Dear PA community,

As Spring Break approaches and travel advisories continue to evolve as a result of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), we write with an update on the global situation and the Academy’s plans and response. Since our last communication, travel guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded to include:

Emerging travel advisories, ongoing uncertainty, and guidance to prepare for increased global spread of COVID-19 have heightened the level of concern among many of us. We remain focused on the health and wellbeing of our community and on the care and support of students with family and friends in affected regions.

Our response continues to evolve in accordance with the latest information from the CDC and other government agencies. For those planning travel, in addition to following CDC advisories, we ask that you consider:

The Dean of Students Office continues to collect Spring Break plans, aiming to ensure that every student has a place to go and is well cared for. Students should reach out to the Dean of Students Office immediately if they do not have a plan or if their travel plans are changing. We understand that some students may need to modify their Spring Break itinerary due to the latest travel guidance. We are also asking that any campus adult traveling off-campus over break share that information. 

As a further precaution, given the rapidly changing situation and global response to contain the spread of COVID-19, we have decided to cancel all Spring Break Learning in the World (LITW) programs. While we know this news is disappointing for those who were looking forward to these programs, we believe the decision to cancel is in the best interest of our students and chaperones. Those involved in LITW trips have been contacted individually.

We have developed an FAQ below derived from questions and concerns raised by students, families, and campus adults. Thank you for your patience and support as we do our best to protect our community. If there is a major change in the severity of the situation in the coming weeks, we will communicate with the entire community to share next steps.

Sincerely,

Linda Carter Griffith
Associate Head of School for Equity, Inclusion, and Wellness

Jenny Elliott ’94, P’22
Assistant Head of School for Residential Life and Dean of Students

Amy Patel, MD
Medical Director

I am traveling during Spring Break. What should I keep in mind ahead of returning to campus? 
We ask all students, families, and PA employees to be thoughtful about their travel and take appropriate precautions. While on break, if you are in a region that experiences an outbreak and you are feeling sick, please help protect everyone on campus by communicating with us as soon as possible. You may email sykeswellness@andover.edu to make us aware of your situation and determine next steps. 

Are the Academy’s Learning in the World programs still running?
All LITW Spring Break trips have been canceled.

What happens if I end up in a region where there is an outbreak of COVID-19 or which is designated as Level 3 by the CDC? 
Please avoid travel to regions designated by the CDC as Level 3 (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html). If in the course of your travels you end up in a region in which the CDC increases the risk level, please follow the precautions for the highest risk level identified for that region. 

I am a student who has had seasonal influenza recently, and I am traveling during break. Is there a way to attest that I have been on campus this term and have not traveled to an affected region? 
We have created a letter that will attest that you are a student at Phillips Academy and that you have been living on campus at 180 Main Street since January 6, 2020. While the letter does not guarantee clear passage, the hope is that it may help in cases where airport personnel have questions.

Where can I get that letter? 
Please stop by the Dean of Students Office to request the letter before Tuesday, March 3. The letter will be notarized and available for you before you depart from campus.  

What precautions should I take while I am away during Spring Break? 
Prevention is key. Use hand sanitizer, wash your hands thoroughly, cough into your elbow or a tissue, and minimize close face-to-face or hand-to-hand contact.  

I am a PA employee and I am traveling over break. What should I do?  
We ask all employees to be thoughtful of the broader risk implications if they or their family members travel during Spring Break. If you are traveling over break, we ask that you complete a survey that you will receive via email.  

Will the Academy quarantine individuals who travel to certain regions?  
The Academy will follow requirements established by the CDC and local/federal governments to determine the need for quarantine, as well as the risk assessment guidance from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/risk-assessment.html

Should I cancel my travel plans?  
This is a decision that you will need to consider for yourself. The Academy is not making any recommendation about your family travel plans. Please see the CDC guidance with FAQs on travel.