by John Loeser, Head of School

 

Dear Redwood Day Families,

 

I hope this note finds you well. Cheryl, Johanna, Meredith, and I were away from school last Wednesday through Friday attending the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Annual Conference in Philadelphia. While there, we were fortunate to connect with both the national and California independent school governing associations for guidance, best practices, and current thinking about procedures for how schools should prepare for a possible coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in our communities. As you are aware, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) held a press conference earlier in the week regarding the current status of the coronavirus. It is imperative to remember that there is NOT currently a coronavirus pandemic in the United States; however, the situation is dynamic, and we all need to proactively prepare.

 

At Redwood Day, we have policies and procedures in place to protect the health and well-being of all of our students, faculty, and staff. As this global situation continues to evolve daily, the Leadership Team and I are evaluating and refining our response protocols to ensure we are as prepared as possible to respond in a variety of situations. Specifically, we are preparing for the possibility of delivering a version of our program via an online portal. We are also looking ahead to Spring Break travel for members of our community, upcoming planned field trips and any other events we might host on campus. As we collaborate with sister schools in the Bay Area and receive guidance from the associations I mentioned above, we will communicate with you in a transparent and timely manner.

 

For now, we should all follow the recommendations and directives of public health agencies, including the World Health Organization, Center for Disease Control, and our local government organizations. As is the case all the time, the best way to stay healthy and minimize the potential of spreading germs and infectious disease is to practice great hygiene, including washing hands thoroughly and covering up coughs and sneezes. Additionally, students, faculty, and staff who are feeling ill should stay home until they recover. At school, we will be reinforcing great hygiene with our students, reminding them to wash their hands often and well, and we will provide additional hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes throughout campus. Additionally, we are working with our janitorial service to ensure that all surfaces in public spaces and individual classrooms are sanitized daily.

 

If you would like more information regarding the coronavirus, the following resources are available:

 

World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 FAQ’s and Myth Busters

WHO Homepage and Interactive Map

 

Thank you for partnering with us and entrusting your children to us during this uncertain time. The health and well-being of all of our students, faculty, staff, and families is our top priority. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, Johanna, or Jim.

 

All my best,

John