Valluvan Tamil Academy Families – Novel Corona Virus Update #1

Dear VTA Family, 

The impact of COVID-19 is changing in real time. The health and safety of our members is of utmost importance. We need to take important measures to keep us all healthy during this challenge. According to health experts, thorough hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent infection. Let us all work together with care and awareness of the unfolding situation and do our part in containing the spread of the COVID-19. 

We wish to inform you of the following and we will update our plans and actions as situation warrants.

• We are closely following guidance from federal, state, FCPS and LCPS county and school district on containing the spread of the virus.

• In order to avoid crowded environments, we will be making the following changes effective immediately: 

  • Cancel all combined sessions for the month of March.

  • Postpone Tamil Bee and Essay competitions planned for this month, we will provide a new date once we are able to get updated information about the situation.

• We are currently working with FCPS  to understand their existing and enhanced process to handle COVID-19 situations.

Please pay attention to the below instructions:

• Instructions to all VTA members (including Teachers/Volunteers):
  • If you or your kids have any symptoms about fever/cold/cough/illness, you MUST not come to Tamil School or any crowded area(s).
  • If you or your kids are vulnerable to Flu and/or have any respiratory diseases/cancer, we recommend that you stay home and work with a teacher remotely to catch up with Tamil classroom activities.
  • If you have travelled outside the country or have been to the 4 countries listed – China, Iran, Italy and South Korea or in contact with anyone from above categories,  please do not come to Tamil School until further notice.
• Instructions to children:
  • Bring Hand Sanitizer to school and clean hands before entering school and after leaving school immediately.
  • COVID-19 is transmitted through coughing or sneezing, hence staying six feet away from people will help minimize the risk that someone else’s cough droplets will land on you.
• General rules to be followed by all as per guidance from CDC:
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  •  Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.