5/1/09
Greetings,
The World Health Organization has elevated the alert level for the
spread of the Swine Influenza to a Phase 5 which means that a
pandemic is imminent. Our Emergency Response Team (ERT) has met
and created a plan in the event that an individual on campus tests
positive for the Swine Influenza.
The guiding principle of this plan is that we need to respond to any
crisis in a manner that errs on the side of protecting, as much as
possible, our students and members of our school community. The
members of the ERT unanimously agree that we are not equipped to
provide the comprehensive health care necessary to effectively manage a
widespread outbreak of the Swine Influenza on our residential campus.
Therefore, if the Department of Health in the state of Connecticut
determines that a member of our school community has tested positive
for the Swine Influenza, we are going to immediately initiate a plan to
close school for the remainder of the semester.
In order to effectively execute the closing of school in a timely fashion,
we need parents to organize with their sons a plan to leave school. Many
parents live close enough to school that the easiest option driving to
campus to pick their sons up. Students who live a significant distance
from campus have a more complicated situation. Parents should
investigate air travel options that would have to be initiated on short
notice, or they should make arrangements for their sons to stay with
friends or relatives who live within driving distance of the school.
Brendon Welker, our Director of Admissions, (860) 404-4244
welkerb@avonoldfarms.com , is available to facilitate air, train, and bus
travel through a local travel agent and Kevin Driscoll, our Dean of
Students, (860) 404-4277 driscollk@avonoldfarms.com , is available to
facilitate coordinating students staying with Avon families.
There are only a few weeks remaining in the academic year. Depending
upon when a positive diagnosis of the Swine Influenza would occur,
underclassmen would either be required to complete a major take home
assignment, or we would be far enough along in the semester to
determine their grades given the assessments that had already been
completed. Senior grades would be determined by the assessments
already completed this semester. Semester examinations would not take
place for any students. We are investigating with the College Board, the
best possible way of dealing with Advanced Placement examinations
and will communicate our findings to you as soon as we obtain them.
In the event that school is closed because of a positive diagnosis of the
Swine Influenza, we will make every effort to hold graduation for the
Class of 2009 on May 24th as scheduled, or as soon after as it is safe to do
so. If school does close, an update on graduation will be included as soon
as possible.
If school does close early, underclassmen boarders who live close
enough to the school to return after the incubation period for the virus
expires, need only leave with necessary items. They should plan to
return to school during the summer to pick up their remaining
belongings. Those who will not be able to return in the summer, should
plan to store their belongings with Pak Mail, the company with whom
we traditionally contract to store student belongings. They are prepared
to provide a storage facility on campus with very short notice.
We are hopeful that the remainder of the school year will progress
without a positive diagnosis of the Swine Influenza, and that none of our
emergency plans will need to be initiated. However, it is prudent to be
prepared and to take the necessary steps to ensure that all members of
our community are protected. This is a fluid situation and our plan may
have to be altered to address a change in the spread of the Swine
Influenza. Be assured that we will communicate with you quickly should
this occur.
I am pleased to address any questions that you might have concerning
our plan. Please feel free to contact anyone at our health center, (860)
404-4234 infirmary@avonoldfarms.com , if you have questions
concerning the Swine Influenza, or connect to the following link:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine or call the Center for Disease Control at
800-CDC-INFO.
Thank you for your cooperation with implementing our emergency plan
if we do see a positive diagnosis of the Swine Influenza, and for
understanding our reasons for a strong response to such a situation.
Aspirando et Perseverando,
Ken LaRocque
Headmaster
larocquek@avonoldfarms.com, (860) 404-4222