Happy New Year! I hope that you all enjoyed the festive break and have stayed healthy and well. Here at AISL, we are all looking forward to another great semester, despite the challenging circumstances.
As you know, there has been a major spike in COVID-19 infections in Zambia since school closed for the holiday. In response to this, the president announced yesterday that schools must remain closed until 1 February. The stated purpose of this extended closure is to provide schools time to prepare appropriate mitigation strategies. We believe that our existing mitigation strategies are robust and effective and our three previous Ministry of Health inspections have affirmed this. However, regardless of our preparedness, our experience has shown that neither the Ministry of Health nor the Ministry of General Education will overrule the president’s directive by issuing us an exemption to open earlier. Although we were already planning to open solely with distance learning for next week, this new directive will require us to continue exclusively with distance learning for one additional week. This is subject to change if the situation worsens or the government issues additional directives. Our revised plan is outlined below: Weeks of 18 and 25 January
As before, we still plan to discontinue Learning Path 2 from 1 February; however, any family who wishes to keep their children at home are welcome to participate in our distance learning program via Learning Path 3 (asynchronous only). Please contact our division principals, Ms. Darlene Huson (dhuson@aislusaka.org) or Dr. Rick Odum (rodum@aislusaka.org), for more information. If you would like a refresher on our Learning Paths or our COVID-19 mitigation strategies, please review our Reunite 2020 Campus Reopening Plan. As we prepare to reopen our campus, we will send out another reminder of our campus health and safety expectations and protocols. In the meantime, please continue to practice diligent mask-wearing, safe distancing, handwashing, and other CDC and Ministry of Health recommended measures so that when campus reopens your children may return safely. Please remember that as members of the AISL community, we have a collective responsibility to keep ourselves and each other safe. Thank you. Dr. Russell Menard Director |
As we navigate this new digitally-driven world, we are all constantly looking for online experiences that are as unique as they are engaging, as informative as they are fun. Well look no further, AISL has created an exclusive AISL online environment where thoughts, opinions, news and advice come together for a jam session like none other!
We invite all AISL students, parents and staff to take part in an ongoing online conversation focused on sharing, motivating and of course, educating! On our Verbal Jam website, you will find some great features, such as our Verbal Jam Webinars and Thrive Message Board to keep us connected no matter where we are in the world! |
Campus Reopening Plan
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This document describes the health and safety measures that we will use when the students return to our campus. Many thanks to the Campus Reopening Task Force, the CDC, and the school’s leadership team and faculty for their contributions to this important document.
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Information sessions
These sessions, linked below, provide detailed, step-by-step descriptions of what your child's day will look like from a health and safety perspective. You are also always welcome to email the principals directly for clarification on any points.
Health and Safety at AISL
Since we reopened to Grades 7, 9, and 12 on 20 August, we have been tracking important health and safety data on a weekly basis. We have used this data to create a visual dashboard that will help to provide an overview of health and safety on campus and to monitor our fidelity to our protocols. The dashboard is updated every Friday.
In Focus...
Talking with Children about COVID-19
AISL Infectious Disease Protocols
Zambian Government Documents
Community Communications
What to do if you show symptoms?
Talking with Children about COVID-19
- NASP Talking to Children About COVID-19
- CDC: Talking with children about Coronavirus
- Harvard Medical: How to talk to teens about the new coronavirus
- CDC: Stigma Related to COVID-19
- Reassuring Conversations with Children
- Talking to Teens and Tweens About Coronavirus
- The WHO has posted a helpful animated video about the Novel Coronavirus to use with older children.
- ‘Students Are Lonely:’ What Happens When Coronavirus Forces Schools Online
- Brain Pop 4 min video
- Four things you can do to support your teen’s mental health - from UNICEF
- And a related quiz: Fact or fiction: How much do you know about COVID-19?
AISL Infectious Disease Protocols
It has become increasingly apparent that schools must be prepared to deal with the threat of disease epidemics/pandemics. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services emphasizes the importance of developing screening processes and providing public health education; cutting down access to students, staff and teachers possibly infected with the virus; and developing policies and procedures for closing down schools and creating a virtual school in the case of a pandemic, especially before vaccines are available or when they are in short supply.
A rubric outlining AISL’s various levels of responses to a pandemic (Ebola, Avian Flu, etc.) is outlined on the following below.
A rubric outlining AISL’s various levels of responses to a pandemic (Ebola, Avian Flu, etc.) is outlined on the following below.
Zambian Government Documents
15th January 2021: President's Announcement
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15th January 2021: Ministry of Education Postponement
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Friday 11th September 2020: Speech for the official opening of the fifth session of the National Assembly.
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Saturday 12th September 2020: Media statement from the Ministry of General Education
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Tuesday 17th March: Press briefing on Covid-19, preventive and control measures
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Tuesday 17th March: Ministry of General Education: Notice of closure
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Tuesday 14th March: Government press statement
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Brochure: What you need to know
Health alert for travellers
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Community Communications
Posted: 16/3/2020
Like you, the Board of Directors and School Director have been carefully monitoring the spread of COVID-19 around the world. We have been in regular contact with the local health authorities and the U.S. Embassy. Although there are currently no confirmed cases in Zambia, we believe that it is only a matter of time before the first cases are detected.
Therefore, in the interest of the safety of the school community, the Board of Directors has decided that the campus will close to students and parents at noon on Wednesday 18 March until Tuesday, 28 April. This timeline will be evaluated over time and any changes will be communicated well in advance.
This decision was made in light of the declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. We believe that we have a social responsibility to our community and the people of Zambia to do our part to slow the global spread of COVID-19. During this campus closure, we strongly encourage all AISL community members to take measures to protect themselves and others from the risk of infection.
Although the campus will be closed, school will still be in session. The Principals, Darlene Huson and Ty Smeins, will share more information about our distance learning programs on Wednesday, 18 March. As always, we are committed to providing a rich, meaningful, and engaging learning experience that meets the essential learning goals for each course and grade level. Distance learning will be most successful when families work with us in a spirit of partnership and flexibility. Despite our significant preparations, we anticipate that there will still be some challenges. If you encounter problems, AISL staff will be ready to help. The principals will clarify that process later this week.
Since Wednesday will be their last day on campus, it is important that students take home all necessary books and other learning materials. Like the secondary school students, Kindergarten through Grade 5 students will be allowed to take home their school iPad and charger to support their learning during this period. We encourage you to also take advantage of the library’s vacation checkout policy to stock up on good books to read during this time period.
There will be no public events nor school trips during this period of campus closure. Regrettably, this means we have postponed the Zambian Model United Nations conference, the upcoming Jazz Concert, and the Grade 4 Explore Zambia trip to Siavonga. We will strive to reschedule these events after we return to normal operations.
We will continue to communicate on a regular basis as this situation develops. You may wish to explore the COVID-19 Information page on our website. There are several good resources there including some guidance about how to talk about COVID-19 with your children. We plan to use this page as a focal point for announcements and community resources. Naturally, we will continue with email communications as well.
Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and support during these trying times.
Take care of yourselves and each other!
Sarah Crites, Board Chair
On behalf of the Board of Director
Like you, the Board of Directors and School Director have been carefully monitoring the spread of COVID-19 around the world. We have been in regular contact with the local health authorities and the U.S. Embassy. Although there are currently no confirmed cases in Zambia, we believe that it is only a matter of time before the first cases are detected.
Therefore, in the interest of the safety of the school community, the Board of Directors has decided that the campus will close to students and parents at noon on Wednesday 18 March until Tuesday, 28 April. This timeline will be evaluated over time and any changes will be communicated well in advance.
This decision was made in light of the declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. We believe that we have a social responsibility to our community and the people of Zambia to do our part to slow the global spread of COVID-19. During this campus closure, we strongly encourage all AISL community members to take measures to protect themselves and others from the risk of infection.
Although the campus will be closed, school will still be in session. The Principals, Darlene Huson and Ty Smeins, will share more information about our distance learning programs on Wednesday, 18 March. As always, we are committed to providing a rich, meaningful, and engaging learning experience that meets the essential learning goals for each course and grade level. Distance learning will be most successful when families work with us in a spirit of partnership and flexibility. Despite our significant preparations, we anticipate that there will still be some challenges. If you encounter problems, AISL staff will be ready to help. The principals will clarify that process later this week.
Since Wednesday will be their last day on campus, it is important that students take home all necessary books and other learning materials. Like the secondary school students, Kindergarten through Grade 5 students will be allowed to take home their school iPad and charger to support their learning during this period. We encourage you to also take advantage of the library’s vacation checkout policy to stock up on good books to read during this time period.
There will be no public events nor school trips during this period of campus closure. Regrettably, this means we have postponed the Zambian Model United Nations conference, the upcoming Jazz Concert, and the Grade 4 Explore Zambia trip to Siavonga. We will strive to reschedule these events after we return to normal operations.
We will continue to communicate on a regular basis as this situation develops. You may wish to explore the COVID-19 Information page on our website. There are several good resources there including some guidance about how to talk about COVID-19 with your children. We plan to use this page as a focal point for announcements and community resources. Naturally, we will continue with email communications as well.
Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and support during these trying times.
Take care of yourselves and each other!
Sarah Crites, Board Chair
On behalf of the Board of Director
Posted 09/03/2020
Dear AISL Community,
I hope that you are healthy and well.
The Board has been closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 in Zambia and around the world. This has included gathering data from many sources, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of General Education, the Embassy of the United States, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Based on the information available, we have concluded that we will be unable to reopen our campus on 28 April, as previously hoped. We will continue to review the situation on a regular basis and will communicate a campus reopening date as soon as one can be established. In the meantime, please know that our emergency distance learning program will continue for as long as necessary to support our students in any location. Our teachers have been working diligently to adapt and improve our distance learning based on your feedback and emerging best practices from schools around the world.
This unprecedented historical moment has required our students, parents, and teachers to show tremendous strength and resilience. Thank you for all of the support and school spirit that you showed as we closed our campus and transitioned to our distance learning program. It has been a powerful reminder of why we are proud to be Leopards.
Please continue to refer to updates and details on distance learning through the Leopard’s Tale and the AISL COVID-19 webpage.
Sincerely,
Sarah Crites, Board Chair
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Dear AISL Community,
I hope that you are healthy and well.
The Board has been closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 in Zambia and around the world. This has included gathering data from many sources, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of General Education, the Embassy of the United States, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Based on the information available, we have concluded that we will be unable to reopen our campus on 28 April, as previously hoped. We will continue to review the situation on a regular basis and will communicate a campus reopening date as soon as one can be established. In the meantime, please know that our emergency distance learning program will continue for as long as necessary to support our students in any location. Our teachers have been working diligently to adapt and improve our distance learning based on your feedback and emerging best practices from schools around the world.
This unprecedented historical moment has required our students, parents, and teachers to show tremendous strength and resilience. Thank you for all of the support and school spirit that you showed as we closed our campus and transitioned to our distance learning program. It has been a powerful reminder of why we are proud to be Leopards.
Please continue to refer to updates and details on distance learning through the Leopard’s Tale and the AISL COVID-19 webpage.
Sincerely,
Sarah Crites, Board Chair
On behalf of the Board of Directors
What to do if you show symptoms?
Here are some hospital procedures for handling suspected COVID-19 cases:
Government Assigned Phone Lines For Covid-19 (+260-974493553, +260-964638726, +260-953898941)
1. If You Call The Numbers – Phone Assessment Takes Place
2. If It Is A Suspected Case, Health Team Will Be Dispatch To Your Home
3. Health Team Will Do Assessment, Collect Swab Sample & Make Decisions
4. Test Result Takes 2 – 5 Days
5. If Negative – Will Still Enforce 14 Days Home Quarantine
6. If Positive – Will Tranfer Patient To Isolation Facility To Reduce Spread Of Disease
Medland Hospital
1. Health Screening Before Entry (By The Gate)
2. Suspected Covid-19 Case Will Be Taken
To The Red Zone (Screening Room)
3. Gp Will Attend To The Patient Who Will Make Decisions Based On The Outcome
4. Medland Hospital Will Admit The
Patients (Serious Cases Only) In Their 2 Isolation Rooms
Cfb Hospital
1. Temperature Scan & Detailed History Will Be Taken On Arrival.
2. You Will Be Asked To Fill In A Form.
3. If Your Symptoms Are Strongly In Favor Of A Covid-19 Infection, Then The National Team Will Be Notified & The Samples Will Be Sent For Testing At The Virology Lab At Uth Or Unza.
4. If Your Illness Does Not Warrant Admission, Then You Will Be Treated Symptomatically As Per Guidelines And Advised Self-isolation At Home.
5. There Is A Temporary Isolation Facility At Cfb.
Government Assigned Phone Lines For Covid-19 (+260-974493553, +260-964638726, +260-953898941)
1. If You Call The Numbers – Phone Assessment Takes Place
2. If It Is A Suspected Case, Health Team Will Be Dispatch To Your Home
3. Health Team Will Do Assessment, Collect Swab Sample & Make Decisions
4. Test Result Takes 2 – 5 Days
5. If Negative – Will Still Enforce 14 Days Home Quarantine
6. If Positive – Will Tranfer Patient To Isolation Facility To Reduce Spread Of Disease
Medland Hospital
1. Health Screening Before Entry (By The Gate)
2. Suspected Covid-19 Case Will Be Taken
To The Red Zone (Screening Room)
3. Gp Will Attend To The Patient Who Will Make Decisions Based On The Outcome
4. Medland Hospital Will Admit The
Patients (Serious Cases Only) In Their 2 Isolation Rooms
Cfb Hospital
1. Temperature Scan & Detailed History Will Be Taken On Arrival.
2. You Will Be Asked To Fill In A Form.
3. If Your Symptoms Are Strongly In Favor Of A Covid-19 Infection, Then The National Team Will Be Notified & The Samples Will Be Sent For Testing At The Virology Lab At Uth Or Unza.
4. If Your Illness Does Not Warrant Admission, Then You Will Be Treated Symptomatically As Per Guidelines And Advised Self-isolation At Home.
5. There Is A Temporary Isolation Facility At Cfb.
Key websites
Find out more about SES COVID-19 testing and treatment protocols in Zambia, Questions and answers for our Zambian members.
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