This important update focuses on COVID-19, Spring Break travel, and Election Day at New City School on Tuesday, March 10th. 

Dear New City Community:

Since my note last week, COVID-19/coronavirus has continued to spread globally and the first case in St. Louis County was confirmed over the weekend.

The safety and welfare of our community is our priority and reacting and responding properly to the coronavirus is a responsibility that we all share. First and foremost, we should all be working to reduce the spread of illness by washing our hands frequently, avoiding touching our faces (mouth, nose, and eyes), covering our coughs and sneezes with a tissue or one's arm, and using alcohol-based hand sanitizer. These actions are sometimes hard to do for an adult, and even harder for a child. Our faculty and staff are diligently enforcing these behaviors at school with the students, and I ask for your help in reinforcing these practices at home.

Importantly, if any students or adults are sick, they should stay home—there is no reason to come to school if you are exhibiting flu-like symptoms. As a reminder, children are not to return to school until they are free of all symptoms of fever, vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours without the aid of medication. These are crucial steps in helping to promote a safe and healthy community. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is an excellent source of scientific information on this situation; I encourage to visit the site to educate yourself and your family.

This is the last week of school before spring break, and I know that many of us have travel plans. CDC is asking that all people who are traveling to and/or returning from CDC Level 3 areas, or whose household members are returning from CDC Level 3 areas, not return to school (including any school activities on- or off-campus) until a 14-day period has elapsed following their return to the United States, and that they also obtain medical clearance before returning to school. Enhanced precautions are advised for Level 2 areas and the CDC also recommends that travelers, particularly those with underlying health issues, defer all cruise ship travel worldwide. I urge you to review the CDC's information for travel web page for more information.

Whether or not you are traveling to a Level 2 or 3 area, the virus continues to spread domestically and internationally, and we are in a very fluid situation. Please continue to pay attention to the CDC's travel advisories, as well as the US State Department's communications about travel. I do expect that all families will be candid and forthcoming with me regarding trips to high risk areas or events during their travel that may result in illness or suspected illness related to the coronavirus. I also ask if you are planning on taking a cruise, that you please let me know. Should a 14 day quarantine be necessary as a result of anyone's trip or any possible exposure, regardless of the location, we will work with you and your child to the best of our ability to minimize the disruption due to missed school days.

When we return from break, we also have the issue of the planned 6th Grade trip to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, in early April. As of right now, that trip is scheduled to proceed, and we will continue to monitor events moving forward.

Lastly, as many of you are aware, New City School serves the local neighborhood as a polling location. Tuesday is Primary Day in Missouri, and there will be voting at New City. After consulting with an infectious disease epidemiologist, and out of an abundance of caution, we have moved the polling machines and voting location to the Dining Hall. Voters will enter through the playground gates on Waterman, and will be directed to the Dining Hall. The path will be clearly marked, a barrier will be erected, and voters will not be able to access the playground. Once voting has ended on Tuesday evening, our cleaning crew will thoroughly clean and disinfect the Dining Hall so that it is in proper condition for use by students on Wednesday. As with previous elections, a rotation of members of the administration team will be present in the dining hall area to ensure that the school day proceeds normally and without disruption. All students will eat lunch in their rooms on Tuesday, and our catering service will provide bag lunches for students on the meal plan.

Here is another link from the National Association of School Psychologists about how to talk to your children about COVID-19/coronavirus. As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns, and many thanks for your understanding and cooperation moving forward.

Best,
Alexis Wright
Head of School