Dear MPH Community,
 
In response to rising cases of COVID-19 in our communities, Governor Cuomo announced yesterday that parts of Onondaga County would be subject to yellow-zone restrictions. Because restrictions are cluster-based, only parts of the county have been identified as being in yellow zones. As of today, MPH is not in a “hotspot” area and thus not in a yellow zone.
 
Yellow-zone restrictions include new limits on gathering and activities, but do not require closure of schools or businesses. Schools in yellow zones are, however, required to complete mandatory testing of 20 percent of students, teachers, and staff every week in order to continue with in-person instruction. Although MPH is not located in a yellow zone, a large percentage of our families and employees live in yellow-zone areas. (You can check to see whether you live in a yellow zone by using the NY COVID Hotspot Look-Up by Address tool.)
 
Our Pandemic Response Team meets every day to monitor the health and well-being of our school community as well as the fluctuations in COVID-19 positivity rates in our wider community. As Syracuse University prepares to switch to distance learning for all of its students beginning next week, MPH is also reviewing our protocols for transitioning from on-campus learning to distance learning to ensure as smooth a transition as possible, should the need arise.
 
In the meantime, we urge the MPH community to remain vigilant and proactive in your communication. As we have already mentioned, close communication with our families is the ounce of prevention that can preclude the pound of cure that might be needed to address the spread of the virus in the larger community. Please continue to help us safeguard the health and well-being of our entire MPH community by adhering to The MPH Social Compact and Plan for the 2020-2021 School Year and the MPH Health Protocols, including:
 
  • Do not come to school if you/your child(ren) feel unwell.
  • Complete the Daily Health Assessment (DHA) no later than 7:15 a.m. to help our staff process nearly 400 people every day and to avoid delays upon arrival.
  • Bring a full water bottle from home every day. (Water bottles at school are available only for emergency needs to reduce unnecessary traffic in the hallways.)
  • Wear a face covering whenever you are on campus and as often as possible when off campus.
  • Practice safe physical distancing of six feet between individuals.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Communicate with the School by emailing COVIDNurse@mphschool.org if you have any information or questions about COVID testing, quarantine rules, or suspected infection.
 
Appreciating the positive impact that sleep and rest have on our immune systems, I wish you all a relaxing and restorative holiday tomorrow. Please note:
 
  • There is no need to complete the DHA tomorrow. 
  • On Thursday, please complete the DHA before 7:15 a.m.
 
As we observe Veterans Day, I extend my appreciation and gratitude to all members of our far-reaching MPH community who have served or are currently serving in the military for your selfless service to our country.
 
Sincerely,
 
Dave McCusker
Head of School