Dear MCDS Families,
Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: ''I'm with you kid. Let's go.'' - Maya Angelou
The Maya Angelou quotation above captures the spirit of our teachers who, even today as they were continuing to provide a routine and happy environment for our students, were also keeping in mind the fact that they would have to prepare for distance learning. Yet, as we closed school today, every teacher I spoke with had the attitude of growth and opportunity. Even though we have been thrown a curveball, they are looking ahead to next week as a "Let's go!" moment.
The novel Coronavirus and the unpredictability of its potential impact have given this community a roller coaster ride over the past 48 hours. I have appreciated your understanding and empathy as all of us at school managed rapid shifts with new information that rolled in. I understand that this closure is no small disruption in your lives, and I appreciate you deeply for your gracious response to this different reality.
In the spirit of transparency, and to dispel misinformation, I also want to share about two MCDS students' connection to a known positive COVID-19 patient. We learned today that a Marin individual (not an MCDS community member) who last had contact with two of our students on February 29, tested positive for COVID-19. Soon after we learned of this from MHHS, and were advised to send the students home, we contacted the parents who picked up their students. The students who were exposed to the COVID-19 patient have not presented symptoms and are still asymptomatic. Out of respect for the privacy of our families, we will not share information about the identity of the students, and we ask you to refrain from speculation or assumptions about their identities to protect our community's values.
As always, if you have questions about potential exposure to COVID-19, please contact Nurse Karen Bond at kbond@mcds.org. She and I will remain in close contact through the school closure to follow up with families and to continue to coordinate action with our public health officials.
Calendar Updates
Here are the latest updates on activities and programs that we are changing or canceling. If an upcoming event does not appear below, we are still assessing whether we can proceed with it as planned, and will let you know as soon as we have more information.
If you have questions about cancellations or postponements to these school activities, please contact your student's Division Head: LS - Stephanie Deitz (sdeitz@mcds.org) or US - Barbara Kraemer-Cook (bkraemer-cook@mcds.org).
Social Distancing
Finally, one last note about this time away from school next week. School closures are intended to reinforce and strengthen social distancing, meaning families should try to avoid meeting together in order to prevent the possibility of community spread of COVID-19. I know what a strong community this is, and while the school cannot monitor families' time with one another, we encourage you to limit physical contact if possible, and to avoid large gatherings in general.
What a week! Thank you again for all you do to support our teachers and the school through this strange time. I will update you again on Sunday evening, March 15. Until then, I hope for you and yours a restful weekend and a "let's go" spirit ahead.
Sincerely,
marin country day school 5221 Paradise Drive • Corte Madera CA • 94925 To unsubscribe from future emails, click here. |