1. Distance Learning instruction for ALL STUDENTS for one week after Thanksgiving
Consistent with local and national recommendations, we strongly urge all families, students and staff to avoid nonessential travel in order to avoid exposure to the virus. Nevertheless like most private schools in the area we will transition back to distance learning for ALL students for the week of November 30 through December 4th.
Furthermore the Board has decided that classes will resume on campus on December 7th for the students that have already started in person instruction (Preschoolers, Kindergarten, grades 1-6, 11th and 12th grades with science spécialite for lab work).
This mandatory period of quarantine is of utmost importance for ensuring the safety of all our students and personnel and should be observed rigorously, at home and with interactions only with close family.
2. Postpone the return of additional secondary grades
Due to the current epidemiological trends, the Board of Trustees has decided to postpone the implementation of its original plans regarding the return to on campus instruction of any additional grades. Two key factors weighed on the decision-making:
- In recent weeks we have worked with our teachers on a plan for the return to campus of the remainder of our secondary grades. The only viable plan involves increasing the cohort size to the full grade level given the numerous group changes that secondary school students have during a typical school day.
- Our COVID-19 Working Group informed us that the number of cases in Montgomery County in the 10-19 age group is around twice that of the 0 to 9 age group.
In the context of the current evolution, making such an exception to the CDC principle of small cohorting would imply an additional level of risk which does not seem reasonable.
We will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and if possible we will revisit the schedule for the return of additional secondary grades in January.
3. Virtual Instruction for ALL STUDENTS for 2 weeks after the Winter Break
Consistent with local and national recommendations, we strongly urge all families, students and staff to avoid nonessential travel in order to avoid exposure to the virus. Nevertheless like most private schools in the area we will transition back to distance learning for ALL students for the weeks of January 4 through January 18th. This mandatory period of quarantine is of utmost importance to ensure the safety of all our students and personnel and should be observed rigorously, at home and with interactions only with close family.
On-campus classes will resume Tuesday, January 19th.
4. Form completion prior to on campus return after Thanksgiving and Winter Break
Prior to returning to campus all students and staff will be asked to complete a form certifying that they have observed each mandatory quarantine period at home prior to returning to campus and with interactions only with close family.