JCC of Greater Pittsburgh Robinson Building • 5738 Darlington Road, Squirrel Hill

August 31, 2020

Please note: As of August 19, 2020, the program is full. If you would like to add your child to the waiting list, please email Rachael Speck [email protected]

We are excited to bring you our new fall program called “All Day at the J!”

“All Day at the J” is a program created to provide support to our families during this uncertain time.  For years, the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh has put on amazing summer camp programs and enriching after-school childcare opportunities.  This full-day program is an opportunity for a wonderful extension of that!  “All Day at the J” is a chance for students in grades K-6  to complete their online learning requirements with additional support while being able to engage in a full slate of activities to ensure that their mental, emotional and physical health are all being attended to while parents return to work.

Who: Children entering Kindergarten – 6th grade

When: August 31 – October 30 (9 weeks)

Where: JCC Squirrel Hill

Time: Monday – Friday, Hours TBD.  Program hours are still to be determined based on Pittsburgh Public Schools’ determination of their virtual school day start and end times. This will be a full day program with time included before and after school hours to try and accommodate parents’ work schedules and to allow for staggered arrival and dismissal times.

Cost: $2,095

Limited space will be available so that we can best ensure adherence with best practices in health and safety. Priority registration will be given to those children registered for the 2020-21 Clubhouse after school program as of July 15, 2020, and to those who have siblings currently enrolled in our Early Childhood Development Center.  We are anticipating a high demand so we encourage you to secure your child’s spot as soon as possible.

Once you have submitted a registration form, your registration an enrollment packet will be emailed to you within 48 hours of completing the form.   No registration will be considered complete until all forms are submitted.  As we get closer to our first day, we will ask you to fill out an additional form that provides us with all device specific information such as email, portal/website user names and passwords you child could need access to.  You will also be required to fill out a schedule of their online meetings time and classes so that we can support their time management.

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“ALL DAY AT THE J” ENHANCED HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS

In response to the current public health climate and to best ensure a safe experience for all children and staff in our program, we are making a number of adjustments to our policies and daily procedures.
Recommendations from and consultation with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Department of Human Services, the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and the Jewish Community Center Association were all critical components of our decision making process. The changes we are making are intentional, with a focus first on the health and safety of every individual and family in our Center.

Our guidelines are reviewed and updated regularly as new information becomes available. Links to resources we utilize include:

CDC Childcare Sympton Screening
CDC Guidance for Childcare
Pittsburgh Public Schools
Allegheny County- Dealing with Positive Covid19 Cases Exposure in Childcare

STAFF ARRIVAL AND ABSENCES
Staff must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the beginning of their shift to allow ample time for the required health screening at the staff entrance. Staff will bring their own mask that goes home daily to be washed; disposable masks will be available if anyone forgets a mask. Staff should secure a few masks if possible in the event they are not doing laundry daily. Disposable masks have been donated to the JCC; we will provide masks if staff have not been able to obtain their own. When a staff member calls off, reasons/symptoms will be asked for and documented.

CHILD DROP OFF PROCEDURES
Drop off times will be assigned and sent via email to families. Children will be received by JCC staff at parent/guardian car; a daily health screening will be performed for everyone in the car (children and
parent/guardian). The child will exit the car after the screening has occurred. Please do not exit the car until the screening is complete. Children will not be permitted into the JCC if anyone in the vehicle has a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, or has symptoms visible to screener or disclosed by parent/guardian. Children may not be dropped off asleep. Walkers will be subject to the same screening method; children will not be permitted to enter the JCC with a fever and/or disclosed or visible symptoms.
Screeners will be JCC staff members; Rachael Speck and other members of the Children, Youth and Family (CYF) leadership team will be present during drop off daily, and will escort children indoors.

MASKS AND PROTECTIVE GEAR
Masks must be worn at all times where staff members are interacting with the public, other staff, and children. Staff will have a clean mask to wear daily. Gloves will be worn during assisting in the bathroom, touching and serving food. They will be changed in between use properly; hands will be washed in between use.

GROUPING CHILDREN
Physical distancing will be strictly enforced between groups. Each group will have no more than 12 participants and 2 staff. Group size is determined by the PA Department of Human Services from which the
JCC is licensed. Every effort will be made to keep the same staff with the same children throughout the day.
Floating staff will be limited. Children do not naturally physically distance and they require warmth and close contact with staff. Best efforts will be made to maintain physical distancing practices. Individual play will be encouraged when possible, with staff providing interesting and engaging materials around the room or open
space to encourage it.

CLASSROOM MATERIALS
School supplies and materials in the classroom will be limited to items that can be easily disinfected. Sensory materials like dress up clothes and other soft items will be put away. Materials will be adequately disinfected between uses by each child, especially when placed in the mouth. Disinfecting bins will be in each classroom and common space.

PROGRAM SPACES/GYM EQUIPMENT
Mixed use spaces will be used during non-instruction time and will be thoroughly disinfected and allowed to dry in between each class’s use. Group schedules will be adjusted/staggered to allow for thorough cleaning. Walks in the community and field trips are suspended for now, but we will use other outside spaces on/around JCC property as much of the day as is possible.

HANDWASHING, DISINFECTING, SANITIZING
Children and staff will wash hands upon arrival to the classroom, between activities, after returning from gym/outdoor play, before and after eating, before and after using the bathroom. Classroom materials will be disinfected between each child’s use. Doorknobs, light switches, handles, (high-touch places and spaces) will
be disinfected as often as possible throughout the day, including at the beginning and end of the day and during naptime. Surfaces, such as countertops and tables, will be cleaned and disinfected after each use and will be left wet after disinfecting to accommodate the disinfectant’s stated dwell or contact time. Electronics and individual school supplies (laptops, iPads, headphones) will be disinfected regularly throughout the day.
Staff will prepare fresh bleach solutions daily. Toilet handles and sink handles/faucet will be disinfected between each use. JCC Senior Director of Facilities will track and order cleaning and disinfecting supplies.

ILLNESS POLICY
If a child develops symptoms during the day, the child will be removed from the classroom by one staff member, who will remain with the child, and moved to the designated sick room. The parent will be notified by a member of the CYF leadership team; if parent is not available immediately, emergency contact will be used. Fever reducing medication will not be administered by CYF staff. Other medication still requires a physician’s note to dispense and must come in the original packaging with dosage amount. Anyone (staff member or child) with a fever greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit must stay home or be sent home until 72 hours after their fever resolves without fever-reducing medication.
Staff exposed to adults or children with COVID-19 will required to provide a negative COVID test result and/or to be quarantined for 14 days after their most recent exposure. Exposure is considered >15 minutes at <6 feet distance from someone known to have COVID-19 infection.
As the range of reported symptoms for COVID-19 changes, we will update our policy accordingly. At this time, children will not be permitted at the JCC/will be sent home from the JCC if any of the symptoms below are present and we ask that children not return to the JCC until they are symptom-free for 24 hours.

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
• Fatigue (in our case, an inability to participate in regular activities)
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion, runny nose*
• Nausea (typically described by a child as a stomach ache)*
• Vomiting*
• Diarrhea*

*Children who present with any one of these symptoms will not be sent home immediately. Congestion, runny nose and nausea/stomach ache must be accompanied by at least one other COVID-19 related symptom. Children will be sent home after two instances of vomiting and/or diarrhea.

POSITIVE CASE OF CORONAVIRUS

If a staff member, child or family member comes into contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19, that person is required to notify CYF leadership and will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days and to consult with healthcare professional. If a family member is exposed, the child attending “All Day at the J” must remain out
of the program for 14 days. In either of these situations, a negative COVID-19 test result may be substituted for a14 day quarantine.
In the event that either a staff member or a child who has been present in “All Day at the J” tests positive for COVID-19, we will immediately inform the Office of Child Development and
Early Learning (OCDEL) and contact the Department of Health (DOH) for further guidance. We will communicate the information regarding any positive case to all “All Day at the J” staff and families.
Our guidelines are reviewed and updated regularly as new information becomes available. Links to resources we utilize are above.

PICK UP
Pick up times will be assigned and sent via email to families. JCC staff will be present at the Darlington Road entrance of the Robinson Building. Children’s hands will be sanitized immediately prior to exiting classroom; parents remain in the car with a mask on. Staff will escort and assist children to their cars. All items brought to the JCC in a backpack will accompany the child. Hand sanitizer will be used by individual assisting with dismissal.

COMMUNICATION
Communication will occur between CYF leadership and parents via email and phone calls. Rachael Speck will communicate with parents regularly and clearly regarding any changes to program and policies, and will provide updates regarding health information in a timely manner (i.e., illness or virus diagnosis in the Center).
Parents who need to reach Rachael Speck during the school day should call (412) 697-3537; if call goes unanswered, please call Katie Whitlatch at (412) 697-3540.

PLAN, IMPLEMENT, REVISE
Regular communication will occur between JCC Chief Program Officer, JCC Senior Director of Facilities, CYF Director, and Director of Security regarding program updates, new communication to families, and suggested changes to policies and procedures.

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“All Day at the J” Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hours of operation for “All Day at the J”?
o Monday – Friday, Hours TBD. Program hours are still to be determined based on Pittsburgh Public Schools determines their virtual school day will begin and end. This will be a full day program time allotted before and after school hours to try and accommodate parents’ work schedules and to allow for staggered arrival and dismissal times.
o Families will be assigned drop off and pick up windows.
o Drop-off and pick-up times will be staggered to ensure adequate time for a daily health screening and temperature check and to allow for physical distancing.
o We strongly encourage the same adult pick up and drop the child  each day. If possible, try to avoid having grandparents or any adult who is highly vulnerable to exposure drop off and pick up.
o Special consideration will be given to those families who have children in who are in the JCC’s Early Childhood program. We will do our best to meet every family’s scheduling needs.

How will the staff provide online learning support?
o All of our staff are currently earning a college degree or have a college degree. Many of them have experience in the education field and/or child development and are equipped with the basic skills to support children in their online learning.
o Our staff will:

• Assist with time management by ensuring children attend classroom
  meetings, lessons and activities on time
• Assist children with using their technology and turning in assignments
  online
• Assist children in communicating with their teacher
• Assist students with independent work
• Along with parents, communicate directly with teachers and school administrators
• Maintain a conducive learning environment for your child by helping them organize their workspace and materials

o Each child will have their own designated workspace in the classroom.
o Small toys, books and games will be in each class room to give children “brain breaks” in between instruction time.

How will children be grouped?
o We group children by cohort according to their school day schedule. Children who are on the same or similar school day schedule will be placed in the same group.
o Children may be grouped with children in different ages/school grades only when developmentally appropriate.
o We will try to group kindergarten as its own cohort.
o Children will be in a group size of 12 or less and will do all activities, meals and snacks with the same group each week.
o We are not able to take requests for groups at this time.

What will a typical day look like?
o Children will stay in their small groups for the entire day.
o Our daily schedule is designed to ensure children have time to complete all of their online learning (both live instruction and independent work) in a conducive learning environment. When school is not in session, children will participate in a variety of fun activities in different spaces around the JCC, outside of the classroom, with enough time in between for handwashing/sanitizing and cleaning and disinfecting equipment.
o Small toys, books and games will be in each class room to give children “brain breaks” in between instruction time.
o It can be hard work engaging digitally all day in the same space! Therefore, all non-school activities will take place outside the classroom in designated program spaces throughout the Robinson building. This is by design to allow children variety in their day for both their minds and bodies.
o There will be no field trips.
o Choice activities, typically known as “clubs” will not be offered to ensure physical distancing by group can be enforced. Staff will request activities for their group so that we can ensure children are getting to do the activities they love the most when they are not doing school work.
Can my child still take swim, dance and sports lessons?
o Yes
o Classes will be offered at specific times throughout the week based each group’s schedules and will only be offered internally to All Day at the J participants.
o Children will take classes with the same small group they are with each day for online learning. Children from different groups will not be mixed together.
o Our fall program calendar is still being finalized. Information on offerings, cost and how to sign up will be available in the coming weeks.

Will the JCC be providing food?
o The JCC will provide children with 2 snacks per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
o Children will need to bring a packed lunch each day.

What do I bring to the JCC each day?
o In order to ensure we can provide your child with adequate support for their online learning, children will be required to bring the following supplies:

• Personal electronic device, i.e. laptop, tablet or cell phone to access your school’s online learning. Devices should be fully charged prior to arrival and a charger should be brought as well.
• Headphones with a microphone to allow children to independently
  engage with their virtual programs.
• Lunch and water bottle
• A book to read
• A change of clothes
• Sweatshirt or long sleeve shirt

o As we get closer to our first day, you will receive a request for a list of all device specific information such as email, portal/website user names and passwords your child could need access to. You will also be required to fill out a schedule of their online meetings and classes so that we can support their time management. We will also be providing you with a list of technology tips and suggestions that will ensure your child and our staff are prepared for the first day
of school.
o Children should wear comfortable clothing and sneakers.
o LABEL EVERYTHING! We try our best to send everything home that comes to the JCC each day. Most children will have similar school supplies, backpacks, lunchboxes and any articles of clothing and many children share initials. Permanent ink or name labels are preferred; be sure to use your child’s complete name.
o Lost & Found will be returned to your child if it is labeled. Any unlabeled items will be donated or disposed of at the end of each week.

How will the JCC communicate with me while my child is at the JCC each day?
o All updates, schedule changes or important information will be sent out via our new JCC Day Camps app. Set-up instructions and an access code will be emailed the week before our program begins.
o A weekly newsletter will be emailed every Friday to share highlights from the week and any information or updates for the following week.
o Rachael Speck or Katie Whitlatch will be available by phone or email as your primary point of contact to answer any concerns about your child’s online learning.
o Our Children, Youth & Family Leadership team, Rachael Speck, Katie Whitlatch and Jamie Scott will be available by phone and email to answer any general questions or address any general concerns about your child

What if my child gets sick during the day?
o An isolation room has been set up to allow children who are sick to wait for their parents. Parents must pick up within an hour of receiving a phone call. If a parent cannot be reached, the emergency contact provided will be used.

Is travel an issue?
o If any family member or other person living with a child travels outside of the Pittsburgh region, the JCC will assess the risks associated with such travel, taking into account the region traveled to and the form of transportation used, to determine whether the child is required to wait at least 14 days after the traveler(s) returns to Pittsburgh before returning to the JCC.

Will other JCC staff be present at camp throughout the day?
o Children will be with the same staff as much as possible. Maintenance and cleaning staff will be onsite each day. Other JCC staff members may assist with arrival health screenings and various other responsibilities in association with “All Day at the J.”

Who can I expect to see at the drop off/screening and pick-up each day?
o Our Children, Youth and Family leadership team: Rachael Speck, Katie Whitlatch and Jamie Scott.

Who will be wearing masks?
o In accordance with the guidance we’ve received from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, all staff and children will be required to wear face coverings and screeners may be wearing a face shield.

Is my child required to wear a mask?
o Yes. We are adhering to the order and requiring children to wear masks, except when eating, drinking or in the swimming pool. We know there are challenges that come with adhering to such a policy. Our staff is prepared to properly and compassionately support children with mask wearing, just as we have been doing all summer at our day camps.

Will there be JDays (schools out days) when there is no school?
o There will not be JDays when school is not in session. “All Day at the J” will be closed on these days.
o “All Day at the J” will follow the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) calendar and will be closed when PPS does not have school.
o “All Day at the J” will be in session when Pittsburgh Public Schools has half days. Program hours will remain the same. Afternoons will consist of a variety of activities throughout the Robinson building that will be done in the same cohort.

Will there be an option to add “before” and “after” care?
o No. There is no before or after care being offered at this time.

What happens when kids go back to in-person school?
o When in-person school resumes, and when it is safe to do so, our traditional after school program and JDays will resume.