Dear Lighthouse Families,
We are closely monitoring the news and information about the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in our region. With the safety of all community members in mind, effective Monday, March 16, we will be closing Nantucket Lighthouse School for two weeks. The children are not yet aware of the school closing as we would like to allow you to share this information with your child.
I have communicated with Todd Eveleth, the Head of School at Nantucket New School, and we are in agreement to temporarily close our schools.
We will be continuing instruction through remote learning starting on Tuesday, March 17, and your child’s teachers will be communicating with you via email. Please note there will be age-appropriate assignments assigned during the two weeks, and that this is not a vacation. The expectation is that students will be connected to teachers on a regular basis and will advance through the curriculum.
Outside the Chace School House, on Monday, March 16, after 3:00 p.m., you will find a learning kit for your child in a class bin. If you cannot come Monday, the work will be available for pick up on Tuesday as well. All students at Rugged Road campus will pick up kits. Middle School students will receive assignments directly from their teachers.
Children are listening and watching how we respond to all the news swirling around us. Taken, in part, from PBS Kids, here is some advice for talking with your children about Coronavirus:
• When we let children talk about their feelings, their feelings become less overwhelming.
• Listen to their questions and answer with age-appropriate facts. Try not to over-talk. As Rosetta Lee advised: think of your job as having 100 one-minute conversations rather one long 100-minute conversation.
• Take care of your own mental health; your child’s anxiety will often mimic your own anxiety.
• Remind your child that they are safe and that the adults around them are working hard to keep all people healthy.
• Focus on what your family can do to model being proactive: healthy habits like good sleep, healthy food, hand washing, etc.
We will miss these happy faces over the next few weeks. Our teachers have done a beautiful job focusing on the comforting classroom rituals and routines to help everyone feel calm.
Yours,
Christine B. Hanson
on behalf of Nantucket Lighthouse School
