May 15, 2020
 
Dear WES Families, 
 
As the school year starts to draw to a close, I wanted to take a moment and share our thoughts and plans for the next several months. We have been working diligently to plan the richest learning experience possible for our Dragons, not only for the present, but for whatever lies ahead. 

While the trajectory of COVID-19 and its impact is unknown, we have employed task forces composed of the administration, faculty, staff, board members, and parents who will ensure that WES is well-prepared to face whatever challenges may arise. We are utilizing the many talents, connections, and skills in our community as we research guidelines and best practices. We also have been strategizing with our independent school colleagues locally as well as internationally, where some have begun to return to campus.

Summer@WES
We have made the difficult decision to transition Summer@WES to a virtual experience instead of an on-site one. We felt this was the best decision to protect the health and well-being of our families and employees. For your convenience, all deposits previously made for on-site camp will be refunded to you no later than June 1. You will receive the class descriptions and registration link for remote Summer@WES by June 1 as well. Here is a broad overview of our plans:

  • Remote Summer@WES will run from June 22 to July 31.
  • There will be a selection of both fun enrichment activities as well as academic opportunities available. 
  • Classes will run on a weekly basis, just as on-site camp did.
  • Pricing information will be available soon.

Community Connections Throughout the Summer
In the past, the summer has been a relatively quiet time for WES, outside of camp. This summer will be different. It has never been more important to keep our community connected, and we will be in touch frequently as we seek to keep your child engaged and the WES Family together. We’ll be offering a selection of free community engagement activities, such as dance parties, bingo, and chapel, for example, and we will also keep you updated on our plans for the fall as they evolve.

Fall 2020
We are currently preparing for a range of scenarios for the fall. We realize that some of these possibilities may change as developments occur around the pandemic. Scenarios include:
  1. We resume classes on September 8, as planned, under our usual operating conditions. 
  2. We begin the school year on campus, although with a wide range of modifications based on public health recommendations at that time, including, but not limited t0: promoting healthy hygiene practices such as hand-washing and PPE use; intensifying cleaning, disinfection, and ventilation; and encouraging physical distancing through increased spacing, small groups, and limited mixing between groups.  
  3. We employ a hybrid model that promotes physical distancing where only a portion of our students are on campus at a particular time (and access distance learning when home) in order to decrease the total number of people in the building.
  4. We begin our school year on-site and periodically transition to distance learning in response to public health needs and guidance. 
  5. We open with distance learning and resume on-site classes when public health officials deem it is safe to do so.
  6. We employ a hybrid of these scenarios as needed in response to rapidly evolving circumstances. 

Please know that our team is working tirelessly to ensure that, no matter which scenario is in play, your children will continue to grow as thinkers and problem-solvers, build meaningful connections with their classmates, and experience the joy of learning. 

As we move forward, we will continue to communicate in a timely and transparent manner. Kristin Cuddihy and I met recently with the middle school families, and early childhood and elementary families received information earlier today from their division directors about parent meetings where we will answer any questions you may have. 

Even in a time of uncertainty and rapidly changing circumstances, the WES Family has shown that it can do difficult things and do them well, and we will continue to do so as we navigate the coming days together.

Sincerely,
Danny Vogelman