August 30, 2021

Dear Trinity-Pawling Families,

The start of the new school year is just around the corner and we are very excited to welcome our new and returning students to campus for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Trinity-Pawling has always been deliberate in nurturing the health of the community, whether it be in the dormitory, in the chapel, in the dining hall, in athletics, and in the classroom. It is this commitment that has compelled our response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As we approach the opening weeks of the new school year, I am happy to report that we are doing our best to ensure the health and safety of this community. However, COVID-19 and the Delta variant continue to be a threat. Because of the communal nature that distinguishes a boarding school education, Trinity-Pawling will continue to focus on building and protecting the common good of our community.

The School has required all students and employees to begin the school year fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Not having the assurance of such vaccinations would risk the health of the community and, therefore, the efficacy of the Trinity-Pawling experience. It is the School's objective to optimize our teaching and learning experience.

The CDC has recently updated its guidance in light of the emerging evidence that demonstrates that the Delta variant of COVID-19, currently the predominant strain in the United States, is more infectious and has led to increased transmissibility when compared to other variants, even in vaccinated individuals. Furthermore, as a result of rising infection rates throughout the country, New York State has also recently mandated that all students, faculty, staff, and visitors in public and non-public K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status, must wear face masks while in school buildings.

Accordingly, Trinity-Pawling will continue to pursue a layered approach to mitigation strategies, such as wearing masks inside school buildings, improved ventilation, hand-washing and covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home/isolated when sick with symptoms of infectious illness including COVID-19. All students should arrive with and maintain a sufficient supply of masks. This decision is in keeping with the purpose of the School to create a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment in which our students can learn, grow, and, hopefully, thrive.

As you are planning your arrival to campus, please be sure to visit our Opening of School 2021 Hub on our website for a final review of our back-to-school checklist. The page has been continually updated throughout the summer and it will serve as the central location for all information relevant to the opening of school – including all required forms, boarding details, contact information, and more.

We continue to prioritize the common good as we embark on this ever-changing journey throughout the 2021-2022 academic year.

Onward!