Dear FMSL Parents and Guardians,
To this point, in the rapidly escalating pandemic, our priority has been on making plans for our community’s safety and wellbeing. We take our responsibilities very seriously and, as this situation continues to rapidly shift and evolve, we feel it prudent to extend our suspension of physical school through at least April 17. This decision was not made lightly.
Our focus now shifts to supporting our community in the transition to Distance Learning. This week our staff have directed their energy and efforts to establishing alternative means of delivery of our services and curriculum. It is our intention to keep many facets of FMSL up and running throughout this emergency. The administration is identifying the specific parts of our operation that are essential to maintain and investigating how they can be done remotely or how an equivalent substitute can be implemented. Our teaching staff has been hard at work establishing effective distance learning plans. They are putting much time and thought into how this can be best delivered to you and your children and then sustained throughout a prolonged suspension of a physical school. Quality of learning, sustaining the culture of our school community, and maintaining relationships are foremost in our minds.
We understand that many of you may have questions regarding tuition and we ask for your patience and understanding as we work through all the details of the financial implications of this emergency. This is our next focus. We have to walk a fine line between our desire to meet everyone’s needs and keeping our school running for all to return to when this crisis is over. The reality is that we are a tuition-based school and business and, in order to ensure that we have staff on hand to reopen school once this crisis has passed, we must continue to pay salaries and, in order for that to happen, we must have income coming in. As you know, there are hundreds of thousands of small and mid-sized businesses in the US who have suspended operations and placed their employees on temporary furlough. We are doing all we can to find ways to serve our families and support our staff during this.
We recognize that the decision to suspend physical school puts extraordinary demands on all. We are encouraging parents to communicate with other parents in their child’s classroom to see if they can arrange shared babysitting or to try to coordinate care between multiple families. Class directories are being sent to help parents network. Additionally, we have compiled an updated FMSL’s babysitting list as a helpful resource for parents. Email info@mcsslc.com to request that list.
Spring Break is next week! We are encouraging our staff to take time to relax and rest as much as they can so as to return to their “new normal” with renewed energy and clear intention. We are also encouraging our families to take the week to focus on your household’s needs. We remind all to make space for giving each other daily reminders of your love and appreciation.
FMSL families have supported the school and each other through trying situations in the past, we know that we can support each other this time around too.
With love,
FMSL Administration
