Following weeks of research and collaboration by an internal task force, Blue Ridge School has announced its plan for reopening campus to students in August for the fall of 2020. The School will use a variety of protocols to ensure a safe return and to maintain a healthy campus population as the year begins.
“We are going to create a ‘bubble’ for our students and faculty,” says Headmaster Trip Darrin. “As an all-boarding school with 80% of faculty living on campus, we are uniquely positioned to protect our students from outside infection.”
According to the plan, which was developed under guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and reviewed by medical doctors, students will return to campus in two waves, each wave being tested for COVID-19 upon arrival and again following a two-week quarantine. Students will be issued face masks for use indoors and will be housed in individual rooms during the quarantine period. They also will receive wristbands that will continuously monitor their body temperature, oxygen levels, and heart rate to alert the nursing staff of potential illness.
Following the quarantine period for both waves of incoming students and the determination that the campus population is healthy, Blue Ridge School will return to a more recognizable operating schedule.
Headmaster Darrin adds, “Even after we are sure our students and faculty are healthy, we will continue promoting healthy habits, such as regular hand washing, social distancing when possible, and using face masks indoors. In addition, we want our students to take full advantage of our 750-acre campus. They can go mountain biking, fishing, canoeing, and so much more. We are fortunate to have many outdoor activities available to our students—and we know that being outside is one of the healthiest places for them to be.”
Classrooms have been modified to allow for appropriate social distancing and personal protective equipment is available for faculty and students when closer proximity is necessary in the classroom. Blue Ridge has made additional changes to procedures in the dining hall and the dormitories to ensure the safety of all students.
Blue Ridge School has submitted this plan to the Commonwealth of Virginia per requirements by the Governor.
For additional information, visit Blue Ridge School’s Fall 2020 Reopening Plan webpage.
