March 13, 2020

Dear Members of the Goodwin University Magnet Schools Community,

We are in the midst of unprecedented global circumstances due to the evolving nature of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We have seen an increased presence across the United States and in Connecticut. It is a time of great uncertainty for all of us. The health, wellbeing, and safety of our students, faculty, and staff, as well as members of our extended community, are always our first priority.

The Goodwin University COVID-19 Task Force meets daily as we follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the East Hartford Health Department. Our goal is to protect our community while minimizing disruption to teaching and learning to the extent possible. I am writing today to share key decisions for the coming weeks. These have been difficult decisions to make and we do so with the safety of our community at the forefront.

Effective today, Friday, March 13, 2020, at 3PM, are not allowed on campus and Riverside Magnet School will be closed with no access to the building indefinitely. We will reevaluate in two weeks. We will provide additional information as conditions warrant.

We will continue to monitor the global crisis with the hope that we can return to our regular schedule as quickly as possible. Families should continue to monitor their email for information from RMS and the university.

Next Steps
I am sensitive to the strain that this situation has created. We each carry numerous responsibilities--for our students, our colleagues, our families and friends, our communities, and ourselves. I am grateful for all that each of you do and for your willingness to care for each other and all of our global citizens in these challenging times.

As a follow-up to the letter we sent last week, we are now directing you to a COVID-19 dedicated webpage that includes information about the virus, ways to protect yourself, actions you should take as a community member, and a link to Goodwin’s Travel and Exposure Disclosure Policy. This webpage will be updated continually, and I urge you to check back frequently. Within the next week, we will be sending further detailed communications advising the Goodwin community on how campus operations may be further impacted.

The university senior leadership is meeting daily and remains in constant contact with our COVID-19 Taskforce and will provide regular updates as conditions warrant.

I am sure there are many unanswered questions and we want to assure you that we are doing our best to address them and share new information in a timely way. Please continue to monitor your emails and check our COVID-19 webpage for updates.

As a community, let us always be aware of the needs of others and never hesitate to reach out and lend a hand or a listening ear. Let us be compassionate and caring with our words and actions towards others. We pride ourselves in being a welcoming, caring and compassionate community of learning. There has never been a more opportune time to turn our words into actions.

I thank you for your resilience, patience, and compassion for one another as we navigate these turbulent times.

Sincerely,

Craig Drezek
Superintendent
Goodwin University Magnet Schools