Sent from Head of School David Baad via email to all current parents, faculty, and staff.
As we prepare to leave for a joyous Christmas break, I write with two updates. First, we intend to transition to a mask-optional policy at ESD for all students, employees, and visitors effective January 4, 2022. We are excited to take one more step toward completely normal school activities. More details follow below. Second, all ESD parents and employees are invited to a community gathering on January 26 at which I and other school leaders will discuss the school year and address questions. Specifics about the event will be emailed to parents, faculty, and staff on January 4, 2022.
Health and Safety Policy Update
The Health and Safety Committee and the Executive Leadership Team have determined that with widespread access to vaccines across almost all age groups and the rates of serious health outcomes from infection being low - particularly for the very young and those who are fully vaccinated - that it is now prudent to make mask wearing optional across all divisions. We support our constituents who choose to remain masked and expect all community members to respect one another’s masking decisions. We will continue to monitor the health news and reserve the option of reinstituting masks in the unlikely event that a high rate of serious health outcomes reappears. Please assume that we will be mask-optional unless you hear from me again just before school starts back in January.
With this change in masking policy comes additional adjustments to two other health and safety guidelines:
- Lunch in all three divisions will return to pre-pandemic schedules and protocols. There will be no limit to the number of people at each table. The upper school will also return to one lunch period. Please look for updates from your division head with specifics.
- Congregational singing will return to all three divisional daily worship services.
We will continue the following until further notice:
- Our quarantining policy will remain in place. Please report COVID positive cases to our nurses. Following CDC guidance, we will continue to quarantine siblings and any other close social contacts and maintain the COVID dashboard on our website.
- If your child is fully vaccinated, please upload a copy of their CDC vaccine card via Magnus or send a copy to your division office. Fully vaccinated individuals might not be required to quarantine, per CDC; however, documentation must be on file before contact tracing begins.
- We will continue to COVID test before all overnight trips.
- We will continue to offer only bread at Eucharist.
For those interested, ESD is hosting a vaccination clinic on January 2, 2022, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. All community members and loved ones, ages 5 and up, are welcome to participate if they would like. Click here to sign up and for details.
As we move through the Advent season, my hope for all in our community is that you experience the loving and healing presence of God during this Christmas break. We wish all a peaceful and prosperous New Year and look forward to seeing everyone in January.