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Dear Parents,
I do hope you all have a joyful and healthful spring break.
In order to make this a reality for all members of our community, I am writing to make two points clear. First, yesterday the Taiwan CDC updated travel advisories. These changes continue to make travel, and the hosting of travelers, nearly impossible without consequences. Many parents have written to me seeking clarification of expectations over the break and, specifically, travel. I expect that you will keep yourself informed about the latest Taiwan CDC bulletins, available in English and in Mandarin as needed. In addition, may I again remind you to fill out the TAS Travel Survey every time there is a new development in your family's travel history:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdLga3XSmSwSbitMqGmiA6kpunhKT3y1U2P0WlIAtDW_bbOnw/viewform.
Travel complications have increased on a global scale. The current trend is moving towards more and more restrictive travel conditions. In order to do our best to keep our community as safe as possible during this global pandemic, TAS will require that anyone who travels to a Level 1, 2, or 3 country to follow the exact requirements set by the Taiwan CDC. Please check the following attachment for a translation of the Taiwan CDC measures for following up on persons at risk of infection. It is your responsibility to remain up to date with requirements should you decide on international travel.
Conditions may worsen in the coming days, and the most stringent of requirements will be enforced relative to student attendance at school. For example, you may decide to visit a country that is currently on a certain level, but that level can be raised either by the Taiwan government or by the government of the country that you are visiting while you are away. The quarantine from school will be in effect from the date of your return to Taiwan. While we have no authority to dictate what you and your family do over break, I urge you to consider staying on-island and to postpone visits from off-island guests until global conditions improve. And should you or a family member or a guest fall into the categories as required by the Taiwan government, please follow them strictly as we will expect that for the safety of the community.
My second point is also responsive to concerns many parents have shared with me. TAS has a civility clause that can be invoked if school values are not followed. One key school value is honesty; responsibility and respect are equally important. We expect you to be truthful and responsible as you report your off-island travel. It saddens me to have individual parents telling me they know of friends or colleagues who have traveled or plan to travel off-island who have not filled in the mandatory travel form in a truthful way. We expect honesty. And remember that travel by any member of the household must be reported, just as any guests from off-island must be reported. This is a small community, and I find myself often inundated with information from parent X about what parent Y is doing. This is not a comfortable position for any of us to be in as we attempt to keep our community safe.
A common phrase being bandied about is "when you can choose anything, choose kindness." I applaud that thought and add that we all need to choose honestly, responsibility, and respect for every member of the community by doing your part in keeping everyone safe.
Every member of our community is precious and deserves our strongest efforts to protect them from harm in this critical time. We are so lucky to be in Taiwan where the health and governmental leaders have served as role models for others to follow. Enjoy your break, treasure the time with your children, and stay on-island if you want to be sure to avoid the risks and consequences of travel abroad.
As I have said before, it is in times of crisis that we test our true bonds, the ties that bind us together as TAS tigers, a special breed indeed. Your Board and administrative team are working round the clock to keep you and yours as safe as possible. Please work with us.
Faithfully,