Head of School Announcement: Update on COVID-19 Protocols

Dear Live Oak,

As you are likely aware, on Tuesday, February 25, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gave a press conference updating the country on the current status of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and what steps should be taken moving forward. I would like to share with you some of the steps Live Oak is taking to prevent the spread of illness across our campus, and plan for the possible spread of the coronavirus in our community. The most significant impact to Live Oak so far is that our Senior Trip to Italy has been moved to the middle of May due to the US level 3 warning for northern Italy which restricts all travel except for essential travel.

As the CDC emphasized, there is not currently a coronavirus pandemic in the United States. A pandemic occurs when a disease is spreading from a variety of sources across a large region, and the number of cases across the US is still small. However, given how quickly the global situation is evolving, we are monitoring new developments and will continue to reevaluate our steps and actions.

Live Oak is not only monitoring the situation, but we are also communicating with other schools and consulting with outside experts. Striking the right balance between making the best safety decisions for the community while not overreacting requires critical thinking, a supportive community, and courage. Our community is prepared to alter our procedures and planning should the situation change, (including strategies like Google classroom). We will confirm any changes with appropriate timing.

It is important to remember that handling the spread of a serious contagion like the coronavirus is primarily a task for public health agencies. Any directives from the World Health Organization, CDC, or local governmental organizations should be followed.

Here is a list of resources that Live Oak is utilizing as we monitor the situation:

NAIS resources for independent schools and the Coronavirus
Joffe Emergency Services resources for schools and the Coronavirus
Global Online Academy and online resources during school closures
The World Health Organization (WHO)
The WHO interactive map tracking the virus spread.
CDC and Coronavirus updates
Directory of local health departments

All year, especially during flu season, we take the following steps as our hygiene protocol:

Expecting staff and students to stay home when they are sick.
Implementing cough and hand hygiene practices in the classroom.
Enforcing the not returning to school for 24 hours after fever (or vomiting) rule.
Assessing all students who have signs of illness or report symptoms of illness to their teacher.
Monitoring illness trends at the grade and division levels.
Cleaning and sanitizing each classroom frequently and after the school day.
Communicating with parents regarding health policies.

We will keep you updated as developments unfold.

Alison Moffatt
Head of School

Head of School Announcement: Update on COVID-19 Protocols

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