COVID-19 UPDATES

The school is equipped to provide quarantine for students who require it, but families are encouraged to quarantine off campus, if able. The quarantine should take place in a state that does not require another quarantine upon arrival to CT (this changes daily, please refer to the State of CT Travel website).

International students are required upon arrival in the U.S., to quarantine for 14 days.  If an on-campus quarantine is required, students must arrive on campus between August 23 and August 25 and must contact the Deans' Office well in advance.

Students who test positive for COVID-19 while in the 14-day quarantine and within the 7 days before coming back to campus in the U.S., but who are not sick enough to warrant hospitalization are required to leave campus within 24-hours of diagnosis. Please remember, all students are required to have a local contact who can pick them up and care for them during the mandated isolation or quarantine period.

General Details Regarding On-Campus Quarantine:

• Currently, all international travelers and those arriving from a state listed on the CT Travel Advisory list must quarantine for 14 days. Please refer to the State of CT Travel website for the most up-to-date recommendations.. 

• Students who simply travel through (flight layover, rest stop, etc) a high-risk state from a low-risk state need not quarantine.

• Quarantine is the best option to prevent spread of disease. However, if a 14-day self-quarantine is not possible, travelers arriving from a state on the State of CT Travel website may enter Connecticut if they have had a negative viral test (not an antibody test) for COVID-19 in the 72 hours prior to travel.

• Students who are required to quarantine may arrive on campus on August 24. The deans' office will communicate details with families who meet the quarantine criteria.

• Students are welcome to quarantine off-campus at a hotel or home, as long as they do so in a state considered to be low risk. See the State of CT travel website for listing.

• Students quarantining on campus will be placed in single rooms.

• Students will be provided opportunities to socialize with others, but only while adhering to strict physical distancing and masking.

• Students quarantining on campus will be required to practice physical distancing and wear masks at all times outside of their dorm rooms.

• Once a student arrives for quarantine, he will not be allowed to leave campus for any reason.

• Students who quarantine on campus will have the opportunity for twice daily activities organized by the school.

• Students will have access to three meals daily

Under the guidance of the CDC and State of CT, Salisbury School is implementing measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its community. One of those measures is the State of CT mandate, requiring that all students, faculty and staff receive a negative COVID-19 virus test 7 days prior to their arrival on campus. While we recognize that testing availability, options and turnaround time vary widely around the world, we are required nonetheless to mandate it.

The School is happy to accept test results from abroad.  Salisbury School's student insurance policy is provided by United Healthcare Student Resources. The policy is quite comprehensive and covers medical expenses, including those related to COVID-19. Please note that the vast majority of individuals who are diagnosed with COVID-19 will require only home care under the supervision of the local guardian. Students whose symptoms are severe and require hospitalization will be sent to Sharon Hospital for evaluation and treatment.

General Details Regarding COVOD-19 Testing:

• The State of CT requires that all students receive a negative COVID-19 virus test within 7 days of arrival on campus.
• Tests must be molecular/PCR-type tests. Rapid antigen testing is currently not acceptable.
• For families' convenience, a COVID-19 virus test requisition will be available for download/printing from the student's Magnus Health account on August 15. An email will be sent when it is published.
• As testing availability and options vary depending on where the student is located, performing a web search for "COVID-19 testing sites near me" is a helpful way to find options nearby. Families are encouraged to contact the testing site prior to testing. 
• Alternatively, families can order a home test via Labcorp.  If you choose to use Labcorp, you will need to complete a brief screening questionnaire. Please select "congregate setting," as the boarding school environment qualifies as such.  Or choose another vendor at:  https://www.vaulthealth.com/covid
• Students must provide documentation of a negative test prior to arrival on campus. Students arriving without evidence of a negative test result will need to remain off campus until negative test results are available.
• Students who test positive for COVID-19 should not travel, should adhere to public health guidelines, and must receive clearance from the school prior to arrival on campus.
• The School will perform surveillance testing, as well as other safety measures, throughout the school year in order to maintain the healthiest environment possible.

Salisbury's entire faculty participated  in five weeks of professional development through Mount Holyoke College this summer, as part of the Teacher Leadership program.  Faculty partook in a series of virtual workshops focused on best practices in online and hybrid course development.  This opportunity has provided our faculty with enhanced learning methods which will be implemented this upcoming academic year.

For a broad look at our model please refer above to the Downloadable Documents section.  Here, you will find a basic outline of our model and the weekly fall schedule.  These documents are designed to provide an overview.  A more formal plan will be made available as we move toward September.

A Clarification on Terminology:

• Hybrid Learning: This term refers to students who are connecting to all classes live. This can be a mix of in-person and remote.
• Blended Learning: This term refers to when some students are attending some classes live but others asynchronously. This is the term we will use for any of our students who are unable to return to campus this fall, and for whom live attendance to all classes may be challenging due to time zone constraints.
• Distance Learning: This term refers to a situation where all students are learning remotely. We will use a different schedule than the one provided here for situations like this. That schedule will be released separately.

A remote learning option will be in place for all students who are unable to return to campus.  For a broad look at our model please refer above to the Downloadable Documents section.  Here, you will find a basic outline of our model and the weekly fall schedule.  These documents are designed to provide an overview.  A more formal plan will be made available as we move toward September.

Salisbury's entire faculty participated  in five weeks of professional development through Mount Holyoke College this summer, as part of the Teacher Leadership program.  Faculty partook in a series of virtual workshops focused on best practices in online and hybrid course development.  This opportunity has provided our faculty with enhanced learning methods which will be implemented this upcoming academic year.

Students who are ill with minor non-COVID illness will be evaluated and treated on campus and will be allowed to convalesce in their dorm rooms. Students who require close supervision or care or those with COVID-related illness must leave campus within 24 hours of diagnosis. This allows the School to maintain a healthy environment and direct its resources to keeping the campus open. To that end, all students are required to designate a local guardian/emergency contact who can pick them up and care for them during the mandated isolation period. These individuals agree to retrieve the student and assume care within 24 hours in the event of illness, need for quarantine or school shut down. Salisbury will provide short-term care while awaiting student pick-up, but is not able to provide long-term care or quarantine on campus. Families in need of a local guardian may contract with an outside company for these services. Here are 2 local options: 

• www.studenthealthadvocates.com
• https://www.bostoncss.com/services/

Please note that the vast majority of individuals who are diagnosed with COVID-19 will require only home care under the supervision of the local guardian. Students whose symptoms are severe and require hospitalization will be sent to Sharon Hospital for evaluation and treatment.

With a modified interscholastic schedule beginning at some point in October, it is our hope that the Pod Training System will serve the needs of our student-athletes.  Salisbury aims to maintain the integrity of a fall sport experience as well as provide student-athletes with the option of training and preparing for seasons to come in small groups or “pods”.  This year will look different than in the past. NEPSAC has waived the notion that coaches cannot coach out of season.  For this year, we will transition into a program where each student will choose just one sport and train in small groups when they return to campus in September.  Students will have 15 different sports making up 39 training pods. 

For further details and to access the updated athletics form, click here.

Indicated below are important dates regarding your son's arrival on the Hilltop.  Please note that the date for student leaders and fall varsity athletes has changed.  Salisbury will be assigning families to specific arrival dates and times and will communicate via email.  Should the preassigned time slot pose an issue for your family, you may contact the Deans' Office to be re-assigned. It is critically important that we comply with the State of Connecticut's mandates regarding the safe opening of school.  Please pay close attention to the specifics applicable to your son when planning your travel to the Hilltop for the start of school.  Student dorm rooms will not be accessible prior to your son's specific arrival date and time.  Finally,  we ask that only one parent/guardian accompany students to campus for drop off.  Proof of your son's negative COVID-19 test within 7 days of your son's arrival is necessary.  Parents or guardians need not be tested, but must wear a face covering and adhere to 6-ft physical distancing when on campus. 

• Sunday, August 23 - Tuesday, August 25: Arrival window for all INTERNATIONAL students requiring on-campus quarantine.  Off-campus quarantine may be conducted only in states not listed as high-risk.  Families will receive an email from the Deans' Office in the coming days to confirm the details of your quarantine plans.  Visit CT Travel to determine which states are applicable.
   
• Monday, August 24: Arrival date for all students traveling from a state designated high-risk.  Off-campus quarantine may be conducted only in states not listed as high-risk.Families will receive an email from the Deans' Office in the coming days to confirm the details of your quarantine plans.  Visit CT Travel to determine which states are applicable.  Please be aware that the list is updated regularly. 
   
• Monday, September 7: Arrival date for student leaders, varsity soccer players and all football players. With the  postponement of interscholastic sports until October, we have decided to cancel preseason, negating the need for preseason arrival.  Sport-specific training and team-building activities will begin in September.
   
• Tuesday, September 8: All remaining NEW and RETURNING students arrive on campus.

The State of Connecticut mandates that each student arriving on campus must have a negative COVID-19 test that has been administered within seven days of arrival.  In addition, each arrival date will require adherence to all social distancing guidelines, including the wearing of masks.  In order to accommodate everyone, we ask that families limit their arrival to their 90-minute preassigned appointment. 

Your son’s tutor will remain the same and tutoring sessions will continue via Skype or FaceTime. Your son’s tutor will be reaching out to schedule their regular meetings. Learning Center tutors will work closely with teachers to ensure they are aware of what is happening in each class and will have access to all platforms necessary to help students meet expectations. Billing from the Business Office will continue as usual.

Advisors will play a critical role in shaping the online experience for students and building community while we are not able to be together on The Hilltop. Advisory groups will meet three times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to check-in, share important updates, and provide information about various virtual events. Students can also expect to have individual check-ins with their advisor each week.

Students with learning differences who are currently receiving approved academic accommodations will continue to receive the same accommodations in the online setting. Please keep in mind that accommodations may not translate perfectly from the classroom to the virtual platform and some flexibility may be required. Specific questions or concerns about accommodations can be directed to Kati Brandon, Director of the Rudd Center for Learning and Academic Growth at kbrandon@salisburyschool.org.

Counseling:
Mental health support services will be available to students during this time. Unfortunately, due to licensing regulations, Salisbury School counselors are unable to provide formal therapy across state lines. They can provide solution-focused conversations geared toward helping students access support and resources in their local communities. Counselors will also be offering self-care activities, coping skills, and wellness resources. Please visit our Mental Health webpage for details and available resources.

Health Services:
The health services team will continue to serve as a resource for information and support for students and families during our distance learning period. For more information contact Director of Health Services Beth Hammond at bhammond@salisburyschool.org.

Student Support Team:
The Student Support Team will continue to meet on a regular basis to discuss specific student needs and community-wide needs.

Salisbury School recently communicated with families the decision made by the Board of Trustees to offer partial reimbursement for the spring trimester.  In order to participate, we ask that families complete the 2020 Spring Trimester Reimbursement Form before June 1. 

To access the 2020 Spring Trimester Reimbursement Form you must first login to the Parent Portal and scroll to the Useful Links section of the Parent Resources Tab.

Please check the College Board website for the most updated information about test center closings. We advise all students taking the March 14 SAT to confirm that their test site is open by checking the College Board website on Friday evening/Saturday morning. Unfortunately, Salisbury will not be notified if a test center has closed or if a test site has moved.

Students who are registered to take the ACT should know that ACT is consulting with local government and school officials to make the appropriate decisions about cancellations or rescheduling of testing.

If any test centers for the April test date are closed, ACT will notify impacted students and test center coordinators directly, as well as post and update information regarding the closures on this website Students may contact ACT directly to reschedule for the June administration.

College admission officers know that there has been/will be disruption this spring, and we anticipate that they will be understanding regarding individual students’ circumstances. Fifth formers should talk to their college counselors if they have concerns about how actual or potential cancellations will impact their testing plans.

If you have specific questions regarding standardized testing this spring, please contact Leanne Larson at llarson@salisburyschool.org.

1.       Monitoring
 We continue to closely monitor updates from local, state, and national officials, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and from the World Health Organization (WHO). We are also in communication with both local and state departments of health, Sharon Hospital, and with peer schools.

2.       Following travel guidelines/recommendations
 We are guided by recommendations of the CDC, WHO, and public health officials and taking extra steps as considered necessary to protect our community.  Salisbury requests that students, faculty and staff refrain from traveling to areas designed by the CDC as Level 2 or higher as well as other high-risk areas.  Please check the CDC travel information website for current information. Any student traveling to or from Level 2 or higher countries must remain off campus and symptom-free for 14 days after leaving the country with a travel advisory.  Should the situation arise, please be prepared to find alternative quarantine arrangements for your son, as students will not be allowed to quarantine at Salisbury School.  

3.       Preventative measures on campus
As of March 18, 2020, the Salisbury School campus is CLOSED to all visitors until further notice.  School-related deliveries will be allowed access to campus. 

We are working with service providers across campus to prevent the spread of germs. Upon return to campus, Salisbury will be implementing measures to reduce the potential spread of viruses. These include reinforcing best hygiene practices, modifying dining services protocols, increased cleaning and sanitation measures and making adjustments to our daily schedule, if needed.

In the interim, Salisbury School Housekeeping staff continues to work diligently to maintain the highest level of disinfection possible at the school.  Housekeeping Supervisor Patti Stevens, recently completed a certification program on cleaning management.  She has instructed her staff on the proper disinfection procedures, using EPA-approved chemicals.  The School has a good supply of cleaning products, and has made hand-sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and disposable gloves available to all students and employees.  The staff has also been practicing social-distancing, and soon will begin staggering their work shifts, to further limit contact with others.  After a thorough cleaning, buildings on campus that are not in use have been closed.  This has allowed our staff to solely focus their cleaning and disinfection efforts on the one dormitory that remains open and the few other accessible buildings on campus.

Salisbury’s athletic department will be working to re-design a competitive schedule for all of our spring teams that will provide our Knights with valuable playing time for our final trimester, as some school's (the Founders League) have recently released that they have canceled their spring athletics.

Are Salisbury’s international trips still happening?

No. Following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations against international travel for school programs, we have canceled our March Break trip to Indonesia because of the extremely fluid nature of the COVID-19 outbreak.

What about domestic school-sponsored trips?
As of March 9, all domestic March Break trips have been canceled.

Individuals who meet any of the following criteria should contact the Health Center for clearance before returning to campus:

·         do not feel well or have a fever and/or respiratory symptoms within five days of their planned return

·         have traveled to an area designated by the CDC at a level 2 or higher within the last 14 days

·         have traveled on a cruise within the last 14 days

·         have been in contact with a person being tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19

The Health Center staff is available to provide care for students 24/7. Most likely, a symptomatic student will have a cold or the flu and not COVID-19. However, we are preparing as best we can for the occurrence of the virus on campus and will work in partnership with Sharon Hospital and our local and state Departments of Health to manage students of concern. Health Center staff members are undergoing special training to prepare for this possibility. Should the situation arise, please be prepared to find alternative quarantine arrangements for your son, as students will not be allowed to quarantine at Salisbury School.

The Salisbury community has provided accommodations for students to remain on campus during our March Break in lieu of returning home to family in areas designated high-risk by the CDC.  Advisors, deans, the health services team, and many other adults on campus have also provided support during this time of uncertainty. The Salisbury community is prepared to continue its support of those most impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.