Rectory's Fall 2020 Reopening

It is with great enthusiasm that I provide an update on Rectory's planning efforts as we prepare to welcome your children back to campus in the fall. As much as we rose to the challenge of distance learning this spring, a Rectory education is best experienced onsite, and we are so eager to see the faces, hear the voices, and enjoy the many talents and endearing traits our students bring to our campus.

From the beginning, our top priority has been to tend to the safety and wellbeing of our community. Consistent with this most important principle, Rectory's Re-Open plan follows the expert advice provided by regional and national educational, governmental, and public health organizations and institutions. Our plan also serves to provide your children with a most productive, most enjoyable school year. The following provides important information on how we will achieve this.

~Fred Williams, Headmaster

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Do I Contact?

Rectory School administrators and staff continue to work remotely and on campus to meet the needs of our families. For information, please review the FAQs below and if you have additional questions, please contact the appropriate COVID-19 response team members:

Families and students - Glenn Ames, Maria Carpenter, Erin Hayden, Rebecca Pagitt-Mungai

Student & Faculty Technology Support Issues - Donna Dubinsky

Newly Admitted and Inquiring Families - Lesley Gibbs

Staff and Administrators - Tonya Rayment, Dan Newman (Infirmary)

Faculty - Lisa Hart, Rebecca Pagitt-Mungai

Coaches and student-athletes - Mike Healy

Secondary School Placement - Evan Campbell

Alumni - Freddy Nagle

Residential Life - Justin Bendall

Communications - Dawn Chmura

When Will School Open?

Boarding students: Rectory will welcome our boarding students back on one of two days—Monday, September 7, or Tuesday, September 8. (Director of Residential Life Justin Bendall will confirm your arrival day.) Safety will guide our return to campus, and we are asking all boarding students to get tested for COVID-19 at home within four days of this return to campus. Students must email or bring with them proof of a negative test conducted within that four day time period. We will then re-test boarding students on campus 7-14 days after arrival. You will receive more information on the move-in process later, but I do want to share now that to best preserve the safety of the living spaces only enrolled students will be able to enter dormitories on these days. Parents wishing to assist students with the move-in are welcome to do so the week of August 17 by appointment. Please contact Justin Bendall, Director of Residential Life, if you would like to schedule an appointment.
Currently, the United States is expecting anyone arriving from out of the country to quarantine for 14 days, even with a negative test result. If this requirement remains in effect through the summer, Rectory will allow international students or domestic students traveling from a high-risk state (as defined by the state of Connecticut) to quarantine at Rectory beginning August 24. There will be a fee associated with this option simply to cover the additional cost.
Middle School day students: There will be onsite orientations for middle school day students scheduled by grade across the morning of Thursday, September 3. At this point, we are recommending, but not requiring, day students to get tested before returning to school. That may change depending on the direction the virus takes.
Elementary students: Elementary students will begin with a half day of classes on Wednesday morning, September 9. (See note above regarding testing for day students.)
The first full day of classes for all students will be Thursday, September 10.

What Will Academics Look Like?

It is Rectory's hope that all students will be able to attend onsite classes effective Thursday, September 10; however, we recognize some of our middle school boarding families may have travel or visa issues that make arriving by this date unachievable. Understanding this, Rectory is building both an onsite instruction model and an online option for middle school students who are unable to arrive on campus for the start of school. This online option will continue until conditions warrant otherwise. Both programs will feature the engaging, brain-based teaching and learning that defines our curriculum. All elementary school instruction will be on site.

Will The School Calendar Change?

To best preserve the safety of our community, we have made a few modifications to our school calendar. These include the opening of school adjustments noted in this letter. Additionally, to reduce the amount of travel across the year, Rectory will shorten the Thanksgiving vacation keeping the dormitories open the entire period and extend the winter break. The Thanksgiving holiday will now begin after classes conclude on Wednesday, November 26, with classes resuming on Monday, November 30. The winter break previously scheduled to begin on Friday, December 18, will now begin on Friday, December 11. The restart date of January 4 has not changed.

Will there be athletics for middle school students?

What Safety Protocols will be in place?

Rectory is constantly modifying its safety protocol based on the most up-to-date information provided by organizations such as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the state of Connecticut. This means all individuals will be expected to wear masks and maintain social distancing across campus. One exception at this point will be where we have created cohort groups of boarding students that act as a family unit. These students will be allowed to take off masks and socialize as one would within a family while on dorm and in the dining hall. Additional exceptions will be implemented as we receive updated guidance from the state of Connecticut and the CDC.

Rectory has installed hand sanitizing stations across campus, purchased abundant cleaning supplies, improved ventilation in living and learning spaces, and reduced the density of the classrooms and social spaces to assure social distancing. Our housekeeping team has already begun training to assure that our cleaning procedures adhere to all recommended protocols for classrooms, bathrooms, dining halls, dormitories, and athletic venues. Rectory will also take full advantage of our outdoor spaces, which are less conducive to virus transmission, for instruction, social time, and meals.

In August, all parents will receive an addendum to our Division Handbooks. This addendum will detail the new and revised school safety protocol and procedures that will be in place for this school year. (Protocol will be adjusted as conditions warrant.)

How Will mealtimes work?

To accommodate for appropriate social distancing, capacity in our dining hall at any one time will be reduced by 50%. In response, our plan is for boarding students to eat breakfast and dinner in the dining hall in shifts. Lunches for all students will likely be grab and go with seating options in the dining hall, outside, and in instructional spaces. Elementary school lunch will be provided and dining procedures will be adjusted to accommodate the needs of this younger population.

What Future Communications Can I Expect?

In consideration of the unique circumstances we face this fall, Rectory will be in regular communication with you across the summer. Please be on the lookout for these upcoming correspondences and respond as quickly as possible to assure a smooth start to school. Additional communications will be added as needed.

August 17: Division Head letters
August 17: Information About Rectory's Website Re-Launch
August 18: Middle School Sports Sign-Ups

Outside of these communications, know that everyone at Rectory is happy to respond to individual questions as they emerge.