Dear San Domenico Community Members,

Yesterday evening, Marin Public Health shared this statement directing that all Marin County schools, “begin the school year with a gradual approach that includes distance learning and small in-person groups.” We are currently in the process of assessing what this recommendation will mean for our start of school. 

At this point, the official first day of school will remain August 19; however whether in distance learning mode or on campus learning mode remains to be determined. Governor Newsom is expected to make an announcement regarding schools this coming Friday, and within the quickly-shifting landscape of the pandemic, if there is one thing that is clear, it is that all plans are subject to change. What does not change is that the health and safety of our students, teachers, and community remains our highest priority and that we will continue to provide an exceptional education and a sense of purpose, the latter of which is even more critical to our students' social and emotional health at this critical time in history. As well, with our HyFlex Model, we can pivot quickly between on campus and distance learning as needed.

Since we transitioned to a remote learning environment last March, we have been working diligently across all departments and COVID-19 Response Teams to develop a comprehensive plan for back to school this fall. We will soon be sharing our back to school plan, including the orientation calendar and HyFlex academic schedules for all three school levels. In the interim, below is some information on preparations and key program changes that will be in place when we are permitted to return to on-campus learning.

PREPARATION

Your SD faculty and staff have dedicated countless hours to research, gathering information and strategic planning, and problem solving. As part of this effort we have:

• Evaluated and reconfigured all learning spaces, offices, and shared work spaces to accommodate six foot (6’) social distancing requirements.

• Assessed the use of non-classroom space such as gymnasiums, outdoor spaces, and multi-use rooms for instruction which can support physical distancing with cleaning between uses. 

• Examined ventilation and airflow for all spaces. Highest grade filters for HVAC systems are being installed and replacement will follow a specific schedule.

• Developed extensive cleaning schedules and health and safety protocols for all students, teachers, and staff. 

All of this work has been completed in consultation with a team of medical professionals, Marin Public Health, Marin County Office of Education, the National Association of Independent Schools, and The Association of Boarding Schools.

DAILY OPERATIONS 

The following are key changes to daily school operations that will be in place at least for the first several months as we return to campus, with community health and safety as our highest guiding principle. More information about the areas below will be included in the back to school plan which will you be receiving before the start of school.

• Campus access for parents and visitors will be limited.

• All day students will bring their lunch from home. Credits will be issued for fees related to lunch service for this period of time.

• School Pass, a new visitor management system, will be in place to prompt daily health screenings for all students and employees and to track attendance and campus visits.

• Extensive safety protocols will be in place including daily disinfecting, smaller student cohorts, wearing of face coverings, enforced hand washing breaks, and maintaining a physical distance of at least six feet among all individuals on campus throughout the school day. 

Transportation:

Thank you to all of our families who completed the transportation survey. At this time we are planning to maintain SD bus transportation, including adding a Tiburon bus stop. That said, Marin Public Health/MCOE has not yet released formal guidance on school bus density, and we will follow their recommendations. We do know that capacity for each bus will be reduced and families who can drive their children to school will be encouraged to do so. 

After School Care:

Due to cohort requirements, our mixed-grade EXTra may not be able to operate for the first semester. We do hope to offer essential after-school care and ask that if your family situation requires this you please contact Kristian Noden, Associate Director of Lower School.

FAMILY COMMITMENT

One of the most important aspects of our reopening plan will be for each SD family to maintain a similar level of vigilance regarding health and safety in their own households, just as we are requiring of children and teachers while in school. Any effort that we put into maintaining social distancing and cohort groups on campus will not be effective unless students and their families exercise a similar level of caution in the evenings and on the weekends. We will be asking each family to read and sign a family healthy practices agreement outlining family and student responsibility to follow all public health orders, including wearing masks and maintaining careful social distancing when students are not on campus. The more that we can safeguard the individual health of each member of our community, the greater chance we have for an “in-person” school experience this year.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY

Do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19, protect your community, and help us return to school and economic health sooner.

• Wear face coverings when not at home.

• Engage in regular and extensive hand washing. 

• Maintain six feet of social distancing at all times when outside of your home.

As Marin Public Health Director Matt Willis shared this morning, the virus is ramping up while we are getting fatigued at doing the things we need to do to prevent the spread of the virus. It is up to each and every one of us to work together and take collective responsibility.

IN CLOSING

Given all of these new protocols and routines and the unpredictability of the times, we understand that there will be both excitement and apprehension as the start of school nears. It is important to talk to your child about how they are feeling about returning to school. Please reassure them that the teachers and adults are here for them whether back on campus or in distance learning mode. We will continue to keep you informed as new information becomes available.

Sincerely,