Hello, dear families
I imagine you’ve been awaiting this email, and I’d like to thank you for your patience once again. The cloud layer and gentle rains today seemed comforting somehow. It helped to calm the whirling feelings, fears, and big unknowns that were hanging in the air for me, and for some of you as well, I’m sure.
Thinking of you all with love and care today. I am writing to let you know (as you most likely already do) that Berkeley Unified School District and Oakland Unified School District announced that schools will be closed for the next 3 weeks. The next two weeks of planned school time plus the already anticipated spring break scheduled for March 30-April 3. As of now, schools are hoping to resume on Monday April 6th. You can read more here.
Our forest school setting is considered a low risk environment because it is outdoors where the air circulates, we have lots of space to move and play without being crowded or congested, our meeting spot has very few hard surfaces (tables, chairs) that collect germs, our groups are small, and we are playing with natural materials (rather than toys) which are going to accumulate much fewer germs than indoor toys do. With all that said, some of you may wonder why we are closing when there might still be a few other preschools open for the next couple of days (though I’m sure they’re preparing to close as well). This is the most good we are able to do for our community at this time. We are deciding to close for the next 3 weeks - aligning ourselves with what is happening in the larger ecosystem of the Bay, the State, the Country, and the World. We are closing out of concern for our elders, out of care for our immunocompromised friends, relatives, and neighbors. And we are doing it because it is the right thing to do. And we do the right thing. Even when it is hard.
Over the school year, we have grown quite close together, through first lost tooth experiences, first time dropping off your child anywhere ever!, through fires, and wildfire smoke, through storms, and sickness, and grief, and laughter, and love, and joy. There were head bonks, diaper inspections to see if your child passed that marble they ate over the weekend, and those very real human moments of difficulty and shame that we talked through and came back together stronger afterwards and with a better understanding of each other. All of these beautiful wonderful oh so human moments we have shared.
We are in this work because we love, and because we are hopeful (some of us defiantly so). We work for the present and for the future. It is your children who we allow ourselves to focus all of our love and hope and caring upon. In our minds and in our hearts we are holding and considering a lot right now, and one of the most important things we are considering is: How do we hold on to that closeness when we will be away from each other? How can we nurture relationships when we can’t be together?
We are thinking of creative ways to stay connected with you all across distance during this time. For example, some of our teachers are excited to paint and write postcards to send via snail mail and invite the children to send something in return - a "social" art project. Practicing "physical distance and social intimacy" as Cal professor of Near East Studies, Daniel Boyarin, was emphasizing during a conversation as to why "social distancing" is the last thing we need right now. How we need connection always and especially at this time; and we may need to get more creative about what that connection looks like during a time when, in care for the spread of germs, physical distancing is important. Boyarin also offered, “heads apart, hearts together.” Continuing to feel connected and accompanied, even across physical distance.
In order to help prevent the spread of this virus, to keep people safe and well, it is important that we keep the practice of “physical distancing” when we are out getting groceries or just getting fresh air. It is better for our health to spend time outdoors, or in the forest for a couple of hours of fresh air and play. But we must say, please do not simply meet each other in the forest or at the playground without us teachers there. That entirely negates the impact of these massive school closures. In order for this to work, this monumental act of compassion for the health of the public, we really need everyone to make a real effort and spread the word to others as well. Be brave! Tell your friends!
We know how big of a change this will be for our kiddos who are used to lots of space to run, play, explore and express; we know what a big change this will be for all of us - the parents and caregivers who will be establishing new routines. We are here for you and ask you to be here for each other - leaning into the support of this community to know that you are not alone. We want to know how you are, and we mean you, parents. Being a parent asks us to show up powerfully each and every day; and especially at times of big change. If the changes of the upcoming weeks are feeling like a hardship for your family, please let us know; please let us know what might help your family feel more supported and we want to help you find what you need. If you choose to share space with only ONE other family, then please stick to that one other family only. This isn’t vacation, or a snow day, nor is it a time to continue on with our learning cohort despite all the warnings.
BFS Teachers will be both resting and working from home, putting together some materials for the children to help them feel grounded and earth-connected in this time of dis-ease. We want to help make these days a little easier, a little less scary, a little slower and softer. These offerings to the children are to reassure them and help remind them of some familiar things like, our voices, our songs, our stories. In these links you will find a few recordings of songs from BFS teachers, and some are new for the children. The “Splishy Splashy” song is about 20 seconds if you wanted to make that your hand washing song, by the way. Also included is an audio letter for your children to listen to, from me on behalf of BFS. It’s 12 minutes long. Feel free to listen to it yourself first, if you’d like. I’m talking slowly, leaving vocal pauses to allow processing time for them, and I give a very surface level explanation of why we are not going to be in school for a little while. The children may have some feelings, some questions about it. I recommend not listening to it in the evening in case your child may have so many questions they suddenly can’t sleep. (Like my child!) BFS will also be producing a zine you’ll receive in the mail. The intention of this zine is to practice heart-connection with our established community, even when we aren’t able to be together in person.
I’ve left a lot of the scary thoughts off this email for now. I am not going to get into it at this time, but please know that we are aware of the financial stressors of this for everyone, all of us included. Also know that teachers will continue to be paid during this time, and we do have paid sick time too. We are prepared to come up with solutions for what financial burden these two weeks without care may have for you, as well. I’m considering options like extending the school year a bit, or offering discounts on summer programing, but I’m also not ready to make those decisions just yet. Partly because I honestly don’t know how long we will be out of school. Please know we’ll be planning for a variety of scenarios. No one knows how hard this is going to hit, but we can say with all honesty that we did the most good that we were able to.
For now, enjoy the songs and stories we’re sending, and lookout for some literal snail mail from the forest. Please let me know if you have updated your home address since September. I’ll likely send out by Wed or Thursday.
Love you all. Breathe deep. We’ll be okay as long as we take care of each other.
— Your BFS Crew
Letter:
Songs:
Thank You, Sun (Morning Circle Song)
Blessings on the Flowers (Lunch Time Song)
All artwork by Ricardo Levins Morales