March 11, 2020
 
Dear Ranney School Community,
 
We are all actively monitoring developments related to COVID-19, and as the impact of the virus comes closer to home, it is understandable that many of us are concerned. To help inform Ranney's decision-making and communications related to the virus, we have convened an internal COVID-19 Task Force including Administrative Leadership and representatives from the Board of Trustees and Medical Advisory Board, including Dr. Meg Fisher, a world renowned pediatric infectious disease specialist with The Unterberg Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center; and Dr. Niraj Govil '85, a Colonel and Flight Surgeon with the United States Air Force. This COVID-19 Task Force is continually monitoring and evaluating the latest information surrounding COVID-19. Please know that we are taking every precaution to keep our community safe and are actively preparing for the possibility of school closure, should that become necessary. On a positive note, the Medical Advisory Board continues to feel that children are at low-risk for being impacted by COVID-19, however we are making all decisions with the goal of erring on the side of caution and keeping everyone in our community safe.

To access ongoing updates, including the information below, please visit: COVID-19 Updates .
 
We have prepared the following responses to frequently asked questions that are top of mind for families as the implications of COVID-19 unfold. The following covers Ranney's updated cleaning/hygiene protocols, Maymester and field trip information, policies related to Spring Break travel, and our updated Sick Policy. We will continue to update the community on an ongoing basis. If you have questions that are not addressed in this communication, please feel free to respond to this email or contact safety@ranneyschool.org .
HOW IS RANNEY ENHANCING ITS CLEANING/
HYGIENE PROTOCOLS?
The School has stepped up its cleaning protocols with nightly cleaning staff to wipe down all touch surfaces with cleaners approved by the FDA to kill COVID-19. Over Spring Break, we will do a deep cleaning. Hand sanitizer is available to students, faculty, and staff. We are adjusting food service to eliminate self-service stations including salad, soup, and infused waters. All food will be served by FLIK staff. FLIK has shared this   communication  for more information.
WHAT ARE RANNEY'S POLICIES RELATED TO TRAVEL OVER SPRING BREAK?
We recognize that some Ranney families have plans to travel during Spring Break. We strongly urge you to take extra precautions and refer to the CDC's and U.S. State Department's recommendations regarding travel health notices. If anyone in your household travels to a place for which the CDC has issued a Level 3 (avoid non-essential travel) advisory, Ranney expects that the family follow any then-current CDC guidelines related to self-care, including but not limited to self-quarantine for two weeks upon return. Please note that conditions can change rapidly in a country at any time, so please check Travel Advisories for your destination. We also ask you to review Ranney's updated Sick Policy to determine whether or not your child(ren) should attend school if sick.  
WILL RANNEY CANCEL SCHOOL-RUN TRIPS INCLUDING MAYMESTER?
After careful consideration, the COVID-19 Task Force has decided to cancel Upper School Maymester travel experiences to Europe, South Africa and Florida planned for this year. The safety of our students is paramount, and although this news is disappointing, we will not risk putting our students' health in jeopardy or the possibility of quarantine while traveling. We are in communication with the travel companies and will reach out to families whose children had planned to travel with more information on Friday, March 13. In the meantime, faculty are working to develop meaningful local alternatives to take the place of these travel programs during the last two weeks of this school year.
 
We are also planning to restrict travel related to other school-sponsored field trips. We will be in touch at the Division level with details about these cancellations.
WILL RANNEY CLOSE IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19?
You are likely aware that some schools around the country have made the decision to close for a period of time. In most cases, this decision has stemmed from either a significant increase in local cases of COVID-19 or the testing of a school community member. If a member of your family suspects that they have the virus, we ask that you inform us immediately at  safety@ranneyschool.org. A decision to close would be based on the recommendations of government authorities and careful consideration by our COVID-19 Task Force. If this decision is made, families will be notified immediately using the School's emergency alert system. 

We also have not made the decision to cancel any school-run functions at this time but will notify you immediately if this changes using the School's emergency alert system.
WHAT IS RANNEY DOING TO PREPARE FOR EXTENDED SCHOOL CLOSURE?.
We are working to put in place strategies for leveraging technology to deliver distance learning. Faculty and staff are currently developing division, department, and course-specific online curriculum to support program continuity. In the event of a prolonged school closure, parents and students will be notified of next steps and expectations. 

  • Upper / Middle School: We are training faculty to conduct online classes to prepare for a possible school closure. Faculty are able to teach via Google Classrooms, Google Meet, and myRanney. Faculty have also been introduced to OBS Studio, a software package that allows faculty to create video lessons that can be used asynchronously and disseminated on youTube, Google Classroom, or in myRanney. 

  • Lower School:  In the event of school closure Lower School teachers and specialists will provide assignments via myRanney. Faculty are reviewing with their students how to use relevant software and applications. Please complete the form in myRanney to indicate if you have access to the required technology at home (iPads for Beginners through Grade 2 or a chromebook for Grades 3 through 5) or if you would like to borrow a device.
WHAT STEPS CAN I TAKE TO PROTECT MY CHILD(REN)?
The same preventive measures that are advised for the flu are advised for COVID-19: 

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Please keep your child(ren) home when they are sick so that they do not expose other children to illness.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze into your elbow. If it is necessary to use a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

And, of course, all families are reminded to follow Ranney's Sick Policy  when making attendance decisions.
WHAT IS RANNEY'S SICK POLICY-- UPDATED
Please keep your child(ren) home when they are sick so that they do not expose other children to illness.  Review the full Sick Policy here .

Students should stay home if they have any of the following conditions:

  • A temperature above 100 degrees
  • Antibiotics are prescribed for a contagious illness
  • The student has vomited
  • The student has diarrhea
  • The student has an undiagnosed rash
  • A student is diagnosed with a communicable disease (e.g. Influenza, Pneumonia, Strep Throat)
  • A student has severe cold symptoms.
  • A student is lethargic, is pale, has little appetite, and is generally "not him/herself."

The student will be allowed to return to school 24 hours after symptoms resolve without fever-reducing medications, when a normal diet can be resumed, and a doctors note is obtained. A student may return to school after taking antibiotics for a minimum of 24 hours. A note from a physician is also required if a student has missed three or more consecutive days.

Students are also discouraged from coming late to school due to illness. If your child does not feel well in the morning, please keep him or her home for the day.
    
You may contact the Health Office directly with details or questions regarding your child.
 
Health Office Contact:  Tara Kardum , 732-542-4777 Ext 1132.
HOW IS RANNEY MONITORING COVID-19?
The COVID-19 Task Force, which includes the Medical Advisory Board, has been closely following developments related to COVID-19 through   Johns Hopkins University (JHU) , the  World Health Organization (WHO) , the   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , the  U.S. State Department,   International SOS (iSOS) , and the  New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) . We are also consulting with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS) to follow best practices and align ourselves, where appropriate, with our peer schools. In addition to the School's COVID-19 Task Force's monitoring of federal authorities' advisories, our School Nurses are in close contact with our local Health Departments to remain apprised of the latest recommendations.
WHO IS ON THE RANNEY COVID-19 TASK FORCE?
The Ranney COVID-19 Task Force includes members of the Board of Trustees, Medical Advisory Board and Administrative Leadership. 
 
Board of Trustees
Bob Chandler, Chair
Joe Guiliano, Vice Chair
 
Medical Advisory Board
Dr. Shamina Dhillon, Chair
Dr. Ramil Bhatnagar
Dr. Seth Dinowitz
Sandy Epstein
Dr. Meg Fisher
Dr. Amy Goodman
Dr. Niraj Govil '85
Dr. Sunita Mann
Dr. Janine Sanderman
Dr. Brian Torpey
 
Administration
Dr. John Griffith, Head of School
Dr. Greg Martin, Assistant Head for Academics and Head of Upper School
Chuck Zalewski, Chief Financial Officer
Jennifer Collins, Chief Advancement Officer
David Ketcham, Head of Middle School
Dr. Andrea Danial, Head of Lower School
Chris Landosky, Director of Operations
Tara Kardum, Health Office 
Sara Zavorek, Director of Marketing & Communications
Please feel free to reach out to me or safety@ranneyschool.org if you have any questions.
 
Sincerely,
Dr. John W. Griffith
Head of School