People’s Committee Instructs Schools to Pilot December Reopening for G1, 9 and 12

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I am writing to you today with an update on an unexpected change to our plans for the reopening of school.

Just yesterday evening, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued a new decree (3997/KH-UBND) instructing schools to prepare a pilot program to reopen schools, beginning on December 10. We should keep in mind from prior experience that there can still be minor changes as DOET will issue its guidelines.

The decree outlines expectations for the pilot program to open schools on December 10 for grades 1, 9, and 12 (our grades 9 and 12 will not be on campus until December 13 due to assessments). The preparations that we had already begun in anticipation of a January start will serve us well.

Although this change is sudden and unexpected, it comes with a silver lining. Our high school students will have completed their exams, and the pilot program will allow us to test out our procedures on a small scale, without the added pressure of end-of-semester exams.

We will proceed with our preparations which involve articulating and communicating the health and safety procedures, surveying parents as to who is likely to send their children to campus, and determining a streamlined schedule for these few days before the holiday.

As the school leadership team focuses on ensuring health and safety procedures, scheduling, and resources, your focus as faculty should be on providing a warm, structured, and meaningful welcome to the students who come on campus for those few days.

I appreciate that it is not what you expected at the end of a long, challenging semester, and I recognize the effort that it will take as we near the finish line. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

Since we are mandated to provide this pilot program, we will use the opportunity to learn from the experience. When we open up for additional grade levels after the winter break, the vital work you’ve done during the pilot program will greatly benefit the entire school.

Again, thank you for everything you do for our students and our families. Your divisional principal will reach out to you with more information and details about who will be required to come on campus and what a simplified schedule for those days will look like.

At this time, in two weeks, we will all be enjoying a well-deserved rest. In the meantime, let’s continue to encourage and support one another and our wonderful students.

All good wishes,

Catriona