News

Dear Parents and Friends of St. Paul’s,

As you are likely aware, on Tuesday, February 25th, 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 want to share with you some of the steps St. Paul’s is taking to prevent the spread of illness across our campus, and plan for the possible spread of the coronavirus in our community.

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 daily.

In the meantime, the most effective way to stay healthy and minimize the spread of infectious disease is to follow basic health best practices such as:

Enforce great hygiene, like washing hands thoroughly with soap and water (sing the happy birthday song twice when washing hands). If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 

Cover up coughs/sneezes ( cough/sneeze in your elbow)

If students, faculty or staff are feeling ill, please stay home until you recover. Students should not return to school until they are fever free for 24 hours.

Everyone 6 months and older is encouraged to get a flu shot.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

I will attend a training tomorrow updating the coronavirus issues. Our faculty and staff will meet tomorrow as well to address and create a plan should the situation change. Although we think that closure of school remains unlikely, we are working to create plans that could include e-learning and remote learning opportunities should students need to stay home due to sickness. We are also thinking ahead regarding the impact spring travel, upcoming school trips and other non-typical school activities will have in the context of the coronavirus. We will communicate any changes affirmatively when the time is appropriate.

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 government organizations should be followed.

In times like this, I am grateful for the strength and togetherness of this community. Please continue to look for further communication on this matter.

Educating the whole child in mind, body, and spirit.