Letter from the Head of School January 31, 2020 Dear Perkiomen Families, On Thursday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the coronavirus outbreak now meets the criteria for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). In response to this declaration, we wanted to make you aware of adjustments we are making. We will continue to follow the protocols of the industry and government experts, including ICEF (International Consultants for Education and Fairs, a well-regarded organization linking schools to international agents and markets), TABS (The Association of Boarding Schools), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), WHO, and the US Department of State. We are not making decisions ahead of experts; we are following expert advice. Following the WHO announcement, the US Department of State has raised its travel advisory to "Level 4: Do Not Travel" for China. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. Commercial carriers including three of the largest US airlines - Delta, American, and United - have reduced or suspended routes to and from China beginning now and continuing through March 27. Given these new statements and directives, we want to support the WHO and US Government efforts to contain and manage this situation. Currently, we are discouraging students from making travel plans to China for Spring Break and are cautioning that any plans may be restricted at any point, with little notice. We are preparing for students to spend the break at Perkiomen where we will provide a safe and healthy environment for the duration of the vacation. Our security team and health center will be staffed, faculty will give up some of their vacation time to work, and students will have choices for activities and will enjoy the benefits of vacation—including more sleep and rejuvenation! At Perkiomen, student safety is paramount to all we do, and our guidelines restrict students from signing out for vacations to unchaperoned locations. We will continue to monitor the travel recommendations for areas of risk as we get closer to the Spring Break, however, students who disregard our recommendations and find themselves in a situation where they are unable to return to campus may be unable to successfully complete their academic year. At this time, we believe international students remaining on campus to be the safest and healthiest choice. We will continue to communicate with students and families in the days ahead and will alert you to any changes in protocol or plans. Again, our main goal is to take care of the health and well-being of your children. Thank you, Mark A. Devey Head of School Confidentiality Notice: This communication and any accompanying documents are confidential and privileged. They are intended for the sole use of the addressee. If you receive this transmission in error, you are advised that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance upon the communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact me using the above contact information. Perkiomen School 200 Seminary Street • Pennsburg, PA 18073 • 215-679-9511 • perkiomen.org |