come together with the health (both physical and mental) and happiness of our students central to our responses. Whether students are on campus, parents are collaborating in a home school partnership, or students are learning online from home, we are working to meet everyone’s needs to the best of our ability.
The following document compiles current resources and guidelines from local, state and federal government.
Practices will be adjusted continuously as guidelines and COVID-19 transmission in our area evolve.
BMS will continue to evolve its practices as CDC, State, and Local guidelines continue to change. Changes will be communicated to staff and families. This document is in place in addition to our typical handbooks. If any items found within this Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) conflict with previous policies, the EOP takes precedence. When BMS is no longer operating under this EOP, policies will be as written in the handbook(s). BMS will continually re-evaluate, in collaboration with local health agencies, the level of risk within the school and Bloomington community from COVID-19. We are hopeful that favorable data trends will support the eventual phasing out of outlined requirements, especially those that necessitate restriction of freedom of the child or limitation of choices throughout the day.
BMS will do its best to balance the needs and preferences of the community, the practicalities of providing a Montessori education to children, and the safety of BMS staff and children. BMS is not liable for transmission of COVID-19 within the community or related risks. Guardians assume all risks for students in attendance and must do their best to support and enforce the safety measures in place at Bloomington Montessori for the health and safety of everyone.