OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Southville International School and Colleges (SISC) is actively working with academic and health experts to implement a range of measures to ensure the health and safety of the Southville community of learners, faculty, and staff. With the declaration of a state of public health emergency and the suspension of classes throughout Metro Manila from March 10-14, 2020, Southville recognizes the urgency of the situation and is taking the following steps to address the situation:

1. During the School closure from March 10-14, all Southville facilities will be disinfected following CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA) Novel Coronavirus guidelines. 
2. On-Site Classes will be suspended in favor of Online Learning through Moodle, Google Classroom, ManageBac, Blackboard, online channels, and other alternative learning delivery methods.
3. Examinations, such as the IB term exams, that cannot be adapted to online delivery will be rescheduled upon the resumption of regular classes.
4. A Skeletal Admissions Workforce will remain in place to facilitate operations.
5. Flexible work arrangements will be announced by the HR office.

The following events and activities will be postponed, pending resumption of regular operations.

1. SISC: International Research Conference, International Baccalaureate (IB), Parents Information Meeting, Parent-Teacher Conference (PTC)
2. SISFU: Junior-Senior Promenade, Annual Guidance Counselor and Principals Night
3. All travels (local and international) are postponed while those who have traveled recently and those who have potentially been exposed to individuals who may have contracted the virus are required to undergo self-quarantine for 14 days and present a medical certificate upon return.

We would like to remind all members of the Southville community that simple safety precautions can help keep you and your loved ones safe during this emergency. 

a.    If you experience a cough or flu-like symptoms, stay at home, wear a mask, and if symptoms persist or worsen, visit your doctor. 

b.    Regularly wash your hands following proper handwashing procedures (20+ seconds) and use hand sanitizer (70% isopropyl alcohol), particularly after touching public surfaces like doors, railings, tables, etc. 

1. Avoid touching your face as the virus is transmitted through the mucous membranes in the mouth, nose, and eyes. 
2. Minimize unnecessary travel and congregation in public spaces. 

We will continue to update the Southville community through regular advisories based on the official word from public agencies and our ongoing appraisals of the COVID-19 situation. We strongly recommend the community to exercise caution during this public health emergency both in personal interactions as well as the sharing of unverified information, which can lead to panic and confusion. 

This is a trying time for all of us, both within the Southville community and in the world at large. We can surpass this challenging experience not by sharing misleading headlines and hyperbolic reactions, but instead by following the guidance of the authoritative scientific and government organizations addressing this public health emergency. We must strive to match our compassion to our caution and remember that together, we will overcome this crisis as a stronger, kinder, caring community of learners.

May God bless us and keep us strong, collected, and safe through this situation. 

The Office of the President