Dear Key families,

As we prepare to close for Winter Holiday Break on Friday, Key's leadership is focusing on our return in 2021. We are committed to providing the opportunity for in-person instruction for as many students as possible after the break.

As has been discussed both locally and regionally, the salient metric of hospitalization levels and the capacity of our healthcare system to provide the necessary care for all in need, combined with the other metrics that are being monitored, has resulted in new restrictions in our County and region that go into effect for a four week period starting tomorrow.

Other than athletic activities in private schools, the County has placed no restrictions on private school operations. At this point in time, Key will continue to implement our safety protocols, carefully monitor our own internal metrics, and plan to bring students back to campus for on-site instruction after Winter Holiday Break. We will return to campus using a similar model that we implemented after Thanksgiving Break.

The week of January 4 will be a Distance Learning week for all students (Week A); Key will resume on-campus instruction starting January 11, 2021 (Week B).

Beginning Monday, January 11, we will return to the current schedule of operations:
- First and Lower School students in full time on-campus instruction
- Middle and Upper School students participating in the existing Week A and Week B hybrid schedule
To help plan for our return to on-campus instruction on Monday, January 11, all families are asked to complete this January 2021 Attendance Plan Survey no later than Thursday, December 17 letting us know whether your student will attend on-campus instruction or participate through Gateway. It is essential that you fill out this survey before break.
We are presently assessing the pros and cons of required testing in consultation with County Health Officers.
- Do note there are updated Maryland guidelines that urge Marylanders to take into consideration both case rates and positivity rates in other states, and strongly encourage testing for those that travel out of State upon their return.
- Per Key School's Travel Restriction Guidelines, if you travel over break you will be required to provide a negative test result before your student can return for on-campus instruction.
- A decision about requiring COVID-19 testing for all students, faculty and staff, regardless of travel, will be made and shared before the end of this week.

Information about material pick-up, should it be necessary, will be communicated by Division Offices.

It is heartening to hear repeatedly from State and County leaders, and in the national and international news, that source of spread is not linked to schools. We are very fortunate that our Key community comprises individuals who are genuinely doing their best to take the necessary precautions and communicate transparently with our Health Office–that is the only way we have been so successful remaining on campus since August. Since the outset of the school year, the disruption to onsite instruction has been the result of the need to await test results, and not the disease itself. I thank each of you, and our students, for partnering so effectively with us.

It is our belief that our operational decisions, and continued vigilance will limit the impact of COVID-19 at Key. We make these decisions in the interest of supporting and keeping all Key community members safe; most importantly your children and our faculty. I realize that every decision that is made does not meet the needs of everyone. However, we do make every effort to incorporate the needs and opinions of all stakeholders as we navigate these challenging times with our primary focus being the safety of our students, faculty and staff.

As it is clear that family and friend gatherings are the source of spread, I urge all to heed the warnings about gatherings and unnecessary travel during the holidays. I am asking all Key families, faculty and staff to adhere to Key's Travel Restriction Guidelines if you travel over break, and to do your part to keep campus COVID-free by practicing safer-at-home protocols January 4-January 10.

Please look for another note toward the end of this week, and have a safe Holiday Season.

Warmly,

Matthew