Dear Parents,
I write today to update you on measures we are taking in response to the increasing spread of COVID-19. We continue to monitor the guidance from local, state, and federal public health officials. At this time, there is no need to change any routine activities or behaviors within the Wellington school community. As of today, there are currently no known cases in Ohio.
The health and safety of our students and the broader Wellington community is our top priority. Please be advised as to how Wellington is taking a proactive approach to COVID-19 preparedness:
- As our community looks ahead to the start of spring break on March 16, we ask that families follow the official recommendation of the US Department of State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in planning their travels. As this situation is changing rapidly, the number of countries affected is likely to grow in the days and weeks to come.
- For community members and families that are choosing to travel, please consider the alert level of your trip destination and elect to self-quarantine as necessary upon your return based on international travel alerts provided by the US Department of State and CDC. Community members that elect to self-quarantine should be assured that Wellington administrators and faculty will work with your student and your family to arrange remote learning out of an abundance of caution.
- The Wellington upper school faculty and WISE program leaders continue to follow CDC recommendations while working closely with International SOS to monitor the situation and will evaluate the best course of action of the international travel programs scheduled for May 2020.
- Our administration is assembling a multidisciplinary team from across the school and board of trustees to identify and plan for a range of scenarios and potential near- and longer-term impacts including contingency plans for quarantines or school closures.
- Our facilities staff is implementing their normal infection control measures by cleaning with antimicrobial solutions.
- Wellington is a global and inclusive community, with students and community members from around the world. We ask that members of our community take care to avoid assumptions about others based on perceived symptoms or identities (for example, ethnicity and/or national origin).
- In general, we encourage all Wellington community members to practice routine hygiene etiquette and self-care as the best way to prevent the spread of infection:
- Cough/sneeze into your elbow.
- Avoid touching your hands to your face or eyes.
- Wash your hands or use alcohol hand rub after coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid close contact with people that are sick.
- Anyone who has a fever of 100 degrees or greater and/or cough/difficulty breathing should stay home.
- Anyone who is seriously ill should seek medical advice from a doctor or emergency department.
While we are relying on the CDC and the Ohio Department of Health as our primary sources of information and guidance, we are also using the resources of the World Health Organization, International SOS, The Ohio State University, and the National Association of Independent Schools.
We understand that the uncertainty of this evolving health situation may cause a certain level of concern in both students and their caregivers. Division heads and teachers are actively engaging in meaningful conversations with students. Please click here to gain insight on talking with teens and tweens about COVID-19. The article features psychologist and author Dr. Lisa Damour, a recent Wellington Well Life speaker.
We will continue to carefully monitor developments with this public health concern and will share further updates as they become available.
Dr. Jeff Terwin
Wellington Head of School
Media Contact
Danielle Turkovich
Director of Marketing & Communications
turkovich@wellington.org
614-754-4263
For all information related to how Wellington is monitoring and addressing COVID-19, click here.