Residential Family Spring Letter

Dear Boarding Parents,

Spring has sprung here in Rome, Ga. The increasing number of days with warmer weather has been a welcomed occurrence for everyone as we look forward to spring break.

Just a reminder that the last full day of classes before the break is Thursday, April 1. Spring break officially begins on Friday, April 2, and continues through Sunday, April 11. Classes will resume Monday, April 12. Students are being asked to complete the spring break leave form by Friday, March 12. Please help them with any necessary travel information as soon as possible so we can help schedule shuttles, testing, etc. Students traveling away from campus during the break must have a negative COVID-19 test no earlier than 72 hours prior to return. If a student is unable to obtain a test prior to return, he or she can be tested when they return with a quarantine in Persons Hall until we receive the results.  

Students are welcome to stay on campus for the break at no additional cost, and any students planning to do so should complete the spring break form as well so that we can get an accurate headcount. We will do as we did for Thanksgiving break, providing meals, activities and supervision throughout the week.  

When students return from spring break, we will finally have our annual RUMPUS house competition from April 12-16. We will have daily competitions in the afternoons instead of a weekend-long competition as we have done in the past. It will be a fun time and I hope that all students can be here for it.  

After spring break, we only have six weeks left in the school year for students grade 9-11 and only five weeks left for seniors. That time will fly by and we will be at the end of the school year before we know it. I know the seniors are so excited to reach this most important moment of graduation. We are excited for them and we look forward to celebrating them during these final weeks. The daily announcements have the most updated information for senior families regarding Commencement activities. Just a reminder, all seniors will have to move out of the houses by the end of the day on Commencement day. 

Students in grades 9-11 will have semester exams/assessments May 17-20 with make-up exam times on May 21. The houses will close on Friday, May 21, at 1 p.m. Students in grades 9-11 can leave after their last exam/assessment. Over the next several weeks, students will have the opportunity to select courses, apply for leadership positions, select new advisors, and in some cases look at moving to a different house for the next year. There will be a lot of conversation about new beginnings and a new start as we look forward to the next school year. If you have not completed reenrollment, please do so as soon as possible. Students not reenrolled may miss the opportunity for leadership selection for the upcoming school year.  

As I wrap up this letter, I wanted to mention the COVID-19 vaccine. We are still in phase 1 of the vaccine distribution schedule. Starting this week, teachers are eligible to be vaccinated. However, the Department of Public Health has not indicated when the vaccine will be available for students. If it becomes available before the end of the school year, we will communicate that information to everyone and work to help students access the vaccine.  

I hope the next several weeks are good for all of you and for all of us as we complete what has been an interesting, different, and at times challenging year. As always, please feel free to reach out to me or to the head of house if you have any questions. Thank you and have a great week. 

Best Regards,

Jennifer Rundles
Associate Director of Upper School