Dear San Domenico Students, Parents, and Guardians, Our SD leadership team has been monitoring the novel coronavirus situation hourly and working with Marin Public Health officials and the Marin County Office of Education, following the lead of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On Wednesday of this week, the World Health Organization officially defined the COVID-19 situation as a pandemic. While there are no San Domenico students, parents, or employees suspected of having contracted COVID-19, we have determined that as a preventive measure, it is now time to close down in-class learning. With tomorrow an already-scheduled student holiday and Monday, March 16 planned as a Distance Learning Practice Day, we will begin full Distance Learning on Tuesday, March 17. While we cannot predict how long this situation will last, we are hopeful that we will be able to resume regular classes after spring break. We recognize the stress and hardship that this may place on some of our families, but we believe our core values that guide us, together with our priority to protect the health and safety of our students, families, and broader community, affirm this decision as the right one to make at this time. BOARDING FAMILIES
We want to reiterate that this is a preventive closure; there are no exposures on campus. Regional boarding students are asked to stay home after this long weekend. International and out-of-state boarding students will be well cared for and supported in the dorms, their home away from home. We will provide more details in follow up communications for our boarding families. DISTANCE LEARNING
As shared in our earlier communications, you will continue to receive updates and instructions from your SD leadership and teachers. We also ask for your patience and grace (with us and within your families) as we together move to implement this new model of teaching and learning that will begin on Monday, March 16. ACTIVITIES and EVENTS
Beginning today, March 13, all athletic and co-curricular practices, games,extracurricular activities and lessons are cancelled until further notice. Many of our scheduled events and trips may also have to be rescheduled or cancelled. We understand that there may be tremendous disappointment around these changes, and we will provide follow up communications with more details. WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
Every one of us can help slow the spread of COVID-19. Our School’s move to distance learning must be accompanied by social distancing tactics by every member of this community. While it will be tempting to organize play dates and hang out with friends, we encourage you to review the World Health Organization’s recommendations for social distancing and do your part. IN CLOSING
At SD, our mission includes a commitment to recognize what it means to be human in a global community and respond with integrity to the needs of the times. These are unprecedented times. As always, and certainly throughout this coronavirus outbreak, our values of Study, Reflection, Community, and Service have informed our decision making process and they continue to do so today. For many of us, and certainly most of our children, this pandemic is also the first experience of a situation with such global significance. If you or your child are feeling anxious, or just need a professional to talk to, remember to reach out to our Student Support Team and know we are all here for you. Lastly, if you or anyone in your household is diagnosed or has been exposed to COVID-19, please contact our Director of Health Services, Toni Scott, R.N, immediately. Thank you again for your collaboration during this trying time. Sincerely, | 
