Dear FVS Families,
I’m writing to share information about a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the FVS community, and possible additional cases that are closely linked. Following thorough contact tracing, we have identified more than 145 students and faculty who may have been exposed. Because of the scope of potential exposure and the possibility that more cases could manifest, out of an abundance of caution we will enter a schoolwide 14-day quarantine that begins today.
Given the serious nature of this news and the fact that it follows a sustained stretch without incidence of COVID, I delivered this message moments ago to the entire school community in-person via a live stream. Please know that this decision has not been made lightly and that we are taking these steps with the end goal of preserving the health of our community so that we may return to in-person learning and close out the year by celebrating the Class of 2021 together, in-person on May 22.
This message includes many details, so I ask that you please read through it thoroughly, and then reach out if you still have questions.
Quarantine Logistics
- All students and faculty will quarantine for 14 days beginning at 4:00 p.m. today
- Classes will take place virtually during quarantine with in-person learning tentatively scheduled to resume on the morning of May 3 pending no further developments
- Faculty who are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic do not need to quarantine Fully vaccinated means that the individual has received the full course of vaccine shots, if more than one dose is required, and that two weeks has passed since their last vaccine dose.
- Day students will quarantine at home
- Day student buses will depart today at 4:00 p.m.
- Boarding students will quarantine in their residence hall following a program similar to that of the January quarantine
- Boarding students may quarantine at their home or the home of an immediate family member if within driving distance; boarding students may not quarantine at a day student’s home
- Residence hall cohorts will pick up meals in the dining hall at a scheduled time each day beginning with dinner tonight, and return to their dorms to eat their food.
- Daily temperature checks will take place in residence halls each morning and evening
- Medication administration will take place in residence halls
- Supervised, daily outdoor time will be scheduled by residence hall
- Outdoor spaces will be set up outside each residence hall and can be accessed anytime during the day without supervision
- Boarding students must wear a mask at all times on campus and while in their residence hall, except when they are in their rooms
- Boarding students may not visit each other’s rooms
- Boarding students may use common rooms and must wear a mask
- Residence hall kitchens will be closed during quarantine
- Food deliveries to campus will be on hold during quarantine
- Packages and mail will be delivered to residence halls during quarantine
- The Deans’ Office will communicate a detailed daily schedule for meal pick-ups and daily outdoor time
Academic Schedule
Classes will follow the abbreviated daily schedule that we used during the January quarantine and that we currently use on Wednesday late starts:
- Block 1- 9:00-10:00am
- Block 2- 10:05-11:05 am
- Lunch - 11:05am-12:45pm
- Block 3- 12:45-1:45pm
- Block 4- 1:50-2:50pm
The School is working with the EPCDH to actively manage what is a dynamic situation. In the coming days and weeks, it is crucial that we monitor ourselves for any symptoms of COVID and report them immediately, no matter how slight they may be. Please also be mindful of the additional stress that this may place on you and those around you and reach out to those who are in a position to help if you need support.
I want to reiterate that we are taking these actions with the greater good in mind and the goal of stemming potential further spread of COVID and thus prolonged quarantine. And while the health and safety of our community are first and foremost in our minds, we are mindful of the significant sacrifices that have already been made by each and every member of our community—students, employees, and parents alike—and we want nothing more than to finish the year learning together and celebrating the Class of 2021 in the manner they deserve.
There are many details remaining to be attended to that include plans for Earth Day, weekly testing, our theatre production, the spring formal, standardized testing and AP testing, athletics, and other areas where students and faculty have invested significant time and effort. Look for additional information in the coming days and thank you in advance for your patience while we work through the details.
We will get through this—as we have every other obstacle put in our path by COVID—and we will emerge stronger on the other side by doing this together and tapping into the incredible strength that is found in this community. Again, thank you for your patience and persistence as we forge ahead and overcome this latest challenge.
As always, take care, stay safe, and be well.
Sincerely,
William Webb
Head of School
Fountain Valley School
6155 Fountain Valley School Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80911
