Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Dear Gwynedd Mercy Parents and Students,

What a week we have all experienced in a number of unexpected and unprecedented ways. The continuity of teaching and learning is second only to the safety and security of the members of our Gwynedd community.
With that in mind, the administration, faculty, and staff have worked diligently to develop a strategy that leverages existing tools and faculty development. As promised in yesterday's communication, I write to provide additional details regarding the next two weeks.

With full appreciation of the volume, intensity and speed of information that we have been receiving throughout this week, I'll endeavor to keep this message focused and comprehensive. Please know that there are some topics that will require further consideration over the next two weeks.

Virtual Learning Plan

Gwynedd has developed a Virtual Learning Plan for the potential of an extended school closure that is now a reality in response to the spread of COVID-19. This Virtual Learning Plan will require students and faculty to collaborate through Microsoft Teams - the digital platform through which the faculty and students will meet remotely for class sessions.  Specific details about the implementation of our Virtual Learning Plan can be found here, and a Student User's Guide to Microsoft Teams has been created to provide step-by-step instructions for students as they transition to online learning.

Please know that the members of our Technology Department have been working with our faculty to ensure their preparedness for leading classes in Microsoft Teams. In addition to the Student User's Guide for Microsoft Teams, the Technology Department will also be emailing students with a link to a tutorial video that will provide students with detailed instructions on how to navigate Teams.

As we all continue to prepare for the transition to a digital platform, we will be following the "Daily Schedule" that is stated in the Virtual Learning Plan by having another Cyber Day on Monday, March 16. This additional Cyber Day will afford our faculty and students an additional day to prepare for their virtual class meetings, which will begin on Tuesday, March 17.

Rest assured that we are all here to support one another – especially the students – during these challenging times. Our virtual efforts will not be without obstacles or technological difficulties, but our faculty and staff will be ready to support all members of our community as we make every effort to provide continuity of instruction and learning for our students.

Please don't hesitate to email techsupport@gmahs.org if you have any questions or concerns related to the technicalities of virtual learning.

 

Extracurricular Activities

According to the governor's orders, extracurricular activities are not to take place during the two-week school closure. There will be no sports practices or games.

College Counseling

Students should monitor their email for updates for SAT testing and college/university closings. Some colleges/universities are offering virtual visits, so if it is a school you are interested in, make sure you register for those.

SAT – 3/14

It is safe to assume that all tests that were to be administered in Montgomery County will or have been canceled. The only school that has reached out to Gwynedd directly is Souderton confirming that they are not offering the SAT tomorrow. CollegeBoard will work on either rescheduling the test or issuing refunds. As this is an ongoing issue, please be flexible with CollegeBoard and know that universities are aware of the situation and will work with students in the coming months as well as we move through the application process.

Notice from CollegeBoard:  

CollegeBoard Coronavirus Update: What to do if you are registered to take the March 14 SAT: 

Test center closings: http://spr.ly/61841Sdne

Coronavirus updates: http://spr.ly/61851Sdn5

Press release: http://spr.ly/61861Sdng 

 

Visual Arts Field Trip

Cancelled 

Senior Mother-Daughter Retreat – 3/22

Cancelled 

Demystifying College Admission Testing Night – 3/24

Cancelled

Junior/Senior Prom – 3/27 New date is Wednesday, 5/20

The Junior/Senior Prom has been rescheduled for Wednesday, May 20 and will be held at Presidential Caterers. We do not know right now what the school schedule will look like on that day but rest assured that juniors and seniors would be dismissed no later than noon.

TechGirlz – 3/28

Cancelled

College Fair – 4/2

Cancelled

 

Medical Disclosure

The Commonwealth has now taken some rather severe steps to address the COVID-19 pandemic. While these steps may slow the progress of the disease, there is the possibility that it will be with us longer, even if we are ultimately better able to cope with it. The balance between the right to privacy and responsibility to the community can be a difficult one to strike at a time when some people's reactions are so extreme and panicked. If anyone in your home has symptoms or tested positive for the Coronavirus, please contact me (mkirby@gmahs.org) to help us understand and better manage the situation at Gwynedd.

 

Again, Monday will be a Cyber Day for students as faculty prepare for Virtual Learning beginning on Tuesday. We will plan to provide a weekly Friday communication over the next two weeks. However, we will certainly be in contact with our families sooner should circumstances deem it necessary.

As we prepare for the weeks ahead, may we find peace and comfort in God's enduring mercy, inspiration in the abundant care and support of our Gwynedd family, and renewal as we repent and reflect during this season of Lent. I will pray for each of you until we are together in the red and gold corridors once more.

In Mercy,

Miss Mary E. Kirby
Principal

Dear Gwynedd Mercy Parents and Students,

This afternoon, given the continued spread of COVID-19 across Montgomery County, Gov. Tom Wolf has mandated the closure of all Montgomery County schools for the next 14 days. In compliance with the mandate, Gwynedd Mercy High School will remain closed through Sunday, March 29 and will plan to re-open on Monday, March 30.

In the meantime, all events, sports, and activities during this period of closure are cancelled. However, we are looking into options to potentially reschedule the Junior/Senior Prom to an alternate date in May. 

Tomorrow and Monday, March 13 and 16, will be Cyber Days for students while faculty and staff prepare for Virtual Learning next week. Students should continue to monitor their school email and to use Rediker to access lessons and assignments. Additional information will be emailed to students tomorrow related to the Virtual Learning. We will continue to communicate updates as we have information to share.

We are grateful for your continued support and understanding during these unprecedented circumstances. As a community of Mercy, please continue to pray for all the lives who have been touched by this worldwide pandemic. 

Dear Gwynedd Mercy Parents and Students,

Today, we received official notification that one Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School student has been exposed to somebody who has tested positive for Coronavirus COVID-19. Though our Gwynedd student has not shown symptoms, she has been mandated to isolate and self-quarantine for 14 days in accordance with recommendations of local and state health officials. Please note that there are no known people in our school who have tested presumed positive for the virus. The Montgomery County Office of Public Health has advised us that the CDC guidelines indicate that this individual poses no risk of transmission since she is not showing any symptoms. 

The health and safety of our students and all persons affiliated with Gwynedd is of the utmost importance to us. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, we are taking additional preventative steps that go above and beyond standard cleaning procedures. We have enlisted the services of a company which specializes in the cleaning and microbial control of surfaces with hospital-grade cleansers and disinfectants, so that we can take an aggressive measure to provide for the health and welfare of our school community. In order to complete this work, Gwynedd will be closed Wednesday, March 11 through Sunday, March 15, 2020, for disinfection and deep cleaning. All events and activities scheduled within the Gwynedd building, as well as Spring sports are also cancelled through Sunday.

Per the PIAA advisory (linked here), and in conjunction with the PA Department of Health, basketball and swimming and diving championship events will continue as scheduled.

Beginning tomorrow and for the rest of the school week, Gwynedd students will have Cyber Days, meaning students will access lessons and assignments through their Rediker portals. Students are also asked to regularly check their Gwynedd email.

For any student registered to take the SAT at Germantown Academy on Saturday, updates will be provided directly from the College Board. Students should monitor emails for communications from the College Board.

We will remain in contact with the Montgomery County Department of Health and will continue to communicate updates as we have information to share.  Please remain diligent and continue to utilize the prevention strategies of cover, wash, contain, and clean.

Thank you for your continued vigilance and understanding

In Mercy,

Miss Mary E. Kirby
Principal

Good evening, Parents, Students, Faculty, and Staff,

This afternoon, Montgomery County reported a confirmed case of Coronavirus COVID-19 in Lower Gwynedd Township. Upon hearing this news, we immediately contacted the Montgomery County Office of Public Health, which issued this linked statement, indicating, "that there is no evidence of community transmission in Montgomery County". 

We have been in communication with local school district and public health and safety officials and will be in touch with you if we should hear that any additional measures have become necessary to protect our students and staff. We will continue to monitor the situation very carefully and share any additional information we get as soon as possible.

As a reminder, if you are experiencing symptoms of the Coronavirus (fever, runny nose, dry cough, sore throat), please stay at home and contact your healthcare provider. 

In Mercy,

Miss Mary E. Kirby
Principal

Dear Gwynedd Parents & Guardians,

We are writing to communicate with you about how Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School is addressing the Coronavirus. As always, we are focused on ensuring the health and safety of our school community.

Our health policies align with the guidance of the Health Services Department of Wissahickon School District.  We have a nurse from Wissahickon on the premises weekly who is in regular communication with our school nurses. We also receive regular communication from the School Safety Officer for Montgomery County who provides us with resources specific to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. 

As shared in a communication from the Wissahickon School District below, you can learn more about this virus and preventative measures from the Centers of Disease Control as well as the Pennsylvania Department of Health. 

Statement from the Wissahickon School District:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.  The CDC website is updated frequently with information about the coronavirus. 

The CDC recommends a set of typical, common-sense precautions such as washing one's hands, staying home when sick, etc.  The CDC website (see above link) has additional details on these precautions as well as information that pertains to topics as international travel or pre-existing healthcare situations. 

Procedures are in place in our schools, and always have been as a matter of prudent emergency planning, to respond to any reports of communicable illness such as the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.  The Pennsylvania Department of Health issues guidance and direction to health-care providers and schools when necessary.  Guidance has been provided to health care providers in the state for suspected cases of this virus.  The Wissahickon School District complies with the direction of health agencies such as the Office of Public Health of Montgomery County and the PA Department of Health in matters of communicable illness.  If there were a confirmed case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in our community, the Office of Public Health would immediately notify us and provide guidance and information for distribution to our families. 

Should a situation arise in which we are made aware of a case in our region, Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School is prepared to move to a cyber school format for a period of time. We will continue to communicate as needed as the situation progresses. We appreciate your help and support as we navigate this international health concern. As a community, we pray for all those already significantly impacted. 

In mercy,

Mary E. Kirby
Principal