Dear  ,

During the last few months we have all been presented with a crisis that has impacted every facet of our lives. Yet, our teachers and staff worked tirelessly to continue to provide a continuum of learning and the quality of education you have come to expect from Harford Day, proving that the school's value is not tied to its physical location. 

As this school year is approaching an end and summer fun begins, HDS has been planning our reopening in the fall for several weeks. The school will follow the evolving guidance from federal, state, and local governments, as well as the CDC, to ensure the health and safety of our students, employees, and community. Despite all of the uncertainties, our priority is to be prepared to open safely for face-to-face instruction September 8, 2020. At the same time, we anticipate the possibility of a second wave of infections as well as a variety of different family needs as school re-opens. As a result, the re-opening task team is planning for multiple scenarios including face-to-face instruction, distance learning and a hybrid form of blended learning. We are confident that regardless of which scenario is warranted, our teachers will continue to deliver a dynamic curriculum that adheres to our standards for excellence. 

In our planning for the 2020-2021 academic year, we are creating a structured program and schedule that is adaptable to the following scenarios: 
  • Face-to-Face Learning (F2F Learning)
School will open as 'normal' with face to face instruction, activities and field trips and no adjustments to the schedule. 
  • Distance Learning (DL)
School will open as normal, but may close at any time due to COVID outbreaks, returning to a fully online distance learning scenario like we are in now. Closures could be for a week, two weeks, month, etc. depending on the nature and severity of the outbreak. 
  • Blended Learning (BL)
School will open in the fall under imposed mandates such as maximum number of students in a classroom, on a playground, etc. In this scenario, students may rotate in and out of school in small groups. Teachers may be the constant, teaching from their classrooms via livestream, enabling all students to learn the same content at the same time. 

Tuition Discounting
We have received inquiries about tuition discounting for continued distance learning next school year. Distance learning does not reduce the school's expenses to deliver our program. Moreover, the cost of tuition does not cover 100% of the expenses to educate a child at HDS. The gap is traditionally made up through fund-raising and the school's endowment which have both been impacted by COVID-19. Nonetheless, we recognize that Distance and Blended Learning present unique challenges, especially for the families of our youngest learners. 

As the school's fiduciary, the Board of Trustees voted to approve a tuition discount plan for the 2020-2021 academic year should Face-to-Face (F2F) instruction be interrupted for more than 30 days due to state or local government mandated school closure as a result of COVID-19. Should the discount plan go into effect, discounts will be applied based upon your child's daily tuition rate for the days of DL or BL beyond 30 days according to the following table:

Grade Levels
F2F Learning
Distance Learning (DL)
Discount applies after 1 month or more of DL due to COVID
Blended Learning (BL)
Discount for PK3-K only after 1 month or more of BL due to COVID
Little Dragons (K-Prep 3)
0% discount
50% discount
10% discount
K-Prep
0% discount
25% discount
5% discount
Kindergarten
0% discount
20% discount
5% discount
Grades 1-5
0% discount
10% discount
0% discount
Grades 6-8
0% discount
5% discount
0% discount

Responsive Tuition Awards will be proportionately adjusted in keeping with the above discount rates should they go into effect. Similarly, if the above tuition discounts go into effect, your tuition accounts will be appropriately credited throughout the year. Please be reminded, according to the terms of the Continuous Enrollment Agreement, you are responsible for the full 2020-21 annual tuition as of either June 1 or July 1 depending upon your year of enrollment. 

For your protection, families electing a payment plan of four or more monthly payments are automatically enrolled in a DEWAR tuition insurance policy. DEWAR tuition insurance may refund a portion of your fees once the minimum attendance requirements of the policy have been met if you withdraw your student during the school year. All families may elect to purchase DEWAR tuition insurance at a rate of 1% of tuition, less financial assistance, if applicable. More information is available HERE.

If your family has experienced financial difficulties as a result of COVID-19 and is in need of tuition assistance or special payment terms, please contact Valerie Kohles, Chief Financial Officer at valeriekohles@harfordday.org

We value your partnership as we navigate these uncertain times together as a learning community. In the coming weeks and throughout the summer we will continue to share more details about our planning for each scenario and work with all of you to create the best learning environment possible for our students. 

Dennis Kurgansky, M.D.
Board President
Susan Kearney
Head of School
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