Head of School Blog: March 11, 2021

Dear Parents,

As we approach spring break, the pace of school life has increased, along with the temperatures outside. This past weekend’s return of live student performances in the PACC offers us just a hint of the activities that will occur in April, May, and June on campus. One can sense heightened spirits and feel renewed hope as the promise of mass vaccinations become a reality. Our collective desire for an end to most of the year-long COVID-based restrictions seems to be within sight for the summer and the next academic year. With the opportunities to return outdoors and the imminent chance for everyone to rest and renew, better days are ahead.
 
As you make plans for the break, please note the following changes in our calendar and testing program, along with information from our school nurses:

• Testing was not done this week; test kits will be distributed today, Thursday, March 11, and Friday, March 12, to take home and save for use after spring break.
• After the break, test samples can be dropped off on Sunday, March 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Monday, March 29, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the main entrance of the Cox building.
• There will be no classes on Monday, March 29; all classes will be remote on Tuesday, March 30.
• It is anticipated that in-person classes will resume on Wednesday, March 31.

We ask families traveling to any U.S. state beyond the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) or abroad to quarantine under the following CDC and State recommendations:

• Travelers should consider getting tested with a PCR test (not a rapid or antibody test) no sooner than three days (72 hours) after returning home.
• All students will participate in our testing on March 28th and 29th as outlined above. Your child may choose to use this GSB test cycle for their travel quarantine testing, provided the testing is no sooner than three days after your return.
• If travelers test negative, they will quarantine for a full seven days after travel, returning to school on day eight.
• If testing is not available (or results delayed), travelers will quarantine for 10 days after travel, returning on day 11.
• After travel, please email your division nurse the last date of travel and the negative PCR test. 

We will continue to monitor guidance from health officials and make adjustments as soon as they are safely possible. Planning is already underway for some special events, such as the closing exercises, prom, and commencement. We are also excited to be hosting the GSB Summer Institute and GSB Summer Camp in person, starting in June, which will provide students a plethora of opportunities for fun, exercise, enrichment, and academic preparation for the coming year.
 
This time of COVID-19 has been a long and challenging one for all of us to navigate. Just as in our GSB Players production of Two by Two, the story of Noah's preparations for the Great Flood and its aftermath, we have also experienced a global catastrophe. Soon, we will put this behind us, and I am confident that our future is bright.
 
Here’s wishing you and your family a wonderful spring break.