Dear FVS Community,
Work continues on back-to-school plans and despite the overwhelming amount of new details that are identified at each meeting of our School Year 2020-21 Task Force, there is growing excitement as we look forward to being back together, in person, on campus!
To provide some background, earlier this month we convened a School Year 2020-21 Task Force comprised of representatives from the School’s administrative team, faculty, health services staff, and facilities team. This group meets weekly as a whole with smaller working groups convening throughout each week. Members of the group work closely with our Academic Programs Team, our attending physician, the local Department of Health, and the Governor’s Office to seek guidance in these respective areas and to determine best practices for moving forward, which are additionally informed by recommendations from the Association of Colorado Independent Schools, the National Association of Independent Schools, and peers at like-minded schools.
This message contains important new details about the schedule for the fall semester and requires a response from boarding students who must indicate a preferred arrival date using the form below. Thank you in advance for attending closely to all that is contained in this communication. Please also know how grateful we are for your continued patience as we work through the details to provide predictability and support amidst uncertainty.
Before diving into the details, I’d also like to share an update on the work we are doing in support of diversity, equity, inclusion, and globalization (DEIG) and to address and counter systemic racism. Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard from members of our community who have shared their desire to hear more about what actions the School will take to promote DEIG and counter systemic racism. In the coming days, I will share a follow-up blog post that will include information not only about our path forward, but also about the significant and meaningful work that has already been underway in these areas.
In this Message:
- End of First Semester Timeline
- December Distance Learning
- Communicating Travel Details for Boarding Students
- Next Steps
End of First Semester Timeline
With the expectation that travel will continue to pose difficulties, we have determined that in-person classes for the first semester will end at the close of the academic day on Friday, November 20 when students may depart for Fall Break. Students are expected to be present for all obligations on campus through the end of the day on Friday, November 20. Campus will remain open through Tuesday, November 24 for students who need flexibility with travel arrangements. One of our tasks moving forward will be to discuss with families how we may best support students who are unable to travel home during school breaks.
December Distance Learning
Our academic program will continue through distance learning for the two weeks between Fall and Winter Breaks from Monday, November 30 to Tuesday, December 15 to close out the first semester. Any assessments of first semester work, i.e. exams, will have been completed in person prior to Fall Break and our intention is to use these two weeks as an opportunity to break from the mold of our traditional schedule and models of learning. This might include different modes of reflection and inquiry such as collaborative, project-based learning, or developing online portfolios of knowledge, or a “Winterim” as just a few possibilities. We will be working closely with our Academic Programs Team and others to determine how to make the most of the potential this time holds.
Communicating Travel Details for Boarding Students
All boarding students must share details of their travel plans and indicate a preferred arrival date using the link below. Day students do not need to complete this form. Boarding students should not book any air travel or make travel plans until receiving confirmation from the Dean's Office that their preferred arrival date has been approved. All boarding students traveling by air must arrive on one of the three dates indicated below to allow for required quarantine and COVID-19 testing. Ideally, all international students able to travel at this time should arrive on the first date, August 8th. Domestic boarding students may request this arrival date as well. If you have additional questions, please contact the Deans’ Office by emailing
deansoffice@fvs.edu
.
- Aug. 8 - 1st group of air travel arrives (Ideally to include all international students)
- Aug. 12 - 2nd group of air travel arrives
- Aug. 15 - 3rd group of air travel arrives
- Aug. 15 - Day and boarding students arriving by car must begin self-quarantine
- Aug. 20 - Self-quarantined day and boarding students return to campus
- Aug. 26 - First semester begins
- Nov. 20 - Last day of classes before Fall Break
- Nov. 30 - Distance learning begins
- Dec. 15 - Last day of distance learning before Winter Break
Next Steps
With each week, we learn more, and if you are like me, each bit of new information prompts more questions. In the days and weeks ahead, our work will continue to focus on coordinating the many operational details of learning together on campus in this new world where so much is defined by the presence of COVID-19 around us. In the coming weeks, we will share additional details about ways that we will work together to modify our routines and programs to help ensure the health, safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff. The flip side of challenge is, as always, opportunity, and I am excited not only to see all of you in August, but to see what we may accomplish, together, in person!
Take good care and be well.
Sincerely,
William Webb
Head of School
Fountain Valley School of Colorado
6155 Fountain Valley School Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80911
