Keeping Our Boarding Students Healthy

We recently asked two of our boarding students living at Riverstone House, how they and their parents felt about the school’s efforts to keep students healthy. Here is what they shared:

“Safety first. Everyone is following the rules. I have been wearing my mask, washing my hands and keeping appropriate social distance from others. I feel safe in the kitchen with the new COVID procedures. My parents are comforted by knowing staff and dorm residents are continuing to keep safe.” –Alex J, China (Gr 10)

“I’ve been wearing my mask in all the common areas and have been sure to wash my hands while in the kitchen. I keep appropriate distance from others. The COVID procedures are reasonable and staff have done a good job creating these new rules; I’m comfortable with them. My parents are at ease.” –Zaynab EH, Morocco (Gr 11)

So, what exactly are we doing to keep our boarding students and staff healthy?

• Students complete an online questionnaire every morning asking how they are feeling (mentally and physically) and if they have been exposed to COVID or are experiencing any symptoms;
• Staff conducts daily temperature checks and pay close attention to any sign of illness;
• Students and staff wear a mask in the common areas at all times;
• Dorm access is limited to dorm students and dorm staff;
• Social distancing is maintained during meal times and study hall;
• The kitchen and dining area is cleaned and sanitized after every meal;
• Hand sanitizer dispensers are installed throughout the dorm. We encourage frequent use of sanitizer and frequent hand washing;
• Surfaces such as door handles, counters, tables, etc. are disinfected multiple times per day;
• The dorm is professionally cleaned four to five times each week;
• Our Sprinter transportation van is disinfected according to the CDC guidelines for schools.

Most importantly, we stress the importance of taking care of our boarding family. Our students know that, as a family, we think of others, and pay attention to our own actions, day in and day out. As we all do our best to stay healthy, we understand how important it is to work together.

If you have questions about our safety protocols, Riverstone House, or anything else with respect to Riverstone’s small, boutique boarding program, please email Rachel Pusch.