2021-22 COVID-19 Updates

Dear TBS Families,

Based upon Governor Roy Cooper’s announcement on February 17, and following the guidance from NC Department of Health and Human Services, we will change our masking requirements effective March 7 (LATER UPDATED TO FEBRUARY 28). As of that day, the wearing of a mask will be optional for students and staff while indoors at TBS. All visitors to campus will still be required to wear a mask while in our buildings.

The following information is the latest update to the K-12 StrongSchoolsNC Toolkit from the NCDHHS: NCDHHS Update.

We will continue our layered approach to safety with distancing, increased classroom airflow and frequent handwashing as key components of our plans to keep the community healthy. In addition, we ask that if your child is exhibiting symptoms of illness, please keep them home and have them tested.

TBS has offered in-person instruction during the past two years due largely to the tremendous efforts of staff and families willing to follow the health guidance of state and local officials. While the relaxed health guidelines do not mark the end of the pandemic, it does signal a new phase for how we deal with this virus.

 

Ronnie K. Wall
Head of School

August 4, 2021

Dear TBS Families,

 

We hope you have had a safe and relaxing summer, and we are excited to see our students soon as we enter the new school year. 

 

Conversations continue with local and national health experts, industry groups such as the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools. We will continue to monitor the COVID situation. We will make appropriate changes as needed with advice from the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the NC Department of Health and Human Services.

 

In light of the current pandemic situation, to protect the health and safety of students and staff, we will use multi-layers of protection to mitigate COVID-19. The following procedures will be implemented for the 2021-2022 school year:

 

· Masks are worn indoors by all teachers, staff and students (including preschool)

· Everyone maintains a social distance of 3-feet or more

· Bathrooms are single occupancy

· Upper School students will utilize two lunch periods

· No lockers or locker room use is available in the Middle School

· One-way traffic patterns are followed in the hallways

· Frequent hand washing is practiced throughout the school day

· Visitors are limited to essential personnel only. No parents will be allowed in the building 

· No outside food vendors (other than My Hot Lunchbox) are permitted to deliver food

· Ventilation is increased, and windows are open wherever possible 

· HEPA filters are used in every classroom

· Outdoor learning spaces are utilized in the Middle and Upper Schools

· The playground is open to one class at a time

· Shared materials are allowed with hand-washing protocols in place 

· Students with COVID-19-like symptoms (fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, difficulty breathing) will not be permitted in school until evidence can be provided of a negative test or alternative diagnosis

 

The following procedures will no longer be implemented: 

 

· No screening questions and daily temperature checks

· No remote learning option is offered 

· Masks will not be required to be worn when students are outside

· There are no cohorts in Middle School or A/B days in Upper School. All students are present in-person and rotating classrooms every school day.

· Plexiglass is no longer used in preschool

 

Policies regarding sports and athletics are still being decided and will be released in the upcoming week. 

 

We will continue to monitor and consult with health experts throughout the year and will make changes as necessary.

 

Ronnie K. Wall, Head of School

TBS Academic Deans

June 10, 2021

Dear Parents,
 
Thank you once again for all of your support and flexibility this year. As we head into summer and reflect on this year, we are all proud of what we accomplished despite the extenuating circumstances. It has been a true team effort, and we are thankful for such a wonderful and supportive community surrounding us at The Burlington School.
 
As our Leadership Team heads into our summer planning, we will be closely following the announcements of the North Carolina governor, the CDC and the NCDHHS. We will use all guidance to form the details and logistics for this fall at TBS. While we have already released our intentions for next school year, we are well aware that a lot can change in two months. With that said, we plan to release an update with more details for next year in mid-July.
 
Until then, please feel free to review any updates and fall plans thus far by clicking on our  “Return 2021-22” tab. The “Return 2021-22” page can also be found on the main TBS website. All paperwork, supply lists, dress code, summer reading lists and other important return-to-school information can be found at this link as well.
 
We hope that you take the summer to rest and recharge, and while we look forward to another great school year in 2021-2022, happy summer for now!
 
Sincerely,
 
Ronnie K. Wall, Head of School
Academic Team

April 27, 2021

Dear TBS Families, 

We are pleased to announce our plans for the next school year. Please keep in mind that the ongoing changing circumstances regarding COVID means that these plans could be altered. We will continue to monitor the pandemic conditions and follow the recommendations of the CDC and NCDHHS as well as the local Health Department. Our intent as of now is the following:

Arrival and dismissal procedures will remain largely the same as the 2020-2021 school year; however, there will be no temperature checks or screening questions. Students may begin arriving as early as 7:30 a.m. and will report directly to their classroom or advisory.
 
Students five years and older and all staff will continue to wear masks and be at least 3-feet apart at all times and 6-feet apart when masks are off for eating. Students younger than five will not be required to wear masks. We will continue to use Plexiglass dividers at student tables in PS3 and PS4.
 
The school will operate on a 5-day Rotation Schedule and students may have classes in other buildings as needed.
 
Parents and non-essential visitors will not be permitted in the building. There will also be no outside vendors permitted to deliver lunch with the exception of My Hot Lunchbox.
 
Extended Day will be open to PS3-8th grade students from dismissal until 5:30 p.m.
 
In addition to these school-wide policies, please read below for some additional division-specific details.
 
Lower School:
All students will return to in-person learning.  No remote instruction will be offered.   In the case of a mandatory quarantine due to COVID-related illness, learning accommodations will be made.  This may include a pre-printed work packet or access to classroom materials in Google Classroom. No recorded lessons will be provided.
 
Students will maintain social distancing of 3 feet during instruction. Classroom furniture will be arranged to accommodate social distancing. 
 
The playground will be open to one class at a time. Students will travel to the music room for music class, the gym for Healthful Living and the library for Library class. All other specials classes will be conducted in the regular classroom. 
 
Middle School:
There will be no remote learning option. In the case of a mandatory quarantine due to COVID-related illness, learning accommodations will be made. This may include a make-up work packet or access to classroom materials in Google Classroom. 

Arrival and dismissal procedures will continue to have students report to their advisory in the morning and again for dismissal in the afternoon.

The following protocols will be followed to accommodate the 3-feet distance:

Upper School:
All students will return to full in-person attendance. There will be no remote learning option. In the case of a mandatory quarantine due to COVID-related illness, learning accommodations will be made. This may include a make-up work packet or access to classroom materials in Google Classroom. 

There will be two lunch sections to maintain the 6-feet distance, and there will be some classes that will need to move classrooms to accommodate the 3-feet distance.

We will maintain single-occupancy restrooms.

Athletic teams will no longer have to be in a "bubble," and we will continue to adhere to NCISAA regulations and CDC guidelines.

Community service and athletic requirements will remain in place with allowances for safety precautions.

Thank you so much for your support as we navigate this difficult time. We will continue to communicate any changes to our plan based on recommendations from the CDC and NCDHHS.  Please contact your Academic Dean if you have further questions.

Sincerely,
Ronnie Wall, Head of School
The Academic Team