COVID Updates

 

Dear GSIS Parents:

     I trust you and your families are doing well! I have written since having spring break. I hope you had an excellent spring break and excellent Holy Week! 

     We have been extremely fortunate to have had an extended period of time with 100% face-to-face classes. We have been watching the number of daily new COVID cases and although the last few days have been a slight decrease, they were trending higher over the last week. Another concern is that there have been a number of other international schools in Korea that have experienced suspected and confirmed cases within their school communities over the last week. Our goal is to keep as many students on campus for face-to-face classes as possible each day. 

 

We Need Your Continued Help!

     Almost everyday we have students coming to school not feeling well. Please check your children before they come to school and do not send them to school if they are not feeling well. 

     Also, if your children or anyone within your household has come in contact with someone who is being tested or in quarantine for COVID, please do not send your child to school until the individual/s have been cleared. If you are in doubt or have questions, please contact our  school nurse.

     In addition, there seems to be a certain amount of fatigue with following the protocols and some of us are becoming complacent. We need you to reinforce the protocols with your children and to avoid any unnecessary situations that might put your family at risk for being exposed to COVID. I know we are all tired of this but we need to keep our guard up.

 

   Revisit the protocols with your children as we work to reinforce them here at school: 

Everywhere:

• Keep face masks over their mouths and noses at all times (“No Mask, No Talk”)

• Maintain social distance

• Wash and disinfect hands often

• Avoid high-risk areas and activities (Hagwons, busy cafes, public transportation, etc.)

• Report any signs of sickness or possible contact to the school nurse immediately!

While at school:

• Ensure a health slip is submitted to Nurse Ann DAILY!

• Use the stairs in the correct direction

• Do not eat any food with others outside of the cafeteria including snack time (No talking while masks are off!) 

• Open classroom windows when possible

• And again, report any signs of sickness to Nurse Ann immediately!

 

Again, our goal is to provide 100% face-to-face classes and to do the best we can to avoid any cases at school. Although, everytime we gather people together there is a certain amount of risk. We must work together to minimize the risk of any cases within our school and to contain any cases that we may happen to get. If the daily number cases rise to where they were last week or if we find that there are cases closer to GSIS, we will move to a hybrid model to keep our community safe and so that we can at least continue with students on campus each day

Let’s continue to be thankful for the number of face-to-face classes our school has been able to have, let’s be prepared to shift to a hybrid model if needed, and let’s do what we can to minimize our risks! 

 

Sincerely,

Mr. Stephen Lush

한국어 버전은 곧 업데이트 될 예정입니다. 

Dear GSIS Community,

 It is great having students on campus this week. We would like to increase student density this next week. 

Starting Monday, February 22, JK through Grade 1 will be 100% face-to-face and the rest of the school will run at ⅔ hybrid model. 

Please watch for information from the elementary school and secondary school offices for specific schedules. (Note: We will not be able to provide emergency childcare this next week.)

At this time, we believe this will provide increased face-to-face classes for all students as we continue to monitor the situation and are in communication with the Gyeonggi Office of Education. We are hopeful that we will be able to run this model and begin working toward 100% face-to-face classes in the near future.

  Parents, please continue to revisit the protocols with your children as we work to reinforce them here at school: 

• Keep face masks over their mouths and noses at all times (“No Mask, No Talk”)
• Maintain social distance
• Wash and disinfect hands often
• Avoid high-risk areas and activities (Hagwons, cafes, public transportation, etc.)
• Report any signs of sickness or possible contact to the school nurse immediately!

In Christ,

Stephen Crawford Lush

Head of School

한국어 버전은 곧 업데이트 될 예정입니다. 

February 3, 202

Message from the GSIS Head of School Office

Dear Parents,

We have just been informed this evening of a confirmed COVID-19 case within our school community. We are working with the authorities at this very moment to determine the scope of the situation. 

Because of this, we will be 100% online for the next two days with no students on campus, February 4-5 (including no emergency childcare).

We will be cooperating with the authorities of any possible contact tracing and in the disinfection of the school. The authorities will be in contact with families and individuals whom they believe may have been exposed. The authorities will be contacting families through text messages.

Please monitor your family for any COVID-19 symptoms and contact your local public health center for assistance.

In addition, if you have COVID-19 related questions you can get assistance by calling the KDCA (1339), Tourist Information Center (1330), or Seoul City Call Center (02-120).

We will give you more information and details as they become available.

 

God bless,

Stephen Crawford Lush

Head of School

Dear Parents,

     It has been wonderful to have at least a portion of our students back on campus this week! We continue to monitor the situation and have been in contact with the Gyeonggi Office of Education. We are hopeful that we will be able to increase the number of students on campus very soon, but currently we must continue with the ⅓ hybrid model this next week. 

    Have an enjoyable weekend and let’s continue to hope and pray that the number of new COVID cases continues to decrease.

Thank you,

Mr. Stephen Crawford Lush

학부모님께, 

 

이번주부터 일부 학생들이 캠퍼스로 돌아오게 되어 정말 기뻤습니다. 학교는 상황을 지속적으로 지켜보며 경기도교육청과 확인하고 있습니다. 빠른 시일 내에 학교에 등교하는 학생을 더 늘릴 수 있도록 기대하지만, 현재 상황으로는 다음 주에도 기존처럼 ⅓ 하이브리드 수업으로 진행할 예정입니다.

 

즐거운 주말 되시고, 코로나 상황이 진정되도록 기도 부탁드립니다. 

 

감사합니다. 

Dear Parents,

I truly hope each of you and your family are doing well!

     We are optimistic about the new year, the recent decrease in new COVID cases (~400/day), and the vaccine is on the horizon. Although we still have a ways to go, we are pleased that we might be able to welcome students back on campus this next week. The authorities have cautiously given us permission to begin ⅓ hybrid classes. It is my guess that many of you welcome this, yet I would like the data to better understand our parents’ perspective. If we have the majority of parents supporting this, we plan to begin ⅓ hybrid classes on Monday, January 25. 

   It continues to be our priority to have as many students on campus each and every day that is allowed so long as we can do so in a safe manner. Whether we have students back on campus or not, we need your continued assistance in keeping our school community safe. Continue to practice COVID-19 protocols to keep safe and to minimize the chances of COVID-19 cases in your families and in our community no matter where you might be :

• Keep face masks over their mouths and noses at all times (“No Mask, No Talk”)

• Maintain social distance

• Wash and disinfect hands often

• Avoid high-risk areas and activities (Hagwons, cafes, public transportation, etc.)

• Report any signs of sickness or possible contact to the school nurse immediately! 

 

Thank you,

Mr. Stephen Crawford Lush

학부모님께,

여러분의 가정에 모든 일이 평안하시기를 바랍니다.

 최근 코로나 감소세(1일 400명대)와 백신 개발 소식으로 새해를 낙관적으로 전망합니다. 아직 나아가야 할 길이 남아있지만 다음 주부터 학생들이 다시 캠퍼스로 돌아올 수 있게 되어 기쁘게 생각합니다. 교육 당국은  ⅓ 하이브리드 수업을 시작하도록 신중하게 허가했습니다. 아마도 많은 분들께서 이 소식을 환영하시겠지만, 학부모님들의 의견을 설문조사를 통해 확인하고자 합니다. 대다수의 학부모님들께서 이를 지원하신다면, 1월 25일 월요일부터는 하이브리드 수업을 시작할 예정입니다.

  안전한 상황에서 가능한 한 많은 학생들이 매일 등교하는 것이 우리의 우선순위 입니다. 학생들이 캠퍼스에 있을 때에도 없을 때에도 학교 커뮤니티의 안전을 위해 여러분의 지속적인 도움이 필요합니다. 

각 가정과 학교 커뮤니티 내 확진자 사례를 줄이기 위하여 항상 어디에서나 코로나-19 안전수칙을 지켜주시기 바랍니다.

• 항상 입과 코에 마스크 착용 (“마스크 없이는 말하지 않기”)

• 사회적 거리 유지하기

• 손을 자주 씻고 소독하기

• 고위험 지역 및 활동(학원, 카페, 대중 교통 등)을 피하기

• 질병의 징후나 접촉 가능성을 즉시 학교 보건교사에게 보고하기!

 

감사합니다.

총교장 스티븐 러쉬

Happy New Year!

     I truly hope and pray that each of you and your families have had a great Christmas and happy New Years. 2020 was fraught with many challenges. I am hopeful that this new year will bring us all some happiness and relief from some of the challenges of this past year. As much as we look forward to a new year and new opportunities, we are sure to encounter challenges.

     The Gyeonggi Office of Education has confirmed that GSIS will continue with 100% online classes starting Tuesday, January 12 until further notice. The elementary school secondary school offices will be communicating regarding any other details. 

     Again, our challenging times continue. Join me in continued prayer for our community and for Korea. Continue to practice COVID-19 protocols to keep safe and to minimize the chances of COVID-19 cases in your families and in our community no matter where you might be :

• Keep face masks over their mouths and noses at all times (“No Mask, No Talk”)

• Maintain social distance

• Wash and disinfect hands often

• Avoid high-risk areas and activities (Hagwons, cafes, public transportation, etc.)

• Report any signs of sickness or possible contact to the school nurse immediately! 

     Again, I hope this break has been a good one. I pray for God’s blessings and protection for you and your family in this new year. I pray that we all can find hope in Him no matter what challenges we might face.

 

Sincerely,

Mr. Stephen Lush

새해 복 많이 받으세요!

     여러분과 여러분의 가족 모두 멋진 크리스마스와 새해가 되셨기를 소망합니다. 2020년은 많은 도전이 있었습니다. 이번 새해는 지난 한 해의 어려움에서 모두에게 행복과 안도감이 있는 한 해가 되길 바랍니다. 새해와 새로운 기회 만큼 또한 우리는 도전에 직면하게 될 것 입니다.

     경기도교육청은 추후 공지가 있을 때까지 GSIS는 1월 12일 화요일부터 100% 온라인 수업을 유지하여야 함을 확인하여 주었습니다. 이에 기타 세부 사항에 대해서는 초등학교 중고등학교 사무실에서 연락을 드릴 것입니다.

     다시 한번 우리의 도전적인 시대는 계속됩니다. 우리 공동체와 한국을 위해 계속 기도해주십시오. 코로나-19 방역지침을 계속해서 연습하여 안전을 유지하고 귀하가 어디에 있든 가족과 지역 사회에서 코로나-19 사례의 가능성을 최소화하기를 힘써주시기 바랍니다.

• 항상 입과 코를 가리는 마스크 착용 (“마스크 없이는 말하지 않기”)

• 사회적 거리 유지하기

• 손을 자주 씻고 소독하기

• 고위험 지역 및 활동(학원, 카페, 대중 교통 등)을 피하기

• 질병의 징후나 접촉 가능성을 즉시 학교 보건교사에게 보고하기!

     다시 한 번, 이번 휴식이 좋은 시간 이었기를 바랍니다. 새해에 여러분과 여러분의 가족을 위한 하나님의 축복과 보호를 위해 기도합니다. 어떤 어려움이 있더라도 우리 모두가 그분 안에서 희망을 찾을 수 있기를 기도합니다.

감사합니다.

총교장 스티븐 러쉬

Dear Parents,

     As you know, there has been a sharp increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases over the weekend. At this time, the government has not increased the response level from Level 2.5. GSIS will continue with the current plan to offer hybrid classes this week unless the response level is increased to Level 3 or unless we are directed to do so by the Gyeonggi Office of Education. We will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any changes.

     It is especially imperative that we continue to implement our protocols to keep our school community safe and minimize the chances of COVID-19 cases:

Keep face masks over their mouths and noses at all times (“No Mask, No Talk”)
Maintain social distance
Wash and disinfect hands often
Avoid high-risk areas and activities (Hagwons, cafes, public transportation, etc.)
Report any signs of sickness or possible contact to the school nurse immediately! 

Again, thank you for your continued understanding and support during this unprecedented time. I pray God’s protection on our school and on each of your families.

Sincerely,

Mr. Stephen Lush

Korean Version will be updated soon. 

Thank you.

Dear Parents,

     Today the Gyeonggi Office of Education confirmed that they will raise the COVID-19 response to Level 2.5. Because of this, we will be implementing a ⅓ hybrid model starting Monday, December 7. 

     Considering the upward trend in confirmed cases, moving to the hybrid model will increase the safety of our students, GSIS employees, and all families. In the case that we do indeed get a confirmed case within our school community, having a lower density of students will decrease the number of individuals that could possibly be exposed and will make contract tracing easier for the authorities. 

     Watch for emails from the elementary school and secondary school’s offices regarding the specific schedule. Please note: We continue to prioritize our youngest learners in addition we will prioritize those secondary students who are scheduled to have exams. Know that we are keeping track of the specific grades who have had a fewer number of on-campus classes over the course of the year. Our goal is to make this as equitable as possible by the end of the school year.

     My prayer is for each of your families. I pray for us all to have wisdom, patience, peace, and positivity. These are some of the most challenging times our world has faced in decades. Our children are looking to us for guidance, reassurance, and to know everything is going to be alright. Let's continue to work together in partnership to be good examples for them so that they can develop perseverance, resilience, and the confidence to face the challenges that life will most certainly present them in the future.

     Again, we are fortunate that we have not had any confirmed COVID-19 cases in our school community...Let’s keep it that way! We have been working hard to keep our students, employees, and families safe by continuing to remind everyone to be diligent with implementing the protocols:

• Keep face masks over their mouths and noses at all times (“No Mask, No Talk”)
• Maintain social distance
• Wash and disinfect hands often
• Avoid high-risk areas and activities (Hagwons, cafes, public transportation, etc.)
• Report any signs of sickness or possible contact to the school nurse immediately! 

     Once again, we thank you for your continued patience and support during these challenging times. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with each of your families, our school, and our nation. Please continue to watch for further updates.

Sincerely,

Mr. Stephen Lush

Korean Version will be updated soon. 

Thank you.

Dear Parents,

     We have received further guidance regarding the increased COVID-19 response level to Level 2 and what it means for GSIS. Although the government has asked schools to decrease the density of students on campus each day (ES ⅓, MS ⅔, HS ⅔) for face-to-face classes by going to an online/on campus hybrid model of classes, the government will allow us to continue 100% face-to-face classes because our school’s divisions are smaller than 300 students each.

We are planning to continue with 100% face-to-face classes. All other after-school activities will be canceled or postponed. Students will leave campus at dismissal.

    If we go to Level 2.5, we will most likely need to implement our hybrid schedule of online and on-campus classes.

    If we go to Level 3, we will most certainly be implementing online classes only.

   Let’s hope and pray the number of COVID-19 cases will continue to decrease rather than increase. This is so that we can continue with students on campus but most importantly, people will remain safe and healthy.

We Need Your Help

   It is our priority to have as many students on campus each and every day that is allowed so long as we can do so in a safe manner. We need your assistance in keeping our school community safe and allowing us to continue with 100% face-to-face classes. 

Please remind your children to practice social distancing, wear face masks over nose and mouth at all times, complete a daily health report to school, and report any signs of sickness to our school nurse. 

   It is also recommended that families practice safe practices at home and avoid gathering in crowded public places. Together, we can continue to keep our children on campus and safe.

To ensure we have your thoughts on this matter, please take a minute to complete this very short survey. 

 

LINK TO SURVEY

 

Respectfully,

Mr. Stephen Crawford Lush

GSIS COVID-19 RESPONSES Updated November 23, 2020

Social Distancing Level	COVID-19 Protocols	Delivery of our Educational Program
Level 1	Temperature checking, mask wearing and social distancing practiced  Visitors and gatherings in groups are allowed within guidelines	100% on campus classes with COVID-19 protocols implemented (As allowed by authorities - because of the smaller size of our school divisions)
Level 1.5	All above + Increased vigilance Visitors and group gatherings are limited	100% on campus classes with COVID-19 protocols implemented (As allowed by authorities - because of the smaller size of our school divisions)
Level 2	All above + All indoors, outdoors where the high-risk activities take place are canceled or postponed. Visitors and small group gatherings are limited to essential only	100% on campus classes with COVID-19 protocols implemented (As allowed by authorities - because of the smaller size of our school divisions) Decreased density in cafeteria - No mask, no talk Students are to leave campus at 3:30 PM Canceled or postponed: After School Activities including sports, KAIAC games, clubs, and other gatherings All high-risk indoor & outdoor activities   This is subject to change. We will continue to monitor the situation and will continue to communicate with the authorities.
Level 2.5	All above + Canceled or postponed: All visitors and group gatherings Any other non-core instructional activities	Hybrid classes implemented, ⅓ of students on campus daily for face-to-face classes (JK, PK, K and Grade 12 will be prioritized for on-campus classes if needed) Students not on campus will have online classes. Schedules will be given by elementary school and secondary school offices. (as allowed by authorities) Emergency Childcare provided for those Grade 1 - 6 students who qualify.
Level 3	Campus closed to students	100% online classes unless otherwise allowed by authorities and is safe

(The information in this chart is subject to change based on the safety of the community and approval of authorities.)

학부모님들께,

   코로나-19 대응 수준 격상으로 GSIS에 미치는 의미에 대하여 더 많은 지침을 안내받았습니다. 정부는 온라인/캠퍼스 하이브리드 수업 모델을 통해 매일 캠퍼스 내 학생들의 밀도(초등 ⅓, 중등  ⅔, 고등 ⅔)를 위한 대면 수업을 줄이도록 학교에 요청하였습니다만, 본 교는 각 학교별로 300명 미만이기 때문에 정부는 100% 대면 수업을 계속할 수 있도록 허용하였습니다.

그래서 학교는 100% 대면 수업을 계속할 계획입니다. 하지만 다른 교내 모든 방과후 활동은 취소되거나 연기될 것입니다. 학생들은 하교 시 캠퍼스를 떠나야 할 것입니다.

    2.5단계로 되면, 온라인 및 캠퍼스 내 수업의 하이브리드 일정으로 진행되어야 할 가능성이 높습니다.

   3단계로 되면, 분명히 온라인 수업으로만 진행할 것입니다.

   코로나-19 사례가 증가하는 대신 계속 줄어들기를 바라며 기도합니다. 이것은 우리가 캠퍼스에서 학생들과 함께 계속할 수 있도록 하기 위한 것이며 가장 중요한 것은 사람들이 안전하고 건강하게 지낼수 있을 것이기 때문입니다.

여러분들의 도움이 필요합니다

   안전한 방식으로 할 수있는 한 매일 허용되는 많은 학생들을 캠퍼스에 두는 것이 저희의 최우선 순위입니다. 학교 공동체를 안전하게 유지하고 100% 대면 수업을 계속할 수 있도록 귀하의 도움이 필요합니다.

자녀들에게 사회적 거리두기를 연습하고, 항상 코와 입에 마스크를 착용하고, 학교에 매일 건강 보고서를 작성하고, 학교 보건교사에게 질병 징후 보고를 하도록 상기 시켜주시기 바랍니다.

   또한 가족이 집에서도 안전하게 이것을 실천하고 붐비는 공공 장소에 모이는 것을 피하는 것이 좋습니다. 그렇게 함께, 우리는 계속해서 아이들을 캠퍼스에서 안전하게 지킬 수 있을 것입니다.

관련하여 부모님들의 의견 확인을 위해 잠시 시간내시어 여기 간단한 설문 조사에 답변 부탁드립니다.

LINK TO SURVEY

감사합니다.

총교장 스티븐 러쉬

GSIS 코로나-19 대응계획 업데이트 : 2020 년 11월 23일

사회적 거리두리 단계	코로나-19 방역조치	학교 교육적용 조치
1단계	체온 확인, 마스크 착용 및 사회적 거리두기 연습.  방문객과 단체 모임은 가이드 라인 내에서 허용.	코로나-19 방역 프로토콜이 구현된 캠퍼스에서 100% 대면 수업. (당국에서 허용 - 본교는 소규모 학교에 해당)
1.5단계	상기 내용+ 경계 증가.  실내 및 실외 스포츠 시설	코로나-19 방역 프로토콜이 구현된 캠퍼스에서 100% 대면 수업. (당국에서 허용 - 본교는 소규모 학교에 해당)
2단계	상기 내용 + 고위험 활동이 발생하는 모든 실내, 실외는 취소되거나 연기. 방문객 및 소그룹으로 제한.	코로나-19 방역 프로토콜이 구현된 캠퍼스에서 100% 대면 수업. (당국에서 허용 - 본교는 소규모 학교에 해당) 카페테리아 밀도 감소- 마스크 없이는 대화 금지 학생들은 오후 3시 30 분에 캠퍼스를 떠나야합니다. 취소 또는 연기 : 스포츠, KAIAC 게임, 클럽 및 기타 모임을 포함한 방과후 활동 모든 고위험 실내 및 실외 활동   이 사항은 변경될 수 있으며 상황을 계속 모니터링하고 당국과 계속해서 소통 예정.
2.5단계	상기 내용 + 취소 또는 연기 : 모든 방문자 및 그룹 모임 기타 비핵심 교육 활동	하이브리드 수업 시행, 매일 캠퍼스 내 학생의 ⅓ 대면 수업 (JK, PK, K 및 12 학년은 필요한 경우 캠퍼스 내 수업 우선 순위 지정)   캠퍼스에 있지 않은 학생들은 온라인 수업 실시. 일정 관련해서 초등 및 중고등학교 사무실. (당국에서 허용)   긴급 보육 자격을 갖춘 초등1-6학년 학생들에게 보육 제공.
3단계	Campus closed to students 캠퍼스 폐쇄.	100% online classes unless otherwise allowed by authorities and is safe. 당국에서 달리 허용하지 않는 한 안전한 100% 온라인 수업.

(이 자료의 정보는 학교의 커뮤니티의 안전과 당국의 승인에 따라 변경 될 수 있습니다.)