UWC East Africa Health Bulletin 23 Feb 2021

Dear UWC East Africa Community Members,

Over the weekend the Senior Management of the School have been in conversations about the worsening health situation in our community.

We have also tried to take on board the advice from parents and other stakeholders and consider this advice in the light of recommendations from our Medical Professionals in both Arusha and Moshi.

Classes will continue to operate under the conditions described in our weekly UWC East Africa Campus Health Protocol Bulletin. This  is posted on our website. An updated version appears at the base of this message. However, we are writing to you now because we recognise the need for greater care and vigilance to avoid unnecessary infections.

To that end we have decided to implement the following additional measures:

1. There will be no mixed gatherings of students from different sections of the School. In other words we will not host whole school assemblies and the Seocndary assembly will now be either an MYP assembly or a DP assembly.
2. Outdoor Pursuits will still go ahead but will be considered on a trip by trip basis. For all trips the students will travel in Campus specific buses and sleep in Campus specific tents.
3. Masks. Recognising increased incidence of infections in Moshi and Arusha we have asked all staff to wear masks whenever the are interacting with parents or visitors.
4. Day students from P1 upwards are urged to walk unaccompanied from the car park thereby limiting movement of adults through the Campuses. We understand that there may be times when a parent needs to see the teacher but we ask that this is reserved for emergencies or appointments.
5. Primary students are not required to wear masks. Secondary students need not wear masks unless their social distancing space is compromised. Therefore Secondary students should carry a mask and be prepred to wear it should this situation arise.
6. Teachers are not required to wear masks but may choose to do so. Teachers are encouraged to adopt strategies to minimise close proximity with students such as teaching from the front or teaching outdoors.
7. Where classes do mix – such as Primary Reading buddies, these activities should take place outdoors.

These measures constitute the actions we can take to make our campus a safer place for all. An action we can ALL take nevertheless is to STAY AT HOME WITH THE FAMILY if you are showing symptoms. Please carry out our Daily Screening Checklist https://www.uwcea.org/wp-content/docs/Screening_Checklist.pdf on our website to assess whether you are healthy enough to come to School.

We will continue to keep you informed. Please feel free to contact me or the Heads of Campus if you have any questions.

Anna Marsden (Director)

Bob Cofer (Head of Moshi Campus)

Phil Bowen (Head of Arusha Campus)

Tuesday 23rd February

These measures have been revised today and will be reviewed again on a weekly basis. So, they remain in place and relevant until Monday 1st March. Reviews will take place every Monday thereafter and the community will receive communication about any changes to the guidelines.

Teachers, day students, host parents and day parent community to be reminded to minimise large group contact and to avoid busy places such as hotels and crowded restaurants.

Residential students will be allowed off campus in organised and supervised visits to specific locations eg local shops  or the supermarket. These will be conducted in controlled numbers and students and teachers will be masked throughout the excursion.

Residential students may visit Host Families but cannot stay overnight and must return to Campus by 9.30pm.

Events on campus and visitor access will continue to be restricted. Each event will require approval by the Head of Campus and will be considered on a case by case basis.

Day students and former students may visit campus to engage in recreational activities at the weekend provided they have sought permission from the appropriate teacher.

Mask wearing continues to be compulsory for all parents and visitors to campus. All UWCEA staff must wear masks whenever they are interacting with parents or visitors. Secondary students need not wear masks unless their social distancing space is compromised. Therefore Secondary students should carry a mask and be prepared to wear it should this situation arise.

Day students from P1 upwards are urged to walk unaccompanied from the car park thereby limiting movement through the Campuses. 

Teaching opportunities outdoors will be sought and are compulsory when teaching to a mixed class in Primary.

These measures are subject to regular review. They take into consideration the need to refrain from unnecessary contact with large groups of people outside our community whilst respecting the need for community members to engage in healthy social interaction important for well-being. Everyone’s views are valued and if you wish to share your thoughts, please do so with the Head of Campus.