Back-to-School Orientation

Prior to the start of school, your family will receive information about parent and student orientations, the first day of school and student schedules. Small-group orientation will include time for parents and students to visit classrooms and meet teachers/advisors, and will include one-to-one device distribution and training for third and sixth grade students as well as other new intermediate and middle school students.

Because of the limitations on visitors to campus, all parents and guardians are encouraged to participate in the orientation programs, as this will be the sole opportunity to see your child’s room at the start of the year.

Information regarding your child’s teacher(s) and classroom will be shared prior to orientation. During orientation, students and parents will learn details about the daily schedule and what they can expect on day one.

Student Life and Learning

Across the campus, we are working to limit the number of individuals that students come into contact with over the course of the day. In the Early Childhood program, we are doing this by decreasing density in the classrooms. For all other grade levels, this is achieved by rebuilding schedules to keep students in discrete cohorts and rooms. Specials will occur on a rotating basis and at various times, faculty will move between classrooms or provide remote instruction to a class.

While school will look and feel different from usual in many ways, it will also feel quite the same in that we will open the year eager to support our students’ growth and to usher them into the school year comfortably with care and attention to their needs. We are also committed to continuing a well-rounded program that fosters academic growth, supports health and well-being, and cultivates the development of the whole child.

Athletics

Due to the high risk of close-contact transmission and issues surrounding transportation to and from other schools, we are not able to offer interscholastic athletics during the fall season. This includes boys soccer, boys and girls cross country, girls field hockey and girls tennis. We are currently exploring club and other non-competitive options for students and will continue to reevaluate all possibilities throughout the academic year.

Before and After School Care

We are committed to providing care before school and after for those that it is a necessity. We will not, however, be offering enrichment classes through our OTS + program. The hours of our after school care program will remain from 3:25 - 6 p.m. and before care will be from 7:30 - 8:00 a.m.

Dress Code

The dress code will be modified to accommodate being outdoors as much as possible. Students will be encouraged to wear comfortable clothing conducive to going outside daily. A new list of acceptable clothing will be provided by division directors.

Student Life and Learning

Extracurricular Performing Arts, Student Clubs and Extended Learning

We are committed to providing meaningful experiences for all students in life outside of the academic classrooms. We also acknowledge that in our current environment, the experiences in performing arts, electives, student clubs and extended learning will be different from the pre-COVID-19 context. Performing arts that are part of the curriculum will continue but in a modified context. We will not be offering in-person live performances this fall.

Meyo Library

While access to the shared space of the Meyo Library will be prohibited, access to books will continue. Our librarians will implement safe procedures for students to select and borrow books regularly, including a quarantine of 72 hours for returned books.

Monday-Friday Schedule

The school will transition to a Monday-Friday cycle as opposed to our traditional six-day cycle (A through F days). This change is intended to simplify the school week for students and families and facilitate the implementation of modified schedules. It also makes any potential move to distance learning (in the event we are required to close campus) a more seamless experience for families.

Physical Education

Physical education will operate in a modified context in the fall. The physical education curriculum being developed will emphasize the natural world, wellness, and physical activity. Weather permitting, all classes will be outside and appropriate shoes and clothing should be worn. As a result of the revised physical education curriculum and the limitations of health guidelines, swimming will not be offered until it is determined to be safe by the school. We will continue to evaluate this.

Recess and Outdoor Play

Opportunities for play and engagement with the outdoors remain vital to our students’ health and well-being and will remain important features of the Old Trail School experience. Spaces across the campus will be used to support play, outdoor learning and healthy movement. These activities will be scheduled and supervised in order to maintain safe conditions for our students.