June 17, 2021
Dear St. Mark’s Families,
With Prize Day and the 2020-2021 academic year now behind us, we look ahead to the 2021-2022 academic year. I write today to share information and reminders about the fall. I will be in touch with families each month over the summer to provide important updates about returning to school and the year ahead.
First, I am excited to share some good news for the fall. After conversations with our health and safety consultants at EH&E, the School is planning to return to operations in the fall without masking and social distancing requirements for fully vaccinated individuals. Capacity limits on common rooms and classrooms will also return to pre-COVID-19 occupancy. Hallway directional stickers and distancing reminders will also be removed, along with the plexiglass dividers in the Dining Hall. Unvaccinated students who are unable to obtain the vaccine due to exemptions with Health Services will be required to wear a mask while indoors based on current CDC guidance and in line with guidance from EH&E. We will remain in close contact with our consultants over the upcoming weeks and share any updates to this policy, if needed.
As I noted in an email I sent last month that outlined expectations for the 2021-2022 academic year, students, faculty, and staff are expected to be on campus when School is in session during the academic year, with exceptions for health-related absences or unavoidable visa or travel issues. I believe strongly that a return to in-person learning is best for our students, our teachers, and our School, and I am very excited to welcome students back to campus in September.
In addition, last month I sent an email outlining expectations about COVID-19 vaccinations for students for the 2021-2022 academic year. As I wrote in that email, we ask that all students who are eligible be vaccinated in order to attend St. Mark’s. We also ask that families complete this agreement, a vaccine waiver and release, by Wednesday, June 23. Students who are not able to be vaccinated for any reason will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days before arriving on campus, and will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test before arriving on campus. After consultation with EH&E, these students will also be part of surveillance testing, completing twice-weekly PCR testing on campus.
Finally, I wanted to direct your attention to the Getting Ready website, which includes helpful information as students prepare for the school year. While much of the information here is focused on new students, all students and families will benefit from the information found here.
On behalf of all of us at St. Mark’s, I wish you a restful and relaxing summer. I will be in touch again in July with additional news and updates as we look ahead to the 2021-2022 academic year.
