7009 Varnum Street, Hyattsville, MD, 20784   (301)459-7311
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IN-PERSON ORIENTATION FOR EARLY LEARNERS


When all schools had to go online in March 2020, the bonds already formed between teachers and their younger students made adapting to online instruction much easier and greatly contributed to students’ success.

To facilitate the development of the teacher/student bond, the Pre-K, and early elementary classes are offering optional in-person orientations to small groups in the beginning of the school year. The orientation is:

  • A few hours in the afternoon 2 days a week for a couple of weeks.

  • In-person with face coverings and COVID precautions taken.

    • (See below for COVID guidelines.)
  • Designed to facilitate a connection between students and teacher

  • Promoting SEL (Social Emotional Learning) between students and teachers

  • Providing training on using technology for online instruction

  • Training students in online digital citizenship

Parents who opt for their early learners not to attend face-to-face instruction should be prepared to offer greater support to their children at home to help the child:

  • Connect to the online learning platform, Google Classroom

  • Complete and turn-in work through Google Classroom

  • Connect with the primary teacher through chat

  • Seek individualized support.

  • Bond with all their teachers (6 with specials)

  • Follow all teachers’ directions

  • To learn online digital citizenship

  • The child stay engaged during online instruction

  • By setting a tone of high expectations and support of teachers


Please know that we are all here to support you as we navigate this ever-changing landscape. Every decision that we make considers the mission of the school and the needs of our community. Every action that we take is to meet the cognitive, social-emotional, and physical health and safety needs of our children.


CDC Guidelines for Safe In-Person Learning


  • If anyone in NHA’s in-person program comes down with COVID, that entire class and instructor will be required to quarantine for 14 days at home, per regulations, completing lessons online during that time.

  • Temperatures are taken daily before staff and students can enter the building.

  • Face coverings, either masks or shields, are required for students and staff at all times.

  • Parents are not allowed in the building.

  • Classes are limited to 14 students allowing for physical distancing.

  • Classes are not allowed to intermingle with other classes.

  • Each classroom has a hand-washing station and conducts frequent sanitation of classroom surfaces.

  • Teachers are encouraged to hold classes outside as much as possible.

  • Students are assigned personal supplies and classroom manipulatives, with no sharing allowed.

  • UV/ozone emitter lights sanitize the school after hours and HEPA air filter systems are used during the day.

  • The school has been professionally cleaned and sanitized before opening and a daily sanitation routine established for the school year.

  • If anyone in NHA’s in-person program comes down with COVID, that entire class and instructor will be required to quarantine for 14 days at home, per regulations, completing lessons online during that time.