Dear Parents,
I hope you have had a blessed and enjoyable Lunar New Year holiday. We have had a short but eventful week at HFS. These are the items of news that I must share with you this week.
Coronavirus Safety Measures
We have been monitoring the development of the coronavirus situation and are taking the necessary steps to ensure that HFS remains a safe and healthy learning environment for your children. No cases of the virus have been reported in Ulsan. Symptoms of the virus are a high fever, respiratory issues such as incessant coughing and shortness of breath and extreme fatigue. If you or your family members are experiencing these symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately and share your travel history with your doctor. Under no circumstances should children attend school if they are experiencing these symptoms.
At the school we will continue to monitor the situation and will remind children to follow the standard recommendations to reduce exposure to, and transmission of, a range of illnesses. These are as follows:
- Frequently cleaning hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
- When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands;
- Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever or cough
- Stay at home if you are feeling unwell
Starting from Monday 3 February, HFS will be doing temperature checks of students during morning registration. If a child has a temperature above 37.5 degrees we will notify parents to collect them from school. We thank you for your understanding of and cooperation with these measures that are in the best interest of the health and well-being of all the members of the HFS community.
HFS Information Evening
Thank you to the parents who attended the information evening on Wednesday. It was illuminating and informative. I am pleased to now share with you the finalized 2020/21 Academic Calendar which you can view by clicking here. The Cambridge Checkpoint exams are on track and the residential trip for later this year is being planned. The staff and class structure for next year has been finalized as well and we are all looking forward to moving to the new permanent location in August of 2021. We will keep you informed as to any further developments.
Pajama Dress-up Day
A fun piece of news is that our student council will be continuing the tradition of the Pajama Dress-Up Day, this time on Friday 7 February. If you would like the privilege of wearing your pajamas to school please bring 5,000 won and wear the silliest, craziest, wackiest sleeping attire you can think of (Remember to dress appropriately for Winter). Each class will vote on the craziest pajamas and we will select an overall winner from the finalists. The students will enjoy a short movie as a treat. It promises to be loads of fun and all proceeds will go towards supporting the Australian Fire tragedy.
No Nut and Seafood Ban Lifted
I am happy to announce that, since HFS does not have any students with severe nut or seafood allergies, we are lifting the nut and seafood ban at the school. You may now include nuts and seafood in snack and lunch meals effective from Monday 10 February. Although I must remind everyone that the Policy of not sharing food will remain due to certain students having dietary restrictions and in the interests of maintaining a healthy school environment.
Finally, thank you to all parents for paying the tuition fees. It keeps the school running. Any parents who may require confirmation of school fee receipt for their Year-end tax settlement may email the admin office who will issue the necessary documents.
That is all for this week. Thank you for your continued support and do have a wonderful weekend.
Mr. Kearney