Covid-19 Parent Update
Monday, 11/2/2020, 4 PM
 

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff and Students:

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff and Students:

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation as we navigate the challenges this school year presents. We appreciate your patience and consideration.

In light of current events, we would like to share with you our decision-making process for adjusting educational services if there is unrest in our community that endangers the safety and security of our students and staff. We have made and will maintain close contact with our local Police Precinct. There is no immediate concern, but if conditions change, we want to prepare you in advance.

In the event of unrest in our community, parents, guardians, and staff will be notified immediately - via SchoolMessenger with notification that on-campus instruction will transition to virtual.  Our decision will be made in consultation with the local Precinct and will be broadcast as soon as possible.  Ideally, the decision would be communicated the night before; however, if surrounding conditions worsen overnight, then you may receive a SchoolMessenger notification around the normal time you awaken.

If community unrest occurs during the school day that would impact the health and safety of our students, you will be notified immediately via SchoolMessenger of any operational change (such as, Early Release or Shelter in Place). 

During election week, we will be in contact with Police Precinct 19 for recommendations for the proper measures for our school and we will follow their guidance. We will continue to monitor events and decide our operating status day by day. 

In any event, we will immediately apprise you of what may occur and what mode of operation for instruction we will follow. 

Local COVID -19 Health Information 

The re-opening guidance for schools in the Commonwealth uses primarily two local public health metrics to inform school re-opening plans, the Incidence Rate and the Percent Positivity Rate (PCR) of diagnostic testing. In the most recent 7-day monitoring period, from October 23rd  – October 29th, Philadelphia had an increase in new cases; there are 143.73 new cases per 100,000 residents, and a  PCR of 7.8 %; we are currently at a higher rate of transmission.  If these rates continue to rise we will need to re-evaluate how we are offering instruction to our students. 

If you live outside Philadelphia county and would like to see the metrics in your county, please use this link.

Parent Questions

No New Questions were submitted to Health and Safety Plan this week.

Reminder of Important Dates:

• Week of November 2nd Parent Day Program Rollout (pre-recorded for convenient viewing)
• 11/3/2020 Election Day, School Open
• 11/6/ 2020 Professional Development Day, No Virtual Instruction

Thank you to all who participated in our Virtual OSB 5K Run, Walk, “N” Roll.

Sincerely,

Todd Reeves, Executive Director 
Jackie Brennan, Superintendant
Angie Williams,  Health & Safety Coordinator

Coronavirus Update

--

Coronavirus Update

Monday - 10/19/2020, 3:30 PM

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff and Students,

Once again, thank you for your understanding and cooperation this past week, as our move from on-campus to virtual instruction for all students was extended into the current week after further review by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH).  We look forward to the day when we can repeatedly thank you for the many other reasons we are fortunate to have you as part of the Overbrook community.  Our top priority for this Update was to thank you -- only slightly less important was to pass along additional information we received from the PDPH in a subsequent phone call with them:

Limitation on Information: As we stated last week, our general notifications of positive Covid-19 cases impacting the School follow a template designed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the state Department of Health.  The letters provide limited information beyond a statement that a positive case has been reported and how the case impacts you or your child.  Several people have suggested re-structuring our letters or consolidating information similar to how universities or some school districts are reporting out information, including if the cases are staff or students.  Doing so for a school as small as ours risks easily determining who may have the positive Covid-19 diagnosis and violating federal privacy laws.

Case by Case Determinations: As much as we would like to know the impact of the next report of a Covid-19 diagnosis so that you can be better prepared, PDPH has stated they are unable to provide that information.  The unique nature of each positive Covid-19 diagnosis and the contact tracing prevents any forecast of impact to the School.

Decisions to Suspend On-Campus Services If PDPH is Unavailable: Because each PDPH directive to close on-campus services is a case-by-case determination and cannot be forecasted, the School will temporarily close “until further notice” if a positive case is reported to us and we are unable to contact PDPH immediately. Once PDPH has been contacted, a final decision will be made and you will be notified via SchoolMessenger.

We Cannot Rely on General Frameworks for School Closures: The initial decision last week to close only until the end of the week was based on a framework listed on the PDE website.  PDPH confirmed that because Philadelphia is densely populated and risk of transmission is higher, reliable decisions about school closure can only be made in consultation with them.

Local Covid-19 Health Information:  The re-opening guidance for schools in the    Commonwealth uses primarily two local public health metrics to inform school re-opening plans, the Incidence Rate and the Percent Positivity Rate (PCR) of diagnostic testing. In the most recent 7-day monitoring period, from  October 9th  – October 15th, Philadelphia had an increase in new cases; there are 77.3 new cases per 100,000 residents, and a  PCR of 4.5%; we are currently in a Moderate rate of transmission.

If you live outside Philadelphia county and would like to see the metrics in your county, please lp Stop the Spread of COVID-19 in Children - 

Cleaning and Disinfecting this Week: The classrooms are each being disinfected using an electrostatic spray that completely surrounds surfaces with the cleansing agent that kills viruses. This is followed by a detailed cleaning.  Then the rooms are being disinfected electrostatically a second time.  In addition,  each classroom is undergoing an ultraviolet (UV) sanitizing process using UV light to inactivate viruses.  Also, each classroom is undergoing ionization cleansing of the air.   

Update SchoolMessenger Contact Information: We anticipate having to utilize the SchoolMessenger notification system several times in the coming months.  Parents, please contact your program secretary to update your contact information if you did not receive a phone call announcing the school closing last week and this week. We want to make certain you have important information immediately. Please provide a phone number and email address (if you have one) as contact information. 

Staff should contact Carmelina Torres in HR at CTorres@obs.org to update your contact information.

Middle States Accreditation Virtual Team Visit: Our Virtual Middle States review will take place next week starting Monday, October 19 and continue through Wednesday, October 21. During this time, our “visiting team” will hold virtual meetings with staff, students, parents, and board members. The original plan was to have the visiting team do both classroom and virtual zoom classroom observations. Now all of the classroom observations will be done through zoom observations as our team leader did 2 weeks ago. . They will do observations in 1-2 virtual classrooms per program. Please let your program coordinator know if you do not want the visiting team to join into a zoom session for your child. 

After the 3-day visit, the Middle States team will meet with the administration on Thursday, October 22, to share their observations. After this, we will wait for their final report. We will share the outcome of the visit and final report with you. We thank all of you for participating in our surveys, participating on subcommittees and virtual meetings, and welcoming team members for virtual observations. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Hybrid Status Beyond November 1: As stated earlier, we continue to monitor the Philadelphia Public Health metrics to guide our school re-opening plans. Currently, while the positivity rate remains below 5%, there has been an increase in the Incident rate. Due to this, we will need to continue to provide our hybrid program past the end of the first quarter which ends on October 30. At this time, we are extending our current program until we break for Thanksgiving on November 25th.

For students participating in the on-campus face to face program, there may be times when therapy will need to be provided virtually if a therapist has to quarantine and work from home. We are currently looking at how we can modify our on-campus therapy to limit the impact of quarantining therapists. These modifications may include providing therapy in a 1:1 setting outside of the classroom. As we develop plans to modify therapy to maximize face-to-face time with the therapists we will share this with you. Please know we are doing all that we can to provide face to face services while maintaining the health and safety of our students and staff.

Last week and this week are also a reminder that plans can change at any time due to positive cases on campus and in the community. We will continue to do all that we can to limit potential exposure and changes in programming, but as shared previously, we will take guidance from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health as to if and when we will need to change plans and close school temporarily or longer.

We recognize the stress and challenges that these places on our families, students, and staff. If you have concerns about the program that your child is currently in, please contact your program coordinator. 

Parent Day Postponed: Unfortunately, Parent Day has been postponed to allow more time to adequately plan for a virtual Parent Day experience.  Please be on the look-out for the rescheduled date. 

New Parent Questions:

New parent questions were submitted to the Health and Safety this past week. 

Why have on-campus therapy sessions switched to virtual sessions and will this continue?

Due to contact tracing, therapists and O&M instructors needed to quarantine for 2 weeks. Following state and federal guidelines, when staff are in quarantine, if they can work virtually, they will do so. Our therapists and O&M instructors were able to provide their services virtually, so they continued to work with your child.

We are currently looking at how we are providing on-campus services to minimize the impact of quarantine. These changes may involve changing the location of where therapy is provided to limit potential exposure. We are considering having therapists work with the child in their office or in an empty room or hallway rather than provide services within the classroom. Please know, we are doing all that we can to provide face to face services while maintaining the health and safety of our students and staff. These changes will be temporary and will be in effect during the pandemic. We will return to our original implementation once we can safely do this. Once we have a new plan in place will we share this with you.

Reminder of Important Dates:

• October 19-21: Middle States Accreditation virtual visits

• October 30: First quarter ends; hybrid program extended through November 25

• October 31 - November 1: OSB  Run, Walk, “N” Roll Virtual Trick or Trot 5K

During this long period of constant change and uncertainty, your continued support for the last six months has been sincerely appreciated.  We wish we could assure you of a smooth path forward.  We know we cannot.  We can assure you we will continually try to make it as manageable as possible..  Again, please direct any questions to Health and Safety      

Sincerely,

Todd Reeves, Executive Director

Jackie Brennan, Superintendent

Angie Williams, Director of Health and Safety    

No Changes from Previous Update(s)

Mask Reminder:  Appropriate and consistent use of masks is most important when students, teachers, and staff are indoors or outside and when social distancing is difficult to implement or maintain. Individuals should be frequently reminded not to touch the face covering or mask and to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer frequently. CDC recommends all people 2 years of age and older wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Younger children (e.g., preschool or early elementary aged) may be unable to wear a mask properly, particularly for an extended period of time. Wearing of masks may be prioritized at times when it is difficult to maintain a distance of 6 feet from others (e.g., during carpool drop off or pick up, or when standing in line at school). Ensuring proper mask size and fit and providing children with frequent reminders and education on the importance and proper wear of masks may help address these issues.

Masks should not be placed on:

•   Children younger than 2 years old

•   Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious

•   Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without   assistance

•   Anyone with an Exception -

Exceptions to mask requirements will be made if wearing a mask is not possible due to medical conditions, disability impact, or other health or safety factors. OSB will work with parents/guardians to identify those individual students who are exempt from wearing a mask.   In accordance with CDC Guidelines, we are not requiring medical documentation for students who are unable to wear a mask.   

Parent Resources from Parent Liaison, Rhonda Davis

Access Centers:  There is a newly developed resource, Access Centers, for Philadelphia families with K-6th grade students whose parents work outside the home. While this most likely won't be helpful for OSB students, it could work well for their siblings. 

FREE. Must register. Access Centers provide Philadelphia’s most vulnerable students with a safe place for digital learning when caregivers work outside the home and have no childcare supports. Registration is required. The staff at these centers:

• Supervise students during digital learning time.

• Provide meals

• Run activities.

Fill out the Access Center registration interest form online, or call (215) 709-5366 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Locations click here  

Rental Assistance: Assistance is available in the form of a grant and funds that will be paid directly to landlords or property owners. The funds may be used to assist those that became unemployed after March 1, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or those experiencing at least a 30% reduction in annual income related to COVID-19. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will accept CARES RRP applications until September 30, 2020.   The CARES Rent Relief Program application can be found here. Full program guidelines can be found here. 

Mortgage Assistance: This program provides emergency mortgage assistance on behalf of homeowners who are delinquent in their mortgage payments and who have experienced job loss or reduced income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will accept CARES RRP applications until September 30, 2020.  The CARES Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program application can be found here.  Full program guidelines can be found here.

Cleaning Products: The safety of cleaning products was noted during the Parent Town Hall meeting.  Overbrook uses the following cleaning products in classrooms and on items that students contact directly. If you have heightened concerns about your child’s chemical sensitivity, it may be helpful to inform your child’s healthcare provider.

1.      Electrostatic sprayer - Vital Oxide Mold Remover & Disinfectant Cleaner

2.      Oxivir Tb wipes

The following products will be used on items in which the students do not have direct contact, such as the officer areas and restrooms areas.1. Toallitas Disinfectants wipes  2. Clorox Bleach Wipes

Previous Parent Questions and Answers:  Several questions from parents have been submitted to the Health and Safety.  Parents inquiring about an issue that is specific to their child or if the answer would otherwise disclose the identity of the student have or will receive a response directly, to ensure student confidentiality is protected.  Below are the responses to general questions we’ve received to date.  Please continue sending questions to Health and Safety

Question: Is it possible to have a teacher or therapist provide services outside of the 8:00-3:15 schedule?  Answer: Unfortunately, no. Staff cannot provide services outside of school hours. 

Question: If my child is receiving virtual instruction and isn’t available during the school day to receive therapy, will a make up time be offered for missed sessions.  Answer: No, your child should be available from 8:00-3:00 just as if they were attending school on campus.  If your child is not available during a scheduled time, we cannot make up sessions. 

Question: If my child attends classes on campus and is out sick or because I have kept him/her home for another reason, can my child receive instruction and therapy virtually for the day he/she is absent?  Answer: No, this would be recorded as a sick day just as if it were a typical school year. Your child will not receive make-up services.

Question: If Overbrook decides that my child needs to remain home for an extended period due to possible exposure, will my child be able to participate virtually?  Answer: If a situation arises in which the Philadelphia Department of Health directs us to have children quarantine at home, we will do all that we can to maintain instruction virtually following the same schedule as if they were in class. 

Question: If my child is attending virtually, do I have to let Overbrook know that my child will be absent? Answer: Yes, it is extremely important that you call to let us know that your child will be absent. We are required to take daily attendance as if this was a typical school year. 

Question: If my child is receiving virtual instruction, how is attendance being recorded? Answer: Parents must call the program secretary by 9:30 if their child will be absent or late (for both the virtual and on campus programs). We record attendance as present/absent for a full day, present/absent for a half day, or late if the first session is missed, but your child participates in the rest of the day.

For those in the virtual program, your child’s attendance will be based on your child’s participation in the first morning session and will be monitored for participation in each scheduled session throughout the day. 

Question: What time does school start on Mondays?  Answer: As we implement our school reopening plan, school will start at 8:00AM on Mondays, just like every other day. We are doing all that we can to maximize instructional time for our students. 

Question: Should I send a mask in even if my child will not wear it?

Answer:  Yes, as long as your child does not have a health or safety reason that exempts them from wearing a mask. If your child cannot wear a mask due to sensory reasons, staff will work with your child to practice wearing a mask or face shield to help them to become comfortable with this. 

Questions: How will the nursing staff differentiate cold symptoms from Covid symptoms? If my son/ daughter has a runny nose but no other symptoms, will she be sent home? If this is the case and s/he is fine the next day, will s/he be able to return to school? Answers: We will align all actions with guidance from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.  Presently, the severity of the Covid-19 pandemic dictates that Overbrook has a significantly lower threshold for sending sick students home.  If your child has a runny nose or other symptoms of an illness, we will send him/her home.   

Question: My son/daughter needs hand over hand assistance for many Occupational Therapy tasks along with guided help in walking. Will this happen?  Answer: Many of our students require direct physical contact with staff in order to participate in their instruction, including related services. We will do this as much as possible within the structure of our safety guidelines. There may be times when this needs to be modified to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Any recommended changes to your child’s program will be discussed with you.

Question: In the Health and Safety plan, limited microwave use is mentioned. Our son/daughter has a very limited diet and we rely heavily on the use of the microwave. Will that be a problem?  Answer: No, if your child needs to have food prepared in a microwave, we will do this. When necessary, microwave ovens are in the classrooms so that they are not shared between classes.

Question: Will specials (music, horticulture, swim, etc) be happening this year?  Answer: We will start the year without special subjects and students and staff will remain in their classrooms. This will limit the number of students and staff contacts to reduce any potential exposure. We will look at each special subject and develop individualized plans to provide these classes. At this time we do not have a start date for special subject classes to begin.

Question: How will arrival and dismissal times be determined? Will this add to the length of my child’s commute? Answer: We are working with each school district to establish arrival and dismissal times. These need to be coordinated with each district’s transportation department and balanced to limit the number of vehicles on campus at one time. This is an extremely complex process that requires flexibility. Since the number of students on the buses will be reduced to allow for social distancing, it is anticipated that the commute times for many of the students will be the same or less. However, we cannot predict traffic patterns that may impact travel time. If you have questions related to your child’s transportation, please contact your local school district’s transportation department.                                         

Coronavirus Update

Tuesday, 10/13/2020, 5PM

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff and Students,

The challenges of the pandemic are continual and frustrating for everyone involved, no less so for our students.  Each time we confront a challenge, we try to learn and adjust for the future and better prepare ourselves for the next challenge, which is sure to come.  We know that yesterday’s announcement that on-campus instruction would be closed for this week came as a surprise.  We want to share with you more information about the decision-making process so that you have a better sense of the reasoning behind our decision.

Short Lead-time for Contact Tracing: We received the report of a probable case of Covid-19 at the end of the weekend, which provides a compressed time frame for contact tracing to occur (in this case, less than 24 hours).  A probable case of Covid-19 is one in which a diagnosis hasn’t yet been confirmed in the individual, but other circumstances require us to treat it as a confirmed case.

Long-Weekend Challenges: Angie Williams, Director of Health and Safety, initiated contact tracing immediately upon notification.  However, communication and coordination of both school administrative staff and staff at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH)  is understandably challenging during a three-day weekend.  We have come to accept that administrative staff is working “on-call” during this particular phase of the pandemic. And our efforts to consult with the PDPH yesterday morning through early afternoon were largely unsuccessful because of their high volume of calls from various schools and school districts.  After we broadcasted our decision to close the campus to on-site learning this week, a PDPH representative was able to contact Angie Williams and communicated support and agreement with our decision.  We continually appreciate the work of the PDPH in supporting our School.

Limitation on Information: We recognize that very limited information surrounding the circumstances of the individual’s Covid-19 diagnosis is provided in the general notification letter to staff and parents.  We did confirm with the PDPH representative last evening that providing additional information would likely violate federal privacy laws.

Local Covid-19 Health Information:  The re-opening guidance for schools in the    Commonwealth uses primarily two local public health metrics to inform school re-opening plans, the Incidence Rate and the Percent Positivity Rate (PCR) of diagnostic testing. In the most recent 7-day monitoring period, from  October 2nd  – October 8th, Philadelphia had an increase in new cases; there are 60.9 new cases per 100,000 residents, and a  PCR of 3.9%; we are currently in a Moderate rate of transmission.

If you live outside Philadelphia county and would like to see the metrics in your county, please lp Stop the Spread of COVID-19 in Children - 

Cleaning and Disinfecting this Week: 

The classrooms are each being disinfected using an electrostatic spray that completely surrounds surfaces with the cleansing agent that kills viruses. This is followed by a detailed cleaning.  Then the rooms are being disinfected electrostatically a second time.  In addition,  each classroom is undergoing an ultraviolet (UV) sanitizing process using UV light to inactivate viruses.  Also, each classroom is undergoing ionization cleansing of the air.   

Update SchoolMessenger Contact Information

We anticipate having to utilize the SchoolMessenger notification system several times in the coming months.  Parents, please contact your program secretary to update your contact information if you did not receive a phone call last night. We want to make certain you have important information immediately. Please provide a phone number and email address (if you have one) as contact information. 

Staff should contact Carmelina Torres in HR at CTorres@obs.org to update your contact information.

Middle States Accreditation Virtual Team Visit:

Our Virtual Middle States review will take place next week starting Monday, October 19, and continue through Wednesday, October 21. During this time, our “visiting team” will hold virtual meetings with staff, students, parents, and board members. Additionally, they will be doing virtual classroom observations and may also do some virtual zoom observations as our team leader did last week. They will do observations in 1-2 classrooms per program. Please let your program coordinator know if you do not want the visiting team to join into a zoom session for your child. 

After the 3-day visit, the Middle States team will meet with the administration on Thursday, October 22, to share their observations. After this, we will wait for their final report. We will share the outcome of the visit and final report with you. We thank all of you for participating in our surveys, participating on subcommittees and virtual meetings, and welcoming team members for virtual observations. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Hybrid Status Beyond November 1:

As stated earlier, we continue to monitor the Philadelphia Public Health metrics to guide our school re-opening plans. Currently, while the positivity rate remains below 5%, there has been an increase in the Incident rate. Due to this, we will need to continue to provide our hybrid program past the end of the first quarter which ends on October 30. At this time, we are extending our current program until we break for Thanksgiving on November 25th.

For students participating in the on-campus face to face program, there may be times when therapy will need to be provided virtually if a therapist has to quarantine and work from home. We are currently looking at how we can modify our on-campus therapy to limit the impact of quarantining therapists. These modifications may include providing therapy in a 1:1 setting outside of the classroom. As we develop plans to modify therapy to maximize face-to-face time with the therapists we will share this with you. Please know we are doing all that we can to provide face to face services while maintaining the health and safety of our students and staff.

This week is also a reminder that plans can change at any time due to positive cases on campus and in the community. We will continue to do all that we can to limit potential exposure and changes in programming, but as shared previously, we will take guidance from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health as to if and when we will need to change plans and close school temporarily or longer.

We recognize the stress and challenges that this places on our families, students, and staff. If you have concerns about the program that your child is currently in, please contact your program coordinator. 

Parent Day

Parent Day Postponed: Unfortunately, Parent Day has been postponed to allow more time to adequately plan for a virtual Parent Day experience.  Please be on the look-out for the rescheduled date. 

New Parent Questions: No new parent questions were submitted to the Health and Safety this past week.

Reminder of Important Dates:
 

• October 13-15: Virtual instruction for all students

• October 16 - Parents Day Postponed

• October 19-21: Middle States Accreditation virtual visits

• October 30: First quarter ends; hybrid program extended through November 25

• October 31 - November 1: OSB  Run, Walk, “N” Roll Virtual Trick or Trot 5K

During this long period of constant change and uncertainty, your continued support for the last six months has been sincerely appreciated.  We wish we could assure you of a smooth path forward.  We know we cannot.  We can assure you we will continually try to make it as manageable as possible..  Again, please direct any questions to Health and Safety  

Sincerely,

Todd Reeves, Executive Director
Jackie Brennan, Superintendent
Angie Williams, Director of Health and Safety

No Changes from Previous Update(s)

Mask Reminder:  Appropriate and consistent use of masks is most important when students, teachers, and staff are indoors or outside and when social distancing is difficult to implement or maintain. Individuals should be frequently reminded not to touch the face covering or mask and to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer frequently. CDC recommends all people 2 years of age and older wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Younger children (e.g., preschool or early elementary aged) may be unable to wear a mask properly, particularly for an extended period of time. Wearing of masks may be prioritized at times when it is difficult to maintain a distance of 6 feet from others (e.g., during carpool drop off or pick up, or when standing in line at school). Ensuring proper mask size and fit and providing children with frequent reminders and education on the importance and proper wear of masks may help address these issues.

Masks should not be placed on:

•   Children younger than 2 years old

•   Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious

•   Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without   assistance

•   Anyone with an Exception -

Exceptions to mask requirements will be made if wearing a mask is not possible due to medical conditions, disability impact, or other health or safety factors. OSB will work with parents/guardians to identify those individual students who are exempt from wearing a mask.   In accordance with CDC Guidelines, we are not requiring medical documentation for students who are unable to wear a mask.   

Parent Resources from Parent Liaison, Rhonda Davis

 Access Centers:  There is a newly developed resource, Access Centers, for Philadelphia families with K-6th grade students whose parents work outside the home. While this most likely won't be helpful for OSB students, it could work well for their siblings.  

FREE. Must register. Access Centers provide Philadelphia’s most vulnerable students with a safe place for digital learning when caregivers work outside the home and have no childcare supports. Registration is required. The staff at these centers:

• Supervise students during digital learning time.

• Provide meals

• Run activities.

Fill out the Access Center registration interest form online, or call (215) 709-5366 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Locations click here  

 Rental Assistance: Assistance is available in the form of a grant and funds that will be paid directly to landlords or property owners. The funds may be used to assist those that became unemployed after March 1, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or those experiencing at least a 30% reduction in annual income related to COVID-19. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will accept CARES RRP applications until September 30, 2020.   The CARES Rent Relief Program application can be found here. Full program guidelines can be found here. 

Mortgage Assistance: This program provides emergency mortgage assistance on behalf of homeowners who are delinquent in their mortgage payments and who have experienced job loss or reduced income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will accept CARES RRP applications until September 30, 2020.  The CARES Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program application can be found here.  Full program guidelines can be found here.

Cleaning Products: The safety of cleaning products was noted during the Parent Town Hall meeting.  Overbrook uses the following cleaning products in classrooms and on items that students contact directly. If you have heightened concerns about your child’s chemical sensitivity, it may be helpful to inform your child’s healthcare provider.

1.      Electrostatic sprayer - Vital Oxide Mold Remover & Disinfectant Cleaner

2.      Oxivir Tb wipes

The following products will be used on items in which the students do not have direct contact, such as the officer areas and restrooms areas.1. Toallitas Disinfectants wipes  2. Clorox Bleach Wipes

Previous Parent Questions and Answers:  Several questions from parents have been submitted to the Health and Safety.  Parents inquiring about an issue that is specific to their child or if the answer would otherwise disclose the identity of the student have or will receive a response directly, to ensure student confidentiality is protected.  Below are the responses to general questions we’ve received to date.  Please continue sending questions to Health and Safety

Question: Is it possible to have a teacher or therapist provide services outside of the 8:00-3:15 schedule?  Answer: Unfortunately, no. Staff cannot provide services outside of school hours. 

Question: If my child is receiving virtual instruction and isn’t available during the school day to receive therapy, will a make up time be offered for missed sessions.  Answer: No, your child should be available from 8:00-3:00 just as if they were attending school on campus.  If your child is not available during a scheduled time, we cannot make up sessions. 

Question: If my child attends classes on campus and is out sick or because I have kept him/her home for another reason, can my child receive instruction and therapy virtually for the day he/she is absent?  Answer: No, this would be recorded as a sick day just as if it were a typical school year. Your child will not receive make-up services.

Question: If Overbrook decides that my child needs to remain home for an extended period due to possible exposure, will my child be able to participate virtually?  Answer: If a situation arises in which the Philadelphia Department of Health directs us to have children quarantine at home, we will do all that we can to maintain instruction virtually following the same schedule as if they were in class. 

Question: If my child is attending virtually, do I have to let Overbrook know that my child will be absent? Answer: Yes, it is extremely important that you call to let us know that your child will be absent. We are required to take daily attendance as if this was a typical school year. 

Question: If my child is receiving virtual instruction, how is attendance being recorded? Answer: Parents must call the program secretary by 9:30 if their child will be absent or late (for both the virtual and on campus programs). We record attendance as present/absent for a full day, present/absent for a half day, or late if the first session is missed, but your child participates in the rest of the day.

For those in the virtual program, your child’s attendance will be based on your child’s participation in the first morning session and will be monitored for participation in each scheduled session throughout the day. 

Question: What time does school start on Mondays?  Answer: As we implement our school reopening plan, school will start at 8:00AM on Mondays, just like every other day. We are doing all that we can to maximize instructional time for our students. 

Question: Should I send a mask in even if my child will not wear it?

Answer:  Yes, as long as your child does not have a health or safety reason that exempts them from wearing a mask. If your child cannot wear a mask due to sensory reasons, staff will work with your child to practice wearing a mask or face shield to help them to become comfortable with this. 

Questions: How will the nursing staff differentiate cold symptoms from Covid symptoms? If my son/ daughter has a runny nose but no other symptoms, will she be sent home? If this is the case and s/he is fine the next day, will s/he be able to return to school? Answers: We will align all actions with guidance from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.  Presently, the severity of the Covid-19 pandemic dictates that Overbrook has a significantly lower threshold for sending sick students home.  If your child has a runny nose or other symptoms of an illness, we will send him/her home.   

Question: My son/daughter needs hand over hand assistance for many Occupational Therapy tasks along with guided help in walking. Will this happen?  Answer: Many of our students require direct physical contact with staff in order to participate in their instruction, including related services. We will do this as much as possible within the structure of our safety guidelines. There may be times when this needs to be modified to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Any recommended changes to your child’s program will be discussed with you.

Question: In the Health and Safety plan, limited microwave use is mentioned. Our son/daughter has a very limited diet and we rely heavily on the use of the microwave. Will that be a problem?  Answer: No, if your child needs to have food prepared in a microwave, we will do this. When necessary, microwave ovens are in the classrooms so that they are not shared between classes.

Question: Will specials (music, horticulture, swim, etc) be happening this year?  Answer: We will start the year without special subjects and students and staff will remain in their classrooms. This will limit the number of students and staff contacts to reduce any potential exposure. We will look at each special subject and develop individualized plans to provide these classes. At this time we do not have a start date for special subject classes to begin.

Question: How will arrival and dismissal times be determined? Will this add to the length of my child’s commute? Answer: We are working with each school district to establish arrival and dismissal times. These need to be coordinated with each district’s transportation department and balanced to limit the number of vehicles on campus at one time. This is an extremely complex process that requires flexibility. Since the number of students on the buses will be reduced to allow for social distancing, it is anticipated that the commute times for many of the students will be the same or less. However, we cannot predict traffic patterns that may impact travel time. If you have questions related to your child’s transportation, please contact your local school district’s transportation department. 

                             Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19 in Children

New Parent Questions

No new parent questions were submitted to the Health and Safety this past week.
 

Reminder of Important Dates:
 

• October 8: Experience Overbrook Virtual Gala

• October 12: school is closed for students and instructional staff

• October 19-21: Middle States Accreditation virtual visits

• October 30: First quarter ends; determine next steps for on-campus or distance learning options

• October 31 - November 1: OSB  Run, Walk, “N” Roll Virtual Trick or Trot 5K

During this long period of constant change and uncertainty, your continued support for the last six months has been sincerely appreciated.  We wish we could assure you of a smooth path forward.  We know we cannot.  We can assure you we will continually try to make it as manageable as possible..  Again, please direct any questions to Health and Safety

Sincerely,

Todd Reeves, Executive Director
Jackie Brennan, Superintendent
Angie Williams, Director of Health and Safety

No Changes from Previous Update(s)
 

Mask Reminder: Appropriate and consistent use of masks is most important when students, teachers, and staff are indoors or outside, and when social distancing is difficult to implement or maintain. Individuals should be frequently reminded not to touch the face covering or mask and to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer frequently. CDC recommends all people 2 years of age and older wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Younger children (e.g., preschool or early elementary-aged) may be unable to wear a mask properly, particularly for an extended period of time. Wearing of masks may be prioritized at times when it is difficult to maintain a distance of 6 feet from others (e.g., during carpool drop off or pick up, or when standing in line at school). Ensuring proper mask size and fit and providing children with frequent reminders and education on the importance and proper wear of masks may help address these issues.

Masks should not be placed on:

• Children younger than 2 years old

• Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious

• Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance

• Anyone with an Exception
  to mask requirements will be made if wearing a mask is not possible due to medical conditions, disability impact, or other health or safety factors. OSB will work with parents/guardians to identify those individual students who are exempt from wearing a mask. In accordance with CDC Guidelines, we are not requiring medical documentation for students who are unable to wear a mask.

Parent Resources from Parent Liaison, Rhonda Davis

Access Centers

There is a newly developed resource, Access Centers, for Philadelphia families with K-6th grade students whose parents work outside the home. While this most likely won't be helpful for OSB students, it could work well for their siblings.

FREE. Must register. Access Centers provide Philadelphia’s most vulnerable students with a safe place for digital learning when caregivers work outside the home and have no childcare supports. Registration is required. The staff at these centers:

• Supervise students during digital learning time.
• Provide meals.
• Run activities.

Fill out the Access Center registration interest form online, or call (215) 709-5366 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Locations click here

Rental Assistance

Assistance is available in the form of a grant and funds that will be paid directly to landlords or property owners. The funds may be used to assist those that became unemployed after March 1, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or those experiencing at least a 30% reduction in annual income related to COVID-19. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will accept CARES RRP applications until September 30, 2020. The CARES Rent Relief Program application can be found here. Full program guidelines can be found here.

Mortgage Assistance

This program provides emergency mortgage assistance on behalf of homeowners who are delinquent in their mortgage payments and who have experienced job loss or reduced income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will accept CARES RRP applications until September 30, 2020. The CARES Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program application can be found here. Full program guidelines can be found here.

Parent Selection of Re-opening Option - No Change From Previous Week: Thank you to all parents who made the difficult decision among the two re-opening options presented in our initial re-opening plan (all virtual or face-to-face 4 days/week and 1-day virtual after the first two weeks of virtual instruction). As you recall, initial Parent Survey information informed our original re-opening plan. The results of this survey indicated that 71% of our families were comfortable with their child returning to campus and 29% were not. Since this survey, our parent responses have changed some, most likely due to the changes related to the virus in their communities. Currently, 63% of our families are planning for the child to participate in the face-to-face program and 37% have selected the 5-day virtual program.

Please review the attached document which provides additional information related to virtual instruction.

Cleaning Products: The safety of cleaning products was noted during the Parent Town Hall meeting. Overbrook uses the following cleaning products in classrooms and on items that students contact directly. If you have heightened concerns about your child’s chemical sensitivity, it may be helpful to inform your child’s healthcare provider.

1. Electrostatic sprayer - Vital Oxide Mold Remover & Disinfectant Cleaner

2. Oxivir Tb wipes

The following products will be used on items in which the students do not have direct contact, such as the officer areas and restrooms areas.1. Toallitas Disinfectants wipes 2. Clorox Bleach Wipes

Send Safety Suggestions to Health and Safety: Thank you to everyone who has sent their questions and comments to our designated email address. No matter what we do, we always want to do it better tomorrow than we did it today. Like our students, we want to make continual progress. We wish the same regarding health and safety in the coming months. As the year begins and we welcome both students and staff back, please use the email address as a means of making suggestions for improved safety for non-emergency situations. Of course, in the case of an emergency or if staff or parents require immediate action, contacting the appropriate admin

Previous Parent Questions and Answers: Several questions from parents have been submitted to the Health and Safety. Parents inquiring about an issue that is specific to their child or if the answer would otherwise disclose the identity of the student have or will receive a response directly, to ensure student confidentiality is protected. Below are the responses to general questions we’ve received to date. Please continue sending questions to Health and Safety

Question: How will the nursing staff differentiate cold symptoms from Covid symptoms? If my son/ daughter has a runny nose but no other symptoms, will she be sent home? If this is the case and s/he is fine the next day, will s/he be able to return to school? Answers: We will align all actions with guidance from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Presently, the severity of the Covid-19 pandemic dictates that Overbrook has a significantly lower threshold for sending sick students home. If your child has a runny nose or other symptoms of an illness, we will send him/her home.

Question: My son/daughter needs hand over hand assistance for many Occupational Therapy tasks along with guided help in walking. Will this happen? Answer: Many of our students require direct physical contact with staff in order to participate in their instruction, including related services. We will do this as much as possible within the structure of our safety guidelines. There may be times when this needs to be modified to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Any recommended changes to your child’s program will be discussed with you.

Question: In the Health and Safety plan, limited microwave use is mentioned. Our son/daughter has a very limited diet and we rely heavily on the use of the microwave. Will that be a problem? Answer: No, if your child needs to have food prepared in a microwave, we will do this. When necessary, microwave ovens are in the classrooms so that they are not shared between classes.

Question: Will specials (music, horticulture, swim, etc) be happening this year? Answer: We will start the year without special subjects and students and staff will remain in their classrooms. This will limit the number of students and staff contacts to reduce any potential exposure. We will look at each special subject and develop individualized plans to provide these classes. At this time we do not have a start date for special subject classes to begin.

Question: How will arrival and dismissal times be determined? Will this add to the length of my child’s commute? Answer: We are working with each school district to establish arrival and dismissal times. These need to be coordinated with each district’s transportation department and balanced to limit the number of vehicles on campus at one time. This is an extremely complex process that requires flexibility. Since the number of students on the buses will be reduced to allow for social distancing, it is anticipated that the commute times for many of the students will be the same or less. However, we cannot predict traffic patterns that may impact travel time. If you have questions related to your child’s transportation, please contact your local school district’s transportation department.

Question: Should I send a mask in even if my child will not wear it? Answer: Yes, as long as your child does not have a health or safety reason that exempts them from wearing a mask. If your child cannot wear a mask due to sensory reasons, staff will work with your child to practice wearing a mask or face shield to help them to become comfortable with this.

Question: Is it possible to have a teacher or therapist provide services outside of the 8:00-3:15 schedule? Answer: Unfortunately, no. Staff cannot provide services outside of school hours.

Question: If my child is receiving virtual instruction and isn’t available during the school day to receive therapy, will a makeup time be offered for missed sessions. Answer: No, your child should be available from 8:00-3:00 just as if they were attending school on campus. If your child is not available during a scheduled time, we cannot make up sessions.

Question: If my child attends classes on campus and is out sick or because I have kept him/her home for another reason, can my child receive instruction and therapy virtually for the day he/she is absent? Answer: No, this would be recorded as a sick day just as if it were a typical school year. Your child will not receive make-up services.

Question: If Overbrook decides that my child needs to remain home for an extended period due to possible exposure, will my child be able to participate virtually? Answer: If a situation arises in which the Philadelphia Department of Health directs us to have children quarantine at home, we will do all that we can to maintain instruction virtually following the same schedule as if they were in class.

Question: If my child is attending virtually, do I have to let Overbrook know that my child will be absent? Answer: Yes, it is extremely important that you call to let us know that your child will be absent. We are required to take daily attendance as if this was a typical school year.

Question: If my child is receiving virtual instruction, how is attendance being recorded? Answer: Parents must call the program secretary by 9:30 if their child will be absent or late (for both). We record attendance as present/absent for a full day, present/absent for a half-day, or late if the first session is missed, but your child participates in the rest of the day.

For those in the virtual program, your child’s attendance will be based on your child’s participation in the first morning session and will be monitored for participation in each scheduled session throughout the day.

Question: What time does school start on Mondays? Answer: As we implement our school reopening plan, the school will start at 8:00 AM on Mondays, just like every other day. We are doing all that we can to maximize instructional time for our students.

We will post this week’s Parent, Guardian, and Staff Update on the website tomorrow, 11/17/2020,  after we’ve had a chance to review the new restrictions being posted on the Philadelphia Department Public Health’s (PDPH) website tomorrow morning.  
 

COVID-19 Parent Update

Monday, November 9, 2020, 2 PM
 

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Your continued support during the pandemic is greatly appreciated.  We are all learning and growing each day and we ask for your continued patience and partnership as we work through the COVID-19 pandemic.  We will continue to confront the challenges while maintaining focus on providing a safe, supportive and positive environment for your children to learn.  Together we are stronger than the challenges put before us.  Together we will continue to overcome it.  Together we will succeed.     ~~ Todd Reeves

Local COVID-19 Health Information

The re-opening guidance for schools in the Commonwealth uses primarily two local public health metrics to inform school plans, the Incidence Rate and the Percent Positivity Rate (PCR) of diagnostic testing. In the most recent 7-day monitoring period from October 30-November 5. Philadelphia had an increase in new cases; there are 164.7 new cases per 100,000 residents, and a PCR of 9.1 %; we are currently at a higher rate of transmission. If these rates continue to rise we will need to re-evaluate how we are offering instruction to our students.

If you live outside Philadelphia county and would like to see the metrics in your county, please use this link.

Parent Questions

No New Questions were submitted to Health & Safety this week.

Parents Day

The Parent's Day presentation is available now! Or find it under the "Enrolled Families" tab to view. You will see a message from OSB leadership, the PERC president, and a discussion on how to manage challenging behaviors delivered by OSB's behavior support specialist and school psychologist. We hope you find it helpful! Link to Parent's Day Presentation

Reminder of Important Dates:

• 11/19 - Parent Café (virtual meeting - 3 to 4 pm)

• 11/25 - Early Dismissal for Students (12:00 pm)

• 11/26 & 27- Thanksgiving holiday school closed

Sincerely,

Todd Reeves, Executive Director
Jackie Brennan, Superintendent
Angie Williams, Health & Safety Coordinator

COVID-19 Parent Staff Update

Tuesday, November 17, 2020, 4 PM

Dear Parents, Guardians and Staff:

Given the events of the past several days relating to schools operating a hybrid model during this substantial increase in Covid-19, we will soon be conducting a Town Hall via Zoom for parents and staff, at a day and time to be announced.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH)  announced new Covid restrictions yesterday afternoon, which followed a tumultuous week for area schools and school districts as the pandemic infection rates have increased markedly both locally and nationally.  The PDPH restrictions mandate that we halt on-campus programming for our high school, White Hall and School to Work (STW) programs through the Winter Break which ends January 1st.  And the prohibition of non-family members gathering in homes prevents our Early Intervention staff from doing home visits.

Additionally, we must ascertain the viability of our hybrid model for all our students, given the number of confirmed positive cases on campus that have significantly disrupted our on-campus programming. Several other organizations are wrestling with the same issues: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia formally recommended all schools convert to virtual instruction for all students; the School District of Philadelphia indefinitely delayed in-person classes; the Montgomery County Health Department voted to close in-person instruction until December 3rd, etc.

Once again, the pandemic places us at a crossroads and we will look to our Health and Safety Planning Team for feedback.  That Committee will be reminded of the standards we’ve relied on since first structuring our hybrid model, allowing parents to elect all-virtual or a mix of virtual and on-campus programming:

• We value safety above all else and we will adhere to the recommendations of the PDPH in managing the pandemic.  We are educators --  not trained epidemiologists or infectious disease experts. We will respect the recommendations of those professionals who are.

  • Current Status: As of late last week, the PDPH advised they are not recommending Overbrook close on-campus programming despite multiple instances of confirmed positive cases that interrupted on-campus programming.  The positive cases were contracted outside the school environment.  Nonetheless, if we decide to transition to all-virtual instruction, the PDPH will support our decision

• Parents and guardians are the best judges of what is in the best interest of their children

  • Current Status:  No change.  Nonetheless, operating a hybrid model during a pandemic requires the School to make decisions affecting groups of students, which may not accommodate individual preferences. 

• In-class education provides the best opportunity for our students to progress and we will do all we can to provide instruction on campus to the extent we can do so safely.  Staff availability is an important component in maintaining a safe educational environment

  • Current Status: A number of staff members with school-age children reside in Montgomery County and we are determining to what extent the county’s closure of in-person instruction  impacts their ability to report to campus.

• There are certain things we can’t control.  For example, school districts provide transportation for our students.  If they are not providing transportation to district-enrolled students because of all-virtual instruction, they may decide not to transport their students who attend Overbrook

  • Current Status:  1) One school district in Montgomery County has already informed us they will not be transporting students to us during the mandatory on-campus closure there. The remaining school districts are in the process of determining if they will or will not provide transportation. If you have not yet heard from your school district, please check with your school district or transportation provider. 

  • 2) Elwyn Early Learning Services, the early childhood coordinating agency in the multi-county region, requests -- but does not mandate -- that early childhood students at Overbrook receive services virtually until further notice (which they have mandated for other providers).

Your input is important for us to make the best decisions going forward.  Thus, please be on the lookout for a Town Hall invitation that will occur after the Health and Safety Planning Team meets.  We realize scheduling will be complex during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday; nonetheless, we want to make this opportunity available.

In summary, we have been mandated through PDPH to transition to virtual programming for our high school, School to Work (STW), and White Hall programs through the Winter Break.  We are in the process of determining the viability of continuing a hybrid model for our other programs and upon receiving input from our Health & Safety Planning Team and the review of any additional mandates set forth.  We will come to a decision as soon as possible upon review of the plethora of considerations.  Thank you for your patience as we continue to navigate these challenging times.  

Local COVID-19 Health Information 

The re-opening guidance for schools in the Commonwealth uses primarily two local public health metrics to inform school plans, the Incidence Rate and the Percent Positivity Rate (PCR) of diagnostic testing. In the most recent 7-day monitoring period from November 6th - November 12th. Philadelphia had an increase in new cases; there are 270.4 new cases per 100,000 residents, and a  PCR of 12.5%; we are currently at a higher rate of transmission.  If these rates continue to rise we will need to re-evaluate how we are offering instruction to our students. 

If you live outside Philadelphia county and would like to see the metrics in your county, please use this link.

Student Attendance for Virtual Instruction

The changes from on campus to virtual instruction has created some confusion related to attendance. Follow the link below to the procedures for attendance during virtual instruction.  Upon review, if you have questions contact your program coordinator or Jackie Brennan.

LINK TO THE STUDENT ATTENDANCE FOR VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROCEDURE.

PERC Meeting

Please join us for a virtual PERC meeting through Zoom on Tuesday, December 1st to learn how you can help support our children's school!  Our activities may be postponed this year, but we can still get together and plan for the future. You will receive a Zoom link to participate or email Medea McGlynn for more information at osbperc@gmail.com.

Parent Questions

Q. What is a “confirmed probable” case of COVID-19?

A. The PDPH and the CDC identifies a “Confirmed Probable” as a person who was exposed to COVID-19 and is currently experiencing one of the major symptoms  OR two of the minor symptoms of COVID-19, but have not received the results of their COVID-19 test.  To prevent any further transmission of the virus, clients with probable and confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses must self-isolate and close contacts must self-quarantine. Feel free to review the Parent Town Hall Meeting. 

Reminder of Important Dates:

• High School, School to Work (STW), and White Hall are virtual now through January 1, 2021

• Virtual Instruction for all programs through Thanksgiving Week

• 11/25 - Early Dismissal for Students (12:00pm)

• 11/26 & 27- Thanksgiving holiday school closed

• 12/1 - PERC Zoom Mtg. (6:00 pm)

Sincerely,

Todd Reeves, Executive Director 
Jackie Brennan, Superintendent
Angie Williams, Health & Safety Coordinator

COVID-19 Parent & Staff Update

Monday, November 23, 2020, 4:45 PM

Dear Parents, Guardians and Staff:

 As we embark on this week of Thanksgiving let us remember the reasons, we have to be thankful despite our current circumstances.  Find strength in knowing that the race set before us is not always to the swift but to those who keep on going so let us continue to pull together during these challenging times.  We are thankful to have each of you as part of the OSB community. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving! 

~~Todd Reeves

 
Town Hall Meeting

Please join us for a discussion with the purpose of gaining input on the viability of on-campus services for the coming weeks.  A decision regarding our instructional status will be made soon after the meeting and conveyed through the SchoolMessenger notification system.  

Tuesday, November 24th from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

• Parents and staff will receive a Zoom Meeting Invitation to the Town Hall through a SchoolMessenger notification sent as an email on Tuesday morning. Access to the meeting is possible through either phone or the internet.  Details will be provided.  

Local COVID-19 Health Information 

The recommendations from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) in determining instructional models for schools in the Commonwealth use primarily two local public health metrics to inform school plans, the Incidence Rate and the Percent Positivity Rate (PCR) of diagnostic testing. In the most recent 7-day monitoring period from November 12th - November 19th. Philadelphia had an increase in new cases; there are 347.5 new cases per 100,000 residents, and a PCR of 13.0%; we are currently at a higher rate of transmission. 

In addition to the Incidence Rate and the Percent Positivity Rate of diagnostic testing additional factors are considered when determining a change in instructional status.  It is important to note that safe in-person instruction will look different for each school entity.  

 If you live outside Philadelphia county and would like to see the metrics in your county, please use this link.

Towers Newsletter

We are excited to share the Fall/Winter issue of Towers Newsletter with you this week.  Keep an eye on your inbox for the electronic version.  Enjoy! 

PERC Meeting

Please join us for a virtual PERC meeting through Zoom on Tuesday, December 1st to learn how you can help support our children's school!  Our activities may be postponed this year, but we can still get together and plan for the future. You will receive a Zoom link to participate or email Medea McGlynn for more information.

Parent Cafe

Thank you to those who attended last week's Parent Café.  It was a huge success, and it was nice to have parents coming together to share experiences, both challenging and inspiring. 

Join us for December's Parent Cafe on December 17, at 3pm. Look for your zoom invitation about a week before the event. Please email Rhonda Davis at rhonda.davis@obs.org with any questions, concerns or topic ideas.

Parent Questions

No New Questions were submitted to Health & Safety this week.

Reminder of Important Dates:

• High School, School to Work (STW), and White Hall are virtual now through January 1, 2021

• Early Intervention services for Birth-3 will be provided through tele-intervention while the counties are in the substantial risk category. 

• Virtual Instruction for all programs through Thanksgiving Week

• 11/25 - Early Dismissal for Students (12:00 pm)

• 11/26 & 27- Thanksgiving holiday school closed

• 12/1 - PERC Zoom Mtg. (6:00 pm)

• 12/6 - Parent Cafe Zoom Mtg. (3:00 pm) 

Sincerely, 

Todd Reeves, Executive Director 
Jackie Brennan, Superintendent
Angie Williams, Health & Safety Coordinator

COVID-19 Parent & Staff Update

Monday, November 30, 2020, 4:45 PM

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff:

It is with profound sadness that I share with you the passing of Maria Iovannicci OSB’s long time Food Services Manager.  Each day Maria came to work, her heart and soul overflowed with thanksgiving.  You heard it in her boisterous laugh at the farthest end of the hall, her uplifting words when she sensed you felt burdened and in her continually positive outlook.  Maria shared all she had with us.  Though the pain of her loss will never completely fade and our meals in the cafeteria may never feel like a "family meal" quite as much, I'm sure we are each grateful for the memories she leaves with us.  Those are priceless and comforting gifts.

Maria's daughters would like you to know how much she loved Overbrook, its students, families, and staff.  

We will reach out to you with funeral information as it becomes available. 

~~Todd Reeves

 Local COVID-19 Health Information 

The recommendations from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) in determining instructional models for schools in the Commonwealth uses primarily two local public health metrics to inform school plans, the Incidence Rate and the Percent Positivity Rate (PCR) of diagnostic testing. In the most recent 7-day monitoring period from November 20th - November 26th. Philadelphia had an increase in new cases; there are 356.5 new cases per 100,000 residents, and a PCR of 13.2%; we are currently at a higher rate of transmission. 

If you live outside Philadelphia county and would like to see the metrics in your county, please use this link.

PERC Meeting

Please join us for a virtual PERC meeting through Zoom on Tuesday, December 1st to learn how you can help support our children's school!  Our activities may be postponed this year, but we can still get together and plan for the future. You will receive a Zoom link to participate or email Medea McGlynn for more information.

Parent Cafe

Thank you to those who attended last week's Parent Café.  It was a huge success, and it was nice to have parents coming together to share experiences, both challenging and inspiring. 

Join us for December's Parent Cafe on December 17, at 3 pm. Look for your zoom invitation about a week before the event. Please email Rhonda Davis at rhonda.davis@obs.org with any questions, concerns or topic ideas.

Food Distribution Sites for Philadelphia Students

Parent Questions

No New Questions were submitted to Health & Safety this week.

Reminder of Important Dates:

• Virtual Instruction for all programs through Winter Break

• 12/1 - PERC Zoom Mtg. (6:00 pm)

• 12/6 - Parent Cafe Zoom Mtg. (3:00 pm) 

Sincerely, 

Todd Reeves, Executive Director
Jackie Brennan, Superintendent
Angie Williams, Health & Safety Coordinator

COVID-19 Parent & Staff Update

Monday, December 7, 2020, 3:30 PM
 

Dear Parents, Guardians and Staff:

In addition to remembering the sacrifices and service of our military on both Memorial and Veteran’s Days, it is also important to pause today to recognize it as the anniversary of the “day that will live in infamy” with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Out of that tragedy arose a collective commitment among people then living who are now considered “the greatest generation”.  The adversity we face today may well lift our own students into similar status as a generation of people who came together to withstand great challenges.  And the sacrifices of parents and staff who keep lifting our students higher deserve recognition on this day as well.  Thank you

~~Todd Reeves

Local COVID-19 Health Information 

The recommendations from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) in determining instructional models for schools in the Commonwealth uses primarily two local public health metrics to inform school plans, the Incidence Rate and the Percent Positivity Rate (PCR) of diagnostic testing. In the most recent 7-day monitoring period from November 27th - December 3rd. Philadelphia had an increase in new cases; there are 353.6 new cases per 100,000 residents, and a PCR of 14.4%; we are currently at a higher rate of transmission. 

If you live outside Philadelphia County and would like to see the metrics in your county, please use this link

Arrangements for Maria Iovannicci

Maria's family would like to invite you to her viewing and service this Saturday, December 12, at O'Leary's Funeral Home located at 640 E. Springfield Rd (Springfield, PA - 19064).  The viewing will begin at 10:00 am, followed by a service at 11:00 am.  Please know that guests must bring a mask to wear and social distancing will be practiced.  Link to her obituary.  

The family understands that people may not be comfortable attending due to the pandemic and are aware of how much Maria meant to the Overbrook Family.  

We at OSB will be hosting a virtual memorial for Maria sometime before Winter Break.  We are working out the details now and will let you know the date and time as soon as possible.  

“There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, the light remains.” — Helen Winnemore

Towers Newsletter

You should have received your Fall/Winter issue of Towers last week.  If you did not please email Communications and we’ll make sure you are on the email distribution list.  

Parent Cafe

Join us for December's Parent Cafe on December 17, at 3PM. Look for your Zoom invitation about a week before the event. Please email Rhonda Davis at rhonda.davis@obs.org with any questions, concerns or topic ideas.

OSB VIrtual Holiday Concert

The music never stops at OSB! Mark your calendars for A HEARTFELT HOLIDAY, a virtual concert featuring OSB's choirs, on Thursday, December 17th at 7 p.m. A link will be provided on the OSB website on the day of the concert. It will be a beautiful evening of celebration and song!

Parent Questions

Q: I am struggling with virtual instruction and my child can’t be engaged in all of the zoom sessions that are scheduled. Can my child’s schedule be adjusted?

A: Yes, please discuss your concerns with your child’s teacher to develop an individualized plan. We will share this plan with your school district. If needed, we will schedule an IEP team meeting to make revisions in your child’s IEP. Each school district is addressing these changes differently and we are happy to work with each individual district to make these modifications.

Q: I am still having trouble accessing Google Classroom and Zoom, can I get individual help with this?

A: Yes, we can share on-line training videos for you to view and provide individual support as well. If you need this assistance, please let your child’s teacher or program coordinator know so we can set this up.

Reminder of Important Dates:

• Virtual Instruction for all programs will continue through Winter Break

• 12/17 - Parent Cafe Zoom Meeting. 3:00PM

• 12/17 A Heartfelt Holiday: A Virtual Concert 7:00PM (A link for the concert will be provided on Overbrook School for the Blind's Website)  

Sincerely, 

Todd Reeves, Executive Director

Jackie Brennan, Superintendent

Angie Williams, Director of Health & Safety

COVID-19 Parent & Staff Update

Monday, December 14, 2020, 3:30 PM

Dear Parents, Guardians and Staff:

No doubt it’s been a challenging first half of the school year but we’re almost embarking on Winter Break.  Keep moving forward this week and next and look toward this time to re-energize and refocus.  I know that it will be different than past holidays but cherish the time that you have with those you love.  This week we are looking forward to our Heartfelt Holiday Concert on Thursday at 7:00pm and if you haven’t yet reviewed the 2019 - 20 Annual Report, please do so, as it showcases our success despite the challenges over this past year.  It serves as a reminder to keep looking forward and striving to reach our goals. 

~~ Todd Reeves

Clarification of Virtual Instruction Format

Virtual Instruction will be provided to our students through Wednesday, December 23rd, and will resume on Monday, January 4th. The decision to convert to virtual instruction following the Thanksgiving Break stated that virtual instruction would continue “through” the Winter Break. The statement should have stated virtual instruction will continue “to the Winter Break”. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

If we return to our in-person instruction after Winter Break, then staff return on the 4th and students on the 5th. If Philadelphia metrics for the two weeks prior to Jan 4 don’t allow for a return, then virtual instruction will continue as of Jan 4.

Local COVID-19 Health Information 

The recommendations from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) in determining instructional models for schools in the Commonwealth uses primarily two local public health metrics to inform school plans, the Incidence Rate and the Percent Positivity Rate (PCR) of diagnostic testing. In the most recent 7-day monitoring period from December 4th - December 10th. Philadelphia had an increase in new cases; there are 429.5 new cases per 100,000 residents, and a PCR of 14.8%; we are currently at a higher rate of transmission. 

In addition to the Incidence Rate and the Percent Positivity Rate of diagnostic testing additional factors are considered when determining a change in instructional status.  It is important to note that safe in-person instruction will look different for each school entity.  

Prior to returning to an alternative instructional format there will need to be two successive weeks in which the level of community transmission in Philadelphia County is either in the moderate or low category.  

If you live outside Philadelphia County and would like to see the metrics in your county, please use this link

Annual Report

You should have received the 2019 - 20 Annual Report in your inbox on Friday morning.  We hope you enjoyed reviewing the year that has brought significant challenges as well as achievements.  If you did not please email communications@obs.org and we’ll make sure you are on the email distribution list and send you a copy. 

Parent Cafe

Join us for December's Parent Cafe on December 17, at 3PM. Look for your Zoom invitation about a week before the event. Please email Rhonda Davis at rhonda.davis@obs.org with any questions, concerns or topic ideas.  You can join the meeting by clicking the link below and entering the Meeting ID: 730 8875 2369 and password 69bi7P.  

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73088752369?pwd=Y1hRaXNDOElWZ051b0RzTU1BTVlPZz09

OSB VIrtual Holiday Concert

The music never stops at OSB! Mark your calendars for A HEARTFELT HOLIDAY, a virtual concert featuring OSB's choirs, on Thursday, December 17th at 7PM. A link will be provided on the OSB website on the day of the concert (www.obs.org/concert). It will be a beautiful evening of celebration and song!

Flu Shot Information 

If you have health insurance, most pharmacies will give a flu shot to anyone over age 9. You can find a flu vaccine near you, wherever you are, by entering your zip code into this Vaccine Finder. Be sure to enter "Flu Shot" and age under the vaccine type drop-down menu.

If you don't have health insurance, you can still get the flu vaccine. See below for county by county locations for flu shots for the uninsured.

• Philadelphia Co.:  Flu Clinic Calendar and Map 

• Delaware Co.:  December Flu Clinics 

• Montgomery Co.: December Flu Shots 

• Chester Co.: Limited Number of Flu Shots 

• Bucks Co.: Bucks Co. is not offering free flu shots.

If you can't get a free flu shot, a number of pharmacies offer low-cost flu shots. The Pennsylvania Department of Health offers information on getting the flu vaccines for those uninsured and underinsured by calling 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258).

Parent Questions

No new questions this week.  Submit questions to healthandsafety@obs.org 

Reminder of Important Dates:

• 12/17 - Parent Cafe Zoom Meeting. 3:00PM

• 12/17 A Heartfelt Holiday: A Virtual Concert 7:00PM (A link for the concert will be provided on www.obs.org)  

• 12/23 - Winter Break begins at the end of the school day

• 1/4 - Virtual instruction will resume for students

Sincerely, 

Todd Reeves, Executive Director Jackie Brennan, SuperintendentAngie Williams, Director of Health & Safety 

COVID-19 Parent & Staff Update
Monday, December 21, 2020 3pm
 

Dear Parents, Guardians and Staff:

As we all hope for the peace, joy, rest and rejuvenation that we can find in an otherwise hectic time, it’s probably good for us to let  you know what you can expect in terms of our communication with you in the next couple of weeks.  We will provide an “Update-lite” this next Monday, since there is likely to be little to report other than the Local COVID-19 Health Information. We want to continuously track the local transmission rates to identify at what point Philadelphia drops below the Substantial rate of transmission, as that is a marker for our return to on-campus instruction.

Although next week’s Update may be a bit thin and lite, I hope the peace and joy your family experiences in the coming weeks is just the opposite.  Happy Holidays.

~~ Todd Reeves

Local COVID-19 Health Information 

The recommendations from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) in determining instructional models for schools in the Commonwealth uses primarily two local public health metrics to inform school plans, the Incidence Rate and the Percent Positivity Rate (PCR) of diagnostic testing. In the most recent 7-day monitoring period from December 11th - December 17th. Philadelphia had a decrease in the number of new cases; there are 349.4 new cases per 100,000 residents, and a PCR of 13.0%.  

In addition to the Incidence Rate and the Percent Positivity Rate of diagnostic testing additional factors are considered when determining a change in instructional status.  It is important to note that safe in-person instruction will look different for each school entity.  

Prior to returning to an alternative instructional format there will need to be two successive weeks in which the level of community transmission in Philadelphia County is either in the moderate or low category.  

If you live outside Philadelphia County and would like to see the metrics in your county, please use this link

Travel Advisor regarding Quarantining after out of state travel

We encourage Overbrook’s personnel to avoid traveling outside of Pennsylvania while the Travel Mitigation order is effective. If a staff member travels outside of Pennsylvania while the order is in effect, he or she must comply with testing and or quarantine requirements.

“By Order issued November 17, 2020, the Wolf Administration is requiring that travelers entering Pennsylvania from other countries and states, as well as Pennsylvanians who are returning home from other countries or states, have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to entering the Commonwealth or quarantine for 10 days upon entry into Pennsylvania. If a traveler chooses to get tested upon entering the Commonwealth, or is waiting for test results, the traveler must quarantine for 10 days, or until receipt of a negative test result, whichever comes first.”

These are exceptions to these requirements.

Virtual Memorial for Maria Iovannicci

Please join our virtual community on Tuesday, December 22nd at 2:30 p.m. for a video memorial tribute to our beloved Food Services Supervisor, Maria Iovannicci. Log on to view the video here.

This video will remain on the OSB website so if you are not available at 2:30 p.m., it will be available for viewing at your convenience through the above link.  

Parent Questions

There were no new questions this week.  Submit questions to healthandsafety@obs.org 

Reminder of Important Dates:

• 12/22 Virtual Memorial Service for Maria Iovannicci (2:30pm)

• 12/23 - Winter Break begins at the end of the school day

• 1/4 - Virtual instruction will resume for students

Sincerely, 

Todd Reeves, Executive Director
Jackie Brennan, Superintendent
Angie Williams, Director of Health & Safety

COVID-19 Parent & Staff Update

Monday, December 28, 2020 3:01pm
 

Dear Parents, Guardians and Staff:

As everyone I’m sure is looking forward to a New Year that is far better than the one that we’ve endured together, we continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 in the Philadelphia region to determine when on-campus programs can begin again.  As you will read below, even though that will not begin on that first Monday after New Year’s Day, we look forward to the day that it will.  To many of us, the return to normalcy is when the New Year will truly begin.  May that day come very soon in 2021.

~~ Todd Reeves

Current Status of In-Person Instruction

Analysis of the Local COVID-19 Health Information below indicates that a return to in-person instruction will not occur until on or after Tuesday, January 12th.  For in-person instruction to occur on January 12th, the COVID-19 transmission rate in Philadelphia County must be in the low or moderate range for the two weeks prior.   Look for updated information this next Monday, January 4th.

Local COVID-19 Health Information 

The recommendations from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) in determining instructional models for schools in the Commonwealth uses primarily two local public health metrics to inform school plans, the Incidence Rate and the Percent Positivity Rate (PCR) of diagnostic testing. In the most recent 7-day monitoring period from December 18th - December 24th. Philadelphia had a decrease in the number of new cases; there are 261.4 new cases per 100,000 residents, and a PCR of 11.3%.  These numbers represent the substantial phase of community transmission.

Prior to returning to an alternative instructional format there will need to be two successive weeks in which the level of community transmission in Philadelphia County is either in the moderate or low category. 

In addition to the Incidence Rate and the Percent Positivity Rate of diagnostic testing additional factors are considered when determining a change in instructional status.  It is important to note that safe in-person instruction will look different for each school entity.  

If you live outside Philadelphia County and would like to see the metrics in your county, please use this link

Travel Advisory Regarding Quarantining After Out Of State Travel

We encourage Overbrook’s staff and students to avoid traveling outside of Pennsylvania while the Travel Mitigation order is effective. If a staff member or student travels outside of Pennsylvania while the order is in effect, he or she must comply with testing and or quarantine requirements.

“By Order issued November 17, 2020, the Wolf Administration is requiring that travelers entering Pennsylvania from other countries and states, as well as Pennsylvanians who are returning home from other countries or states, have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to entering the Commonwealth or quarantine for 10 days upon entry into Pennsylvania. If a traveler chooses to get tested upon entering the Commonwealth, or is waiting for test results, the traveler must quarantine for 10 days, or until receipt of a negative test result, whichever comes first.”

There are exceptions to these requirements, see link below for more details:

https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Travelers.aspx

Parent Questions

There were no new questions this week.  Submit questions to healthandsafety@obs.org 

Sincerely, 

Todd Reeves, Executive Director 
Jackie Brennan, Superintendent
Angie Williams, Director of Health & Safety

Monday Parent Update

COVID-19 Parent & Staff Update

Monday, January 4, 2021  3 PM

Dear Parents, Guardians and Staff:

Welcome to the first Update of 2021, which we all hope and trust will be a better year than the one just ended.  We know we haven't yet traveled through the storm, but we'll see it through.  And to kick off the New Year, there's some really great news to report:  The School received a competitive grant in the amount of $750,000 to re-design the front entry, access to the auditorium and the second floor surrounding the rotunda so all students can easily access those areas and quickly evacuate in the case of emergency.  This money is awarded from a highly competitive grant process that our Business Office and Development and Communication teams collaborated on.  See the section below titled Accessibility Project for further detail on the construction project.   I know the pandemic may make the world appear that it has stopped, but this good news is evidence that the School is working hard to make sure our students return to a School that has continued to evolve in good ways once the pandemic ends.

~~ Todd Reeves

Current Status of In-Person Instruction:

Analysis of the Local COVID-19 Health Information below indicates that a return to in-person instruction will not occur until on or after Wednesday, January 20th.  Staff would return for one day room preparation on the Tuesday prior, after the Martin Luther King Holiday.  For in-person instruction to occur on January 20th, the COVID-19 transmission rate in Philadelphia County must be in the low or moderate range for the two weeks prior.   Look for updated information this next Monday, January 11th.

Local COVID-19 Health Information 

The recommendations from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) in determining instructional models for schools in the Commonwealth uses primarily two local public health metrics to inform school plans, the Incidence Rate and the Percent Positivity Rate (PCR) of diagnostic testing. In the most recent 7-day monitoring period from December 25th - December 31st. Philadelphia had a decrease in the number of new cases; there are 225.9 new cases per 100,000 residents, and an increase in the PCR to 12.1%.  These numbers represent the substantial phase of community transmission.

Prior to returning to an alternative instructional format there will need to be two successive weeks in which the level of community transmission in Philadelphia County is either in the moderate or low category. 

In addition to the Incidence Rate and the Percent Positivity Rate of diagnostic testing additional factors are considered when determining a change in instructional status.  It is important to note that safe in-person instruction will look different for each school entity.  

If you live outside Philadelphia County and would like to see the metrics in your county, please use this link

Accessibility Project

Overbrook School for the Blind is the recipient of a $750,000 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant to improve accessibility and safety at the school’s main entrance and within the school building. RCAP is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. 

State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and State Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia) announced the projects awarded in the 7th Senatorial District and 192nd Legislative District respectively.

The OSB Facilities Committee and the OSB Internal Task Force has worked extensively with the Architects over the last few months to streamline the project and apply value engineering for cost savings.  The final project scope includes an elevator at the front entrance with access to 2nd and 3rd floors, a security suite at the front entrance to receive visitors, new restrooms just off the Rotunda, an entry ramp at the front of the main building, two internal ramps into the auditorium, and a leveling of the second floor Rotunda area.  We now move into the phase where the construction documents are being drafted for use in the bidding process.  In the next two months the Invitation to Bid (IFBs) packages will be sent to prospective contractors.  The Facilities Committee will evaluate the bids and select a contractor in the coming months.  Construction could commence by late Spring.  

Parent Cafe 

Featuring Dr. Jeffrey Gerber on the topic of Covid-19 Vaccines for Children with Disabilities.

Do you have questions about Covid-19 vaccines for children with disabilities? Please join us for a special session of Parent Cafe on Thursday, January 21, at 3pm where we will discuss this topic with Dr. Jeffery Gerber, Associate Chief Clinical Research Officer at CHOP's Division of Infectious Diseases.  Dr. Gerber is leading a group doing vaccine trials in children, so will be a wonderful source of information for parents.  OSB staff is invited to attend too, in order to better support our families.  Look for Zoom information headed to your email inbox.

Reminder of Important Dates

• 1/18 - Martin Luther King Day (no school) 

• 1/21 - Parent Cafe 3:00pm (virtual) Covid-19 Vaccine for Children with Disabilities

Parent Questions

There were no new questions this week.  Submit questions to Health and Safety Plan. 

Sincerely, 

Todd Reeves, Executive Director
Jackie Brennan, Superintendent
Angie Williams, Director of Health & Safety