March 30, 2023
We are excited to announce that we will have smaller class sizes next year while maintaining a Multi-grade level approach to learning. In order to keep class sizes to between 15-20 students each, we are changing our homerooms to combine 1st and 2nd grades, 3rd and 4th grades, and 5th and 6th grades. 7th and 8th grades will stay the same, and our Kindergarten class will be only Kindergartners who will have access to the 1st/2nd grade instruction and activities when needed. With this change, we have created several new Teaching positions! Please let your friends and neighbors know that we are seeking highly qualified Elementary Teachers for a 1st/2nd grade classroom and a 3rd/4th grade classroom. We will announce the other openings soon. Thank you and please see this Elementary Teacher Job Description for more details, and email Ms. Lurleen at headofschool@kivacharter.org for more information.
We are excited to announce that we will have smaller class sizes next year while maintaining a Multi-grade level approach to learning. In order to keep class sizes to between 15-20 students each, we are changing our homerooms to combine 1st and 2nd grades, 3rd and 4th grades, and 5th and 6th grades. 7th and 8th grades will stay the same, and our Kindergarten class will be only Kindergartners who will have access to the 1st/2nd grade instruction and activities when needed. With this change, we have created several new Teaching positions! Please let your friends and neighbors know that we are seeking highly qualified Elementary Teachers for a 1st/2nd grade classroom and a 3rd/4th grade classroom. We will announce the other openings soon. Thank you and please see this Elementary Teacher Job Description for more details, and email Ms. Lurleen at headofschool@kivacharter.org for more information.
January 23, 2023
The Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 7 pm via Google Meet.
Google Meet joining info:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/kyi-sbzz-zvb
Or dial: (US) +1 502-791-5256 PIN: 957 803 490#
Agenda
January 9, 2023
The Board of Directors will hold a work session on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 7 pm via Google Meet. Please see our Board of Directors tab for the agenda.
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/iop-pggw-dek
Or dial: (US) +1 413-340-2251 PIN: 707 401 159#
January 4, 2023 News Update:
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School will operate on a 2 hr. delay on Wednesday, January 4, due to possible dangerous road conditions in our area during morning travel. Supervision of students will begin at 9:45 am and school will begin at 10:00 am. We will resume a normal school day on Thursday, January 5, and we look forward to seeing your students then.
January 3, 2023 News Update:
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School will have a two hour delayed start tomorrow morning, January 3, due to possible dangerous road conditions in our area. We will provide supervision for students starting at 9:45 AM with school starting at 10:00 AM. Again, school will have a two hour delayed start for tomorrow, Tuesday, January 3, at The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School. Updated at 6:00 am for full day closure.
We are also posting a new job opening for a Part-time Middle School teacher. Preference will be given to someone with a strong background in science and/or interventions. Please contact our HOS, Ms. Lurleen McCormick, for more information at headofschool@kivacharter.org.
January 2, 2023 News Update:
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School will be closed Monday, January 2, for a snow day due to freezing rain, continued snow, and possible dangerous road conditions in our area throughout the day. We will resume a normal school day on Tuesday, January 3, and hope to see your students then. Again, school and all classes are canceled for tomorrow, Monday, January 2, at The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School.
December 14, 2022 News Update:
Dear Families,
As we head into our winter break the Board of Directors would like to reflect on the success of this school year. Your students have been reaching milestones in academic, emotional, and social growth and fulfilling the vision of Children’s Kiva Montessori School. We would like to recognize the hard work of the staff during last year and this year that contributed to the encouraging CMAS results. We appreciate the staff’s efforts on the curriculum, striving to meet the school’s goals, and honoring the Montessori philosophy. It feels great to be in a position to celebrate! Thank you!
We hope you were able to attend the gallery night and/or the gratitude meal. Both of these events displayed the joy of learning in Kiva’s classrooms. We’re looking forward to more opportunities to interact with the students and staff in the next half of the school year; and your participation is vital to keeping Kiva a vibrant place of learning.
As a small school we rely on our families and our community to provide support and collaboration. We welcome new ideas and diverse experiences. There are myriad ways to contribute, including joining the Board of Directors. Experience not necessary! Email BOD@kivacharter.org. It’s an exciting time to be part of Kiva.
We hope you have a happy and healthy holiday,
Children’s Kiva Montessori School Board of Directors
Also, 12/15/22: The Board of Directors will attend a staff member celebration at 4 Main St. Cortez at 4:00 to 5:30. No business will be discussed and no will be action taken.
December 13, 2022 News Update:
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School will have a two hour delayed start this morning due to expected dangerous, icy road conditions. School will start at 10:00 AM with supervision beginning at 9:45. We care about you, so please be safe and stay warm!
November 30, 2022 News Update:
Tomorrow, December 1, 2022, Kiva will have the following events:
- We will host a virtual site visit with Colorado Health representatives to discuss a grant application. Two or more Board members may be present for the discussion, but no action will be taken. Please contact our Head of School, Lurleen McCormick, for more information at 720-772-6603.
- We will have picture retakes for students who were absent on picture day. Please call our front office for more information at 970-564-9377.
- We will also have our monthly PTO and School Accountability Committee (SAC) meeting in person or virtually at 4:00 pm. We welcome all parents/guardians to join us and sign up for free membership at the meeting. Please contact our Head of School, Lurleen McCormick, for more information at 720-772-6603.
- We will also want to remind parents/guardians that our calendar does not align with the Cortez School District's calendar. Please note that we will NOT have school on 12/19/22 and 12/20/22; however, we WILL have school on 1/2/23 and 1/3/23. On these two days, students will need to bring a lunch (and/or breakfast) from home, as lunches and breakfasts will not be provided by the school that day.
- Please look for more updates in our Kiva Connect emails.
- Thank you for being part of our Kiva family, and we hope you all enjoy a blessed holiday season!
November 10, 2022
This meeting has been changed to 7:00 pm on November 11, 2022
The Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting at 7:00 pm on Friday November 11, 2022. All meeting are open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Agenda
August 14, 2022(updated 8/21/22 to change location)
The Board Development Committee will meet weekly on Mondays at 9 am at 601 N. Mildred St. beginning August 22, 2022. More than 2 board members may be present. No action will be taken. These meeting are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
August 9, 2022
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold its Annual meeting and a Special Board meeting tomorrow, August 10, 2022 at 7:00 pm via Google Meet. The Agenda and link to the meeting can be found on the Board of directors tab of our website. This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
July 28, 2022
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold a special Board Meeting, immediately followed by its Annual meeting on August 4, 2022 at 8:00 am.
Agenda This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
July 28, 2022
The Board Development Committee will meet weekly on Fridays from 9am -10 am at 1002 Railroad Rd. Dolores, Co. Two or more Board Members may be present. These meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
The Board Development Committee will meet on June3, 2022 at 8 am via Zoom. Two or more Board Members may be present. This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
Two or more Board of Directors may be in attendance at the following school related events:
May 13, 2022
We are very pleased to welcome Karen Cook and Megan Waterman to our Board of Directors! Karen returned to Cortez from Pendleton, Oregon where she was the Wellness Director and Advanced Nurse Practitioner at the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. Karen has a wealth of experience in nursing and public health as a practitioner, program director, and teacher with particular focus on women’s health. Much of her career has been working for the Indian Health Services throughout the Four Corners Region. She and her family live in the area and her 4-year old granddaughter attends Children’s House. Karen shares a love of the mountains and canyons and mesas and enjoys the many sports and activities that are available here. She is an avid “creator” and always busy with many artistic buildings (she and her husband have built 4 houses together here), landscaping, and gardening projects.
Megan is currently residing in the Dominican Republic where she works as a librarian at the Carol Morgan School. Prior to that she worked to improve information literacy at the American School of Bombay. In Megan’s words, “my passion exists on both sides of the information relationship: helping the individual access the knowledge they seek and helping to organize the data in ways that support access.” Megan’s family is returning to our area where she previously worked for 10 years at Osprey Packs, managing purchasing, demand planning, and customer service departments, and for Bluecorn Naturals in Rico. Megan is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys the amazing recreational opportunities and sports available in our region as well as reading, yoga, reading, gardening, and reading. Her husband, Andy, will be working as our new school counselor.
May 11, 2022
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting on May 12, 2022 at 8: 15 am.
Draft Agenda and Zoom link
May 7, 2022
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting on May 9, 2022 at 8: 15 am.
Draft Agenda and Zoom link
April 23, 2022
The Board of Directors will hold Special Meetings on April 25th at 4 pm, and on April 27th at 6:30 pm via Zoom:
4.25.2022 Draft Agenda
4.27.2022 Draft Agenda
April 22, 2022
The Hiring Committee for the 2022-2023 Head of School would like to inform the public as of 4.22.22 that in a Special Board Meeting on 4.20.22 the Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors approved the following candidates as finalists for the 2022-2023 Head of School position:
Natalie Baginksi
Lurleen McCormick
April 20, 2022
PTO and School Accountability Committee meet tomorrow evening 4/21/22 at 5 pm. While this is not a Board meeting, two or more Board members may be present. The meeting will be in person with a zoom option. This is a public meeting and all are welcome to attend.
April 19, 2022
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold a Special Board Meeting Wednesday April 20, 2022 at 6:30 pm via Zoom. This is an open meeting and all are welcome to attend. Agenda
April 12, 2022
Special Board Meeting: On Wednesday 4.13.22, via Zoom Kiva Montessori's Board of Directors will hold a work session that begins at 7 pm and a Special Board Meeting starting at 8:00pm. All Meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend. The zoom link can be accessed within the Agenda.
April 7, 2022
Children’s Kiva Montessori Charter School will be implementing a revision to our Covid-19 Health and Safety Plan in which we welcome and encourage masks wearing by adults and children, but now provide families and staff with the option to continue to wear them.
The option to wear a mask will begin on Monday, April 11th.
We will continue the following safety measures:
This decision was made by carefully weighing data from the family survey, local case data for Montezuma County from state and federal sources, data from Southwest Memorial Hospital, and input from local doctors. The school administration and its Return to Learn Health and Safety Committee will continue to monitor local case data and may adjust the policy again if conditions warrant.
This does not mean that Covid-19 is gone. It is not. And, we recognize that there are students and families with high risk for severe disease. As such, we still recommend mask wearing as a primary defense against the spread of respiratory infection.
Should you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the administrative office at 970-564-9377 or email headofschool@kivacharter.org
This meeting has been changed to 7:00 pm on November 11, 2022
The Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting at 7:00 pm on Friday November 11, 2022. All meeting are open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Agenda
August 14, 2022(updated 8/21/22 to change location)
The Board Development Committee will meet weekly on Mondays at 9 am at 601 N. Mildred St. beginning August 22, 2022. More than 2 board members may be present. No action will be taken. These meeting are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
August 9, 2022
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold its Annual meeting and a Special Board meeting tomorrow, August 10, 2022 at 7:00 pm via Google Meet. The Agenda and link to the meeting can be found on the Board of directors tab of our website. This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
July 28, 2022
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold a special Board Meeting, immediately followed by its Annual meeting on August 4, 2022 at 8:00 am.
Agenda This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
July 28, 2022
The Board Development Committee will meet weekly on Fridays from 9am -10 am at 1002 Railroad Rd. Dolores, Co. Two or more Board Members may be present. These meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
The Board Development Committee will meet on June3, 2022 at 8 am via Zoom. Two or more Board Members may be present. This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
Two or more Board of Directors may be in attendance at the following school related events:
- 5/25/22 2 pm- 7 pm School Project Presentations @ school and Sunflower Theater
- 5/26/22 5 pm-8 pm Staff Going Away for Head of School @ Stonefish Sushi
- 6/1/22 5pm-7pm Board Going Away Event for Head of School @ Eso Terra in Dolores
May 13, 2022
We are very pleased to welcome Karen Cook and Megan Waterman to our Board of Directors! Karen returned to Cortez from Pendleton, Oregon where she was the Wellness Director and Advanced Nurse Practitioner at the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. Karen has a wealth of experience in nursing and public health as a practitioner, program director, and teacher with particular focus on women’s health. Much of her career has been working for the Indian Health Services throughout the Four Corners Region. She and her family live in the area and her 4-year old granddaughter attends Children’s House. Karen shares a love of the mountains and canyons and mesas and enjoys the many sports and activities that are available here. She is an avid “creator” and always busy with many artistic buildings (she and her husband have built 4 houses together here), landscaping, and gardening projects.
Megan is currently residing in the Dominican Republic where she works as a librarian at the Carol Morgan School. Prior to that she worked to improve information literacy at the American School of Bombay. In Megan’s words, “my passion exists on both sides of the information relationship: helping the individual access the knowledge they seek and helping to organize the data in ways that support access.” Megan’s family is returning to our area where she previously worked for 10 years at Osprey Packs, managing purchasing, demand planning, and customer service departments, and for Bluecorn Naturals in Rico. Megan is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys the amazing recreational opportunities and sports available in our region as well as reading, yoga, reading, gardening, and reading. Her husband, Andy, will be working as our new school counselor.
May 11, 2022
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting on May 12, 2022 at 8: 15 am.
Draft Agenda and Zoom link
May 7, 2022
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting on May 9, 2022 at 8: 15 am.
Draft Agenda and Zoom link
April 23, 2022
The Board of Directors will hold Special Meetings on April 25th at 4 pm, and on April 27th at 6:30 pm via Zoom:
4.25.2022 Draft Agenda
4.27.2022 Draft Agenda
April 22, 2022
The Hiring Committee for the 2022-2023 Head of School would like to inform the public as of 4.22.22 that in a Special Board Meeting on 4.20.22 the Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors approved the following candidates as finalists for the 2022-2023 Head of School position:
Natalie Baginksi
Lurleen McCormick
April 20, 2022
PTO and School Accountability Committee meet tomorrow evening 4/21/22 at 5 pm. While this is not a Board meeting, two or more Board members may be present. The meeting will be in person with a zoom option. This is a public meeting and all are welcome to attend.
April 19, 2022
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold a Special Board Meeting Wednesday April 20, 2022 at 6:30 pm via Zoom. This is an open meeting and all are welcome to attend. Agenda
April 12, 2022
Special Board Meeting: On Wednesday 4.13.22, via Zoom Kiva Montessori's Board of Directors will hold a work session that begins at 7 pm and a Special Board Meeting starting at 8:00pm. All Meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend. The zoom link can be accessed within the Agenda.
April 7, 2022
Children’s Kiva Montessori Charter School will be implementing a revision to our Covid-19 Health and Safety Plan in which we welcome and encourage masks wearing by adults and children, but now provide families and staff with the option to continue to wear them.
The option to wear a mask will begin on Monday, April 11th.
We will continue the following safety measures:
- Daily screening at home
- Screening upon entry to the school
- Voluntary serial testing on Tuesdays
- Cohorting by grade level when indoors (Lower El stays together, Upper El is together).
- Increased hand washing routines
- UV treated air in the HVAC (heat and air)
- Require families to keep children at home who are sick
This decision was made by carefully weighing data from the family survey, local case data for Montezuma County from state and federal sources, data from Southwest Memorial Hospital, and input from local doctors. The school administration and its Return to Learn Health and Safety Committee will continue to monitor local case data and may adjust the policy again if conditions warrant.
This does not mean that Covid-19 is gone. It is not. And, we recognize that there are students and families with high risk for severe disease. As such, we still recommend mask wearing as a primary defense against the spread of respiratory infection.
Should you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the administrative office at 970-564-9377 or email headofschool@kivacharter.org
Special Board Meeting: Kiva Montessori will conduct a Special Board meeting on March 25 at 9:30am.
Agenda
To join the meeting, please click here.
Board Meeting: Kiva Montessori's regular monthly Board meeting is March 22, 2022. The work session begins at 5:30pm and the Board Meeting starts 7:00pm. Click here to join the meeting via Zoom.
March 11, 2022: Two or more Board Members will be present at this event. Other than Board recruitment, no Board business will be discussed and no action will be taken. This event is open to the public and all are welcome to attend:
Dear Kiva Families and Friends,
Board Meet and Greet Tuesday, March 15th 3:30-4:30
Join the Kiva Montessori Board of Directors for afterschool snacks in the garden. Learn about all the progress we have made over the last 2-3 years and how you can contribute to our continued growth and success.
Kiva Montessori provides a unique opportunity for parents and community members to have a real say in what school looks like for our children. It was parents just like you who got Kiva Montessori to where it is now and it is up to all of us to ensure that the school continues to reflect what we want for our children.
Any questions, please email: bod@kivacharter.org
THANK YOU and we look forward to meeting you!
March 3, 2022
The Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting via Zoom tomorrow March 4, 2022 at 5 pm.
All meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
Agenda
February 27, 2022
The Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting via Zoom tomorrow February 28, 2022 at 7 pm
Agenda
February 13, 2022
The Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting on February 15, 2022 at 7:30 pm via Zoom.
Agenda
January 5, 2022
The Board Development Committee meets tomorrow evening 1/6/22 at 5: 30 pm via Zoom. All meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
December 19, 2021 (7 am)
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting on Monday, December 20, 2021 at 8:00 am All meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend: Agenda
December 13, 2021
The Board Development Committee meets tomorrow evening 12/14/21 at 5: 30 pm via Zoom. All meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
December 6, 2021
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 5:30 pm All meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend: Agenda
October 25, 2021
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting on October 26, 2021 at 5:30 pm. All meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend: Click here to attend the Board Meeting via Zoom. Click here to view the agenda.
October 16, 2021
Two or more members of the Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will attend an event at 1 pm on October 17, 2021 at Joe Rowell Park. The purpose of the event is to socialize with Kiva Montessori staff. No school business will be conducted and no formal action will be taken.
October 13, 2021
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting on October 14, 2021 at 5:45 pm. All meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend: Agenda and Zoom link
August 16, 2021
Dear Kiva Families,
As you receive this message, you are probably rallying your children now to head off to their first day of school. We can't wait to have them here at Kiva learning and exploring.
I want to share a message from the Board of Directors of the school, a group of ordinary people just like you who do extraordinary things to make sure your children have the best educational experience possible.
Dear Children’s Kiva Montessori Charter School (CKMS) Community,
Welcome to the new school year!
For those of you returning, welcome back; for those new to our school, we are excited to meet you and include you in our friendly community.
Our staff has been busy preparing for the opening of school, and we're sure you have been too. It's a time of year when we urge our parents to learn more about CKMS through our newsletters, facebook page, reading our school manuals and meeting your teachers, staff and other families. While we are a relatively small school, there is a lot going on.
We are moving forward with a new strategic plan, Phase 2 building expansion, curriculum alignment, and an articulated commitment to Montessori. We always prioritize safety, academic growth, and social-emotional health. We have a new garden program that will be integrated into every classroom and we continue to focus on place-based learning that incorporates the vast resources of our natural and cultural setting.
There are many ways to engage with our growing school. We are actively recruiting members for our committees and board of directors. We need help to deliver lunches to the school, for schoolwide events, for fundraising, and to find volunteers for field trips and the classrooms. Please reach out to our Head of School or Administrative Assistant for further information about how you wish to support our school.
Good communication is key to a high-functioning organization. We want to hear from you and understand how we can make sure to meet the needs of your students. We have much work to do in the year ahead and we are ready and eager to get started with renewed vigor and enthusiasm!
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors
Melissa Gould, Cayce Hammerschlag, Alexis Cosper-Watts, Jolene McElwain and Alexandra Prime
As always, if you have questions or concerns, reach out to me at school at 970-564-9377 or via email at headofschool@kivacharter.org.
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
Agenda
To join the meeting, please click here.
Board Meeting: Kiva Montessori's regular monthly Board meeting is March 22, 2022. The work session begins at 5:30pm and the Board Meeting starts 7:00pm. Click here to join the meeting via Zoom.
March 11, 2022: Two or more Board Members will be present at this event. Other than Board recruitment, no Board business will be discussed and no action will be taken. This event is open to the public and all are welcome to attend:
Dear Kiva Families and Friends,
Board Meet and Greet Tuesday, March 15th 3:30-4:30
Join the Kiva Montessori Board of Directors for afterschool snacks in the garden. Learn about all the progress we have made over the last 2-3 years and how you can contribute to our continued growth and success.
Kiva Montessori provides a unique opportunity for parents and community members to have a real say in what school looks like for our children. It was parents just like you who got Kiva Montessori to where it is now and it is up to all of us to ensure that the school continues to reflect what we want for our children.
Any questions, please email: bod@kivacharter.org
THANK YOU and we look forward to meeting you!
March 3, 2022
The Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting via Zoom tomorrow March 4, 2022 at 5 pm.
All meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
Agenda
February 27, 2022
The Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting via Zoom tomorrow February 28, 2022 at 7 pm
Agenda
February 13, 2022
The Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting on February 15, 2022 at 7:30 pm via Zoom.
Agenda
January 5, 2022
The Board Development Committee meets tomorrow evening 1/6/22 at 5: 30 pm via Zoom. All meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
December 19, 2021 (7 am)
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting on Monday, December 20, 2021 at 8:00 am All meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend: Agenda
December 13, 2021
The Board Development Committee meets tomorrow evening 12/14/21 at 5: 30 pm via Zoom. All meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
December 6, 2021
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 5:30 pm All meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend: Agenda
October 25, 2021
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting on October 26, 2021 at 5:30 pm. All meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend: Click here to attend the Board Meeting via Zoom. Click here to view the agenda.
October 16, 2021
Two or more members of the Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will attend an event at 1 pm on October 17, 2021 at Joe Rowell Park. The purpose of the event is to socialize with Kiva Montessori staff. No school business will be conducted and no formal action will be taken.
October 13, 2021
The Kiva Montessori Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting on October 14, 2021 at 5:45 pm. All meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend: Agenda and Zoom link
August 16, 2021
Dear Kiva Families,
As you receive this message, you are probably rallying your children now to head off to their first day of school. We can't wait to have them here at Kiva learning and exploring.
I want to share a message from the Board of Directors of the school, a group of ordinary people just like you who do extraordinary things to make sure your children have the best educational experience possible.
Dear Children’s Kiva Montessori Charter School (CKMS) Community,
Welcome to the new school year!
For those of you returning, welcome back; for those new to our school, we are excited to meet you and include you in our friendly community.
Our staff has been busy preparing for the opening of school, and we're sure you have been too. It's a time of year when we urge our parents to learn more about CKMS through our newsletters, facebook page, reading our school manuals and meeting your teachers, staff and other families. While we are a relatively small school, there is a lot going on.
We are moving forward with a new strategic plan, Phase 2 building expansion, curriculum alignment, and an articulated commitment to Montessori. We always prioritize safety, academic growth, and social-emotional health. We have a new garden program that will be integrated into every classroom and we continue to focus on place-based learning that incorporates the vast resources of our natural and cultural setting.
There are many ways to engage with our growing school. We are actively recruiting members for our committees and board of directors. We need help to deliver lunches to the school, for schoolwide events, for fundraising, and to find volunteers for field trips and the classrooms. Please reach out to our Head of School or Administrative Assistant for further information about how you wish to support our school.
Good communication is key to a high-functioning organization. We want to hear from you and understand how we can make sure to meet the needs of your students. We have much work to do in the year ahead and we are ready and eager to get started with renewed vigor and enthusiasm!
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors
Melissa Gould, Cayce Hammerschlag, Alexis Cosper-Watts, Jolene McElwain and Alexandra Prime
As always, if you have questions or concerns, reach out to me at school at 970-564-9377 or via email at headofschool@kivacharter.org.
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
August 9, 2021
Dear Kiva Families,
On Thursday you are invited to Family Welcome Night here at the Kiva. You'll be scheduled by your child's last name (if you have two children with different last names, pick a time that works for you. If you have multiple children in multiple classrooms, you may be staying for two blocks):
We will be providing important health and safety information, drop-off and pick up details and the opportunity to meet you student's teacher.
When you come to school, you'll be greeted at the door and given directions to your child's teacher. We'll start outside and then move inside. All persons entering the building are required to wear a mask.
You'll also have the chance to sign up for volunteer service. Volunteerism powers Kiva, and as such, each family is required to volunteer 30 hours per year. Volunteer work includes PTO, Board of Directors, reading to children, helping with cleanup, lunch pickup, event planning, and much more.
Classroom Supplies
At Kiva, parents pay a materials fee of $150 and we purchase classroom supplies for use throughout the year by each student. Students will not share supplies at this time. Please donate to the Materials Fee Scholarship Fund to help reduce the burden on families that need it. Families may also pay on a monthly basis if that works better in your budget.
Renaissance Kids Specials
This year we will offer two specials: SPARK and STEAM. SPARK is a Montessori-inspired physical education and movement curriculum. STEAM--science, technology, engineering, arts and math--will include SCRATCH (block coding) and gardening, along with other activities integrated into what is happening in the classroom.
Drop-Off and Pickup
Please enter the Kiva Parking lot ONLY from Empire St. and leave onto Mildred St.
Drop Off in the morning begins at 7:45 and ends at 8am. Students arriving after 8:00 are tardy and must check in at the office. School breakfast is served at 7:45.
Class is dismissed at 3:20pm. All parents/guardians must leave their vehicles and walk to the pickup area inside the fence and their student will be released. (THIS IS A CHANGE IN PREVIOUS PROCEDURES).
Staff Announcement
I'm excited to announce our teaching staff for the year.
In Lower Elementary, Jennifer Atizon and Rachelle Villamena are co-teaching with Anchor Teacher Melody McNeil. They are supported by Bradi Piller as Classroom Assistant.
In Upper Elementary Kathy Carpenter and Althea Ellis are co-teaching with Anchor Teacher Chris LaRose. They are supported by Kerry Scales as Classroom Assistant.
In Middle School, Daniel Acosta and John Whitehead are co-teaching with Anchor Teacher Hiedy Whitmer.
Cassy Whitehead is returning as Exceptional Student Services teacher and Donitza Ivanovich and Morgan Allsup will lead STEAM. Kerry Scales will lead SPARK--Movement and PE.
Four of our staff are international--one from Jamaica, one from Colombia and two from the Philippines. These highly qualified teachers join us through the the US Department of State J-1 Visa Exchange Program, which promotes cultural exchange through education.
They will be arriving over the next month, and as such, some of your students may start school with a Classroom Assistant or Anchor Teacher.
We are looking for short term and long-term housing for each teacher. They are able to pay full rent, utilities, etc. Please let me know if you have a lead on short-term or long-term housing solution. Our goal is to have them land softly so they can concentrate on teaching, rather than worrying about where they will be the next day.
Health and Safety
Children's Kiva Administration continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation in our community. As of now, we are planning on returning on August 16th to in-person learning.
Please start to screen your children for COVID-19 symptoms every day. And when school starts, don't send them to school if they are sick. If you suspect COVID-19, please have them tested.
For your information, Here is a list of testing sites:
I'm looking forward to seeing you on Thursday the 12th.
As always, feel free to reach me via email or at the school at headofschool@kivacharter.org or 970-564-9377.
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
Dear Kiva Families,
On Thursday you are invited to Family Welcome Night here at the Kiva. You'll be scheduled by your child's last name (if you have two children with different last names, pick a time that works for you. If you have multiple children in multiple classrooms, you may be staying for two blocks):
- A-J 4pm
- K-R 5pm
- S-Z 6pm
We will be providing important health and safety information, drop-off and pick up details and the opportunity to meet you student's teacher.
When you come to school, you'll be greeted at the door and given directions to your child's teacher. We'll start outside and then move inside. All persons entering the building are required to wear a mask.
You'll also have the chance to sign up for volunteer service. Volunteerism powers Kiva, and as such, each family is required to volunteer 30 hours per year. Volunteer work includes PTO, Board of Directors, reading to children, helping with cleanup, lunch pickup, event planning, and much more.
Classroom Supplies
At Kiva, parents pay a materials fee of $150 and we purchase classroom supplies for use throughout the year by each student. Students will not share supplies at this time. Please donate to the Materials Fee Scholarship Fund to help reduce the burden on families that need it. Families may also pay on a monthly basis if that works better in your budget.
Renaissance Kids Specials
This year we will offer two specials: SPARK and STEAM. SPARK is a Montessori-inspired physical education and movement curriculum. STEAM--science, technology, engineering, arts and math--will include SCRATCH (block coding) and gardening, along with other activities integrated into what is happening in the classroom.
Drop-Off and Pickup
Please enter the Kiva Parking lot ONLY from Empire St. and leave onto Mildred St.
Drop Off in the morning begins at 7:45 and ends at 8am. Students arriving after 8:00 are tardy and must check in at the office. School breakfast is served at 7:45.
Class is dismissed at 3:20pm. All parents/guardians must leave their vehicles and walk to the pickup area inside the fence and their student will be released. (THIS IS A CHANGE IN PREVIOUS PROCEDURES).
Staff Announcement
I'm excited to announce our teaching staff for the year.
In Lower Elementary, Jennifer Atizon and Rachelle Villamena are co-teaching with Anchor Teacher Melody McNeil. They are supported by Bradi Piller as Classroom Assistant.
In Upper Elementary Kathy Carpenter and Althea Ellis are co-teaching with Anchor Teacher Chris LaRose. They are supported by Kerry Scales as Classroom Assistant.
In Middle School, Daniel Acosta and John Whitehead are co-teaching with Anchor Teacher Hiedy Whitmer.
Cassy Whitehead is returning as Exceptional Student Services teacher and Donitza Ivanovich and Morgan Allsup will lead STEAM. Kerry Scales will lead SPARK--Movement and PE.
Four of our staff are international--one from Jamaica, one from Colombia and two from the Philippines. These highly qualified teachers join us through the the US Department of State J-1 Visa Exchange Program, which promotes cultural exchange through education.
They will be arriving over the next month, and as such, some of your students may start school with a Classroom Assistant or Anchor Teacher.
We are looking for short term and long-term housing for each teacher. They are able to pay full rent, utilities, etc. Please let me know if you have a lead on short-term or long-term housing solution. Our goal is to have them land softly so they can concentrate on teaching, rather than worrying about where they will be the next day.
Health and Safety
Children's Kiva Administration continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation in our community. As of now, we are planning on returning on August 16th to in-person learning.
Please start to screen your children for COVID-19 symptoms every day. And when school starts, don't send them to school if they are sick. If you suspect COVID-19, please have them tested.
For your information, Here is a list of testing sites:
- Southwest Hospital System is offering COVID-19 testing M-F for insurance or $105. Free testing is also available M-TH. SHS does the BDMax "brain" swab which is accurate and fast. Results in 24 hours.
- Walgreens has online scheduling for a free drive-thru PCR test that is a nasal swab, not "brain" swab. But it takes 3-5 days for results.
- Walgreens and grocery stores sell the BINAX Now. It is more accurate when symptoms are present and should be followed up with PCR test anyway.
I'm looking forward to seeing you on Thursday the 12th.
As always, feel free to reach me via email or at the school at headofschool@kivacharter.org or 970-564-9377.
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold a special meeting and executive session on Thursday, July 8th at 5:30pm. Agenda All Board Meetings are open to the public.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold a work session on Wednesday, June 30th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, followed by Special Board Meeting at 7:00 pm, if deemed necessary. (Special Meeting was not held)
All Board Meetings are open to the public.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold a work session on Saturday, May 29th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, followed by Special Board Meeting at 12:00 pm. Agenda and Zoom link.
All Board Meetings are open to the public.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold a work session on Wednesday, June 30th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, followed by Special Board Meeting at 7:00 pm, if deemed necessary. (Special Meeting was not held)
All Board Meetings are open to the public.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold a work session on Saturday, May 29th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, followed by Special Board Meeting at 12:00 pm. Agenda and Zoom link.
All Board Meetings are open to the public.
POSTPONED: The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold a special Board Meeting at 7:00 pm on Thursday, May 27.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold its regular Board Meeting at 7:00 pm on Monday, May, 17, 2021. A work session is precedes the meeting and starts at 5:30pm. Click here to join the meeting via zoom.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold a special Board Meeting at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, May, 5, 2021. Agenda and Zoom link will be posted here.
All Board Meetings are open to the public.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold a special Board Meeting at 7:15 pm on Tuesday, April 27. Agenda
All Board Meetings are open to the public. Zoom link.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold its regular monthly Board Meeting at 7pm on Monday, April 19, preceded a workshop starting at 5:30pm.
All Board Meetings are open to the public. Click here for a link to the meeting.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold its regular Board Meeting at 7:00 pm on Monday, May, 17, 2021. A work session is precedes the meeting and starts at 5:30pm. Click here to join the meeting via zoom.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold a special Board Meeting at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, May, 5, 2021. Agenda and Zoom link will be posted here.
All Board Meetings are open to the public.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold a special Board Meeting at 7:15 pm on Tuesday, April 27. Agenda
All Board Meetings are open to the public. Zoom link.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold its regular monthly Board Meeting at 7pm on Monday, April 19, preceded a workshop starting at 5:30pm.
All Board Meetings are open to the public. Click here for a link to the meeting.
The Board Development Committee will meet on Friday, April 15, 2021 at 2:00 pm via zoom. This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Zoom link
THIS MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELLED: The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold a special Board Meeting at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Agenda All Board Meetings are open to the public.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold its regular monthly Board Meeting at 7pm on Monday, February 22, preceded a workshop starting at 5:30pm.
To join the meeting, click here. All Board Meetings are open to the public. Click here for a link to the meeting.
THIS MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELLED: The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold a special Board Meeting at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Agenda All Board Meetings are open to the public.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold its regular monthly Board Meeting at 7pm on Monday, February 22, preceded a workshop starting at 5:30pm.
To join the meeting, click here. All Board Meetings are open to the public. Click here for a link to the meeting.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School School Accountability Committee will meet on Tuesday, March 9th, 2021 at 4pm via zoom.
The meeting is open to the public . Click here to join the meeting.
The meeting is open to the public . Click here to join the meeting.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold its regular monthly Board Meeting at 7pm on Monday, February 22, preceded a workshop starting at 5:30pm.
To join the meeting, click here. All Board Meetings are open to the public. Click here for a link to the meeting.
To join the meeting, click here. All Board Meetings are open to the public. Click here for a link to the meeting.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School School Accountability Committee will meet on Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 at 4pm via zoom.
The meeting is open to the public . Click here to join the meeting.
The meeting is open to the public . Click here to join the meeting.
The Board Development Committee will meet on Friday, February 5, 2021 at 12:30 pm via zoom. This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Zoom link:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79777285978?pwd=a0k3WkRNRm1ZbEQxanJSeGtSeEpXZz09
Meeting ID: 797 7728 5978
Passcode: 31U16e
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will meet at 5:30 on January 21.
All Board Meetings are open to the public. To join the meeting, click here.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79777285978?pwd=a0k3WkRNRm1ZbEQxanJSeGtSeEpXZz09
Meeting ID: 797 7728 5978
Passcode: 31U16e
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will meet at 5:30 on January 21.
All Board Meetings are open to the public. To join the meeting, click here.
January 18, 2021
Click here to read the latest communication from the Head of School regarding returning to in-person learning and expanded online learning options.
Click here to read the latest communication from the Head of School regarding returning to in-person learning and expanded online learning options.
January 11, 2021
January The Children's Kiva School Accountability Committee meets on Tuesday January 12, 2021 at 4pm.
Click here to join the meeting. The meeting is open to the public.
Topic: Kiva School Accountability Committee Meeting
Time: Jan 12, 2021 04:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86865551390
January The Children's Kiva School Accountability Committee meets on Tuesday January 12, 2021 at 4pm.
Click here to join the meeting. The meeting is open to the public.
Topic: Kiva School Accountability Committee Meeting
Time: Jan 12, 2021 04:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86865551390
January 11, 2021
The chart below is sourced from data collected by Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School from the Colorado Department of Public Health. A reversal of the post-holiday downward trend last week is now showing an upward trend in Two-week positivity and a Two-Week Average Positive Test rate of 11.02.
Please click on the Kiva 2021 Return to Learn Rubric link above to learn more about how Kiva uses this data to make decisions about returning to in-person learning.
The chart below is sourced from data collected by Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School from the Colorado Department of Public Health. A reversal of the post-holiday downward trend last week is now showing an upward trend in Two-week positivity and a Two-Week Average Positive Test rate of 11.02.
Please click on the Kiva 2021 Return to Learn Rubric link above to learn more about how Kiva uses this data to make decisions about returning to in-person learning.
January 6, 2020
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Return to Learn Committee will meet on January 7, 2020 at 5:30pm.
The meeting is open to the public.
Join Zoom Meeting by clicking here.
Meeting ID: 841 9303 8899
One tap mobile
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The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Return to Learn Committee will meet on January 7, 2020 at 5:30pm.
The meeting is open to the public.
Join Zoom Meeting by clicking here.
Meeting ID: 841 9303 8899
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,84193038899# US (Houston)
+16699009128,,84193038899# US (San Jose)
December 27, 2020
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Return to Learn Committee will meet on December 28, 2020 at 5:30pm.
The meeting is open to the public.
Join Zoom Meeting by clicking here.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Return to Learn Committee will meet on December 28, 2020 at 5:30pm.
The meeting is open to the public.
Join Zoom Meeting by clicking here.
12/14/2020
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold its regular monthly Board Meeting at 7pm on December 14th, preceded a workshop starting at 5:30pm.
To join the meeting, click here. All Board Meetings are open to the public.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold its regular monthly Board Meeting at 7pm on December 14th, preceded a workshop starting at 5:30pm.
To join the meeting, click here. All Board Meetings are open to the public.
12/3/2020
The Board Development Committee meets today at 5:30 pm via zoom. This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Please email bod@kivacharter.org to receive the zoom link.
The Kiva School Accountability Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 1 at 4pm.
The meeting is open to the public. To join the meeting, click here.
The Board Development Committee meets today at 5:30 pm via zoom. This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Please email bod@kivacharter.org to receive the zoom link.
The Kiva School Accountability Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 1 at 4pm.
The meeting is open to the public. To join the meeting, click here.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold a special Board Meeting at 5pm on November 27th.
All Board Meetings are open to the public. To join the meeting, click here
All Board Meetings are open to the public. To join the meeting, click here
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School Board of Directors will hold its regular monthly Board Meeting at 7pm on November 16th, preceded a workshop starting at 5:30pm.
To join the meeting, click here. All Board Meetings are open to the public. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78499419665?pwd=c3EyeWcrMHlCcHM3Qi91WlNvREhpUT09
Meeting ID: 784 9941 9665
Passcode: VKh8dy
To join the meeting, click here. All Board Meetings are open to the public. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78499419665?pwd=c3EyeWcrMHlCcHM3Qi91WlNvREhpUT09
Meeting ID: 784 9941 9665
Passcode: VKh8dy
November 10, 2020
The School Accountability Committee(SAC) will meet today at 4 pm via zoom. Participating in SAC is another great opportunity to support Kiva's efforts during this challenging school year. Please consider joining us. This meeting is open to the public.
Please find the agenda and zoom log in information here.
November 9, 2020
Dear Kiva Families:
Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases which could potentially impact the health and safety of our school community, their families and the local healthcare system, Children's Kiva
Montessori Charter School will begin Distance Learning Mode on Wednesday, November 11th and continue through Thursday, November 19th.
Distance Learning Only (no in-person learning) is scheduled after the Thanksgiving Holiday from November 30th through January 11th. We will continuously monitor the situation to determine if this time period could be shortened or must be extended.
School breakfast and lunch will be available as usual on Tuesday November 10. Kiva will also take orders for school lunch for Wednesday and Thursday by 9am. Please call 970-564-9377.
Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 School District will begin grab-and-go meal service by Monday, November 16th and the order form for these meals will be available later this week on our website and on Facebook.
What to expect this week?
We recognize that this mode of operation presents difficult challenges for families and students, and that the notice is short. Please do not hesitate to reach out to discuss how Kiva can support your student's learning.
Please feel free to reach out to me at 970-564-9377 or headofschool@kivacharter.org with questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
The School Accountability Committee(SAC) will meet today at 4 pm via zoom. Participating in SAC is another great opportunity to support Kiva's efforts during this challenging school year. Please consider joining us. This meeting is open to the public.
Please find the agenda and zoom log in information here.
November 9, 2020
Dear Kiva Families:
Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases which could potentially impact the health and safety of our school community, their families and the local healthcare system, Children's Kiva
Montessori Charter School will begin Distance Learning Mode on Wednesday, November 11th and continue through Thursday, November 19th.
Distance Learning Only (no in-person learning) is scheduled after the Thanksgiving Holiday from November 30th through January 11th. We will continuously monitor the situation to determine if this time period could be shortened or must be extended.
School breakfast and lunch will be available as usual on Tuesday November 10. Kiva will also take orders for school lunch for Wednesday and Thursday by 9am. Please call 970-564-9377.
Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 School District will begin grab-and-go meal service by Monday, November 16th and the order form for these meals will be available later this week on our website and on Facebook.
What to expect this week?
- Tomorrow your student will have school in-person on their regular schedule.
- Student Chromebooks have/will be sent home along with learning packets/notebooks.
- Students will be expected to report to their classrooms digitally at 8am on Wednesday and subsequent school days: home room teachers will communicate with families and students on the new schedules later this week.
- Paper Packets will available for pickup each Friday morning at school. This will be the day that you may drop off completed work as well (if using packets).
- Accommodations and differentiation will continue for students and families.
We recognize that this mode of operation presents difficult challenges for families and students, and that the notice is short. Please do not hesitate to reach out to discuss how Kiva can support your student's learning.
Please feel free to reach out to me at 970-564-9377 or headofschool@kivacharter.org with questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School will have a special meeting on November 9th at 5:30pm.
The Meeting is open to the public. The link to the meeting is here
The Meeting is open to the public. The link to the meeting is here
November 6, 2020
Dear Kiva Families,
The Return to Learn Committee met last night to review current trends of COVID-19 (with an epidemiological expert from Southwest Health System) and listen to comments from parents.
On Monday evening at 5:30 the Board of Directors will meet to discuss the Head of School's recommendation that Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School put plans into place to move to a Distance Learning mode of operations from November 30 up to January 11 (observing two weeks of Christmas and New Years Holiday). This is 17 days of Distance Learning.
The school administration will closely monitor conditions and if they change for the better, may consider returning to a hybrid mode during some portion of this period.
We will make plans to accommodate and differentiate for children and families with special needs. Breakfast and lunch will be available each day through the Montezuma-Cortez School District (more info to follow). In addition, to support your capacity to engage in your child's learning, we are offering trainings each week for families to access technology or use the paper/packet options. Find out more at the Kiva Konnect email or on facebook.
Monday's Board Meeting is open to the public. The link to the meeting is here.
This is a difficult recommendation for me to make from the standpoint of student learning because we know children learn best when they learn in person. In addition, I know first-hand that the extra stress put on families in distance learning is significant.
But from the standpoint of health and safety for our staff, students and the community as a whole, public health depends on all of us coming together to do our part. This is what many of your children learned this week as we explored and took part in a Community Service project. I encourage you to engage your child in understanding how public health is a community service endeavor for all.
Which community are they serving? Those most vulnerable in our community--the elderly and less healthy.
Today, Tony Sudduth, CEO of Southwest Health System, published an open letter informing the community that the hospital is bumping up against its capacity limits for all care, including COVID-19 care, and calling for leadership from all sectors in our community.
Let us help our children understand how they can be leaders in this crisis, right here at home and ensure that those who need medical care can get it.
What can they or you do now? Reduce risk to your school and the community.
Kiva's cautious, cohorted, hybrid approach reduces risk for children, staff and their families. And, leading up to Thanksgiving Break, we must focus on staying safe for its own merits and because staying healthy allows us to stay in school. Just one positive case could force the closure a classroom, or even the whole school. And it could put one more person into a hospital already at its limit.
I am requesting that families:
Warm Regards,
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
Dear Kiva Families,
The Return to Learn Committee met last night to review current trends of COVID-19 (with an epidemiological expert from Southwest Health System) and listen to comments from parents.
On Monday evening at 5:30 the Board of Directors will meet to discuss the Head of School's recommendation that Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School put plans into place to move to a Distance Learning mode of operations from November 30 up to January 11 (observing two weeks of Christmas and New Years Holiday). This is 17 days of Distance Learning.
The school administration will closely monitor conditions and if they change for the better, may consider returning to a hybrid mode during some portion of this period.
We will make plans to accommodate and differentiate for children and families with special needs. Breakfast and lunch will be available each day through the Montezuma-Cortez School District (more info to follow). In addition, to support your capacity to engage in your child's learning, we are offering trainings each week for families to access technology or use the paper/packet options. Find out more at the Kiva Konnect email or on facebook.
Monday's Board Meeting is open to the public. The link to the meeting is here.
This is a difficult recommendation for me to make from the standpoint of student learning because we know children learn best when they learn in person. In addition, I know first-hand that the extra stress put on families in distance learning is significant.
But from the standpoint of health and safety for our staff, students and the community as a whole, public health depends on all of us coming together to do our part. This is what many of your children learned this week as we explored and took part in a Community Service project. I encourage you to engage your child in understanding how public health is a community service endeavor for all.
Which community are they serving? Those most vulnerable in our community--the elderly and less healthy.
Today, Tony Sudduth, CEO of Southwest Health System, published an open letter informing the community that the hospital is bumping up against its capacity limits for all care, including COVID-19 care, and calling for leadership from all sectors in our community.
Let us help our children understand how they can be leaders in this crisis, right here at home and ensure that those who need medical care can get it.
What can they or you do now? Reduce risk to your school and the community.
Kiva's cautious, cohorted, hybrid approach reduces risk for children, staff and their families. And, leading up to Thanksgiving Break, we must focus on staying safe for its own merits and because staying healthy allows us to stay in school. Just one positive case could force the closure a classroom, or even the whole school. And it could put one more person into a hospital already at its limit.
I am requesting that families:
- Send children to school wearing a mask (regardless of age). Remember, wearing a facial covering both protects your child and the child of another parent. If you don't have a mask, one can be provided.
- Continue to screen children before they leave home in the morning.
- Keep children at home if they are not feeling well (cough, fever, headache, runny nose).
- Make sure your child gets 10+ hours of sleep so that their immune systems are strong. Consider carefully your social gatherings and how they might increase risk for you and the other students at school.
- As always, reach out to me with questions or comments at headofschool@kivacharter.org or 970-769-0808.
Warm Regards,
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
The Kiva Montessori Return to Learn Committee will meet Thursday, November 5 at 5:30pm. The meeting is open to the public.
Join Zoom meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87664879844. Meeting ID: 876 6487 9844
Join Zoom meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87664879844. Meeting ID: 876 6487 9844
The Board Development Committee is meeting today at 5:30 pm via zoom. This meeting is open to the public. Please email bod@kivacharter.org, if you'd like to receive the zoom link.
Please note that this meeting is separate from the Return to Learn Committee that is meeting at the same time.
The Board of Directors will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 5:30 pm. to review the FYE2020 Audit and to discuss Mode of learning.
Agenda
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81981545417
Please note that this meeting is separate from the Return to Learn Committee that is meeting at the same time.
The Board of Directors will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 5:30 pm. to review the FYE2020 Audit and to discuss Mode of learning.
Agenda
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81981545417
Kiva is offering technical training to Kiva parents
Tuesday & Thursday afternoons from 3:20-4:00 beginning Oct 27 at the Kiva, in the computer lab.
TOPICS TO BE COVERED:
-Logging into chromebook
-Logging into their child's various learning platforms (Google Classroom, Khan, Readworks, etc.)
-Navigation of Google Classroom (opening, submitting, creating assignments, etc.)
Questions?
Contact Ms. Heidi.
Tuesday & Thursday afternoons from 3:20-4:00 beginning Oct 27 at the Kiva, in the computer lab.
TOPICS TO BE COVERED:
-Logging into chromebook
-Logging into their child's various learning platforms (Google Classroom, Khan, Readworks, etc.)
-Navigation of Google Classroom (opening, submitting, creating assignments, etc.)
Questions?
Contact Ms. Heidi.
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School meets October 19th at 7pm. Click here to join the meeting.
The meeting is open to the public.
The meeting is open to the public.
Dear Kiva Community:
Thank you to the Ute Mountain Ute Education Department--Especially Tina King-Washington and her transportation crew. They are providing transportation for Kiva Students both to campus, and to Learning Expedition Sites.
Volunteers are really helping out at the Kiva this week. Thanks to Catrina Prairie and Chris Cordova for setting up three tents on the lawn and Lavona Hanson and Cheryl Kline for volunteering in the admin office. Shannon Englehart is letting us borrow one of her tents as well. Dave Barber created an architectural rendering of our new school garden and pavilion coming this fall.
The Expectation at Kiva is for all families to donate 20 hours per year. Why? Volunteers make an a VERY IMPORTANT part of our staffing needs. Can you help for 45 minutes once a week? A full day once per month? Now, more than every, we need your support.
Kiva is asking for volunteers for PTO, Admin support, Expedition Support, Lunch Pickup and Building Projects. In addition, the Board of Directors, the Building Corps (Landlord of the Building) and School Accountability Committee all need leadership.
Thank you to the Ute Mountain Ute Education Department--Especially Tina King-Washington and her transportation crew. They are providing transportation for Kiva Students both to campus, and to Learning Expedition Sites.
Volunteers are really helping out at the Kiva this week. Thanks to Catrina Prairie and Chris Cordova for setting up three tents on the lawn and Lavona Hanson and Cheryl Kline for volunteering in the admin office. Shannon Englehart is letting us borrow one of her tents as well. Dave Barber created an architectural rendering of our new school garden and pavilion coming this fall.
The Expectation at Kiva is for all families to donate 20 hours per year. Why? Volunteers make an a VERY IMPORTANT part of our staffing needs. Can you help for 45 minutes once a week? A full day once per month? Now, more than every, we need your support.
Kiva is asking for volunteers for PTO, Admin support, Expedition Support, Lunch Pickup and Building Projects. In addition, the Board of Directors, the Building Corps (Landlord of the Building) and School Accountability Committee all need leadership.
The Children's Kiva Fundraising Committee meets on October 28, 2020 at 5pm. Click here to join meeting via Zoom.
To join the Work Session/Board meeting on October 19, 2020 at 5:30 pm/7 pm:
Time: Oct 19, 2020 05:30 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84161311238?pwd=cUhkZXNENGdrWlRwdEREckJ1VjRNdz09
Meeting ID: 841 6131 1238
Passcode: 0GSMJc
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Meeting ID: 841 6131 1238
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The Children's Kiva Finance Committee meets on October 8, 2020 at 5:30 pm.
To join the meeting via Zoom: link
Meeting ID: 768 8609 0494
Passcode: wbdp9i
The Children's Kiva Fundraising Committee meets on October 28, 2020 at 5pm. Click here to join meeting via Zoom.
To join the Work Session/Board meeting on October 19, 2020 at 5:30 pm/7 pm:
Time: Oct 19, 2020 05:30 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting ID: 841 6131 1238
Passcode: 082064
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdgWh0crvM
The Children's Kiva Finance Committee meets on October 8, 2020 at 5:30 pm.
To join the meeting via Zoom: link
Meeting ID: 768 8609 0494
Passcode: wbdp9i
The Children's Kiva Fundraising Committee meets on October 28, 2020 at 5pm. Click here to join meeting via Zoom.
September 21, 2020
Dear Kiva Families,
School Pictures are scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday September 22nd and Wednesday September 23rd. There will be 5 minute time slots for each student. There are morning and afternoon appointments available.
Please sign your child/children up for one slot only. If your Lower Elementary child is at the school for In-Person Learning, they will already get their picture taken during the school day. There is no need to sign them up.
Middle School and Upper Elementary Students will be off campus for their expedition day and will not be at the school. Parents will need to sign up for pictures on a different day. Wednesday for Middle School and Tuesday for Upper El.
Please click a 5 minute time slot for your students picture appointment.
Sign up for School Pictures
Patty Likes
Administrative Assistant
970 564-9377
admin@kivacharter.org
Dear Kiva Families,
School Pictures are scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday September 22nd and Wednesday September 23rd. There will be 5 minute time slots for each student. There are morning and afternoon appointments available.
Please sign your child/children up for one slot only. If your Lower Elementary child is at the school for In-Person Learning, they will already get their picture taken during the school day. There is no need to sign them up.
Middle School and Upper Elementary Students will be off campus for their expedition day and will not be at the school. Parents will need to sign up for pictures on a different day. Wednesday for Middle School and Tuesday for Upper El.
Please click a 5 minute time slot for your students picture appointment.
Sign up for School Pictures
Patty Likes
Administrative Assistant
970 564-9377
admin@kivacharter.org
The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School meets tonight, September 17, 2020 (via zoom) at 6:30pm. Both are open to the public.
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Meeting ID: 868 4715 2716
Passcode: Uk1Ei4
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The Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School meets tonight, September 14, 2020 (via zoom) at 7:00pm, with a work session starting at 5:30. Both are open to the public.
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Meeting ID: 878 5644 9321
Passcode: 176093
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September 3, 2020
Dear Families,
I'm writing to check in with you about how you and your children are doing--and how we're doing to support you.
We know that many things are working, but others areas need improvement.
Our superpower here at Kiva is an ability to adjust and fine tune to support the needs of families to the best of our ability. But we can't do that without hearing from you.
Please participate in this five-question survey to provide feedback and direction. Your input really matters.
As always, you can reach out to me at headofschool@kivacharter.org and 970-564-9377.
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
Dear Families,
I'm writing to check in with you about how you and your children are doing--and how we're doing to support you.
We know that many things are working, but others areas need improvement.
Our superpower here at Kiva is an ability to adjust and fine tune to support the needs of families to the best of our ability. But we can't do that without hearing from you.
Please participate in this five-question survey to provide feedback and direction. Your input really matters.
As always, you can reach out to me at headofschool@kivacharter.org and 970-564-9377.
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
School Hours, Drop-off, Pick-up Procedures
Daily Schedule:
Drop-Off Procedures:
Dropoff will be from 7:45 am to 7:55 am
Parents are expected to travel East on Empire and turn right into the Parking Lot at 601 N. Mildred. After dropping your student off, parents are expected to turn right onto Mildred.
The curb east (in front of the school) and north of the school is the DROP OFF ZONE. PLEASE DO NOT PARK in the DROP OFF ZONE.
If you wish to accompany your student to the front door, or wish to come into the school, please park in the DESIGNATED PARKING AREA (in the middle of the lot) and bring your student to the front door.
CKMS will have adults present outside at drop off. These adults will be in the various areas of the DROP OFF ZONE to assist children out of the cars and into the building.
Parents who bring their child to school after 8:00am, must park their vehicle in the designated parking areas, walk their child into the school and sign them in.
PLEASE, NO PARKING IN THE PICK-UP/DROP OFF ZONE. Parking in a non-school designated area, may result in a warning being given and further possible consequences include a parking ticket issued by city police.
PICK UP
Students will end their day outside (weather permitting) and be dismissed at 3:20.
Pickup: parents may begin lining up at 3:10.
There are two options for pickup:
Daily Schedule:
- 7:45-7:55 - Drop Off
- 8:00 - School day begins
- 3:20 - Dismissal on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. (parents will be called at 3:25).
Drop-Off Procedures:
Dropoff will be from 7:45 am to 7:55 am
Parents are expected to travel East on Empire and turn right into the Parking Lot at 601 N. Mildred. After dropping your student off, parents are expected to turn right onto Mildred.
The curb east (in front of the school) and north of the school is the DROP OFF ZONE. PLEASE DO NOT PARK in the DROP OFF ZONE.
If you wish to accompany your student to the front door, or wish to come into the school, please park in the DESIGNATED PARKING AREA (in the middle of the lot) and bring your student to the front door.
CKMS will have adults present outside at drop off. These adults will be in the various areas of the DROP OFF ZONE to assist children out of the cars and into the building.
Parents who bring their child to school after 8:00am, must park their vehicle in the designated parking areas, walk their child into the school and sign them in.
PLEASE, NO PARKING IN THE PICK-UP/DROP OFF ZONE. Parking in a non-school designated area, may result in a warning being given and further possible consequences include a parking ticket issued by city police.
PICK UP
Students will end their day outside (weather permitting) and be dismissed at 3:20.
Pickup: parents may begin lining up at 3:10.
There are two options for pickup:
- Quick-pickup: parents/guardians may park in the DROP-OFF ZONE, along the curb east and north of the building. Parents/guardians must exit the vehicle and come to the STUDENT RELEASE AREA, under the flagpole in front of the building. From there, the child will be released to the parent/guardian. Return to your vehicle and exit onto Mildred.
- Slow-pickup: parents/guardians may park in the DESIGNATED PARKING AREA (in the middle of the lot). Parents/guardians must exit the vehicle and come to the student-release area, under the flagpole in front of the building. From there, the child will be released to the parent/guardian. Return to your vehicle and exit onto Mildred.
August 27, 2020
For parents interested in applying for a space in the Kiva Study Space, please click here to fill out an application.
Only applications received before 11am on Friday, August 28, 2020 will be considered.
Kiva will select applicants using a lottery system, overseen by the Board of Directors and administered by the Staff. Families will be selected and offered placement for the 1st Quarter of the school year. The first quarter ends on October 9, 2020.
We are creating the Kiva Study Space.
The Kiva Study Space is not a regular Kiva classroom, but rather a safe space for students to work independently on their online or paper/pencil projects in the Kiva Montessori building.
Families should be aware that the same protocol required for screening at home before school and upon arrival at school will be used for the Study Space. And, that the health and safety protocols for closing cohorts/classrooms and schools will be followed for the Study Space, as it is done for the rest of the School.
For parents interested in applying for a space in the Kiva Study Space, please click here to fill out an application.
Only applications received before 11am on Friday, August 28, 2020 will be considered.
Kiva will select applicants using a lottery system, overseen by the Board of Directors and administered by the Staff. Families will be selected and offered placement for the 1st Quarter of the school year. The first quarter ends on October 9, 2020.
We are creating the Kiva Study Space.
The Kiva Study Space is not a regular Kiva classroom, but rather a safe space for students to work independently on their online or paper/pencil projects in the Kiva Montessori building.
Families should be aware that the same protocol required for screening at home before school and upon arrival at school will be used for the Study Space. And, that the health and safety protocols for closing cohorts/classrooms and schools will be followed for the Study Space, as it is done for the rest of the School.
August 15, 2020
Dear Kiva Families,
I hope this post finds you healthy and well.
Our staff and Board of Directors has been working for two weeks in preparation for the start of school on August 24th.
This letter is about how we will be returning to school with your children: The Kiva Montessori will open the school in the Kiva Hybrid Learning mode.
This means that your child will attend school four (4) days per week, but some of the time they will be at home, and some of the time they will be with other students and their teachers at the Kiva or on an outdoor Learning Expedition. Lower Elementary (1-3) students will learn with only half their class to make social distancing easier.
Kiva will provide new Chromebooks for all children and will make every effort to assist families who don’t have reliable Internet service or materials at home for projects. Much of Kiva’s distance learning will include projects that don’t require technology, but rather use materials sent home with children.
While we hope to return to 100% In-Person learning with your child soon, it is not possible at this moment if we are to protect the health and safety of our students, families, staff and teachers to the highest extent we can. The Board and administration will continue to monitor local conditions in the community to determine whether to adjust the Hybrid Learning Mode, move to In-person Learning, or, conversely shift to Distance Learning. A full description of these modes can be found here in the Kiva Montessori’s Return to Learn plan.
So, What will Kiva Hybrid Learning look like?
The Kiva Hybrid Learning will start with a combination of Distance Learning with Kiva teachers and In-Person Learning at the school (or an Outdoor Learning Expedition). It looks different, depending on your student’s grade level:
Exceptional Students
Lower Elementary:
Upper Elementary:
Middle School
What are the modes of Operation?
Children’s Kiva now has three operating modes called Kiva Direct, as well as one extra option, called KOLO/CDLS not related to the other three.*
Kiva Direct = All three modes of operation
Kiva KOLO/CDLS Option
Why Start with Hybrid Learning?
Kiva Hybrid Learning balances high-quality academic and social/emotional learning with the health and safety of students, families, staff and teachers. With Hybrid Learning, adjustments can be made to support learning--academic and social emotional--as we move forward. And, we start the year with smaller class sizes (50%) in the Lower Elementary and ALL outdoor in-person learning in the Upper Elementary and Middle School classes, increasing health and safety for students and staff.
Hybrid Learning gives us another tool in our belt so that we are flexible and adaptive, rather than hoping that we do not have an outbreak and only then moving to distance learning in a reactive fashion.
It also offers stability and predictability for families for planning. Knowing that your student will be home on a certain day, and at school on another, is likely preferable to receiving a phone call late in the day indicating that the class, or school, is closed the next day.
Kiva Hybrid Learning creates a true partnership with parents, where teachers are engaged throughout the day with each child, either directly (on-line or In-Person), and/or through special projects at home. And, we will continue to provide lunch and breakfast to children when they are at school and at home through our School Lunch Program.
Still, planning and partnerships aren’t everything and we are aware that Hybrid and Distance Learning place a heavy burden on families. The good news is, it's temporary. And while we can’t define temporary, we will monitor local conditions in the community to determine whether to adjust the Hybrid Learning Mode, move to Distance Learning or, conversely, shift to In-person Learning.
How do I find out or say more?
If you are interested in discussing the status of your child’s enrollment or, would like to learn more about learning at Kiva Montessori, please call the office at 970-564-9377 or email admin@kivacharter.org.
Parents of Lower Elementary Students (grades 1-3), please take four minutes to complete this survey to help inform Kiva Montessori's current and future decisions.
You will also learn more when you attend a back-to-school meeting with your student’s teacher next week.
Details on scheduling back to school meetings will be released Monday.
As always, reach out to me with questions or concerns at 970-769-0808.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
Dear Kiva Families,
I hope this post finds you healthy and well.
Our staff and Board of Directors has been working for two weeks in preparation for the start of school on August 24th.
This letter is about how we will be returning to school with your children: The Kiva Montessori will open the school in the Kiva Hybrid Learning mode.
This means that your child will attend school four (4) days per week, but some of the time they will be at home, and some of the time they will be with other students and their teachers at the Kiva or on an outdoor Learning Expedition. Lower Elementary (1-3) students will learn with only half their class to make social distancing easier.
Kiva will provide new Chromebooks for all children and will make every effort to assist families who don’t have reliable Internet service or materials at home for projects. Much of Kiva’s distance learning will include projects that don’t require technology, but rather use materials sent home with children.
While we hope to return to 100% In-Person learning with your child soon, it is not possible at this moment if we are to protect the health and safety of our students, families, staff and teachers to the highest extent we can. The Board and administration will continue to monitor local conditions in the community to determine whether to adjust the Hybrid Learning Mode, move to In-person Learning, or, conversely shift to Distance Learning. A full description of these modes can be found here in the Kiva Montessori’s Return to Learn plan.
So, What will Kiva Hybrid Learning look like?
The Kiva Hybrid Learning will start with a combination of Distance Learning with Kiva teachers and In-Person Learning at the school (or an Outdoor Learning Expedition). It looks different, depending on your student’s grade level:
Exceptional Students
- Participate in the least-restrictive environment--wherever class is
- 1:1 in-school learning
- Distance Learning (on-line and paper packets) as is appropriate
Lower Elementary:
- Three Days of Distance Learning
- On-line, daily lessons with teachers and customized content
- Paper/pencil packets and projects
- Daily movement
- Office Hours for 1:1 in person learning at school
- One Day At School
- Full day
- Class size 50% to support social distancing
- Outdoor classrooms used
- Mini expeditions
- Extra 1:1 for students needing support
Upper Elementary:
- Three Days of Distance Learning
- On-line, daily lessons with teachers and customized content
- Projects
- Daily movement assignments
- Office Hours for 1:1 in person learning at school
- One Day of Whole Class Outdoor Learning Expedition
- Full day
- Class size 100%
- Outdoor environment used to support safety and education
- Full day expedition (in all weather)
Middle School
- Three Days of Distance Learning
- On-line, daily lessons with teachers and customized content
- Projects
- Daily movement assignments
- Office Hours for 1:1 in person learning at school
- One Day of Class Outdoor Learning Expedition
- Full day
- Class size 100%
- Outdoor environment used to support safety and education
- Full day expedition (in all weather)
What are the modes of Operation?
Children’s Kiva now has three operating modes called Kiva Direct, as well as one extra option, called KOLO/CDLS not related to the other three.*
Kiva Direct = All three modes of operation
- In Person Learning: in-person, in-school learning at our facility four days per week;
- Distance Learning: used when a classroom or the school is closed, or, a small group of students must be isolated or quarantined for learning at home; and
- Hybrid Learning: A combination of Distance Learning with Kiva teachers and In-Person Learning. This is the operating mode we will begin the year with. We hope it is temporary.
Kiva KOLO/CDLS Option
- Kiva Online Learning Option (KOLO) in partnership with Colorado Digital Learning Solutions: Students learn with CDLS Teachers and a Kiva Coach to support connection to the school.
- KOLO/CDLS students will be allowed to participate in outdoor expeditions with their class. Families must do a health screening of the child beginning 48 hours before joining the class.
Why Start with Hybrid Learning?
Kiva Hybrid Learning balances high-quality academic and social/emotional learning with the health and safety of students, families, staff and teachers. With Hybrid Learning, adjustments can be made to support learning--academic and social emotional--as we move forward. And, we start the year with smaller class sizes (50%) in the Lower Elementary and ALL outdoor in-person learning in the Upper Elementary and Middle School classes, increasing health and safety for students and staff.
Hybrid Learning gives us another tool in our belt so that we are flexible and adaptive, rather than hoping that we do not have an outbreak and only then moving to distance learning in a reactive fashion.
It also offers stability and predictability for families for planning. Knowing that your student will be home on a certain day, and at school on another, is likely preferable to receiving a phone call late in the day indicating that the class, or school, is closed the next day.
Kiva Hybrid Learning creates a true partnership with parents, where teachers are engaged throughout the day with each child, either directly (on-line or In-Person), and/or through special projects at home. And, we will continue to provide lunch and breakfast to children when they are at school and at home through our School Lunch Program.
Still, planning and partnerships aren’t everything and we are aware that Hybrid and Distance Learning place a heavy burden on families. The good news is, it's temporary. And while we can’t define temporary, we will monitor local conditions in the community to determine whether to adjust the Hybrid Learning Mode, move to Distance Learning or, conversely, shift to In-person Learning.
How do I find out or say more?
If you are interested in discussing the status of your child’s enrollment or, would like to learn more about learning at Kiva Montessori, please call the office at 970-564-9377 or email admin@kivacharter.org.
Parents of Lower Elementary Students (grades 1-3), please take four minutes to complete this survey to help inform Kiva Montessori's current and future decisions.
You will also learn more when you attend a back-to-school meeting with your student’s teacher next week.
Details on scheduling back to school meetings will be released Monday.
As always, reach out to me with questions or concerns at 970-769-0808.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
August 12, 2020
The Board of Directors of Kiva Montessori Charter School will meet Thursday, August 13 at 7:30pm, with a workshop preceding the meeting at 6pm.
The Board will be taking up the question of the mode of operation for the start of school: in-person, on-line or a blend of both.
The meeting is open to the public via Zoom. Click here to join the meeting.
Meeting ID: 871 1959 7036
Passcode: 77k0SK
The Board of Directors of Kiva Montessori Charter School will meet Thursday, August 13 at 7:30pm, with a workshop preceding the meeting at 6pm.
The Board will be taking up the question of the mode of operation for the start of school: in-person, on-line or a blend of both.
The meeting is open to the public via Zoom. Click here to join the meeting.
Meeting ID: 871 1959 7036
Passcode: 77k0SK
August 10, 2020
Dear Kiva Families,
This email is meant to update you on a change of policy regarding Kiva Online Learning Option (KOLO) that we are offering in partnership with Colorado Digital Learning Solutions (CDLS) and the Colorado Department of Education.
To provide families with more flexibility, students enrolled in KOLO/CDLS may now opt to come back to Kiva In Person Learning at any time in the first semester, instead of waiting until the semester break.
Families will not have the option to move back again to KOLO/CDLS once this options is exercised.
To inform families further on their decision to register for in In-Person Learning or KOLO/CDLS, we have another another important health and safety update:
These measures are meant to increase the benefits of social distancing, facial covering and good hygiene in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
Important Dates
About KOLO-CDLS
As always, please reach out to me directly with questions and/or concerns.
Thank you,
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
970-769-0808
Dear Kiva Families,
This email is meant to update you on a change of policy regarding Kiva Online Learning Option (KOLO) that we are offering in partnership with Colorado Digital Learning Solutions (CDLS) and the Colorado Department of Education.
To provide families with more flexibility, students enrolled in KOLO/CDLS may now opt to come back to Kiva In Person Learning at any time in the first semester, instead of waiting until the semester break.
Families will not have the option to move back again to KOLO/CDLS once this options is exercised.
To inform families further on their decision to register for in In-Person Learning or KOLO/CDLS, we have another another important health and safety update:
- Kiva's goal is to provide 50-75% of learning in an outdoor setting in the In-Person Learning Mode, and
- The school has upgraded its Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning System filters improve the air quality and reduce particulate transmission.
These measures are meant to increase the benefits of social distancing, facial covering and good hygiene in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
Important Dates
- KOLO/CDLS First Day of Class: Wednesday, August 26.
- KOLO/CDLS Registration: Wednesday August 12 - Tuesday August 18th. Parents will be asked to complete an information form provided by Kiva Montessori, and then Kiva will complete registration with CDLS.
- KOLO/CDLS The Kiva Information portal will be opened on Wednesday August 12 at kivacharter.org.
About KOLO-CDLS
- The Kiva Montessori Connect option will be taught by educators at our partner, Colorado Digital Learning Solutions (CDLS) and delivered via their platform. The intent for this program is to serve students with a robust and rigorous online learning experience. Students enrolled in the program will stay affiliated with The Kiva Montessori, and students may return to Kiva In-Person Learning at any time.
- This program is completely different from the Spring 2020 experience of emergency remote teaching and learning. This is not a homeschooling program. Each course will be taught by certified educators, supported by Colorado Digital Learning Solutions, and aligned with The Kiva Montessori’s academic expectations. While parents/guardians will play an instrumental role in the learning process at home, the parent/guardian will not be the teacher.
- Courses will be taught by licensed CDLS educators. The content will not be the same as is taught in the Kiva classrooms.
- Kiva has developed a “KOLO-CDLS Coach” position, whose role will be to provide a bridge between families, Kiva and CDLS. Jeff Sand, who holds a Masters Degree in Digital/Online Education and is a middle school teacher here will be our Coach.
- KOLO/CDLS Students may continue to participate in school social and extracurricular activities.
- Students will maintain ties and communication with The Kiva Montessori through the Coach for ongoing service, social components, and the potential return to the physical school environment.
- Parents/guardians will play an integral role in providing structure and accountability to the online program.
- Workload and expectations will be consistent with those outlined in Kiva Montessori In-Person Learning Model.
- Students will be expected to log in and have daily engagement in remote learning experiences.
- Grading practices for remote learning will align with the grading practices for a traditional school setting.
As always, please reach out to me directly with questions and/or concerns.
Thank you,
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
970-769-0808
August 1, 2020
Dear Kiva Families,
There has been a change to the start date of school.
Kiva Montessori will start in-person learning at 8am on August 24th (instead August 17th) to ensure that the school is fully prepared to provide a safe, rich learning environment for students and staff.
Families choosing the Kiva 100% Online Learning Option (KOLO) will begin classes on Wednesday, August 19th.
The following are important dates:
Background
The Board of Directors met in an open session on Friday July 31st and made this decision. In making the decision, the Board of Directors considered many factors, including:
We believe that by investing in preparation up front--preparation of teachers, administration, families and students--we will strengthen our team inside and outside of the walls of the school, ensuring the best environment for academic success and safety of the students and teachers.
Maria Montessori once said, "The child developing harmoniously, and the adult improving themselves at her/is side make a very exciting and attractive feature."
Our work leading up to the start of school is to prepare ourselves to improve at the side of our students, wherever they are, because it is very likely that our students will not always be physically at our side this year.
Or to put it another way, we are going to use our time before school to put together the ingredients to cook up the yummiest version of Green Eggs and Ham we can for the children to gobble up wherever they are:
SAY! I LIKE GREEN EGGS AND HAM!
I DO! I LIKE THEM, SAM-I-AM!
AND I WOULD EAT THEM IN A BOAT.
AND I WOULD EAT THEM WITH A GOAT...
AND I WILL EAT THEM, IN THE RAIN.
AND IN THE DARK. AND ON A TRAIN.
AND IN A CAR. AND IN A TREE.
THEY ARE SO GOOD, SO GOOD, YOU SEE!
SO I WILL EAT THEM IN A BOX.
AND I WILL EAT THEM WITH A FOX.
AND I WILL EAT THEM IN A HOUSE.
AND I WILL EAT THEM WITH A MOUSE.
AND I WILL EAT THEM HERE AND THERE.
SAY! I WILL EAT THEM ANYWHERE!
I DO SO LIKE GREEN EGGS AND HAM!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU, SAM I AM.
KIVA KIDS LEARN IN THEIR SCHOOL
KIVA KIDS LEARN NEAR A POOL
THEY LEARN WHILE HUNTING WITH THEIR MOM
THEY LEARN WHILE GARDENING BY GRANDPA TOM
KIVA KIDS BOUNCE UP AND DOWN
MOSTLY UP, WHEN YOU'RE AROUND
TO THE MOON AND BACK AGAIN
TO LEARN AND LEARN WITH ALL THEIR FRIENDS
I invite you to reach out to me with questions or comments at the phone number below or headofschool@kivacharter.org
Thank you,
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
970-769-0808
Dear Kiva Families,
There has been a change to the start date of school.
Kiva Montessori will start in-person learning at 8am on August 24th (instead August 17th) to ensure that the school is fully prepared to provide a safe, rich learning environment for students and staff.
Families choosing the Kiva 100% Online Learning Option (KOLO) will begin classes on Wednesday, August 19th.
The following are important dates:
- August 3: Registration begins for In-Person Learning. Parents are receiving information on how to register via email. Kiva will provide technical support: call 970-564-9377 or email Admin@kivacharter.org.
- August 10: Registration opens for 100% Online Learning Option (KOLO). Parents will register on line at the Colorado Digital Learning Solutions site. Kiva will provide technical support: call 970-564-9377 or email Admin@kivacharter.org.
- August 17-21: Required Montessori Orientation for ALL new Kiva Families. Times TBD
- August 17-18 Required KOLO Orientation for all families opting for the 100% On-Line Option. Times TBD
- August 19: First day of school for Kiva 100% Online Option (KOLO) Students
- August 24: First day of school for Kiva In-Person-learning
Background
The Board of Directors met in an open session on Friday July 31st and made this decision. In making the decision, the Board of Directors considered many factors, including:
- Disruption to family life
- Health and Safety of students and staff
- Weather for outdoor learning
- The indoor learning environment
- Current local, regional and national trends in the spread of COVID-19 and
- Current readiness of building systems and Hybrid Learning program
We believe that by investing in preparation up front--preparation of teachers, administration, families and students--we will strengthen our team inside and outside of the walls of the school, ensuring the best environment for academic success and safety of the students and teachers.
Maria Montessori once said, "The child developing harmoniously, and the adult improving themselves at her/is side make a very exciting and attractive feature."
Our work leading up to the start of school is to prepare ourselves to improve at the side of our students, wherever they are, because it is very likely that our students will not always be physically at our side this year.
Or to put it another way, we are going to use our time before school to put together the ingredients to cook up the yummiest version of Green Eggs and Ham we can for the children to gobble up wherever they are:
SAY! I LIKE GREEN EGGS AND HAM!
I DO! I LIKE THEM, SAM-I-AM!
AND I WOULD EAT THEM IN A BOAT.
AND I WOULD EAT THEM WITH A GOAT...
AND I WILL EAT THEM, IN THE RAIN.
AND IN THE DARK. AND ON A TRAIN.
AND IN A CAR. AND IN A TREE.
THEY ARE SO GOOD, SO GOOD, YOU SEE!
SO I WILL EAT THEM IN A BOX.
AND I WILL EAT THEM WITH A FOX.
AND I WILL EAT THEM IN A HOUSE.
AND I WILL EAT THEM WITH A MOUSE.
AND I WILL EAT THEM HERE AND THERE.
SAY! I WILL EAT THEM ANYWHERE!
I DO SO LIKE GREEN EGGS AND HAM!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU, SAM I AM.
KIVA KIDS LEARN IN THEIR SCHOOL
KIVA KIDS LEARN NEAR A POOL
THEY LEARN WHILE HUNTING WITH THEIR MOM
THEY LEARN WHILE GARDENING BY GRANDPA TOM
KIVA KIDS BOUNCE UP AND DOWN
MOSTLY UP, WHEN YOU'RE AROUND
TO THE MOON AND BACK AGAIN
TO LEARN AND LEARN WITH ALL THEIR FRIENDS
I invite you to reach out to me with questions or comments at the phone number below or headofschool@kivacharter.org
Thank you,
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
970-769-0808
July 30 Town Hall Meeting Regarding Return to Learn Plan link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82324461941?pwd=RzRoRXErNVZNKzkveG5uU3I5TStJQT09
July 29, 2020
Dear Kiva Families,
Just a quick reminder:
Dear Kiva Families,
Just a quick reminder:
- Town Hall Regarding 100% Online Only Learning Option will be at 5pm on Thursday July 30 via Zoom. Link and Passcode will also be posted to kivacharter.org under the News and Information link.
- Town Hall Regarding Kiva Plan on School ReOpening will be at 6pm on Thursday July 30 via Zoom. Link and Passcode will also be posted to kivacharter.org under the News and Information link.
- A link to the Kiva Plan on ReOpening School may be found below. Within this Learning Plan, you'll find link to Montezuma Cortez RE-1 School District's plan, upon which our plan is based as well as the guidance from the Colorado Department of Education. Our Learning Plan presents the exceptions to the Montezuma Cortez RE-1 Plan that we be implementing.
- Fall Registration for students begins Monday, August 3rd. Registration will be Electronic instead of paper and pencil. More information is below.
| kmfall_2020_learning_and_facilities_plan_approved_07_27_2020.docx.pdf |
July 11, 2020
Hello families:
We're trying to get a high participation on the parent survey and the Town Hall on Monday night. Hearing from you will help us make the best decisions possible as we plan our return to school.
Please take 4 minutes to fill out the Parent survey.
And join us on Monday at 6pm for a Town Hall. Click here to join the Zoom meeting.
Thank you,
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
Hello families:
We're trying to get a high participation on the parent survey and the Town Hall on Monday night. Hearing from you will help us make the best decisions possible as we plan our return to school.
Please take 4 minutes to fill out the Parent survey.
And join us on Monday at 6pm for a Town Hall. Click here to join the Zoom meeting.
Thank you,
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
July 9, 2020
Hello families:
I hope you are enjoying your summer and that this is a time of renewal for you and your children. Many questions have been coming in about what school will look like this fall.
The short answer is, we will start school on Tuesday August, 18th with face-to-face learning, unless we receive direction from public health officials (local or state) indicating that schools cannot open on time, or must open in a different "mode" (see below).
Because our school is small and we already eat lunch and have specials in classrooms, your returning student will likely not notice many changes when in the building. And for our new friends, it will all be new anyway. That said, we expect there will be new procedures such as enhanced hygiene (i.e. handwashing) and health checks at the door in the morning.
We are also working on creating a 100% on-line option for families who may not be comfortable returning to in-person learning at Kiva. If this is an option you'd like to know more about, please contact me at 970-769-0808.
To help us learn more about what works for your family, I'm requesting you take 4 minutes to fill out the survey in the Kiva News sent to you email earlier today. In addition, we will hold a town hall meeting on Monday evening at 6pm via zoom. Details for joining the Town Hall are in the same email.
I recognize that no matter what we do, this will be a difficult time for all, and for some it will feel impossible. We are a school community that prides itself on supporting others and being supported. Let us (adults) follow our children's model of vulnerability, curiosity and wonder as we work through this moment in our history together.
Here's a snapshot of the emerging (but NOT final) modes of operation that we think we will be moving in and out of, depending on the emerging scenario.
Scenario and Mode of Operation
Scenario: Start of the Year
Mode: Normal Face-to-Face Learning: Cohorts of up to 25 students per room, grades 1-8, attend school at 601 N. Mildred. (Kindergarten will attend school at the Kiva Montessori Children’s House on Empire). Children will eat in class and stay with their class all day.
Scenario: Local outbreak of COVID-19
Mode: Hybrid Learning: Cohorts of 50% class capacity engage in education on a staggered schedule at school and at home. For example, Cohort A comes to school on Monday and Thursday, and learns from home Tuesday and Friday (Wednesday we clean the school and do planning)
Scenario: Positive COVID-19 Case in School or Regional/Statewide Lock Down
Mode: Distance Learning: Students in a class with a positive COVID-19 Case learn from home or, if the whole school is shut, nearly all students engage in distance learning at home.*
*Please note: Students with high needs ESS or MTSS may attend the bricks and mortar facility more regularly than other students.
Enrollment
Kiva is still enrolling students and space is limited. If you know of someone who would like to enroll their child, send them to our website.
As always, if you have questions, please contact me at 970-769-0808 or at the office at 970-564-9377.
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
Hello families:
I hope you are enjoying your summer and that this is a time of renewal for you and your children. Many questions have been coming in about what school will look like this fall.
The short answer is, we will start school on Tuesday August, 18th with face-to-face learning, unless we receive direction from public health officials (local or state) indicating that schools cannot open on time, or must open in a different "mode" (see below).
Because our school is small and we already eat lunch and have specials in classrooms, your returning student will likely not notice many changes when in the building. And for our new friends, it will all be new anyway. That said, we expect there will be new procedures such as enhanced hygiene (i.e. handwashing) and health checks at the door in the morning.
We are also working on creating a 100% on-line option for families who may not be comfortable returning to in-person learning at Kiva. If this is an option you'd like to know more about, please contact me at 970-769-0808.
To help us learn more about what works for your family, I'm requesting you take 4 minutes to fill out the survey in the Kiva News sent to you email earlier today. In addition, we will hold a town hall meeting on Monday evening at 6pm via zoom. Details for joining the Town Hall are in the same email.
I recognize that no matter what we do, this will be a difficult time for all, and for some it will feel impossible. We are a school community that prides itself on supporting others and being supported. Let us (adults) follow our children's model of vulnerability, curiosity and wonder as we work through this moment in our history together.
Here's a snapshot of the emerging (but NOT final) modes of operation that we think we will be moving in and out of, depending on the emerging scenario.
Scenario and Mode of Operation
Scenario: Start of the Year
Mode: Normal Face-to-Face Learning: Cohorts of up to 25 students per room, grades 1-8, attend school at 601 N. Mildred. (Kindergarten will attend school at the Kiva Montessori Children’s House on Empire). Children will eat in class and stay with their class all day.
Scenario: Local outbreak of COVID-19
Mode: Hybrid Learning: Cohorts of 50% class capacity engage in education on a staggered schedule at school and at home. For example, Cohort A comes to school on Monday and Thursday, and learns from home Tuesday and Friday (Wednesday we clean the school and do planning)
Scenario: Positive COVID-19 Case in School or Regional/Statewide Lock Down
Mode: Distance Learning: Students in a class with a positive COVID-19 Case learn from home or, if the whole school is shut, nearly all students engage in distance learning at home.*
*Please note: Students with high needs ESS or MTSS may attend the bricks and mortar facility more regularly than other students.
Enrollment
Kiva is still enrolling students and space is limited. If you know of someone who would like to enroll their child, send them to our website.
As always, if you have questions, please contact me at 970-769-0808 or at the office at 970-564-9377.
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
June 25, 2020
Hello families:
We are planning on returning to the building in August, and just like other schools in our region, we are awaiting guidance from Colorado Department of Education and the Local and State Health Authorities. We are also working closely with the Montezuma-Cortez School District to coordinate activities where it makes sense.
I recognize that no matter what we do, this will be a difficult time for all, and for some it will feel impossible. We are a school community that prides itself on supporting others and being supported. Let us (adults) follow our children's model of vulnerability, curiosity and wonder as we work through this moment in our history together.
2020-21 Schedules and Options
In June the school 2020-21 academic calendar was adopted and we began working to develop options for reopening school in the fall (i.e. August). The regular academic calendar, you'll note, has many four-day weeks, as well as regular five-day weeks. And, we will no longer have a 1/2 day on Wednesday, but will be shifting teacher collaboration, training and planning time to Fridays.
The regular academic calendar will be supplanted with new operating modes should our community and state be required to isolate to reduce COVID-19 transmission.
To inform these emerging plans, we will be sending a survey out on Monday to ask about your needs and ideas for your family and student.
In the meantime, I wanted to give a snapshot of the emerging (but NOT final) modes of operation that we think we will be moving in and out of.
Normal Face-to-Face Learning: Cohorts of up to 25 students per room, grades 1-8, attend school at 601 N. Mildred. (Kindergarten will attend school at the Kiva Montessori Children’s House on Empire.). Children will eat in class and stay with their class all day.
Hybrid Learning: Cohorts of 50% class capacity engage in education on a staggered schedule at school and at home. For example, Cohort A comes to school on Monday and Thursday, and learns from home Tuesday and Friday (Wednesday we clean the school and do planning)
Distance Learning: Nearly all students engage in distance learning at home.
Please note: Students with high needs ESS or MTSS may attend the bricks and mortar facility more regularly than other students. In addition, Kiva staff has begun exploring the idea of engaging small cohorts of students in outdoor activities in lieu of at home-distance learning. Finally, we are also evaluating the limitations of distance learning for younger children and how we can be creative in engaging them in a Distance Learning environment.
New Teachers
We are excited to invite four new teachers into our growing school Community: Jeff Sand, Middle School; Hiedy Whitmer, Upper Elementary; Christopher LaRose Lead Teacher, Upper Elementary and Ms. Donitza Ivanovich, Upper Elementary Lead Teacher.
Jeff comes to us from Cortez Middle School and Southwest Open School, Hiedy from Manaugh and Chris was most recently at Dolores Elementary. Donitza was the educational coordinator at the Powerhouse in Durango, and taught science at Montezuma Cortez High School and Battlerock.
Enrollment
Kiva is still enrolling students and space is limited. If you know of someone who would like to enroll their child, send them to our website.
As always, if you have questions, please contact me at 970-769-0808 or at the office at 970-564-9377.
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
Hello families:
We are planning on returning to the building in August, and just like other schools in our region, we are awaiting guidance from Colorado Department of Education and the Local and State Health Authorities. We are also working closely with the Montezuma-Cortez School District to coordinate activities where it makes sense.
I recognize that no matter what we do, this will be a difficult time for all, and for some it will feel impossible. We are a school community that prides itself on supporting others and being supported. Let us (adults) follow our children's model of vulnerability, curiosity and wonder as we work through this moment in our history together.
2020-21 Schedules and Options
In June the school 2020-21 academic calendar was adopted and we began working to develop options for reopening school in the fall (i.e. August). The regular academic calendar, you'll note, has many four-day weeks, as well as regular five-day weeks. And, we will no longer have a 1/2 day on Wednesday, but will be shifting teacher collaboration, training and planning time to Fridays.
The regular academic calendar will be supplanted with new operating modes should our community and state be required to isolate to reduce COVID-19 transmission.
To inform these emerging plans, we will be sending a survey out on Monday to ask about your needs and ideas for your family and student.
In the meantime, I wanted to give a snapshot of the emerging (but NOT final) modes of operation that we think we will be moving in and out of.
Normal Face-to-Face Learning: Cohorts of up to 25 students per room, grades 1-8, attend school at 601 N. Mildred. (Kindergarten will attend school at the Kiva Montessori Children’s House on Empire.). Children will eat in class and stay with their class all day.
Hybrid Learning: Cohorts of 50% class capacity engage in education on a staggered schedule at school and at home. For example, Cohort A comes to school on Monday and Thursday, and learns from home Tuesday and Friday (Wednesday we clean the school and do planning)
Distance Learning: Nearly all students engage in distance learning at home.
Please note: Students with high needs ESS or MTSS may attend the bricks and mortar facility more regularly than other students. In addition, Kiva staff has begun exploring the idea of engaging small cohorts of students in outdoor activities in lieu of at home-distance learning. Finally, we are also evaluating the limitations of distance learning for younger children and how we can be creative in engaging them in a Distance Learning environment.
New Teachers
We are excited to invite four new teachers into our growing school Community: Jeff Sand, Middle School; Hiedy Whitmer, Upper Elementary; Christopher LaRose Lead Teacher, Upper Elementary and Ms. Donitza Ivanovich, Upper Elementary Lead Teacher.
Jeff comes to us from Cortez Middle School and Southwest Open School, Hiedy from Manaugh and Chris was most recently at Dolores Elementary. Donitza was the educational coordinator at the Powerhouse in Durango, and taught science at Montezuma Cortez High School and Battlerock.
Enrollment
Kiva is still enrolling students and space is limited. If you know of someone who would like to enroll their child, send them to our website.
As always, if you have questions, please contact me at 970-769-0808 or at the office at 970-564-9377.
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
May 8, 2020
Dear Kiva Community,
Thank you all for your dedication and patience throughout the year, especially this last few weeks.
It is time to wind down the school year and say goodbye for the summer. Our last day of school is Friday, May 15.
We will hold a special, End of Year Parade on the Kiva's parking lot on May 15th and we hope all students and families will join us. We will be sending poster board home for your child to decorate and put on our lawn as a parade decoration. More details will follow later today.
Starting today, you may pick up your child's belongings on the following schedule. They will be bagged and labeled for your convenience.
Pick Up Poster Board and Belongings
Friday, May 8, 9am--2pm
Monday, May 11, 9am--2pm
Tuesday, May 12, 5pm--7pm
Drop off Decorated Poster Board and Chromebooks
Thursday, May 14, 8am--4pm
End of Year Parade
Friday, May 15, 5:30pm
I'm looking forward to seeing you and your students on the 15th. As always, if you have questions, please contact me at 970-769-0808 or at the office at 970-564-9377.
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
Dear Kiva Community,
Thank you all for your dedication and patience throughout the year, especially this last few weeks.
It is time to wind down the school year and say goodbye for the summer. Our last day of school is Friday, May 15.
We will hold a special, End of Year Parade on the Kiva's parking lot on May 15th and we hope all students and families will join us. We will be sending poster board home for your child to decorate and put on our lawn as a parade decoration. More details will follow later today.
Starting today, you may pick up your child's belongings on the following schedule. They will be bagged and labeled for your convenience.
Pick Up Poster Board and Belongings
Friday, May 8, 9am--2pm
Monday, May 11, 9am--2pm
Tuesday, May 12, 5pm--7pm
Drop off Decorated Poster Board and Chromebooks
Thursday, May 14, 8am--4pm
End of Year Parade
Friday, May 15, 5:30pm
I'm looking forward to seeing you and your students on the 15th. As always, if you have questions, please contact me at 970-769-0808 or at the office at 970-564-9377.
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
March 26, 2020
Hello Kiva Community,
We just reached out to all of the Kiva Families--thank you Angel Morris--to check in, make sure everyone is safe and tell the students we miss 'em.
I'd like to start this note by stating that we are all growing and stretching--and some are in real pain. Many people in our area--some receiving this email--don't know where the next paycheck is coming from or how to access food, or even shelter, let alone the Internet for student learning.
If we do nothing else through our new experiment in on-line and distance learning, I hope the Kiva Montessori Charter can inspire our community to open a space in us and our children to let the kindness, courtesy and awareness come through and connect to others.
Here's a look forward into the next few weeks at Kiva.
Please fill out the Tech Survey. Even if you've already filled it out, we NEED you to take two minutes and do it again (extra questions have been added).
We are trying to build curriculum for the students that can be worked on during the schedule that works best for your family. In other words, the sample schedule below might not work for you and your children. That's great. What's important is the routine and finding what works for you and your children.
Here's the snapshot of what's happening for distance/on-line education next week.
Just below this email, you'll find a SAMPLE schedule that may spark some ideas at your end.
Please reach out to me with questions or concerns at headofschool@kivacharter.org or 970-564-9377.
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
Hello Kiva Community,
We just reached out to all of the Kiva Families--thank you Angel Morris--to check in, make sure everyone is safe and tell the students we miss 'em.
I'd like to start this note by stating that we are all growing and stretching--and some are in real pain. Many people in our area--some receiving this email--don't know where the next paycheck is coming from or how to access food, or even shelter, let alone the Internet for student learning.
If we do nothing else through our new experiment in on-line and distance learning, I hope the Kiva Montessori Charter can inspire our community to open a space in us and our children to let the kindness, courtesy and awareness come through and connect to others.
Here's a look forward into the next few weeks at Kiva.
Please fill out the Tech Survey. Even if you've already filled it out, we NEED you to take two minutes and do it again (extra questions have been added).
We are trying to build curriculum for the students that can be worked on during the schedule that works best for your family. In other words, the sample schedule below might not work for you and your children. That's great. What's important is the routine and finding what works for you and your children.
Here's the snapshot of what's happening for distance/on-line education next week.
- March 16-27.
- Connect to families,
- set up technology and support systems.
- Families set up learning schedules in their homes (plan on three hours of academic work daily for 1st-5th, split into two segments and 4-5 hours for 6-8th grade). Remember to intersperse lots of brain breaks (exercise, play, curious time--puzzles, baking, digging in the yard, throwing rocks, collecting things of interest) throughout the day.
- No access to the building for students and parents. Phone calls only.
- March 31-April 1,
- Teachers reach out to students and families.
- Families receive technology and directions.
- Families receive schedule of what to expect each day and when, as well as expectations we have around academic work.
- Some students receive first academic assignments and test technology.
- Troubleshoot problems with technology and communication. Support families.
- Teacher office hours established.
- Office hours from 8am to 4pm at the front desk, but no access to the building for parents and students. Parents may arrange a face-to-face meeting by calling the office.
- April 6-10
- Students begin to master technology and connection with teachers.
- Kiva evaluates and monitors progress of program, refines.
Just below this email, you'll find a SAMPLE schedule that may spark some ideas at your end.
Please reach out to me with questions or concerns at headofschool@kivacharter.org or 970-564-9377.
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
| km_march_2020_sample_schedule.pdf |
Dear Parents,
This Survey, updated on March 25, 2020 is meant to understand what tools you may have in your home to facilitate distance learning. EVEN IF YOU'VE already filled this out, PLEASE DO IT AGAIN, as we have updated a number of questions. Click HERE to access the survey.
We are busy planning a launch of our Distance/On-Line Learning which will ramp up from March 31-April 3rd. This week and next, during the ramp up time, expect to hear from teachers and administrators related to the wellbeing of your child, tools for getting ready to learn and updates on how we're doing.
Please reach out with questions at headofschool@kivacharter.org.
March 23, 2020
The Montezuma-Cortez School District is stepping up with an Expanded Lunch Program, providing FREE breakfast and lunch to ALL children 18 and under.
To schedule your child's meal (s) for next week, please click here and fill out the survey by Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 3:00 pm.
This service is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 30, 2020. Again, all meals will be free to any child 18 and under.
Meals would be ready for pickup at Cortez Middle School from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. Times and location could change due to demand.
These meals would be grab and go and meet the nutritional requirements of USDA.
March 14, 2020
Dear Kiva Community,
Kiva Montessori Charter and Children’s House are working closely with the Montezuma Cortez RE-1 School District and the Montezuma County Health Department to assess the emerging COVID-19 outbreak nationwide and in Colorado.
As of today, there are no known cases of COVID-19 in Southwest Colorado. But, out of an abundance of caution, the District has decided to close school starting Monday, March 16th through the 20th and then continue with Spring Break on Monday March 23rd through March 27th.
Children’s Kiva Montessori School will do the same and extend Spring Break a week earlier.
We will evaluate the situation at least daily and work to keep you informed.
We will be working with Montezuma Cortez RE-1 and the Montezuma County Health Department to train on best cleaning, communication and management practices over the break.
In the meantime, here is some guidance on how to speak to your children about COVID-19.
Remain calm and reassuring.
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
Dear Kiva Community,
Kiva Montessori Charter and Children’s House are working closely with the Montezuma Cortez RE-1 School District and the Montezuma County Health Department to assess the emerging COVID-19 outbreak nationwide and in Colorado.
As of today, there are no known cases of COVID-19 in Southwest Colorado. But, out of an abundance of caution, the District has decided to close school starting Monday, March 16th through the 20th and then continue with Spring Break on Monday March 23rd through March 27th.
Children’s Kiva Montessori School will do the same and extend Spring Break a week earlier.
We will evaluate the situation at least daily and work to keep you informed.
We will be working with Montezuma Cortez RE-1 and the Montezuma County Health Department to train on best cleaning, communication and management practices over the break.
In the meantime, here is some guidance on how to speak to your children about COVID-19.
Remain calm and reassuring.
- Remember that children will react to both what you say and how you say it. They will pick up cues from the conversations you have with them and with others.
- Make time to talk. Be sure children know they can come to you when they have questions.
- Remember that viruses can make anyone sick, regardless of a person’s race or ethnicity. Avoid making assumptions about who might have COVID-19.
- Consider reducing the amount of screen time focused on COVID-19. Too much information on one topic can lead to anxiety.
- Give children information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child.
- Talk to children about how some stories on COVID-19 on the Internet and social media may be based on rumors and inaccurate information.
- Remind children to stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing or sick.
- Remind them to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, then throw the tissue into the trash.
- Discuss any new actions that may be taken at school to help protect children and school staff.
(e.g., increased handwashing, cancellation of events or activities) - Get children into a handwashing habit.
- Teach them to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
- If soap and water are not available, teach them to use hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol. Supervise young children when they use hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing alcohol, especially in schools and childcare facilities.
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School
March 12, 2020
Dear Kiva Community,
Children's Kiva is working in close coordination with the Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 School District and the Colorado Department of Education to plan for the emergence of COVID-19 in our schools.
The Governor’s Office and State Health Department has announced that the state has identified “presumed positive” cases of COVID in Colorado and the Governor’s Office has announced enhanced state efforts to prevent further spread of COVID. And, at the moment, officials have stated there are no presumed positive cases of COVID-19 in Southwest Colorado.
However, it is not a matter of if, but when, COVID-19 comes to our area and our school.
How we plan for it and take care of each other during it, will distinguish our community. And this effort will take all of us, working together.
The goal of planning and preparing is to slow down the spread of the virus so the number of people who are sick do not overwhelm our public health, first responder and health care systems.
It is important for parents to know that most children who contract the virus suffer mild symptoms only. Our school nurse advises that if you suspect your child has COVID-19 symptoms, the best course of action is to self isolate and call a triage support person at the Montezuma County Health Department 970-565-3056 to discuss the symptoms.
Here are the steps we are taking to mitigate risk to your child and the community:
- -Deep sanitization and cleaning – Our custodial staff has been applying deep cleaning methods over the last two weeks and will continue to do so in the coming weeks to disinfect the building.
- -We have added a new space for children exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19--called the Waiting Room--to wait comfortably while they wait to be picked up from school. This is not the same room as the nurse's station.
- -Educating students and staff on how to prevent the spread of colds and flus – Our teachers have been providing educational materials to all our students reminding them to wash their hands regularly, cover their mouths if they cough, etc. We will be hanging more posters in our schools reminding students to do these things.
- -Sending students and staff who are feeling sick home – The school nurse will continue to screen students with health concerns at school and may ask parents to pick up sick students. We may also ask students to wear a mask while in the Waiting Room while they are waiting for their parents to pick them up, if the nurse believes a student may have the flu (including regular flu or COVID).
- -Asking parents to describe their child's symptoms when they call in to let us know their child is sick. Expect a call back from our administrator, Angel.
- -Website Updates – check regularly at kivacharter.org for updates.
We are also asking that parents do not send your child to school if they may be sick. Keeping your sick child home will be a great benefit for the health and wellness of all students and staff. We are also asking that staff stay home if they are sick. We may be asking a few additional questions for students or staff calling in sick as well to help us understand the presence of the flu in our schools and community. Please read the link on “How Sick is Too Sick”.
Finally, I wanted to share our current criteria for closing schools, per the guidance of the Colorado Department of Health and Environment communicated closure criteria for schools:These requirements are subject to update and change.
- -Any school in Colorado with a single confirmed cased of COVID-19 in a staff or student will close for a minimum of 72 hours for cleaning and social distancing.
- -Any schools that are closed will partner with their local public health agency to conduct contact tracing and further COVID-19 testing.
- -Any school with a a second confirmed case of COVID-19 in a staff or student within a 30-day period requires a second minimum 72-hour closure for cleaning, testing and public health investigation.
- -If three schools in a district have confirmed cases of COVID-19 within a 30-day period, all schools within the district are required to close for 14 days for cleaning, testing and public health investigation.
Please visit the Colorado Department of Health and Environment for more information and please reach out to my office with any questions or concerns at 970-564-9377 or head of school@kivacharter.org.
Best regards,
Jeffrey Pope
Head of School