Dear Families,
As you know, there is increasing focus on the coronavirus (COVID-19) threat across the country, with more states and counties taking bold actions to close schools. While preparation and prevention is very important, the CDC has noted that “The immediate risk of being exposed to this virus is still low for most Americans…” – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html.
We are fortunate that we have not yet had any reported cases of coronavirus in our immediate school environment. That said, the health, safety and wellbeing of our students and extended community are our top priorities.
We will continue to closely monitor any local coronavirus developments and are preparing ourselves for a variety of scenarios. We are committed to making fact-based decisions—informed by official sources—and will notify you of our decisions as quickly as possible. We are also in regular contact with other providers across the country through a variety of resources and are committed to sharing our best ideas and practices with the utmost safety interest at heart.
We continue to promote overall preventative health hygiene to minimize the spread of infectious diseases within our schools, including:
• thorough handwashing and covering up coughs/sneezes.
• daily “wellness” checks of students—promptly sending students home if they show signs of illness.
• ensuring all staff and students feeling ill stay home until they recover.
• repeated cleaning of “high-touch” surfaces throughout the school day.
• After-hours disinfecting/sanitizing sessions of all areas
As part of an ongoing effort to ensure the safety of all our children and staff and out of an abundance of caution, effective immediately, we are now asking that any children, parents or staff (or those with household members) who have traveled to an area under the CDC’s Travel Health Notice Level 3 or above NOT come to school for a 14-day period from the date of their return. This is not local or national health authority guidance but rather our school policy. We understand that this may pose a significant inconvenience on many, but please know that we make this request with the well-being of our children and community as our priority.
At this time, local field trips are going on as scheduled, however; this is undergoing a day by day review and adjustments will be made as necessary with the safety of the children and staff in mind. This may mean that field trips may be cancelled, and we apologize for any inconvenience in advance but know we do this for the safety of everyone involved. In the event of any field trip cancellations children will still go outside and get exercise in the safest environment possible.
Regarding anyone cruising or international travel conducted during the break we ask that:
1. You monitor your heath and if you or anyone in your household is sick or displaying any flu-like or cold symptoms or if a case of COVID-19 was reported on your ship during the cruise, you must stay home during these 14 days and practice social distancing and contact your health provider and local health department. Children may return back to school once cleared by the health department.
2. If you or someone in your household return from any of the following countries: Japan, South Korea, China, Iran and Italy you must inform us immediately via phone and/or email and stay home for 14 days and no one in the household should have any symptoms before the returning to school.
Once again, we urge everyone to please make sure and use the provided hand-sanitizers when entering the building.
As always please come to us with any questions or suggestions. We are committed to working together to ensure the health and safety of the children and staff.
*** THIS IS AN ONGOING AND CHANGING DEVELOPMENT. WE WILL PROVIDE UPDATES VIA EMAIL, FACEBOOK AND OUR WEBSITE REGARDING ANY STATUS CHANGES AND/OR DEVELOPMENTS.