From the Head of School
Dear Miss Hall’s School Families,
 
I write to update you on ongoing efforts we are taking at MHS to remain a healthy, thriving community in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
 
As many are aware, United States health officials recently warned of potential coronavirus outbreaks in this country and advised businesses, hospitals, and schools to take steps to protect against the virus. Ongoing reports about the spread of illness have understandably caused concern and anxiety among community members on and off the Miss Hall’s School campus. Though we cannot eliminate all threats to the community, we can take preventative steps to minimize risk.
 
To date, we have no cases of the coronavirus at Miss Hall’s. We remain vigilant in our reminders to all at Miss Hall’s to practice diligent healthy habits, especially during the traditional cold and flu season. The School’s Incident Response Team (IRT) is monitoring the situation on a daily basis and closely following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and local resources such as the Pittsfield Health Department and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. In addition, we are participating in online seminars with the National Association of Independent Schools and The Association of Boarding Schools in order to stay informed of best practices, particularly for schools.

As you know, we have decided to keep the campus open for any international students who are directly affected by the current travel restrictions. We are committed to providing a safe, fun, and rewarding experience for these students, and we are grateful to the adults who will be here to supervise and chaperone activities. For those who will be traveling away from campus over the break, we remind you to update the School should your plans change, so we can provide any needed support and guidance. We urge everyone to refer to the travel alerts provided by the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of State to assess possible risks or complications related to your upcoming travel.

As this situation continues to evolve, we will adapt our approach to keep our students and campus healthy. Our best advice continues to be to urge all students and families to follow the CDC’s recommended precautions , most notably, frequently and properly washing hands, limiting unnecessary sharing of items, and, if ill, promptly seeking medical treatment. As always, if your child becomes ill during Spring Break, please delay their return to campus so they can fully recover before reentering our community. Please reach out to your local health care provider and the MHS Health Center to discuss next steps. I have included links to the Health Center and other useful resources below. 

Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this virus worldwide. As always, I thank you for your continued partnership and direct communication. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Take care,


Contacts and Resources

For health questions and concerns: Christie Puz, R.N., Director of Health Services, 413-395-7074, cpuz@misshalls.org  
 
For travel arrangements and Spring Break info: Mary Bazanchuk, Asst. Dean of Students and Director of Residential Life, 413-395-7045, mbazanchuk@misshalls.org
 
For general questions: Miss Hall's School Main Number, 413-443-6401 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 
The World Health Organization
 
The U.S. Department of State
 

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