Dear Andover Students and Families,
As you may know or have experienced yourself, the demand for COVID testing is extremely high, and there have been massive delays in processing results. We had expected to receive results from our latest rounds of student PCR testing on Tuesday and Thursday. Unfortunately, we still do not have those results and are now pivoting to another strategy.
On Sunday morning, students who are in the dorms will be asked to administer their own rapid antigen test. This will be a simple nasal swab. House counselors will meet with their dorm residents to give instructions and will follow up with each student once they have their results.
If your child tests positive, you will be informed immediately and, keeping with our original plans, asked to bring them home. Students who test positive and are feeling well enough to participate in class will be able to access their classes remotely during their isolation period.
Our goal is to open school as planned, in-person on Monday. While we are optimistic, based on our two rounds of arrival testing last week, we believe that one more round is needed to make the best possible decision. We will let you know if it is necessary to continue remote learning.
Day students and our second wave of boarders who are arriving tomorrow should come to campus as planned for registration and arrival testing.
As a reminder, we will also have booster shots available for all students who are eligible, both boarding and day. Andover requires all eligible students to be fully vaccinated, and having a booster shot will soon be part of that requirement.
As always, thank you for your continued support as we all seek to meet our educational mission while protecting the health of our students, our families, and our campus community.
Sincerely,
Raynard Kington, MD, PhD, P’24
Head of School