Community Letter: Plans for Thanksgiving and Winter Break
Dear Community,
There has been much on my mind as of late as we seek to find a balance between our day-to-day lives, the election, and the demands of the pandemic. I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to fill out the feedback surveys we shared with you last month. This step has been an important part of our information gathering process to learn more about your experiences and thoughts around school so far.
I would like you to know that my fellow administrators and I have been keeping a close eye on the COVID-19 numbers for Massachusetts, and are cognizant of the very valid concerns that exist surrounding the upcoming flu and COVID season. Today, I hope to alleviate some stress by sharing our plans moving forward.
INTRODUCING: ONE MEDICAL
I am happy to share that we have partnered with One Medical to help us administer testing for all of our students, faculty, and staff. One Medical will also be taking over contact tracing efforts and daily health check screenings, offering direct support to those with questions about symptoms they may be exhibiting. To participate, families will need to sign up with a One Medical account and complete a consent form. Please keep an eye out for an email from One Medical with detailed instructions. A few of the benefits included with One Medical membership are unlimited 24/7 care for urgent issues via video chat and fast access to COVID-19 care and testing. Families will be responsible for the $120 cost of enrollment, which is valid for 12 months. Families in need of financial assistance are encouraged to contact Rosanna Salcedo, Dean of Equity and Inclusion (rsalcedo@csw.org, 781-398-8356) with questions.
THANKSGIVING BREAK
In an effort to keep our community safe, we are requiring that all faculty, staff, and students wishing to engage in on-campus learning be tested for COVID-19 prior to returning to campus following the Thanksgiving Break. To facilitate this process, CSW will offer One Medical COVID-19 testing on campus for all students, faculty, and staff on November 30 and December 4. The cost of this testing is included in the $120 enrollment fee described above. Students who choose not to engage in One Medical testing will need to provide two negative PCR test results prior to returning to campus.
To allow time for testing and the subsequent receipt of test results, we will be pivoting to remote learning for the week of November 30. On-campus learning will resume on December 7. The goal with this plan is to be in-person as much as possible now before the peak of the flu and COVID season hits.
November/December Calendar
Please click here for a calendar grid view.
November 25 (noon) – November 30
Thanksgiving Break
November 30
On-campus testing for all students, faculty, and staff
November 25 (noon) – November 30
Thanksgiving Break
November 30
On-campus testing for all students, faculty, and staff
December 1 – 4
Remote learning
December 4
Additional on-campus testing
This will be an asynchronous learning day.
December 7
On-campus learning resumes
December 7 – 18
On-campus learning continues (with remote Wednesdays)
WINTER BREAK
Testing will once again be required prior to returning to campus after the Winter Break. One Medical testing will be covered under the $120 enrollment fee. January Calendar
December 18 (2:30 p.m.) – January 3
Winter Break
January 4
Mod 3 resumes
This was formerly a professional development day
January 4 – 22Winter Break
January 4
Mod 3 resumes
This was formerly a professional development day
Virtual Learning
Mod Break
January 20 & 25
On-campus testing for all students, faculty, and staff
January 27
Mod 4 begins (virtual Wednesday)
January 28
In-person learning resumes. We plan to be in person for Mod 4.
After much consideration, we have made the decision to transition to a remote learning model for the second half of Mod 3 (January 4 – 22). We reached this decision in pursuit of the following goals:
- Test every student and faculty member twice after a post-holiday quarantine period
- Test and adjust winter weather health and safety upgrades in our buildings
- Consult with medical professionals and the DPH on any trends around the flu and COVID that may have developed over the break
- Allow all fac/staff and students/families more flexibility in travel and holiday plans over the winter break (without compromising community health & safety)
- Inform faculty, with advance notice, to plan around a mod that is half in person and half virtual for the best outcome for students
- Streamline Mod 4 re-entry points for returning boarding students
While it has always been our aspiration to offer as much in-person learning as possible, we feel it is important that students, faculty, and staff are afforded the space and flexibility to disconnect and see loved ones over the break, without the added worry of contracting and potentially transmitting the virus to someone else upon returning to school. We are confident that this built-in remote learning time, and safeguard testing, will help to keep our community safe in what is forecasted to be a precarious cold and flu season. We currently plan to be back in person for Mod 4.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR BOARDERS CURRENTLY ON CAMPUS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR BOARDERS CURRENTLY ON CAMPUS
In August, families expressed their boarding intentions for the upcoming Thanksgiving and Winter breaks. However, now that we have released our plans for Mod 3, and because these breaks are fast approaching, we are asking that families with boarders currently on campus complete this form again prior to November 11 so that we can effectively plan our programming for the students who will remain on campus during these breaks.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone for your collaboration and partnership so far this year. Thanks to the generosity and support of our parent community, and the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, and staff, Mod 2 is off to a great start. I am really proud of the way our community has united to develop and adapt to important safety practices in and outside of the classroom, and it has been a joy and a privilege to be on campus, living and learning together.
Of course, we still have a long way to go, and continued support will be critical to keeping our community thriving in the weeks ahead. A few weeks ago, Board Chair Ann Gorson and I shared an important update on the school’s finances. Please also keep an eye out for messages from the school about Partners in Progress, the CSW Annual Fund. Our goals this year are to raise $900,000 and reach 100% parent participation. I hope you will consider bringing us one step closer to that goal by making a gift. Your support means more than you know.
As always, please stay safe and well.
Sincerely,
Lise Charlier
Head of School
Lise Charlier
Head of School
The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.