Dear Escuela Families,
Quarantine, quarantine, quarantine rock
Quarantine Zoom in a quarantine room
Sitting and waiting for Covid to end
With your brother or a friend!
As our students were singing their “Quarantine Rock” parody last night, ending a fabulous (and highly unusual!) Winter Program, I thought about how our Quaranteam rocks! The Escuela community has pulled together in what should be a model for the world. We’ve had students on campus for 25 weeks now, and not one single case of covid was transmitted here. Our goal, to support children, enabling them to play and learn together, in person, in the best possible environment, was met with unified effort and commitment.
I want to say a word about our own Escuela Front Line, the wonderful teachers and staff whose dedication to this work gave them the courage to put their own health and that of their families second only to keeping our whole community safe. Without them, nothing we do here is possible. Without their care, their passion, their expertise, and professionalism, our school would not be here to support, educate, and nurture your children. I am immensely grateful to them, each and everyone; I know our whole community joins me in gratitude for these amazing people!
So let’s keep it up, team! Let’s not let the holidays create any spikes of illness among our community. We know some of you need to travel during the winter break. We ask that you keep your commitment to the Escuela Quaranteam front and center as you make your plans. Escuela del Sol’s policies are those of the New Mexico Public Health Orders as well as any and all updates, changes, or additions ordered by the Governor of New Mexico. Covid-related guidelines and restrictions are sometimes not clear or easy to read, so we offer this summary … with the caveat that these orders may change weekly.
As of today, travel plans must include: Any person who has traveled outside the State of NM must quarantine for 14 days before coming onto the Escuela campus, AND they must be able to present a negative result of a Covid test that was done after the return to the state and before returning to school. Likewise, there are quarantine and testing requirements for any resident of the state who has hosted a visitor from outside NM. Please read all public health orders carefully and check frequently for updates.
For updates during the Winter Break, and before the New Year, please be sure to check here: https://cv.nmhealth.org/travel-recommendations/
Right now, every state in the Union is red… one of the only GREEN spots is right here, on our campus! Hopefully, soon everyone else joins us.
We wish you all a wonderful Winter Break. Thank you in advance for all you continue to do …. even if that means smaller holiday celebrations, or celebrating via Zoom with your loved ones …. in order to keep our community safe. We look forward to your return in 2021!
Gratefully,
Friedje vanGils
Head of School
