Good afternoon AC/SAS families,

As you know, we are in a rapidly changing and challenging situation.  As COVID-19 continues to spread, and as public health leaders offer more definitive guidance, we have come to see that our AC/SAS community can play an important role in the public health approach to this local, national, and global threat.

The time has come for us to make the shift to remote learning.

Today will be our last day of school until Monday, March 30.  We will tentatively plan to re-open on Monday, March 30, but will re-assess as that date grows closer.

We will continue to monitor the situation and health department recommendations, and will re-evaluate decisions accordingly.

Please note that we do not have any confirmed cases or positive tests here in our community.  We are taking this strategic approach because we are trying to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19.  This is the only way to flatten the curve and keep our community safe.  We know that social distancing is the best thing we can do to help stop the spread and to keep our elderly neighbors, our friends with asthma and other underlying medical conditions, and our parents and grandparents healthy.

Our remote learning plan will be sent to you via email later this afternoon/evening.  Remote learning will begin on Monday, March 16.  

The most important thing we can do is to make sure our children feel informed as we convey information with a reassuring sense of calm and competence.  We want to make sure they know we are keeping them safe.  Below are some suggestions for talking with your child:

• Invite and encourage your child to ask you questions.  If your child asks you a difficult question, it's okay to say you don't know the answer.  Children are typically more comforted by simple and direct information than by false reassurance.
• Be mindful of your own presentation and manage your emotions before working to support your children around their emotions.
• Limit news and social media exposure.
• Be reassuring and focus on what you're doing to stay safe.

During this time and always, we are concerned for the well-being of all members of this community.  Teachers, support staff, and administration will be available via email for ongoing support.  Please reach out as needed.

Together we will navigate these uncharted waters.  Let us keep close in prayer anyone who is being directly affected by this virus.

Blessings,

The AC/SAS Administrative Team