COVID-19 FAQ

What are the school's plans to resume classes after Spring Break 2021?

While we have had some confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses since returning from the December holidays, we have done a very good job of preventing community spread and preserving community safety in the midst of robust on-campus activities. We encourage everyone to exercise the same adherence to our protocols and commitment to each other in the coming weeks so we can complete the school year in a safe, healthy manner. 

Our Spring Break will begin Friday afternoon, March 5 and run through Sunday, March 21, and we encourage all students to avoid or minimize high-risk behaviors during the break. 
Plan to Resume Classes after Spring Break — First Week Back Will Be Remote Learning
Following Spring Break, classes will resume on Monday, March 22. However, all Middle School and Upper School students will participate in remote learning this first week back from break. We will then resume in-person classes on campus on Monday, March 29, using the same Middle School and Upper School cohort schedules. 

By implementing remote learning for the first week of school after Spring Break, we are striving to accomplish two objectives. First, we want to give all our families a chance to spend some of the vacation time traveling and/or visiting with extended family. Second, we want to provide the quarantine time necessary for students to safely repopulate campus after the break.

Please Note: We have made the following additional change to the academic schedule. Friday, April 9 will be a regular class day, not an in-service day as originally scheduled.

Information for Boarding Families about Spring Break and Returning to Campus 
Mr. Phillips has already communicated detailed plans for Spring Break and returning to campus to our residential families. Please see his emails for that information and contact him with any questions at gphillips@sstx.org. As a reminder, the dorms will be closed at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 5 until 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 20. Boarding students choosing to resume in-person classes and activities on March 29 are expected to move back into the dorms on the afternoon of March 20. 

Plans for Surveillance Testing During and After Spring Break
For those students who plan to resume in-person classes and activities on March 29, we expect them to combine a quarantine beginning no later than March 21 with at least one negative PCR test result the week of March 22. Surveillance testing on campus will be available for students that week Monday-Friday from 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. In an effort to minimize risk to our school community, students coming to campus for surveillance testing that week should plan to go directly to the testing tent when they arrive on campus and depart campus after they are tested.

Students who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who came in close contact with a confirmed case over the break should consult their physicians. In addition, they should plan to quarantine and obtain two negative PCR test results before returning to campus, with the second test on or after day 7 of the quarantine. This testing should take place off campus, and negative test results need to be submitted to the Health Center before coming back onto campus. As always, please use RUVNA to report exposure, symptoms, travel on public transportation or other high-risk activities over Spring Break.

In addition to the surveillance testing the week of March 22, the only activities on campus that week will be those we have planned for boarding students as they return to campus, an SAT test on Wednesday March 24, and athletic competitions scheduled for Saturday, March 27. Students taking the SAT on March 24 and athletes competing on March 27 should refer to emails from John Rocklin and Jon McCain providing information about testing protocols for these activities.

Please note that the surveillance testing schedule for the week of March 29 onward will be Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., and Fridays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Plan Is Based on Three Assumptions
The plan for returning to campus after Spring Break is based on three assumptions:
  1. Austin does not experience a significant surge in positive cases between now and March 29.
  2. We do not have a significant outbreak of positive cases in our school community between now and then.
  3. We are able to maintain our capacity to conduct surveillance tests so that all students, employees and residential family members on campus can be tested twice a week. 
 
If any of these assumptions are not met or if other unforeseen developments arise that impact our ability to operate safely under this model, we will adjust our plan accordingly and communicate those changes in a timely manner. 

Protocols, Code of Conduct, Duty to Disclose More Important than Ever
Our health and safety protocols, code of conduct and duty to disclose are still in effect and more important than ever. It is imperative that all members of our community continue to follow these protocols and our shared responsibility to keep each other safe. Students who are able to strictly adhere to those protocols will be able to resume in-person classes and activities on campus on March 29. 

Specific Questions about Your Child’s Return to Campus?
If you have any specific questions about how your family’s Spring Break plans might affect your child’s return to campus, please contact the Health Center at your earliest convenience at healthcenter@sstx.org

Thanks again for your patience, flexibility and compassion this school year. I hope you and your families enjoy a safe, relaxing and fun-filled Spring Break.
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Address: 6500 St. Stephen's Dr., Austin, TX 78746
Phone: (512) 327-1213