March 16, 2020
Dear Miss Hall’s School Community,
I write to follow-up on developments regarding the coronavirus/COVID-19 global pandemic, specifically in Massachusetts. On Sunday evening, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker ordered all schools — public and private — to close for three weeks, through April 6. In addition, national authorities and the CDC have urged everyone to cancel large group gatherings and practice “
social distancing
” and other measures to limit the risks of exposure.
This affects all of us at MHS in key ways:
- We will not resume classes on March 30, as planned. We will begin distance learning Monday, April 6.
- We do not know when the Miss Hall’s campus will be able to reopen for regular activity. Based on information from local, state and national authorities, a campus reopening date would be no sooner than April 6 and potentially much later.
- Because of the uncertainty around reopening of the campus and restrictions on travel and gathering, we recommend that families make arrangements for students who are currently on campus to return home, if possible. As always, every family must decide what is best for them and their student. Please know that we will do all we can to accommodate each situation, and we will continue to care for any students who need to remain on campus.
The School’s Incident Response Team (IRT) and Board of Trustees continue to monitor state and federal advisories. We will assess and evaluate the situation on a daily basis, and
we will communicate with all MHS community members no later than March 23 about our decision whether or not to reopen the campus.
In the meantime, students and adults who may need to come to campus to pick up belongings or materials needed to participate in distance learning are welcome to do so. As always, we ask that if you are sick, or if you have been in close contact with someone who is showing symptoms of COVID-19, please do not come to campus.
Dean of Academics and Faculty Lisa Alberti will be in touch no later than March 30 with more instructions and expectations about the distance learning that will begin April 6. I know that this shift will be easier for some than for others, and we will work to accommodate all MHS students and adults as we put this plan into action. As I have said before, MHS students will continue to learn, but how that learning takes place, and what that looks like, will be different. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
We remain fortunate in that there are no known cases of the coronavirus on the Miss Hall’s campus, and the community is otherwise healthy and safe. The School’s Board of Trustees, Leadership Team, and IRT remain fully committed to taking every step we can to keep it that way. Please continue to check email and
www.misshalls.org/resources
for updates.
I acknowledge the difficulties and anxiety caused by uncertainty and appreciate your patience as we work our way through this crisis. I am touched and inspired by the words of encouragement I am receiving from students and families. Please know that we will continue to communicate with you as the situation changes.
Best,
