Dear day student families,
 
We are very excited to welcome our students back to campus over the next two days! At this time we’d like to outline what to expect for day students in the weeks ahead.
 
First, Catherine Pollock, Associate Head of School, will be the Day Student Advisor. Ms. Pollock looks forward to connecting with you as the year progresses. Feel free to be in touch with her at cpollock@cushing.org or 978-827-7100.
 
Second, as Dr. Bertin previously communicated, expectations for our faculty, staff, and students will be different this year, and we thank you in advance for partnering with the Academy to help make this year successful.
 
As you’re aware, all students will receive a COVID-19 test upon arrival on campus this Thursday or Friday. After completing the test, off-campus day students should return home and continue to quarantine. Off-campus day students should plan to return to campus on Monday, August 24th for the first day of classes. Please wait to hear from a school representative prior to coming to campus on the 24th.
 
We are requiring all students and employees to perform a brief health screening twice a day via the AUXS app. If your child has not yet downloaded the AUXS app, please have them do so immediately (students should have received an invitation by email). The AUXS screening is also available as a web version via a button on our Reopening page. Each morning and night, including weekends, students must complete the short health and temperature screen and report this information through the AUXS app. In addition, Ms. Pollock will check in with each off-campus day student every Monday.
 
The following list outlines further specifics about daily operations for day students:
 
  • Each morning, all day students’ first health screening will take place at home, prior to coming to Cushing for the day. If a student has a fever or flu or COVID-like symptoms, the student should indicate these symptoms through the AUXS app and alert their parents, who should follow the Academy’s health procedures (stay home, call the Student Affairs Office to report the absence, call your primary care physician for guidance and clearance to return to campus).

  • If a day student is symptom-free, they will begin their day in the Athletic Training room in the Watkins Field House, where they will have a second temperature screening. This applies to all day students, whether they live on or off campus.
  • Off-campus day students who drive to campus should park in the parking lot by the Watkins Field House. 
  • Off-campus day students who do not drive themselves to campus should be dropped off at the Watkins Field House for screening.

  • Off-campus day students will have the option of leaving some of their belongings in a section of the Admissions Office during the day. Students should minimize travel between the Admission Office and their classes.

  • Off-campus day students will be able to use the Watkins Field House locker room to change for their afternoon activity. 

  • On-campus day students should go home during free periods and to change for their afternoon activity.

  • The Day Student Room will remain closed for the foreseeable future. Off-campus day students will be able to use the library in between class periods. Students may not sit in their vehicles during free blocks.

  • Each night shortly before 8:00 pm, including weekends, students and faculty will complete a second health screening on the AUXS app. 
 
We appreciate your attention to and support with these new protocols.
 
Next, we have had to make a few changes to day student access to the Fisher-Watkins Student Commons. For the start of the school year, we will not be able to accommodate off-campus day students during breakfast or dinner. Off-campus day students will have access to the dining hall for lunch and will sit with their Waddle. Waddle info will be released soon. And as previously communicated, off-campus day students will not be permitted to enter dorms. On-campus day students may only enter the dorm they live in with their family.

Lastly, off-campus day students should depart campus immediately following the conclusion of their afternoon activity. If and when our medical team believes that we can revise this guideline, they will do so. 
 
We thank you again for your understanding and support.
 
Best,

Josh Doyon
Director of Student Affairs