Julia's Garden Newsletter ?: School Closed Per City Shelter Regulations Until April 13th, Distance Learning Survey, 2020/2021 Tuition Relief and More Ways to Stay Safe During COVID-19

Dear Community,
I hope this note finds you and your family well today. I am writing to provide a COVID-19 update that affects our community. I know you are concerned, and so am I, so I wanted to make sure we shared some helpful reminders on how you can keep safe, as well as updates on what we are doing to support your family, as we continue to maneuver through this experience together.
Campus Closed Until April 13th
In response to the Stay Home/Work Safe Order issued by the City of Austin and Travis county, Julia’s Garden will be closed through April 13. Even though our school is not open, we are facilitating continuous learning opportunities for our students. JG staff and families should prepare for schools to be closed for a longer period of time.
Distance Learning

Families are encouraged to connect with their guide(s) for instructional activities to use while at home. These activities are designed to keep up learning and can be used as a resource for our families. These resources will continue to be available until our campus can re-open safely.
Remember, you are your child’s best teacher.  Education is a partnership and this is an opportunity to connect with your child, discovering his/her skills and building a foundation that will last for months, even years, to come.  This time together, although undeniably stressful, can be also be precious.
Organic Eats for Kids 
Lena is cooking up yummy family-style meals for the whole family to enjoy!  Email her at lena@eatsforkids.com to take a break from daily cooking and enjoy a healthy meal delivered to your doorstep.  This is a wonderful opportunity to support a local business that has done so much for our community.
Financial Assistance for the 2020/2021 School Year

We will continue to offer resources and support to you through learning from home. And, while we are not able to offer refunds, we understand this situation is impacting our families.  Julia’s Garden Montessori has collaborated with the Julia’s Garden Fund to find a way to respond to the needs of the community. Moving forward, we are offering $30,000 in tuition assistance to families for the 2020/2021 school year.

What this means for you: By request, a 5 - 10% discount is available for 2020/2021 tuition to each enrolled family. Priority will be given to returning families but funding may be available for new families.  We will know more as more resources become available what we can offer and will consider every request.  We want to work with you.  If you are able to pay the full tuition price, or have already accepted a scholarship from the fund, we kindly ask that you pass that savings onto another family.  We are all in this together and every little bit helps.

Our programming starts with your family: a family that choose us above all other programs to be the one to love, educate and care for your child during his/her formative years.  We are 100% committed to seeing this through.  Let’s help one another see the other side of this.
Tips and Reminders for Staying Safe and Healthy
Above all else, be safe, and take this quarantine seriously.  Without health, we have nothing.
The best way to lessen the effects of COVID-19 in our community is to: 

• Reduce our social interactions by 90 percent. This is the only way we know of that will keep the risk of exposure to this disease down.  This means staying away from neighbors, this means going to the grocery store as infrequently as possible and keeping people that are not your immediate family out of your home.  We have to take this seriously, our lives depend on it.
• Practice social distancing: maintain a safe distance of 6 feet (approximately 2 meters) from others at all times.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  If no sanitizer is available you can make some at home.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid any contact with people who are sick and ask people if they have felt ill before any interaction. It’s not rude to do this, it protects you and your family’s health.
• Cover your mouth and nose with the inside of the elbow when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces.
• Leave items, like mail or packages that are not perishable, alone for 72 hours before touching to be sure there has been time for any virus particles to die.
• Wear disposable gloves when handling items that have not been in your home for less than 72 hours.
• Eat a balanced meal high in Vitamin C and consider zinc supplements.
• Take your shoes off before you enter your home after leaving the house; the bottoms of your shoes can transfer virus particles into your home. It is recommended to leave shoes outside for 72 hours after going to a public place.

Thank you for the innovation and flexibility you have shown during this time. You are a valued part of our family. 


In gratitude,

Katherine Parlette Hunter
Founder/Head of School
The Julia’s Garden Montessori School 🌸
katherine@juliasgardenmontessori.com
www.juliasgardenmontessori.com