Outside the Box – Nicole Kelly
It has been 4 weeks since RSI students and staff have returned to the classrooms. While everyone is adapting to the new policies and procedures in place, RSIOC continues to provide a safe environment for students to continue learning and having fun!
In efforts to keep our campus safe, only RSI students, staff, and precleared vendors are allowed on site. A drive-thru loop has been implemented to help with the smooth transition of dropping off students and picking up students from our school. When picking up and dropping off students, all parents are required to wear masks. The drive-thru loop is staffed by RSI teachers and staff who warmly welcome students as they arrive, help check them in, take temperatures with an infrared no-touch thermometer, and walk the kids to class.
When students arrive at their class, they have set routines in place to help them begin their day. Students first set their items down and immediately wash their hands, then sit in their designated spots for welcome/circle time, or sit at their desk. Throughout the day, trained staff clean, disinfect, and sanitize frequently touched surfaces, toys, and classroom supplies, and at the end of the day, the campus is cleaned by professional staff.
Social distance is promoted in the classrooms by assigning students desks and chairs, providing students with individual materials, and setting various activity stations on the playgrounds to avoid students gathering together. Teachers engage students in learning by adding songs, dance, books, and crafts into their daily lessons. Although students have space between them, teachers do a good job of keeping students interested and assigning tasks or games that they can do in their designated areas.
We are proud of our students’ and staff’s adaptability to change as our new policies and procedures are in place.
