May 14, 2022 Dear Junior School Families, Thank you all for your continued flexibility, understanding, and support as we respond to yet another phase of the pandemic. Please know that we want nothing more than to serve our students as best we can in person, but we are grateful for everyone's quick transition to remote learning these past two days. We will return to in-person learning as planned on Monday, May 16, and we look forward to welcoming your children back on campus! With the warm summer-like weather continuing next week, we plan to get the students outdoors as much as possible and open the windows to maximize fresh air flow indoors. After-school care and programming will resume on Monday as well. Below are a few important updates and reminders for our return to campus: ERB Testing Grades 3-5 - We have shifted the ERB testing dates for grades 3-5 back a day to give the kids a chance to get settled on Monday and prepare for the exam. Testing will take place Tuesday-Friday, May 17-20, with make-up days the following week for students who miss any testing days. For more detailed information, see the May 4 email sent to grade 3-5 families.
COVID-19 Reminders - Masking: In light of current case numbers, again we strongly encourage families to revisit their decisions about masking. Well-fitting surgical, KN95 or N95 masks are encouraged, as they provide significantly better protection than cloth masks. Close contacts and those returning to school after testing positive should follow masking guidance in our Case Protocols.
- Testing: If your child is symptomatic or a close contact, please get them a PCR test and stay home until results are received. At-home tests are less reliable and can produce false negatives.
- Symptoms: Ensuring symptomatic students do not come to school is one of the most effective ways of reducing the spread of the virus. Please be diligent in doing so, as we know it is allergy season, and symptoms can be overlooked.
We are very excited to welcome your children back to campus on Monday and we are looking forward to enjoying these last few weeks of school together. Sincerely, Dr. Jennifer Asmonga Head of Lower Schools |