March 10, 2020
Dear Hathaway Brown Families,
We continue to monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation as it evolves and to follow CDC guidelines. In collaboration with Laurel, Hathaway Brown, Hawken, Lawrence, and University School, we have made some joint decisions on our safety protocols between now and mid-April as the safety and well-being of everyone in our school communities are our highest priorities. The guidance we receive from local public health officials informs our decisions and interventions.
We have all agreed to cancel any non-essential travel by faculty and staff through April 15 and to limit the number of extra gatherings outside of school hours in our schools through this week. We will reassess whether we extend these protocols on travel and gatherings beyond April 15 after Spring Break. Each school will determine which events they will move forward with this week, and at HB, we will communicate this information to parents at the divisional level. For your convenience, we also have created a clearinghouse of information and resources related to this evolving situation at www.hb.edu/covid19.
We know that any decision to close school brings its own set of challenges for parents, and it is our plan to go forward with the business of school this week. We will communicate with you quickly if that plan should change. Should we need to close after Spring Break, we all would institute our long-distance learning plans to minimize any disruption to your children's educations. As we have said in earlier letters on this topic it is always parents' prerogative to keep your child(ren) home and they will not suffer any academic penalty. Faculty members across HB's campus are gathering this afternoon to make plans for any distance learning offerings we would provide if the situation warranted.
As events are unfolding rapidly, we know that you will take your family's health and the health of everyone in our communities seriously. Here is a reminder on CDC guidelines should you plan on moving forward with Spring Break travel plans. Should you or anyone in your family develop flu-like symptoms between now and throughout Spring Break, you must let us know and your student must stay home. This is a time for our intertwined school communities to show our strength and unity, our compassion and empathy as we all face unchartered waters.
Additional Resources:
- Centers for Disease Control:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- Travel Information via the Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
- Ohio Department of Health: https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/covid-19
- World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
We will continue to update you as the situation develops.
Sincerely,
Fran Bisselle
Head of School