The numbers below reflect the information for COVID-19 case at The Montessori School of San Antonio
As of November 5th, 2020
Students on campus
Students Absent
Employees on campus
Employees Absent
Active COVID-19 Cases
Total COVID-19 cases
As we see the numbers continue to rise in the community, we see an increase in the need for quick and accurate testing. Please click here for information about free testing sites in San Antonio. If you choose to have your child tested, please email results to kgomez@montessorisa.org
MSSA Health and Safety – Back to School Opening
The MSSA Reopening Plan was created with input from our COVID-19 Task Force.
The COVID-19 Task Force is made of members who are parents, physicians, and board members.
The Montessori School of San Antonio COVID-19 Task Force:
Simone Norris, MD
Sam Mehta, MD (current parent)
Tim Biela, MD (current parent)
David Lam, MD (current parent)
Liza Lam, RN (current parent)
Alex Nava, BA, JD (current parent)
Ben Newman, PsyD (current parent)
Many Orono (current parent)
The Montessori School of San Antonio has a new Youtube Channel for Communications. To see past videos or to subscribe for the latest MSSA Videos: Click Here
Previous Issues:
August 6, 2020 • COVID-19 Testing and Facebook LIVE Dates
July 30, 2020 • Remote Learning Program
July 23, 2020 • Remote Learning notes and new virtual Parent Meetings
July 16, 2020 • Summer Informational issue
July 9, 2020 • Interview with Head of School and campus security improvement
July 2, 2020 • Plan for reopening
June 25, 2020 • SchoolPass application and summer reading lists
June 18, 2020 • Campus changes due to COVID-19
June 11, 2020 • Communications Survey and a note from the campus nurse
Head of School: Dr. Dan Ahlstrom dahlstrom@montessorisa.org
Program Director: Theresa Powers tpowers@montessorisa.org
Director of Admission: Maru Galarza mgalarza@montessorisa.org
Director of Communications: Jocelyn Durand jdurand@montessorisa.org
General Inquiries: communications@montessorisa.org
Keep up with the latest communication through the MSSA Weekly Dispatch emailed every Thursday.
April 17, 2020
Dear MSSA Families,
By now you are probably aware of Governor Abbot’s declaration that all public and private school campuses remain closed for the remainder of the school year. While I am relieved to have clarity, at the same time I am saddened at the loss of the small hope that we would somehow come back together before summer.
Distance learning will continue as it has through the end of the school year. We are planning distribution of students’ personal items and will update you when those plans are finalized.
Take care,
Chuck
Dear MSSA Parents, Tue 3/17/2020
I write to you today from a far-too-quiet campus, an unfortunate necessity of the moment in which we live. The image of this empty school once again filled with joyful children is an uplifting and sustaining thought. Until – as well as after – that time, MSSA is making the following necessary adjustments in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
MSSA’s plan for distance learning is well into development and will be ready for distribution soon. Our overarching goal is to replicate the MSSA experience as closely as possible.
School events that involve large gatherings or significant numbers of campus visitors are cancelled. These include Family Fun Run, Student Art Exhibit, Middle School Musical, PTC Spring Event (separate information to come), Multi-Cultural Fair, LE Lock-in, Book Fair, Spring Concert, Mothers and Others, Middle School Oral Presentations, and LE Day of Drama. One exception is Graduation, which will be evaluated at a later date. For some of these events, students will continue to work on academic components such as research and presentation preparation.
Except for track, for which we are still hopeful to train in time for an April 23 meet, competitive sports are cancelled for the remainder of the school year. The athletic department is making plans to replace cancelled sports with similar sports that will not involve competition with other schools. Any difference in fees will be processed through the Active software system. Assuming MSSA reopens April 6, after school activities and athletics will proceed as scheduled with the applicable session/season extended through the end of the school year. Credits will be issued to family accounts in FACTS for lunches that were ordered for March but not utilized.
It is understandable that you may question paying tuition during the period of campus closure. While the physical plant is not open to students, our staff, teachers, and assistants remain employed. Teachers and assistants are fully engaged with the distance learning program, and administrative staff continue to attend to the tasks necessary for the continuity of our school. MSSA, in short, is doing all it can to maintain normalcy under these extraordinary conditions. That said, MSSA recognizes that child care and/or unpaid work may create a hardship for some of our families. In light of this, you may appeal for relief of up to 50% of tuition for the closure period by sending a letter directly to me outlining your specific situation. A small committee will review requests and make a recommendation based on family circumstances and the pool of available funds. As with regular financial assistance, all requests will be held in strictest confidence.
During the closure, we ask that students and parents do not visit campus unless requested by administration. School office hours are 9:00 to 3:00, and we will be answering calls and returning emails as we would during normal school operations. Nurse Kimberly Gomez may be reaching out to you to coordinate transfer of student medications kept on campus.
In closing, I wish all of you good health and a rapid return to full lives!
Sincerely,
Chuck
Dear MSSA Families, Fri 3/6/2020 1:10 PM
As you prepare for Spring Break, I write to update you regarding MSSA’s response to COVID- 19, also known as the coronavirus. We are actively monitoring the situation on a local, state, and national level, and will continue to adjust preparations according to instructions from health officials. Please note these actions specific to our school:
We will continue to update you with additional information as it becomes available. In closing, I wish you a restful (and healthy!) Spring Break.
Best always,
Chuck Raymer Head of School
March 3, 2020
Dear MSSA Parents,
I write to update you about MSSA’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Blending information from medical experts, health officials, and peer institutions, MSSA has determined that the best course of action for the safety of our community is to close school from March 16 through April 3. Next week will be considered an extended holiday for students. For the following two weeks, the school will do its best to provide meaningful distance learning opportunities coordinated through our teachers. During that time, we will closely monitor the situation, remaining hopeful for news that would permit a speedy return to normalcy.
This decision is consistent with similar schools in San Antonio. I understand and appreciate that the closure will be highly disruptive to your lives, and for that I am sincerely sorry. By suspending operations, we hope not only to protect our own community but to do our part in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 within the larger San Antonio community.
Subsequent emails will provide details regarding cancellation or rescheduling of school-related activities. In closing, I thank you for your patience and support as together we work through this unique and challenging situation.
Respectfully,
Chuck Raymer
Head of School
Prior to the School Closure, the School put into effect many School-wide
Preventative Measures.
MSSA Remote Learning Program 2020-2021
Primary Half-Day and Extended Day Sample Schedule
Lower Elementary Sample Schedule