Dear Families,
We are writing again to keep you fully informed of our deliberation and decision-making regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, and its impact on our school. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read these communications and bringing your questions or concerns to us.
There are no reported cases or reported exposures to COVID-19 in our community
. We are aware that there is a lack of information due to under reporting and testing issues throughout New York State and the country. However, public schools in Columbia County remain open at this time and we have not seen any significant increases in sick students. Our absentee rate at HVS remains within the normal range for illness, with a low percentage of families keeping children home out of caution. Additionally, we have not yet seen reported cases of COVID-19 increasing exponentially, and we are not seeing cases reported in children.
Additionally, we are are encouraging and supporting implementing an Emergency Leave Policy for faculty and staff who are in a high-risk category or caring for someone in that population to take appropriate action and stay home if needed. However, so far we are not seeing significant numbers of employee absences, and faculty want to remain in their classrooms. If we see student or employee absences increase significantly, we will revisit our current course of action.
Presently our plan is to remain open as long as the following criteria have been met:
- No member of our immediate school community has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
- No undiagnosed member of our immediate school community has had potential exposure and is displaying symptoms.
- No member of our immediate school community has had potential exposure and is awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.
Recognizing how rapidly the situation is evolving, we will review these criteria as appropriate, in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health.
Cancellation of school and community events going forward will be decided on a case-by-case basis
.
The CDC recommends
that older adults and those with pre-existing respiratory ailments (and anyone who has a compromised immune system, or feels ill) should avoid public gatherings. We want all of our events to be safe and healthy, and we want you to feel safe attending them. We encourage and fully support families, faculty, and staff to make decisions that reflect their own health needs and personal comfort.
We ask that you do the following to help keep our community safe and healthy:
- Tell us if anyone in your house is sick or potentially exposed to COVID-19.
- Foster good health – eat nutritious food, stay hydrated, get ample rest, wash hands often, exercise and get fresh air, and keep stress low.
- Follow all precautions for prevention of infection and disease spread.
- Plan for ‘what-if’s’ such as having childcare if there is a school closure.
- Talk to your children so they’re getting accurate information from you and you’re helping them to manage their fear and anxiety.
We are working diligently to stay up-to-date with information and are continually evaluating the shifting landscape. However, given the rapidly changing situation the possibility of an extended closure is real, and we are preparing in earnest for this scenario. Our faculty are developing lesson plans and learning activities that will facilitate continued student learning as well as support parents in the event of a closure.
We are working diligently to stay up-to-date with information and are continually evaluating the shifting
landscape. The health of our students, faculty, staff and families is at the forefront of every decision. During these times it is important for us to remember that our children are listening and looking to us for a sense of security and assurance. Therefore our mindful efforts to hold and appropriately shield our children from the full impact of the widespread anxiety and worry these events generate can make a positive difference. As always, we encourage parents and faculty to maintain a calm and assured demeanor with your child(ren) during this time.
We are grateful for your support and confidence, and we will keep you informed as we move forward.
Take Good Care,
Kara Desiderio
School Nurse
(518) 672-7092 ext. 119
