We hear you -- the limited space of the big yard and our request for families to drop children at the gate has created a feeling of distance and has removed a community meet-up point for families who use this time to connect with other families in your class, and with teachers as well.  We need to continue to be mindful of the potential for safety issues and crowding challenges during morning arrival.  

 

Whenever possible to drop off and continue on, or for families to convene and connect on Rapelye St. rather than in the yard, we would appreciate that step, as it will reduce the number of people in the yard during that 7:40am - 8:10am window.  If this shift from gathering in the yard with your child's class or checking in with a teacher has had an impact on your overall morning routine, we are going to leave open the option for coming into the yard, for the next week or so. Then, we will have another reflection meeting with the Morning Duty Crew to see how the safety and flow of morning arrivals has shifted, and we will take it from there. 

 

We encourage everyone to keep in mind that there is a balance to be found between the brief check-in, which can serve as an important morning transition, alongside the importance for classes to be able to make their way up to their classrooms to begin their day shortly after 8:10am.  We know those few minutes hold great value. 

 

We appreciate your partnership as we navigate this unexpected mid-year change. 

Diane