To our MB Community
An important Distance Learning Plan Update
This email contains updated information regarding COVID-19, our Distance Learning Plan and precautions Moses Brown School is taking
to help our community stay healthy.
March 18, 2020

Dear Moses Brown Community,

I’m writing to provide important new information about the COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on our school and the broader Rhode Island community.

Today, Governor Raimondo announced that all public schools will move to online learning for a period of at least two weeks beginning next Monday. In support of this statewide effort, and in concert with peer independent schools in Providence, Moses Brown also will shift to online learning after its spring break, beginning on Wednesday, April 1 and extending until at least Friday, April 10 (the latter day is Good Friday, which will remain a school holiday). Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31 will be faculty professional development days devoted to finalizing plans for online learning.

During this period, and during the remainder of spring break, after-school and co-curricular activities will be cancelled, offices will be closed, and in-person events and meetings either cancelled or moved to an online platform. 

Our Distance Learning plan will extend for at least one week beyond what the public schools are currently anticipating. Recognizing that many of our families are traveling during break, we want to be sure there is a full two-week window---the incubation period of COVID-19---between the end of break and a potential return to campus. To assist us in our planning, we again ask that all MB parents complete and/or update this Family Travel Survey.
 
Sharing this news is truly difficult. Moses Brown is a tight-knit community, and I find it disconcerting to imagine our school family separated physically, interacting primarily through online means. And it’s sad, frustrating, and maddening to think that cherished activities like plays, robotics, and athletics might not happen as planned. We are a strong community, though, and I am confident that we can maintain our sense of mission, identity, and purpose through this period of dislocation. The school’s administration is committed to making sure that all community members feel connected, supported, and engaged as we move ahead.

Relatedly, while it pains me to say this, please help us ensure that there are no informal group gatherings of any kind at MB while the campus is closed, as this would minimize the health benefits of the social distancing we are undertaking.

In my letter last Thursday, I shared our plans for Distance Learning, which can be accessed here . I also encouraged families to let us know if they need additional resources or assistance in order to access lessons and materials online. If you have questions about how Distance Learning will work, please reach out to your division head. If you need help with technology or digital resources, please contact our IT team ( technology@mosesbrown.org ). 

I will be in touch again before the end of break, and will provide more information about potentially returning to campus, including athletics, performing arts and other events, as soon as decisions are made. And once our Distance Learning plan is underway, administrators and I will communicate regularly, seeking feedback about how things are working and providing additional resources. At any point, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions or concerns. I want to be sure we are supporting you and the entire MB community during this very unusual situation.

In friendship,

Matt Glendinning
Head of School
Moses Brown School | 250 Lloyd Ave. Providence, Rhode Island | Email |