Dear Wildwood Community,
In response to the rapidly evolving events surrounding COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), we have made the decision to cancel Elementary Grandparents and Special Friends Day, previously scheduled for Monday, March 23. We are also limiting attendance at Friday All School Meetings for the foreseeable future.
Grandparents and Special Friends Day is a beloved Wildwood tradition, but we recognize that it often involves extensive travel for invited guests. Practicing our Life Skills of Responsibility, Flexibility, and Common Sense, canceling this year's programming helps mitigate the risk of COVID-19 to our extended community as they travel to be with us. We are unaware of any COVID-19 diagnoses in our school community. We are reaching out to all confirmed guests to inform them of the cancellation and ask that you please share this update with your invited grandparents and special friends. We do not have full contact information for all invitees and some have not yet RSVP'd. By helping us to get the word out, we can be sure that everyone is aware of the cancellation.
Similarly, each Friday the Commons is usually filled with students, faculty, family members, and special visitors for All School Meeting. While this large community gathering is part of what makes All School Meeting so special, the close quarters and shoulder-to-shoulder seating is unwise given what we are learning about this virus. Moving forward, we are limiting attendance to students, faculty, and family members of the 5th grade leaders, beginning this Friday, March 13. In addition, families of the leaders are allowed to invite four other adult guests to attend. Your child's teacher will be talking about this temporary change with students this week. For the time being, we will record each Friday's meeting so that you may have the opportunity to watch together as a family at home, until we feel we can safely return to our regular routine.
While we won't be able to share the special performances and projects our students have been eagerly polishing for Grandparents and Special Friends Day in person this year, please be on the lookout for a special message from students the week of March 23 for all to enjoy. We can't wait to celebrate "virtually," and look forward to welcoming grandparents and special friends back to campus next year.
During this time, we are making decisions day by day and week by week and we continue to rely on the directives and recommendations of health authorities. My colleagues and I are continuing to prepare plans this week for the possibility of remote learning for elementary students should we have to close campus for a period of time. We will share those details once finalized, with the sincere hope that they do not have to be implemented.
Wishing you good health,
Katie Rios Director of Elementary School Wildwood School |