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COVID-19 Protection Planning for Current and Prospective Families and Students

Last updated 08/15/22

With guidelines from the Vermont Department of Education, the CDC, and the Vermont Agency of Health we have made a plan for the 2022-23 school year. The following protocols are based on the fact that our community is 100% vaccinated and boosted. 

We will continue to follow all the state and the CDC’s recommendations and, as we all know, the guidelines for best practices are evolving so we will adapt our plans as recommendations change. 

Visitors to campus

Visitors are welcome on campus! All visitors must be able to show proof of vaccination. If you are interested in a visit or interview, please contact Hillary Kramer, Director of Admissions.

Before students arrive

We strongly encourage students to get vaccinated, which they can do in Vermont if they cannot in their home state. Currently, all of our students and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID and have been boosted.

If you have any symptoms (flu-like symptoms, fever, scratchy throat, coughing, runny nose), we ask that you not join us, but wait for symptoms to recede and have 2 negative antigen tests before returning or coming to school.

Here are the details from the Vermont Department of Health regarding traveling to Vermont from out of state.

On-Campus

As of March 2022 masks will be optional for all community members.  The exceptions to this rule are for specific events when we may be hosting a larger group of guests indoors (i.e. the school play) when we would require everyone to wear a mask and if someone is ill. Of course, anyone can wear a mask if they choose.

If students or staff experience symptoms, they will be required to wear a mask and take two rapid antigen tests within 24 hours of each other. Even if the tests are negative, we ask that they continue to stay masked until symptoms dissipate (this can prevent other viruses from spreading as well).  They may remain at school, masked, if they test negative. We will only require testing for community members who present with symptoms.

 

Dorm Rooms and Classrooms

We redesigned our classrooms based on the physical distancing guidelines for classrooms.  For larger classes, we can use bigger spaces such as the library, the computer lab, the chapel, and the dining room if needed.  This allows for more distance between students and staff, as well as more air circulation. When possible, students are assigned single rooms. 

In response to a positive COVID test

If a day student or staff tests positive for COVID, they will be asked to isolate for five days starting either on the day they tested positive or the day symptoms began - whichever is earlier. After five days, as long as symptoms improve, they can leave their home (ie. return to work/school) as long as they wear a mask for an additional five days.  If the symptoms are not improving on day five, then they should continue to isolate until symptoms improve and then wear a mask for five days.

If a boarding student has a positive COVID test result, they must isolate in their room for five days starting either on the day they test positive or the day symptoms began - whichever is earlier.
    • If they have a roommate, the roommate will relocate for five days and until the symptoms reside
    • They will wear a KN95 mask when they need to use the restroom (we will provide them with the KN95). 
    • Meals will be provided to them in their room. 
    • After five days, as long as symptoms improve, they will be allowed to leave their room (ie. come downstairs, and attend classes and activities).  At that point, they will be asked to wear a mask for an additional five days.  If their symptoms are not improving on day five then they will be asked to continue to isolate until symptoms improve and then wear a mask for five days.

Covid-19 Resources

The U.S. COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index (CCVI) from Surgo Foundation
https://precisionforcovid.org/ccvi

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

World Health Organization