January 1, 2022
Dear St. Mark's Families,
Happy New Year!
I write today to follow up on Thursday’s health and safety update from Mr. Warren. As noted in the email, we are taking steps to minimize large gatherings when we return to campus. These steps include a move to remote classes on January 5 and 6, mandatory carry-out dining from January 4 through January 6, and cancellation of athletic practices from January 4 through January 6. As announced earlier this month, Wednesday’s Chapel will be held remotely, at its normally scheduled time. The approach to Wednesday’s School Meeting is still being determined.
The School will move to the Orange Phase in our Campus Operations Phase Levels. As noted in the description of the Orange Phase, this means that in-person teaching is on hold, and dining logistics have been adjusted. These are the two significant changes to School operations that faculty, staff, and students need to be aware of. Upon resumption of in-class teaching, we anticipate a return to the Yellow Phase, which includes a heightened sense of awareness and precaution, but no change to the School’s usual teaching and learning or dining experiences (with the exception of two lunches, as we have been doing all year).
I know that this is a very stressful time for many families. Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the coronavirus continues to impact our lives at St. Mark’s in a multitude of ways. For many of you, particularly those traveling by plane, returning to St. Mark’s has become especially complicated over the past several days. Please know that no student will be penalized in any way if they are not able to make it back to campus on time. We do ask that if you anticipate a delay in arrival that you please contact the Dean of Students Office at deanofstudents@stmarksschool.org.
Finally, as noted in Mr. Warren’s email, local boarding students are expected to return to campus for their remote classes during the week of January 3. This decision was made in the interest of the health and safety of our entire campus community. Please do not contact Health Services to ask for an exception to this expectation. If there are extenuating circumstances that require your local boarding student to remain at home, please contact the Dean of Students Office at deanofstudents@stmarksschool.org.
Thank you very much for your patience and flexibility as we enter 2022. All of us at St. Mark’s are focused on the health, safety, and well-being of every student, and we will continue to respond quickly to this rapidly changing situation, to the extent necessary, in the days and weeks to come.
Best wishes for 2022!
