COVID-19: Important Updates from Dunn School

 

Today we are announcing new campus actions designed to help mitigate the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) and protect the Dunn Community. 

We are facing an unprecedented health crisis brought on by this fluid and rapidly-evolving epidemic. Guided by local, national, and global public health recommendations as well as our deep commitment to the welfare of the entire Dunn community, we are taking proactive steps to protect our students, faculty, staff, and families. While there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Santa Barbara County or on our campus, we are now escalating our response to protect the entire Dunn community and to do our part to help minimize exposure, risk, and transmission. These precautionary measures are effective immediately, and they will remain in effect through the end of April Break (April 14).  We will respond to this unfolding situation as we receive additional information, and we will be in touch on or before April 4 with an update.    

Classes:

Effective immediately, we are transitioning to remote instruction. Our faculty and staff members are working diligently to prepare for the transition to an online learning environment, and they will use the next several days to create remote-learning experiences for our students at the upper and middle schools. All classes will resume remotely (online) on Wednesday, March 18 using Canvas as our primary form of curriculum delivery. 

On Wednesday, March 18, all students should log onto Canvas where they will find communication from their teachers with detailed plans for the shift to online courses. On this date, families will receive communication from Erin Cook, Simon Sweeney, and Alice Berg with additional details. Please be assured that we are committed to a high degree of communication and support throughout this process.

Athletics:

We are suspending all athletics until further notice.  

Campus: 

Boarding students are encouraged to return to their homes or the home of a family friend. However, the campus will remain open for boarding students through April 3.  Students planning to remain in the dormitories and use dining services must register with the Dean of Students. Please note that there will be limited opportunities for student activities as we practice social distancing to mitigate the spread of the virus. We will assist our boarding students in the upper and middle schools as they make arrangements to depart Dunn. Please contact the Dean of Students with your travel plans and transportation questions.

All day students will remain home until April 14. 


Our administrative team thoughtfully considered all of our options to ensure the health and well-being of the entire Dunn Community. The need for this drastic measure saddens us, but as always, the well-being of our community is our primary concern. We understand that this decision is difficult and we do not make it lightly.  We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we navigate these changes as a community.  

We know that our Dunn family is both caring and resilient. We support each other in challenging moments, and we know that we will all continue to support one another in the difficult weeks ahead. We want all of you to know that while you are leaving Dunn's campus temporarily, you remain a part of Dunn’s wonderful, caring community. Should you have any questions, please email me at mbeck@dunnschool.org. Please take care of yourself, your families, and each other.


Blessings upon you,

Mike Beck
Head of School