March 24, 2020

Dear VES Community,

As we start another extraordinary week, I want to express how grateful I am for the many ways students, faculty and staff are modeling our VES values and living into our Toward Full Stature mission during this challenging and ever-changing situation. Over the past few days, many in our community have joined together in Zoom meetings where adaptability, resilience, kindness and the beauty of the human spirit are shining through. I am reminded why I am so proud to be a Bishop.

There is much to update you on. Please read this communication thoroughly as we try to address many of the questions you have with the information we know at this time. 

Last Call for Tonight’s VES Leader Dialogue with Parents | 7 p.m. ET via Zoom Webinar

If you have not yet registered, please plan to join us for a Zoom webinar for parents. You will learn more details as we explain VES Virtual School and answer parent questions. 
 
Register Now

Classes Will Be Conducted Online for the Remainder of the School Year

On Monday, March 23, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issued new restrictions that impact operations of all schools in the state. His executive order mandates the closing of all public and private K-12 schools in the Commonwealth for the remainder of the academic year. To be clear, this means closure of the physical campus, with a transition to online instruction. While none of us would have wished for this outcome, the Governor's mandate provides definitive direction for VES actions going forward.  

VES Launches Virtual School Wednesday Night

All of us are a little bit nervous, but also excited and ready for this new adventure to begin. For the first three days of this week, faculty are working to prepare their curricula for online teaching and learning; advisors are connecting with their students; coaches are reaching out to their players; and great ideas are taking shape as teams reimagine Chapel, Student Life programming, Fine Arts Fridays and health and wellness for a virtual environment. The enthusiasm and imagination are inspiring!
 

Our Focus

In this endeavor, while academics remain vital, we are equally committed to creating opportunities for community; facilitating meaningful relationships; and demonstrating grace while attending to the care, support and continued growth of our students. We all stand ready to help students make the most of this spring semester. If you need support, please just ask. 
 

Students' Commitment to Attending School

State regulations require mandatory attendance for all private schools; therefore, it is critical that school remain each student’s primary focus through the end of May. Attendance will be taken and students will be held accountable to not only complete and submit the work assigned but to be present and engaged in virtual school sessions.
 

Mandatory OnCampus Open House March 25 in the Evening

Students are required to participate in our OnCampus Open House Wednesday, March 25 between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. ET (those in Europe may choose to check in earlier from 4:30 - 6:30 ET). During this time, students will check into their classes so they are ready to resume classes Thursday. I was delighted to see 160 students, faculty and administrators (and a few curious parents online and listening in!) participating in last night's Student Town Hall—outstanding engagement! 
 

One-Stop Resource for Important Information 

Go to ves.org/virtualschool to learn details of virtual school, the weekly school schedule, the latest school communication (like this letter), and more.
 
Virtual School at VES

Athletics

Also yesterday, following Gov. Northam’s orders, VISAA issued this official statement on athletics: “As a result of Virginia Gov. Northam's decision to close all schools (private and public) in the Commonwealth of Virginia for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) has canceled all VISAA sanctioned championships for the spring of 2020.” We know you are grappling with many emotions as a result of these decisions, and we will be defining ways to honor our seniors for their athletic leadership in spring sports.

Leadership Opportunities for 2020-21

Now more than ever we are looking to our leaders at every level to help guide the decisions of the school and extend our culture to this new online world. Thank you to all who are serving in leadership roles today!

Students have received emails about four key leadership opportunities: Student Council, Junior RAs, the Counselor body and the Honor Committee. We strongly encourage students to take that leap to share your talents, develop your leadership strengths, and experience life at VES at an even deeper level.  

Our Campus Is Closed

In response to the Governor’s orders and to live into our commitment to help flatten the curve, we are immediately suspending all student visits to campus to retrieve belongings for the next three weeks. We are very sorry for this inconvenience, but we need to keep you and our campus safe at this time. 

If you have an item(s) that is absolutely essential (e.g., medications, a school book), we will work with students to ship those items to the student’s home. We are developing a plan about how to collect or to store or ship student belongings that remain on campus. We will communicate this plan as soon as possible, based on state restrictions.

Domestic students with an urgent need for a personal item, please email your advisor. International students, please communicate with Mrs. Esther Johnson.

Celebrating the Class of 2020  

We now face the effects of this epidemic and federal and state mandates on our spring commencement exercises. Of course, none of us are more saddened about the impacts than our seniors who have worked hard toward this significant achievement. These ceremonies profoundly matter to you and your families, and we deeply empathize with you. 

VES is committed to celebrating you! Our team is beginning to evaluate dates in August to reschedule the traditions of Finals, Baccalaureate and Commencement. In addition, we plan to meet with your Counselor body and Student Council seniors, as well as send a survey to all members of the Class of 2020, to discuss options and ask for everyone’s best thinking to inform our decisions. 

We’re All in This Together

I know we all miss the face-to-face camaraderie that defines our VES culture, yet I am confident that we will move beyond this period of uncertainty to embrace the best possible virtual school experience we can create. 
 
Thank you for your strength of character and grit, as well as your love and support of each other and your school. I look forward to the day when we are all back together as one community.
 
As always, if you need to reach out to us, please email hotline@ves.org, contact me directly at tbattle@ves.org or contact the most appropriate person on our leadership team.
 
Wishing you all the very best,
 

G. Thomas Battle, Jr. ’83
Headmaster

As of March 18, 2020

Dear VES Community,

Hello from VES. I hope this message finds you all safe and well. In these challenging times, there is nothing more important than our responsibility to each other and our care for one another. Please know that all of us here at the Old 160 are thinking about you every day as we go about our work to adapt to this new reality and provide a meaningful educational and community experience for you.

Over these past two weeks of Spring Break, the VES leadership team has been following the minute-by-minute murmurations of decisions issued by the CDC and leaders across the U.S. and the world. As I noted in my letter of March 12, we are making sometimes difficult but very necessary decisions that align with essential mandates designed to “flatten the curve” of the coronavirus and protect the health of our VES community. 

Most recently, we have been busy helping our international students get home to the love and support of their families; we have put further details around our plans for VES Virtual School; and we have addressed several other topics of importance to you. While these letters may be a bit lengthy, they contain information you need to know, so please read them thoroughly. 

VES Virtual School: How It Will Work 
from Academic Dean Mimi Csatlos

Greetings! As I write this note to you, I’m in my living room, and I see the Rhems out for a walk on the trails behind the faculty houses, I hear Mr. Button yelling for his dog, Hamilton, to come inside, and I’m missing seeing students out at lacrosse practice or jogging around the campus loop. Certainly none of us pictured our spring break unfolding as it has over the past week. 

While the uncertainty we all feel due to this global health crisis is far from the relaxing and restorative time off campus we were expecting, please know that your teachers and administrators are working hard to welcome you back to VES via Virtual School, and we want to make sure you feel at home in this new, unexpected landscape. We want our online community to capture the same spirit and sense of community that we feel when we are all together here on campus.

As someone who always finds comfort in having a plan and knowing details, we have prepared a Q&A designed to answer many of the questions you might have about what VES Virtual School will be like. 

Read the VES Virtual School Q&A

Mark Your Calendar: Virtual School Key Dates
 

• Monday, March 23 | 8 - 9:30 p.m. 
  Chat Session: Get Your Virtual School Questions Answered
   
• Wednesday, March 25 | Afternoon and evening
  First check-in to each class via OnCampus. More details to come next week.
   
• Parents Council Hosting Webinar with VES Leadership Tuesday, March 24 | 7 - 8 p.m.
  In these unprecedented times, we want to live into our VES values of leading with courage and sustaining community engagement. With the webinar—Let's Connect: A VES Leader Dialogue with Parents—we want to create an opportunity to get together, share updates about the school’s actions in response to Covid-19, discuss virtual school and answer your questions.
  
  Mark your calendar to join us for the Zoom Webinar on Tuesday, March 24 from 7 - 8 p.m. and register today. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
  
   Register Now
   

Retrieving Your Belongings & Mail

If you need to come on campus for any reason, you must email either Mr. Chris Button or Mrs. Amy Kolman to arrange a time to arrive so they can meet you, as buildings on campus are closed. 

Our team is working out a plan on how to get your student mail delivered to you. We will share details within the next few days. In the meantime, if you are expecting any care packages, shopping deliveries or mail, please route these to your home and please update any automatic shipments to the VES address to your home address right away. 

Activities & Events: What Is Canceled, Postponed or Going Virtual 
 

Athletics

As you would imagine, all VISAA athletics are suspended at this time. VISAA is following the lead of the Virginia High School League. VHSL “continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 and will continue discussions with public health officials and key stakeholders.” We will, of course, keep you apprised as decisions are made related to athletics at VES.

Events 

As of March 17, the Commonwealth of Virginia is mandating we follow the new federal guideline to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people and all non-essential travel. In support of this effort, VES is adjusting our calendar of events as noted below. Decisions about events scheduled beyond May 1 have not yet been made. We will continue to update you as the situation evolves. 

• #everyonegiVES Give Day Campaign | April 8 - STILL ON!
  Please look for Give Day communications coming to your mailbox and inbox soon that will explain how you can show your support. In these tenuous times, the generosity of our alumni, parents, and friends is more important than ever before.
   
• Bishops 2 Be | March 28-29 – VIRTUAL 
  We are shifting communications and activities with accepted students to the virtual realm. We will reach out very soon to VES Big Sibs and Parent Ambassadors to discuss how you can assist us in keeping the warmth of our community apparent to these families.
   
• Cupcakes for a Cure | April 19 – CANCELED 
   
• Spring Family Weekend | April 24 - 26 – CANCELED 
   
• Finals Dance | April 25 – POSTPONED 

We think about all of our students each day, and especially our seniors who are top of mind as this global pandemic disrupts what should be one of the most fun and exciting times of your lives. We are beginning to think creatively about the possibilities—and we want your innovative ideas—on how we can together honor and celebrate your final year at VES. Be thinking and we'll start gathering your input soon!

Staying Healthy 

We encourage you to find ways to keep moving, get plenty of sleep and keep your mind sharp. With most gyms closed at this time, here are a couple of resources we’re tapping into that you can do at home:

• The Scientific 7-Minute Workout from The New York Times, and their free apps for basic and advanced workouts.
   
• 30 Moves to Make the Most of Your At-Home Workout from Healthline offers beginner to advanced routines.
   
• A 30-Day Yoga Journey - Just grab your yoga mat and phone and you're set to go!

As always, if you need to reach out to us, please email hotline@ves.org, contact me directly at tbattle@ves.org or contact the most appropriate person on our leadership team. 

Be Well,

G. Thomas Battle, Jr. ’83
Headmaster

Dear VES Community,

I am writing to you today to share decisions that Virginia Episcopal School has made to address the increasing risks to normal operations during the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) global pandemic. As you know, we have been closely monitoring the changing landscape around us and have remained in active communications with the Virginia Health Department, our national associations and our peer schools. 

No one has the perfect answer to the question “What is the best course of action?” for VES, yet it is clear that decisive action is required to ensure the safety and well-being of our school community, especially those most vulnerable to the impacts of Covid-19. It is in times like these that I find myself extremely grateful to our hardworking and talented leadership team who is sifting through massive amounts of information to guide our planning. I am also grateful to our students and their families who have provided feedback and information to us and have patiently awaited guidance from our school.

VES Will Move to a Virtual School Model 

In line with guidance from health organizations around the world—particularly regarding the criticality of social distancing, avoiding large gatherings, managing travel and hygiene—and with our plan affirmed by comparable actions of universities and peer schools:

Virginia Episcopal School will extend Spring Break for three days after which we will begin virtual learning—conducting school online—for the immediate future. We will  assess next steps during the first week of April to determine if / when we can safely return to campus.

What makes VES so very special is the community of students and adults growing together every day as we learn and question, play and create, talk and listen, and understand and value one another. We recognize this decision presents a significant change to our engaging boarding school environment. Yet, after two intensive weeks of discussion and analysis, scenario testing and diligent planning, we recognize that we cannot fully protect our community from the impacts of this outbreak. VES is confident that our decision is a responsible approach to achieving our goals to: 1) protect the health of the adults, students, children and neighbors in our community, 2) continue with productive learning and 3) do our part in joining the public health effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus and relieve potential pressure on the healthcare community. 

What does this mean for you? 

• Day and domestic boarding students will remain at home when Spring Break ends, originally slated for March 22.
• International families, please read the information below specifically for you.
• On March 23 -25, our faculty will prepare their curriculum for online learning. We will begin conducting classes online on Thursday, March 26, with an evening preview session required on Wednesday, March 25, in which students will check into each online class. 

Supporting Our International Families

Our goal is for all international students to return home as soon as possible.

• For those already home, please remain there. 
• We are prioritizing support to the students who are currently in the U.S. as they make travel arrangements to go home.
• For those students truly unable to go home due to travel restrictions, we will offer housing, access to our Health Center and school counselor, and limited meals on campus.

Academics and Learning Online 

Academic Dean Mimi Csatlos, Dean of Faculty Jen Anderson and Director of Academic Technology, Darko Sedlar are leading the team that will support our faculty in delivering classes online. Beginning March 23, faculty will spend these first few days adjusting their curriculum and preparing online lesson plans. We are thankful that we already employ the web-based solution, OnCampus, as our Learning Management tool for class assignments, resources, grades and communication. Students will continue to use the Google suite to create and submit work, and we will add video conferencing solutions like Google Meet to the teaching tools to further support group instruction and collaboration. We will have additional Help Desk support available to ensure each students’ user experience is positive.

Athletics

At this time, all team practices and athletic contests are canceled until that time when we are back in full operation on campus. Athletic Director Bob Leake is in conversation to determine plans for the VIC and BRC conferences and with VISAA to understand impacts across the state. Once those plans are finalized, VES will share information with you.

College Counseling

Our college counseling team is strongly connected with testing organizations and universities and colleges around the country at all times. This team is staying extra vigilant in this dynamic environment. In our virtual school model, your college counselors will be available for virtual meetings and will continue to lead the junior college counseling seminar. They look forward to supporting students and families through this complex time. Director of College Counseling Mimi Csatlos invites juniors, seniors and their parents to watch this video update. 

Events

We have suspended all external group functions from campus to minimize the risk of introducing the virus to our community. 

At this time, we are canceling our #everyonegiVES events in Raleigh, Lynchburg, Richmond and Charlotte; however, we plan to proceed with our #everyonegiVES campaign on April 8. Please look for Give Day communications coming to your mailbox and inbox soon that will explain how you can show your support. In these tenuous times, the generosity of our alumni, parents, and friends is more important than ever before.

We are evaluating all other VES events currently scheduled to determine if to proceed, postpone, cancel or shift to a virtual session. Please look for specific communication in which we will share information as these decisions are made. 

Planning a Return to School

Today, it is simply too early to know what the future will hold. An optimistic scenario would have us returning to campus to finish our school year together. Pessimistic scenarios project that Covid-19 continues an exponential spread leaving us with little choice but to remain in a virtual school model longer than hoped. As soon as we determine with guidance from our breadth of expert health and professional resources that it would be appropriate to return to our wonderful campus environment, we will communicate details, allowing ample time for you to make travel arrangements. 

Valuing Our Partnership

In our school’s 104-year history and certainly within my 10 years as headmaster, we have been tested with challenges and disruptions to campus life. Each time, VES has demonstrated thoughtful leadership, strong execution of our plans, unwavering spirit and resilience. 

As we address our community’s interests during this current global crisis—from student and faculty engagement in a virtual learning model to parental guidance to alumni support—we demonstrate our collective strength as a Bishop team. I cannot thank all of you enough for your patience, insights and continued confidence that buttress and inspire our work.

Our team will be in touch soon again with details of virtual learning and other essential updates.

If you need to reach out to us, please email hotline@ves.org, contact me directly at tbattle@ves.org or contact the most appropriate person on our leadership team. 

Sincerely,

G. Thomas Battle, Jr. ’83
Headmaster

Dear VES Community,

VES leaders are proactively engaged in daily planning and refinement of protocols to address the emerging needs regarding the public health concern of COVID-19 both abroad and in the U.S. These protocols are designed in accordance with the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virginia and local Departments of Health, and numerous independent school association partners to: 

• Inform faculty, staff, students, campus residents and visitors to VES about our actions, as well as to emphasize preventive measures 
• Protect our community by preventing the introduction and spread of the flu, COVID-19 and any other respiratory germs on our campus
• React quickly and effectively should a case be identified 
• Minimize disruption to and support the continuity of teaching and learning. 

PARENTS: You Must Complete the Travel Plan Survey by Friday, March 6

It is critical that we know your family's travel plans. If this form is not submitted to VES, your student will not be allowed back on campus at the end of Spring Break. Thanks to all who have filled out the survey. If you have not, we appreciate your immediate attention to this matter.

Take the Travel Plans Survey Now

VES Health & Safety Actions

We have taken these steps to safeguard students: 

1. Increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting of all high-use, high-surface spaces.
2. Scheduled a deep cleaning and disinfecting of all dorm spaces over break.
3. Canceled all school-sponsored international trips over the break.
4. Hosting "Spring Break at VES" for VES students who are unable to travel or who are prudently choosing not to travel during this time.
5. Closed access to our campus by any outside groups.

Spring Break Travel Guidance for Families

Spring Break for many families includes international and domestic travel. We strongly request that families avoid unnecessary travel through crowded transportation hubs and to domestic or international locations with active COVID-19 outbreaks. 

Keep in mind that, in the current environment, travelers “may face unpredictable circumstances, travel restrictions, challenges in returning home or accessing health care while abroad,” as noted by the CDC in guidance issued March 1, as well as the possibility of a required quarantine period upon return. In addition, if you choose to continue with travel plans as noted above this could result in your student’s delay in re-entering the school.

VES Protocols & Requirements: Before, During & Returning from Break

You can expect a higher level of health monitoring at VES as we safeguard the health and well-being of our community. Please pay close attention to the following:

In Advance of Spring Break

• Complete the Travel Plan Survey by Friday, March 6. 
  If this form is not submitted, students will not be allowed back on campus. 

Take the Travel Plans Survey Now

• Take Class Materials Home. 
  We have alerted all students that it is very important that they take all of their school supplies with them; this laptops, chargers, books as identified by faculty, and any other materials they depend upon for success in their classes. This is a precautionary measure in the event a student cannot return to campus due to illness at the end of the break. Faculty are noting in OnCampus exactly what students need to take with them for each class.

• Medications Will Be Sent Home. 
  Nurses will be sending home each student’s medication(s) so that, if a student cannot return to campus due to illness at the end of the break, s/he will have their medication(s).

During Spring Break 

• Notify Us of Changes to Your Travel Plans. 
  If your plans change at any time after you submit your travel plans via survey,, communicate your updated information as follows: 
  International students: email ejohnson@ves.org.
  Domestic students: email sbrown@ves.org.
  Faculty and Staff: email sbrown@ves.org.

• Notify Us Before the End of Spring Break if…
  you have traveled to countries with a level 2 or 3 travel health notice, had contact with someone who has recently traveled to those countries, or have been in close contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19. You must contact our Health Center before returning to campus via email at nurses@ves.org to discuss your status. 
   

Returning to VES

• Stay Home if You Are Sick. 
  - If you have any sign of illness, do not come to campus. 
  - Stay at home until you are symptom-free. 
  - Notify the school and your teachers of your absence, as you normally would. 
  - Contact your medical provider if you have any questions about your health. 

• Boarder Re-entry Process 
  - If possible, we recommend that parents drive their student(s) back to campus (unless your senior student drives his or her own car, in which case the student may drive to campus).
  - Parents, plan to remain on-hand until your student receives clearance. If your student does not receive clearance, you will need to drive your student back home (or if your senior student drives, we will ask them to return home).
  - Upon return, check in at front Jett before going to any other campus location.
  - At check-in, students will be given instructions on how to proceed to dorm. 

• Day Student Re-entry Process
  To help us with efficient re-entry, we invite any day students who wish to check in prior to Monday morning to come to front Jett at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 22.

Sources for Informing VES Decisions

• CDC Level of Travel Risk
• CDC US Outbreak Current Updates
• World Health Organization Real-Time Situation Dashboard
• Virginia Department of Health Situation Summary

Mingea Health Center at VES

• Reach our nurses at 434.385.3706 or nurses@ves.org.

Reliable Resources for You

• CDC Travelers Health and FAQs
• World Health Organization (WHO) Website | FAQs | Mythbusters webpage
• Harvard Health Publishing’s Coronavirus Resource Center
• New York Times video: Wash Your Hands. No. Like This.

Stay Current with VES Coronavirus Online Updates

We have developed a news page on our website dedicated to coronavirus communications and resources to help you stay current and easily find the news you need. Simply go to ves.org/coronavirus.

Our team remains deeply engaged in addressing the emerging needs of our community as the virus continues its impact across the globe. We will continue to share information and updates as needed to keep you informed. 

We appreciate your taking the time to read the details and to provide the information we need to keep all who are part of our VES campus as healthy as possible.

 

Sincerely,

Tommy Battle ‘83
Headmaster

 

Dear VES Community,

As we are a week away from Spring Break, we would like to provide an update on VES’s plans in light of growing concerns over the coronavirus. We are committed to employing thoughtful guiding principles as we take great caution to safeguard the health and well-being of our entire VES community.  

Monitoring, Planning & Tapping into Expert Resources

VES continues to closely monitor the worldwide COVID-19 epidemic as well as travel guidelines and recommendations established by several organizations, including the World Health Organization, the U.S. State Department, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), our local health department and International SOS—our travel risk management company. We also are in regular contact with our industry organizations, including the National Association of Independent Schools, The Association of Boarding Schools, Global Education Benchmark Group, other national and state organizations, and our peer schools. We are using all available information and counsel to inform our planning at this time.

For the past month, VES’s Crisis Management Team has been working diligently to develop and execute our response and action plans to specific scenarios. As concerns about this rapidly evolving situation increase, this team will convene frequently to address a broad range of potential issues related to the outbreak, including:

• Evaluating the advisability of hosting group events on our campus and developing alternative approaches.
• Supporting students and helping our faculty foster constructive dialogue and mitigate bias or discrimination.
• Preparing for the possibility that we may need to provide remote or virtual learning.
• Continuing our support for students who may need extended supervision and care due to travel restrictions.

Current Status and Spring Break Plans

It is important that we note there are no suspected nor confirmed cases of coronavirus on our campus. We continue to impress upon our students the importance of practicing healthy habits: ensuring they have gotten a flu vaccine, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, washing hands frequently, keeping hands from their faces, covering sneezes and coughs, not sharing drinks or eating utensils, eating a healthy diet and getting exercise. These steps remain the best defense against communicable diseases.

Student Travel Abroad Programs. We are currently evaluating school-sponsored travel abroad programs for Spring Break and summer, basing our decisions on multiple criteria, including the CDC levels of risk, information from U.S. Embassies and Consulates, travel restrictions issued by the U.S. State Department, and the presence of an active outbreak. We are communicating directly with the families signed up for those trips as decisions are made.

Offering “Spring Break at VES.” To support our boarding students and their families—both international and domestic—we will be keeping the VES campus open for the full term of Spring Break (March 7 - 22) for any student who wishes or needs to stay on campus—whether for a few days, a week or the entire break. Our international student advisors, Esther and Matt Johnson, as well as our leadership team and faculty, will provide adult supervision and develop fun excursions in the region and activities on and off campus that will keep students engaged. 

If you need to exercise this option, please enroll or contact Esther Johnson by Wednesday, March 4. 

Learn More & Enroll Now

Please Share Student Travel Plans with Us. We ask that you complete a quick survey about your student’s Spring Break travel plans. This information will allow us to provide support to families if needed as students prepare to return to campus, and to assess community risks based on information and guidelines current at that time. Again, our ultimate goal is to have every individual on campus be as healthy as possible and to mitigate the possibility of infection within our VES community. Rest assured, this information will be kept confidential within the leadership team. 

Please submit the survey by Friday, March 6.

Take the Travel Plans Survey

Mental Health, Emotional Support Available

In these uncertain times, some community members may be feeling additional stress. We invite our students to connect with any trusted adult on campus to talk about their feelings and concerns; Janet Grattan, our licensed professional counselor; our Nursing staff; chaplain Adam White, advisors, dorm parents, teachers, coaches and administrators all stand ready to provide support. Please reach out as needed. 

Symptoms and Seeking Medical Care

According to the CDC, symptoms of the virus include fever, coughing and shortness of breath. The CDC believes that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. At this time, experts say that it appears children are not as susceptible as adults and more resilient if they do get sick. The illness can be more serious for individuals with a weakened immune system, the elderly or those with underlying respiratory problems, resulting in bronchitis and pneumonia.

Anyone who displays symptoms noted below should seek immediate attention at our Mingea Health Center. If any student displays these symptoms, we will follow the protocol established by the CDC. 

• Headache
• Severe cough
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Shortness of breath / difficulty breathing
• A general feeling of being unwell

The Parent - VES Partnership: How You Can Help

• Please keep your student from attending school or coming to campus if he or she is ill.
• Please report any illness your student experiences over Spring Break to our nurses@ves.org or with a phone call to the Mingea Health Center: 434.385.3706. 
• Consider getting any prescription refills for your child well in advance, if possible. 
• Adhere to CDC, State Department and any other official protocols and recommendations regarding travel and health, keeping in mind the well-being of our entire VES community.
• Model calm behavior. Help your student to express his or her feelings. Listen, speak to facts not fears, and discuss coping skills that can help to reduce and manage anxiety. 

Helpful Resources

• Visit the CDC COVID-19 website and the World Health Organization (WHO) website
• For updated travel notices related to the outbreak, visit the CDC’s Travelers Health site.
• Track the spread of the outbreak with visual mapping from Johns Hopkins University.
• For more information about the coronavirus and current information on the situation in Virginia, visit the Virginia Department of Health’s novel coronavirus webpage.
• This WHO brief video explains the novel coronavirus.
• Think you know how to effectively wash your hands? We can all do better. Learn how by watching this New York Times video.

Stay Current with VES Coronavirus Updates

We have developed a news page on our website dedicated to coronavirus communications and resources to help you stay current and easily find the news you need. Simply click here or go to ves.org/coronavirus.

You can feel confident that we continue to monitor the situation and will update you as new information and plans evolve. We are keeping our VES community and their extended families in our thoughts and prayers. If any of our team can be of assistance to you or your student, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
 

Sincerely,

Tommy Battle ‘83
Headmaster