November 12, 2020

Dear Upper School Community, 

After evaluating all of the available information and monitoring the health status of the Upper School, 9th-12th grades will return to in-person learning Monday, November 16, 2020 using this schedule. As always, connected learning remains an option for students if they choose to remain remote out of caution (US Connected Learning Policy). In our review of the data with South Central Public Health District and our risk committee regarding known cases, our contact tracing process, and the subsequent testing of known exposures, there was little to no evidence of classroom-based spread, which seems to indicate that our protocols and procedures are mitigating the risk of spread on our campus. 

As a reminder, our protocols in place include: daily Healthy Roster screening, physical distancing, masking, hand-washing and heightened hygiene practices, ventilation, HVAC filtration, and enhanced cleaning protocols. The continued layering of and adherence to these preventative measures is critical. In addition, the following adjustments have been made to better accomplish our goal of operating in-person in a reasonable and responsible way:

• Enhanced lunchtime procedures and supervision to physically distance students;
• Some courses/classrooms have changed locations to accommodate increased distancing;
• Hand sanitizing stations have been moved indoors;
• Honeywell HEPA filtration units have been installed in all classrooms not connected to a central HVAC unit.

The health and well-being of our community are always our top priority. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we moved through this process. We are excited to be back on campus with our Upper School students. 

Please reach out if you have questions.

Kindly,

Kevin Campbell, Upper School Head

Ben Pettit, Head of School

PLEASE REMEMBER:

• If anyone in your household feels ill (even slightly), call (208.309.1427) or email our Health Services Coordinator, Anne Marie Gardner. She is a vital resource for our community and can help you take the necessary steps to protect yourself and others.
  
  
• If ANY member of your household is awaiting a COVID test, please quarantine your entire household until you find out the results of the pending test. This is a very important step in preventing the spread of COVID in our family-based school.
  
  
• For more information on active cases, the contact tracing process, and the definition of “exposure,” please see our COVID-19 Dashboard on the website.
  
  
• Please continue to fill out the Healthy Roster survey even if you are not attending school in person.
  
  
• Be kind. Be supportive. Be empathetic. In other words, be a Cutthroat!