Message of Thanks

As we transition to remote learning, I want to extend my sincere thanks to the entire community for helping make the first four months of the year successful. I wasn't sure what to expect this year and I am so grateful that our students are thriving despite the many challenges present. We all have made sacrifices to ensure that our students, faculty, and families are safe and healthy. Because of those sacrifices, we have been rewarded with an amazing stretch of learning. I know there is more work to be done, but I am buoyed by this community's commitment to each other. Thank you, once again, for supporting our wonderful school!

With gratitude,
Rob
Remote Learning Dashboard

We are happy to share our Remote Learning Dashboard which contains all information regarding our transition to remote learning on Monday. You can only access this site through the email we have on record for you. If you are having an issue or need to add permissions for a caretaker to access, please complete this form.

Some highlights:
1) Schedule information can be found in the Start Here! section. Some schedules are still being adjusted but will be complete by Sunday. The schedules, as presented, are representative of the final product. 

2) All students brought home their device and any other materials needed for remote learning today.

3 )Please help support the expectations for Google Meet with your child(ren). Students should be dressed (not in pajamas) and working in a space that is appropriate for learning (i.e. not in bed)

4) We expect students to participate as if they were in-person. We will monitor participation in all classes.

5)An administrator will be present each day on campus to support our PreK program but the front office will not necessarily be staffed. Please email any questions or concerns in lieu of calling the school.
We are hoping that the transition will be smooth but we know there will inevitably be some tangles to address along the way. Our teachers will be prepping our students this week so they can hopefully start Monday with limited issues.

We will work through whatever challenges present themselves because that is what the Peabody Community does!
Alumni Parent Survey Results

Every two years, Peabody surveys the parents of our two most recent alumni classes to ascertain feedback on our students' transition to high school. With a 75% survey return rate this year, we are pleased to report the following results:

"Peabody prepared my child well academically with/for:"
  • Study skills/organizational tools: 94.7% Agree/Strongly Agree
  • English: 100% Agree/Strongly Agree
  • Math: 88.9% Agree/Strongly Agree
  • Science: 94.4% Agree/Strongly Agree
  • History: 94.4% Agree/Strongly Agree
  • World Language: 94.4% Agree/Strongly Agree

Click HERE to read some of our favorite quotes responding to the question: "What did you value most about your child's experience at Peabody?"
Email Communication

The need for self-care and professional/personal boundaries is at an all-time high. As you know, it can be very challenging to be mindful of these boundaries when working from home. In an effort to impose a boundary between the school day and our home lives, we want to clarify our expectations for teachers around email communication with students and with parents.  

If you email a teacher during the week, you should expect a response within 24 hours. While teachers have the prerogative to respond, even during the evening we aim to protect their personal at-home time to the largest extent possible.  

Also, we encourage teachers to step away completely from school communications between Friday at 4 PM and Sunday afternoon. It will be at their discretion to respond within that window, but it is not a professional expectation that they will respond within that window.  Thank you for your understanding and support!
CDC and VDH Update Quarantine Protocols

When someone has been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or thinks they have been exposed to COVID-19, the best course of action is to stay home for 14 days (quarantine). Quarantining offers the most protection and prevention against spreading the virus before symptoms occur. The CDC initially recommended 14 days of quarantine because that was the upper end of time when someone without symptoms (asymptomatic) would convert to having symptoms, ultimately test positive, and thus be contagious.

On Friday, December 5, the CDC added two additional options to shorten the quarantine period because the burden of sustaining 14 days at home was inhibiting compliance. Monday, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) adopted the two recommendations in hopes of reducing the spread of disease and protecting communities from asymptomatic transmission.

ALL QUARANTINE PERIODS DEFINED:

1) Most recommended and safest option is to quarantine for 14 days from the day of exposure. Monitor symptoms and get tested if symptoms begin. If no symptoms begin after 14 days, return to normal activities. Healthcare workers and workers at healthcare facilities must quarantine for 14 days.

2) If 14 days of quarantine is not possible, there are two options. Both require daily monitoring of symptoms, wearing your mask, and staying 6ft apart from others for a full 14 days. If symptoms occur at any time, get tested and isolate.

  • Quarantine for 10 days without testing. If no symptoms are reported after 10 days, return to normal activities.
-OR-

  • Take a PCR or Antigen test on or after day 5. If the test is negative and you have no symptoms, you may end quarantine after 7 days.

3) People with certain jobs (e.g., critical infrastructure other than education sector workers) should stay home if they have been exposed, but they may be allowed to go to work if the business cannot operate without them. They can only go to work if they do not have any symptoms and if additional precautions are taken to protect them and the community. Consistent with VDH recommendations, BRHD recommends that students, teachers, and other staff in the education sector quarantine for 14 days before returning to school or work. Peabody School will abide by this recommendation.
Virtual Book Fair!

Peabody School’s Online Book Fair is happening throughout December! Visit BookwormCentral.com and use the “Find your School” Green Button. Then, share the endless journey of reading! Send any Questions about this Month-long only fair to Ms. Mary Beth at [email protected].

2020-21 Annual Fund

Your participation in the Peabody Annual Fund provides essential operating support to Peabody. The generosity of our community supports almost everything that keeps Peabody running, from salaries and classroom technology to arts and supplies. This year, we are also faced with increased expenses for items such as technology infrastructure upgrades, outdoor learning spaces, additional cleaning supplies and protective equipment, and additional aid to Peabody students and families who felt the financial impact of COVID-19. We hope that you will support Peabody in this area and that you will keep in mind that your Annual Fund gift, of any size, really matters to the school. 

Thank you in advance for your consideration of a gift to Peabody School for the 2020-21 year and for being such strong supporters of our wonderful school!
Lost and Found Overflow

Please encourage your student to visit our Lost and Found rack (located in the Front Lobby) to claim all the jackets, sweatshirts, and other clothing items that have accumulated over the Fall semester. All remaining items will be donated to Goodwill on Thursday, December 17. Thank you!

Parent Information Center


  • Virginia also launched a new application called COVIDWISE. It is the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) COVID-19 exposure notification app to facilitate contact tracing in response to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

We Love our Peabody Students and Teachers!