In connection with local authorities, we continue to monitor guidelines and measures in relation to COVID-19 virus. Below are some of the steps we are taking to reduce the risk on campus. Because the situation is rapidly evolving, these guidelines may change, and we will update parents if they do.
Personal Travel
If your family has plans to travel out of the country or any areas where there has been a large outbreak of cases between now and the end of school, please notify the lower school or upper school office. We continue to monitor all CDC travel advisories and will make decisions on a case-by-case basis.
Please, monitor the CDC guidelines for travel abroad and avoid traveling to countries with CDC notices. The updated list is available here.
School-Related Travel
At this time, no school-related domestic or international trips have been cancelled. However, since this is a rapidly evolving situation, parents with students enrolled in any of these trips will continue to be notified of any changes. None of our school-related spring trips are to places with a CDC notice.
Attendance
As in any situation, if students are experiencing any symptoms of being sick, please do not send them to school.
Notify the school office if a student is at home sick.
On-Campus Cleaning
Our cleaning crews currently use hospital-grade cleaning products. Over the last few weeks, crews have increased the amount of cleaning of surfaces, such as door handles, stair railings, and other commonly touched surfaces. Likewise, coaches have increased the cleaning of equipment in our weight room.
Hand-sanitizing stations placed around campus are being monitored and refilled. We are also going to order more stations for campus. We have seen an increase in students’ use of these stations and continue to encourage students to do so. Portable hand sanitizing stations will also be placed at school events as needed.
Food Service
Our food service team continues to implement hand washing and sanitization practices that are above the CDC recommendations.
Likewise, SAGE is moving to individually wrapped condiment packages and salt and pepper packets. The staff is replacing self-serve tongs and wiping table surfaces and other commonly touched surfaces more frequently.
In the event the situation escalates, plans are in place to replace self-serve stations (salad, deli, dessert) with staff-served stations or pre-packaged ‘grab and go’ items and boost inventory of non-perishable food items in case of any disruption in supply.
Plans in Case of School Closure
While there is no indication that the situation may escalate to the point of needing to close school, FPD faculty and administration are making plans for temporary distance learning methods should this be needed. Thankfully, our 1-to-1 school-issued tablets make this possible for students in upper grades, so they will not fall behind in their studies.
Other Prevention
Teachers are reminding students to wash their hands. Parents, please help us by talking to your children about the importance of handwashing.
We continue to encourage students, faculty and staff to follow appropriate preventative strategies: wash hands regularly; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; cover coughs and sneezes; avoid close contact with people who are sick; and stay home when experiencing symptoms of illness.