Dear Families,

We have been making preparations to deliver remote education for our students if it comes to that, but we are hoping it will not. To support health and safety, we are sanitizing thoroughly, deeply and more often with approved products to keep our school beyond clean. Mr. Oscar’s crew has given us their commitment to clean EVERY surface in the school, EVERY NIGHT (and they have been a part of our World Academy family for over a dozen years so we trust their abilities,) and twice, daily, Mr. Victor will be sanitizing commonly used surfaces such as door handles, water fountains, light switches, etc. and lunch tables and classroom work tables will be sanitized even more than usual before each use. We are closely following the Center For Disease Control’s suggestions for schools to combat the COVID-19 virus which focus on handwashing, not touching one’s face and crowd control (See cancellations below. Please know that we understand how important many of these activities are in the lives of our students. We will do whatever is humanly possible to reschedule as many as we can so they don’t miss out on the experiences. This will also apply to future cancellations. We are considering maybe holding some in the summer so our students will still receive the benefits and goals planned for these experiences.) That being done, we are incorporating information regarding the virus and how to prevent the spread of germs, age-appropriately, into our curriculum so our students can be correctly informed and empowered with real information. It is our goal to remain calm and vigilant.

We have formed a Steering Committee made up of Medical Professionals, W.A. Advisory Board Members, Parents and Staff to formulate policy regarding next best practices, and we will keep you informed consistently.  AS A RESULT OF A RECOMMENDATION FROM THIS TEAM WE ARE SETTING UP HAND SANITIZING STATIONS AT THE TWO DOOR ENTRANCES (as soon as possible) AND WILL REQUIRE ALL TO USE UPON ENTERING OUR BUILDING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION WITH THIS AS AFTER OUR DAILY DEEP CLEANING THIS IS DECIDED TO BE THE NEXT BEST DEFENSE IN KEEPING NEW GERMS AT BAY. (We are asking for your help in finding enough sanitizer to purchase to keep this going for an undetermined length of time. Please see request below.**)  

Also, our Grades 4-8 teachers have already put a plan together for remote education and have already tested and evaluated its efficacy. It will be a little harder to address Grades K-3 as it would involve family support and the extent of home technology, but we are in the process of putting that into place and will succeed in addressing this properly and thoroughly so our students’ education is kept relevant and up to date... More complex will be how to address the child care program and match it with family needs. We are still working on that one but promise to diligently put the efforts into figuring out a way to serve our families and keep our children and staff safe. At the very least teachers will send home emails every day with activities for families to do with students to keep their growth on target. Closing that program would be the very last resort as we know many of our families are essential personnel and will need services. Prior to that, we will promote distances between children as best we can.

We understand that there are many philosophies regarding this very real and emotional issue and want to respect as many as we can. Therefore, if you wish to keep your child home from school at any point for a time until you feel it is safe, please let us know so we can continue to support your child’s growth and education with remote options…at every level. This will keep our student body operating at the appropriate levels to pick right back up when the virus is controlled.

Please let us know if there is more you think we could be doing to realistically address the current situation. We have included the very latest update from the CDC regarding school closures for your information. Thank you for your support!

Warm Regards,

Kathy and Lisa for all of us

President and Head of School

**P.S. While we had plenty of hand sanitizer on hand for normal use with extra in store, we now find our access to supplies limited. If you have any connections to help us purchase more, we would truly appreciate the information/opportunity. Thank you, in advance.

P.S.S. Fraud Warnings are very real...Please Read!

Please be aware of fraud! In times like these scammers take advantage of people. Be aware of phishing emails related to the Coronavirus. Be sure to check the sender’s email address for grammatical errors – including emails that may seem like they come from a legitimate organization. BE VERY vigilant.