Covid-19 Information

Dear PCD Families,

 

I write to you today to provide an update on Governor Raimondo’s announcement earlier today and PCD’s continued response to this rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation. As expected, Governor Raimondo declared that all Rhode Island schools, K-12, will be conducting instruction remotely until April 3. Furthermore, in conjunction with other RI Independent School Heads, we are extending that timeline an additional week and will continue distance learning through Monday, April 13. While we are conducting remote learning, all after-school activities are postponed, including athletics. 

 

Since the PCD team has been preparing for this possibility for several weeks, our teachers are set to execute virtual classes starting Wednesday, April 1. I want to give our faculty two full days of professional development to ensure a fluid launch of our remote learning. This will build on planning begun before our current March break. As a fellow parent, I am sure your mind is racing with a bevy of questions and thoughts. I invite you to join me for a PCD Virtual Town Hall on Friday, March 27th at 1 p.m. so we can lay out in detail our instructional plan and answer any questions to help minimize any concerns. You will receive a conference link next Friday with login details.

 

I have been moved by the outpouring of support and gratitude from a number of you. Despite the many challenges we face not only as a school, but also as Americans and global citizens, our strength will come from our collective efforts to work through this together.

 

I have every confidence that the PCD team is more than prepared to meet this significant challenge. Know that I am always a phone call, email, or video conference link away should you wish to have a conversation.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kevin Folan

Head of School

Dear PCD families,

 

So much for hearing from me on March 23rd…

 

As you may have heard, Governor Raimondo and Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott just announced the closure of all schools in Rhode Island for the week of March 16th. Although we are already on break, this decision has further confirmed the importance of our diligent preparation for virtual instruction.  

 

In an effort to contain the virus from spreading further, all K-12 public schools in the state will shift their anticipated April break to next week---effectively closing for one week---and thereafter they will adopt a week-by-week approach in terms of deciding whether to hold school in person or through distance learning. The Governor also asked all people who can work from home to consider doing so next week and banned visitation to nursing homes.

 

Dr. Alexander-Scott emphasized that, as a tool for combating the spread of infectious disease, school closure works best when there is unified action. In support of this statewide effort, all PCD athletic practices are canceled next week. We hope that athletic practices can begin the following week, and we will update the community no later than next Friday, March 20.

 

The Governor also announced that, by authority of an executive order, any Rhode Islander who has traveled anywhere outside the mainland United States within the preceding 14 days must undergo a 14-day self-quarantine before returning to work or school.

 

As I indicated yesterday, if you plan to travel internationally please contact our nurse, Lisa-Mae Costa immediately at costa@providencecountryday.org. 

 

Thank you for your support and cooperation as we work to maintain the health and safety of the PCD community. As always, should you wish to discuss this situation at greater length do not hesitate to contact me.

 

We wish everyone a happy and healthy Spring Break.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kevin

Head of School

Dear PCD families,

 

In the continued spirit of transparency and proactive communication during this unprecedented public health crisis, I write to you this afternoon to provide an update on the Coronavirus, PCD’s continued response and preparation, and proactive measures currently underway as we head into our two week spring break. 

 

The number of colleges and universities that have chosen to close school for the remainder of the year has been startling. Just last night, the National Basketball Association (N.B.A.) suspended the remainder of its season. I urge everyone in the coming days and weeks to join me in monitoring local, national, and global news during the break. Governor Raimondo’s press conference yesterday afternoon was helpful and informative. A few of the important highlights are:

 

• The Rhode Island Department of Health and the Rhode Island Department of Education do not recommend the closure of schools unless there is a widespread illness or a documented case in the school. For the majority of students, school is the safest place for kids.

• Students, individuals under the age of 60, and those without compromised immune or respiratory systems are not at high risk for the illness.

• RIDOH and RIDE recommend the cancellation or postponement of events that include 250 or more visitors to the schools for at least the next two weeks. For our Middle School play this evening, we are asking each family to limit attendance to two guests to help ensure we stay under the 250 person threshold.

• RIDOH advises that someone twice removed from a COVID-19 patient (referred to as a Contact of a Contact) does not need to be quarantined from work or school, as long as the direct Contact is not symptomatic. 

 

In addition to the many travel advisories that emerged over the last several weeks, last night President Trump issued a travel ban to Europe for 30 days. On the basis of these warnings, and out of an abundance of caution, PCD is asking all families that travel internationally, or that have contact with someone who has traveled internationally, to notify our nurse, Lisa-Mae Costa, immediately at costa@providencecountryday.org. In following the guidance of health officials, and in consultation with medical experts, visits to PCD’s campus by those who have travelled outside the United States may be restricted on a case-by-case basis. We will need everyone’s cooperation with these policies in order to maintain a healthy school environment.

 

What are we doing at PCD? Here are a few highlights:

 

• Asking all students to bring home textbooks, notebooks, and classroom materials over the break.

• Consistent communication with local health officials, fellow peer educators, and internal administration.

• Doing a more thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the campus over the spring break.

• Continuing to prepare for moving to a virtual school operation in the event of a closure.

• Encouraging basic health hygiene, including proper hand washing, staying home if sick, using hand sanitizer, etc.

 

PCD is carefully considering the best course of action during this rapidly changing situation, and continues to be guided by the recommendations of the CDC and the World Health Organization, as well as participating in weekly calls with the Rhode Island Department of Health and peer independent school leadership. I will plan to send out another communication on March 23rd, if not sooner.

 

Thank you for your support and cooperation as we work to maintain the health and safety of the PCD community. As always, should you wish to discuss this situation at greater length do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Thank you,

 

Kevin Folan

Head of School

Good Afternoon PCD families,

In the spirit of transparency and proactive communication, I write to you this afternoon to provide an update on the Coronavirus and PCD’s continued response and preparation. Following the first confirmed COVID-19 cases in Rhode Island earlier this week, PCD took a number of steps to ensure student, employee, and parent well-being:

• Met with all students and employees Monday morning to discuss the situation and answer any questions.
• Increased the availability of hand sanitizers and provided disinfectant wipes in classrooms and throughout classrooms.
• Dining staff is distributing food during lunch to minimize transmission of germs.
• Daily administration check-ins to update and share information.

March Break Travel

With March break comes an increase in domestic and international travel, and we are urging individuals to stay informed about the latest advisories. Of particular help as you prepare to travel—or, perhaps, determine whether you will still travel—is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s “Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel” page. This resource provides both a global interactive risk assessment map, offering country-specific travel health information about COVID-19, and detailed information regarding the Risk Assessment Level designations issued for countries around the world.

As of March 5, China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran are Level 3 designations, which means all non-essential travel should be avoided and that entry of foreign nationals from China and Iran has been suspended. Japan is currently a designated Level 2 country, which means older adults or those who have chronic medical conditions should consider postponing travel.

 

Returning to PCD After March Break
Providence Country Day is asking that all families, faculty, and staff engage in careful contemplation and ask themselves the following:

• Have I traveled to or from a destination to which the CDC has assigned an elevated risk?
• Have I been in close contact with anyone who has recently traveled to or from a destination to which the CDC has assigned an elevated risk?
• Am I, or someone in my household, exhibiting symptoms—such as fever, shortness of breath, and/or coughing—that could indicate infection and have not yet seen a medical professional?

If the answer to any of these is YES, we ask you to observe a 14-day self-quarantine period at home—commencing the day after departure from the Level 3 or 2 country—before re-entering PCD. Individuals should carefully follow health officials' policies and procedures, and call their doctors if they have further questions.

Virtual Learning
PCD school leaders are working on plans for remote learning in the event of school disruption, and we will work with local schools and health officials on this front for their guidance. Should those plans become realized, we will communicate with you directly.

COVID-19 Hotline
Yesterday in a press conference, the Rhode Island Department of Health instituted a COVID-19 hotline to answer health-specific questions, which you can access by calling 401-222-8022.

PCD is carefully considering the best course of action during this rapidly changing situation, and continues to be guided by the recommendations of the CDC and the World Health Organization, as well as participating in weekly calls with the Rhode Island Department of Health and peer independent school leadership.

Thank you for your support and cooperation as we work to maintain the health and safety of the PCD community. As always, should you wish to discuss this situation at greater length do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,

 

Kevin Folan

Head of School

Good Morning Families, 

 

This is just a brief note to let you know that we held an all-school assembly this morning. We updated the student body regarding the current happenings in the state, and we reviewed sanitizing procedures that we are enacting in the school.

 

We also opened the assembly to student questions, which our nurse, Lisa-Mae Costa, and I answered to the best of our abilities. Our goals continue to include transparency with students and parents, along with encouraging the prevention of rumor spreading and overreacting. 

 

There were two very important facts stressed during the assembly:

 

1. The primary way to catch the coronavirus is to be exposed to someone who is displaying symptoms. 

2. Students and staff should stay home if they are sick, regardless of symptoms. 

 

We will continue to update families as information develops. 

 

Thank you, 

 

Kevin Folan

Head of School

Good afternoon PCD community,

 

The safety of our students, parents, and employees is our highest priority and I want to be sure that everyone is sufficiently informed. I know that I just wrote to our community on Friday, but there have been further developments on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) today. This morning, Governor Raimondo announced that a case of coronavirus has been identified in Rhode Island. 

 

1. Our playoff hockey game scheduled for this evening has been cancelled. As you may know our team is comprised of a co-op with Saint Raphael Academy (St. Ray’s) and Wheeler School. It has been confirmed that a member of the St. Ray’s community has tested positive for Coronavirus. I share this information with you simply to provide as much transparency as possible as this situation continues to unfold.

 

[Please note that out of an abundance of caution, St. Ray’s is closing tomorrow and Tuesday; we do not believe there is currently a threat to the PCD community. More information is available here: https://www.saintrays.org/virtual-days-march-2]

 

2. The Coronavirus has now been identified in more than 50 countries, including the United States, and this week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a warning that the virus is likely to continue spreading within the U.S. The risk to any particular individual remains low and the CDC is urging common preventive hygiene rather than alarm. Members of PCD’s administrative and health teams have been monitoring the situation closely and consulting with experts so that we are prepared to respond accordingly.

 

While I risk sounding like a “broken record”, I want to remind everyone that the best thing we can do to keep illness contained is to stay home if you are ill and follow these basic safety precautions:

• Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. 

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way. 

• Cover coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue to cover coughs and sneezes, then dispose of the tissue. 

• When a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow. 

• Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. 

• Wash hands for 20 seconds. Washing hands often under clean, running water can help prevent the spread of germs.
   

3. The CDC has issued a Level 3 warning (discouraging all non-essential travel) for China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran, and a Level 2 alert (recommending enhanced precautions) for Japan. On the basis of these advisories, and out of an abundance of caution, PCD is asking all families that travel to any of these countries, or that have contact with someone who has traveled there, to notify our nurse, Lisa-Mae Costa, immediately at costa@providencecountryday.org.

 

Those returning from these areas must follow the guidance of health officials, which could include quarantine, self-monitoring at home, or other protocols. Those returning from Level 3 countries will not be allowed on PCD’s campus until they have been symptom-free for 14 days from the date of last possible exposure. Those returning from Level 2 countries may also face restrictions depending on exact travel locations. PCD will make such decisions on a case-by-case basis in consultation with medical experts. We will need everyone’s cooperation with these policies in order to maintain a healthy school environment.

 

4. This past week, the CDC recommended that schools develop plans for continuity in teaching and learning in the event of disruption caused by the virus. If this were to occur, we would rely on digital and online resources to deliver our program and instruction. Plans are immediately underway to prepare for this scenario, however unlikely. All staff and faculty will meet tomorrow to review the situation.

 

Providence Country Day is following the current guidance of the Rhode Island Department of Health, the CDC, and the World Health Organization. These are all excellent sources of information if you have additional concerns about the novel coronavirus. I also want to recommend the following: from healthline: How to Talk to Your Kids About the Coronavirus; from Psychology Today: How to Talk to Your Anxious Child About the Coronavirus; and from NPR: Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus. 

 

We will, of course, keep PCD families informed as new information becomes available, particularly if developments might affect our ability to operate the school normally. It is important to remember that the general level of risk for Rhode Islanders is low. Please know that we will work hard to provide accurate and up to date information as this situation unfolds and caution all against relying on rumors or gossip posted on social media. 

 

Thank you for your support and cooperation as we work to maintain the health and safety of the PCD community. As always, should you wish to discuss this situation at greater length do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kevin Folan

Head of School

Dear PCD families,

 

I wanted to follow up on a letter I sent on February 5th regarding the Coronavirus and Providence Country Day School’s corresponding actions. 

Again, the safety and health of our students, teachers, and parents is our number one priority. As we continue to monitor the Coronavirus (Coronavirus 2019-nCoV) outbreak, Providence Country Day School is taking steps to ensure the well-being of all of our students, employees, and families.

Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a strong warning that the Coronavirus is likely to spread in communities across the U.S. and that individuals, businesses, and schools should be taking steps to not only prevent, but also prepare for the potential spread of the virus.

PCD is following this rapidly evolving heath situation and will collaborate with state and local health departments to update emergency operations plans as this continues to unfold. Our School Nurse, Lisa-Mae Costa, is monitoring the CDC, WHO, and R.I. Department of Health updates. PCD Facilities Director, Brian Duarte, is ensuring that we thoroughly disinfect all surfaces throughout the school day and additional hand sanitizers have been placed at all tables in Chace Hall. Additionally, PCD will thoroughly clean all buildings over the upcoming vacation.

The basic precautions to help prevent colds and the flu are the most important steps we can take to protect our students and families against COVID-19. Please continue to:

• Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. 

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way. 

• Cover coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue to cover coughs and sneezes, then dispose of the tissue. 

• When a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow. 

• Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. 

• Wash hands for 20 seconds. Washing hands often under clean, running water can help prevent the spread of germs. 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your family's circumstances, please contact me. Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience as we work together for the health and safety of our community. As the situation continues to unfold, I look forward to staying in touch on this matter.

 

Thank you, 

Kevin Folan

Head of School

Dear PCD families,

 

The safety and health of our students, teachers, and parents is our number one priority. As we continue to monitor the coronavirus (Coronavirus 2019-nCoV) outbreak, Providence Country Day School is taking steps out of an abundance of caution to ensure the well-being of all of our students, employees, and families. While we watch the updates from the Center for Disease Control (C.D.C.) and the World Health Organization (W.H.O.), we are following their guidance about all international travel and re-entry into school by all members of the PCD community.  

We encourage our community to continue everyday actions to help prevent the spread of all respiratory viruses including:

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.

• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated.

For more specific information on ways to stay healthy, please visit this link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/what-you-should-do.html

On a more personal level, this situation has impacted several of our families. There have been references made to the country where this virus was identified; we remind you that cultural inattentiveness and stereotypical assertions are insensitive to the emotional needs of some of our international students, students with international connections and affiliations, and faculty/staff with the same or similar dispositions.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your family's circumstances, please contact me. Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience as we work together for the health and safety of our community. As the situation continues to unfold, I look forward to staying in touch on this matter.

 

Thank you, 

 

Kevin Folan

Head of School