SSDS staff uses strategies from the Pyramid model, an evidence-based framework for teaching social-emotional skills. Redirection is conveyed in a positive manner: we tell children what they should do (shovels are for digging) as opposed to what they shouldn’t be doing (don’t swing the shovel).  We teach children to recognize feelings in themselves and others, and help them practice self-calming strategies. We model, teach and help children practice conflict resolution skills.

SSDS understands the importance of outdoor play and schedules at least an hour a day for each class to be on our playground. Pack those rain jackets, rain boots, gloves & hats — we go out rain or shine and on chilly days! In the event that the wind-chill or the heat-index represent a health risk, SSDS will limit or cancel time outdoors as needed for the given day.

Potty training is a very individualized experience for each child and each family. This is one area in which children have much more control than their adults. SSDS will collaborate with families to support their children through this process and set them up for success!

While a child is in the process of potty training, parents should always send additional underwear, bottoms and shoes just in case. Accidents happen, and that’s okay!

We do not require our students in our 2s and 3s classes to be potty trained. In general, potty training is required for our PreK students.

In accordance with MSDE’s Office of Child Care, all children who remain at SSDS for afternoon programming must be provided a rest time.  Children who need to nap will be provided a quiet space to do so.  Children who do not nap, will be provided a quiet space in which to rest for at least 20 minutes.

No Nuts

SSDS is a nut free school. All snacks and lunches either brought from home or provided by the school, must be nut free.

Snacks and Meals

Families in our core program are responsible for providing snacks and lunches for their own children. SSDS will refrigerate perishables but does not microwave or otherwise heat food for children, so parents must provide food that is ready to eat.

SSDS will provide afternoon snacks for all children who stay for our afternoon programs. Snacks will be provided in accordance with a monthly schedule.

Milk

Families are responsible for providing 1% organic milk for their child’s class on a scheduled, rotating basis. The class Scheduler will include the milk schedule on the google class calendar (along with the class participation schedule).

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE CHECKLIST

A child cannot start attending school until all forms and paperwork have been submitted to SSDS.  

Once enrolled, all of these forms are easily accessible through a personalized list of requirements on your family portal.  You’ll be able to tell which requirements are fulfilled and which requirements are still outstanding. Please email office@silverspringdayschool.org with any questions!

REQUIRED FOR STUDENTS

• Online form to be completed or updated for ALL students, every year. 

• • SSDS “Emergency Information” online form
    • Available on your family portal

• Medical forms to be downloaded and completed for all new students (this includes siblings) OR any students with a change in health or immunization status (Exception: if your child turns 2 after June 26th, please wait until their 2 year old check up to complete these forms).

• • OCC 1215 : Child Health Inventory
    • To be downloaded, completed by parent and doctor and signed by a doctor.  Only requires updating if your child’s health status has changed.
  • MDH 4620 : Blood Lead Testing Certificate
    • Must be completed by physician, only requires updating if your child has received a second lead test since first submission. 

• • MDH 896 : Maryland Department of Health Immunization Certificate
    • Must be completed by physician, or accompanied by physician-signed printout of immunization record.  Only requires updating if your child receives any new immunizations. 
    • SSDS does not accept religious exemptions.

• Medical condition or allergy forms to be downloaded and completed only if your child has a medical condition or allergy.
  • • Must be submitted annually if your child has medication to be administered  at school, including emergency medications.
    • Medication must be provided in original packaging, including over-the-counter medications.

• • Allergy and Anaphylaxis Medication Administration Authorization Plan- every year if applicable
  • Asthma Action Plan and Medication Administration Authorization Form – every year if applicable
  • Seizure/Convulsion/Epilepsy Disorder Medication Administration Authorization Form – every year if applicable
  • OCC 1216 : Medication Administration Authorization Form
    • For all other types of medication

REQUIRED FOR PARENTS/ADULTS PARTICIPATING IN CLASSROOM

Up to three family members may be designated as participating adults. 

• Parent medical form to be downloaded and completed by new participating adults (this includes new families and any other parents/adults who have never participated in an SSDS class before and want to this year) 

• • OCC 1204 : Medical Evaluation for Child Care
    • Medical forms remain valid for the duration of enrollment at SSDS.  Only requires updating if health status has changed
    • TB tests and immunization records are only required if the examining physician deems them necessary 

• Fingerprinting and training by new participating adults (this includes new families and any other parents/adults who have never participated in an SSDS class before and want to this year) 

• •  Fingerprinting
    • The easiest way to get your fingerprinting done is to attend an SSDS fingerprinting event (held in late spring)
    • If you cannot join us, fingerprinting is available at American Identity Solutions.  Be sure to bring the SSDS fingerprinting form which includes our authorization numbers that must be associated with your prints.
    • Forms to be completed at home and brought to SSDS
      • OCC 1260 : Release of Information (ROI): we need your notarized original hard copy.  We can notarize it for free by appointment during our office hours. 
      • Privacy Act Statement/Noncriminal Justice Applicant’s Privacy Rights
    • Fingerprinting is site specific – if you’ve been fingerprinted for another job, etc., unfortunately, those results will not apply to SSDS

• • Child Abuse Prevention Training 
    • Review our Child Abuse Prevention powerpoint slides, and complete the quiz that is linked on the last slide.

As a Parent Participatory School, SSDS welcomes all families to play an active role in caring for children alongside our educators.  They are there to be part of the life of the classroom and should be encouraged to participate in all aspects of the classroom day. The relationship building that can happen during participation is truly valued at SSDS.

In-classroom participating parents can expect to participate up to 12 times (full), six times (half), 3 times (quarter), or O (Non) during the school year. A fee is associated with any level other than full participation.**Parent participation shifts are only for the Core Program and do not include Enrichment hours.**

Parent participants are not included in the consideration of adult-child ratios.  All classrooms are staffed with SSDS Faculty sufficient to meet legal ratio requirements. 

Participation Requirements: 

In order to ensure the safety of our students and maintain compliance with Maryland State Law, approved parent participants must:

Scheduling for Participants:

The in-classroom participation schedule is developed in trimesters (Sept – Nov, Dec – Feb, March – June) by the classroom Scheduler. The Scheduler will reach out to the class to solicit availability and then create the schedule using said availability on the shared class google calendar. Schedules will be shared three months at a time.

The Day of:

A participation shift is one full school day, including a 15 minute prep/clean-up period before and after the core school hours. The parent helps prepare the room for the arrival of the students, assists the classroom teacher and assistant during the day (and has a ton of fun!), and helps to clean up the classroom/get ready for the following day. Check out our “Day in the Life of a Parent Participant” video to be prepared for a successful day in the classroom! 

Finding Replacements:

Parents are responsible for finding their own replacement/swap if they cannot fulfill their in-classroom participation commitment that day. Nannies, au pairs and caregivers are generally not acceptable substitutes for in-classroom participation. If you are unable to find a replacement and the school needs to find a substitute, there will be a $75 missed parent participation fee.

SSDS Family Jobs:

In addition, each family at SSDS is required to take on one job per child enrolled. A sign up genius is released in July and all jobs are on a first come first serve basis. Below are some of the committees available:

• Child Care Support
• Class Scheduler
• Community Engagement
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Fall Family School-wide Events
• Festivla and Fairs
• Homeroom Parent
• Plant Sale Fundraiser
• Playground/Facilities Maintenance
• School-wide Cultural Arts
• Spring Celebration Fundraiser
• Staff Appreciation

Keeping your Child Home

SSDS Illness and virus protocols include:

• Always monitor for symptoms.
• Stay home when sick. 
• Students and staff can return to SSDS once they are 24 hour fever free and all other symptoms have significantly improved. 
• When a child or staff member is confirmed to have a contagious illness whether confirmed by test, doctor, or otherwise, please let the office know. SSDS will send a courtesy email to the exposed class/es. Communicable diseases to notify SSDS, include but are not limited to:

• • COVID – 19 and other respiratory viruses
  • Influenza
  • RSV
  • Strep throat
  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
  • Coxsackie virus (hand, foot, and mouth)
  • Fifth disease
  • Chicken pox
  • Head lice (Note change: can return after at least one treatment and must continue treatment until all lice and nits are gone.)

Then, individual families and staff members can make a decision about any additional precautions they want to take based on the exposed illness, their risk factors or other considerations.

In addition to the above named illnesses, children must stay home if they have any of the following symptoms:

• A temperature of 100 degrees or above. Children can return to school following a fever after being fever-free for a full 24 hours without fever reducing medication. A child who leaves school in the middle of the day due to a fever must therefore stay home at least the following day.
• Heavy nasal discharge.
• A constant cough caused by illness (as opposed to asthma).
• Symptoms of a possible communicable disease — for example: sniffles, reddened eyes, any unusual rash or sores, sore throat, headache, abdominal pain, plus a fever.
• Vomiting or diarrhea. Children can return to school after being completely free of these symptoms for a full 24 hours.
• Clearly not feeling well based on demeanor.

Return to school is in large part based on an individual’s progression of symptoms. Individuals can return to SSDS once they are 24 hour fever free and all other symptoms have significantly improved. In some instances a doctor’s note will be required to return. As previously done, SSDS Admin will work individually with families based on their circumstances. We want to keep everyone as healthy as possible.

SSDS will continue to always monitor and evaluate illness patterns at school and work with medical professionals and the department of health as needed.  Should additional prevention measures be recommended at any time by our medical advisors or local health department, SSDS will immediately work with them to implement these necessary measures at our school. And if necessary in particular situations SSDS will ask individuals to take additional preventative measures due to certain circumstances.