Health and Safety Update
December 30, 2021

Dear St. Mark’s Families, 

I hope everyone is enjoying the break and that it has been restful and restorative. As we plan for our return to campus next week, I wanted to share updated information from our Health and Safety Task Force. This group has examined data from multiple sources and remains in close contact with our consultants at EH&E. The increased risks of COVID-19 transmission associated with the Omicron variant in the past few weeks have led to a few changes for next week, which are outlined below. 

Rapid Tests
We recognize the issue of availability of home rapid tests. We have been in communication with our consultants at EH&E and, as a result of the shortage of the test kits, we are no longer requiring the rapid test before arrival on campus for our students, faculty, and staff. We will continue to plan for the arrival PCR test for our entire community on Tuesday, January 4, which remains our primary transmission risk mitigation measure.

Quarantine and Remote Learning Dates
While we await the results of our PCR tests, all classes will be held remotely on Wednesday, January 5, and Thursday, January 6. Boarding students will attend classes from their rooms and day students will attend from their homes. Face masks will continue to be worn while indoors, including in the dormitories (except when students are in their room with only a roommate). 

Dining 
All meals next Tuesday, January 4, through Thursday, January 6, will be carry-out. Students, faculty, and staff will be able to walk through the servery and prepare a meal to go. Students will be required to eat their meals in their dormitory rooms. 

Athletics
No athletic practices will be held Tuesday, January 4, through Thursday, January 6. We will communicate next week on the status of the athletic games scheduled for Friday, January 7, Saturday, January 8, and the week of January 10. The Health and Safety Task Force is working in conjunction with the Athletics Department on this planning. 

COVID-19 Positive Results Over Break
Any student who has tested positive for COVID-19 over break needs to communicate this diagnosis to Health Services and be cleared from isolation by Health Services prior to returning to campus. The student also needs to provide: 
-Documentation of a positive PCR in order to determine exemption from our campus COVID-19 surveillance testing program.  
-Written clearance from the student's primary care physician for return to sports before any athletic participation. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters and Flu Shots
Please email documentation of any COVID-19 vaccine boosters as well as flu shots completed over break before returning to campus. We will require booster vaccinations for all eligible students, faculty, and staff, and will share additional information on this requirement in January.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Clinic
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will hold a vaccine booster clinic on the St. Mark’s campus on Friday, January 7, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Registration is required by Tuesday, January 4. The mobile vaccine unit will provide Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine boosters to students 16 years and older. To be eligible, at least six months must have passed since completion of the initial COVID-19 vaccine series. Parents need to complete the registration process through this link by January 4 for students to receive the booster dose. The specific location of the clinic will be shared during the week of January 3. 

CDC Isolation Guidance Update
On December 28, 2021, the CDC updated their guidance on isolation and quarantine periods, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health adopted the updated guidance for isolation for K-12 schools. For individuals who test positive and show no symptoms, the recommended isolation period is shortened from 10 days to five days, followed by five days of wearing a mask, which is in line with our current mask protocol. The change is based on the data demonstrating that the majority of transmission occurs in the early course of the illness. Students are expected to isolate or quarantine at home or with their local guardian as per our policy communicated at the start of school.

Please email adriapavletic@stmarksschool.org if you have any questions about the booster clinic or CDC guidance.

While we remain an in-person school, we continue to assess all facets of our operations, including additional scenario planning. We will continue to share important updates as needed. I look forward to seeing each of our students next week and wish you all a healthy and happy new year.
Sincerely,
John C. Warren ’74, Ed.D.
Head of School