• Increased attention to handwashing in all areas of the School: According to the CDC, handwashing is the best defense against the transmission of all kinds of viruses, including COVID-19. While the School always recommends regular handwashing, we are emphasizing the importance of thorough (at least 20 seconds) and frequent handwashing to students, faculty, and staff. We have also added more Purrell stations throughout the School.

• Focus on practicing proper habits regarding illness and hygiene: In addition to handwashing, we also continue to employ our standard approach to prevent the spread of contagious diseases, which applies to all students and employees:
  • Any members of the RCDS community with a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher must go home immediately.
  • Those who exhibit any signs of illness, including fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, must stay home from school.
  • Those who have a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, are vomiting, or have diarrhea must stay home until they are fever-free for 24 hours.
  • All are advised to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth and to cover coughs and sneezes to block the spread of germs.
  • All are advised to practice food safety, such as limiting eating foods with hands and keeping foods apart to avoid cross-contamination.
     
• Adjustment in community norms and non-essential gatherings: We are advising all community members to avoid any unnecessary physical contact, such as handshaking, hand holding, and hugging. We are cancelling or postponing all non-essential group gatherings, such as division-wide assemblies and athletics awards night. The Fitness Center will be temporarily closed.
   
• Bias awareness: Unfortunately, the outbreak of COVID-19 has led to discrimination and bias particularly against those of Asian descent. The School is exercising vigilance around any microaggressions and bias related to COVID-19. Teachers and students are partnering in this by educating the community about the science behind the virus and upholding our commitment to global awareness and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
   
• Facilities cleaning: The School has asked its cleaning service, Sodexo, to increase cleaning of all bathrooms and commonly touched surfaces (desks, tables, doorknobs, handrails, etc.) throughout the school day and in the evening. Two additional Sodexo employees are now on campus each day and spraying all surfaces with Oxivir, an effective viral disinfectant that is non-irritating to eyes and skin.
   
• Dining Hall changes: Our food service provider, Flik, is now utilizing full shields in all service areas, suspending self-service and hand-held items, and managing the flow of people into and out of the Dining Hall. Faculty and administrators are stationed in the Dining Hall to dispense silverware and monitor food safety and hygiene.

The School has cancelled all school-sponsored spring break travel programs. Read Headmaster Scott Nelson's letter announcing these cancellations.

For your family travel plans, we recommend following the CDC’s travel guidelines. There is no expectation that community members cancel their travel plans to places that are not identified by the CDC as Travel Alert Level 2 or higher; however, you must keep in mind that the list of destinations identified as Alert Level 2 or higher could change during the upcoming weeks. Should you and your children travel somewhere identified by the CDC as an Alert Level 2 or higher, you and your children may be required to quarantine for up to two weeks upon your return. In this case, the School will require your children to remain at home for the 14-day quarantine required by the CDC. The School expects parents to adhere to the CDC's guidance on this matter.

Students and employees who are traveling internationally should prepare for the possibility that re-entry into the country may not be possible, and they should plan accordingly for remote learning. Our list of resources online provides helpful links for monitoring travel advisories and developments. The School will make every effort to support students who are quarantined prior to or upon re-entry to the United States. Teachers will provide assignments and be flexible about requirements and deadlines for submitting and/or making up work.

The CDC has advised that preparation for the spread of COVID-19 in school communities could involve the possibility of temporary school closings. RCDS has access to remote learning tools that will be employed in the event of a closure. Division principals are working with faculty to ensure full preparation for remote learning should a closure be required. For more information on what remote learning might look like in the event of a school closure, please read Headmaster Scott Nelson’s letter sent to families on March 6.

The spread of COVID-19 and resulting news coverage may cause stress and anxiety. Students may want to talk about how the illness is affecting loved ones or they may be anxious about the media or more practical concerns. Our school counselors, Dr. Debra Pager, Ms. Carrie Donahue, Ms. Jacquie Butera, and Mr. Tim Silverman, and our Director of Health and Wellness, Ms. Priya Singhvi, are available to provide resources and support to students as needed.

Below are some guidelines and resources that might be helpful for you in approaching conversations about COVID-19 with your children:

Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus. NPR created this student-friendly comic that explains the facts and busts myths about COVID-19.

Talking to Teens and Tweens About Coronavirus. A helpful resource from the New York Times featuring advice on how parents can help adolescents get the facts straight and be prepared.

Addressing News and Current Events. These age-based tips on how to talk to kids about the news can help support children in a stressful time.

Speaking Up Against Racism Around the New Coronavirus. This article addresses the bias associated with COVID-19 stating,  “The spread of the new coronavirus has become racialized, so it’s critical that educators understand the historical context and confront racist tropes and xenophobia from students and colleagues.” It is important to note to children that being Chinese or Asian American does not increase the chance of getting or spreading COVID-19.