Dear NYMA Parents, Guardians, Students, Staff, and Faculty,
We are writing to provide you with an update about the Coronavirus Disease 2019, also known as COVID-19, and the Academy’s efforts to ensure the health and safety of students, staff, and community. The Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) is reporting that for most of the American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to his virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low.
To keep our cadets, staff, and faculty safe time is spent daily disinfecting our buildings and common areas. We have stressed the necessity that cadets should wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. That they should avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and that they should cough into the arm or use a tissue rather than use their hands. Antibacterial soap has been made readily available, as has hand sanitizers.
We have encouraged parents to refrain from taking their children unnecessarily over the weekend so as to limit exposure to outside communities. When it is necessary to travel, we have asked that cadets abstain from using public transportation and to avoid congested areas. Rather we have encouraged parents pick their children up or to arrange private transportation. Our recommendations were in advance of the current New York City guidelines for commuters, including avoiding crowded trains if possible.
The Academy is in continual contact with the Orange County Department of Health to support us as new developments unfold. Last evening, they recommended and encouraged the cancellation or postponement of any large social gatherings or events in Orange County. The purpose of this action is to slow the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and keep our communities and residents healthy. With that recommendation we have cancelled the SAT testing this Saturday on our campus. Rescheduling dates will be sent out once we have more information from the DOH and can appropriately assess our situation at that time.
Most private schools in our community are on Spring Break and with the ever-changing environment and as news unfolds regarding the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), these schools have taken the precaution to not reopen after the break and to move forward with distance learning options. The Academy, like our public-school counterparts in our community, has remained open. We are monitoring the situation closely, and we have also been hearing from many parents about their concerns.
Today we have learned of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Orange County. At this time, our highest priority remains the health and welfare of our students, faculty, and staff. We have confirmed with Orange County Health Commissioner, Dr. Irina Gelman that the risk of transmission to the communal setting of NYMA is low. Although our plan is to remain open until March 27th, contingency plans must be made immediately should authorities recommend and enforce school closures in our state and local community. Parents may remove students at their convenience if they deem it necessary. All school instructional materials must be gathered and taken home upon departure in preparation for possible online instruction. Students leaving prior to March 27th will be provided materials to keep academically up-to-date until real-time instruction is up and running. Prior to April 13th and the end of Spring Break we will inform our community if we will re-open or suspend on-campus learning and transition to online course delivery.
This is an emerging, rapidly changing situation. For general questions about COVID-19, please contact the New York State Department of Health Novel Coronavirus hotline at 1-888-364-3065. Additional resources can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Please contact us with any questions or concerns that you may have.
Sincerely,
Maria Reeves, Superintendent
New York Military Academy
