Dear Harding Family,
Our administration and board have been in discussions to determine the best course of action for our school regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. We have also consulted the CDC, Shelby County Department of Health, and other MAIS schools to evaluate the variety of challenges that we face. We are fully aware that the decisions we make will have a dramatic impact not only on our students, but on our entire school community.
After discussing a variety of options, we believe it is wise to take a proactive approach in addressing the current situation. These decisions are incredibly difficult and are not made lightly. We understand that any change in our school schedule and calendar will cause some significant temporary disruptions in the lives of our students, faculty, parents, and families.
Given that the health and well-being of
our school community
is our top priority, the Harding Academy and Little Harding campuses will be closed to students March 16–20, 2020. Our SK–12 faculty and staff will report to Cherry Road at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 16, to prepare a contingency plan for remote curriculum and instruction. It is our goal to have online plans completed in time to launch virtual learning beginning on Wednesday, March 18.
- All campuses (Little Harding–grade 12) will be closed to students through Friday, March 20.
- An announcement of the status of classes for the week of March 23 will be shared next Thursday, March 19.
- All out-of-town trips planned for next week have been cancelled including the chorus trip to NYC and the African-American history civil rights trip to Alabama.
- As of Saturday, March 14, all athletics and other extracurricular activities are suspended for the duration of next week. Athletics and extracurriculars will resume only when students are allowed to return to campus.
- SK–12 faculty and staff will meet on Monday, March, 16 at 9:00 a.m. on the Cherry Road campus to plan and prepare for continued remote education. Little Harding faculty and staff are not required to attend. Faculty and staff will receive additional communication about their responsibilities.
Although there are no known cases of COVID-19 at Harding Academy, we believe that closing the campus and planning for continued remote education is in the best interest of our school community at this time.
Please understand this is a fluid situation. We will email you regularly with updates, and those updates will be available on our website as well.
It is our prayer that we will be able to return to our normal schedule very soon. Please join us in praying for our school and our country as we continue to navigate this unique challenge.
In Christ,
Trent
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Trent Williamson
Head of School
