Dear Key School Families,
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our lives, the uncertainty about the future compounds the challenges we are facing. Governor Hogan's Friday press conference provided us with the framework, with safety as its focus, for our state to move into the recovery phase. While I was excited to hear that officials are now strategizing for Maryland to reopen, the press conference itself and review of the recovery plan has made it clear that Key School will not be able to open its campuses. Therefore, I have made the decision to formally announce that our distance learning program will continue for the remainder of our academic year, which ends on June 4; our campus and Fusco Athletic Park will remain closed.
While we need to consistently engage your children, I also want to be responsive to those in our community who see reprieves from distance learning to be essential as they balance telework and family dynamics. To that end, in addition to our scheduled Memorial Day holiday, we will not have distance learning on Monday, May 11 and Friday, May 22; all Key School offices will also be closed on these days.
Given the uncertainty about the length of each phase of recovery, I have also made the decision that the first two weeks of Summer at KEY programming scheduled from June 15 through June 26 will not occur. Decisions about its scope for that latter part of June, July and August will be made in the coming weeks as we gain more insight into the parameters and timing of the recovery phases outlined in the recovery plan.
In addition to the survey data you provided us, the subsequent feedback we have received about your children's experience has informed adjustments to our schedule for academic classes and programming. The faculty continue to create meaningful experiences that take into consideration the emotional well-being of your children.
The overall health and well-being of our community remains our top priority. Our School counselors remain available to all of you, and I continue to encourage you to review the resources they have compiled in the Counselor's Corner and will share through our weekly bulletin.
The Division Heads and I are looking forward to the opportunity to connect with you during our virtual parent meetings, which will run from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., scheduled as follows:
During our sessions with you, we will discuss what to expect for the remainder of the academic year and provide you with the opportunity to submit questions to us. We will also share the planning efforts that are already underway for the 2020-2021 academic year. Sessions will be recorded for those of you who are not able to attend the meetings in real time. Meeting links will be sent by email a day or so before the meeting is scheduled.
While we have no reason to believe that we will not be able to open our campus in August, we do have reason to believe that it will be different than what we are accustomed to. I believe part of our new normal will require us to be flexible, to be hyper-focused on health and safety, and to think about how to use time differently. One of the foundational tenets of our School is a sense of community that is grounded in our ability to be close to one another, which runs counter to the need for social distancing. This article provides insight into some of the factors that need to be taken into consideration as schools plan for the fall. Our administrative team has already begun these conversations and are investigating how school openings are playing out in other parts of the world to inform our efforts. During our parent sessions I will share updates on our planning efforts.
We are also aware that financial uncertainties are weighing on many. Key's Board of Trustees and its leadership is committed to supporting all through this volatile financial time. For families who are experiencing financial challenges and loss as a result of COVID-19 and are concerned about your tuition and other financial commitments to Key, support is available if, and when, you need it. Keeping your children at Key is one of our highest priorities because we value them and because we believe consistency is important for them. Please contact Director of Financial Aid Cheryl Martin, cmartin@keyschool.org, to learn more. We have no intention of allowing COVID-19 to impact any Obezag's opportunity to stay at Key.
Be safe and be well.
Matthew
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