Rights and Responsibilities in the ASD Community

Rights and Responsibilities within the ASD Community

RIGHTS—as articulated in the core beliefs, every student, teacher, staff member, parent, and visitor at ASD has inherent value, and has the fundamental right to expect both emotional and physical safety. During the COVID-19 pandemic, members of our community can reasonably expect a collective concern and response to their health and wellbeing. While ASD community members may be exposed to the virus in the course of their work or studies, everyone is entitled to expect that individuals and the school will make every effort and reasonable precaution to prevent virus transmission.

RESPONSIBILITIES—also inherent in the core beliefs are a number of responsibilities that we must all embrace. They guide our interactions with others, and influence our mindset—which includes putting our own needs and wants secondary to those of others, complying with established rules and policies that are designed to keep us all safe, and adjusting our behaviors and

We can weather the challenges we will face, while delivering on our Mission in a safe environment, if we all do our part. ”

enduring some inconveniences. While liberty is a cherished value in North American culture, we must place common good ahead of our own self-interests. Our respect for each other and sense of duty to the community can be visible in so many ways, including the following:

1) How all members of our community and visitors to our campus wear masks, wash and disinfect their hands frequently, and practice social distancing norms;

2) How all members of our community and visitors to our campus interact with each other in and out of the classroom, and take collective responsibility in promoting health and safety;

3) How all members of our community and visitors to our campus treat others--bus drivers, cleaners, maintenance workers, cafeteria staff, nurses, support staff, etc--as equal members of the ASD community, and deserving of a safe working environment themselves;

4) How all members of our community adhere to rules and policies while entering our campus, whether on foot or by bus, following self-screening guidelines for symptoms of illness, and refraining from coming to campus when symptomatic; and

5) How all members of our community and visitors to our campus comply with self-quarantine rules regarding exposure to COVID-19 and recent out-of-country travel.

The cliché, “It takes a village…”, has never rung truer than during these times. We can weather the challenges we will face, while delivering on our Mission in a safe environment, if we all do our part. If we do not accept this “new normal” in the coming year, our success will be diminished, and we may have to close school again. Our reciprocal obligations to each other will be essential to our success.