77. Faculty/Staff Coronavirus Update: New directives re Virtual School and Quarantine requirements

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Good afternoon, all. Please read the following important updates, based on directives issued last night and this morning.

Quarantine Requirements Extended 

As a result of the new strains of COVID-19 entering Vietnam and the risk of further community spread, the centralized quarantine requirement (for country entry or after exposure to an infected person) has been extended to 21 days. An additional 7 days home monitoring health is also required. (The National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, Document No. 600/CD-BCD).

This means that upon entry to Vietnam, we will be required to spend 21 days in a quarantine hotel and an additional 7 days at home until further notice.

Virtual School Preparedness

Last night, the People’s Committee of HCMC issued directive 1294/SGDDT-VP, which instructs schools to prepare for online learning. Although the directive did not indicate a date, we need to anticipate that it could happen at any time (even as early as next week). If we receive official word that we are shifting to Virtual School, we will inform you by email.

If we are instructed to move to Virtual School, there will be one working day for students and teachers to transition to ensure that all systems run smoothly.

Feedback on our student experience with Virtual School this year was very positive, and we will all work together to provide an equally high-quality program again if we are directed to transition to Virtual School. Your divisional principals will provide you with additional information and details.

In anticipation of an online transition, and in my role as Chair of the Saigon International School Network of Heads, I have worked with the Heads to draft a letter of appeal to DOET to allow our exam students (IB, AP, IGCSE, and A Levels) to complete their exams on campus. We will lodge this letter of appeal if we are directed to go into Virtual School.

Supporting Each Other

We may be entering another period of stress, perhaps disruption, and certainly uncertainty. Let’s do our best to support each other and remember how fortunate we have been to have as much time as we have had together on campus with our students, and each other, this school year.

Although we hope to be able to finish out the school year on campus, if that is not possible, we will work together to care for our students, engage our parents, and support each other.

Do not hesitate to contact me, or another administrator, if you have concerns or questions about rumors or facts. Keep my phone number (0903847113) with you in case you need it.

And remember the Irish saying, “A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.”

All good wishes,
Catriona