Dear Parents and Guardians,
The past 18 months have been very challenging for us all. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area has had to find ways to continue to provide for our members and families, and we are grateful that we have been able to achieve this goal successfully. We have been creative and flexible to meet the needs of everyone we serve while keeping everyone and our staff safe and continuing to provide the safe environment you rely on.
I am writing today to seek your continued vigilance in ensuring your children are healthy and show no signs of COVID-19 before you send them to any of our Club locations. Knowingly sending your child to the Club with a potential exposure to COVID-19 or any other illness is negligent. If you send a child to the Club, you risk potentially infecting other children, staff, or volunteers. We cannot release the name of a child; therefore, we have no way of knowing exactly who your child came in direct contact with between staff and other youth. If this happens, we have to close classes, and even entire Clubs because of your decision.
Please be responsible and respectful of Boys & Girls Club by keeping your child at home if you have any inclination that they have been exposed to COVID-19 or are showing any of the symptoms listed below. We take the health of all our members, staff and volunteers very seriously, and we want to continue to provide for everyone, but we cannot do this alone and we must have your cooperation. If you need additional resources such as where to get tested, vaccination schedules and locations, please reach out to our Family Engagement Coordinator, Monica Balderas at Monica.balderas@bgcaustin.org.
Most common symptoms include:
• Fever
• Dry cough
• Tiredness
Less common symptoms:
• Aches and pains
• Sore throat
• Diarrhea
• Conjunctivitis
• Headache
• Loss of taste or smell
• a rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes
Serious symptoms:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain or pressure
• Loss of speech of movement
As the schools begin to open this Fall, they too will follow strict guidelines to do their best to keep kids and staff healthy and safe. Please keep your children home if they are sick and please do not underestimate any symptoms. Your commitment to this will ensure that we can continue to keep Clubs open and kids engaged and safe when schools are closed. BGCAA highly encourages all eligible people to get vaccinated to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The entire Boys & Girls Clubs team is here to support you, but we need your assistance to remain safe to continue being here for you and your family.
Sincerely,
Misti S. Potter
CEO
