Upper School Boarding: Spring Break Information for Residential Families

Dear Residential Parents,

It’s so nice to have students back on campus! Several new students joined our community after the holiday break and some of our virtual learners from the first semester were able to return to campus. Today, I’m writing to share some information on COVID-19 as it relates to boarding students and spring break.  

As a boarding program, we had another great start to the semester in terms of COVID-19 cases. The return with testing allowed the school to feel confident that our students were starting the semester safely. Some parents have asked about the COVID-19 vaccine and the possibility of students receiving it prior to the end of the school year. Our access to the vaccine is determined by the Georgia Department of Public Health, who is planning for distribution in three phases. Our community is currently in phase 1A as seen below: 

Should we enter the phase in which the vaccine is available to students prior to the end of the school year, we will do what we can to assist those who would like the vaccine to get it. The latest communications from DPH indicate that school-aged people will likely not have access to the vaccine until mid- to late-spring, which could put the potential availability beyond our last day of school. However, we currently do not have an exact date. We will keep you apprised of any new information. Please click here to review the state distribution plan.  

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently released new travel requirements regarding COVID-19. People traveling to the United States from outside of the United States will be required to have a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from a medical professional to board their flight to the U.S.A. starting on Jan. 26, 2021. Click here for more information regarding this new requirement.  

As we expressed prior to Thanksgiving break, we understand that travel can be challenging during these shorter breaks. For that reason, our boarding program will remain open for spring break, which takes place Friday, April 2, through Sunday, April 11. Students have the option to stay on campus at no cost or travel home for spring break. All students leaving for spring break, whether domestic or international travel, will be required to have a COVID-19 test upon return. Students can test up to 72 hours prior to return as long as they reduce exposure after the test before returning. Students that test positive for COVID-19 after Jan. 15 will be within the 90-day immunity period and will not be required to take another test in order to return.  

We look forward to finishing out the second semester strong just like the first, keeping our COVID-19 cases to a minimum while, at the same time, providing the best student experience possible. Thank you for your cooperation and continued support.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Rundles
Associate Director of Upper School