Dear TGS Families:
It has been wonderful to have so many students back on campus for various small group events, and we are excited to begin bringing students who chose the in-person option back to campus for full school days on Monday, March 1!
The Middle School Return-to-Campus Schedule will be as follows:
Monday and Tuesday, March 1 & 2
All 5th and 6th graders who have chosen in-person learning return to campus.
7th and 8th graders continue remote learning.
Our small campus cohort of students (except for 5th and 6th graders) will continue working remotely from the library.
Wednesday, March 3
All students work remotely, except for our campus cohort.
Thursday and Friday, March 4 & 5
All 7th and 8th graders who have chosen in-person learning return to campus.
5th and 6th graders work remotely.
Our small campus cohort of students (except for 7th and 8th graders) will continue working remotely from the library.
The Upper School Return-to-Campus Schedule will be as follows:
Monday, March 1, 12th Graders who have chosen in-person learning return to campus and will have the privilege to attend all week in-person (except for Wednesday) by virtue of their grade level.
Tuesday, March 2, 11th Graders who have chosen in-person learning return to campus and join the seniors.
Wednesday, March 3, all US students work remotely, except for those in the campus cohort.
Thursday, March 4, 10th Graders who have chosen in-person learning are added to the mix, joining juniors and seniors who also return to campus.
Friday, March 5, 9th Graders who have chosen in-person learning return and join all other US students.
As of Monday, March 8, all students who have chosen in-person learning will return to campus. The schedule utilized last fall will continue with in-person learning on Monday and Tuesday, remote learning for everyone except for the campus cohort on Wednesday, and return to in-person on Thursday and Friday.
The staggered return to campus during the week of March 1 allows faculty and staff to review all of our safety protocols, routines, and procedures with students in smaller, like groups. For instance, our lunch delivery service has been modified to improve distribution and ensure social distancing guidelines are accounted for. Additionally, there are modified procedures for breaks and sponsored activities over the lunch hour. Finally, the staggered approach helps all of us practice drop-off and pick-up procedures before and after school with less traffic! (Details about drop-off and pick-up procedures will be coming soon.)
No curbside lunch service will be provided after Monday, February 22. In addition, as I explained in Thursday’s Family Association meeting, Chef Ian has taken a leave of absence to tend to some (non-COVID-related) health issues. I continue to be impressed with SAGE Dining’s professionalism, as they have sent us a wonderful member of their Culinary Support Team, Scott Largent, who is doing a fabulous job overseeing our SAGE Dining. Chef Scott will be with us for the remainder of the semester. Well wishes may be sent to Chef Ian at i.churchill@sagedining.com; cards may be brought to Zeskind Hall and we will ensure that Ian receives them.
We have a total of 275 students returning to campus and 62 who will continue to work remotely. Almost the entire faculty and staff will be returning to work on campus (two faculty members will continue to teach remotely with students while a classroom monitor supervises their physical classroom). Using your survey results, we have been reviewing the number of students planning to attend in person for every single course offering so that we can maximize our adherence to the appropriate social distancing guidelines, especially for the indoor classroom spaces.
Masks will be required at all times except for specific teacher-supervised breaks and during lunch. Faculty will continue to monitor and assist students with appropriate social distancing compliance throughout the school day. Our expectation is that everyone will comply with the protocols in order to enjoy the privilege of being together. Thank you for your support in advance in reinforcing the importance of those safety protocols at home, including following the Pima County quarantine guidelines found on our website, should any members of your family travel or host visitors over the upcoming Rodeo Break and/or the next several months.
Even as we are planning for March, the teachers have been busy preparing for conferences, which will be held next week. Thank you to all who have made appointments for the remote meetings and for your interest in your child’s learning successes and ongoing needs.
Finally, thank you for the outpouring of completed reenrollment contracts and the positive word of mouth as we continue to host prospective families with private tours on campus! Our second “open house” will be held this coming Sunday afternoon, and we are looking forward to welcoming our 5th and 8th grade families who signed for this event, as well as several families new to the school.
We eagerly anticipate your child(ren)’s return to campus. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
With continued best wishes for good health,
Julie A. Sherrill, Ph.D.
Head of School
"The Gregory School is a place that is transforming learning and transforming students' lives. Gregory students lead institutions; they found movements; they invent technology; they run cities. Students leave TGS with a sense of agency; they believe they can change the world for the better and it is our aim to ensure we give them the knowledge, skills, experiences and confidence to do so."