We work closely with our families and families also have concerns about their children’s ability to return to the United States after vacation.”

John Perreira, assistant headmaster, Portsmouth Abbey School

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth Abbey School has responded to the concerns raised by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by canceling all international school-sponsored trips for the remainder of the academic year, including any previously planned summer trips.

“This decision was made due to the potential risks involved for students who might be denied re-entry into the United States or face quarantine issues at international locations,” the Abbey’s director of medical services stated in a letter that went out to the school community on Monday.

The Abbey is a unique private school community that draws many international students, some of whom normally fly home to their families for the March break, which this year is from March 6-23. The school’s precautionary measures include keeping all Chinese and South Korean students at the Abbey for a “structured and supervised on-campus program during the March break in lieu of traveling home,” according to the letter. Their parents have been notified.

Parents are advised to review guidelines set by the national Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which recommends people avoid all non-essential travel to China, Iran, South Korea, and Italy.

“Students returning from travel after March break will be subject to any airport screening and quarantine restrictions put in place by the CDC,” according to the statement.

Domestic trips planned for the March break are still currently scheduled to take place, since the CDC has not issued any restrictions on travel within the United States, and there is no significant risk involved, according to the letter. “We will continue to monitor CDC travel guidance on a daily basis and inform trip participants and parents of any changes to current recommendations,” the letter stated.

All policies and potential changes are evolving on a day-to-day basis, the Abbey stated.

On Tuesday, John Perreira, assistant headmaster at the school, said the Abbey is taking every necessary precaution in dealing with the coronavirus. 

“We are following CDC travel recommendations and whatever travel restrictions are in place. We work closely with our families and families also have concerns about their children’s ability to return to the United States after vacation,” he said.

Pennfield School

The status of a planned Upper School trip to Peru from March 14-23 is now “very much in question” due to the coronavirus, Rob Kelley, head of school at The Pennfield School, told parents in a letter sent out Monday.

“The answer is, absolutely I’m concerned about it,” Mr. Kelley said during a phone interview on Tuesday.

Although he hadn’t yet made a definitive decision on whether to cancel the Peru trip, Mr. Kelley said he’s in regular contact with the R.I. Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control, and has taken note of the fact that other independent schools, such as Portsmouth Abbey, have already suspended school-sponsored trips for the remainder of the year.

“I would suspect if the Abbey has done that, (many other private) schools will do the same thing,” he said. “I’m monitoring what the National Association of Independent Schools is doing. It’s kind of like snow days; if Portsmouth and Newport are canceled due to snow, Middletown is going to be cancelled. Obviously, the number one thing is the safety of kids and our personnel.”

Mr. Kelley said he’s been in discussions with Walking Tree, the travel agency that’s running the trip, about possibly recouping some or all of the pre-paid expenses. “Our concern is, what may happen down the road? What if it strikes a country that doesn’t have the same medical structure as we have? What if the country restricts people from coming back in the country?” he said.

In his letter to parents, Mr. Kelley said he would update them on the status of the trip by 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 4.

As for what’s being done on the school campus itself, Pennfield is planning strategies to teach remotely if the coronavirus forces a temporary closure.

“We’re working on plans to connect kids and parents to online learning,” Mr. Kelley said, before acknowledging, “It’s easier for older kids, but it’s harder for younger kids.”

The school is also sending out the message that parents should keep their children home if they’re sick. “They need to be fever-free for 24 hours before they come to school,” Mr. Kelley said, adding that parents need to remind their children of the important of washing their hands frequently with soap and water.

“We have hand-sanitizers everywhere at the school,” he added.

It’s also important, he said, that parents and faculty remember remain a calming influence on children.

“Kids look to us — how do we react to things. ‘We’re a safe place; everyone cares about you, your parents love you.’ Some people get really concerned and scared, so it’s not important to not panic.”

Public schools

With a confirmed case of the COVID-19 now in the Ocean State, the Portsmouth School Department is taking precautionary measures to protect their students and staff against the disease. 

Over the school’s winter break, Superintendent Thomas Kenworthy learned that several families had traveled abroad, some near affected areas. In an e-mail, Mr. Kenworthy stated he has been in personal contact with each of those specific families since.

“We are working with those families to make sure they are aware of and following Rhode Island Department of Health recommendations,” he said.

Those recommendations, which Mr. Kenworthy shared in an e-mail to parents on March 2, are similar to when combatting the flu: frequent hand-washing, coughing or sneezing into the elbow, staying home when sick. So far, the superintendent said there have been “no significant” rises in absenteeism from students and staff. 

As an added precautionary measure, Mr. Kenworthy has additionally been working closely with the district’s facilities management vendor, Aramark, to maintain a safe school environment.

“Custodial and maintenance staff are ensuring that all areas, particularly high touch areas, receive a thorough and deep cleaning. Our bus company is ensuring that the same cleaning protocols are followed for buses,” he stated.

While there are no school trips planned abroad for the rest of the academic year, Mr. Kenworthy said the district will continue to assess any others scheduled within the United States moving forward. 

“We will monitor all other planned domestic trips and make any necessary decisions in the best interest of students and staff.”  

This story was reported and written by Jim McGaw (jmcgaw@eastbaymediagroup.com) and Kristen Ray (kray@eastbaymediagroup.com).