The wellness of our community is our highest priority. The administration is having daily conversations about the many facets of our school program that may be impacted by COVID-19, and we have assembled a task force to address the situation from multiple angles. We are continuously monitoring news and recommendations from the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO). We are also in frequent contact with independent school associations―such as NAIS, AIMS, AISGW―as well as our colleagues at other local independent schools.
Updated May 7, 2020, 8:45 a.m.
WES’s Distance Learning Program will begin on Tuesday, March 31 and continue through the end of the school year, in accordance with Governor Hogan’s decision to keep Maryland public schools closed through the same date.
We are hopeful that we can be together on campus on September 8, the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. We are actively planning for a number of scenarios to promote the richest educational experience possible for our Dragons while concurrently protecting the health and safety of our students, faculty, and families.
At this time, we have no confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 within the WES community. Our actions are meant to protect the health of the WES family, to promote public health at large, and to do our part to flatten the curve of the disease.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser extended the city’s stay-at-home order through May 15.
We have made the difficult decision to also cancel the Utah, France, and Spain Study trips, as well as our Spain and France exchange programs. We know this is disappointing news, and we are exploring alternatives. We will continue to be in touch with the families directly impacted by these cancellations.
All on-campus events are postponed until further notice.
The CDC and the WHO continue to promote good hygiene in efforts to help prevent the spread of the disease.
A few tips to limit the spread of any illness:
The CDC and the WHO also are promoting social distancing to limit the spread of the disease.
As we prepare a plan to promote learning continuity and protect the health of our community, we’d also like to reflect on the importance of inclusion. No bullying, harassment, or exclusion of any kind will be tolerated, especially any based on national origin, recent travel, race, or ethnicity. Relying on our community values of inclusion, kindness, and mutual respect will strengthen us in the face of challenges.
We understand that unknown viruses can create worry and anxiety for families. If your child is feeling anxious, here are a few helpful resources:
What Kids Want To Know About Coronavirus: An Original Comic
These videos may prove useful as you have discussions with your children.
Here you can find the archive of Head of School Danny Vogelman’s communications to the community.
