After three months of “long standby”, this week our last batch of students finally returned to our familiar and beautiful campus and met their teachers and classmates who had not seen one another for a long time. Students did not have to listen to the nagging of their parents anymore. Even with a mask on, you could not hide the happy smile and excitement on the face. The campus that had been quiet for a long time has returned to its former vitality.

Parents had mixed feelings about the return of their children to school. On the one hand, they looked forward to the reopening of school. On the other hand, they were worried that the school is highly clustered with many group activities. Will the epidemic affect the safety of children? What kind of anti-epidemic measures does the school have?

Parents, below are the measures that the school has implemented.

BEFORE START OF SCHOOL

February 17

Foreign teachers scheduled provisionally to return to Nantong, China

March 10

All administrators (including logistics team members) participated in the video conference on district epidemic prevention training.

March 17:

All foreign teachers returned to Nantong, China.

March 16 to March 30

Installation of thermal scanner.

Carried out extensive cleaning and hygiene, sanitizing and disinfecting whole school and all school buses.

Set up an epidemic prevention isolation room and making of various epidemic prevention slogans.

March 27

In the morning, Shen Hongxing, director of the Nantong Development Zone Management Committee; Liu Feng, deputy director;and Director of the Development Zone Administration Bureau, Ping Ping came to Nantong Stalford International School to check on the opening of school.

In the afternoon, the school convened a work meeting for all faculties and staff to return to school.

March 30

School reopened for Grade 9.

March 31

All foreign teachers were released from quarantine.

April 3

The cafeteria completed the opening of the dining area on the second floor.

Some parent representatives were invited to the school to let them understand the implementation of the school’s prevention and control measures on the spot and listen to their suggestions and opinions on the school work.

April 7

School re-open for upper Primary and all Secondary students.

April 13

School reopened for Kindergarten and Lower Primary.

AFTER START OF SCHOOL

Conduct body temperature tests twice a day (morning and afternoon) to check students’ body temperatures and their health.

Washing and sanitizing of hands are implemented at different timings and areas before meals. The dining area was increased and extended to set a safe distance between students as they collected their meals in an orderly manner. All food for teachers and students are purchased through regular channels. While ensuring the safety and sufficient supply of food, students can be assured of good meals with nutritional balance and value.

Teachers on duties are stationed in the school such as entrances, gates, playgrounds, gymnasium, etc., at certain times in the morning, afternoon and evening to ensure the safety of our students the moment they enter school and leave school.

To ensure that students are in a clean and hygienic environment, classrooms and common areas are sanitized and disinfected every day.

Responding to the epidemic situation and ensuring the safety of our teachers and students are the top priorities of the school for now and in the future. The whole school will work hand in hand with parents to cope with the challenges ahead.

With such measures and arrangements, should the parents be at ease in mind?