Brooklyn private independent school

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information

Our Official Sources of Information

We are monitoring several sources for the latest information, including the New York City Department of Health, the New York State Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization. We will keep you informed of any recommendations that might affect our ability to operate the school normally; you may want to bookmark and visit these pages regularly as well.

Flu & Virus Prevention Guidelines

[updated March 19, 2020] As the COVID-19 situation has developed, guidance and protocols have changed significantly and rapidly. The New York City Department of Health notes that “there is now widespread community transmission of COVID-19 in New York City, meaning the sources of new infections are unknown.” The focus has moved beyond travel to particular destinations and/or exposure to individuals known to have tested positive for COVID-19. According to its website, “the New York City Department of Health is now advising everyone to consider themselves potentially exposed to coronavirus and to monitor for symptoms”. Currently, the New York City and New York State Departments of Health are asking everyone to stay home as much as possible and to practice social distancing in order to combat widespread community transmission of COVID-19. Frequent handwashing and other good hygiene measures are also being emphasized.

Please continue to monitor information sources such as the New York City Department of Health, the New York State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control for information and guidance. Upper and Middle School Nurse Nancy Rosenthal and Lower School Obi Ejiogu are here to support our community as well.

Health and Hygiene

As this is flu season, we continue to focus on general illness prevention and ask all community members to follow good hand hygiene and virus prevention practices such as avoiding nonessential contact (e.g. handshaking) and touching of the face. Additionally, those who are sick should remain at home in order to avoid infecting others.

Facilities Hygiene

Our maintenance staff has been conducting enhanced cleaning throughout our facilities, including hourly touch ups in certain heavily trafficked areas. Additionally, our buildings are being deep cleaned during Spring Break.

Personal, Family, and Business Travel

We concur with CDC recommendations that everyone avoid nonessential travel to Alert Level 3 destinations. The CDC has also issued warnings regarding Alert Level 2 destinations. It is important to note that additional regions may be added to these categories at any time.

Please notify the school nurses if you have any concerns about possible exposure to COVID-19.

Remote Learning

Learn about our remote learning program on the BConnects section of this website.

Support

Our divisional psychologists are available to provide support and resources to our students: Paula Dorinson (Lower School), Elizabeth Hayward (Middle School), and Sue Beck (Upper School).

Updating Your Contact Information in Veracross

Families, please make sure your contact information in Veracross is up-to-date, including your cell phone number, which we will use for emergency texts, and your emergency pick-up contact information. You should check that your Emergency Contacts' phone numbers, including your mobile number, are accurate. Confirm this information in the Contacts for My Children section on the Update Household Information page.

To update information: Families can log into the Parent Portal and click the Update Household information link. Then click My Personal Information and (this part is very important) make sure a cell phone number is entered in the Mobile Number field. Instructions for updating contact information are also on the Parent Wiki. For Veracross help, please email VChelp@berkeleycarroll.org.

Avoiding Bias

National Association of Independent Schools members are reminding our communities that no one should be targeted because of their background or country of origin, as such conduct is contrary to our articulated values.