Letter from Phil

October 15, 2020

Dear LREI Families,

As always, I hope that this letter finds you well and healthy. It continues to be inspiring to see your children in school (in-person and online), to see how excited they are to be with their schoolmates, and how adaptable and resilient they are.  

We know that after months apart the children, of all ages, are eager to spend time together. We also know that they are doing their best to adapt to the new meanings of “together.” That said, they are kids and they continue to need reminders regarding the ways to be together safely. What follows are guidelines regarding gatherings. I have had input from your Parents Association Co-Presidents – Maren Berthelsen and Lunie Small – and from some of my LREI colleagues. I also had significant input from a former NYC colleague who is now head of a day school in Massachusetts. At the end of this message you are invited to share ideas with your parent colleagues.   

We must all find ways to prioritize our family’s health and that of others in the community – the LREI community and the larger NYC community. Making decisions about how and with whom we spend time will allow us to stay in school longer and to do our part to minimize the spread of the virus.

General Guidelines

Clearly, remote gatherings offer the most security. Using Zoom, Netflix Party, etc. to create opportunities for both structured and unstructured time together can be truly fulfilling. That said, we know that our children want to be together and we want them to have a break from screens.  

Here are some general guidelines for in-person gatherings:

The basics of socializing in person

1. Outdoors is best;
2. Masked is a must – even when exercising;
3. At a distance – six feet at least, 12 if exercising or playing sports;
4. Keep the group small;
5. Wash hands frequently. (Soap and water is better than hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer better than not.)

Ignoring any of the above increases the risk of transmission (see a detailed chart of transmission risks included below), and therefore puts teachers, students, and your families at increased risk.

Things to avoid

1. Being indoors together. Clearly, this will become more likely as the weather changes;
2. Traveling together in confined spaces, such as cars;
3. Anything unmasked, including eating/drinking;
4. Sleepovers;
5. Large groups.

We know that this will constrain children’s social options. We feel that this falls into the short-term pain, long-term gain category.  

For older children, especially older middle school and high school, who spend more time together without adult supervision

• We are and will continue to impress upon our students how important it is that they follow the simple rules above – masks, distance, small consistent groups, clean hands. We ask you to redouble your efforts as well. 
• They really must wear their masks when they travel to and from school, while at school, after school, when playing basketball at Houston Street, hanging out with a small, consistent group on weekends, etc. They need to stand six feet apart (this may be the hardest rule for them.) No hugging and kissing hello and goodbye. No sitting on each other’s laps. For some this will be easy. For some much harder. Essential for all.  

Suggestions for How to be Together Safely

1. Playdates
   1. Plan for an outside venue such as a park or playground, a walking tour of your neighborhood, etc.;  
   2. Have the fewest children/adults possible;
   3. Skip the snacks or pack them to go when kids can unmask with their own families;
   4. For lower and middle school students – playdates within a pod are safest.
2. Birthdays
   1. Plan for an outside venue where all can maintain appropriate physical distance while wearing masks;
   2. Keep the group small – we recommend no more than 3-4 children, and if there are adult chaperones, no more than 1 per child;
   3. Skip the group meals and treats and send party guests home with a cupcake or slice of cake;
   4. This may be the year for family-only events, with some fun online surprises.
3. Sports Teams
   1. Students participating in sports leagues should abide by the state guidelines. This document from NY State is written primarily for league organizers. This document is from the CDC; 
   2. Have a candid conversation with the coach to ensure that they will be following similar guidelines to those in school, such as mask-wearing and maintaining distance.
4. Family Gatherings
   1. Within families – limit your exposure to members of your family outside of those in your immediate household. We know this is hard. For some families this is especially challenging if you are a caregiver for a member of your extended family;
   2. Please consider the same rules as for playdates. 
5. Adult Gatherings
   1. Other than suggesting wearing masks at all times, maintaining the appropriate distance, limiting numbers and being careful when eating and drinking, we will leave it to you to create safe and fun adult gatherings;
   2. When it comes to school-related adult gatherings, such as grade/class/pod potlucks, we ask that these be done virtually.  

We know that it is hard to be that parent – the one who says no to a gathering, a sleepover, or the like. The one who insists on mask wearing and really limits exposure and activity. It is hard to disappoint your children, to be away from friends and families, to not be able to relax a little. Thank you for being that responsible parent.  The more of us who are those parents (and I think it is most parents most of the time) the safer, healthier, and happier all will be.  

Do you have ideas for playdates, birthdays, family gatherings, adult gatherings in the age of coronavirus?  Click here to share your ideas. We will compile the list and share it with the community.

Be well,