WMS COVID-19 FAQ

Wilmington Montessori School has put a number of safety measures into place and will continue to research best practices and follow licensing guidelines. Our most up-to-date policies can be viewed here.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, WMS has remained in close communication with Delaware Department of Education Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL), along with other schools in the region and beyond. In addition, we continue to receive information from the Delaware Division of Public Health and CDC, while also considering the specific needs of our WMS community.
 

Per the State of Delaware, masks/face-coverings are now optional at WMS. Optional masking allows each family and staff member to make their own choices regarding ongoing protection from COVID-19. Those who feel that masking continues to be the safest option for themselves or others around them are encouraged to continue to wear them and will be supported as always.

Children displaying symptoms or who have been exposed to COVID-19 by a close contact (see the infographic on this page for details) may also be asked to mask temporarily. 

Please review the following page for details: WMS Response to Positive COVID-19 Case

We will continue to run a car line for drop-off and pick-up through at least the remainder of the 2021-22 school year. Following Spring Break 2022, parents will be invited to enter the building for pre-scheduled activities and observations. Watch for updates on these plans in April!

While many COVID-19 protocols were lifted in March 2022, car line will continue at least through the remainder of the 2021-22 school year, as described below.

The opening/closing times for each program level are:

• Middle School, 8 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
• Elementary, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Primary, 8:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
• Toddler, 9 a.m.-3:15 p.m.

Children will be dropped off and picked up from the areas designated for their program level.

In the case of multiple children from the same family, the children will be dropped off at the location of the oldest sibling's drop-off spot, and will be picked up at the location of the youngest child’s designated pick-up spot, except in the case of pick-up of Primary/Elementary siblings (explained below).

We are asking that families with students in both the Primary and Elementary Programs pick up at each entrance. Please pick up your Primary student first, then proceed to the Elementary line to pick up your older child. We ask for your patience as we safely transport students to your car.

WMS teachers and staff will meet students at their cars and safely escort them into the building.

• Toddlers will be dropped off and picked up at the entrance behind the pool house at the toddler playground.
• Primary, elementary and middle school students attending before- or after-care will dropped off/picked up at the Great Room entrance. 
• All other Primary students will enter/exit the building via the main entrance.
• All other elementary and middle school students will enter/exit the building through the side entrance of the school.

Signs have been posted at all entrances to ease confusion.

Yes, but it looks a bit different than past years.

WMS was founded by parents and values the involvement of families in their children’s education. Each year, WMS requires our families to participate in the Co-op Program by completing their annual co-op hours, which, for the two years prior to the pandemic, was a 25-hour per family per school year obligation. Due to considerations regarding COVID-19, the requirement is 10 hours for the 2021-22 school year. Families will be able to complete their hours by attending online parent education programs and supporting our classrooms through activities that can be completed from home.

We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with you and your family. 

Field trips are an important part of students’ learning, offering first-hand experiences related to the curriculum. At this time, we are not planning outside field trips for our students; however, many classrooms are taking advantage of opportunities to take virtual field trips to museums and other locations and connect with experts via Zoom meetings. Pre-approved guests may also visit our school for on-campus field trips.

• Illness or treatment for an illness
• Doctor’s appointment
• Communicable disease
• Death in family or circle of friends
• Religious holiday
• Personal/family emergency
• Suspension from school
• Legal business 

COVID-19 testing is no longer mandatory at WMS; however families and staff are encouraged to continue to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing through the duration of the school year.

Quidel will continue to provide on-campus testing each Tuesday through the remainder of the school year. Test dates will be shared in the Wednesday Weekly newsletter and results should be sent to covidresults@wmsde.org for processing. Visit our COVID-19 Testing page for additional details.

Results should be submitted to covidresults@wmsde.org.

Please see "WMS Response to Positive COVID-19 Case" for updated isolation and quarantine guidance for school settings.