Tilton Families,

We are nearing one month into the school year, and campus life is in full swing. Our Student Life office has been organizing a variety of events, including but not limited to movie nights, Cornhole competitions, and no shortage of snacks. A stretch of lovely weather has allowed us to take socially-distant trips to orchards and corn mazes, mountains and lakes, golf courses and paintball venues. Gatherings around fire pits are a nightly occurrence on the quad, and sports, clubs, and other normal activities of the school year are spinning up nicely.

I wrote previously that post-arrival testing revealed just one positive COVID-19 case on campus, and the quarantine periods which resulted are now complete. COVID positivity rates in our area remain very low, and guidance from state health authorities continues to support our ability to deliver a robust in-person program. While there are always improvements and adjustments to be made, overall we feel confident that our preparation and protocols have functioned well, and we are ready to enter a new phase:

• In preparation for our first round of interscholastic sports this coming weekend,

our teams have begun scrimmaging. Masks are no longer required of students

when engaged in outdoor athletics activities, but remain a requirement

whenever exercising indoors.

• In all our classrooms, desks are six feet apart, ventilation is good, and teachers

are present to offer supervision. As a result, on a trial basis starting Wednesday,

masks will be “recommended, but not required” when students are seated into

class. Teachers retain the authority to implement tighter restrictions in their

own classrooms.

• In response to a change in guidance from the state, we will begin a COVID

surveillance testing program. We will test a sample population of approximately

10% of the community every two weeks. Heightened attention will be paid to the

testing of high-contact individuals (e.g. nurses, athletic trainers, and Administrators

on Duty) and high-travel individuals (those who commute to campus).

Masks remain a requirement at all times indoors when six feet of distance cannot be maintained. We continue to review other opportunities for easing of restrictions, but for now, prohibitions on travel for boarding students, visits from parents, and spectators at sports events remain in place, as do the provisions outlined in the Ram Nation Community Pact.

We feel the above adjustments will provide powerful benefits to students, while carefully managing the risks associated with COVID. Thank you for your continued patience, flexibility, and support as we navigate this challenging year. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or comments.

Truly,

David Thiel

Head of School