Health-Related Update From Collegiate, Feb. 27, 2020

Collegiate continues to monitor and respond to the latest developments in the outbreak of COVID-19.
Dear Parents,
 
As the world continues to study the latest developments in the outbreak of COVID-19 (formerly 2019-nCOV or novel coronavirus), Collegiate is focused on possible impacts on our students, faculty and staff. To ensure our sound and careful decision-making, we are monitoring global, world and local health organizations, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), as well as regional, state and national advisors. This includes travel notices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, we have employed Collegiate’s Emergency Management Team to ensure we are informed and ready.
 
The purpose of this letter is to share what we know, our guiding principles and how we are making decisions. The health and well-being of Collegiate’s community of students, faculty, staff and families remain our highest and mission-driven priority. 
 
Above all, a commitment to health and humanity are our guiding principles. We are mindful of the individuals, families and regions currently affected by this outbreak and are writing to keep you informed of our current understandings, which will evolve as we continue to monitor and consult with the aforementioned resources. 
 
The CDC has established resources and websites to guide us:
 
 
 
NAIS has established the following resource page to guide us through our decision-making and communication plans:
 
 
Collegiate School continues our standard hygiene and cleaning protocol. In response to the aforementioned resources, we will continue to evaluate any needs and adjustments to our protocols. We ask for you help with the following reminders:
  • We are adding supplemental measures such as increased placement of hand-sanitizing stations and are focusing our cleaning protocol on frequently utilized surfaces such as doors, door handles, desks, chairs, etc. 
  • We ask you to join us in reinforcing that students wash their hands many times each day at school and when they return home; sneeze or cough into their elbows; do not shake hands or use fist bumps; and do not share cups or water bottles. We also request that anyone who is not feeling well or who has symptoms of any illness stay home and that everyone partakes in thorough and regular handwashing.
  • The spread and management of serious contagion like COVID-19 is a primary focus for our public health agencies and, as such, we encourage you to follow the advice of the World Health Organization, CDC, and our local health and government departments. 
In addition, we are monitoring the following:
  • We are considering upcoming community events where large groups will gather and we will closely examine any potential changes.
  • As an inclusive community, we will not tolerate any bullying, harassment or discrimination that may occur, and we will interrupt any of these behaviors immediately.
  • We are carefully reviewing the status of any planned trips to areas experiencing virus-induced illness, believed to be caused by COVID-19, and are continually referring to local and national health authorities to ensure each trip makes sense.
  • We are evaluating our existing options for remote or virtual learning should this become necessary.
We ask that all Collegiate families follow these guidelines:
  • Please do not allow your child to attend school or come to campus if they are ill.
  • Please report any illness your child experiences, including those over Spring Break, to our nurses’ offices, with a phone call.
  • Remain abreast of and abide by travel and CDC protocols and recommendations regarding travel and health maintenance.
As with any difficult situation, or breaking news story, we encourage you to call upon us to be a partner with you. 
 
The following resources are meant to be helpful to you as you converse with your children and collaborate with us for clear, thoughtful and supportive conversations. We appreciate the complexity of this situation and the individual experiences you bring to this topic. We will follow up with communication, before Spring Break, with any new details. We are committed to a shared goal of doing our very best to partner with you during this time. 
 
 
 
Should you have additional concerns, please contact me, your child’s division director, or any of our school nurses.
 
Sincerely,
Penny B. Evins
 
 
School Contacts:
Debbie Miller, Lower School Head
dmiller@collegiate-va.org
804.741.9774
 
Tung Trinh, Middle School Head
tung_trinh@collegiate-va.org
804.741.9715
 
Patrick Loach, Upper School Head
patrick_loach@collegiate-va.org
804.741.9732
 
Kathryn Heidt, Lower School Nurse
kathryn_heidt@collegiate-va.org
804.741.9787
 
Jana Barnes, Middle and Upper School Nurse
jana_barnes@collegiate-va.org
804.741.9788
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