August 4, 2020
Dear Parents,
I hope this email finds you and your family healthy and well. As you know, it's been a busy summer coordinating many moving parts as we plan for the 2020-21 school year. I write to you today with an update regarding our plans to safely repopulate campus and with some insight into some of the current obstacles schools are facing.
Since we began this journey in March, the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has been consistent. Throughout the summer, we focused our attention on the items within our control such as: increasing health care staff and improving health care facilities; revising policies and procedures; improving ventilation in our buildings; and planning for in-person learning and developing online content for distance learning. As we have discussed, there are many elements that are out of our control: the prevalence and spread of COVID-19, the availability of PPE, and reliable, rapid testing—which is essential to safely repopulating our campus.
As colleges, universities, and schools across the country reassess their plans for returning students to school, we are at a similar junction at Avon Old Farms. The need for flexibility and adaptability continues to be paramount in this situation. To ensure we have considered all angles, I am currently consulting with our medical director, experts from Hartford HeathCare, and members of our COVID team regarding the prevalence of the disease and issues surrounding reliable, rapid testing. With the spread of the disease surging in a majority of states, the impact on testing has once again become problematic with potential 7-10 day turnaround times and the inability to obtain rapid, on-campus testing machines.
I am keenly aware that the uncertainty of this situation places an enormous burden on our families. I am also sensitive to those traveling long distances who may need to begin their journey to Connecticut soon to meet the 14-day quarantine requirement. To give our community an opportunity to prepare and adjust, we have decided to push the start date back with classes beginning on Tuesday, September 8. An updated repopulation plan will follow this announcement. The extra week will also allow Glenn Wilcox, our director of facilities, and his team much needed time to finish adding air exchange systems to our classrooms and dormitories. The installation has been an incredibly time consuming but necessary project this summer, and the additional time will ensure these projects are completed by the time students return.
Once I assess the latest information and finish meeting with healthcare experts over the next few days, I will communicate more information on Monday, August 10. Please plan for a parent Zoom meeting on Monday evening at 7 p.m. EDT to discuss our plans and address questions you may have.
It is imperative that students and parents remain diligent and cautious as we head into the final weeks of summer vacation. Each of us needs to do our part to ensure we enter the fall semester with a clean, COVID-free campus.
Participating in summer sports, attending sports camps, or attending large social gatherings in the weeks prior to the start of school are risk factors, and we ask that you consider these factors and the entire population of Avon Old Farms as you decide between distance and in-person learning for the fall semester.
Thank you for your continued patience and support as we navigate the challenges of this situation. The health and safety of the community is the foundation of our plan for the fall. We're hopeful, we're excited, and we're persevering toward the firm goal of our students returning to Mrs. Riddle's campus and bringing the Brotherhood together again.
Aspirando et perseverando,
Head of School AVON OLD FARMS |