March 10, 2020 4:05pm
On a daily basis, we are closely monitoring coronavirus (COVID-19) news and updates. I ask you to please do all that you can as a family to keep our school community safe. While the chances of contracting COVID-19 are currently low, we know this is a rapidly developing situation. Our school community is healthy, and we continue to be vigilant by implementing preventative measures including extra cleaning campus-wide.
We recommend you and your children follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) everyday guidelines to prevent the spread of any respiratory illness – including COVID-19:
- Wash your hands with soap and water often for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick, and keep your child home when she/he is sick. For now, students should not return to school until they are fever and symptom-free for 48 hours.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- The CDC does not recommend that people who are well to wear a face mask.
Please consider your family's upcoming travel plans. If you, or any member of your family, have traveled to Level 3 Health Notice countries that are experiencing community spread, the CDC has made it clear that you must stay home and away from Mayfield Junior School for 14 days since you left the area. At this moment, these countries include China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea.
We are evaluating all student, parent, and family events and gatherings on a case-by-case basis. You will be promptly notified if changes are to occur. We love seeing members of our community on campus, but if you are sick, please stay home. For now, hand-shaking, hugging, and other physical contact should be avoided. Elbow or foot bumps will suffice for greetings.
At school events, we are adjusting programs when appropriate. For instance, at today's 2nd Grade AGAPE program, bread was pre-cut rather than torn off for each child, and juice was served individually in cups.
Mayfield is taking opportunities to reinforce and educate students in a variety of ways about COVID-19, and more importantly, about lifelong healthy hygiene habits. Our nurses visited grade levels, Middle School science teachers are delivering lessons and Ms. Sara Crepaux is conducting a wonderful experiment with Lower School students using a UV light and Glo Germ to educate students about the importance of thorough hand washing. Please support these efforts by having these same discussions and expectations at home.
February 27, 2020 5:00pmMayfield Junior School continues to monitor new developments concerning COVID-19 and to prepare for potential scenarios. School leadership is exercising precautions and utilizing best practices to protect against communicable illness while remaining prudent and intentional in our response.
The most effective way to stay healthy and minimize the spread of infectious disease is to follow basic health best practices. Below are steps Mayfield Junior School is taking to prevent illness across our campus:
- Practice good hygiene: Wash hands often and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before and after eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces (the school has increased the frequency of disinfecting and cleaning school facilities).
- Students, faculty, and staff who are feeling ill need to stay home until they recover, and are fever free for 48 hours (at this time).
As a part of Mayfield’s ongoing emergency preparedness, please see the School Closure Continuity Statement below. Families are encouraged to be mindful of spring travel plans and the potential impact they may have on our community. School trips, activities, and events may be adjusted. Updates will be communicated if necessary.
There are currently no plans to close school, but if we need to go to our School Closure Continuity Plan for any reason in the future, it is a good idea to have age appropriate school supplies (pens, paper, crayons, etc.) on hand at home. Also, Middle School students should always remember to take their iPads and chargers home each evening (5th grade iPads would be distributed as needed).