Bellarmine Employees,
The focus of the PAC Newsletter this week is COVID-19 and Bellarmine’s response. PAC administrators are providing information and resources to assist you with your readiness in the event we close school/campus due to COVID-19.
We continue to monitor the coronavirus and we are following recommendations from the Pierce County and State Health Departments, Seattle Archdiocese and the South Puget Sound League (SPSL). As of March 7, 2020, there are four confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Pierce County. Please visit the link here for current updates https://www.tpchd.org/healthy-people/diseases/covid-19-information-for-schools.
The information about COVID 19 in Pierce County suggests we need to put into place some restrictions regarding our programs. This includes activities that do one or more of the following:
- The activity increases probability of exposure both for our students and those we serve/educate.
- The activity is important to our program, but alternative activities can be provided.
- The activity is important to our program, but the activity can be postponed.
According to the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) it is important for us to help control the spread of COVID-19. TPCHD has identified the following about COVID-19:
- Serious public health threat to the US
- Increasing health risk to the general public in WA
- Strategy is shifting from containment to mitigation
- Containment: individual focused interventions to limit spread
- Mitigation: community-based interventions to slow and reduce the spread
Therefore, we are asking members of our community to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by:
- Washing your hands often with soap and water and for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
- Covering your mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces.
- Staying at home and away from others if you are sick.
- Getting your flu shot if you haven’t yet.
Bellarmine is following the protocol from the Seattle Archdiocese for Liturgies and Retreats. We are in communication with the SPSL regarding athletic competition. We are also monitoring the travel advisory website and we encourage parents/guardians of students who are traveling to do the same. We expect information early this week that will assist us with decisions related to travel.
Faculty, please check your readiness for instruction using our distant learning model. Note the resources included in this email. PAC will be available to support and assist you. We are available to join you in your virtual classroom as well.
If you have questions regarding the protocol in place please do not hesitate to contact any of us.
Sincerely,
Cindy Davis
Principal
