It has been another hectic, action packed week at the school and we are looking forward to welcoming back students for in-person learning on Monday.
Dual Flow Antigen Rapid Tests
One of the learnings I have been able to bring to Somersfield is my positive experience with the use of dual flow antigen rapid tests. At my former school, long before the UK government endorsed their use, we made the decision to purchase and employ dual flow rapid tests as part of our first line of defence in the face of Covid, testing staff and students alike.
I have shared this strategy with my fellow Bermuda independent school heads and I am thrilled that we have all signed up to use antigen testing in our schools on a trial basis. In embracing this opportunity, we are working to support the government’s efforts to tackle the pandemic, and particularly the Delta variant, while at the same time protecting in-person learning to the best of our abilities. While the corona virus is placing unprecedented strain on our island community I am cheered by the sense of collaboration that has developed between the schools as we tackle the challenge together.
In order for this community wide endeavour to work, we must all do our part. To that end, we will require all staff and request all students from Upper Primary through IBDP to test twice weekly (Sunday and Wednesday evenings) with the aim of mitigating the risk of an asymptomatic carrier unwittingly infecting our community members. We also hope that in demonstrating our commitment to regular testing, we will be able to avoid the practice of blanket quarantines being imposed on staff, students and their families when there has been a positive Covid case at the school. Antigen testing will also allow us to immediately test anyone who develops Covid systems while at school. For our younger learners, we will continue with the government’s saliva testing programme.
We sincerely hope that all our students’ families will participate in our rapid testing pilot in support of the school and greater community. Such ongoing efforts to keep our students and staff safe and in school benefit us all. Should you feel you need to opt out of the programme for any reason, please contact me at phowe@somersfield.bm so that we may discuss your concern. If you would like to learn more about the test we will be using, please visit https://www.flowflexrapidtest.com.
We recognise that antigen testing is an unanticipated expense for both the school and families and propose that the cost be split between the school and the student’s family. Thanks to the bulk purchasing power of the independent schools, we were able to secure a per unit price of $6.50. With twice weekly testing the cost to the family per student will therefore be $6.50 per week ($58.50 for the term). Should this extra outlay prove to be a challenge for you, please contact Dionne Dowling in our finance department to discuss your situation. And of course if any families are in the position to contribute the full amount of $117.00 or put funds forward that could ease the strain on another family or the school, we would welcome the support.
Details regarding payment will be communicated directly from the finance department next week. We hope to distribute the tests towards the end of next week in order for testing to begin the week of 11 October. Should your student test positive, we would ask that you keep them home, let the school know as soon as possible, and arrange for a PCR test to confirm the diagnosis.
Parent Zoom Meetings
The Division Heads and I would like to invite parents to join us for Zoom sessions over the coming weeks so that we may offer reflections on the first month of school and answer any questions you may have. Division Heads will be in touch with more details. The intention is to run separate sessions for Children’s House/Lower Primary, Upper Primary, MYP, and DP.
October Break
A number of families have reached out to ask how we will be managing the October break, particularly for those who have planned travel. It is our belief that breaks are critically important for the physical and mental well-being of our students and staff. And while there might be a temptation to postpone the break in the face of the disruptions caused by the Covid situation, not taking a pause after what will have been a very demanding first 7 weeks to the term is not a responsible strategy in my view.
In order to respect the government’s current 4 day test result protocol regarding the return to school/work for those who have travelled, we will provide online learning support for the week of 1-5 November for our Upper Primary, MYP and DP students. Please let the school know if you anticipate this possibility. The Children’s House and Lower Primary divisions will continue to be taught in person. We hope this will allow everyone to take a proper break and return re-energised to dive into the remaining weeks of term. Our intention is to follow a similar protocol following the December break as well.
We continue to be grateful for all your support and encouragement.
Happy weekend.
Peter
