Dear ACS Families,
I know the last week has been stressful and tense for everyone in Lebanon. The next few days will likely provide us with greater insight about where events are heading. We remain hopeful that Lebanon will be able to avoid involvement in the crisis and that life will continue as normally as possible. Our goal at ACS is to maintain our sense of normality and predictability amidst the confusion and noise.
With that said, we are considering various scenarios in the event that the situation in Lebanon, and especially here in Beirut, begins to deteriorate. At the moment, the scenarios involve thinking about minor disruptions that may from time to time cause cancelation of a school day or perhaps early dismissal from school. These protocols focus on keeping students safe until they are able to be picked up from school. Clear, prompt communication in these situations is crucial, of course, as parents will be kept in the loop about what is happening through SMS messaging and email.
If the situation worsens to the point where we must consider a short-term closure of school—a few days to a week—we are planning on a smooth and efficient transition to online learning. This will be an effective short-term solution to tide us over until we are able to return to campus. If there is a longer-term disruption which prevents a swift return to campus, we will propose a course of action based on a realistic evaluation of what will be possible based on the overall situation in Beirut and any possible damage or disruption to the communications infrastructure. Again, this is a worst-case scenario, and there is no reason to think that this is where we will end up.
Finally, if some families decide to leave Lebanon for a short period of time, decisions we understand and empathize with, I need to state that we do not have the resources to ensure that students will get more than minimal support. It is simply too difficult and too taxing for teachers to manage their normal load of students who are still in-person and to then provide a compelling online learning experience for students who may be out of the country. Older students who are able to work more independently may be able to continue to follow the class and complete assignments from afar. If the absence is for a relatively short duration, we will do our best to help students catch up when they return to school. If the absence is going to be for an extended period, we want to encourage parents to investigate viable alternatives.
Next week, of course, is a short week, as we are closed on Thursday and Friday for the fall long weekend. I know this will be a welcome respite after what will have been a tense few weeks.
We look forward to seeing your children on Monday.
Sincerely,
Tom
