March 17, 2020
Dear EKHLA Community,
Thank you for your understanding as we all try and navigate this unprecedented new territory and keep up with rapid changing developments, as they relate to the coronavirus (COVID-19). We remain in constant communication with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) who continues to work with the Office of the Governor, Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to coordinate and plan the state’s response to COVID-19. We are also in contact with our local health officials and other school districts as well.
Because of the rapid evolving nature of the situation and out of an abundance of caution for the health and well being of our EKHLA families and staff, Eleanor Kolitz Hebrew Language Academy is joining other San Antonio area districts and will remain closed an additional two weeks. Effectively, this will close campus operations through April 3. EKHLA hopes to re-open on April 6.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is recommending that for the next eight weeks, organizers cancel all gatherings that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States. This recommendation does not apply to the day-to-day operation of organizations like schools or businesses. However, this recommendation is certainly something that will weigh into our decision on whether to extend our closure of EKHLA beyond April 6. We are not there yet – but, the reality of the situation is that we need to prepare for a potential long-term closure of school.
This decision was made after thoughtful consideration to be proactive in protecting ourfamilies and our staff members. I can assure you that this decision was not made lightly, as I understand personally that a closure of this amount of time presents significant difficulties to working parents who have young, school-aged children. We are hopeful that these measures will better ensure the long-term health and safety of children, staff, and the larger community.
This week, teachers and staff are finalizing plans for distance/ home learning. It’s important that we provide a continuity of education for our students, and we are dedicated to making sure that happens. This is new territory for most of us, and we appreciate your support and patience as we learn together how to offer quality educational experiences outside the EKHLA walls. I am confident that the talent and commitment of our teachers will undoubtedly keep students learning and progressing during this time of closure. In order to continue the consistency of the curriculum and how it has been delivered daily through school, families are asked to come pick up their student's educational books and materials on Thursday and Friday, March 19 and 20 through the carpool line according to the following schedule:
Thursday, March 19:
8:00-10:00 Student last names that begin with A, B, C, D
10:00-12:00 Student last names that begin with E, F, G, H
1:00-3:00 Student last names that begin with I, J, K, L
Friday, March 20:
8:00-10:00 Student last names that begin with M, N, O, P
10:00-12:00 Student last names that begin with Q, R, S, T, U
1:00-3:00 Student last names that begin with V, W, X , Y, Z
All educational books and materials will be bagged and in alphabetical order in the gymnasium. Parents are asked to stay in their cars, and when a parent pulls up to a cone, staff will bring the bags to the car window. All of the educational books and materials sent home will be used daily to support the distant learning The details of how instruction and support will be delivered over the closure will be communicated to you on Friday, March 20th via email and the EKHLA homepage.
I am proud to be a member of this amazing EKHLA community where we prioritize the needs of our students, our staff, and our families in the face of uncertainty. We will continue to rely on your support and your feedback as we move into these unique circumstances that call us to create a preventative distance as we provide educational experiences to our students.
Warmest regards,
Kathryn Davis Cohen
Principal
Eleanor Kolitz Hebrew Language Academy
11327 Dreamland Rd
San Antonio, TX 78230
210-853-7267
[email protected]
http://www.ekhla.org/