Maryvale's 2020-2021 Reopening Plan

 

Click here to read the Maryvale 2020-2021 COVID-19 Student and Parent Handbook.

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A reminder that all students, faculty and staff are required to complete the Magnus Health COVID-19 Daily Screeningwhen they report to campus. The screenings must be submitted each morning no later than 7 a.m. for Middle School students and 7:30 a.m. for Upper School students. Timely submission of health information is vital so that preparations can be made prior to the start of each school day. Please reserve 1 to 2 minutes to complete this screening each morning.You can review this instruction sheet as you setup the app on your smartphone.

In an effort to make drop off as efficient as possible, we ask that you take a screenshot of the green "Go" that you receive to show when arriving at campus.

Our reopening plan has been reviewed and approved by the Baltimore County Department of Health, pending any significant changes in metrics. Maryvale is following metrics published by the Maryland Department of Health and Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center. We are focusing on Baltimore County metrics as well as positivity rates in the surrounding counties where our students live and cases within the Maryvale community. 

Specific metrics we are watching include:

• Infection rate in Maryland.
• The number of daily new cases per 100K population in Baltimore County, Baltimore City and Maryland.
• Positive test rate in Maryland, especially for those under the age of 35.

Maryvale’s Reentry Team is actively meeting and monitoring evolving guidelines. Please know that our plans are subject to change at any point based on new information. We will continue to update this page and communicate with families. Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we navigate these uncertain times.

Maryvale's Reentry Team is focused on making Maryvale stronger than ever. Members include:

• Heather Andrew, Director of Information Technology, Maryvale 
• Deb Baker, Senior Vice President, Nursing, Johns Hopkins Health System
• Mary Ellen Gallagher Barthelme ’72, Chair, Board of Trustees, Maryvale
• Kelly Bonsack, School Nurse, Maryvale 
• Dr. Peter Chung, Pediatrician, Carroll Children’s Center
• Tracey H. Ford, President, Maryvale
• Jennifer Kerr-Logan, Senior Physician Assistant, Johns Hopkins Hospital
• Dr. Patricia Kirby, Trustee, Maryvale
• Mark Lindenmeyer, Vice President, Enrollment Management, Loyola University Maryland (retired)
• Elizabeth Lowe, Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications, Maryvale 
• Dr. Teri Metcalf McCambridge, Physician, Towson Orthopaedic Associates
• Jen Nicholas, Middle School Head/Academic Dean, Maryvale 
• John Novotny, Trustee, Maryvale
• Diane Richard, School Nurse, Maryvale 
• Theresa Rodgers, Assistant Head of School for Business Operations / CFO, Maryvale
• Dave Schroeder, Director of Plant Operations, Maryvale
• Dr. Victor Shin, Upper School Head/Assistant Head of School, Maryvale
• Amy Swam, Director of Human Resources, Maryvale 
• Marty Voelkel-Hanssen ’75, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, Maryvale 

Click here to view the presentation from the Maryvale State of Reopening - Hosted by Board Chair and Reentry Team Members event on Oct. 27, 2020.

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on April 22, 2021:

Dear Members of the Maryvale Community,

In an effort to continue to be transparent, I am writing to let you know that today we received word of a confirmed case of COVID-19 by a student.

The circumstances of this exposure do not require an early dismissal or campus closure. The contact tracers have already reached members of the community deemed to be at possible risk from exposure. At this time, there is no additional risk of exposure to any other students or employees. 

In order to keep Maryvale's campus open to students, faculty and staff, we need and appreciate your continued cooperation and partnership with regard to all risk mitigation efforts.  

Please keep the student in your thoughts and prayers – as well as the entire Maryvale community.

Sincerely,

Tracey H. Ford

President

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on April 16, 2021:

Dear Maryvale Families,

We are delighted to write you today to share the good news that, beginning in September with the start of the 2021-2022 school year, Maryvale will be open, for all students, at full capacity. This is being made possible by the Board's commitment to renovate several new spaces on campus. These new spaces, which will be under construction this summer, will allow us maintain the CDC's three-feet social distancing recommendation, and reopen with our traditional on-campus format.

Campus renovations will include the lower level of the Castle, the McCarthy Hall prop room and some large office spaces. Each of these spaces is being designed with the goal of increased seating capacity for the 2021-2022 school year. Importantly, they are also being designed to enhance our educational program once COVID-19 restrictions no longer apply. For example, the lower level of the Castle can be used as a contemporary setting for Technology and Innovation, offering a large maker space and collaborative areas. The former prop room will be used as a much-anticipated dance studio. We have also reviewed furniture modifications to accommodate additional students in some of our smaller classroom spaces, particularly in McCarthy Hall. We also plan to continue to utilize, as we have for the 2020-2021 school year, the abundance of beautiful outdoor space that we have on Maryvale's spacious campus.

At this time, we do not anticipate offering hybrid or distance learning, unless a state or Baltimore County restriction mandates that it is necessary for a period time. Please contact Sheryl Piron for questions. 

Our social distancing and risk mitigation protocols will remain in place. Masks will continue to be required, especially in light of the fact that the majority of our students are not yet at an age open for COVID-19 vaccination.

We hope that this news makes you feel as optimistic as it does us.  Maryvale's strength is its individualized connection to each student. We know that this is far better achieved in person rather than on a screen. We look forward, with great excitement, to welcoming back every Lion, every day, beginning in September as we roar back.

Thank you, as always, for your support and understanding.

Warmly,

Tracey H. Ford

President

Dr. Victor Shin

Assistant Head of School/Upper School Head

Jennifer Nicholas

Middle School Head/Academic Dean

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on March 26, 2021:

Dear Members of the Maryvale Community,

In an effort to continue to be transparent, I am writing to let you know that this afternoon we received word of a confirmed case of COVID-19 by an employee.

The circumstances of this exposure did not require an early dismissal or campus closure. The employees who were deemed to be at possible risk of exposure have been notified. At this time, there is no exposure to any other employees or any students. 

Today's test result reminds us that while we are making positive strides against COVID-19, the virus is still very much in our midst.

In order to keep Maryvale's campus open to students, faculty and staff, we need and appreciate your continued cooperation and partnership with regard to all risk mitigation efforts. Please keep the individual in your thoughts and prayers – as well as the entire Maryvale community.

Sincerely,

Tracey H. Ford

President

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on March 16, 2021:

Dear Maryvale Families,

In light of Governor Hogan's recent order regarding out of state travel, Maryvale has revised its travel guidelines, effective immediately. An updated chart, for your use, is below. Please carefully review it as several changes have been made. As always, the revised policy is subject to change, if either on-campus exposures or local, state or CDC policies, warrant or mandate a change.

At this time, travel restrictions have been significantly lifted. However, the well-being of our students, faculty and staff remains our highest priority. Therefore, please be aware that a Maryland Department of Health Advisory remains in place to encourage Marylanders to get a COVID-19 test upon their return to the state.

If the travel quarantine/requirement applies to your daughter, please notify Mr. Troy Peters, COVID Crisis Management Coordinator. For PCR testing and exposure matters, please contact Maryvale's nurses. If you would like to change your daughter's mode of learning (hybrid or virtual), please contact the appropriate division head (Dr. Victor Shin or Jennifer Nicholas).

We hope that you agree that Maryvale has remained vigilant, for the past 12 months, in our commitment to safety measures, transparent communication and responsibly adapting to emerging circumstances. All of our risk mitigation practices remain in place.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support, throughout this challenging time. 

Warmly,

Tracey H. Ford

President

Jennifer Nicholas

Middle School Head, Academic Dean

Dr. Victor Shin

Upper School Head, Assistant Head of School

 

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on March 5, 2021:

Dear Maryvale Families,

As spring quickly approaches, we want to share some important updates with you. It has not gone unnoticed that we are writing to you, at the one-year mark, of navigating a global pandemic. Thank you for your support and understanding as the Maryvale community has traversed uncharted waters as a school. Despite that, we remain more certain, than ever, that Maryvale offers individualized, innovative instruction to your daughters.

Beginning with the 4th Quarter, we will utilize Wednesdays for in-person instruction for Upper School students. We will alternate between on-campus Wednesdays for grades 9-10 and 

11-12. Upper School students will maintain a-synchronous learning days, every other Wednesday, when not on campus. On Wednesdays, students in mixed grade level courses will be expected to attend their courses through Zoom when they are not on campus. Middle School students will continue to have a-synchronous learning days on most Wednesdays for the remainder of the year. Grade level calendars are available for your convenience.

Importantly, we also want to share that we are actively planning for increased on-campus time for all students, beginning in the fall. In anticipation of continuing CDC guidance for some social distancing, we will be renovating additional spaces for extra classrooms. We will continue to keep you apprised of updates and will be seeking your thoughts in end-of-year surveys.  

We ask that you continue to read the Maryvale Minute for weekly updates and student opportunities. The spring will include on-campus student recognitions and milestone celebrations and families will be able to share in many of these through livestreaming. Major events, such as 8th Grade Graduation and Class of 2021 Baccalaureate and Commencement, will offer parents in-person participation.

Knowing that several of our community members continue to be negatively affected by COVID-19, we ask for your thoughts and prayers for them as well as the Maryvale families whose members include medical personnel and first responders. We are in their debt for their service, commitment and dedication.

Warmly,

Tracey H. Ford

President

Mrs. Jennifer Nicholas

Middle School Head, Academic Dean

Dr. Victor Shin

Upper School Head, Assistant Head of School

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Jan. 25, 2021:

Dear Members of the Maryvale Community,

In an effort to continue to be transparent, I am writing to let you know that we received word tonight of a confirmed case of COVID-19 by an individual who was on campus last week.

The circumstances of this exposure do not require a campus closure. Therefore, the PSAT testing scheduled for tomorrow for grades 10-11 will continue, weather permitting, beginning promptly at 10 a.m.

Our contact tracers are currently gathering information and will be in touch this evening if your daughter was deemed to be at risk from this exposure. 

As we have said before, in order to keep Maryvale's campus open to students, faculty and staff, we need and appreciate your continued cooperation and partnership. Please keep the individual in your thoughts and prayers – as well as the entire Maryvale community.

Sincerely,

Tracey H. Ford

President

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Jan. 19, 2021:

Dear Members of the Maryvale Community,

As we write to you today, the second semester is about to begin. We are grateful for the introduction of COVID-19 vaccinations, student compliance with masking and social distancing, and the community's transparency with regard to travel and exposure.  Despite these, our community has been affected by positive cases among students and staff and a significant number of students are currently in quarantine due to exposures. In consideration of these factors, we are writing today to share the school's decision regarding indoor sports and winter athletics. We know that our decision will disappoint some of our athletes and, for that, we are sincerely sorry.

The Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland (IAAM) recently wrote that the organization was aware of current restrictions related to athletics in certain Member school jurisdictions. Maryvale, because of our location in Baltimore County, is one of the IAAM member schools that is not able to move forward, as we had hoped, with indoor athletics. We have received the Interpretive Guidance from the January 7, 2021 Baltimore County Health Directive and Executive Order No. 2021-001 and excerpts are below. The full guidance can be read here.

"Social gatherings shall also include all non-professional sports gatherings and events, except for collegiate sports that have had a COVID plan approved by the Baltimore County Department of Health, and shall include high school tournaments, scrimmages and organized events ... For any high school, youth, amateur and/or recreational sports, tournaments, scrimmages and organized events held indoors, …. the ten-person limit is inclusive of [athletes], coaches, trainers and staff…"

Given the Baltimore County guidance, Maryvale will not be participating in indoor workouts, games and competitions. However, continuing in our commitment to promote and create opportunities for physical activity, Maryvale plans to reopen outdoor winter workouts, for those currently involved, as soon as our community cases and exposures, as well as available personnel, allow. Information on dates when these sessions will resume will be sent shortly.

In closing, please know that we are looking forward to the possibility of the spring season with hope and optimism. But that hope, becoming a reality, still requires patience, understanding and adherence to current guidelines and protocols. Like you, we cannot wait to again be together as #LionNation!

With thoughts and prayers for the entire Maryvale community,

Mrs. Tracey H. Ford

President

Ms. Terri Moeser

Director of Athletics

Mrs. Jennifer Nicholas

Middle School Head, Academic Dean

Dr. Victor Shin

Upper School Head, Assistant Head of School

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Jan. 14, 2021:

Dear Maryvale Families and Employees,

In an effort to continue to be transparent, I am writing to let you know that we just received word tonight of a second positive COVID-19 test result within our school community.

This case is unrelated to yesterday's case. 

As we await guidance from the Baltimore County Department of Health, we feel that it is prudent to close campus tomorrow, Friday, January 15, and revert to virtual learning.

We hope to return to hybrid learning and reopen campus, as planned, on Wednesday, January 20. We will be in touch on Tuesday, January 19 to confirm if this is possible. 

A contact tracer will be in touch with you tomorrow, Friday, January 15, as early as possible, if you or your daughter is deemed to be at risk from this exposure. 

As always, in order to keep Maryvale's campus open to students, faculty and staff, we need and appreciate your continued cooperation and partnership. In closing, I ask that you keep our entire community in your thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Tracey H. Ford

President

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Jan. 13, 2021:

Dear Members of the Maryvale Community,

In an effort to continue to be transparent, I am writing to let you know that we received word today of a positive COVID-19 test result within our athletics community.

As we await further guidance from the Baltimore County Department of Health, Maryvale is suspending all athletic workouts and intramurals until further notice.

At this time, we do not anticipate a school-wide closure and plan to continue our hybrid learning schedule tomorrow, Thursday, January 14 for grades 6-8 and 11-12. I will be in touch if there are any changes.

If you are not contacted by a contact tracer sometime today, Wednesday, January 13, your daughter was deemed not to be at risk from this exposure. 

Please visit our Reopening Plan webpage for more information on our COVID-19 policies.

In order to keep Maryvale's campus open to students, faculty and staff, we need and appreciate your continued cooperation and partnership. Please keep the individual in your thoughts and prayers – as well as the entire Maryvale community.

Sincerely,

Tracey H. Ford

President

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Dec. 31, 2020:

Dear Maryvale Families,

As we approach the end of 2020, we hope that your family has enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and we wish each of you a very Happy New Year!

As we wrote to you before the start of Christmas break, there are several factors related to the pandemic that we continue to monitor including changes or directives from the CDC, state and local health authorities. Since that time, the Maryland Department of Health has updated its COVID-19 advisory for travel. With the exception of travel to Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia, a quarantine period is now mandated for all those returning to Maryland from any other states, regardless of the mode of transportation and regardless of other states' positivity rates or case rates per 100,000. In addition, travelers are required to immediately get a COVID-19 test upon arrival in Maryland or within 72 hours before travel to Maryland. If tested sooner, travelers are strongly encouraged to get a second COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival in Maryland because of the novel coronavirus' incubation period.

Therefore, if your daughter traveled outside of Maryland to any states or areas other than those listed above, Maryvale's policies now include a 14-day virtual learning-only quarantine from the date of her return to Maryland. The 14-day virtual-only quarantine includes after school and weekend on-campus practices and activities. Alternatively, if proof of a negative COVID-19 test is provided to our school nurses prior to her return to campus, she may return to campus sooner than 14 days, with the nurses' approval. Please note that per Maryvale's policy, international travel and travel by public transportation still requires a 14-day virtual-only quarantine.

We apologize for this revision to information from our mid-December letter but, as we continue to communicate, we are duty-bound to support policies of the state as they are updated. 

If this travel quarantine/requirement for COVID-19 testing now applies to your daughter, please notify Troy Peters, COVID Crisis Management Coordinator. We are grateful for your continued partnership as we continue to navigate this uncharted territory together. Remember that we are all in this together in our New Normal. Same Sisterhood. And we are striving to remain open, in virtual and hybrid modes, as long as we can do so.

In closing, we wish your family a very Happy New Year and we are so excited to see your daughters - virtually - on Monday!

Sincerely,

Tracey H. Ford

President

Dr. Victor Shin

Upper School Head/ Assistant Head of School

Jennifer Nicholas

Middle School Head/ Academic Dean

Theresa Rodgers

Assistant Head of School for Business Operations/ 

Chief Financial Officer

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Dec. 17, 2020:

Dear Maryvale Families,

As we approach the beginning of the Christmas break, we want to thank you for your support throughout these challenging months. With your continued partnership, we look forward to returning to our hybrid learning model when we reopen campus on Monday, January 11. 

In the meantime, there are several factors related to the pandemic which we will continue to monitor, including but not limited to, positive cases and quarantined individuals within the Maryvale community; Baltimore County's positivity rate; gathering sizes and campus space limitations; any other changes or directives from the CDC, state, or local health authorities.

One recent change has been the Maryland Department of Health's (MDH) issuance of a COVID-19 advisory for essential travel. We know and understand that some families will be traveling over the break; therefore, is it important to remind everyone that the school continues to follow advisories issued by health authorities. This advisory is being followed regardless of whether an individual is traveling by public or private transportation. Specifically, the advisory states:

"All Marylanders should refrain from non-essential travel outside of Maryland due to the recent increase in COVID-19 infections in other states. In addition, the Maryland Department of Health strongly recommends:

A. Any Marylander returning from out-of-state or any out-of-state traveler should either get tested for COVID-19 promptly upon arrival in Maryland or within 72 hours before travel to Maryland."

B. Any Marylander who travels to a state with a COVID-19 test positivity rate above 10 percent or with a case rate over 20 per 100,000 in the past 7 days should get tested and self-quarantine at home until the test result is received. The District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the States of Delaware and West Virginia are exempt from this recommendation."

• A list of state COVID-19 test positivity rates can be found here. 
• A list of state COVID-19 case rate per 100,000 over the past seven days can be found here.
• The full MDH advisory can be found here.

In accordance with the MDH's advisory, Maryvale's policies now include a 14-day quarantine from the date of your return to Maryland (if you travel to a state meeting the criteria above) or a negative PCR test result, with quarantining until notification of a negative test result. 

Knowing this is an added burden for those traveling, Maryvale would like to assist families in meeting our state and school guidelines before returning to campus on January 11, 2021. For students traveling out-of-state during the Christmas break, Maryvale will offer a COVID-19 Saliva PCR test from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Maryvale. This test is available to Maryvale students only. If you are interested in having your daughter take this test, we encourage you to sign up early because space is limited. You can sign up for a time slot here.

The cost of the saliva test is $25, and Maryvale will bill your daughter's FACTS account. Medical insurance billing will not be available. Test results are confidential between the testing company and Maryvale. Test results have been promised to be available to our school nurses within 48 hours. If your daughter's test result is positive, your family will be notified as soon as this result is available, but no later than Saturday, January 9. If you do not hear from one of our nurses by 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, you can assume that her test result was negative and she can be on campus, on her scheduled school days, beginning the week of January 11. 

As always, you may choose the all-virtual option until 14 days after your daughter's return to Maryland. And you are free to use the testing services of any facility offering PCR COVID-19 testing. Results would then need to be shared with the school nurses prior to your daughter's return to campus.

We thank you for your continued partnership as we navigate this uncharted territory together. Remember that we are all in this together in our New Normal. Same Sisterhood. And with the news of the first vaccines being administered, there is finally reason for hope that a resolution of this pandemic is ahead. 

In closing, we wish you a very Merry Christmas, and faith in the promise of a brighter 2021.

Sincerely,

Tracey H. Ford

President

Dr. Victor Shin

Upper School Head/ Assistant Head of School

Mrs. Jennifer Nicholas

Middle School Head/ Academic Dean

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Dec. 9, 2020:

Dear Members of the Maryvale Community,

In an effort to continue to be transparent, I am writing to let you know that we received word this evening of a positive COVID-19 test result from a Maryvale student within our Upper School.

Regarding on campus learning for tomorrow, Thursday, December 10, we are able to continue our hybrid learning schedule as planned for grades 6-8 and 11-12.

We are mitigating this positive case using contact tracers and are awaiting consultation from the Baltimore County Department of Health. At this time we do not anticipate a school-wide closure. I will be in touch if there are any changes.

If you are not contacted by a contact tracer sometime tomorrow, Thursday, December 10, your daughter was deemed not to be at risk from this exposure. 

As the number of cases within Greater Baltimore continue to rise, we are again reminded that gatherings and events continue to be the largest drivers of positive test cases. In order to keep Maryvale's campus open to students, faculty and staff, we need and appreciate your continued cooperation and partnership.

In the meantime, please keep the student and her family in your thoughts and prayers – as well as the entire Maryvale community.

Sincerely,

Tracey H. Ford

President

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Nov. 18, 2020:

Dear Members of the Maryvale Community,

As I write this letter, I am hopeful that your families and loved ones continue to stay healthy. Given the recent news around the rising number of COVID-19 cases, I am sure that many of you have anticipated a communication such as this.   

Maryvale's Reentry Team met earlier this week and has recommended a pause to our hybrid learning schedule. Maryvale's Board of Trustees is in full support of this recommendation.

At this time, there will be no changes to the schedule until the Thanksgiving break, which begins next Wednesday, November 25. We will begin to use distance learning only following Thanksgiving break on Tuesday, December 1 through Friday, December 4. Our revised schedule is now available. 

Currently, we plan to resume our hybrid learning model and reopen campus on Monday, December 7. Throughout this time, Maryvale will continue to assess positive COVID-19 cases among students and faculty as well as individuals in quarantine within the Maryvale community; Baltimore County metrics; and positivity rates in surrounding counties. I will be in touch if we need to make additional changes to the schedule. 

I urgently ask you to reconsider your family's risk mitigation efforts, including travel and family gathering plans. In addition, please continue to adhere to the Protect the Sisterhood Pledge. Maryvale's ability to reopen our campus on Monday, December 7 - and remain open - is predicated on each member of the Maryvale community acting responsibly. 

Recently, Governor Hogan urged Marylanders to:

• Cancel travel to any state with a positivity rate above 10 percent.
• Reconsider the number of individuals participating in family gatherings.
• Continue to wear masks both indoors and outdoors.

Maryvale's Reentry Team will continue to follow metrics published by the Maryland Department of Health and Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center. Specific metrics we are watching include:

• The number of Maryvale positive COVID-19 cases and the number of students and faculty in quarantine.
• Infection rate in Maryland.
• The number of daily new cases per 100K population in Baltimore County, Baltimore City, and Maryland.
• Positive test rate in Maryland, especially for those under the age of 35.

We continue to require you to share with our school nurses, even during the Thanksgiving break, if your daughter receives a positive COVID-19 test result or has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Thank you, as always, for your partnership and support. I wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. 

Sincerely,

Tracey H. Ford

President

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Oct. 14, 2020:

Dear Members of the Maryvale Community,

I first want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we navigate this complicated situation together. I ask that you continue to keep those in our community who are quarantined in your thoughts and prayers.

I am writing to you today with good news! I am happy to share that the Baltimore County Department of Health has given us the go-ahead to reopen campus tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 15. We will resume our original campus reopening schedule.

• Juniors will be on campus tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 15.
• Seniors will be on campus on Friday, Oct. 16.

If any student prefers to utilize distance learning, rather than coming to campus, please let Dr. Shin know.

During this week's closure, the buildings and areas of campus that were used by exposed students and community members have been thoroughly disinfected.

I look forward to seeing many of you on campus tomorrow!

Warmly,

Tracey

Tracey H. Ford

President

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Oct. 13, 2020:

Dear Members of the Maryvale Community,

Since I wrote to you last night, we have learned additional information about the number of students and others who were exposed to the student with the positive COVID-19 test result.

Understanding the potential impact of the exposure, the Baltimore County Department of Health has said that Maryvale should take the following steps:

• Maryvale's campus will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 14.
• SAT testing has been postponed until Tuesday, Oct. 27, which has been confirmed with the College Board.
• The Class of 2021's movie night, scheduled for this Friday, Oct. 16, will be rescheduled.

An announcement about the reopening of campus for this Thursday, Oct. 15 and Friday, Oct. 16 is pending as we await the test results for a number of community members, including students, faculty and administrators, including Dr. Shin. In addition, mandatory quarantines for a number of individuals are now in effect and the areas of campus used by exposed students and community members are being thoroughly disinfected.

My next communication will address reopening campus for the remainder of the week. We are also looking at a revised schedule, by grade, if needed. We will ensure that the Classes of 2021 and 2022 will be the next grades to be able to enjoy on-campus learning.

Additionally, plans for the fall sports season continue. Upper School families who have expressed interest can still expect to receive a letter from Terri Moeser and Dr. Shin this Thursday, Oct. 15.

This situation highlights why Maryvale and our Reentry Team thoughtfully deliberated for so long over our protocols and created the Protect the Sisterhood Pledge. I strongly encourage each family to again review the COVID-19 Student and Parent Handbook and the Pledge, in recognition of how our individual actions can impact others. As I've said before, COVID-19 is a formidable opponent, with many tentacles.

Despite this setback, our faculty, staff and I were thrilled to have our students return to campus. I will be in touch tomorrow with an update for the rest of the week.

Warmly,

Tracey

Tracey H. Ford

President

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Oct. 12, 2020:

Dear Members of the Maryvale Community,

It has been wonderful to see so many of you on campus over the past days. Unfortunately, I write to you tonight to share that one of our Maryvale students who was on campus last week, with very limited exposure to other students and faculty, has reported a positive COVID-19 test. Please understand that we cannot provide further identifying information as it would violate privacy laws. I ask that you keep this student and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

We are taking reported cases very seriously and are moving forward immediately with the following actions:

• A contact tracer will be reaching out to any individuals who may have come in contact with the student. (Exposure for COVID-19 purposes has been defined by the CDC as being within about six [6] feet of another individual for a minimum of fifteen [15] minutes).
• Campus will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 13. We will be in touch sometime tomorrow to further clarify the length of the closure. Guidance from the Baltimore County Department of Health is needed before we can share this information.
• Completing the Contact Tracing Investigation Report and communicating with those who may have been exposed.
• Thoroughly disinfecting the spaces used by the student.
• In keeping with the requirements in our COVID-19 Handbook, requiring a 14-day quarantine period for the diagnosed student in the hope she can rest comfortably and recover; she will only be allowed to return to campus when she is cleared by a physician and symptom free.

Transparency

The only way we will be able to manage our campus reopening during the pandemic is through transparency. Our pledge to you is to openly share positive cases and any contact tracing reports which are required to be shared with you. We ask you to do the same. If you or your daughter receive a positive COVID-19 test result, please share the news with me immediately. Your identity will remain confidential. I also recommend that you contact your health care provider and your local health department and follow their guidance. As soon as we know more, we will be in touch.

Warmly,

Tracey

Tracey H. Ford

President

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Sept. 21, 2020:

Dear Maryvale Families,

We want to begin with a heartfelt thank you and true appreciation for your daughters and how well they are doing with distance learning. We understand that their success is a collaborative effort between our families and our teachers, and we are so grateful for how supportive you have been during this time. It has also lifted our spirits this fall to see that our sense of community and sisterhood at Maryvale is alive and well — as we've observed in Community Homeroom, after school clubs and the recent student council elections.

Campus Reopening Update

Since our last communication, we have received approval and clearer guidance from the Baltimore County Department of Health on how to safely reopen our campus — in a hybrid fashion with a gradual rollout. We are incredibly happy to share with you that beginning on Monday, Oct. 5, we plan to welcome students back onto campus in small groups by division or grade level.

We will welcome everyone back in phases to ensure that students, parents, faculty and staff understand and abide by social distancing protocols established by Maryvale's Campus Reentry Team under guidance from the CDC, as well as State and local health officials.

Click here for the tentative campus reopening schedule until the end of the 1st quarter, which is Monday, Nov. 2. School will be closed for all students, faculty and staff on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Key Metrics to Watch

Our reopening plan has been reviewed and approved by the Baltimore County Department of Health, pending any significant changes in metrics. Maryvale is following metrics published by the Maryland Department of Health and Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center. We are focusing on Baltimore County metrics as well as positivity rates in the surrounding counties where our students live and cases within the Maryvale community. Please note, all campus reopening plans continue to be subject to change.

Athletics and the Arts

Upper School athletics and other extracurricular activities, such as performing arts, are approved to begin in small groups. On-campus athletic workouts will begin for Upper School students on Monday, Oct. 5. Your daughters will soon receive individual signups through email. In order to comply with social distancing guidelines for all fall sports (Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soccer and Volleyball), each of these sports will be limited to 10 participants per day. Student athletes will only be allowed to participate in one sport for the fall season. Workouts will take place outside from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, weather permitting.

Information about performing arts will be provided in the coming weeks. Logistical details of our reopening plan, including arrival and departure times, are also forthcoming.

Protect the Sisterhood Pledge

Maryvale's Campus Reentry Team is making every effort to bring students back to campus as safely as possible but in order to open and stay open, we are requesting that you partner with us in protecting the Maryvale community. We have created the Protect the Sisterhood Pledge to serve as a reminder that we are all in this together. Click here to review the Pledge.

The Pledge outlines guidelines for limiting the chances of COVID-19 exposures on our campus. We are also asking that if your daughter is participating in large gatherings where social distancing isn't possible, such as large athletic tournaments, family weddings and sleepovers, that she uses distance learning for two weeks following those events. It is our hope that in looking out for each other, we can keep everyone healthy and avoid the closures that other local independent schools, as well as colleges and universities, have already experienced.

Thank you for your partnership as we navigate these uncharted waters together. We love seeing your daughters on Zoom but we can't wait to see them on campus, to build the #NewNormalSameSisterhood together!

Warmly,

Tracey H. Ford

President

Dr. Victor Shin

Upper School Head/Assistant Head of School

Jennifer Nicholas

Middle School Head/Academic Dean

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Sept. 4, 2020:

Dear Maryvale Parents and Guardians,

It was wonderful to see your daughters on campus this week! We are looking forward to an incredible school year! We appreciate your ongoing partnership.

This Tuesday, Sept. 8 is the first day of classes. Zoom links will be posted on each course's Bulletin Board.

Click here for a sample of the academic schedule for the 2020-2021 school year. The schedule allows for in-depth academic programming and a balance between home and school. It also includes daily office hours, both before and after school, so that teachers can provide individualized support as needed. Frequent advisory meetings are built into the schedule to maintain community among our students.

Distance learning plan

• The school day will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. There is an activity period following the last class, which runs until 3:30 p.m. Faculty will hold office hours most school days from 7:55 a.m. to 8:25 a.m., 2:50 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and by appointment. If a student plans to attend office hours, she should notify her teacher and parent on the same email.
• Each class will begin with a Zoom session. During that time, faculty will take attendance and discuss the plan for the day. Students should be on time for all classes.
• Zoom classes should be treated like on-campus classes. Students must wear their Maryvale polo shirts and log on to Zoom ready to learn for each class. Students may wear an approved Maryvale sweatshirt over the polo shirt for class. Students should not be in bed or lying down during classes.
• Faculty will be utilizing a variety of instructional methods during allotted class times.
• Maryvale faculty may assign homework to continue the learning process. Middle School students can expect up to 20 minutes of homework per class, Upper School students can expect up to 30 minutes of homework per class and students in AP classes can expect up to 40 minutes of homework per class.
• If parents or students have any questions, please contact your teacher first.
• Thoroughly review each course syllabus.
• Parents should report student absences to Julie Lanahan at the beginning of the school day.

Be prepared to receive additional information on our gradual hybrid plans as our learning format evolves this school year.

Mark your calendars

• Virtual Upper School Back to School Night: Thursday, Sept. 17
• Virtual Middle School Back to School Night: Thursday, Sept. 24

Additional information is forthcoming!

Maryvale's administration is excited for a wonderful and exciting school year in the New Normal. Same Sisterhood.

Sincerely,

Dr. Victor Shin

Upper School Head/Assistant Head of School

Mrs. Jessica Vitrano Randisi '01

Upper School Assistant Head/Dean of Students

Mrs. Jennifer Nicholas

Middle School Head/Academic Dean

Ms. Kalea Selmon

Director of Diversity and Inclusion

Mrs. Gracie Smith

Associate Academic Dean

Can students remove their masks indoors? No. Maryvale is following CDC recommendations, which includes that masks are required at all times when indoors. There will be no exceptions.

We are adhering to this requirement in an effort to protect the health and well-being of faculty, as well as students, who will be in our buildings throughout the day. If you feel that you cannot support this requirement, we ask that you choose the all-distance option. There will be no exceptions to masking while indoors.

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ reopening guidance points out that three feet can be sufficient for social distancing. Are there plans to update or modify the six foot recommendation to allow for flexibility and three foot distancing when possible? Maryvale is taking a more conservative approach and will not waiver in the CDC’s original recommendations of six feet apart for social distancing because it is designed to further protect students, faculty and staff. Our administration and facilities team has literally spent days conducting an audit of each space on campus and our reopening plan reflects this.

Maryvale has a great plan for reopening campus for the 2020-2021 school year. However, if families do not follow the guidelines outlined, then everyone on Maryvale’s campus is at risk. What will school administrators do if they learn that families are not following the rules, such as not reporting if they fly on a plane and not quarantining after travel? This is a question which greatly concerns the administration, faculty and staff. The only ongoing way for Maryvale to possibly open in a hybrid fashion and remain open is if families cooperate with and support the protocols which have been mandated. These guidelines were painstakingly developed with the support of healthcare professionals. Adherence to these guidelines is our best option to try to reopen Maryvale’s campus in a hybrid fashion and remain open. It is every family’s responsibility to keep the faculty, staff and other families as healthy as possible. Anyone who cannot abide by the school’s hybrid learning protocols must seriously consider opting for the distance learning-only option. We will not waiver from the policies we have communicated. We greatly appreciate your partnership in this effort.

We are in the process of revising our parent and student handbook to include disciplinary measures which will be taken if and when the school learns of noncompliance. Families will have the opportunity to review this handbook in advance of the planned reopening of campus in late August for the start of the 2020-2021 school year.

What happens if a student or employee tests positive for COVID-19? In the event of a positive COVID-19 test within the Maryvale community (faculty, staff or student), the school will close for a minimum of two to five days while we await direction from the Baltimore County Health Department. During that time we will revert to a complete distance learning model. This may result in faculty, staff and students quarantining for a defined period. As CDC and Baltimore County Health Department guidelines evolve, we will adjust our processes accordingly.

What happens if someone living in a student or employee’s household tests positive for COVID-19? If someone living in a student or employee's household tests positive for COVID-19, the student or employee must use distance learning for a period of 14 days.

Are students required to wear their uniforms on days when they are engaged with distance learning? Yes, students are required to wear their uniform shirt when engaged with distance learning.

It seems that Maryvale’s expenses should be less for the 2020-2021 school year. As a result, will we be receiving a refund for base tuition or for St. Julie Billiart program tuition?

As a reminder, earlier this summer, Maryvale rolled back the cost of base tuition for the 2020-2021 school year to the same level as the 2019-20 school year.

While it could seem like Maryvale’s expenses may have decreased since COVID-19 arrived in our world, our expenses have in fact increased considerably since March, both during the 2019-2020 school year and also for the 2020-2021 school year. We have and will continue to incur pandemic-related expenses. We also recognize that, until a resolution is reached, COVID-19 will continue to be a part of our world and we anticipate that we will incur additional unexpected costs.

While the delivery of instruction and the number of students on campus may be different, the majority of Maryvale’s budget falls into the category of fixed costs. Examples of fixed costs include insurance for the campus, maintenance and upkeep of the campus, software, and other necessary infrastructure costs. In addition, in order to provide the quality education you have come to expect from Maryvale, we have committed to retaining our full faculty and staff and have, as previously noted, added personnel due to COVID-19. These combined costs represent more than 90 percent of the school’s budget. While there are minor savings in variable costs such as electricity, water and copier expenses, the necessary costs incurred due to the pandemic greatly exceed those savings.

Tuition at Maryvale does not cover the full cost of education. We rely on voluntary contributions to the Annual Fund with a yearly goal of $800,000, all of which is used toward offsetting the difference between what tuition costs and what families pay. The 2019-2020 school year already saw a decrease of over 10 percent in contributions to the Annual Fund and, despite all best efforts, Maryvale is prepared for the reality that contributions may/will again drop in the 2020-2021 year as alumnae and families continue to face economic challenges.

We have also experienced a precipitous drop in auxiliary revenue which offsets tuition including, but not limited to, facility rentals, dining services, school store sales and the ongoing cancellation of several major fundraising events.

As a result, tuition cannot be less, whether students are learning on campus or engaged in distance learning. There has not been a reduction in the cost associated with delivering a Maryvale education.

In the case of the SJB program, the faculty members who are a part of that program are solely dedicated to students in the SJB program. Therefore, the cost of that program has not and will not be reduced.

Why did Maryvale receive a $2 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan when the school didn't close? Maryvale applied for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan in good faith, so that we could continue to provide the best quality of education to our students. COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on organizations across all industries, including private school education. Maryvale qualified for $1.2 million in PPP funding based on our payroll, which allowed us to continue employing and providing health insurance coverage to our nearly 100 faculty and staff members, despite a multi-month campus closure. While we transitioned to online learning, this unexpected closure resulted in decreased gross revenues as it forced us to cancel two of our biggest fundraising events, suspend our capital fundraising campaign and shut down ancillary sources of income, such as the school store, after care program and summer athletic camps. Additionally, we have added expenses as a result of updating our online learning technology platforms and providing increased financial aid to those families who are also struggling amidst this crisis.

All Maryvale faculty are completing distance/hybrid learning professional development this summer. The list below is a sampling, not an all-inclusive list, of professional development that faculty members have participated in over the summer. Faculty have been taking advantage of other professional development offerings this summer.

• The majority of our faculty are participating in the AIMS Distance Learning Pop-up Course for Educators.
  • Course essential questions: What are the core tenets of your school and how might these translate to distance learning? What are the basic types of learner interactions possible and what is the best way to use them? What are your students’ social-emotional needs during distance learning and how might you best support and encourage them?
  • Course content: distance learning best practices, types of learner interactions, social-emotional learning, equity in distance learning, virtual assessment tools and engagement in an online environment.

• Others are participating in courses through the Global Online Academy, including:
  • Design Bootcamp
    • design online learning experiences that promote student agency
    • build community in online spaces, including peer to peer relationships and student and teacher relationships
    • design assessments that allow both students and teachers to know what students are learning with an emphasis on evidence of student work
    • incorporate wayfinding and best practices in the smooth and intuitive design of online learning spaces
    • self-assess and reflect upon their pedagogy and practice in online teaching and learning
    • review and provide meaningful feedback on colleagues' work products as well as receive feedback on their own work
  • Designing for Online Learning
    • This course will cover the fundamentals of designing high quality online learning experiences.
  • Designing for Online Learning: Student Agency
    • Course for educators who want to learn how to foster learning experiences that help students to develop and exercise agency.
  • Designing for Online Learning: Wayfinding
    • Course for educators who want to learn how to build engaging, navigable, and student-centered online learning experiences.

• Members of Maryvale’s science department participated in Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s Teacher Research Academy to further develop tools for online laboratory and hands-on experiences.
  • Bioscience
    • This virtual workshop for middle and high teachers focuses on enriching NGSS standards using the lens of biotechnology to inspire student lab experiences. This workshop will provide the opportunity to expand or refresh lab skills, while exploring how lab investigations can be scaled up or scaled down according to SEP/CCC focus, resources, and/or grade level.
    • Teachers will discuss how authentic rigorous lab experiences can be integrated into NGSS, AP and IB curricula. Learn how to source free science materials and local mini grants as well. Participants will learn through virtual laboratory activities and complementary “kitchen science” in microbiology, biology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics. The afternoons will be dedicated to developing mini-units to share with other participants at the end of the workshop that on that can be implemented in future classroom instruction.
  • Physics with Phone Sensors
    • This online workshop will focus on hands-on activities designed to use science and engineering practices to explore core disciplinary ideas in physics. The activities will exploit the amazing set of sensors in the smartphones which all your students own and are expert users. During this workshop you will become experienced in using the sensors in open ended exploration that will enable completely new opportunities for students to explore and learn physics.

• Some faculty participated in AP Summer Institutes to further their AP course knowledge. All classes occurred in a virtual environment.
  • AP Summer Institutes offer the most intensive professional development available for AP educators. Attendees engage in at least 30 hours of content-rich training designed to strengthen how they teach their AP courses. Learn innovative best practices, explore ready-to-use strategies, and increase course knowledge.

• All faculty will participate in Challenge Success’s Grab and Go Strategies for Assessment Learning Online workshop in late August. Below is a description of the workshop. Challenge Success is affiliated with Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education.
  • How do we best assess student learning during this unexpected shift to remote learning? In this workshop, we will share and model a range of assessment strategies that provide meaningful feedback to students in a virtual environment. Participants will leave with relevant, interactive, and fun practices that they can begin using tomorrow.

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• Maryland Department of Health 
• Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center
• World Health Organization
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Click here to see which educational companies are offering free subscriptions due to school closings.

Maryvale's school counselors will continue to be available to provide academic, personal and emotional support to students for the extent of this school closure. Students or parents can request virtual counseling appointments via email and the counselors will follow up to schedule a one-on-one Zoom session with the student. The counselors will remain in close contact with teachers and administrators to identify students in need of services. They will reach out via email to schedule check-ins with identified students.

While the school counselors are here to support students, those in need of in-depth mental health counseling and services should seek treatment from licensed mental health providers in the community, many of whom are also offering virtual therapy through telehealth platforms. If you are seeking a referral to a local mental health provider, Maryvale's counselors are happy to work with you in facilitating that connection. In case of a mental health emergency during a time in which the counselors cannot be reached, please call 911 or see the list of crisis resources below.

Please contact Maryvale's school counselors with any questions:

Claire Doyle, School Counselor

Hillary Horgan, School Counselor

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