Email sent Fri, Mar 6, 7:39 PM
Dear Mt Calvary School, Preschool and Infant Care Center Parents—
As we all know, the Coronavirus continues to spread here locally and in various locations across our country. Our local health and state officials, as well as those on the national level, are providing leadership and guidance as to how to proceed in light of this health concern.
We here at Mt Calvary are concerned about the health and well-being of the children entrusted to our care, and we wanted to share with you some of the ways that we are responding.
What Mt Calvary is Doing:
- Monitoring for fever. Children are sent to the office if there is a health concern. Their temperature is taken in their ear with a disposable thermometer cover. While our MCL policy is to send children home when they spike a temperature of 100 degrees; with the concern over this virus, if it is above 99.5 degrees, parents or guardians are called and the child is sent home for the day. Students are allowed only to return when their temperature has returned to normal for 24 hours. Children presenting a recurring cough and fever are sent home, a note from their Doctor may be required upon their return.
- Continuous Disinfection. Several times a day, common areas in the offices, classrooms and restrooms are wiped down. Food service area in the kitchen, and campus handrails are disinfected on a regular basis. Every night, classrooms are sprayed with a disinfectant. Bathrooms and classrooms are cleaned every night by our professional cleaning service.
- Practicing Safe Hygiene. Children are reminded to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water for 30 seconds. Hand sanitizer is readily available in our offices, within our elementary classrooms, and provided under staff direction in the preschool. Students are reminded to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing. Children are also reminded to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.
- Development of a Shut Down Plan. The senior administration of Mt Calvary along with our Board of Education and Church Council is in the process of developing a plan that we will follow in the case of a needed shut down of our day-to-day operations here at MCL. This plan will be communicated, in detail, to the Mt Calvary community should this drastic measure be required of us by local health officials or government leadership.
- Praying for God’s Hand of Healing. We read in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed.” We have the promise of God that He is not going to leave us in a time of crises, and that He will give us the strength to move forward. We pray for insight and understanding for the health professionals who are attending to this issue, and request that our God would bring healing, health and hope to us all.
What our MCL Homes and Families can be doing:
- Do not Send Sick Children to School. While it might be inconvenient to keep your child home, it is a health hazard to have a sick child in the midst of the 200 + people who daily converge on Mt Calvary. Please keep your child home if they have a fever over 99.5 degrees, a chronic cough, or display continuous fatigue or uncommon lack of energy.
- Teach Safe Hygiene Practices to your Children. When children learn and develop good health habits in the home, they carry over into public life. Please teach your child how to properly cover their mouth when they cough, and to refrain from undo touching of their face with their hands. Also, teach your children to wash their hands thoroughly—a good length of time for washing is to sing, “Happy Birthday,” to themselves through two times. Also, be generous in replenishing your household with clean and dry towels.
- Remain Composed. Panic at this time is not a helpful response. To show concern and to become more aware through education is a good practice for every home. Staying calm is also a way to model to children, how mature adults give a helpful response in challenging times.
- Pray. Hopefully you have the practice of praying for others with your children—which usually involves people they know. This is good time to expand our prayers for health workers, for those who contracted this ailment, as well as for our local and national leaders who are making decisions on behalf of us all.
As a family of faith here at Mt Calvary, we put our trust in God to help and guide us every day; especially in times of uncertainty. With support for each other, faith, smart choices, and common sense, we can all move forward together and get through this situation.
Sincerely,
Rev Luke Huang Dr. Steven Christopher
Pastor
