Updates

Sent 1 May - Campus Closure Continued

Dear CA Community,

It is with disappointment that I share with you that Canadian Academy's campus will remain closed through the end of this 2019-20 school year. This difficult decision was made with the health and safety of our students and the whole CA community in mind. Additionally, our summer programs, CA Experience and Summer Fun will not take place this year.

As we look forward to the remaining six weeks of distance learning, we will be discussing how we can safely have students return to campus for a short period of time to create some sense of closure. It would be a time where students can say goodbye to their teachers, return school materials and ensure that they have collected all personal belongings. This may be a quick wave goodbye or possibly some type of short, outside activity depending on a number of factors. Please expect future communication regarding this opportunity.

We intend to have campus open in August for the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. As the world adjusts to this "new normal", we are planning to support student learning on campus with the safety and well-being of our community being our top priority. Our interactions may not look exactly like they did when we last saw each other in March, but I have full confidence that our dedicated teachers will be able to adjust their practices to continue to support student learning during these unprecedented times.

I will be holding my annual Headmaster's Forum: Annual Address to the CA Community later this month to share our school's accomplishments, ongoing initiatives and goals for the future. This year's Headmaster's Forum will be held virtually and an invitation will be sent to all parents after the Golden Week holidays. To help prepare for the forum, please feel free to share any questions you may have by completing the CA Distance Learning Parent Survey which you will receive by email later today. There will be a comment box at the bottom on the survey.

In closing, I want to thank you for your ongoing support and understanding as we navigate through these unpredictable times.

Please stay safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Jon Schatzky

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Jon Schatzky

Headmaster

Sent to CA Community - 7 April 2020

Coronavirus Email #12 to CA Community - Target Campus Opening May 11

Dear CA Community,

In light of recent developments, Canadian Academy will continue with distance learning and will set Monday, May 11th as a target date to reopen campus. This will give us an opportunity to account for any further announcements, continue to analyse COVID-19 data, ensure the school is thoroughly cleaned prior to reopening and allow teachers time to transition back to face-to-face instruction.

Considering that we will be continuing with our distance learning model for an extended period of time, we would like to invite parents to attend virtual Elementary and Secondary School Principal Coffees early next week. Mr. Soini and Dr. Frankel will be sharing an invitation in the near future. The purpose of these coffees will be to reflect upon our journey so far with distance learning, share our underlying beliefs and philosophy as well as discuss how our distance learning model will evolve in the future.

Canadian Academy continues to collaborate with a number of international schools within Japan and around the world as well as learn from educational experts to develop a distance learning model which best supports student learning and well-being. We also continue to take your feedback into account. As you can see in the latest parent survey results, the feedback is overwhelmingly positive in almost all categories. We would like to thank you for your understanding and support.

Please know that we recognize how difficult these unusual times may be on parents and students alike. Do not hesitate to reach out to us for assistance. We will do what we can to help.

Sincerely,

Jon Schatzky

Sent to CA Community - 1 April 2020

Coronavirus Email #11 to CA Community - Campus Closure to April 10

Dear CA Community,

I trust that everyone in our community is well and taking appropriate precautions to remain safe and healthy as COVID-19 spreads throughout Japan and the world. We continue to be thankful that all of our faculty and staff remained in Japan and returned from Spring Break healthy and looking forward to providing exceptional learning experiences for your children.

At Canadian Academy, we continue to monitor this international pandemic and feel that it is not prudent to reopen campus at this time. We will continue with our distance learning model through Friday, April 10th and mark Monday, April 13th as a possible date for a return to campus. Again, this projected reopening date may change depending on the status of COVID-19 within our region.

In the meantime, we have added a Frequently Asked Questions page to our Distance Learning at CA website.

We continue to appreciate your feedback through the weekly Parent Distance Learning Surveys. While receiving overwhelmingly positive responses in almost all areas, we are working towards introducing more online student-teacher interaction in both Elementary and Secondary School. This week in the Elementary School, you will notice both asynchronous and synchronous teaching and learning. In the Secondary School, teachers will continue to offer opportunities to connect synchronously at least one per week per class. This is in addition to the synchronous advisory sessions already taking place.

It is important these days to be thankful for what we have, mindful of our own well-being and do what we can to support those around us. I will end by quoting Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau:

"While the COVID-19 pandemic affects all [of us], some people and communities are more at risk to its impacts. That is why it is important to keep connected and make sure that everyone feels safe and supported in this uncertain time."

Best regards,

Jon Schatzky

Sent to CA Community - 23 March 2020

Coronavirus Email #10 to CA Community

Dear CA Community,

After much research, deliberation and consultation with government reports and the Board of Trustees, Canadian Academy will extend campus closure and continue with distance learning through Friday, April 3rd due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, we plan on reopening campus on Monday, April 6th but this is dependent on a number of external factors which we will continue to monitor.

On Friday, March 20th, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare shared with prefectures that infections in Osaka and Hyogo appear to be growing quickly and there are concerns about a significant increase in cases between March 28th and April 3rd. Although the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) shared that the federal government will not extend their request for school closures across Japan (local schools are currently on spring break with the new Japanese school year beginning the week of April 6th), they have not yet shared guidelines for resuming face-to-face classes. We are expecting these guidelines from Hyogo Prefecture this upcoming week.

Waiting to re-open campus on Monday, April 6th will allow us to further develop our Return to Campus re-entry plan according to government recommendations, align ourselves with the beginning of the Japanese school year and relevant Hyogo Prefecture Board of Education directives, as well as to give families who may require self-quarantine time to monitor their health over the next 14 days.

As much as we are proud of the quality of distance learning model and the continuity of student learning, we recognize the stress that not being able to learn on campus is placing on families. We are as disappointed as you are that we will not be reopening campus as previously planned.

Please try your best to enjoy this wonderful time of year in Japan in a safe and socially responsible manner.

Sincerely,

Jon Schatzky

Sent to CA Community - 11 March 2020

Coronavirus Email #9 to CA Community - Campus Closure Extended

Dear CA Community,

Canadian Academy will extend campus closure and continue with distance learning through Friday, March 20th. In consultation with the Board of Trustees, this decision was based on governmental recommendations, prioritizing the health and well-being of our community. Monday, March 30th is our planned campus reopening date.

Prior to CA reopening campus, we will share our latest school re-entry requirements. As they stand now (please note, they may change by March 30th), any student who has returned from a CDC Level-3 country (South Korea, Iran, Italy and China) or has had contact with anyone who has visited a Level-3 country during the previous 14 days are to remain at home until they have permission from our Health Office to return to class.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of your child's education.

Sincerely,

Jon Schatzky

Sent to CA Community - 9 March 2020

Coronavirus Email #8 to CA Community

Dear CA Community,

Over the past four school days, CA students have demonstrated that they have made a seamless transition to distance learning by accessing assignments online and sharing their learning with their teachers. Students should now have established routines at home to ensure they keep up with assigned work and remain engaged with their daily learning. Later this week, we will be asking students and parents for initial feedback about our distance learning model through an Elementary and Secondary School survey. We would like to hear your perspectives about what you feel is working well and what has been challenging.

We have been extremely pleased with the continuity of learning which has taken place over this past week as we transition to our distance learning model. Not only have our wonderfully dedicated teachers lived up to this unexpected challenge, they have done so with great enthusiasm as we navigate new technological tools and develop new skills. We are pleased to continue to provide our students with a range of high quality academic, social and physical learning experiences while campus is closed.

On or before this upcoming Thursday, in consultation with the Board of Trustees, we will announce whether campus will open on Monday, March 16th or whether we will continue with distance learning until Spring Break begins. We are in contact with local authorities and appreciate your patience and understanding while we evaluate our options.

Until then, to allow us to best support your family and child with distance learning, please complete this form so that we can try to coordinate opportunities for video conferencing between your child, classmates and their teachers if you have not yet done so. If your family's location changes in the future, please be sure to let us know by emailing admissions@canacad.ac.jp.

Finally, it is important that students and parents understand that any questions they may have about learning and student well-being can continue to be directed to teachers and counselors. During regular school hours, Kobe time, we are available and happy to support all students through email, audio or video conferencing. Please don't hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Jon Schatzky

Sent to CA Community - 28 February 2020

Coronavirus Email #6 to CA Community - Campus closure announcement

Dear CA Community,

Thank you for your patience as we work through this fluid situation. As you know, yesterday Prime Minister Abe requested all schools to close in Japan. Today we learned of the Hyogo Prefectural government's requirements which we have been requested to follow.

As per the prefectural directive Canadian Academy will close campus through Friday, March 13th. However, school will continue online for all grade levels (PreK-3 through Grade 12). Planning for distance learning has been underway for some time at CA. CA's Continuity of Learning provides a general overview while a more detailed Distance Learning at CA guide will be made available to you early next week.

To allow our teachers to work together to formalize plans and transition to a distance learning model, CA students will begin learning online on Wednesday, March 4th.

Please share with your children that campus will be closed to students including our fields and playgrounds. Early next week we will be contacting Grade 12 students to share how we will continue to support them through this important time in the IB Diploma Programme.

We will continue to provide regular updates regarding the implementation of distance learning. Until then, thank you for your support and understanding

Sincerely,

Jon Schatzky

Sent to CA Community - 27 February 2020

Coronavirus Email #5 to CA Community

Dear CA community,

We have received Prime Minister Abe's announcement this evening requesting all schools to close in Japan. Upon receiving this announcement, CA's Leadership Team convened as well as our Board of Trustees. We will continue to meet as the situation becomes clearer and more information available. We will be clarifying our plans tomorrow.

While the timing of his announcement is surprising, we have been preparing for distance learning. School will be in session tomorrow, Friday, February 28th, for our Secondary School as planned, with our Elementary School holding their 3-way Conferences.

Thank you for your continued understanding and support as the situation develops.

Sincerely,

Jon Schatzky

Sent to CA Community - 23 February 2020

Coronavirus Email #4 to CA Community

Dear CA Community,

As the cases of COVID-19 coronavirus spread within Japan and throughout the world we continue to monitor World Health Organization (WHO), US Center for Disease Control (CDC), Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) news bulletins and websites. Additionally, I am in regular communication with many Asia Pacific Activities Conference (APAC) and Japan Council of International School (JCIS) heads of school to discuss protocols and procedures.

CA’s crisis management team has been meeting at least once per week to review and revise our health and safety protocols and procedures. In addition to following recommended hygiene practices including washing hands, ventilating classrooms, careful cleaning of classrooms and common areas, and providing access to disinfectant liquids at most entrances, classrooms, and cafeteria, we would like to share our latest announcements, suggestions, and protocols.

Travel

• Students who have recently returned from Daegu, South Korea or Mainland China or have had contact with anyone who has visited Daegu, South Korea or Mainland China during the past 14 days are to remain at home until they have permission from our Health Office to return to class.

• International trips for students have been suspended.

• Local and national trips for students will be reviewed and may proceed as scheduled on a case-by-case basis.

CA’s Annual Gala Postponed

• CA’s Annual Gala: Evening of Champions scheduled for Saturday, March 14th will be postponed. We hope to reschedule this event for May 16th but will confirm that date in the future. As eager as we were to hold this event in a few weeks, we did not want to take the risk of having to cancel it closer to the date. A large contributing factor to making this decision was that many of the attendees were from outside of the school community and may not have been following our health & safety protocols.

Visitors

• Non-essential visitors will be restricted from entering campus. This includes visiting extended family members, friends who do not attend CA, and any non-curricular-related visitors. Please contact your child’s principal if you have any questions about who might be allowed on-campus.

CA Parents

• CA parents are welcome to follow normal drop-off and pick-up routines but please avoid entering the buildings if you are not feeling well or in poor health.

Extra-curricular Events

• APAC tournaments have been postponed indefinitely.

• CA students are scheduled to participate in this week's Model United Nations (MUN) event at Marist Brothers. All participating schools are following similar health protocols as CA.

• CA’s Middle School boys’ soccer team (at CA) and girls’ basketball team (at Marist Brothers) are scheduled to participate in their respective WJAA tournaments on Friday. This will now be a 1-day tournament with no teams sleeping over at each school.

• After-school practices and weekend scrimmages will continue as scheduled.

Upcoming Elementary School Student-led Conferences

• Conferences will continue as scheduled. Parents who have recently traveled from Daegu, South Korea or Mainland China or have had contact with those from Daegu, South Korea or Mainland China should not attend conferences. All parents should wear their CA name tag to enter school.

Spring Break

• Although Spring Break is four weeks away, please consider where you are traveling and with whom you may be in contact with when planning your vacation. It is difficult to predict the future but I would imagine that Canadian Academy’s health requirements for returning to school after Spring Break will either be the same as today or even more stringent.

Of course, this is a very fluid situation with every day bringing new information or another variable to consider. We will continue to communicate as necessary regarding this topic.

I thank you for continuing to support the health and well-being of our community by following our protocols. You are welcome, as always, to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Jon Schatzky

Sent to CA Community - 31 January 2020

Coronavirus Email #3 to CA Community

Dear CA Community,

To begin with, I would like to thank those CA families who have self-reported their trips to China or contact with family and friends from Wuhan, China and other designated areas of concern. Thank you for understanding that it is in everyone's interest for those students to remain at home until the 14-day incubation period has passed.

At this time, Canadian Academy is asking that all students who have recently returned from China or have had contact with visitors from affected areas remain at home until they have permission from our Health Office to return to class.

Although local and national trips and events will continue as scheduled, Canadian Academy has decided to suspend all international trips for the moment. This weekend, CA will participate in sporting events only if participating schools follow the same health protocols as we do.

Once again, you are welcome to contact the Health Office or contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

We continue to monitor the progress of the coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and adapt our school procedures as we learn more.

Sincerely,

Jon Schatzky

CA Family's Responsibilities

1. Any CA student who has traveled to China or has had any member of their household travel to China or has hosted a guest from China over the past 2 weeks must report to CA's Health Office immediately upon arrival to school Monday morning. These students will be required to visit the Health Office every morning before school for the next 2 weeks. Please keep children exhibiting signs of fever, cough, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties or respiratory complaints at home and/or visit a medical professional.

2. Any CA student who has traveled to Wuhan, China over the past two weeks and/or has traveled to or had contact with anyone from the designated affected areas in China must not come to school until further notice. If this is your child's status, please inform the school.

3. We ask that all CA families monitor their health and follow these protocols:

School Procedures

We have added nursing staff in the Health Office to help assist with a projected increase in health checks from 8:00am to 9:00am this week. Additionally, we are implementing the following protocols:

• All food services staff will have their temperature checked daily prior to work

• Hand sanitizer will be purchased and placed in public spaces around the school

• Teachers will remind students to wash their hands often throughout the day

• Cleaning staff will disinfect doorknobs and table tops in addition to the regular cleaning schedule

• Teachers will remind students not to share food and drinks; and

• All new students scheduled to begin school tomorrow, the first day of Semester 2, will be carefully screened regarding their recent travel, with whom they have had contact, and their current health condition.

School Trips & Events

APAC Basketball, APAC Theater and APAC Band trips, all of which were scheduled to travel to Shanghai or Beijing over the next few weeks, have been canceled. At this time, all other trips will continue as planned.

We will continue to monitor this fluid situation and communicate with the community as necessary. Once again, please feel free to contact the Health Office, your child's principal or me if you have any questions.

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Jon Schatzky

Sent to CA Community - 23 January 2020

Coronavirus Email #1 to CA Community

Dear CA Community,

As most of you are aware, the coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China is spreading to countries internationally including Japan. We are closely monitoring the situation as the health and safety of our students is always our primary concern. In addition to conversations with our nurses and school doctor, Canadian Academy has been monitoring World Health Organization (WHO) and US Center for Disease Control (CDC) news bulletins and websites as well consulting with US Embassy medical officials. We have also been in communicating with Asia Pacific Activities Conference (APAC) Heads of School to discuss upcoming APAC Basketball, Theater and Band events and have been reviewing review Canadian Academy's internal procedures.

We encourage our community members to follow the tips and advice provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) to promote health and safety. As always, we ask that all students with a fever either remain at home and visit our Health Office before attending any classes.

Families with students planning to participate in upcoming APAC events in China will be contacted separately by Activities Director, Sim Cook.

Please feel free to contact our Health Office, your child's principal or me if you have any questions. In the meantime we will continue to monitor the situation.

Sincerely,

Jon Schatzky