Coronavirus Outbreak

April 7th, 2020

Dear QHST Students,

As you may have heard, NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an Executive Order last week, extending school closures and student Remote Learning, across NYS, through the end of April - this includes through our scheduled Spring Break. The goal is to ensure that students remain engaged in positive learning experiences and related activities through this very difficult time - what is expected to be the height of our COVID-19 Virus outbreak. It is essential that all QHST students remain safely at home and continue to practice social distancing over the next few weeks. To support you, we will continue to communicate and facilitate positive and productive learning activities for all QHST students. We will provide more information about what next week will look like, over the next few days.

I wish all QHST students and families a healthy and safe holiday! If you need anything, we are here for you. Please reach out to us - teachers, SLC GCs and/or APs, or to me directly - if you need anything, QHST students.

Warm Regards,

Mr. Ean Corrado

April 3rd, 2020

Dear Families:

Since closing school buildings and shifting to remote learning last week, all of you, in partnership with our more than 150,000 staff, have shown incredible resilience and fortitude as we leap into a new reality. Together, we have been transforming public education in the nation’s largest school system in ways we never imagined even a few weeks ago.

Throughout this process, we have approached every decision with the health, safety, and continuous learning of our students at the forefront of our minds. Through it all, I’ve emphasized that we need to operate with flexibility and patience for all our school communities.

Those values, along with the fact that social distancing remains an imperative for all New Yorkers, means we must take a new approach to Spring Recess, originally scheduled for Thursday, April 9 through Friday April 17, 2020.

For the health and well-being of all New Yorkers, the City and the State are in agreement that schools must continue to offer remote learning, including during days that were previously scheduled as breaks. As a result, our schools will continue with remote learning through the time originally scheduled for Spring Recess.

We know that many New Yorkers plan to observe religious holidays on April 9 and 10. Any students and school staff who individually wish to observe those holidays may do so. However, these days will not be considered “days off” for the school system, and remote learning activities will continue for students who are not observing the holidays.

Remote Learning

We know that Spring Recess is a time of rest and recharging time for our educators and students alike—and we know how hard all of our students and educators have been working to adapt to a new approach to learning.

With this in mind, we will offer schools remote learning resources that focus on daily themes and enrichment activities for all students for April 9-17. This will keep students and their teachers meaningfully engaged and connected with each other and ideas happening in the world around them—even as we all remain socially distant at home.

Resources will include “theme” days (e.g., wellness, world language, computer science, college and career readiness) and taking advantage virtually of the unparalleled educational and cultural resources right here in the city (e.g., museums, libraries, and cultural institutions).

More information on these activities will be shared with schools next week. We are confident that continuing remote learning will help ensure that families adhere to social distancing in the coming weeks, which is imperative to slowing the spread of the virus and keeping ourselves and our neighbors safe.

Regional Enrichment Centers

Regional Enrichment Centers (RECs) serve the children of first responders, healthcare workers, and other essential employees across the City. The majority of the REC sites will remain open from April 9-17. We will proactively communicate with families who may need to be temporarily reassigned to a REC during that time.

Free Meals

Meal Hubs offer free meals to any New Yorker who wants them. The majority of our Meal Hub sites will also continue to operate. Find the nearest Meal Hub to you during this period or anytime.

Health Precautions

We know our families are working hard to stop the spread of coronavirus. People who do not show symptoms may still be able to spread COVID-19, and therefore the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) recommends you wear a face covering or mask whenever you leave home. A face covering will not protect you from infection, but it can help others. A face covering can include anything that covers your nose and mouth, including dust masks, scarves and bandanas. Do not use health care worker masks, as those must be preserved for people in the health care system. Even if you have a face covering, continue to stay home as much as possible and avoid close contact with other people. Please visit nyc.gov/coronavirus for more information and an FAQ on face coverings, as well as other important information on the virus. Read the letter from Chancellor Carranza and Commissioner Barbot.

We continue to operate with health, safety, and high-quality learning as our top priorities for every child and adult in the DOE community across all five boroughs. Time and time again, you and your children—and all the educators who serve them—are proving that New York City has the best students and staff in the world, and that nothing will ever change that.

Please call 311 for any questions regarding Spring Break, RECs, Free Meals, and much more. As always, you should reach out to your teacher, principal, and others at your school for continued information about remote learning and your child.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza

March 22nd, 2020

Dear QHST Students and Families,

First and foremost, on behalf of our entire QHST School Community of students, families, and staff members, I would like to wish everyone and your families, health and safety over the coming weeks and months. The well-being of all QHST community members must be our number one priority. I assure you that it is mine.

Tomorrow, Monday, March 23rd, marks the start of our QHST School Community's transition to a remote learning community. In the days and weeks to come, and at a time of great unknown, inconsistency, and insecurity, it is our goal at QHST to once again become a safe and consistent presence in the lives of our students and families.

As we transition to remote learning, teachers will be creating Google Classroom remote learning environments to facilitate teaching and learning, and support of students. In our new QHST remote learning spaces, the most important area of focus for students and families must be student participation. Students will need to "log-on" to and attend a corresponding Google Classroom for each of their regularly scheduled courses. There will be a Daily Discussion prompt for each class and student's daily response to that activity will count for both their daily attendance in that class and as their "Participation" grade. Additionally, teachers will post learning materials and resources, and post "Classwork/Homework" assignments throughout the week. On Friday, students will engage in Assessment activities so that we can continue to gather the information necessary to effectively support high levels of student learning progress and performance.

As a remote school community, student learning will be facilitated through our QHST Google G-Suite and Google Classrooms, and we will continue to communicate student performance and grade information using PupilPath. Over the next few days, I will continue to communicate more information via our PupilPath email blasts and by posting to our school website: www.QueensHSofTeaching.org

Early next week, I will share new protocols and procedures regarding communicating with teachers and SLC Teams in support of student success, and the ways in which we will partner with families proactively to support the highest levels of student participation and success.

Unfortunately, to effectively participate in remote learning students need access to effective WIFI and effective technology - these materials come at a much higher cost to families than the typical items on the "school supply lists" that we are all used to. Additionally, we understand that while families may have been able to support students' access to these resources under typical circumstances, given that there may now be competition among multiple family members (including parents and siblings working from home and multiple siblings in one family competing for access to complete their schoolwork) for these invaluable resources, families may now need support. The NYCDOE is working to make technology available for all city students through a centralized distribution process, however such large scale distribution may take a week or two to complete. While students falling behind is not ideal, we understand these challenges and will do everything that we can to support our QHST students and families.

That said, please complete this survey from central regarding technology needs and family supports: https://coronavirus.schools.nyc/RemoteLearningDevices

Additionally, given that we may be able to access our school building next week, to support another round of laptop distribution, based on the numbers of students who need support and their ability to travel, please complete our own internal QHST Technology Access Survey (especially if you are in need of technology supports): https://forms.gle/yKqiw7DCG8rGooPv9

Lastly, communication is key, if we are going to successfully transition to remote learning, and support the continued learning and success of our students. That said, please ensure that both you and your child have an active PupilPath account. Please communicate with fellow families to ensure that they too have active PupilPath accounts. Most of our communication, including this message, primarily goes out via PupilPath (we are also posting this message on our school website), so if families (parents and guardians in addition to students) don't have PupilPath access, regular communication in support of student learning will be challenging. If you do not have an active PupilPath account, please contact our Parent Coordinator Ernesto Isaac immediately via email at eisaac8@schools.nyc.gov.

Additionally, all students must have an active QHST Google Gmail Account - this is the account that students will use to access their Google Classrooms. I have provided "activation" information in previous communications and we have posted it to our school website. If students cannot self-activate their accounts, please complete this survey and we will reset passwords remotely: https://forms.gle/ej1JemQkQGDUSt8W6

We are committed to continuing to support our QHST students and families throughout the current COVID-19 outbreak. Over the next few days we will slowly transition to remote learning. There will be many challenges, including those at the "classroom level". QHST teachers have had less than a week to prepare for tomorrow's launch, and while many QHST teachers were proficient with, or already utilized this technology, many are learning to implement it for the first time. I couldn't be prouder of the ways in which our QHST professional community worked hard to ensure that we would be ready to effectively support our students tomorrow. I look forward to continuing to partner with our QHST in support of the highest levels of student learning, performance, progress, and success. Again, I wish every member of our QHST family, and their families, health and safety in the coming days and months.

In Solidarity and Support,

Ean Corrado

March 18, 2020

Dear QHST Students & Families,

As we transition to Remote Learning on Monday, March 23, it is essential that students have access to effective WIFI and technology hardware. The DOE will be working to support students with technology hardware centrally, however this may take a week or two, and by that time, students would fall far behind in their learning. That said, we will do everything that we can here at QHST to support our students.

When schools lend student’s technology, there is a document that needs to be completed and signed by parents and/or guardians – that document is attached to this email. Additionally, we are trying to gather information regarding both home access to effective technology hardware (not cellphones, but an IPAD with a keyboard can work well) and effective home WIFI, to ensure that we can continue to support all of our students at the highest levels. To support our information gathering, we are asking that all families complete this survey: https://forms.gle/yKqiw7DCG8rGooPv9

Additionally, we do have a limited number of laptops that we can lend to students who may not have effective hardware at home. While information is frequently changing, tomorrow will be the last day that staff members will be working in our school building until late April. If students do not have access to effective technology at home, from 930AM to 230PM tomorrow, students can come to school to pick up a laptop. The attached document outlines the process and responsibilities, and requires a parent signature. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to our Parent Coordinator, Ernesto Isaac by email at eisaac8@schools.nyc.gov or reaching our QHST main office tomorrow, March 19 at (718)-736-7100. I wish everyone and their family the best through this difficult time.

Respectfully,

Ean Corrado

Attachment: NYCDOE STUDENT DEVICE LOAN AGREEMENT

March 17, 2020

Dear QHST Students and Families,

On behalf of our entire QHST School Community, I wish you and your families health and safety throughout the current COVID 19 crisis affecting our City. To support Remote Learning, which is scheduled to officially begin on Monday, March 23, 2020, QHST will be using our Google Classroom Portal for Remote Instruction and Learning, and we will continue to use SKEDULA Pupil Path for grade reporting. I will share more information before the end of the week regarding additional specific information.

If you do not have an active Pupil Path account, please contact our Parent Coordinator Ernesto Isaac immediately via telephone at 7187367100 or via email at eisaac8@schools.nyc.gov . We will use Pupil Path to both report on students’ grades, and daily participation through our Google Classroom Portals in Remote Learning. Additionally, all parents with active Pupil Path accounts, please contact Mr. Isaac if you'd like to update contact information on Pupil Path.

When it comes to Remote Learning, if your child does not have an active QHST email address, they will not be able to participate in our Google Classroom Remote Learning activities. Each teacher will be creating a Google Classroom and student participation in daily Google Classroom Remote Learning activities is essential to students’ continued learning and academic success. If your child has never activated their QHST Google account, which is their QHST email account, the username for students in Grades 10 to 12, is their first initial and last name (ecorrado@queenshsofteaching.org) . For 9th Grade students, the username is their first initial of their first name, followed by their last name, followed by the number 23 (ecorrado23@queenshsofteaching.org). If students never activated their account, they can independently activate their account using the username identified above, and their 9 digit OSIS Student Identification Number as the password.

If students have activated their account, but cannot remember their password and need a password reset, please click on this link: https://forms.gle/ej1JemQkQGDUSt8W6 to complete this short survey, and a follow-up email will be sent to the email address used to complete this survey. Some students may be able to reset their password independently, if they set up 2 Step Verification when they initially set up their QHST Google account. An email with a temporary password should be received by the email used to complete the survey within 24 hours Monday-Friday.

Thank you and be well QHST students and families!

Ean Corrado

March 16th, 2020

Dear QHST Students and Families,

I would like to begin by expressing, on behalf our our entire QHST School Community, that I wish all of our QHST students, families, and partners, safety and health over the next few weeks and months. In line with the Mayor and Chancellor, I stress the importance of “social distancing” and good health and hygiene practices - especially frequent hand washing. Now that school buildings are closed, students, and everyone, should avoid indoor spaces with large groups of people. While I know that this will be challenging over the next few weeks, it is the best way to stay and keep others around us, healthy. Now is the best time to build on the best Drop Everything And Read practices that we have worked hard to instill in our students, and stay at home and read. And if the weather is nice, go to one of our City’s great parks.

That said, we at QHST are focused on continuing to support the highest levels of learning and success for our students. We will be working over the next few days to put Remote Learning strategies in place for students, and I will communicate more information as it becomes available.

In preparation for Remote Learning, I would like to ask all QHST students to think about QHST G-Suite Account. If students have already set-up their accounts, please ensure that passwords are up to date (and if necessary, reset passwords using “self service” 2 Factor Verification - this can only be done if students already set up their accounts and set-up self password reset using 2 Factor Verification). If students have NEVER set up the email account, they can do so by using their First Initial and Last Name (ecorrado) as the user name (current Freshmen have the number “20” following their username - ecorrado20, for example) @ queenshsofteaching.org AND use their 9 Digit Student Identification (OSIS) number as the password. Again, this is only for new accounts. If students have an existing account, that they have set up, but do not have the password and did not set up self-reset through 2 Factor Verification, we will be setting up and communicating a way to reach out to school staff members this week so we can reset passwords. I will communicate more information regarding these protocols and more connected to Remote Learning as they become available over the next few days.

Additionally, please see the information below, as it is the most recent communication that I received from the NYCDOE Chancellor:

Monday, March 16, 2020

• Schools will be closed for students and school-based staff on Monday, March 16, 2020.

• Grab-and-go meals will be available from 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM at any school building for any student who needs breakfast and lunch.

• All NYC Early Education Centers are recommended to close programs and communicate to all families and staff.

Tuesday, March 17 through Thursday, March 19, 2020

• Teachers, principals, and school-based staff will report to school to engage in professional development and prepare to provide instruction remotely to students.

• There will be more details forthcoming about remote instruction. The goal is to begin Remote Learning with students on Monday, 3/23.

From Monday, March 16 through Friday, April 17(last day of Spring Recess)

• Students will not report to school buildings. Central and borough/citywide offices remain open.

• During this time, social distancing practices should be practiced by all community members.

By Monday, March 23, we expect all students and teachers to begin engaging in remote learning in all grades. DOE central and borough offices will support all schools to deliver remote learning, and to provide students and teachers with online platforms to facilitate learning. We will also be opening Regional Enrichment Centers offering in-person educational enrichment for full school days to serve students of first responders, healthcare workers, transit workers, and our most vulnerable populations. You can expect to hear more ​details about the expectations for remote instruction in the coming days and weeks.

In closing, it is important to reiterate that this is not a closure, but a transition. We are continuing the vital work of serving our City’s students, day in and day out, in all the weeks ahead. The work we all believe in so deeply will not stop, and we will be using all the tools available to us to expand our capacity and explore new horizons of learning.

I will communicate more information as it becomes available, and again, on behalf of our entire QHST school community, wish everyone the best during this difficult time.

Respectfully,

Ean Corrado

March 15th, 2020

Dear Families,

All of us are living through an unprecedented time as we work to keep our communities safe and healthy in the face of the coronavirus. New Yorkers are joining millions in cities, states, and nations across the world in confronting decisions that we’ve never had to face—and maybe never could have imagined having to.

Here in New York, Mayor de Blasio and I have been clear that any changes to our school system as we know it would be an extreme measure—a last resort. We’ve been monitoring the outbreak in New York City day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. This weekend, it became clear that continuing public education in our school buildings was no longer sustainable for the time being.

Today, we announced that for the next three and a half weeks, we are moving to a remote learning model, with a projected reopening of school buildings the week of April 20, 2020. I know this may feel abrupt, and has the potential to cause disruption in your lives. We are committed to consistent and clear communication with you throughout this time period, and a clear understanding of what will happen.

Our announcement today means that tomorrow, Monday, March 16, school buildings will be closed and students will be out of session. From Tuesday through Thursday, teachers will be expected to report to their buildings and receive full-day professional development on remote learning.

Later in the week, students will begin picking up materials, including technology to participate in remote learning when needed. Additional guidance on all of this will be shared with you in the next couple of days.

All throughout this week, grab-and-go breakfast will be available at the entrance of every school building from 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM. Anyone 18 and under can pick up breakfast and lunch at any school building tomorrow.

On Monday, March 23, we will be opening several dozen Regional Enrichment Centers across the City, to serve the children of our City’s first responders, healthcare workers, transit workers, and our most vulnerable populations.

That Monday, we will also launch remote learning for grades K-12. I have every confidence in New York City educators and know they will rise to the occasion, and dedicate the same passion for delivering high-quality instruction remotely as they do in the classroom. We know we have the most dedicated school staff: teachers, custodian, administrators, and especially the school food workers who will be continuing to work during this time.

I want to be clear that this is not a closure, but a transition. We will not lower our expectations for our students. We know they are hungry to learn and we will match their curiosity and passion with work-from-home materials, including distribution of devices that will support our remote-learning instructional model. There are already instructional resources available for every grade level in every subject available at schools.nyc.gov/learnathome.

We know this is a difficult time, and we are working hard to make sure our City continues to support for families in every way we can. I want to assure families we’re working to make this as seamless a transition as possible.

Now it the time to come together to do what’s best for the health and safety of all New Yorkers. We are with you, partners in education in the greatest city in the world. We have world’s most talented students, educators, and staff—and nothing will ever change that.

We will continue to communicate with you in the coming days, and encourage you to visit this website for more information and updates on this transition.

Yours sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza

March 10th, 2020

Dear Families,

The health and safety of all NYC Department of Education (DOE) students continues to be our first priority in the wake of the evolving situation around the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in New York City. We are writing today with a number of important updates for all students and families, including the latest information about ways to protect your health.

There are a number of actions we have taken and many things you can do to keep our communities safe. The most important action you can take is to stay home if you are sick. Please see the attached What You Need to Know factsheet and Stop the Spread flyer, and read on for additional information.

Our Preparations and Protocols

School Cleaning + Hygiene

We continue to work in close partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to enhance protocols in schools. These include:

• Ensuring that all DOE school buildings have a nurse;

• Increasing deep cleanings to two times per week, disinfecting surface areas with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-approved cleaning disinfectant;

• Ensuring that all schools have adequate hygiene and cleaning materials so that bathrooms are continuously stocked with soap and paper towels;

• Supplying all schools with facemasks to be used if a student or staff member exhibits symptoms and requires isolation prior to transport to a doctor and/or testing; and

• Strongly encouraging regular hand washing throughout the day, particularly before meals, and making changes as needed to ensure students have the time to wash hands.

• All DOE-sponsored international travel for students and staff for the remainder of the 2019–2020 school year is canceled.

• This includes study abroad programs, where students are scheduled to come from other countries to stay with host families in NYC, and where DOE public school students are hosted abroad.

Attendance

We are committed to easing families’ concerns on attendance and admissions.

• Student absences in the current school year (2019–2020) will not impact applications of current fifth- and eighth-graders applying to middle- or high-schools for the 2020–2021 school year.

• Student absences in the current school year (2019–2020) will not impact applications of current fourth- and seventh-graders applying for middle- or high-school for the 2021–2022 school year.

What if a student feels sick in school?

• In the event a student is sick, complaining of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, that child should be taken to the school nurse.

•  The nurse will ask the student to wear a face mask, call for parental pick up, and recommend calling a medical provider for instructions.

• Any student with respiratory symptoms and fever should wait in a supervised setting with a closed door, away from other students.

What if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in my school?

• In the event that DOHMH determines that there is a need for investigation, closure, or other action at a school, you will immediately be notified.

• Per New York State, if there is a confirmed case in a school, the school must be closed for at least 24 hours while DOHMH investigates and determines whether additional closure is needed.

• We urge you to ignore rumors you might hear separate and apart from official communication from DOHMH, DOE, and your school.

We are working with the State to provide more information on school closure guidance to share in the near future.

Large Gatherings

Right now, the City has not advised the cancellation of large events or public gatherings, but is monitoring developments and will adjust as needed.

• If you are sick, stay home.

• If you have chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, a compromised immune system, chronic lung disease, and/or cancer, avoid unnecessary gatherings and events.

What You Can Do

Reduce Overcrowding

• Walk or bike to work, if possible.

• If the train is too packed, wait for the next one.

If You Feel Sick

• Stay home and call your doctor if you have symptoms including but not limited to coughing, shortness of breath, fever, or sore throat.

• If you do not feel better in 24–48 hours, seek care from your doctor.

• Avoid going out in public. Do not go to school or work until you have been fever-free at least 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing drugs like Tylenol or ibuprofen.

• If you need help getting medical care, call 311.

• NYC will provide care regardless of immigration status or ability to pay.

Special Guidance for Vulnerable New Yorkers

• The City is advising those with chronic lung disease, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or a compromised immune system to avoid unnecessary events and gatherings.

• If you have family or friends who have one of these conditions, do not visit them if you feel sick.

If You Have Traveled Recently

Anyone who has traveled to Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan, or China and returned on or after March 4, 2020, must stay home from work or school for 14 days after their last day in that country and minimize contact with other people.

• If returning travelers from affected countries develop fever, cough, or trouble breathing, they should call their medical provider and tell them about their symptoms and history of travel.

• For those self-monitoring at home, DOHMH has developed a supporting doctor’s note and FAQ available at nyc.gov/coronavirus under “Returning Travelers.”

Students and families who returned from the affected countries before March 4, 2020, should monitor their health; if they develop any symptoms, they should stay home and call their medical provider. Please monitor CDC.gov for updates on affected countries here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after- travel-precautions.html.

Continue to Practice General Viral Infection Prevention Measures Including:

• Wash your hands with soap and water often.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing.

• Do not touch your face with unwashed hands.

• Do not shake hands. Instead wave or elbow bump.

• Monitor your health more closely than usual for cold or flu symptoms.

How to Stay Informed and Fight Bias

To get regular updates on the latest developments regarding coronavirus in New York City, text COVID to 692- 692. You will receive regular SMS texts with the latest news and developments.

• Please read the What You Need to Know factsheet attached to this letter for more information.

• Visit nyc.gov/coronavirus at any time for important updates, including ways to fight stigma and bias around this issue.

It’s important we come together as a city and support one another as neighbors and New Yorkers during

this time. COVID-19 is not more likely found in any one race or nationality, and we must each model inclusion and actively work to combat bias in our workplaces and communities.

The health and safety of our students continues to be our chief priority, and we will continue to follow all guidance and take all appropriate measures accordingly, and stay in consistent communication with our families.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza

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March 03rd, 2020

Dear Families,

Over the weekend, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene confirmed the first case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in New York City. While we all hoped this moment would not come, it was something the City has meticulously prepared for. At this time, it is important to listen to facts and not respond to fear. Despite our first confirmed case, New Yorkers remain at low risk for contracting the virus.

The health and safety of all of our students continues to be our first priority. As we monitor the situation, we are enhancing certain protocols and providing additional resources, including:

• Providing CDC-approved cleaning agents to every school

• Ensuring all bathrooms are continuously stocked with soap and paper towels, and encouraging students and staff to wash hands frequently

• Ensuring principals and school nurses have the resources and guidance needed to detect and report symptoms exhibited at school, and provide help for any affected individuals

Working in close partnership with the Health Department, we will continue to update our protocols as the situation evolves, and communicate about any possible impact to parents and our school communities. We will keep all of our latest information on our website at schools.nyc.gov/coronavirus.

There are no plans to close schools at this time. This is an extreme measure that can be disruptive to day-to-day life, and the decision to implement will only be taken at the direction of public health experts. As a reminder, it is critical that all New Yorkers continue to practice general viral infection prevention measures including:

• • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve

  • Wash your hands regularly

  • Avoid touching your face

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick

  • Get your flu shot – it’s never too late

  • Stay home if you’re feeling sick. Call your doctor and let them know your symptoms and travel history.

We are in direct and regular communication with principals to ensure they have the latest information and to answer any questions that may arise. Additionally, we remind all families that they can receive regular updates on this topic and many others by signing up for an NYC Schools Account. Please visit https://mystudent.nyc/ to create an account and to update your emergency contact information.

Please read the Frequently Asked Questions sheet attached to this letter for more information, or visit nyc.gov/coronavirus at any time for important updates. The health and safety of our students continues to be our chief priority, and we will follow all guidance and take all appropriate measures accordingly.

Yours sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza

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February 26th, 2020

Dear Families,

This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discussed possible options for what could happen if there is local person-to-person transmission of the novel coronavirus in the United States, including recommendations for school systems to consider.

At this time, it is important to listen to facts and not respond to fear. Currently there are no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in New York City and the risk to New Yorkers remains low.

However, transmission of the virus in other countries has raised our level of concern, and we are preparing for the possibility of person-to-person transmission in New York City. The measures that are put in place should local person-to-person transmissions begin will depend on the number of individuals affected and the general severity of illness we experience in our city. The NYC Health Department is vigilantly preparing for all possible scenarios, and we will continue to monitor and communicate about any possible impact to our school communities.

There are no plans to close schools at this time. This is an extreme measure that can be disruptive to day-to-day life, and the decision to implement will be at the direction of public health experts.

All New Yorkers should continue to practice general flu prevention measures including:

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve

• Wash your hands regularly

• Avoid touching your face

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick

• Get your flu shot – it’s never too late

• Stay home if you’re feeling sick. Call your doctor and let them know your symptoms and travel history.

Please read the Frequently Asked Questions sheet attached to this letter for more information, or visit nyc.gov/health at any time for important updates.

We will continue to clearly communicate with our school communities about our ongoing efforts regarding the coronavirus.

Sincerely,

Oxiris Barbot, MD

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