March 2, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians of Ursuline Students,
We are writing to update you on Ursuline's actions with regard to the recent outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The health and well-being of our community members are most important to us, and we will continue to provide you with updates as the situation evolves.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that "for the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low." While there is obviously a degree of uncertainty in a health situation such as this, our focus is on keeping our community members calm, informed, and most of all, healthy. We are carefully monitoring updates from the CDC, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and other authorities as this global situation evolves and will communicate regularly with you as needed. (More detailed information from the CDC is available here.)
In the meantime, to help reduce the spread of illness, including the flu and the common cold, we ask that you partner with us in reinforcing the same preventive measures that we are sharing daily with your daughters. Specifically:
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and help young children in your family do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve or elbow, but not your hands.
Each year during cough and cold season, we ramp up our practice of disinfecting surfaces throughout all buildings at Ursuline; we have further increased these procedures and will continue to do so until further notice. In the unlikely event that a school closure is necessary, we will be prepared to support our students' academic progress through remote learning.
Our concern for your daughters naturally extends to your families; we encourage you to carefully consider any travel plans which would take you to or through any affected areas as identified in the U.S. State Department Travel Advisories; please be aware that the advisories and restrictions can change without advance notice.
Clearly, this is an evolving situation which we will continue to monitor; please be assured that we will update you as more information becomes available. The health and safety of every member of the Ursuline community is our priority and we are grateful for your ongoing support. Please feel free to contact us with any specific concerns about your daughter.
Kind regards,