Dear Schenck School Families, After careful consideration, The Schenck School has decided to proactively transition to distance learning for the three days immediately following Spring Break - Monday, March 8, through Wednesday, March 10. Our plan is for students to return to campus on Thursday, March 11. This decision is based on the following facts: - Many families plan to travel over the break and, depending on their destination, may be exposed to large numbers of people in airports, hotels, restaurants, pools, theme parks, beaches, and resorts.
- Thanks to everyone's cooperation with our health and safety protocols, the numbers of Covid-19 cases and confirmed exposures are lower within our School community; however, Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths remain extremely high across the U.S. and globally.
- In our experience, the buffer periods of distance learning following Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks helped identify Covid-19 exposures and positive cases and limited large numbers of students and faculty being required to quarantine.
By transitioning to three days of distance learning following Spring Break, we hope to: - Provide faculty, staff, and families time to closely monitor their households for symptoms and to ensure anyone they were with over the break has not become symptomatic or tested positive.
- Lessen the likelihood of having to quarantine entire classes for 14 days.
- Reduce the health and safety risks to our community and keep everyone safe.
We ask of our community: - Please do all you can to mitigate the risk of contracting or spreading Covid-19 by being mindful of the recommendations from health experts like the CDC, including wearing masks, social distancing, avoiding large groups, and washing hands frequently. We all have Covid fatigue, but now is not the time to let up on the actions that significantly reduce the spread of the virus.
- Following Spring Break, please diligently monitor your household and connected households for any symptoms associated with Covid-19. If anyone in your household or connected household displays any symptoms or might have been exposed to someone with Covid-19, please connect with Nurse Elise before sending your child back to campus. Use the Decision Tree and FAQ as a guide.
- During these three days of distance learning, please refer to our Distance Learning Playbook.
- Please do not use these days as an extension of potentially problematic circumstances, such as traveling through busy airports or visiting unmasked with individuals outside of your household. Students who are still traveling after Sunday, March 7, will not be eligible to participate in these three days of distance learning following the break.
More details and information will be provided by your child's teachers as the date approaches. Thank you for your continued commitment and support. I hope you have a safe and restful Spring Break! Sincerely, Josh J. Clark Head of School The Schenck School
282 Mt. Paran Road, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30327 404.252.2591 The mission of The Schenck School is to build a solid educational foundation for students with dyslexia and to develop their rich potential. |