February 29, 2020
Dear MPCSD Parents, Guardians, and Staff,
As the Governor stated
earlier this week
,
the Coronavirus COVID-19 situation is changing by the hour.
It is normal to be fearful; however, the best response to fear is
calm, information, and a focus on controlling what we can control
. As your Superintendent, I want you to know that I take nothing more seriously than the health, safety, and well being of your child. As such, please know that our staff, your elected Board officials, and I are doing everything in our power to control the things we can control in this ever changing situation. What information there is to know and steps there are to take, we know and are taking.
This morning, all Superintendents in San Mateo County had the opportunity to meet directly with Dr. Scott Morrow, San Mateo County Health Officer, who has been working with the SMC Health Department for thirty years; he is the “county’s doctor.” The meeting was informative and provided what clarity there is to have for schools at this time.
Here’s what I would like you to know at this time; first, MPCSD continues to remain in frequent contact with neighboring districts, our County Office of Education led by Superintendent Nancy Mcgee, and with the San Mateo County Health Department. We are also monitoring local and national news, as well as state and federal health communications. As we gather new information, MPCSD will be updating a “living” FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document that will change as the information changes. Please feel free to visit the
MPCSD COVID-19 FAQ
document now and in the future, easily accessible on the District’s website.
Every school district in the county is coordinating together, but not every school district has the same communication plans. This is our plan:
send periodic emails when necessary; keep updating the
MPCSD COVID-19 FAQ
for up to the minute changes and direction
. This FAQ document will remain updated and available until the COVID-19 outbreak has ended, and no one can tell you when that will be. We will attempt to manage fear by providing emails only when necessary as to support our community in remaining calm, accessing correct information, and focusing on controlling what we can control.
At the top of
MPCSD's COVID-19 FAQ
document are recommendations on what you can do as a family to increase your chances of not getting sick and prepare for a myriad of eventualities that may not be within your control.
Precaution
and
preparation
are the two most important steps you, your family, and your schools can engage in at this time.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you have suggestions for the
MPCSD COVID-19 FAQ
, you may forward them to
[email protected]
. We appreciate your patience and support.
Sincerely,
Erik Burmeister
P.S. I find the timing of next week’s MPCSD Speaker Series event to be incredibly fortuitous as the author of the best selling and highly acclaimed book,
Small Animals: Parenthood in the Age of Fear
, Kim Brooks, is joining us on Wednesday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hillview PAC. Kim is not a doctor, nor an expert on COVID-19; she is just a parent like you and me. However, I find her topic to be so timely as we find ourselves parenting in a scary time full of unknown and danger. I hope you will join us for a time of community and fellowship.
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Governing Board
Stacey Jones
, President
Sherwin Chen, Vice President
David Ackerman
Mark Box
Scott Saywell
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