March 10, 2020
Dear Gould Families,
I write today at 6 p.m. to share with you the school’s planning in light of the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S.
We are monitoring this continuously evolving situation very closely. Each morning, I check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (
CDC
), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the U.S. Department of State websites to monitor information regarding COVID-19 here in the United States and in the countries our students are traveling in and plan to travel to. In addition, members of the administration and staff have joined me in participating in several webinars on this matter.
On Campus
Each week of our Spring Break, we are hosting students who are not comfortable or are unable to travel home. We have faculty members covering daily activities with our students and other faculty members responsible for evening activities and overnight dorm coverage.
Spring Break Travel
As students and chaperones return from Ecuador and Morocco later this week, we will follow the guidelines established by the State Department for both countries. We are asking them to:
“Pay attention to your health for 14 days after returning to the US. Stay home and seek medical advice if you get sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.”
I have consulted with our team of senior administrators and Chris Hayward about our upcoming trips to Ecuador, Peru, and Tanzania. Exercising an abundance of caution—and keeping in mind both the potential health issues and any travel restrictions that could arise—I have decided to cancel the remainder of our international Four Point trips this spring.
If your child will be traveling abroad, please check entry and exit requirements for the U.S. and your intended destination(s) before departure and return. Many countries have instituted restrictions and quarantines for travel into and out of the country that may directly affect them. Please be mindful that travel restrictions can change with little or no advanced notice, and airlines may change or cancel flights in response.
Self-Quarantine
Please note that the CDC is asking people, depending on their travel history, “to stay home for a period of 14 days from the time you left an area with widespread or ongoing community spread” (Level 3 Travel Health Notice).
At this time, countries that have a Level 3 Travel Health Notice (widespread, ongoing transmission) include the following:
China, Iran, Italy, South Korea
Please check the CDC website for the latest information:
Disruption to the School
In the event we were asked to close our campus, we are fortunate to have an excellent technology infrastructure, as well as teachers and students who are experienced in conducting classes remotely.
In Closing
It is in times like these, of great uncertainty, that Gould's mission to educate students to lead "lives of purpose, action, excellence, and compassion in a dynamic world" is more important than ever. I
t is also important to sort out matters of fact from matters of opinion. Please rely on healthcare experts and local, state, and federal agencies for your information.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding any medical or health issues, please feel free to contact our Director of the Student Health Center, Olivia Hendry, RN, BSN. If you have any questions relating to our policies and procedures, please feel free to contact me directly.
All the best,
