COVID-19 Updates

Dear Parents,

In my letter of last week, I asked that you watch for a survey regarding the re-opening of school. This survey is very brief but important. We are eager to have students back on campus and confident that we can set appropriate spaces and protocols in accordance with state and local requirements. At the same time, we recognize that everyone may not be ready or able to be back on campus for classes in this COVID environment. We are prepared to provide a remote learning option for those students. For our planning purposes, we ask that you respond to this survey to inform us of your intentions at this time. 

As you make your summer plans, I have one more request. For the two weeks prior to the beginning of school (Meet the Teachers- August 31, 2020, and First Chapel- September 1, 2020), we are asking that all members of the Derby community please diligently follow the guidelines in place at that time. If traveling to what is a CDC designated high-risk area, please plan to self-quarantine for two weeks before the opening of school. Some Derby teachers and staff fall in health categories that make them particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. They want to be on campus with the students and because they are at greater risk, we want to do everything to mitigate the danger to them. 

We all have the same goal, to have the in-person experience on campus that energizes both students and teachers. Achieving that goal will require a community effort. Part of the plan to be developed this summer will include how each of us can help our school community remain on campus this fall. Thank you. More to come. 

Happy 4th Weekend,

Thomas J. Reid
Interim Head of School

Dear Members of the Derby Community, 

I write again, and again I interrupt your summer- apologies. But, I have good and important news to share with you. 

Lower School Leadership
Earlier this week, Mary Beth Murphy accepted my offer to become the Interim Head of the Primary and Lower School. The decision to offer her the position came after I received strong endorsements for her candidacy from her colleagues and from Kate Howell and Scot Chandler. Prior to arriving at Derby, I had spoken with Mary Beth about teaching and curriculum and came away impressed. Combining all of that input and the several conversations we had over the past ten days, the decision was easy. It was made even better by her enthusiastic acceptance. She and Scot will meet to ensure a smooth transition, and I know her colleagues and I look forward to working with her in this new role. It gives me great peace of mind to know the Primary and Lower School faculty and students will be led by such an able, caring, and respected individual.

Opening Campus this Fall
I am also pleased to report that we are currently focused on preparing our buildings, procedures, and community members to be able to open the school year together on campus this September.

Before my arrival, the administration, the Board of Trustees, and Derby’s COVID-19 Task Force had been working diligently with the latest information and guidelines to develop plans for every possible reopening scenario. I’m deeply grateful for their dedication to moving Derby forward and happy to join the effort now. Our mission-focused planning has and will continue to keep three major considerations at its core:

• Maintaining the health and safety of our entire Derby community 
• Keeping connections at the forefront of our learning
• Advancing the curricula for all students

There is no doubt that certain aspects of school life will be slightly different. Our safety guidelines around distance and face coverings will help us ensure appropriate procedures for academics, arts, athletics, snacks and lunch, as well as what to do if a child is ill; our plans incorporate all the aspects of our full educational experience that builds both mind and heart. Understanding that this is still a developing situation is crucial. In the coming weeks, we will provide periodic updates on internal, as well as local and state developments, and we will distribute a detailed communication with our plans no later than Monday, August 3 to clarify the specifics of the students’ daily schedule, campus events, in-person learning, and what life at Derby will look like in September.

To assist us in our work and planning, we ask that you watch for a survey that you will receive next week. It will be brief, but will help to better inform our conversations. We appreciate your patience as we work toward creating a safe and successful return to campus this fall.

School Calendar
In order to provide an opportunity to ensure ample time for orientation and the review and reestablishment of routines, we have changed our start date to begin the year with Meet the Teachers on August 31 and First Chapel on September 1. The extra days will give us greater flexibility should additional calendar adjustments be needed during the course of the year. I understand that questions have arisen regarding the March break. At this time, we do not have reason to change those dates.

As always, thank you for your partnership in these matters. In the few short weeks since my interim position began, I have noted a great deal of support and enthusiasm for our return to campus this fall. We will do all we can to achieve that goal.

I look forward to sharing further information and plans as they develop over the coming weeks. In the meantime, stay safe and well.

Thank You, 

Thomas J. Reid
Interim Head of School

Dear Members of the Derby Community,

We hope this finds you well. As our distance learning program sees us through the remainder of this academic year, every day we’re reminded just how special our community is. Witnessing the innovation and resilience of students and faculty within these virtual classrooms continues to inspire us, and despite the challenging circumstances, they have risen to the occasion. The partnership and feedback from our families and community members have been extremely valuable throughout the last few months and we aim to close the school year strong. 

As we head into the last two weeks of reimagined, end-of-year traditions and celebrations, we realize there is much anticipation about what the next academic year will look like.

The Derby Board of Trustees, in partnership with Derby’s COVID-19 task force and school administration, are considering a number of scenarios and options regarding next year. While no formal decisions have been made about opening in the fall, please know that we are thoughtfully gathering information and preparing for each possible option.

Derby’s incoming Interim Head of School Tom Reid, who will begin his position June 15, will be an important voice in these discussions and will help guide these decisions. We’re looking forward to his insight, as he just completed planning for fall 2020 on behalf of the Pre-K–Grade 12 school he is departing. His vast experience with independent schools will be invaluable.

Whether on-campus, remote, or a hybrid model of the two, there is much to consider, plan, and execute; from possible adjustments to the academic calendar, campus space, technology, and tuition models, to the accessibility, development, and delivery of our curricula, signature programs, and campus events. Recognizing that we must be flexible in our response, we are discussing multiple scenarios that allow us to deliver a safe and engaging experience while keeping the strong connections between our students, faculty, and families.

While we hope to begin the 2020-2021 academic year in-person, we continue to monitor the developing situation closely and prioritize the health and safety of our students, employees, and members of our Derby community. We will carefully align our decisions with the recommendations and guidelines of health officials at the local and state level.

Our partnership with you is essential in this process, and as such, we will seek your thoughtful feedback through a series of surveys and Zoom meetings to gauge preferences and comfort levels with regard to possible scenarios for next fall.

In closing, it is important to take a moment to recognize our Grade 8 students, as each graduating class is a family in its own right. We may not be physically together this Derby Day, but we look forward to celebrating and honoring this remarkable Class of 2020. Derby’s graduation exercises exemplify the spirit and camaraderie of our community. The unwavering strength and energy of the students, families, and faculty have enabled this institution to endure for centuries and will fuel its future progress for centuries to come. 

Once again, thank you for your support and partnership while we navigate these circumstances. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

-The Derby Academy Board of Trustees

As part of a larger, end-of-year communication:

Planning Ahead

The Board and the administration are currently discussing several scenarios regarding the start of the 2020 academic year and will communicate details and plans as they are solidified. Governor Baker’s announcement on Monday outlined the reopening of certain businesses and institutions, while plans for the 2020-21 school year are still being discussed. We know there are many questions and considerations, and we thank you for your continued patience and support. We will continue to keep the health and well-being of all community members as our top priority.

We're looking forward to celebrating the outstanding work of our students in the coming weeks. The entire Derby community continues to support one another and exhibit extraordinary teamwork to rise above the challenges for the betterment of our students. Let's finish the year strong.

Scot and Kate

Dear Members of the Derby Community

As you may know, Governor Baker recently extended the closure of schools through the remainder of the school year to continue to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. 

While we’re not surprised by the announcement, it is with heavy hearts that we accept its definitive terms. Our focus has always been and continues to be on the safety and wellbeing of our students, families, and faculty, and the extended closure will not shift that focus. 

In the coming days and weeks, we will work to enhance our program, extend our learning and maintain our strong engagement and community connections. Thank you to those who have submitted feedback about our Distance Learning program. We are currently reviewing your comments, and we will continue to enhance the program so that it is manageable and productive for all. We will be hosting grade-level Zoom meetings with parents next week to discuss the survey data, and how we will adapt the rest of the school year based on the extended closure announcement. Times and invitations for each meeting will be shared by the end of this week.

We want to include a special note to our Grade 8 students: Students - this is not the spring any of us anticipated for you, and we know this news likely hits especially hard and brings some real disappointment. We want to hear your ideas about how we can help make the remainder of your time at Derby special, so we've assembled a group of parents, faculty, and Trustees who are eager to work with you and help make these last few months particularly meaningful. We’re looking forward to recognizing and celebrating each of you individually and your collective accomplishments as the Class of 2020.

Parents, we know this experience has been challenging–balancing careers, families, and screen time is no easy task, and we remain thankful for your patience, flexibility, and your support. 

As always, please reach out to us individually with any questions or concerns. We look forward to making this spring the best it can be for our community in these unusual circumstances.

Sincerely,

Scot and Kate

Dear Derby Families,

We hope this communication finds you all healthy and safe!

As you are all likely aware, Governor Baker has extended the closure of the state’s school buildings to continue to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The earliest schools can now reopen their campuses is Monday, May 4, 2020.  While it is with a heavy heart that we accept and share this reality, we are certainly not surprised.  

Over the past several weeks, as our world has struggled to cope with the pandemic, our Derby community has demonstrated its strength and unity in many ways. Parents are reaching out to the school and one another to offer support and shared resources, students have taken the opportunity to use devices to connect with friends remotely, and our faculty and staff continue to check in on each other and work together to develop our distance learning plan. In addition, our Board continues to speak daily about how this environment impacts our short-term and long-term initiatives and is ensuring we have the resources we need to deliver exceptional learning experiences remotely while supporting the needs of our faculty and administration.
 
On any given day under normal circumstances, a Derby teacher explores the best ways to engage, support and connect with each individual student. While this shift into remote learning is not one we anticipated at the beginning of the school year, it won’t prevent us from completing our ultimate objectives of challenging, supporting, and most importantly, connecting with students as we navigate these new logistical hurdles. For the past few weeks, faculty have been gathering research, participating in webinars, and collaborating to design a flexible distance learning plan so that we can continue moving forward with our instruction and curricula.

So it should go off without any problems, right? No. There will be things we need to change, mistakes that we will learn from, and pivots we will have to make. The world is in a fluid state right now, and we, as educators and parents, need to recognize that the ability and willingness to adjust and change course will be vital to our children finding success during this time. They will follow our lead as we respond to “the new normal,” and our positivity and reassurance will go a long way in a time when their sense of normalcy is being transformed. 

So, we will keep connections at the forefront of our distance learning plan - the connections the students make with one another, with their teachers and with their families. The human connection that takes place within a classroom cannot be replicated, and the learning that takes place remotely may look a little different; however, through the use of multiple technology platforms, Derby’s students will continue to have opportunities to engage intellectually with their teachers and peers. Each student will receive feedback daily in a variety of forms: written, verbal, visual, and real time. The connections students make at Derby are the foundation for their emotional well-being. It is our goal to continue to strengthen that foundation during this time that may be creating anxious and uncertain feelings for most of us. 

Given the timing of our break and the extension of our closure, we have decided to use Monday, March 30 as a Faculty In-Service Day to ensure consistency and continuity amongst teachers, grades and divisions. 

The first day of online learning will be Tuesday, March 31. You will be receiving more detailed information about your child’s distance learning schedule from individual teachers and advisors on Monday.  In the meantime, we are including the attached tips, guidelines and general information to help with your preparations at home.

In these uncertain times, teachers’ dedication to ensuring that each child is ‘known’ and our commitment to improving both mind and heart will ensure that Derby remains a connected, successful, sustained learning community.

Respectfully yours,
Scot Chandler, Head of PS/LS
Kate Howell, Head of MS/US
Improve Both Mind and Heart
Derby Academy
 

Dear Derby Community,

We are writing with an update to the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19), specifically Gov. Baker’s announcement of a series of measures across the state to slow the spread of COVID-19, including closing all schools for three weeks.

While we know campus will be closed until at least Monday, April 6, with the first day back tentatively being Tuesday, April 7, we wanted to reiterate that we have established distance learning platforms for all our students. 

Although distance learning will look different from our traditional classes, our goal is to provide continuity with the curriculum and continued connection with teachers and peers. We will provide resources for students and guardians to ensure the implementation of distance learning is productive and seamless. You will be hearing more about our learning resources as we near the end of our March break, and students will be hearing directly from their teachers about resources, lesson plans, and expectations. 

Events On Campus

As expected, many on-campus events in early April will be postponed, canceled, or rescheduled:

• The Secondary School kick-off evening event has been postponed. 
• The Accepted Student Revisit Day and the Reception For Newly Accepted Parents have been postponed. Future dates and times will be announced.
• The campus visit and evening presentation from Interim Head of School Tom Reid will be rescheduled. Dates and times for a future campus visit will be announced.
• The Talent Show has been canceled. While unfortunate, we will find alternative times for students to showcase their amazing talents, either at future morning meetings or additional school gatherings when we know more details.
• Derby Serves events at Father BiIl’s and Linden Ponds have been canceled.
• Family Math Night has been canceled. 
• The Quebec Trip has been canceled. Families who had planned on going will be contacted with additional details.

As for now, we’re recommending families continue to follow the CDC’s guidelines about social distancing and prevention.

While our task force continues to communicate daily to monitor the local and national news, our strong focus remains on protecting the safety and health of our community. Recognizing that this situation is challenging and fluid, we may err on the side of over-communicating with all of you. That said, we appreciate that this is our March break; we wish everyone a safe and healthy break and hope that you may find opportunities for restoration and meaningful time together as a family:

Some at-home fun:

• 50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12
• Best Family Movies
• Common Sense Selections highlighting the best movies and TV shows
• Sibling Watch-Together TV

As previously shared, School Counselor Julie Browne recommends a few guidelines when talking with kids about the coronavirus: 

• Be factual and correct misinformation
• Model calm and compassion
• Do not dismiss their concerns
• Focus on what we can do to keep ourselves healthy; hand washing, social distancing

Additional resources for parents that may help guide conversations:

• Open Circle’s How to Talk to Kids About Coronavirus 
• Parent Resource from NASP: Talking to Children about COVID-19
• American School Counselor Association’s Coronavirus Resources 
• ChildMind’s Talking to Kids About The Coronavirus 

Fun ways to de-stress/manage anxiety:

• Meditation apps for kids and families
• Helping Kids Manage Anxiety Around the Coronavirus

As always, please reach out to us individually with any questions or concerns. We are grateful to all of you for your understanding and support during this situation.

Sincerely,

Head of PS/LS Scot Chandler | schandler@derbyacademy.org
Head of MS/US Kate Howell | khowell@derbyacademy.org

and the Derby COVID-19 Task Force

Dear Derby Community, 

We are writing with an update on Derby’s response and policy to the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19).

Out of an abundance of caution, Derby Academy will begin its March break a day early. Campus will close after normal business hours on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 4PM.

There have been no reported cases of COVID-19 related illnesses within our community; however the situation is evolving and we feel this is the most appropriate decision at this time. While the immediate risk to our community remains low, the growing number of cases in the US and the state of Massachusetts has prompted us to shift our approach to prevention. 

This scenario will allow for our students and faculty to access classwork before March break.

As of now, it is our intention to return to school at the end of March break on Monday, March 30, 2020. Due to the constantly changing nature of this situation, our goal is to prepare for a range of possible scenarios, with our focus being on the safety of our students, families, and faculty. Over the last several days, our faculty and students have been instructed in distance learning in the event of a prolonged closure.

We have created a webpage (https://www.derbyacademy.org/who-we-are/covid-19-updates) on Derby’s website that offers additional resources for families, as well as prior communications and helpful information from the CDC and WHO.  

The progression of COVID-19 is evolving, so our recommendations for our community may change based on state and federal guidelines. We will continue to assess the situation closely as it continues to develop, with guidance from the CDC, state, and federal health officials, as well as Derby’s COVID-19 task force, always focusing on protecting our community. 

When talking with kids about the coronavirus, Derby School Counselor Julie Browne recommends:

• Being factual and correcting misinformation
• Modeling calm and compassion
• Do not dismiss their concerns
• Focusing on what we can do to keep ourselves healthy

Helpful resources for parents, teachers, and children include:

• Open Circle’s How to Talk to Kids About Coronavirus
• Parent Resource from NASP: Talking to Children about COVID-19
• American School Counselor Association’s Coronavirus Resources 
• ChildMind’s Talking to Kids About The Coronavirus 

As always, please reach out to us with any specific questions. We wish everyone a safe and healthy March break, and we are grateful to all of you for your understanding and support during this situation.

Sincerely,

Head of PS/LS Scot Chandler | schandler@derbyacademy.org

Head of MS/US Kate Howell | khowell@derbyacademy.org

Nurse Maye Magner, RN
Trustee Curtis Cetrulo, MD ’85
Trustee Demi Isenstadt 
Trustee Jennifer Lowe Newell ’90
CFO Phil Cantillon

Dear Parents,

With Spring Break approaching, we write with an update on Derby Academy’s response and policy to the ongoing threat of coronavirus (COVID-19). While the risk to our community remains low, we have been closely monitoring the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control websites.
 
In order to provide the safest environment for our children, there will be an intense deep cleaning and disinfecting of all facilities over break. However, in preparation for the necessity of a temporary school closure, teachers would have lesson plans prepared and will connect virtually or through email with your children, if needed.
 
Our guidelines and policy for all of our students and families are:
 
1. We strongly advise families and immediate family members against visiting countries with a Level 3 travel advisory (currently China, South Korea, Iran, and Italy), as determined by the CDC. We also ask you to notify KHowell@DerbyAcademy.org or SChandler@DerbyAcademy.org if you or immediate family members have travel plans to these areas by 3/10/20. In addition, if a family or immediate family member travels to a Level 3 area, we will require a 14 day self-quarantine, as per the CDC, of your child and will require written approval from a medical professional and MMagner@DerbyAcademy.org before returning to school. The physician's written approval should be submitted to Nurse Magner for her review and clearance.
 
2. Families traveling to countries identified as Level 1 (currently Hong Kong) or Level 2 (currently Japan) will be subject to a 14 day self-quarantine if the CDC advises or if the threat is heightened to Level 3. We also ask you to notify KHowell@DerbyAcademy.org or SChandler@DerbyAcademy.org if you or immediate family members have travel plans to these areas by 3/10/20. You and your child will require written approval from a medical professional and MMagner@DerbyAcademy.org before returning to school. The physician's written approval should be submitted to Nurse Magner for her review and clearance.
 
3. If a family or immediate family member travels to an area that becomes designated as high risk, please do not send your child back to school without contacting MMagner@DerbyAcademy.org. Furthermore, if your child is sick, please contact MMagner@DerbyAcademy.org. A written approval from a medical professional will be required to return to school. The physician's written approval should be submitted to Nurse Magner for her review and clearance.
 
4. We will continue to be vigilant in monitoring our students’ health and, should anyone show or report symptoms of concern, they will receive immediate medical evaluation and care. We will continue to promote common sense strategies to avoid the spread of illness and have a protocol in place specifically for COVID-19 that follows state and federal guidelines for school closure as well as suspected cases.
 
The progression of COVID-19 is evolving, so our recommendation may change based on state and federal guidelines. If the CDC suggests elevated precautions, we will adjust our protocols accordingly. We will continue to assess the situation closely as it emerges, with guidance from the CDC, state, and federal health officials, an MGH pediatrician, and our school nurse, always focusing on protecting our community. We are grateful to all of you for understanding our need not to panic, but rather to be cautious and proactive.
 
We are hopeful that everyone will have a wonderful vacation and will return for a healthy and productive spring.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
Nurse Maye Magner, RN
Trustee Curtis Cetrulo, MD ’85
Trustee Demi Isenstadt 
Trustee Jennifer Lowe Newell ’90 
Head of PS/LS Scot Chandler 
Head of MS/US Kate Howell
CFO Phil Cantillon

Dear Derby Community,

We want to update you on what Derby is doing to best educate and protect our community in light of the developing information regarding the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

We have assembled a coronavirus response task force at Derby to monitor current guidelines and provide recommendations to the community. That task force includes Derby Academy Trustees Curtis Cetrulo, MD ’85 and Jennifer Lowe Newell ’90, School Nurse Maye Magner, RN, Division Heads Scot Chandler and Kate Howell, and CFO Phil Cantillon, who will continue to closely monitor the local, state, and federal guidelines providing recommendations to best protect us all from illness. 

We are prepared to respond swiftly to any sudden changes and will keep our community informed of recommendations and updates from multiple health organizations and agencies, including state and local authorities.

We will continue to best support our faculty, students, and academic programs in the event our daily schedule is impacted by this virus outbreak.

The school administration is working to educate our students through regular reminders about best practices in staying healthy this winter and spring. One of the ways you can best help us keep Derby healthy is to keep your child home if they have a fever and contact the primary care physician for follow up care. Children may not return to school until they are fever-free without the use of Motrin or Tylenol for well over 24 hours and must feel well enough to attend school.

At this time, Massachusetts has one confirmed case of COVID-19 and the risk to residents remains low. Viruses are best prevented with standard health precautions, including:

• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or, if unable to wash, using alcohol-based (at least 60%) hand sanitizers.
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Covering your coughs or sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve (not with your hands).
• Staying away from people who are sick and staying home when you are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• All families, faculty, and staff who are planning to travel during the March break are asked to please adhere to the travel restrictions and safety guidelines shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, as well as The State Department Travel Advisories system. Please also share with me or members of the administration any health-related issues that arise from your travel that might pose a risk to your child or the Derby community.

 
We are also currently working with our custodial services to ensure our facilities remain as clean as possible. Recognizing the small chance that this unprecedented outbreak may require the need to close our campus for a period of time, Derby may need to make use of online educational resources to support distance learning and allow for the continuation of classes. We have a range of digital platforms and resources to support teachers in moving instruction and assessments online. If access to Wi-Fi may be an issue for your family, please contact our division heads to discuss alternative solutions.

As we monitor how this outbreak evolves, we remain hopeful that the spread of COVID-19 plateaus and dissipates soon. Please know how closely we are watching the situation, and how committed we are to the safety and wellbeing of our students.

More information about COVID-19, how to talk to your child about events in the news, and ways to stay healthy can be found below:

• Mass.Gov’s Information on the Outbreak of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website provides updates on COVID-19 (including general travel tips and advice on traveling to affected areas) 
• The National Association of Independent Schools provides a number of resources and information on how to talk to children about news and traumatic events.
• Derby Academy School Counselor Julie Browne has also recommended Healthychilden.org’s latest information on COVID-19, including additional resources on how families can stay healthy.

As always, thank you for your continued support as we work together in navigating this developing situation.

Nurse Maye Magner, RN
Kate Howell, Head of MS/US 
Scot Chandler, Head of PS/LS