August 2022
Dear Families,
We hope that you have had a healthy and fun summer! This August mailing contains a great deal of information about all of the things we are looking forward to when the new school year starts - meeting wonderful new families, faculty, and staff members who will join our community and jumping into new academic adventures, to name just a few. As much as we would like to begin the school year without talking about COVID-19, we continue to learn to live with this virus, and we wanted to share a few updates and reminders. We have been so grateful for the ongoing support of our families as we have navigated changing health and safety guidelines over these past few years, and we look forward to this continuing in the year ahead.
Please note that our current practices around screening, testing, isolation, and quarantine for our Little School and Early Childhood bundle families who have been on campus all summer will remain in place until further notice.
When all of our students return to campus in September, our current plan is to remain mask optional.There are times that we may adopt “situational masking;” for example, if there is a large indoor gathering, we may ask attendees to wear masks. Students who are identified as close contacts or are returning to school following COVID may also be required to mask for periods of time. Details on these expectations will be shared closer to school as we assess case levels and follow RIDOH guidelines.
It is terrific that the vaccines are now available for all but our very youngest learners - we know that this has been a welcome relief for families. Because the vaccine is relatively new for those under five, at the time of this mailing, we are recommending, but not requiring, that children are vaccinated. We will continue to expect that all students age five and older submit proof of vaccination or notify us of their vaccination plans. By August 29, parents or guardians of age-eligible students must upload to Magnus:
- Proof of vaccination for COVID-19 (e.g. photo or scan of vaccination record)
- Students who uploaded vaccine documentation using our online form last year do not need to re-upload, but we do need updated information about boosters.
- Notice of planned vaccination dates (e.g., screenshot of appointment confirmations);OR
- Submit a form for a religious or medical exemption.
To do this log in to the Veracross Parent Portal, click the orange upload vaccination documentation button, and go to the child's Student Health Tracker. Click to edit the immunization record, answer yes and upload a photo or pdf.
We want to thank those who have already been vaccinated as well as those who have appointments scheduled. We hope to get as close to a 100% vaccination rate among those who are eligible as we possibly can. Our faculty and staff are required to be up-to-date with vaccinations.
In addition to our vaccination efforts, we will continue to pay close attention to hand hygiene, cleaning protocols, and air ventilation, and students will spend as much time outside as possible. We will ask that all families screen their children for symptoms each morning, and that students stay home when they are showing symptoms of illness. We do not anticipate requiring testing to return to school, nor are we planning to conduct weekly surveillance testing.
We will update our COVID-19 page on the website with the latest information and guidance closer to the start of school. We remain ready to pivot should that become necessary, and we will continue to update the web page and communicate with you as guidance and processes change.
To be sure, our ongoing success in keeping our community safe is largely dependent on our partnership with families. We are deeply appreciative of that!
Sincerely,
The Lincoln School COVID Task Force
Sophie Glenn Lau ’88, Head of School
Peter Brooks, Director of Upper School
Meaghan D’Abrosca, Camp & Extended Day Coordinator and College Counseling Office Coordinator
Sue Farnum, Director of Admission and Financial Aid
Molly Garrison, Director of Advancement
Kara Gilligan, Dean of Students, Middle and Upper Schools
Kirsten Hammann, Director of Marketing and Communications
Debbie Hanney, Director of Middle School and Interim Director of Lower School
Ianthe Hershberger Director of Lower School
Brenda Konopelko, Chief Financial Officer
Kim Lough, Director of Little School
Diane Murphy, School Nurse