Office of the Head of School
June 30, 2020
Dear Haverford School families,

For several weeks now, teams at The Haverford School have been carefully planning for a safe return to campus this fall. While this planning work is still ongoing, we are excited about the prospect of continuing the education and growth of every student in person on Sept. 9. You can see the School's academic calendar as it stands here. 
We've sorely missed having the boys in class, in the studios, and on the playing fields this past spring. We are fortunate and grateful that the new Middle School will be complete and we are able to retain Virtue Village, which will provide us extra classroom space and allow every boy to return to campus five days a week this fall. 
Today, I am sharing a high-level overview of what some elements of the school year may look like in the COVID-19 era. This letter is to inform you of the work that has been completed this spring and early summer, while other elements of the plan are still being solidified. It is important to note that the School is also considering contingency plans to ensure a smooth transition should Governor Tom Wolf or local health authorities mandate that schools again cease in-person operations. We plan to be able to transition seamlessly into Virtual Haverford should the government require us to do so at any point. 
This still-evolving plan is the product of The Haverford School's Reopening Task Force, a group that is working in consultation with or using guidance from local, regional, and national experts. These experts - including those from the Montgomery County Department of Health, the CHOP PolicyLab, the Centers for Disease Control, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and others - are providing guidance and best practices for returning to campus in a manner that will protect all members of the community.
With this guidance in mind, the School's Reopening Task Force has reimagined our learning spaces, considered ways to protect our community members, and developed guidelines for new norms this year. At every step of this process, there has been - and will continue to be - a commitment to the School's mission of preparing boys for life by developing men of character, intellect, and compassion who will transform our world. 
Read on for a look at some high-level elements from the plan for the 2020-21 school year. 
  • Monitoring symptoms:
    All members of our community will be asked to conduct "symptom surveillance" at home before arriving on campus. If the student or a family member is showing symptoms of COVID-19, we ask that you do not come to campus and alert the School's health staff. 

    If a member of the community becomes sick or demonstrates symptoms during the day, that person will be escorted to the designated COVID-19 area where they will be monitored by a member of the School's health staff until they can safely be picked up. 

  • Required face coverings:
    All members of the Haverford School community will be required to bring a face mask to campus each day. We view face masks as an important way that our community can minimize the spread of germs and protect one another.

    We understand that prolonged use of a face mask could be difficult, or even unsuitable, for some students, especially our youngest students. Full guidance for when masks will be required will be shared later this summer. 

  • Maintaining an appropriate physical distance:
    The School is required to adhere to guidelines that allow for the proper amount of space in classrooms and other learning areas. As a result, we have reimagined our learning spaces to provide a safe environment for every boy. This includes having each classroom set up to allow for six feet of space between each student's desk. 

  • A variety of learning scenarios:
    The School is in the process of finalizing new class schedules and norms in each division. These updates will allow boys to still receive the education and support they need, while also adhering to the requirements set by the state. 

    Each division is recalibrating their schedules to accommodate needs specific to the boys' age level. These schedule updates will be shared in detail later this summer.

    We realize that not all students are willing or able to return to campus this fall due to the risks that COVID-19 poses. For that reason, the School is considering flexible learning opportunities for students that fall into this category.

    If you are considering or planning to keep your son home for the start of the school year, please let your Division Head know as soon as possible so your son's learning needs can be supported appropriately. 

  • Expected hygiene practices:
    We know that proper hygiene practices, such as washing hands frequently, can help stop the spread of germs and hinder the spread of COVID-19. For this reason, all members of our community will be asked to wash their hands several times throughout the day. Required handwashing times - such as before lunch, or after recess - will be shared later this summer.  

  • Campus access:
    In order to minimize risk, and to limit possible exposure, the School is considering restricting access to campus. 

    With very few exceptions, only students, faculty, and staff will be allowed on campus or in campus buildings. More guidance on campus access will be shared later this summer. 

  • Training:
    All faculty and staff will complete training later this summer regarding the procedures and protocols that will be in place this school year. More information will be provided in the coming weeks. 
The plan as it stands today may raise more questions about the concrete details of these scenarios - and that is understandable. Remember that this is just the scaffolding of a larger plan that is being crafted based on the information that is available to us at this moment. 
You may also notice some aspects of our School year aren't noted in this letter. Details and procedures about a variety of important topics, such as dining, athletic competitions, assemblies, theatrical performances, and more, will be provided in due course as plans are finalized. 
You can expect to receive updates about the School's plan to return safely to campus, with the next school-wide message set for the last week of July. In the meantime, I encourage you to stay up-to-date on the developments of COVID-19 in our area by bookmarking your county's Department of Health website and the CDC website. 
This school year will be unlike any other we've experienced in Haverford's long history. While it will be a challenge, I am confident it is a challenge that all members of our community will meet head-on. This will certainly be a community-wide effort, and I am calling on all of us to do our part to keep our community safe for the duration of the school year.
As always, thank you for putting your trust in Haverford. We value the opportunity to educate your son, and look forward to doing so in person this fall. 
John A. Nagl, D.Phil.
Ninth Head of School
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