As we navigate a global pandemic this year, we have made some temporary changes in an attempt to keep everyone healthy and safe. The biggest change is that we will be meeting at Imago on both Monday & Thursday. At Imago we are able to gather outside and have access to use an indoor building with bathrooms and a full kitchen. Being at a nature preserve is a great way to improve mental and physical health and by using outdoor spaces we will minimize possible virus transmission while maintaining community connection and support for our homeschooling journeys.

We have a good, trusting relationship with Imago and have agreed to the following COVID SAFETY PROTOCOL for use of their space.

● Limit group size to 40 people (25 kids) when outdoors. No more than 10 indoors at one time. Exceptions for unsafe outdoor conditions and inclement weather.

● Take each participant’s temperature with the contactless thermometer and send home anyone that has a temperature 100.4 or greater.

● Fill out the self-report form for each participant about COVID symptoms/exposure. Leave completed form at Imago.

● Make sure each participant washes hands when they first arrive at Imago.

● Wear a mask when indoors.

● Maintain social distance and/or wear masks outdoors based on each family’s choice EXCEPT for when first arriving before temperatures are taken.

● Clean and disinfect the building after you each use per Imago’s cleaning checklist with proper sanitizer.

● Inform Imago about any positive COVID tests in participant households.

● Contact Imago if you or anyone in your group tests positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of your building use.

● Use Imago’s outdoor spaces as much as possible. Limit indoor use and space out the number of people at any given time, when possible.

● Limit reusable items (e.g. cloth towels).

Additional changes are that we will be operating in Trimesters (Fall, Winter, Spring). For Winter we are only hosting unstructured play dates on Thursdays for our members (weather permitting). We are only planning offerings (classes/activities) per month so as not to schedule too far in advance in case we need to close down again. Instead of work days, this year we will have an open week each month where we do deep-cleaning of the kitchen, bathrooms, and building and any service projects Imago has for us. We also will be strictly enforcing our no drop offs policy this year. Another caregiver cannot be responsible for other children as well. Caregivers need to ensure their child is following the COVID safety rules and we do need adults to help with the daily chores and extra cleaning at Imago.

SICKNESS POLICY

As we navigate a global pandemic this year, we ask that you and your family not come to SPARK if you or anyone in your household feel ill or are contagious. Before you return to Spark, please be symptom-free for 72 hours without medication from fever, cough, vomit, diarrhea or any other Covid-19 symptoms.