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Sept 13: Letter to Upper School Families

Dear Upper School Families,

We write today with news that many of you will find very disappointing. We have made the decision to delay the start of our ninth graders’ return to campus by one week. They should not come to campus tomorrow, and will continue their virtual instruction.

We made this decision based on the unfolding of two recent local outbreaks of COVID-19 in high school-aged students. We are aware of at least two Bryn Mawr students who have tested positive in connection with these outbreaks, and while there has been no known exposure to anyone while on our campus, we want to give some time for any potential cases to emerge.

In addition to these two local outbreaks, the positivity rates and transmission rates for our area are now in the orange level on our rubric. Therefore, we will move to opening the Upper School in A/B groups to reduce the number of students on campus at one time. We have adjusted the on-campus opening of classes for the Upper School as follows (an updated chart is here):

Week of September 21

9th/12th grade begin on-campus classes in A/B groups with Wednesday as a virtual day for everyone.
10th/11th grade remain in Distance Learning
Wednesday’s SAT will take place as scheduled on campus for juniors and seniors
Athletic practices resume on campus

Week of September 29

10th/11th grade begin on-campus classes in A/B groups
9/12th grade shift back to Distance Learning (just for this week)
No late-start on Wednesday 9/30. Students will be informed of schedule.

Week of October 5

9-12th grade on campus using A/B group schedule

Required Testing

Additionally, before Upper School students return to campus, we will now require proof of a negative PCR test for COVID-19 as close as possible to their return to campus, preferably the Friday before beginning, and no more than one week beforehand.

9th grade: Test the week of 9/14, no later than 9/18
10th grade: Test the week of 9/21, no later than 9/25
11th grade: Test the week of 9/21, no later than 9/25. For juniors taking the SAT at Bryn Mawr on 9/23, please test the week of 9/14, as a negative result must be submitted before coming to campus.
12th grade: Test the week of 9/14, no later than 9/18.

While you may certainly consult your own pediatrician for advice on testing, the Maryland State Fairgrounds, the Baltimore City Convention Center and Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia are all allowing asymptomatic individuals to be tested for free and are turning results around in 24-48 hours. We encourage you to get a test at a location convenient to you. To avoid long wait times, it is strongly recommended you make an appointment for testing. Please send the results to Barbara Scott, School Nurse, via email (nurse@brynmawrschool.org). Any absences from classes due to testing will be excused. We may also require an additional PCR test five days after their return to campus.

Athletics

We will pause in-person Upper School athletic practices for the upcoming week, resuming on Monday, September 21 for all athletes, provided they have a negative COVID-19 test result. Virtual strength and conditioning and boxing are still required.

In closing, we want to reiterate that our ability to maintain an on-campus program for Upper School is going to be heavily dependent on families’ willingness to limit students’ involvement in higher-risk activities and their full disclosure when there is a possible exposure. We understand that it is difficult for parents to curtail their daughter’s activities. However, we ask that you keep your daughter from exposing others by reporting accurately to us via the MyMedBot app or by making a call to our Health Center if you have any questions. Your daughter should attend school virtually if there is any chance that she has been exposed.

While this is a setback, we remain committed to bringing students back to campus. Thank you for your patience while we respond in real time to a fluid situation.

Sincerely,

Nicole Hood
Upper School Director

Sue Sadler

Head of School

Barbara Scott RN, BSN

Lead Nurse

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