Preschooler Hunter Reese is joined by his family in celebration of his move to kindergarten this fall. Toni Milbourne

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Shepherdstown Day Care reopened its doors on Monday, welcoming back its students, following a multiple-week closure in accordance with COVID-19-related state guidelines.

Prior to Monday’s opening, the center also held a Move Up to Kindergarten Celebration on Sunday, as 28 of the center’s preschoolers came to the center for a graduation ceremony.

“We are so proud of our pre-K children and their families and how they have handled the situation of the pandemic,” said Melissa Holman, director.

In addition to recognizing the preschoolers moving to elementary school this fall, the center celebrated the accomplishments of 10 Jefferson High School seniors who were members of the 2020 graduating class.

“The center adopted all 10 of these seniors who started at Shepherdstown Day Care,” Holman said.

The adoption was part of an Adopt-a-Senior program developed to provide some recognition for the Class of 2020, whose senior year was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals and businesses throughout the county stepped up to adopt seniors, providing them with gifts and cards.

The 10 who began as “sprouts” at Shepherdstown Day Care were welcomed back for photographs and gifts this week. “Once an SDC baby, always an SDC baby,” a sign read at the gathering.

Prior to reopening, the center’s building was deep-cleaned. Many new protocols are in place to comply with guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state and local health departments.

“We have created a COVID handbook,” Holman said.

The handbook outlines some significant changes, including screening procedures at the front door when dropping off and picking up children. Staff, children and parents have their temperature taken at the door and, should one have a fever above 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit, will not be permitted to stay at the center. To limit the exposure to others, drop off and pick up will take place outside the front doors.

All precautions are being taken to secure the safety and well-being of each member of the Shepherdstown Day Care family.

While these changes are different for all who enter the center, the goal of the staff is to welcome back the children they have missed, as well as some new students.

Registration is currently open to those interested in summer camps at the center. The age range for summer camp falls between those who have completed kindergarten through age 12. Registration is best handled this year by calling 304-876-6923.