Dear Parents and Guardians,

Last night, the Senior Minister for Education held a Press Conference to clarify the restrictions for schools as part of the reintroduction of a Movement Control Order (MCO) for Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Labuan, Melaka, Johor and Sabah.

He confirmed that from today, Wednesday 13 January, until Tuesday 26 January our School Campus will be closed as a result of the COVID-19 breakout in Malaysia. However, he also confirmed that: 

• Face to face (F2F) schooling is allowed for exam year students and early years students. All other year levels will participate in our Continuity of Learning Program

• Our Continuity of Learning Program will be in place for all other students.

• AISM will issue a letter to those families who are allowed to return to campus (F2F) – students and staff (this is to show to the police in case of a roadblock)

This is summarised in the Table below:

In light of these clarifications, we have made an adjustment to our Academic Calendar for 2021. In May this year we had identified May 10, 11 and 12 as Staff Professional Learning Days which are in the same week as the Hari Raya Public Holidays, on May 13 and 14, creating a Term Break for a Staff Conference and an opportunity for families to plan a week together.

However, given the reintroduction of the MCO, we decided to bring these 3 days forward to the beginning of the academic year to allow for a stronger start to the year and change the 3 days in May to face to face learning days. Therefore the academic year for students will now commence on Monday 25 January, not the Wednesday 20 January. Then the 3 days in May will now become normal scheduled school days for students.

• 2021 Classes for students commence on Monday 25 January (not Wednesday 20 January)
• May 10, 11 & 12 will now be normal school days for students (not a student free day as previously advertised)

On January 25, the School Campus will remain closed until the MCO is lifted with the exception of the year levels listed above, student learning will continue under our ‘Continuity of Learning Program’. 

In order to enact these plans, all students need to complete the following ‘Continuity of Learning’ User Agreement:

• Click here for Junior School students
• Click here for Middle and Senior School students

The guidelines for Junior School, Middle and Senior School students can be found via our school website by clicking on the ‘Continuity of Learning’ button (please remember to log in using your AISM account). The following links will take you to the appropriate pages that will outline the protocols and expectations for students and parents.

• Junior School Students - click here
• Middle and Senior School Students - click here
• Parents - click here

The students in Junior School will have their lessons presented through a combination of google Meets, video and via the Seesaw application, whilst the Middle and Senior School students will receive their lessons through a combination of Google Meet and Google Classroom. Tutorial information is available on our website to assist parents and students to access these resources.

The other conditions outlined under the MCO are as follows:

• No interstate and interdistrict travels. 
• No social gatherings, such as weddings, wedding receptions, conferences, religious processions (including Thaipusam), meetings, seminars, courses, and group sport activities. 
• Roadblocks will be mounted; movements limited to 10km radius to people in a vehicle.
• Only two people per household are allowed to head out to purchase groceries at nearby supermarkets or grocery stores. 
• Only two people are allowed per vehicle.
• Anyone who violates these rulings will be subjected to a maximum fine of RM1,000 under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
• Only 5 essential economic sectors are allowed to operate: manufacturing; construction; service; trade and distribution; and plantations and commodities.
• Only 30 percent of workers within a company’s management group are allowed to go into the office; employers determine the number of employees permitted in the office at any one time (taking into consideration standard operating procedures compliance).
• Ensure total adherence to SOP, observe physical distancing at all times.
• Non-essential services staff to work from home; employers must comply with this ruling.
• Eateries and hawker stalls may operate but only take-aways allowed.
• Food delivery service allowed.
• Supermarkets, healthcare services (including clinics, hospitals and pharmacies), banks allowed to operate with strict SOP compliance: always wear masks ; use hand sanitisers frequently; observe physical distancing at all times. 
• Stay at home if there is no immediate or urgent need to head out.

• Outdoor recreational activities allowed among people from the same household. 
• Individuals must keep 2m-distance at all times. 
• No more than 2 people are allowed to jog at any one time. 
• Cycling not allowed in groups; only one person allowed. 

Finally, the wellbeing of our community is very important at this time, so we would like to remind students to discuss any concerns or questions they have with their teachers, Year Coordinators, Heads of Faculty, our School Counsellor or a member of the School Leadership Team. 

Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and support as we continue to work through these challenging times together.

Regards

Liam King

Principal