Dear FVS Families, 

Happy New Year! I hope that the past couple of weeks have provided you with an opportunity to rest and relax, and to connect safely with loved ones over the winter holidays. Though work has been ongoing throughout the past two weeks, I believe that everyone here on campus has been able to take a much-needed deep breath and take advantage of unscheduled time to reflect on the past year. In my own musings, I’ve come away with a profound sense of gratitude for the extraordinary ongoing effort put forth by all of our community members, and I wish to offer my sincere thanks to you all as we embark on this next chapter of our work together. 

While we are by no means out of the woods, I find hope in both the progress that’s been made on COVID-19 vaccines, as well as the recent downward trend of metrics related to COVID-19 here in El Paso County and in Colorado as a whole. This is not, however, a signal to let down our guard. Rather, it is encouragement to redouble our efforts, and inspiration to maintain a disciplined commitment to the health and well-being of our community so that we may hopefully see a return to “normal” sometime in 2021. 

This week will be focused on finalizing the many logistical details for our return to campus and the launch of the Second Semester. On Saturday, boarding students will begin to arrive and on Monday we will conduct the first of two community-wide COVID tests that are a part of our back-to-school quarantine. In advance, I ask that you please stay tuned to your email and read these communications thoroughly so that our efforts will be aligned and our community experience will be as positive as possible. 

Boarding students should arrive on campus January 9-11 and preferably between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you have not done so already, it is imperative that you communicate the specific details of your arrival to the Deans’ Office by emailing deansoffice@fvs.edu so that they may arrange shuttles if needed, and escort students to their residence halls as they arrive. Further details regarding quarantine protocols, meals, outdoor time, and COVID testing will be communicated directly to students by the Deans’ Office and Health Center. 

Day students will need to come to campus for COVID testing on Monday, January 11 between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Students may drop in at any time during these hours and no appointment is necessary. Testing will be done in the old gymnasium and students should expect to be on campus for 15-30 minutes. Please park near the administration building and enter through the doors on the west side of the building. Parents may accompany students, but must remain in their vehicle while on campus. Students are asked to avoid interacting with others while on campus and must depart campus immediately after testing to begin their quarantine at home. 

As communicated earlier, any student who has been diagnosed with COVID via PCR test within the 90 days preceding January 11 is exempt from quarantine and does not need to be tested in the January 11 round of COVID tests. A copy of test results must be provided to the Health Center at nurses@fvs.edu. Any student who meets the criteria for exemption may remain at home throughout the distance learning period and return to campus for the start of in-person learning on January 25. Should you have specific questions, please contact nurses@fvs.edu. 

As we return to campus, we must also return to the “expedition mindset” that you’ve heard me mention before. This revolves around thinking not only about the implications of one’s actions on oneself, but as importantly, to the group as a whole and our shared experience. We are in a position to write our own history, and the choices we make will dictate our path. I believe wholeheartedly in each of you, and in the power of this community, to work together to create a positive and rewarding path forward.  

I look forward to seeing all of you back on campus soon and to the great things we will accomplish in the coming semester, together. In the meantime, take good care, stay safe, and be well. 

Sincerely, 

William Webb 

Head of School

Fountain Valley School

6155 Fountain Valley School Road 

Colorado Springs, CO 80911