Dear Darlington Community,
Our return to school for the second semester of the 2021-2022 has seen more COVID-19 cases within our school community than at any point since the start of the pandemic. Fortunately, we are now seeing a significant decrease in our Darlington Community case count. I am grateful for everyone who has worked so hard to help us navigate these challenges, and that most of the cases resolved themselves in fairly short order.
Beginning Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, Darlington School will implement a new face covering policy. Since Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022 we have seen four new cases within the school community. This downturn, along with our collected data, gives us confidence that each member of the community can make his or her own decision regarding the wearing of a face covering.
Darlington’s new policy is that while masks are optional for all students and faculty/staff, Pre-K to 12, each person must bring a face covering to school. We will continue to fully support all the adults and students in our school community who choose to wear a mask (the CDC recommends an N95 or KN95 if possible) as well as those who choose not to wear a mask. We strongly encourage mask wearing for anyone whose immune system may be compromised.
During the academic day, face coverings may be required for adults and students, regardless of vaccination status, during certain indoor activities as needed and determined by the administration.
The school’s quarantine and isolation policies remain in effect.
QUARANTINE & ISOLATION
On Dec. 27, the CDC formally updated its guidance for isolation of individuals positive for COVID-19 and quarantining of close contacts. Darlington is aligning its policies with this new guidance and adopting a five-day isolation period for all individuals positive for COVID-19, provided their symptoms have resolved (no fever for 24 hours) by that point and maintain strict mask-wearing on campus for an additional five days. Individuals who have been directly exposed to someone with COVID-19 but are fully vaccinated and boosted if able (see CDC guidance) do not need to quarantine as long as they are vigilant about mask wearing and show no symptoms, but should test on day five, if possible. Unvaccinated individuals who have experienced a direct exposure should quarantine at home for five days and test if symptoms develop.
Please reach out if you have any questions.
Brent Bell
Head of School
All students and faculty/staff, Pre-K to 12, must bring a face covering to school. We will continue to fully support the adults and students in our school community who choose to wear a mask and strongly encourage mask wearing for anyone whose immune system may be compromised. However, there will be significant opportunities for students to be mask-free during the school day if they so choose. A school-wide mask mandate could be put into place at any time if deemed necessary. COVID-19 cases within a classroom, grade level, or division could lead to mask wearing for those students and faculty/staff for a period of 10 days.
We will require the use of face coverings by adults and students, regardless of vaccination status, in the following indoor settings:
- On all school buses;
- At large-group gatherings of 75+ where students are in close proximity (i.e. Flagpole, Upper School assemblies and chapel);
- As needed and determined by the administration during certain activities.
