​​​Dear Families,

We would like to take a moment to address the issues surrounding the COVID-19 (Corona Virus).

At Westfield the health, safety and wellness of our children and families is our top priority. We have been working closely with the staff, our cleaning company, EEC, the CDC, the Brockton Board of Health and the Massachusetts DPH for any updates they may have to ensure that proper measures are being taken and we are acting accordingly. Currently, risk to Massachusetts residents remains low according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The populations most at risk are the elderly and those with existing medical conditions. Children are considered low risk.

Our program will operate on our normal schedule unless we receive guidance from our local board of health that we need to temporarily close. If that decision is made, we will reach out as soon as possible.

As you may be aware, COVID-19 is spread through close person-to person contact. As a result, we ask that you please notify us if any member of your household has recently traveled to a Level-3 country (the list can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html) or experienced any other potential exposure risk.

We also ask that you to keep your child at home if:

• Your child is exhibiting symptoms including fever or cough;
  
• Someone in your home is exhibiting symptoms; or
  
• Someone in your home has been in close contact with a person who is showing signs of being sick.
  

We are working closely with staff to ensure that they are following the same guidelines. We are also emphasizing good handwashing routines with our children. Additionally, we continue to work diligently to fully clean and sanitize our classrooms regularly.

We hope you will find the additional following tips helpful, (some of these tips come directly from the CDC website)

• Avoid close contact with people that are sick
  
• Avoid touching your eyes nose and mouth (we understand how difficult this can be, especially for children)
  
• Cover your mouth or nose when sneezing or coughing. 
  
• Clean your hands, it is recommended that hand washing last at least 20 seconds. You can also sing the happy birthday song twice. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based hand rub with at least 60% Ethyln alcohol.
  

• You can find more information about how to best protect yourself and your family from COVID-19 on the Department of Public Health’s website: www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus.

Please call Westfield with any questions, comments or concerns.

Sincerely,

Westfield Child Center Administration

Letter to Families: March 12, 2020