Spartanburg Day School's weekly newsletter Week of Aug. 16 DIVISION NEWS
Click for important news and announcements, from your division head to you!
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Here we go! While I know we will all sometimes miss the quieter days summer brings, I hope you are eager as I am to begin another school year together as Griffins.
It was wonderful to welcome our faculty back to campus this week to engage in professional development and planning. The opening of school couldn't happen without the tireless efforts of every faculty member, and I am so grateful for their collective passion and dedication during this busy time of year. They have started their year focused on preparing for their students and their energy and enthusiasm is catching!
In preparing to welcome students next week, we continue to keep a close watch on COVID-19 conditions around us. It is troubling to see the number of positive cases in our state and county climbing each day, however we are committed to creating a learning environment that prioritizes the health and safety of every student and faculty member. I trust you have made time to review our Return to Campus Plan and the preventative measures now in place for daily school operations. Our shared commitment to this plan is intricately tied to the success of the year ahead.
If you had asked me just a month ago what the start of this school year would look like, this wasn't it. We enjoyed a summer when COVID-19 numbers were significantly lower than they are presently and had every hope and expectation of opening under more normal circumstances. Yet, here we are. The Delta variant in our midst is more infectious and more transmissible compared to other variants, and children are being impacted at greater rates. This is especially concerning knowing that approximately 60 percent of the students on our campus each day are not yet eligible for a vaccine and are therefore more vulnerable. The decision to begin the year requiring face coverings indoors is for their protection and the protection of our faculty who teach and coach your children daily and of any individuals on our campus, and it is in keeping with the universal advice of every leading health organization.
That said, we are using knowledge gained last school year to return to many cherished aspects of "normal" school life. We are glad to welcome parents and visitors back to campus this year, students will once again eat in the dining commons and go on field trips, and we are looking for every opportunity to restructure events and gatherings in a safe way. We will continue to learn, and conditions will evolve. Our team will be evaluating COVID-19 numbers frequently, and we are ready to relax or tighten protocols as needed. Every decision made will support health and safety, our ability to continue with in-person learning and the exceptional Griffin experience. It is my every hope that conditions improve and that we are able to see smiling faces in our classrooms again soon.
I was recently reminded of the traits of our mythological school mascot. Griffins are brave, they are strong, and they are proud. Yes, we are. In this time, I have never been prouder to be a Griffin and a member of the Spartanburg Day School community. I am confident we will navigate the celebrations and the challenges ahead while supporting each other and the mission of this school every step of the way.
We are griffins. Rachel S. Deems Head of School
BACK-TO-SCHOOL FAQ
Where do I find the latest COVID-19 information? Visit our COVID-19 information webpage to view our Return to Campus Plan, frequently asked questions, our COVID-19 dashboard with the up-to-date number of isolations and quarantines, and more.
Will students wear face coverings all day? Face coverings are required for all faculty, students (K-12th), and visitors while indoors. They are strongly recommended but not required for preschool students. Face coverings are not required outdoors, when eating or drinking, or while students are actively engaged in PE or athletics. Our teachers will continue to maximize the use of outdoor spaces and incorporate frequent "mask breaks" throughout the school day.
Will face coverings be required all year? We expect our health and safety protocols to ebb and flow this year as needed, based on the latest COVID-19 numbers and guidance from health and government agencies. The number of positive cases in our state and county have been steadily rising since mid-July and are currently at a local critical level last seen when numbers spiked last December. Based on this information, we will begin the school year requiring face coverings indoors. Throughout the summer, while COVID-19 numbers were significantly lower, we were able to successfully operate Camp Griffin with an optional face covering policy in place. We will be frequently monitoring COVID-19 numbers in our area and in our school community and are ready to adjust as needed. All decisions will be made to prioritize health and safety, in-person learning and the Griffin experience.
Are parents and visitors allowed on campus? Yes! We are excited to welcome parents and visitors back to campus this year. Please use one of our three division entrances (see campus map) to access campus this year. You are also encouraged and welcome to attend any of our athletics events. While here, please follow all campus health and safety protocols. Face coverings will be required while indoors, and physical distancing is recommended.
Will students eat in the Dining Commons this year? Yes! Our K-12th grade students will eat in the Dining Commons this year. Preschool students will continue to eat in their classrooms. For safety, students and faculty will wear face coverings while in the lunch lines and until they are seated. Physical distancing will be encouraged in the Dining Commons, to the extent possible.
Are vaccinations required for SDS faculty or students? No, SDS is not mandating that faculty members or students be vaccinated to attend school. According to leading health organizations including the CDC, SCDHEC and the AAP, vaccines are known to prevent community spread and therefore will help decrease disruptions to on-campus learning this year and keep our more vulnerable community members safer. SDS is collecting information regarding vaccination status so that our nurse's office can quickly and accurately determine a path forward should an exposure occur. To protect the privacy of all within our community, SDS cannot legally disclose an individual's vaccination status.
SCHOOLDOC Back-to-School Forms & Information Due TODAY!
Please remember to complete all of your back-to-school forms and information in SchoolDoc by the end of the day TODAY. This includes important medical information, athletic and participation forms, emergency contacts and more.
GRIFFINS TABLE Lunch & Snack Sign-Ups due TODAY
If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to review new lunch and snack options from SDS's food service provider, Griffins Table. Enjoy the hot entree bar, sandwiches, salads, daily classics like hot dogs or chicken fingers, and more!
Sign up by the semester, by the month or with a "flex plan" to dine with Griffins Table on any day you choose. Switch between plans at any time by emailing griffinstable@sdsgriffin.org.
If you'd like to opt out of all dining through the Griffins Table, please click here or click the link below. All families should complete either the sign-up or the opt-out form by Friday. Families that do not complete a form by today's deadline are asked to send their child to school with a lunch from home for the remainder of the month and, if desired, to contact the Griffins Table to begin food service in September.
Visit the Griffins Table website for more details and information.
A NOTE FROM THE NURSE
As we all return to school this week, please be diligent about completing our at-home wellness screening each day. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.
If ANY of the below symptoms or circumstances apply, stay home and contact me.
If you have TWO or more of the following symptoms, stay home:
📅 CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, August 13 & Monday, August 16 Individual Preschool Meet and Greets (twos, threes & fours) (Families will be contacted by your classroom teacher regarding time and location.)
Sunday, August 15 New Parent Information Session Stone Gym (This is an event for parents new to the school for the 2021-22 academic year.)
Tuesday, August 17 Upper School 9th Grade & New Student Orientation
Mildred Harrison Dent Fine Arts Center (This is an event for students only.)
Middle School New Student Orientation 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Middle School Halls (Students and parents are invited to attend.)
Lower School Meet the Teacher (K-4th grade) 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Lower School Main Entrance (Come visit your child's classroom and meet your teacher.)
4:30 – 4:40 – Student Last Name A-F 4:45 – 4:55 – Student Last Name G-L 5:00 - 5:10 – Student Last Name M-R 5:15 – 5:30 - Student Last Name S-Z
Wednesday, August 18 First Day of School (early dismissal)
Senior Parent Kick-Off Meeting 6-7:30 p.m. Dorrance Plaza (12th grade parents are invited to this social and informational session.)
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