Remote Instruction Continues
After careful consideration, Ivymount will remain virtual when we return for the fall semester.
As we continue to monitor state and public school decisions and recommendations, we will continue to decide about returning to campus based on the safety and well-being of our entire Ivymount Community. We will consider state and local health and safety recommendations, guidance from our professional partners, and the support of our Board of Directors. Decisions will also be made based on how well our Prevention, Preparedness and Response Plan can mitigate the health risks of students and staff from multiple counties in MD, VA and DC. We will make decisions about a return to campus for in-person instruction at pre-determined benchmarks.
Return to Campus Consideration Dates:
- October 1 (decision communicated by September 8)
- November 2 (decision communicated by October 2)
- January 6 (decision communicated by December 7)
These decision dates allow families and staff to have clarity as to when changes may occur. We believe this more agile approach will allow us to get everyone back on campus sooner, rather than deciding for the entire semester, which could prove to be too ambitious or overly conservative. It will also provide Ivymount time to: prioritize remote instruction with additional technology, software distribution and training for staff and students; secure additional PPE and needed supplies; and modify the building.
Most importantly, a delay with periodic benchmarks for decision-making will ensure there is adequate public health data before bringing Ivymount students and staff back to campus.
Return to Campus Model
When we return to campus we will provide a hybrid model of remote and on-campus instruction. A more significant percentage of families and staff reported a preference for alternating days, with two days in a row of on-campus instruction and three days of remote instruction. This option may include alternate Wednesdays on campus for students and a one- to two-hour delayed opening for students when on campus.
We are still working on finalizing this plan.
All students will have the option to remain in remote instruction for the remainder of the school year, regardless of when we return to campus. Our goal is to provide a supportive environment for families that will enable students to move between remote and on-campus instruction based on their health, personal situations and choices.
Your Input Requested
We are committed to thinking of equitable alternative options to complement your child's program while we are still remote, such as on-campus outdoor visits by classes and other on-campus or outdoor learning experiences or events. We hope to generate ideas/solutions and are open to suggestions on ways to address barriers and concerns to your student's access to instruction, services, social and community inclusion.
If you would like your child to participate in only remote instruction and do not intend to have them return to campus in person through our January 6 benchmark, please email
StudentServices@ivymount.org
to notify us of this decision. We are not asking families for this information formally yet. However, if you have made this decision, it will help us in our planning and ability to ensure a robust remote program for your child.
