March 12, 2020

Dear Trinity-Pawling Community,

Trinity-Pawling School is an extremely strong, caring, and close-knit community – these qualities are what allow us to rally together in times of need. This is yet another such time for the School, and for the entire world, where we will rely on these strengths.

I write to you today with an update of Trinity-Pawling's current guidelines and procedures in response to the rapidly evolving situation surrounding the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

This is an uncertain time for everyone, but please be assured that Trinity-Pawling is taking rational and appropriate steps to reduce the risk of exposure on campus. The School continues to monitor CDC.gov; travel.state.gov; and New York State recommendations for important information and updating its guidelines as necessary.

CAMPUS ACCESSIBILITY AND REMOTE LEARNING

In an effort to both reduce exposure to those on campus and ensure the continuity of learning and teaching, we have decided to conduct the first weeks of the Spring term via remote learning. Boarding and day students who are currently off campus for the March break will not be permitted to return to campus until no earlier than April 13, 2020. The School recognizes that this situation is highly fluid and should this date need to change, then such information will be communicated as soon as possible.
The School will not be closing. We remain open and focused on developing a dynamic teaching and learning experience. Faculty and staff will continue to work their full schedule, delivering creative learning opportunities to their students remotely.
Academic work and accountability will proceed with no changes.
Remote learning classes will begin on April 1, 2020. Faculty will be in touch and access to the remote platforms will be shared with students before classes begin. Students without daily accessibility to digital devices should contact their teachers directly.
Our group of international students who remained on campus for the March break, will continue their stay on campus. Their day trips have been reduced to local, uncrowded locations.
The dining hall will continue serving meals to faculty and the small group of students who remain on campus.

REDUCING THE RISK OF EXPOSURE ON CAMPUS

Admissions tours and on-campus interviews are cancelled until otherwise notified. The Office of Admissions will be scheduling Skype information sessions and interviews.
Other on-campus events attracting visitors to the campus will be cancelled through April 13, 2020.
No student or faculty member may travel to an infected area with a Travel Advisory Level 3 or 4 (travel.state.gov/travel) without having the same assurance of a 14-day illness-free window before returning to campus. Those traveling to Level 2 countries must show medical clearance before returning to campus. This restriction is mandatory and will be in place until notified otherwise.
The campus has remained open during the March break to accommodate our international students who are unable to travel to their home countries.
We continue to encourage proper hygiene and frequent hand-washing, with hand sanitizer stations placed around campus.
We are conducting disinfectant cleanings on a regular basis.
We are restricting any large gatherings on campus and encouraging social distancing.
The academic and information technology administrators are planning for distance learning that will enable the best possible remote learning experience – helping faculty adapt their courses to a distance learning format, and allowing students to complete their spring coursework remotely.
Currently, we know of no members of the Trinity-Pawling community who have been exposed to COVID-19.

EVENT CANCELLATIONS

We have cancelled our athletic spring training trips for the lacrosse and baseball teams.
There will be no athletic competitions scheduled to take place before April 13, 2020.
We have cancelled Revisit Day on April 4, 2020, and our alumni receptions in March and April.

TRAVEL GUIDELINES

We encourage all students and employees to exercise caution when traveling.
Any persons traveling to any of the countries listed in the CDC's Level 3 or 4 warnings require a 14-day waiting period prior to returning to the School. This 14-day waiting period must start after re-entry into the United States upon returning from the country (passport verification will be required), and may change based on CDC recommendations. Those traveling to Level 2 countries must show medical clearance before returning to campus. The CDC and U.S. Department of State have listed additional countries in which to exercise extra caution when traveling.
Anyone who has visited with family or friends who have recently traveled (within 2 weeks) from any of the countries listed in the CDC's Level 3 or 4 warnings, we ask that you impose the 14-day waiting period prior to returning to Trinity-Pawling. This 14-day waiting period must start the last day you were with these people.
If you are traveling internationally over March break, we ask that you contact Dutch Keel, our Dean of Residential Life to discuss your travel plans and possible situations that may arise upon your return.

RETURNING TO CAMPUS ON APRIL 13, 2020

There is always the possibility that students or faculty members may become sick with the flu or other illnesses while at home for the break. If this is the case, we ask that any affected person not return to campus until they are symptom-free and fever-free without medication for at least 14 days and/or have clearance from a physician that is subject to approval by the School.
We also ask that parents who are ill remain at home and visit when they are healthy.
Campus re-entry will be organized similarly to the start of School with an arrival check-in procedure. More details will be forthcoming.
The School recognizes that this situation is highly fluid and should this date need to change, then such information will be communicated as soon as possible.

Trinity-Pawling's guidelines are to ensure the health and well-being of every member of the Trinity-Pawling community. We will be keeping you informed as our guidelines evolve. In the meantime, more information is available on our website: www.trinitypawling.org/covid-19

We appreciate your support and cooperation as we work through this together.

In community,