Education & Families

Gan Ami FAQ

Gan Ami Early Childhood Education partners with our families, the North Shore Health Department, and JCC leadership to keep our children, families, and faculty as healthy as possible. We have worked closely with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the Wisconsin Department for Children and Families to develop up-to-date procedures throughout our program. Please read the Illness policies below and find answers to common questions. If you have any further questions, we encourage you to reach out to our schools directly.

Gan Ami Mequon: 262-242-9871
Gan Ami Whitefish Bay: 414-967-8241

Available Scholarships

This JCC is blessed with the ability to be shepherds of our community’s JCC scholarship donations, and we take the responsibility of distributing these funds very seriously. We truly believe that when every member of the community can participate in our programs, our community becomes much more than the sum of its members. Learn more about Available Scholarships today.

Illness Policies

  • What if a child gets sick?

    If a child develops a COVID-19 related symptoms (fever 100.4 or greater, shortness of breath, a new cough or rash, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, nausea, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, and/or vomiting) during the day, the child will be immediately removed from the classroom and moved to the designated, staffed isolation room. The parent will be notified by the educators; if parent is not available immediately, emergency contacts will be used. Fever reducing medication will not be administered staff. Other medication still requires a physician’s note to dispense and must come in the original packaging with the dosage amount. They will also need the state required medication authorization form on file, in order for us to administer any medication.

  • What if a staff member gets sick?

    If a staff member develops COVID-19 related symptoms (with any of the same symptoms listed above), they will be sent home.

     

    • Anyone (staff member or child) with a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or any symptoms listed above must be isolated for 10 days; a minimum of seven days after symptom onset and 72 hours after their fever resolves without fever-reducing medication. For example, if the fever and symptoms resolve on day seven, the staff member or child can return on day 10. Staff with household contacts with adults or children with COVID-19 must be quarantined for 14 days after their last household exposure. For most, this will be 14 days after the household contact with COVID-19 is released from isolation.

  • What will happen if a staff person or child is diagnosed with COVID-19?

    Gan Ami and the Harry and Rose Samson Family JCC will notify the North Shore Health Department and the classroom and/or school may be required to close for the recommended time by the North Shore Health Department. The timeline for the requirements for a staff person or child to be out of school with a COVID diagnosis is detailed in the adjusted Health Policy. It is recommended that families prepare for possible closures or absences for their own children.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When did Gan Ami Reopen?

    Gan Ami Early Childhood Education reopened on June 8, 2020, after months of detailed preparation with new operational standards.

  • What are your hours of operation?

    Our current hours of operation are 7:30 AM to 5 PM Monday-Friday.

    Effective April 5, hours will change to 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday-Friday.

  • Are Gan Ami staff members required to wear masks?

    All faculty serving children are required to wear face coverings, which cover their nose and mouth when inside the building including but not limited to: drop off, pick up, in classrooms, in hallways, on the playground or any other areas outside the classroom and while handling any food preparation, feeding, and diapering or bathroom assistance. They are required to wear face coverings in the classroom at all times except when eating or drinking. Masks will be required outside when physical distancing is not possible.

  • Are children required to wear masks?

    Children under two are not allowed to wear masks due to a suffocation hazard. Children who are in our two and three year old classrooms are also not required to wear masks, according to CDC recommendations. All 4K children will wear face coverings inside and when they are unable to socially distance.

  • Is hot lunch offered?

    Not at this time.

     

    A “kosher style”  nut free lunch should be sent from home daily with your child in a disposable paper lunch bag or large Ziplock bag. NO lunch boxes allowed.

  • Are breakfast and snacks provided?

    Yes, but it is always acceptable to send alternative breakfast or snack options for your child.

  • What items can my child bring to school?
    • Bottles, fresh or frozen breast milk, formula, and baby food.
    • Diapers, wipes, creams, and lotions.
      A lunch packaged in a disposable bag.
    • A water bottle that will remain at school to be washed daily by staff.
    • One crib sheet and one blanket that will stay at school and be washed weekly or as needed by staff.
    • Extra clothing, which will stay at school to be washed by staff.
    • Extra outdoor gear, which will stay at school to be washed by staff as needed.
    • A soft washable lovey for nap-time. The lovey must be left at school and will be washed as needed.
  • Can my child bring toys from home?

    No. We ask that all toys remain at home at this time in order to maintain the healthiest possible environment for all children.

  • How are Shabbat Sing and other enrichment activities delivered?

    Enrichment classes are offered via Zoom within each classroom.  At this time, we are not permitted to commingle or gather in large groups.

  • What are your cleaning policies?

    We maintain COVID-19 licensing cleaning procedures during the day and each night. We use US EPA registered broad-spectrum disinfectants that are safe to use in schools.  We use the hours of 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. to clean and disinfect the classrooms.  The classrooms are cleaned again each evening by the Total Clean company staff, who are also following COVID-19 cleaning protocols.

  • How are classrooms using the playground at this time?

    Each classroom is assigned daily playground times. No more than one group will be allowed on the playground at a given time. The playground will be sanitized after each group and before the next group arrives. We will be using US EPA registered broad-spectrum disinfectants that are safe to use in schools.

  • Are fieldtrips offered for the older classrooms at this time?

    No, the children will all remain on campus at this time in order to ensure the highest quality sanitization.