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Dear Hotchkiss Families,
We write today to share an update on the next phase of Reopening Hotchkiss.
On Friday, the COVID-19 Steering Group reviewed a range of factors to determine whether the School could move from in-dorm quarantine (Phase 0) to Phase 1 of Reopening, including local infection rates and other campus conditions. Last week approximately 10% of the students and employees were tested as part of our weekly surveillance testing, and all results were negative.
The ongoing safety protocols of daily symptom monitoring, masking, distancing, and hand/surface hygiene remain the same as in Phase 0. However, students can now begin to interact with others outside their pods in structured ways. It is important to remember that whenever two people spend time within six feet of each other for 15 minutes or more, they will be considered "close contacts" and would need to quarantine in the event that either of them were to test positive. |
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Dormitories
Students may now socialize within their dorm floor in the hallways, but they must be masked at all times when outside of their rooms or when using the bathroom. Bathroom protocols are unchanged. All residents must remain six feet apart. There is no interdorm visitation.
Classes
Beginning yesterday, the significant majority of classes were held in-person, keeping to established physical distancing and room occupancy limits. Teachers are using a variety of technology solutions, including OWL cameras installed in classrooms, to engage with students who are learning remotely. The time between classes has been extended to 10 minutes to reduce the concentration of people in hallways.
Athletics and co-curriculars Athletic activities and co-curriculars began on Friday. Athletic teams will operate on a phased approach that stresses safety and conditioning in early phases and moves gradually toward more intense play.
Day students Day students have returned to campus for classes and co-curricular activities. Each student has been assigned a personal study space in the library. Day students may not enter the dorms and will leave campus after their last commitment or dinner. If infection rates spike in the local area, day students may be asked to stay off campus for a period of time.
Dining Dining is now operating a grab-n-go model. People may eat in designated seating areas while maintaining physical distance or sitting in seats separated by plexiglass barriers. Lunch and dinner are scheduled into three hourly slots each day. Each student is assigned a pick-up time at one of the following locations: Dining Hall, Student Center, and Monahan. Breakfast is not scheduled, and community members are encouraged to grab non-perishable breakfast foods during dinner pickup. The Snack Bar will be open between dining times during the day, and fruit will be available as always.
Campus services
Students now have access to campus services in the Main Building including the Post Office, Bookstore, and Library. Students must follow instructions and guidance of faculty and staff pertinent to each location.
Evenings & weekends All students will report to dorms for study hall. Upper class students, when directed, may reserve space in the Main Building or other designated campus spaces for evening study. Supervised study halls, drop-in math and science help, and writing support will be remote. All club activities will continue to be remote.
Students may access indoor supervised or structured spaces (e.g., MAC, EFX, art studios, practice rooms) during designated times. They must follow safety protocols appropriate for each space. Dining will remain scheduled on weekends.
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We are very pleased to have reached this point in the Reopening plan. We are aware that the quarantine period has been challenging in a number of ways. Our ability to move to Phase 1 is the result of the collective vigilance of students, faculty, staff, and parents.
We will continue to open up thoughtfully and deliberately. As we see in the news, there are many examples of communities and schools across the nation and around the world that have relaxed protocols too quickly and have had to shut down.
Despite the desire we all have to return to something closer to normal, it is important to remember that the "bubble" we have established here is fragile. We have dramatically reduced comings and goings on campus, but many campus residents commute to school or work off-campus, and day students and other employees come and go to campus every day. Because many people who have the virus are asymptomatic, it could easily sneak back in.
Therefore, as good as we feel about having gotten to this point, we must stay vigilant. Moving forward, we will continue with weekly surveillance testing of approximately 60-70 people, including students and student-facing adults. We plan to update test results on the Hotchkiss website each Monday. In parallel, mask wearing, physical distancing, good hand/surface hygiene, as well as regular symptom monitoring remain our best layers of protection -- even more than testing.
The Steering Committee will continue to monitor test results, local conditions, guidelines from the state, and other factors. Please be aware that in the event of cases of the virus on campus or an increase of infection in the local area, it may be necessary to return to quarantine status ("Phase 0").
The safety of this community is of paramount importance. We thank you for your support during this challenging time.
Richard Davis Associate Dean of Faculty COVID-19 Coordinator
Danielle Shippey, B.S.N., R.N. Director of Health Services Jared Zelman, M.D., F.A.C.E.P. P'04 Medical Director
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