I'll go there: will BS have an in-person winter 2021 semester?

SPS goes back 1/20 or so (mandatory quarantine prior to arrival). No spring break, although I think there might be a long weekend or something between trimesters in March. They can’t leave campus for any reason other than a doctor’s/dentists visit. The year ends a few weeks early and graduation has been moved up as well.

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NMH has had a block schedule for years that sounds very similar to what you describe at DAand I agree with @Golfgr8’s pros and cons *

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In the spirit of the season, and in keeping with my poem tradition, I offer a bit of good cheer…

‘Twas the month before Christmas
And all through this “thread”
Not a student was smiling,
It’s the uncertainty they dread!

While at home from school
As they walk through their town
They are actually stressed
But the mask hides their frown

With Parent 1 on their iPad
And Parent 2 holding a flask
Both are gritting their teeth
Behind the official school mask

Will there be a Spring start?
A Winter term in the air?
For our dear students
Life just does not seem fair.

It’s only one hiccup in a larger scheme

  • you may say
    But, it’s hard to be Holiday Happy
    When your kid feels dismay

As the countdown to Christmas
And Advent is here
Remember the joy -
Your kiddos are near!

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@ChoatieMom
That isn’t what we were told. We were told kids would need to learn a portion of material on their own if they wanted to take the AP and self study. (we are NOT on block schedule so this is normal)

Apparently the school course does not cover everything the AP exam covers.

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That’s very unfortunate.

SMS is scheduled to do remote learning Jan 4-15 for quarantining purposes (they didn’t want kids to have to quarantine over the holiday). Move-in will be Jan 17. They will skip Spring Break and graduate 2 weeks earlier than normal (Memorial Day weekend). They had zero cases while kids were on campus this fall (mixed day and boarding).

There is hope for next term! The COVID test kit is arriving next week.

‘Twas the month before Winter Term,
When all through our house,
us parents wished for BS to resume.
Yep, I felt like a louse.

Our kiddo was nestled all snug in the bed,
While visions of the COVID test kit
Danced in my head.

Now, DA! Now Exeter! Now Andover & Taft!
Get our kiddos back to school or I will drink so much
That I will need a life raft!

Just checking in to see how winter term is going for all of your kids. As my kiddo is home doing remote learning, I keep hoping that the other schools are proceeding successfully with in person school.

We have a school zoom and webinar this week and next, with more details about in person spring term, but so far it sounds like it will be very similar to Fall term which was tough on the students. I keep hoping we see drastic decreases in covid numbers by the time March rolls around.

DS is in-person. No Spring Break, but instead random mid-week days off and finish/graduate 3 weeks early. Sports are happening, but no competitions outside the school. DS must test twice/week. Same precautions are in place that were indoctrinated in the fall.

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My mother taught me that if I couldn’t say anything nice…

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I wasn’t sure if this was directed at me or school…but now I think I’ve figured it out. And also wonder if other schools are in the same boat…

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Oh sorry! Definitely not directed at you!

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Cate is remote - kids going back March 8, after a 2 week spring break. Then they go through the first week of June.

Given the so.Cal numbers it a (disappointing) relief. The numbers are trending well, though, so hopefully the return date will stick. :crossed_fingers:t2: DH is skeptical. I am trying to be optimistic.

Kiddo is not a fan of remote classes, but he, like all of the other students, seems to be taking upheaval in stride now.

There will be sports when they go back to campus, and they are planning an actual graduation- though no details on what that will be like.

Choate remote start, going back Friday for 5 weeks on campus, then off for 2 weeks of spring break. Return immediately from spring break for in-person spring trimester. Fingers remain crossed.

Grateful that Episcopal is back in person, with a one week spring break followed by 2 weeks remote before returning to campus for the spring. They seem to have it down: PCR testing 5 days before return, the day of return, and 5 days after return. Kids are on campus but remote classes until the results come back from the day of return testing. We’ve been really pleased with how they’ve navigated this year so far.

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well, hold the thought on my prior post – we just got notified that there was a positive case on campus (no indication as to whether student, day or boarding, or faculty or staff). So, they have shut all the kids in their rooms (why they just didn’t isolate the positive case with close contacts is beyond me – that is what the other schools I am involved with have done) and everything is remote “until further notice and a permanent decision is made”.

This is SO frustrating. My daughter’s LDS has cases almost weekly, but they are the very small percentage of the entire school community. The school follows appropriate isolation/quarantine protocols for those affected and moves on. DS’s school seems to panic and shut down if you even mention the acronym in their presence.

^^ if the kids have been having a “normal” life in their bubble, the contact list may be quite long. And if the teachers were in the classroom reluctantly, making sure that case is indeed just one case may be required to get them back to the classroom.

Really hoping for a speedy resolution for you.

Update- The positive cases and close contacts are in isolation. All boarding students and staff were tested and were negative. Boarding students were allowed out of their rooms to eat, etc by dorm. They are allowed to socialize within their dorms.
All day students are being tested today. Depending on those results, classes will likely resume Monday in person for those who are not isolating.

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