Fall 2020 Planning Guide

As of July 1, 2020

THE LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL

Fall Planning Guide 2020

Executive Summary ■ W e plan to re-open in the fall, on campus and in-person.

■ L awrenceville is fortunate that our small class size, spacious campus, temperate

climate, and substantial resources position us to weather this global pandemic. We have made significant investments to implement this plan.

■ O ur plan relies on a combination of testing (pre and post arrival), symptom tracking,

contact tracing, social distancing, face coverings, de-densification, use of outdoor spaces and tents, improved filtering of air indoors, increased isolation space, robust quarantine protocols, and enhanced hygiene and cleaning practices. All students will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days prior to arriving for the start of school.

■ C lasses will be a hybrid combining in person and remote learning to enable Harkness

teaching with proper social distancing.

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Executive Summary ■ W e are providing single rooms to all boarding students to reduce density and facilitate

social distancing.

■ W hile we aim to deliver the essence of Lawrenceville, our plan entails significant

changes in how we operate.

■ T here will be new requirements incorporated into our Student Handbook this summer,

and outside activity, travel and visitors to campus will likely be restricted.

■ W e are actively working to provide the best athletic and co-curricular experience

possible this year, but cannot yet provide detailed guidance about any specific sport or activity at this time.

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Organizing Principles ■ T here is no single measure that provides perfect protection against COVID-19. But we can

mitigate the risk of infection by using multiple layers of protection.

■ T he Lawrenceville student and faculty experience will be significantly different than in

the past. Being back together will provide opportunities for us to grow in new ways and will make up for many of the things that we have missed.

■ S ome persons are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. We will work together to

support and accommodate the health needs of all community members.

■ W e will not be able to monitor the actions of every member of the community to

assure 24-hour compliance with social distancing, mask-wearing, and other protective measures. We will need to inspire and instill a mindset of shared community interest and trust, but impose sanctions as necessary.

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Organizing Principles â– D espite the precautions we are taking, and our collective best efforts, COVID-19 will

likely appear in our School community when we return to campus together this fall. We must all follow public health guidance and mitigation strategies to limit its spread. â– N o matter how well we execute mitigation measures, external or internal events could

force our campus to close again. So, we continue to engage in contingency planning that will allow us to respond (and communicate) quickly and effectively. We are committed to doing the best we can under the circumstances to offer the educational and extracurricular experiences that are the hallmark of Lawrenceville.

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About Our Plan â– O ur plan is based on guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health, Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other federal and state entities. We have taken into account the reopening guidance and requirements applicable to New Jersey public high schools and universities; we also have examined the reopening guidelines from other states and, as appropriate, have incorporated helpful practices from those jurisdictions. â– R eopening in September (and remaining open) is subject to governmental directives

and orders. In addition, our plans are subject to our ongoing assessment of the level of threat posed by the pandemic and our ability to maintain our high standard of care for all community members. â– L awrenceville, along with 32 leading northeastern boarding schools, is working with

Environmental Health and Engineering (EH&E) to review and audit campus operations and facilities, guide our reopening plan, and advise us on how best to implement CDC and state guidance in a boarding school environment. EH&E is a trusted partner to many leading colleges and universities that, like us, seek to support and protect the health of their communities in academic, residential, athletic, and arts spaces.

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Key Elements of our Plan ■ Health and Wellness ■ Academic Life ■ Residential and Campus Life ■ Athletics, Performing Arts, Community Service and Co-Curriculars ■ Campus Operations ■ Supporting Faculty and Staff ■ Upcoming Dates

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Health and WEllness ■ S taffing: We will be augmenting our Health and Wellness staff with three additional

full time nurses and additional per diem nurses to cover the potential increased number of students needing care.

■ B eds: We have more than tripled the number of inpatient rooms at our Health and

Wellness Center by acquiring trailers that have 20 rooms, each with its own bathroom and separate ventilation.

■ T esting: We will test before and shortly after students arrive on campus. Students

will be tested in the week prior to their return to campus. Proof of a negative test will be required to register. A second round of testing will occur within the first week of school, with additional rounds of testing to follow as guided by recommended practices for continued surveillance. A similar protocol will be used for faculty and staff.

Students, faculty, and staff will report daily health checks on their phones using an all-school symptomtracking app.

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Health and WEllness â– S creening: We will require daily symptom reporting by students, faculty, and on-

campus staff using a symptom tracking app. Point-of-Care testing of symptomatic students will occur in the Health and Wellness Center using our six Quidel Sofia testing machines, which can deliver results within 15 minutes. â– C ontact Tracing: Our Health and Wellness Center providers, along with supporting

staff and faculty in our community, have obtained training and state certification in contact tracing; in coordination with local officials, they will act to identify those who may have been exposed to the virus and work to contain the spread of infection.

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Health and WEllness ■ Q uarantine and Isolation:

•Q uarantine: Refers to separating students who have been exposed to the virus or have symptoms but who have tested negative. These students will be required to quarantine themselves for 14 days in their single room (under the supervision of our medical personnel) or at home; they will participate in classes remotely.

• I solation: Refers to separating students who test positive. These students will be encouraged to return home, if it is within driving distance. For those who cannot return home, they will be housed in the isolation rooms in the trailers adjacent to the Health and Wellness Center or, if significantly ill, transferred to the hospital. If their health permits, they will participate in classes remotely.

■ M ental Health:

• T he services provided by our team of four clinical psychologists will be more critically important than ever to the emotional and mental health and well-being of our students. We are developing strategies for outreach and delivery of support in ways that are both proactive and responsive to student needs.

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Academic Life Academic Experience ■ I n-person classes will return in the fall, with students and faculty protected through a

combination of masks, social distancing, and optimization of building air handling.

■ A t the same time, we are reimagining our classrooms using a combination of state-of-

the-art 360˚ cameras and Zoom to allow for a seamless Harkness learning experience for both those physically present in class and those connecting remotely.

■ T o get down to a maximum of 8 students per classroom, needed for 6 foot social

distancing, students will Zoom into class discussions remotely from their rooms or an assigned location on campus, roughly once per week on a rotating basis.

■ D ay students will each have a place of their own on campus to use when it is their turn

to Zoom for a class.

■ I f there are faculty who are unable to teach in person, their classes may be held on

Zoom.

To create proper social distancing in classrooms, we will be asking students to Zoom into class discussions one day per week on a rotating basis.

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Academic Life Academic Calendar: (subject to change) ■ F all term classes begin on Monday, September 14, with students arriving on campus

beforehand.

■ P arents Weekend will be held virtually on October 16 and 17.

■ F all finals will begin on Friday, November 20 and end on Monday, November 23 for

one-term elective classes only. Students not taking any one-term classes may depart on Thursday, November 19.

■ T o reduce the number of times students leave and return to campus en masse, and

minimize the need for quarantine, the winter term will begin with a virtual “Turkey Term” from Monday, December 7 through Tuesday, December 22.

■ W inter Term classes will resume on Tuesday, January 5, and will continue until

Wednesday, March 3. Finals will only be held for one- and two-term electives not continuing in the spring term. Students with no finals may depart on Saturday, February 27. Decisions about whether Winter Term classes will be in person or remote will be made in the fall. Self quarantine may be required prior to return.

■ S pring Term classes will begin on Tuesday, March 23, and will end on Thursday, June 3,

with normal finals planned. Graduation will be on Sunday, May 30.

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Residential and Campus Life ■ R eturn to Campus and Orientation:

•W e will have staggered return, with appropriate social distancing, prior to the first day of classes. Dates will be circulated shortly.

•W e will be providing information about preseason athletics in the near future.

•N ew Jersey currently requires a 14-day quarantine for some out-of-state travelers. For now, all students should plan for the possibility that they may be required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in NJ and/or prior to the start of school. We will provide updates as the summer progresses.

•O rientation will focus on establishing our expectations for personal health, social distancing, and respect for all community members while at the same time building personal relationships for support, guidance, and mutual growth.

■ S tudent Conduct and Travel:

•W e will be updating the Student Handbook this summer, including setting expectations and requirements for student conduct during COVID-19.

• S ocial distancing, mask wearing, and limitations on gathering sizes will be a part of campus life.

•W e will adjust our off-campus permissions for students and ask all community members to practice safe habits on and off campus. Outside activity, travel and visitors to campus will likely be restricted.

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Residential and Campus Life ■ H ousing:

•W e are renting the Hilton Garden Inn (HGI), approximately one mile from the center of campus to provide over 100 student rooms to Fifth Formers. The School will provide transportation between the School and HGI. This additional space will allow us to offer single rooms to all boarders.

•H GI will be a mixed-gender residence with students and members of the Lawrenceville faculty living on all three floors. There will also be a Duty Team assigned to HGI.

• Fifth Form Prefects will live in their Circle, Crescent, and Lower Houses.

• S ome Fourth Formers will live in Fifth Form housing, but will retain their Crescent/Circle

We will provide single rooms for all boarding students by renting the entire the Hilton Garden Inn for fall trimester.

affiliations. An email detailing the plan will be sent on Tuesday, June 30 from the Dean of Students Office to all Fourth and Fifth Form students and families.

•D ay Students will retain House affiliations; we are creating additional space outside the House to supplement or replace use of House Common Rooms for Day Students.

■ D ining: While we are planning for seated, indoor, socially distant dining, we are prepared to

provide alternate meal service should circumstances require.

■ E mergency Planning: Boarding families need to provide the School with their plans and

designated local contacts to assist student(s) in case of medical emergency or a campus closure.

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Athletics, Performing Arts, community service & Co-Curriculars ■ Athletics, performing arts, and other co-curriculars necessarily will look different at

Lawrenceville this fall.

■ Similar to previous years, we will provide students the opportunity to engage and

actively participate in performing arts, community service, lifetime and recreational activities, fitness activities, intramural activities, training, and, if conditions permit, interscholastic competitive play.

■ Community Service projects will be offered on a weekly and/or term basis.

For sports where interscholastic competition is not viable, skills/drills training with coaches will likely replace traditional competition.

■ Mandatory COVID-19 protocol training and education will be provided to all coaches,

instructors, students, volunteers, and others.

■ A policy for rehearsals and performances, strength & conditioning, practice sessions,

pre-workout and contest screening, limitations on gatherings, facilities cleaning and disinfecting, and good hygiene will apply to all student activities.

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Athletics, Performing Arts, community service & Co-Curriculars ■ F or Athletics, we are closely monitoring executive orders and actions of state and local officials,

peer schools, athletic league affiliates, and the NCAA; and will employ COVID-19 specific protocols from the National Federation of High Schools and Sports Medicine Advisory Committee to provide the most meaningful (and possible) opportunities for our student-athletes.

■ I f interscholastic competition is not viable, our team offerings will include developmental

opportunities such as: skills/drills training, strength & conditioning, small group directed coaching, and game strategy.

■ C OVID-19 also creates specific challenges for each of the performing arts, but we intend to offer

meaningful and comprehensive opportunities in the arts in the coming year. Due to the potential risks involved with singing indoors, we may replace the traditional fall musical with an outdoor main stage dramatic performance. More information to follow.

■ T ents and outdoor spaces will be utilized in creative ways to maximize opportunities for in-person

and socially distant practices, rehearsals, and performances in dance, theater, and music.

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Campus Operations ■ W e are upgrading filters on all campus air handlers. In addition, we are placing High

Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter air units in classrooms, bathrooms, offices, and other spaces. These units will provide additional filtration to supplement our mitigation strategy.

■ A ll bathroom toilets and sink fixtures will be motion activated/touchless.

■ A ll toilets will have lids or covers where possible.

■ W e will be installing plexiglass shields in certain high contact areas.

■ B ecause there is some evidence that outdoor gatherings decrease the potential risk of

We will install HEPA filter air units in common areas, install Plexiglas shields in highcontact areas, and have acquired additional PPE for all faculty and staff.

COVID-19 transmission compared to indoor, we will be installing 12 large tents around campus.

■ W e are installing keyless Salto locks on all dorm rooms.

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Campus Operations ■ W e have stockpiled Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for all faculty and staff. For

frontline staff, this includes masks, gloves, gowns, goggles, and shields.

■ W e will provide, and re-stock as needed, cleaning product “Go” bags for students to

allow them to clean personal spaces as needed.

■ W e have procured additional cleaning supplies to support any level of required

cleaning.

■ W e are deploying “touchless” hand sanitizing stations strategically around campus.

■ W e have worked closely with the Environmental Health & Engineering (EH&E) to

develop COVID-19 cleaning protocols and training for our staff.

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Supporting Faculty and Staff ■ P lease know that Lawrenceville remains committed to protecting the heath, safety

and wellbeing of our entire community, including our dedicated faculty and staff who educate and support your children, during these challenging times.

■ O ur plan is designed to protect our employees as well as our students.

■ W e have developed and implemented policies and resources to encourage employees

to take precautions and avoid spreading infection on campus.

■ W e are working to support our employees whose own childcare arrangements may be

disrupted by the pandemic, particularly so that teachers do not have to juggle caring for their own children during class time.

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Upcoming Dates – Enrollment ■ A s a reminder, earlier this spring Lawrenceville provided you additional time to

confirm your decision to enroll your student this fall, until after we provided details about our plans for reopening. Specifically, we extended to July 15 the first tuition payment due date and the date that the decision to enroll your student becomes fully binding.

■ P lease Note: Your enrollment deposit (which was due upon signing your student’s

initial Enrollment Agreement) is not refundable if you choose to cancel your student’s enrollment at the School this fall.

■ A fter July 15, you will be unconditionally obligated to pay your entire tuition for the

2020-2021 academic year, regardless of whether some or all of schooling for the year is provided remotely.

■ T he School’s Enrollment Agreement, specifically Section Five - Terms of Enrollment

Agreement and Section Three - Tuition Payment Obligations, details our tuition payment policies; we encourage you to review both these sections, as well as the entire Agreement.

■ A s described in Sections Three and Five of your Enrollment Agreement, you may

purchase Tuition Refund Insurance through A.W.G. Dewar.

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Upcoming Dates – communication Please visit our website for all communications regarding the Fall Planning 2020 guide.

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Through House and Harkness, Lawrenceville challenges a diverse community of promising young people to lead lives of learning, integrity, and high purpose. Our mission is to inspire the best in each to seek the best for all.

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