June 20, 2020
Greetings SVDH Family:
We are planning to reopen the Day Home between July 1 and July 10. Because our first priority is the safety and health of your children and our staff, we will reopen 2-3 classes at a time over the first two weeks of July.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will initially be limited to 10 children per class by the state and the local public health department. As they determine it is safe to do so, we will gradually increase our class sizes to our capacity.
Unfortunately not every currently enrolled child will be able to start back in July. We realize that this is hard news to hear, and we wish it were different.
Children will return to school based on their family need for childcare in the following order:
- Working parents who cannot work from home
- Children who are at-risk of homelessness or other difficult circumstances
- Working parents who can work from home
- Parents who are currently enrolled in school or a training program
- Parents who are actively seeking employment
Some children who are leaving the Day Home for first grade, kindergarten, and TK in Fall 2020 may be eligible to continue in the program through July 31 based on the above criteria.
We will do our best to inform you of your child’s start date and our updated COVID-19 program guidelines ASAP.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Together in spirit & action,
Saint Vincent’s Day Home Team
April 1, 2020
As the Alameda County shelter-in-place order has been extended through May 3, Saint Vincent’s Day Home will extend our closure with an anticipated return on May 4, 2020. Please look here for any future updates.
SVDH Families:
We have reviewed all responses to our parent survey and in an effort to be as responsive as possible during this unprecedented time we have compiled a list of resources for your family. This is a live document and we will be updating it as things come in.
Additionally, here is a great list of art and other fun activities and resources that you can do with your children at home.
Please keep an eye on your email inbox as we will be sending further email and text updates. Additionally, if you have an urgent need during the closure, please contact our team at [email protected].
Wishing you and your family ease and health during this crisis,
Your SVDH Family
March 15, 2020:
Dear SVDH Families:
The Day Home will be closing starting this Monday, March 16 through Sunday, April 5, 2020 to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We realize what a strain this may put on your family, but we firmly believe that staying home and staying well is the best strategy to keep your family and the maximum number of Americans well.
You may be wondering if it really works to keep people home? It does, if people actually stay home. If we can slow the rate that the virus spreads, fewer people are sick at one time and it gives doctors and hospital a chance to treat everyone. If we all get sick at one time then hospital cannot treat everyone and some people will not get the care they need.
The Day Home plans to reopen on Monday, April 6 and will confirm this by text and email. Please make sure that we have your updated cell number and email address.
We know that this may cause a financial strain on your family. Here are some resources and idea for what you might need most:
Childcare
If you are continuing to work and are not able to find informal childcare from your friends and family; we have asked SVDH families to share their contact information if they need or can provide some days of care. We hope that you might be able to share care with one or more of our families.
The Day Home is not able to support these arrangements, nor be liable for any results. That said, we are a wonderful group of families, and through our community relationships, there may be options for support. Please email [email protected] with your child’s name & age, your name & cell phone number, and the city & neighborhood you live in (i.e. West Oakland).
Food
If you need food, please contact the Alameda County Food Bank at 1-800-870-3663 for emergency food and location of regular food giveaways.
Oakland Unified Schools District will provide take-home breakfast and lunch to any child under 18. On Monday and Thursday, they can pick up enough meals for the week.
- Monday: 8:00-12:00 (3 breakfasts/3 lunches per student)
- Thursday: 8:00-12:00 (2 breakfasts/2 lunches per student)
Please bring a grocery bag or cooler to pick up meals from the following locations:
- Northwest/West Oakland: Sankofa Elementary, West Oakland Middle School and Hoover Elementary
- Central Oakland: Oakland High School and Garfield Elementary
- East Oakland: Bret Harte Middle School, Life Academy/United for Success, Coliseum College Preparatory Academy, Madison Park Upper, Fremont High School, Castlemont High School and Elmhurst United Middle School
Wage Replacement
If you are losing wages due to COVID-19, please apply online for unemployment insurance. The state is strongly urging you NOT to go to the unemployment office and apply online at https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/UI_Online.htm
What can you do to help and stay healthy?
- Stay Home. Avoid public spaces where you cannot leave more than six feet between you and another person. Leave your home only for essential needs.
- Hand washing. Hand washing is still the most effective way to reduce your risk of COVID-19 and other illnesses, like flu, which continue to make people sick.
- Cover your cough and sneeze. Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow. Dispose of tissues in the trash immediately after use.
- Stay home when you are sick. Follow the good practice of staying home when you have symptoms you can spread to others.
- There is no need to wear a mask to keep your family safe. Healthy people do not benefit from wearing a mask. Using a mask incorrectly can increase your risk of infection. If you are caring for a sick person at home, they may help decrease the spread by wearing a simple surgical mask.
- Help your children feel secure. Help them feel a sense of security by maintaining a routine at home and being available for their questions. Be mindful of what children may hear on the news
If you have an urgent need during the closure, please contact our team at [email protected].
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