March 20, 2020
Dear BB&N Families,
As we near the end of the first week of a Spring Break defined by, my thoughts are focused on how our uKnighted BB&N community can continue to support each other in this most unusual of times.
As I wrote you on Monday, we ask any family who is struggling due to implications of the pandemic to please reach out to us
via this confidential form
. Or let us know if there is a BB&N family you might be concerned about. Perhaps they might be experiencing food insecurity, or having appropriate access to technology, or being able to leave your home due to an underlying medical condition. I know it can be difficult to ask for help. But please know that we are all in this together. We have already created a team to respond promptly to any requests that we might receive. In addition we have developed a list of
community-based resources
where families can seek help for needs that include food, transportation, technology, shelter, and recovery.
In late February, which now feels like ages ago, I gave a State of the School presentation to parents. In describing the vision for BB&N’s future, I framed it around the two most important words in our mission: Principled Engagement. It strikes me now how well these two words also represent the ways that our BB&N community is negotiating these challenging times, separately but also very much together.
We have had a number of BB&N families reach out to us recently to ask, what can we do to help? Because I know that times like these truly bring out the best in our BB&N community, I am announcing the start of the uKnighted Community Fund. Gifts designated to this fund will provide resources for BB&N to allocate as needs—such as the ones I describe above—arise within our family, faculty, and staff community. If you would like to contribute to this fund,
you can click here to access the donation form
.
We also have
created a list of ways
you and your family can support our partners and other important organizations in our community.
Very close to home for all of us, is thinking about how we can support each other, and especially our children, in our respective households. What are some ways we can help keep our kids engaged and calm, and at the same time keep ourselves reasonably sane? The counselors on all three campuses have
developed a collection of resources
that includes various coping, mindfulness, movement, and art & culture resources
. It’s a great list that I recommend you check out!
On a more business-related topic, I’m happy to share some good news that 100% refunds (inclusive of airfare credits, as applies) will be available for families who booked a school-sponsored Spring Break trip, whether international, for the Vanguard, or athletic. We’ll follow up directly to these families with further details in the next week or two, but just wanted to be sure you knew as early as possible.
Early next week, I will update you on the progress of our plans for the transition to Online Learning when school resumes after Break. Until then, please continue to stay safe and well!
Best,
Dr. Jennifer Price
Head of School
