After School Rec Guidelines - Fall 2020

This document is accurate as of 8/20/20. As more information becomes available, we will post to this page.

With the best practices of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Illinois State Guidelines as our guide, we are doing everything we can to welcome Keshet participants to our in-person, outdoor fall programs.  We embrace the opportunity to support the emotional and physical health of children while giving parents a respite break.

At Keshet, you’re part of the family. We take your child’s individual needs seriously. This year, we have additional measures and protocols in place that we want to make sure parents, staff, and participants are aware of.

• Locations & Weather

  Northbrook

  After School Rec is taking place at 'Z' Frank Apachi Day Camp (3050 Woodridge Ln, Northbrook) underneath the new outdoor pavilion. This allows for social distancing with shade. We will have access to restrooms.

  Programs can continue with light rain, but will need to be canceled for thunderstorms and lightening. If the weather is uncooperative, we will inform families via email as early in the day as we can. When possible, the program will then take place through Zoom. Refunds will not be available because of weather cancelations or changes to program delivery.

  
  Skokie

  After School Rec takes place outside Ida Crown Jewish Academy (8233 Central Park Ave, Skokie) underneath tents on the west lawn. We will use the restrooms in the Keshet wing of the school.

  Due to the metal poles of the tent, the program cannot take place during any type of rain. If the weather is uncooperative, we will inform families via email as early in the day as we can. When possible, the program will then take place through Zoom. Refunds will not be available because of weather cancelations or changes to program delivery.

   

• Enrollment & Group Size

  After School Rec requires a minimum of 5 participants to operate and enrollment is capped at 15 participants each day. These programs operate on a 1:3-4 ratio.

  There will be one specialist running the activity who will maintain social distance from the participants.  Staff will provide hands on assistance when needed while wearing appropriate PPE (facemasks).  Participants in the programs will be given assigned spaces throughout the outdoor area to ensure social distancing practices are followed.  

  When considering if After School Rec is appropriate for your child, our recommendations include that participants have the ability:
  -To follow visual and/or verbal prompting within a ratio of one staff to three-four participants.
  -To maintain a 6 foot physical distance from other participants and/or staff or the ability to tolerate a cloth face mask or face shield while within 6 feet of other staff and/or participants.

• Daily Health Screening

  Keeping everyone healthy must be a joint effort between families and Keshet. Families will be asked to be on the lookout for specific symptoms in their child every afternoon and to keep their child home if any of these symptoms are present. We will provide families with a checklist of what to look for while at home.

  Additionally, a brief health screening will take place upon arrival each day. This includes temperature checks and a questionnaire. We ask that you arrive 10-15 minutes early each class so that these screenings can take place quickly.

  If participants or staff become ill during the program, they will be immediately isolated. Parents or Guardians will be called and asked to pick up their child. This includes exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, vomiting (for any reason), fevers or change in physical appearance that may reflect illness.

  Our increased screening procedures and new protocols will not be able to eliminate all risk when it comes to COVID-19. We will do the best we can to maintain a fun and safe program environment for everyone involved.

• Intake, Meetings & Forms

  It is important for us to know your child’s needs and behaviors as they are today. All families will need to complete an intake form and may require a meeting with recreational staff prior to start. These meetings will be scheduled through Zoom, phone or in a socially distanced manner.

  All participants must provide medical forms allowing them to participate. For participants with higher risk health issues, we recommend consulting with a medical provider as soon as possible to determine if they should attend in-person programming.

  When it comes time to complete forms, you will need to complete all of them, even if you have done so in the past. Many of our forms this year will be adapted to include specific COVID-19-related measures.

• Face Masks - Whenever Possible

  We encourage participants to wear masks when they unable to social distance. Staff will wear masks at all times. If participants need to enter a building for any reason, including using the restroom, they will have to wear a mask while inside.

  Masks and handsanitizer will always be available.  

   

• Snacks & Drinks

  Snacks will not be provided.
  Please bring a full water bottle labeled with your child's name.

• What happens if someone is exposed to or contracts COVID-19?

  Keshet’s Safety & Reopening Task Force has devised specific guidelines about how to respond if a programer or staff is exposed to or contracts COVID-19. Our program protocols are in line with state and local guidance and created in conjunction with medical professionals. If you or your participant has contact with someone who does test positive for COVID-19, please contact Jen Evans at 847-308-3286 or by email jevans@keshet.org so she can take the necessary steps.