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Dear Parent,

This is my humble attempt at writing the April Newsletter. As you know the April and May newsletters are filled with end-of-the-year activities—work fairs, musical performances, the 6th-years’ play, the 3rd-years’ Tall Oaks trip, the 6th-years’ Chicago Trip, Erdkinder Spring trip, Erdkinder Spring Market, graduation ceremonies and bridging ceremonies not to mention all the behind-the-scenes preparations for students moving to the next level with meetings and open houses. This year is different.

We are aware that our greater Lawrence community is strained and the uncertainty of the length of this crisis is adding to the stress of this situation for everyone. We have heard from many parents stranded from their loved ones and worried about their parents and grandparents who are especially at risk. We have heard from parents who fear losing their businesses, their life’s work and others who are uncertain about their own jobs. And then we are humbled and thankful to all in our community who are working long days caring for those that are sick and are on the front lines and will be for some time. This is truly a time like no other.

We want Raintree to be able to open its doors when this is over. It is only through the children that one can see the hope for tomorrow. We miss them so much. Please know that Raintree has always worked with families who experience unusual financial situations and we are continuing to do so now. For Raintree we are currently filing the necessary financial papers to take advantage of government programs for small businesses that were made active April 3. Like other local small businesses we have received guidance from our banker. Ryan Wedel from Landmark National Bank has always been supportive and sensitive to our mission, as have all of our past bankers though our many challenges we have faced (see Parent Handbook, History of School).

We are striving to stay connected during this period of mass quarantine and to make sure he information we share is accurate. The virus and our country’s effort to combat its spread has changed almost daily which speaks to the difficulty of updated communication. Some of the information in this newsletter may change and require different policies, but I wanted to share as much as I can right now. It seems that every update we send is almost out-of-date by the time it is read.

We are reminded of the hardships that Montessori herself faced, who as you know was one of the first women to become a doctor in Italy, survived two world wars, and was thrown into a concentration camp in India during WWII after Mussolini burned all of her books. But she never gave up. In India she simply began training Montessori teachers. In fact, India became a hub of Montessori which continued long after the war. From her example, we view challenges as opportunities to learn!

“Not in the service of any political or social creed should the teacher work, but in the service of the complete human being, able to exercise in freedom a self-disciplined will and judgment, not perverted by prejudice nor distorted by fear.”

“Whoever touches the life of the child touches the most sensitive point of a whole which has roots in the most distant past and climbs toward the infinite future.”

“Our care of the children should be governed not by the desire to ‘make them learn things’, but by the endeavoralways to keep burning within them the light which is called intelligence.”

Most importantly, we are committed to continue the educational experience for your child. We are learning a lot about how this digital connection can support our efforts. Getting a glimpse of our students, whom we miss terribly, in their homes preparing their work lists and doing so many wonderful activities has been a godsend in this emergency. Included in our April newsletter is a tiny fraction of our shared interactions and communications.

Stay safe and healthy,
Lleanna

 

4/3/20

Dear Raintree Community and Fellow Parents,

It seems the words have been overused these last few weeks, but we are living in completely unprecedented times.  Every single one of us is facing some level of loss, worry, fear and uncertainty, and we’re all doing our best to support our families the best way that we can during this pandemic.  I also know that many of us benefit greatly from the community that Raintree provides both for our children, but for us as parents as well.

On behalf of the Friends of Raintree, we want to reach out and let you know that we are partnering with Raintree to figure out how we can be most helpful to families during this time.

Our mission is to support and improve the educational experience of current and prospective Raintree students by ensuring all students have necessary resources and support to be successful.  Our discussions around how to use our limited resources have often been about maintaining stability for children when their parents unexpectedly face financial hardship by keeping them in their Raintree classrooms.

In all honesty, we are a young organization with just a couple of years of fundraising under our belt, but we do have some limited resources that we hope may be helpful to families experiencing financial hardship.  We are particularly interested in supporting families that are facing the difficult decision of withdrawing their children from Raintree as a result of the current situation.  If you need assistance to pay your Raintree tuition, please complete the attached application and send by email to president.friendsofraintree@gmail.com by April 10, 2020.  After we have received all applications, we will assess the demand and our available funds.  Please know that we will treat your information with the utmost respect and will not share it beyond the Friends of Raintree Board and Raintree Administration.

We note that one of the bright spots in times of crisis, is the willingness of our community to help others.  Local folks have been creative in suggesting the purchase of gift cards, carryout meals, tips to laid-off wait staff and so on, as we want to make sure our local institutions and people get through this crisis.  We obviously feel the same about Raintree.

We want to ensure Raintree remains as fiscally strong as we know it will academically.  There are two ways you can help:
•  Many of us are blessed with the opportunity to continue to work from home and are still receiving a full salary.  If you are blessed in this way, we would like to encourage you to continue to pay your full tuition.
•  If you have the means, please consider making a donation to Friends of Raintree.  We plan to use funds raised during the next 90 days to specifically help Raintree families affected by this crisis.  You can make a donation by either using this link http://www.friendsofraintree.org/donate.html or by mailing a check to Friends of Raintree, 1004 Stone Meadows Dr., Lawrence, KS  66049.  Your contributions to Friends of Raintree are tax deductible.

Thank you so much for your consideration, and please take care of yourselves and your families.  We hope to see you all soon!

Sincerely,
Friends of Raintree Board of Directors

Teresa Schwab, President
Ramona Eason, Vice President
Prasanth Duvvur, Treasurer
Joe Baker
Tamara Cash
Hossein Gerami
Tim Hindman
Shannon Oury
Gina Spade

For a direct link to the letter and application: https://raintree.hubbli.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/115/_mediavault/2020/04/FORCOVID19-LettertoParents_2020FINAL.pdf

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March 30, 2020

Dear Parents of Primary and Toddler Children,

First thank you. Thank you for the overwhelming number of emails and messages of encouragement and support of Raintree and our teachers during this unprecedented time in our history. As Lleanna shared, these times are reminiscent of some of the challenges we have faced over our 42-year history,,,closing of the road to our school to build Clinton Parkway, the fire of 2000, and the tornado of 2003. But this is different. We all are being affected by this situation. We must do what we can to support one another. 

This invisible threat that is changing our way of life and pushing us to isolation, is a very confusing concept for young children. Finding ways to explain and reassure children is paramount. Please reach out to your child’s teacher for guidance. Being mindful of the effect this crisis has on our well being and our children’s mental health should be our number one priority.

As you know our teachers have been connecting with each of their families and beginning the process of supporting a virtual learning experience. Of course, one cannot escape the irony of the situation – Montessori teachers singing songs and playing math games virtually! What a learning curve this has been and continues to be! 

There exists no authentic online standard curriculum for Montessori for children in the toddler and primary programs. Montessori schools and the international community are struggling to come up with an approach which honors the pedagogy and spirit of Montessori while guiding children around the world during this pandemic.

At Raintree the staff have been trying a variety of ways to do this. They have spent hours brainstorming what type of activities could be shared in a written explanation or through a video, experimenting with videoing themselves, connecting with each family, creating social virtual platforms where children can see familiar faces of their classroom teachers or students from their class. Many of our teachers are also balancing guiding their own children’s educational experience while working from home.

What we have learned in this time, is that the needs and resources of every family are different. A one-size-fits-all approach will not work. Some of you are working from home and sharing a computer or the WiFi might be a challenge. Some of you are working for an Essential Business and are struggling to manage the care of your children, let alone support them with home Montessori lessons. Some of you have the time to work with your children but could use more structure regarding their academic needs. Some of you wish to limit or maintain a no-screen environment in the home. Some of you are so overwhelmed with work stresses that you haven’t had the time to even look at the correspondence our teachers have sent. 

Our teachers want to meet and support your family where you are. This will require open communication between you and your child’s teacher. The teachers are very creative and are working collaboratively to make use of each other’s strengths. The feedback that you can give your child’s teacher will help them know what resources to find and the communication arrangement that best suits your family.

This time of quarantine will allow your child to demonstrate what they are capable of as Montessori children! Montessori children find joy in the work they choose. In this first plane of development, they delight in the work of practical life. Encouraging tasks such as dusting, sweeping, weeding, setting up lunch, cleaning up lunch, loading and emptying the dishwasher, taking out the trash, composting, separating recycle, handwashing dishes, and doing laundry (sorting, folding, and putting away), helps them realize their importance to the family, as a contributing member. 

While what our teachers are providing you are suggestions, we encourage you to take advantage of what you can. What activities or resources you can’t put to use now, save for another day. If you have any questions regarding your child’s virtual learning experience, remember your child’s teacher is your first point of contact. 

In closing and for perspective, we would like to share these words by Emily W. King, Ph.D.

“Parents: What we are being asked to do is not humanly possible. There is a reason we are either a working parent, a stay-at-home parent, or a part-time parent.

Working, parenting, and teaching are three different jobs that cannot be done at the same time.

It’s not hard because you are doing it wrong. It’s hard because it’s too much. Do the best you can.

When you have to pick, because at some point you will, choose connection. Pick playing a game over arguing about an academic assignment. Pick teaching your child to do laundry rather than feeling frustrated that they aren’t helping. Pick laughing, and snuggling, and reminding them that they are safe.

If you are stressed, lower your expectations where you can and virtually reach out for social connection. We are in this together to stay well. That means mentally well, too.”

Wishing you continued health and peace,
The Raintree Administration

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March 29, 2020

Dear Elementary and Erdkinder Parents,

First thank you. Thank you for the overwhelming number of emails and messages of encouragement and support of Raintree and our teachers during this unprecedented time in our history. As Lleanna shared, these times are reminiscent of some of the challenges we have faced over our 42-year history…closing of the road to our school to build Clinton Parkway, the fire of 2000, and the tornado of 2003. But this is different. We all are being affected by this situation. We must do what we can to support one another.

Schools nationwide are trying to grasp how best to provide for their students and families in this time of uncertainty. Lisa Ryan, whose cousin witnessed Hurricane Katrina and its devastating effects on the community, shared this with our staff:

“Hurricane Katrina taught the teachers on the Gulf Coast that an interrupted year is not the end of the world. It’s okay if you don’t get to cover all of the content. It’s okay if your grades are inflated because you can’t test as normal. It’s okay if your students are not able to complete the coursework as assigned. We worried that missing part of the year would have lasting effects, but it didn’t. Our Katrina kids are doctors, lawyers, teachers, hairdressers, nurses, business owners, engineers, you manage it they are doing it all over the world. Don’t sweat what is probably ultimately insignificant, but embrace the opportunity to stay connected with your students in order to build relationships and to reinforce a sense of normalcy for them. Developing skills for the next level of success takes many forms, so don’t worry you’ve got this!

Don’t worry about them regressing in school. Every single kid is in this boat and they all will be ok. When we are back in the classroom, we will meet them where they are. Teachers are experts at this! Don’t pick fights with your kids because they don’t want to do math. Don’t scream at your kids for not following the schedule. Don’t mandate two hours of learning time if they are resisting it.

If I can leave you with one thing, it’s this: at the end of all this, your kids’ mental health will be more important than their academic skills. And how they felt during this time will stay with  them long after the memory of what they did during those weeks is long gone. So, keep that in mind, every single day.”

This is relevant to keep in mind as we move to complete the academic year without children being physically present at Raintree. Being mindful of our children’s mental health and our own should be the number one priority.

As you know our teachers have been connecting with each of their families and beginning the process of supporting a virtual learning experience. Of course, one cannot escape the irony of the situation – Montessori teachers relaying lessons and assignments virtually! What a learning curve this has been and continues to be! During the last week and a half, our staff have been learning about new software, experimenting with teleconferencing/televisiting with students (and each other), sending emails to parents with assignments (and tweaking the timing as a result of feedback), brainstorming what type of lessons could be taught in a written explanation or through a video, experimenting with videoing themselves, connecting with each family, creating social virtual platforms where students can check-in with each other, determining alternative resources for families whose children do not have access to a computer device or who choose not to. Many of our teachers are also balancing guiding their own children’s educational experience while working from home.

What we have learned from the last week and a half, is that the needs and resources of every family are different. A one-size-fits-all approach will not work. Some of you are working from home and sharing a computer or the WiFi might be a challenge. Some of you are working for an Essential Business and are struggling to manage the care of your children, let alone support them with academics. Some of you have the time to work with your children but could use more structure regarding their academic needs. Some of you wish to limit or maintain a no-screen environment in the home. Some of you are so overwhelmed with work stresses that you haven’t had the time to even look at the correspondence our teachers have sent. 

Our teachers want to meet and support your family where you are. This will require open communication between you and your child’s teacher. As your child works from home and you need school supplies, wish to borrow books, need an example schedule, need to use the phrase “[insert teacher’s name] says you need to _____,” paper copies of materials, please let your child’s teacher know. The teachers are very creative and are working collaboratively to make use of each other’s strengths.

Each teacher has developed a plan of delivery for materials and assignments, a way to accept or see the work the children have done at home, and a way to provide feedback and to connect. Please find or be looking for that information in the correspondence from your child’s teacher.

Recognizing that many parents are working from home in addition to providing guidance to their child(ren), we will send a weekly plan/summary of the upcoming week’s work before the start of the week, allowing your family time to process the assignment and gather the materials needed. 

This time of quarantine will allow your child to demonstrate what they are capable of as Montessori children! In the classroom every child plans their work, schedules their time, works with purpose, finds joy in the work they choose, is creative, and discovers happiness in learning. 

While what our teachers are providing you are suggestions, we encourage you to take advantage of what you can. What lessons or resources you can’t put to use now, save for another day. If you have any questions regarding your child’s virtual learning experience, remember your child’s teacher is your first point of contact. 

Wishing you continued health and peace,
The Raintree Administration

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3/25/2020

Dear Parent,

This letter has been re-written about seventeen times in the past four days as we have grappled with how best to support our families during these uncertain times. On Sunday we had a seven hour meeting, where our goal was to create a plan of providing a discount to parents for these remaining months of the school year while being mindful of our finances.

At 4:30 just as we were making headway, we received a forwarded notice from KDHE encouraging child care centers to open to support families where parents need to work. In this memo, there were no restrictions made regarding size of group, how to ensure the safety of staff and children except to follow basic protocol around hygiene. “We know this is a stressful time, and especially for families who rely on child care and those whose work circumstances are changing,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “There are a number of child care resources available to help you meet the needs of your family. We’re all in this together and will help families access the support they need.”

Needless to say, we were at a loss on how to proceed with little energy left. At 7:00 we left exhausted. We were confused and frustrated that little had been accomplished. Then on the way home, we received word that Douglas County Health Department was to put the county in lockdown beginning Tuesday morning. Once again, everything had changed!

Being able to create a plan has been a real struggle and we know we are not alone. There is uncertainty amongst all of us. We know you are struggling with finding consistency in these strange times. Hearing the news this morning of government support provides some reassurance but still there are questions.

We are creating two plans for families. One for families of students in the elementary and erdkinder programs and one for families of the toddler and primary programs. The first thing everyone should know is that financial statements will be sent out next week but tuition will not be due or withdrawn from Tuition Express until April 15th for everyone. 

As you know we are committed to paying our staff, both salaried and hourly because they are continuing to work in a number of different capacities, and they are the backbone of our school. Our ability to retain and compensate teachers and support staff is vital to our ability to effectively carry out our mission and be ready to successfully resume normal operations once the pandemic containment period is over. With that in mind, we must address the financial side of how to make this possible. What we are proposing does not cover all our expenses. In addition to staff salaries, our expenses include significant property taxes, insurance premiums, and current bank loans. Our only savings at this time are food and a slight amount on utilities. Our hope is that most of our families who are not as affected financially will be able to pay their full monthly payment.

Sincerely,
The Raintree Administration

Toddler and Primary Programs

Elementary and Erdkinder Programs

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3/18/2020

Dear Parent,

As we look back on our school’s history, we have met every challenge we have faced over our 42-year history, whether it was dealing with the road being closed to our school as Clinton Parkway was being converted from an old two-lane road to a four-lane traffic way, or the year we lost our school in a fire.  But this is different. 

Luckily we have the most amazing staff any school could have! Even before the directive to close schools, we had realized the incubator Raintree could become if we didn’t extend the break.  Instantly our staff began planning how to proceed. The education of our students is our highest priority. Our staff began connecting with families and collected resources to share for the impending week.  As you know Montessori is not a one-size fits all system, but the opposite. 

A big thank you to you, our Raintree parents.  We have received many, many emails and messages of support and offers to help.  Thank you everyone for your understanding and encouragement. It is our goal for our staff to stay connected to you and your child through a virtual experience, and for the administration to keep you informed of pertinent updates. Below is a summary of what is happening behind the scenes at Virtual Raintree on day three of the mandated closure:

The Administration: Know that Raintree is committed to paying all staff (salaried and hourly) for the rest of the academic year. All of our staff will be working together to connect and provide support to our families. Each of our staff members, as well as our out-of-classroom employees is a highly valued member of our Raintree community.

We have made a commitment to families to support you, connect with you, and provide the best online academic experience we can during this closure. That said, we recognize that an online Montessori experience is not a true Montessori experience. For that reason and because there are many families who must use additional funds for child care during these weeks, we are exploring ways to lessen the financial burden to our families. It is a delicate balance considering the health and well-being of our families, our staff, and the school – specifically the financial health, which we do not discuss often. We are exploring ideas such as partial tuition discounts, credits, and/or calendar modifications. 

The Toddler and Primary Staff: Staff have been working diligently connecting with families through emails, phone calls, videos, Facetime, and providing resources to support their children during this challenging time. With news of the additional weeks of closure, they are also preparing to create additional virtual experiences for the weeks ahead including scheduled times for connecting with the children as well as new ideas of what you can do at home. More details to come in the following week.

The Elementary and Erdkinder Staff: The work and resources that were sent on Monday morning was with only a temporary school closure in mind. Now the real work begins of creating a rich, online-learning environment. Again, the plan will be in place by March 30th. In the meantime, staff are creating a schedule where students can safely pick up their personal items as well as their academic materials from their classroom. That schedule will be sent out this week for the following week.

We are hopeful the virus will run its course faster than expected, but we want to be prepared.  Raintree exists because of the creative people who work with us. We turn disasters into challenges. All will be well.

While it may be difficult to imagine right now, we believe that we will come through this more connected and grateful for the community we all have created.

Wishing you good health and peace,
Raintree Community
Keith, Lleanna, Heather and Saasha

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March 17, 2020

Dear Parents,

With the news of the Governor’s order to close all of the state’s K-12 schools for the remainder of the academic year, Raintree administration wants to assure all parents that we are working hard to implement our distance-learning program for Raintree students.

We will be sharing more details in the coming days regarding what this program will look like, but know that we are committed to having a plan in place by March 30^th.

We are also exploring options to lessen the financial burden to our families. We expect to have information to you early next week.

Developments over the recent days have been difficult for everyone to process. As the world situation continues to unfold, we will rely on our staff, support parents through open communication and continue to put the best interest of our Raintree students first.

Wishing you health and peace,

The Raintree Community

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March 14, 2020

Dear Parent,

As you know, on Thursday we sent a letter to all Raintree staff and families stating that we had made the very difficult decision to close next week (March 16-20). We felt it was important to slow the spread of the Coronavirus especially with families who traveled abroad and across the United States for Spring Break.

Since our decision, KDHE has mandated that schools remain closed through March 29th.  We recognize this disruption is a hardship for our staff and families. If at any point it is determined that we can resume classes earlier than the 29th, you will be the first to know!

Wishing you good health and peace!
Raintree

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March 12, 2020

Dear Parent,