Posted

March 12, 2020

Dear LM Community,

A few updates for you as we make plans regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We continue to follow local, state and national reports and particularly the CDC. This is an unprecedented event and we are making decisions as quickly as possible to protect students, families, faculty, staff, and others in our community.

Potential School Closure Preparation

In the event we need to close school, the plan for academic programming is based on Flexible instruction accessed remotely online. Last year we started the Flexible Instruction Days (FID) for snow days. Should we need to close, we would start with the Flexible Instruction Days. We’ve initially asked teachers to plan for 10 days of FID. We are doing our best to be proactive and deliver education without disruption for families and students.

If you do not have access to a computer, contact your guidance counselor. Teachers will give direction for their own Schoology and online instruction when they are prepared. Take books home, be prepared. With the rapid changes and cancellations, we will all need to be flexible and patient.

We have met to discuss the residence hall in the event of a shutdown and options for quarantine if students become ill.

Prevention Actions:

  • Hand washing frequently is best practice for 20 seconds.
  • Distance yourself from others. Italy is using the 3 ft rule.
  • If you are not feeling well, please stay home.
  • Staff continues to clean, but your assistance in keeping your spaces clean and wiped down especially for the residence hall is important.
  • Food Service has eliminated the self-serve salad and soup options, and moved to individually packaged containers for students’ safety.

Event Cancellations

I want to acknowledge the hard work students and employees put into events that are now being canceled, MSC Choral Festival, Odyssey of the Mind competition, FFA Meeting, etc. Lancaster Mennonite will be cancelling grandparents day at New Danville. It is extremely disappointing, but we can hope and pray that they will be rescheduled at another time.

Ongoing Communication

We will continue to provide updates through email and post on the website. We are making decisions with the best information currently available, so please continue to be patient and flexible with us as we adapt to quickly changing information.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out to a teacher, counselor, principal or me.

Finally, our theme verse this year is about being transformed. This world health event is transforming for all of us, but in all these kinds of events there are opportunities for us to grow and be a supportive, loving community by caring for others. We covet your ongoing prayers for wisdom.
Sincerely,

Dr. Pam Tieszen

Superintendent

 
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