June 17, 2020
Dear Students and Parents,
I do hope that you are having a lovely summer despite the restrictions of the pandemic. As we have said so many times, it is reassuring to know that we are in this together and that this too shall pass. The fact that we work well together as a community, witnessed by our successful virtual quarter, will enable us all to feel confident in our plans to start school in the fall. Our teachers will be ready to teach in the classroom, in the ZOOM mode, and/or implementing hybrid or blended instruction. It was so gratifying in the spring to observe the adaptability and flexibility of students, parents, and teachers as we worked our
way through any obstacles that came along.
On that note, we would now like to give you a preview of some modifications that will be put into place to ensure the safety of our community as a whole. As President Hood has outlined for you, there will be different phases through which we will move, but we are planning to be in the physical school building starting in August. Rest assured that we are spending our summer wisely preparing for all of the phases and modes of instruction. In reference to this preparation, here are some questions and answers that may be foremost in your minds.
Q: What are the safety measures that are to be put into place, so that my child feels safe at school?
A: Our goal is to divide the school as a whole into cohorts. Because class levels are mixed in the Upper School, it is a bit more difficult to do. One method of not mixing the Lower Schools with Grades 9 through 12 will be staggered beginning and ending times for the school day. At present, we are modifying the schedule to make this work, so more information on this will be available in the middle of July.
Other measures include the following:
- Daily health checks will be conducted prior to entering buildings.
- There will be 4 to 6 feet of social distancing for students and desks; with desks facing the same direction.
- There will be reminders near the sinks that we all wash our hands frequently.
- Students cannot drink from water fountains. They can fill their water bottles in the water dispensers provided.
- Face coverings will be worn when entering the building, leaving the classroom, traversing the campus, and when physical distancing is difficult to maintain.
- There will be additional rooms for students who are ill, as they await their parents to pick them up.
- We will begin the school year by strictly limiting access to campus buildings to students, teachers and essential personnel.
Q: Will students eat in the Dining Hall?
A: Students will likely not eat in the Dining Hall. Other suitable areas on campus will be designated. Our food service provider, Pedestal, will provide lunches. Students will also have the option to bring their lunch.
Q: Will teachers receive specific training for virtual and/or hybrid instruction?
A: We learned many things concerning best practices during our recent virtual quarter through trial and error. Not only do we plan to have training sessions on the most effective delivery of material during virtual teaching and learning, but also the best means of assessment.
Q: Will my daughter be able to engage in activities, such as clubs, athletics, theater, etc.?
A: We have designed plans for a range of scenarios for our students to engage in activities. These plans coincide with the four phases of operation we have outlined.
Q: What if I do not feel comfortable sending my daughter back to school in the school building?
A: We are making provisions for this. We are looking at the best ways to include students using hybrid or virtual instruction while other students may be in the physical classroom.
Q: How will we have parent teacher meetings, such as “Meet the Teacher” in the fall?
A: More than likely, this will all have to be done on ZOOM.
We look forward to seeing you either in person or on ZOOM in the fall. Have a restful, fun family summer! You will hear from me again in the middle of July. If you have any questions between now and then, please call me at 435.5855 or email me at
jmaness@saa-sds.org
.
Best,
