June 26, 2020
Dear Guthrie School Families and Students,
I hope you are all healthy, well, and enjoying your summer breaks. I am writing to give you an update on The Guthrie School’s plans for reopening. We hope and expect that we will be able to welcome our students back for on-campus instruction on August 25th. We have missed all of you and cannot wait to be learning together in person again.
First and foremost, I want to thank you all for your support, patience, positivity, and perseverance throughout the school year and looking forward to the next year. We learned together that The Guthrie Community is strong and dedicated to supporting one another and our mission. As our students, teachers, and staff leapt into uncharted waters, I was so impressed by their leadership and commitment to maintaining strong relationships within our population and with our curriculum. Spring sprang many surprises this year, not the least of which was the rewarding revelation that our students can rise to unexpected but necessary challenges and continue to grow together.
During the last few weeks of spring and the first few weeks of summer, our team has been actively planning for the fall semester. We want you to know that we intend to be back as scheduled on Tuesday, August 25th, for our eighth excellent year! We continue to plan and prepare while monitoring the incidence of COVID-19 infection in the region. We are also considering the benefits of a hybrid learning environment. We will continue to evaluate county, state, and federal health guidance, including official decisions about the reopening and closing of campuses.
In response to the current guidance issued by government and health officials, we are planning and preparing to resume on-campus instruction with modifications to promote the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and families. We are developing practices and procedures to support the safe reopening of our campus. From seating arrangements and mask requirements to cleaning products and procedures, we are assessing all possibilities to keep our Owls as safe as possible. While the pandemic persists, in-person learning will feel different for our students, but we will strive to maintain the valuable emotional, social, and academic experience for which The Guthrie School is known.
Even though there are many details to finalize, we are looking forward to seeing everyone again, and I can’t wait to hear about everyone’s stellar summer!
With appreciation,
Jill Guthrie
Head of School
