Dear Parents/Guardians,
We hear the March Break trip to the Marine Biological Laboratory is going well and that students are enjoying performing lab work in a variety of areas.
Given recent concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak, we wanted to assure you that Hotchkiss has plans to address health concerns should any arise on the March Break trip. These measures include:
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If a student develops any flu-like symptoms while on the trip--fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath--the faculty chaperone will remain with the student and escort them to a local health care facility for evaluation. The faculty chaperone will also immediately contact the administrator on duty, who will notify Hotchkiss Medical Director Jared Zelman M.D. P'04 and dean of community life Steve McKibben P'22.
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A parent/guardian will be called and asked to make immediate travel plans to be with that student within 24 hours. If the parent/guardian is unable to do so, we will discuss who is authorized and able to take over care for your student.
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The faculty chaperone will adhere to medical instructions as provided by the evaluating health care provider until a parent/guardian arrives.
The School is closely monitoring this evolving situation. The safety and well-being of the Hotchkiss community is our principal concern.
While our students on current school trips are safe and well, we want you to know we decided today to cancel the upcoming athletic training trips for Florida and Arizona, given the uncertainty of the spread of the coronavirus. Again, our students currently in Woods Hole and Florida are safe and well; however, if you are concerned, you are certainly welcome to retrieve your student at any time during the trip. We ask that if you decide to do so that you please coordinate with faculty chaperone
Chris Oostenink P'17,'20
so appropriate arrangements can be made.
Thank you for your understanding, partnership, and support.
Craig Bradley
Head of School
Jared Zelman M.D. P'04
Medical Director
Steve McKibben P'22
Dean of Community Life
