Dear FVS Community,
I’m writing with an update following the first round of community COVID-19 testing, which included all employees and returned one positive case among the more than 100 that were administered. The individual who tested positive is in isolation and has been asymptomatic, and they have been following our community’s COVID-19 protocols of consistently wearing a mask and maintaining physical distance in their daily behavior. As a result, primary exposure was limited, and the few individuals identified through contact tracing have been notified and are undergoing precautionary quarantine. Please also know the individual who tested positive had no interaction with the students who returned to campus today.
While this news may conjure a range of reactions, I am glad to report that our testing protocol has worked as designed and this is why we have it in place. It is also important to note that the timing of our employee testing was intentional so that any cases could be isolated in a timely fashion to help ensure a safe space into which to welcome students. Moving forward, it is critical that we all remain vigilant in adherence to our Community Commitment, wear a mask, maintain physical distance, practice good hygiene, and monitor/report any symptoms.
As a reminder of our return to campus plan, all students will be tested this coming Monday and then again on January 21. Throughout the second semester, half of all students and employees will be tested each week so that our entire community is tested every two weeks.
Here on campus, snow has been falling and students are arriving and settling in. We’ve been hard at work over the past few weeks so that all is in place to welcome and support them during quarantine and in the semester ahead. This includes enhancements to food service based on valuable feedback from students and additional programming to enrich the experience and support the overall health and well being of our community. We will continue to communicate updates via email, and look for the return of FVS Weekly as classes get underway.
As always, please take good care, stay safe, and be well.
Sincerely,
William Webb
Head of School
Fountain Valley School
6155 Fountain Valley School Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80911
