Dear Boarding Families,
We continue to monitor updates from the CDC and Allegheny Health Department regarding the spread of COVID-19. We have spent a great deal of time thinking about the implications of a local outbreak of the virus for our residential life community. At this point, we are assuming we will be in session until Spring Break.
As Chad Green communicated in early February, our dormitories will be closed as planned over Spring Break. We will not have food service or nursing staff available during this time, nor will we have faculty in the dormitories to supervise students. Please know that if the school must remain closed after Spring Break, or close after we return from break, due to an outbreak of COVID-19, we would face those same conditions. Thus, due to health and safety concerns, in the event of a prolonged school closure, we will need all students, including boarding students, to depart campus.
Furthermore, we have learned from the Allegheny Health Department about the requirements for self-quarantining students. Our assessment of these requirements has made it clear that we would be unable to house self-quarantined boarding students safely on campus. Due to these realities, we will need assurance from boarding families that they will be able to pick up their students (or make other arrangements for departure) within 48 hours should the school close or should any students be mandated to self-quarantine.
We understand that this is a hardship for families who live a significant distance from campus, but it is a necessary request in the face of these unprecedented circumstances. Please spend some time between now and March 23, one week before the start date for students after break, to make plans for how you will handle a potential school closure or quarantine situation.
In order for a boarding student to return to campus after break, we will need written assurance from the family that the student will have a place to go within 48 hours should school close or a quarantine situation arise. Please complete this Google form by Monday, March 23, 2020 indicating your plans for your child under these circumstances.
If you choose not to have your child return to SSA after Spring Break because you are concerned about a potential closure, we will support your decision and work with our teachers to ensure that your child continues to learn and earn credit for the third term.
This is a rapidly evolving situation, and we are working hard to make decisions that are in the best interest of the health and safety of our school community. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Sincerely,
Chad Green Director of Student & Residential Life
Sophie Lau Head of Senior School
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