Dear TGS Families:

 We have been committed to transparency of information and decisions based on safety and medical science since the onset of the pandemic last March. Last week, the Pima County Health Department was discouraging any hybrid school openings with the exception of elementary schools. This week, they informed county educators that they are moving away from giving schools any recommendations about remote or in-person learning, but rather encouraging individual schools/districts to make that decision based on the mitigation strategies they’re able to put in place for themselves.

 As a result of that change in position Tuesday morning, I shared the information with faculty, staff and the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees and asked for their input. Additionally, our Upper School Student Council officers shared with me an excellent, research-based presentation regarding their desire to open school. Just as we’ve all experienced in our own work environments, family conversations, and media stories, there are ample differing views on the direction to head! Additionally, even as we started thinking of the possibility of opening more this month, there are significant considerations that complicate the February calendar: parent-teacher conferences, Rodeo Break, faculty/staff receiving their second vaccine (and the physical symptoms that can accompany these) within a constricted timeline, as well as some of our faculty/staff who are quarantining due to exposure to COVID (not on campus).

 As a result of all of the listening and research that we’ve now done and the mitigation strategies we have employed, we have decided to provide more opportunities for students to return to campus this month, leading up to a more robust opening in March. Many of those opportunities include, but are not limited to, the following: 

1. An expansion of our on-campus cohort of learners who attend classes remotely under faculty/staff supervision: A number of faculty have volunteered to be on campus to help with the safe supervision of students as they do their online learning, so that we can expand the number being provided this opportunity. We anticipate being able to accommodate 50 students or more. Students who are experiencing technology, academic, or emotional challenges related to being away from campus will be given priority. If you believe your child would benefit from this opportunity, please contact Maria Parillo at mparillo@gregoryschool.org by Monday, February 8 at noon. We plan to bring these additional students to campus no later than Wednesday, February 10.
2. Continued in-person advisory and other group activities both on and off campus: Whether hiking in the Catalinas or Tucson Mountains, making pizza, or participating in a socially distanced game or activity on our expansive fields, faculty will continue to invite students to engage socially in healthy ways that follow all safety protocols.
3. Continued offerings of classes well suited to attending in-person on campus: These offerings include Farmyard, Garden to Table, outdoor symphonic and band rehearsals, etc.
4. Continued curbside lunch service this month with an invitation for families to stop and eat at one of the outdoor tables/tented areas while the food is fresh and if the time allows, given the distance to return home: Beginning Monday, for the month of February, a family member and student(s) will have the opportunity to stop on campus and eat lunch. This will give you an opportunity to see and interact with the faculty and staff who are on campus daily or maybe just say hello to the goats.

 Meanwhile, we plan for a staggered return to campus of larger groups of students beginning the week of March 1, leading to all students who chose to attend in person 4^th quarter returning no later than the week of March 8^th. A follow-up survey will be sent to families next week for the purpose of confirming numbers. Additional information about specific details and logistics will be forthcoming.

 Important SAGE Lunch Update
SAGE continues to be a terrific corporate partner and we’re grateful for our relationship with them. They recognize how difficult the last 12 months have been for all of the schools with whom they work (over 200) and so are infusing new and appetizing changes to their menus and presentation. As mentioned above, we will be inviting families to join us for lunch on campus during February. For many, there is sufficient time for you to drive to campus, pick up a lunch, and enjoy eating outside under one of our tents or near the Farmyard. The daily SAGE surveys that your children complete will now ask if they will be eating on campus and if a family member will be joining them. If the answer is yes, there will be an opportunity for the accompanying family member to select a meal of their choice as well. This is our way of thanking you for your continued support while providing everyone with an uplifting experience and an opportunity to enjoy our beautiful campus surroundings and ideal, for now, February weather.

 Admissions Update
We are excited to report that 2021-22 academic year admission inquiries and applications have been robust! In fact, we’re already anticipating wait lists for next year’s 5^th and 7^th grade classes. We recognize that every TGS family has important decisions to make, particularly those families with children in 5^th and 8^th grades, given those are natural matriculation points and a time to consider all options.  I am sending an email to those families to ensure they have an opportunity to get in “the front of the line” for personalized, in-person appointments with our faculty on Saturday, February 13^th or Sunday, February 21^st. We’re grateful that our faculty members volunteer for these special information opportunities so that current and prospective families can learn more about what it means to enroll in the Upper School or Middle School.

 We continue to wish everyone good health and safety for all of your loved ones, and we hope to see a growing number of our community members on campus within the next month. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have. 

Gratefully,

Julie A. Sherrill, Ph.D.
Head of School