Dear FVS Community, 
 
As we enter July, our first wave of student arrivals is just over a month away and we are excited to see our campus and community reawaken. Our School Year 2020-21 Task Force continues to work through the many details of opening and operating in a world defined by COVID-19, which remains a moving target in and of itself. The outcome of the Task Force’s work will be a detailed plan to guide the School’s day-to-day operations that prioritizes equally the health and well-being of our community members and providing continuity of program and student experience. We intend to finalize and share this plan mid-July. 
 
In this Message:
  • Coordinating Student Arrivals
  • Special Considerations for International Students
  • Option for Boarding Students to Remain on Campus During Breaks
  • Student Health and Permission Forms 
  • Ongoing Work in DEIG
  • Rest, Relax, and Stay Safe!
 
Coordinating Student Arrivals
It is critical that all boarding students respond to the Deans’ Office survey to request and coordinate an arrival date. If you have not done so already, please complete the Boarding Student Arrival Scheduling Form by July 10 or send an email to deansoffice@fvs.ed u if you are facing difficulty making plans.
 
Considerations for International Students
We are aware that our international students face unique challenges in returning to campus and that due to ongoing embassy and consulate closures, many will not be able to return to campus following the established timeline. Please know that we are committed to working with you individually to establish a timeline for your return to campus. 
 
It is also clear that some of our international students may not be able to be on campus during the first semester at all, and we have begun work on creating a virtual option for those students that will allow them to participate asynchronously. Our technology department and Academic Programs Team are working to create FVSV 2.0, which will be an evolution of the platform we used this spring, Fountain Valley School Virtual. This option will be available to students who cannot otherwise attend due to circumstances beyond their control such as inability to schedule appointments at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. FVSV 2.0 will use cameras that will be in all classrooms to record in-person meetings as needed in a way that better recreates the classroom experience than online meetings. As an added benefit, this new capacity will also help us support students who may be unable to attend classes for other reasons such as traveling for athletics or off-campus learning opportunities. 
 
Option for Boarding Students to Remain on Campus During Breaks
With the challenges of traveling to campus, some families have also inquired about whether campus could remain open during winter break. With the goal of providing predictability and support for our students, the campus will remain open to any boarding students, domestic or international, who wish to stay on campus during Fall Break and Winter Breaks as well as for the two weeks in between when we utilize distance learning to connect. Details about a fee structure will be communicated in the coming weeks. 
 
Student Health and Permission Forms 
By now, all families should have received an invitation to complete health forms online using SchoolDoc. These forms must be completed by July 31. If you have not received this information or have questions, please contact nurses@fvs.edu . 
 
In the coming weeks, you will also receive instructions from the Deans’ Office to complete student permission forms, which must be completed by July 31. Please note that these will include a standard waiver to cover risks associated with COVID-19. 
 
Ongoing Work in DEIG
Last week, I sent a message to all members of our community about ongoing work in diversity, equity, inclusion, and globalization (DEIG.) If you have not had a chance to read the FVS Community Blog post that was shared, you can click here to find it on our website . In the post, we also announced two new initiatives that I’d like to highlight here. First, Assistant Head of School Rafael Muciño will lead a task force to conduct a self-survey of our academic and residential programs, and those of peer schools, in order to identify opportunities to further integrate and enhance themes of diversity, equity, inclusion, and globalization in our programming. 
 
Second—a survey of our entire community is underway to identify the extent to which racism and other forms of discrimination exist at Fountain Valley School both in the past and presently. This information will be used to help inform and guide the work we will do moving forward. A link to the survey is included in the blog post referenced above. 
 
Rest, Relax, and Stay Safe!
Finally, as we move into the holiday weekend here in the U.S., I hope that you will take the opportunity to rest and relax amidst all that is underfoot. Supporting the greater good may force us to forego the big barbecues and other traditions that typically bring people together on this wonderful summer holiday, but it is critical that we all remain vigilant as we work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Thank you in advance for your commitment to your own safety and that of our community, it is greatly appreciated. 
 
As always, take care, be well, and stay safe. 
 

William Webb
Head of School 
Fountain Valley School of Colorado
6155 Fountain Valley School Road 
Colorado Springs, CO 80911