Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are writing to inform families that MBIS will extend its temporary campus closure for an additional week after Spring Break. We now plan to start face-to-face classes from Monday, April 6th, with Distance Learning scheduled to begin again from Monday, March 30th.

This was a difficult decision to make, and was made after consultation with school and governmental agencies, taking into consideration the new developments in the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapidly increasing number of cases in Hyogo and Japan.  We understand the difficulties that extending Distance Learning can have on families, and we thank you for your continued support.

As we are currently on Spring Break, I wish to strongly recommend that MBIS families reconsider attending any events or participating in any trips that may increase your risk of COVID-19 exposure.  I also ask that you follow the following recommendations from our Health Office.

• Please ensure that the children understand the purpose of this temporary school closure is to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Therefore children should remain home as much as possible, and avoid going out to places where people gather. This includes hosting parties and sleepovers.

• Please continue to practice diligent basic infection control measures such as thorough and frequent handwashing, cough etiquette, and social distancing even at home.

Hyogo Prefecture Board of Education is currently drafting guidelines for schools regarding protocols and procedures for re-opening campuses. This document is expected early next week.

We are very much looking forward to reopening campuses and resuming regular classes as soon as it is safe to do so.  We will continue to closely monitor the situation and notify families should our campus closure and Distance Learning be extended.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

Kind Regards,

Marijana Munro

Head of School

munrom@marist.ac.jp