Dear Swain Families,

If you had asked me in late August whether I thought we would be in school in mid-December, I would have said that was unlikely. Yet here we are with the purposeful sounds of learning in every room and the joyful noise of children playing and laughing on the playground. So much looks different this year but the essence of what is happening at Swain every day is unchanged. 

We are appreciative of everything teachers are doing to make school a safe place for our students as they maintain a commitment to connecting with each child and teaching at a high level. We are thankful for all you are doing to limit the likelihood of our children being exposed to COVID by following our protocols on travel and gatherings. And we are aware that following our protocols can call for difficult decisions about seeing family and friends. 

The week we returned from Thanksgiving Break the number of students attending school virtually increased from about 10% to about 20%. As the number of students learning from home increases there is a greater demand on teachers who are working hard to engage students both at home and in the classroom. 

In anticipation of a higher number of hybrid students immediately after the break and in order to allow families to carefully navigate their choices over break, we have decided that all students will learn virtually from Monday, January 4 through Friday, January 8. We will return for on-campus instruction on Monday, January 11.

Here is a link to our travel and gathering protocols. If you have traveled out of state or been part of an indoor gathering, unmasked, with people who are not in your immediate household you will need to begin your 14-day quarantine on Monday, December 28 in order to complete it by Monday, January 11.  

Other Important Notes

  • Teachers and advisors will send information home regarding updated schedules and materials needed for virtual learning.
  • Teachers will help in-person students pack go-kits that will be taken home on December 18th.
  • Hybrid families will need to pick up materials by 5:30PM on December 18th. Teachers will reach out to let families know when the materials are ready.
  • Please continue to fill out the Magnus app during the week of January 4th, 20201 if you plan to attend school in person on Monday, January 11. 
  • All students should be in uniform while learning virtually.
  • Here is a link to our virtual learning guidelines and expectations - please review these policies with your child (we will do so at school as well).