If you can...

This is a pretty terrifying time for a lot of reasons. There’s palpable anxiety around sickness, discomfort associated with isolation, and fear of the unknown.

For small business owners, there’s an added layer of panic around whether or not we’ll be able to ride out this storm and stay open once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.

Some incredible people have asked how they can support us right now

Here’s a quick and dirty guide to keeping Recess afloat right now:

- grab a gift card (to give or keep)

- book your next celebration

- book the space for a mini party

- sign up for our NEW community supporter membership

- enroll in an upcoming workshop

- share this post

- write a review

- set up a one time or monthly tax-deductible donation

- send us love notes

If there’s anything we can do for you, your family, or your small business, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We are here for you. Please stay in touch! We’ll get through this.

See you soon

Wow. What a week. Recess will be closed for open play, effective Friday, March 13. We will continue to monitor the situation, share updates & re-open once it is safe to so

It matters that we each do everything we can, now, to stop the spread of the virus for the good of the community.

Limiting social contact is fundamentally difficult. We need community & we need it exponentially more in times of stress. So the recommendations to steer clear of friends and loved ones is particularly challenging. But the better we can help protect the most vulnerable amongst us the sooner this will all be behind us (hopefully).

The physical, emotional and financial impact of this is not going to be easy for most. And for a lot of us, small business owners and working parents especially, it's going to be unthinkably hard. I think all we can do is navigate this uncharted territory, with patience, compassion and calm to the extent possible.

Huge thanks to those of you who have reached out over the past few days to offer your support and assurances that you’ll maintain your support through the (somewhat inevitable) closure. We truly appreciate all of you who will do the same. Supporting our staff (many of whom are students that have not only had classes canceled, but have been sent home from student housing) and keeping this little nonprofit alive will be a challenge. But I’m going to do everything I can to keep this organization available as a resource for all of us once this craziness is over. We can’t do it without your support.

If there is anything we can do at recess to help your family, please don’t hesitate to let us know! We are always open to creative solutions to unique problems.

I’ll send out updates, as well as some ideas for how to keep the kiddos busy, and details about the activity kits we're putting together for you during this difficult time.

Until then, eat those fruits and veggies, get outside, take breaks from the news and b r e a t h e.

COVID-19: Prevention and Planning

Dear Recess Collective Community,

As you are no doubt aware, cases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) have been diagnosed in the Bay Area.  Global circumstances suggest and experts recommend preparing for more widespread transmission.

Our goal is to support our community in efforts toward prevention, preparation and resources to support you and your family’s wellbeing. As always, the health and safety of your family is our primary concern.

What We Are Doing To Keep Recess a Safe & Healthy Space

We are closely monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation and we will continue to follow the guidance of public health authorities. As of March 6, the San Francisco Department of Public Health is recommending that vulnerable populations limit outings. For details on the latest public health guidelines, please see here.

As a community organization dedicated to serving local families, we are committed to providing a welcoming, safe space as long as we are safely able to do so. At the same time, we recognize that this situation is evolving rapidly, and we will continue to keep you informed should public health guidelines require future changes to our hours and programming.

We’d also like to share the extra measures we’re taking:

• Increased routine cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch spaces and surfaces, including restrooms, tabletops, light switches, door knobs and fixed toys

• Provide additional hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the space

• Continuing to sanitize all toys every day and ask caregivers to place mouthed toys in designated bins during play

• Encouraging all visitors and staff to practice healthy habits, including frequent and thorough hand washing for 20 seconds with soap and water, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and staying home if you are sick or not feeling well

The best way for all San Franciscans to reduce their risk of getting sick, as with seasonal colds or the flu, still applies to prevent COVID-19. Of course, it goes without saying, but if you have a fever, cough, or cold, or cold like symptoms, please do not come to Recess.

What you can do to protect yourself and others:

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.  

• Ensure your children wash before and after play and when changing activities (before/after eating, etc).

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or an elbow when you cough or sneeze. Throw any used tissues in the trash. Then wash your hands with soap and water.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

• Try alternatives to shaking hands, like an elbow bump or wave;

• Use your knuckles if you need to press elevator buttons; and

• Stay home and do not travel or go to work, Recess, or public spaces when you are sick.

• There is no recommendation from the Department of Public Health to wear masks at this time to prevent yourself from getting sick.

Disease Control and Prevention information for the Coronavirus #COVID

Great information from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention on how to protect yourself from viruses including Coronavirus Disease #COVID.

For more information on COVID19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Keeping Calm & Talking with Children about Coronavirus

Importantly, while this situation may be cause for alarm given the potential to spread widely, a public health emergency like this calls for calm and clarity. Panic can be counterproductive. Rather than panicking, stay informed, practice good hygiene, maintain communication with each other, and know that we are keeping a close eye, together, on this situation.  

You may find:

• this article helpful in managing stress,

• this one  and this one for guidance around discussions with your children,

• and this comic with slightly older children.

You can also prepare for the possible disruption caused by an outbreak:

• Make sure you have a supply of all essential medications for your family;

• Make a child care plan if you or a caregiver are sick;

• Make arrangements about how your family will manage a school closure; and

• Make a plan for how you can care for a sick family member without getting sick yourself.

The status of COVID-19 in San Francisco and the region is rapidly evolving and we will be closely following recommendations and guidance from the CDC and the SF Departments of Public Health and Emergency Management and encourage everyone to stay updated and informed as well.

We will provide updates as they come. But for now, be well and wash those hands!

Take good care

March and Beyond

Lucky us! 🍀

We have a really nice variety of events coming up in the next couple of months that we're excited to share.  From fitness, to mindfulness, to sign language & lots of opportunities for music.  Check out the schedule below or click this link to get more detailed information.

MARCH:

• 3/3 Music with Mega 12:15pm *

• 3/7 Live Cello in the Playspace* 

• 3/7 First Saturday Expecting Parent Meetups & New Parent Circles with Parentline *

• 3/7 Intro to EMbody Every Mother 1pm (TWO SPOTS LEFT)

• 3/9  Little Ladybugs Music with Toby 11:30am *

• 3/19 Establishing Healthy Eating Habits for your toddler, preschool & whole family 7:30pm

• 3/20 Intro to Baby Sign Language 10am

  • 6 class Playgroup every Friday runs 3/27 - 5/8

• 3/21 Japanese Storytime 10am

• 3/25 CPR for Parents & Caregivers. Infant, Child and Adult CPR + Chokesaving. 7:30pm

SNEAK PEEK into APRIL:

• 4/5  Drop off Cooking Class for Kids, followed by a family meal. Stay tuned for details 10-12:30

• 4/13 Intro to Mindfulness for Parents - cultivating, calm & compassion in the face of chaos

  • 5 week series, enroll before 3/23 to get the early bird special!

* = free for members

Live Cello is just one of our Playspace Activities.  
When you're a member of Recess, all of the following activities are included in your plan!

Mondays: Coming Soon - Infant Sensory Play 

Tuesdays: Music with Mega 1130 (playspace) 1215 (classroom)

Thursdays: Stories and Songs w/Regina 11am

Fridays: Sensory Play 4pm 

Select Saturdays:  Live Cello 10am & Sensory Play 11-12, New and Expecting Parent Circles

THIS COULD ALL BE YOURS!
When you book a party at Recess, the entire playspace is yours.  Invite up to 45 of your closest friends, bring whatever food/drink/decor you'd like, and get ready to enjoy a stress free celebration.  

Hop over to the calendar and secure a date.

BUILDING COMMUNITY.  New and Expecting Parent Groups - First Saturdays
Creating a network of support is important at every stage of life...but it's particularly crucial for new parents.  We invite you to build community through Parent Circles at Recess. You’ll organically meet like-minded parents and begin building your new family’s community, while gaining resources to help support your little one's growth.  More info here.

INTRO TO MINDFULNESS FOR PARENTS. You may know Charity Kahn the children's musician and educator.  She's also an incredible parent educator and community builder.  Recess is teaming up with Charity to bring a five week class, Mindfulness for Parents, to the space on Monday evenings 4/13-5/11.  We hope you'll join us in this opportunity for self care, stress reduction and insanely useful skills to ground yourself so that you are able to support your children.  More info here

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It's just a space without you.  What would your family like to see at Recess?  Many of you have completed our survey to help shape the future of Recess.  If you have not yet, and would like to share your thoughts/desires for our organization, please hop over to the survey! 

Would you like to help bring play to families who cannot afford it.  

$1, $5 or $10 a month can make a difference in the lives of local children.  Click here to donate.