Thanks @CateCAParent
It will certainly be interesting to see how it all plays out. Still holding on for the last minute drop outs so child can attend.
Thanks!
@Scruffylexi I am so sympathetic to your plight! However, the boarding school I’m most familiar with (not one your family applied to, I think) overenrolled, anticipating that there might be extra “melt” this year.
It is so hard when you are going through it, but with hindsight you might find that this setback was a positive thing. Two of my sons had similar experiences and now – four or five years later – looking back, I see that although it was very painful at the time, those were turning points that led to greater things. In one case the rejection became the making of my son. It is all how the situation is handled. I wish the same for your child.
@cinnamon1212 Thank you for your kind words. I agree - it has been a life changing experience. For a child that has never been faced with rejection - it has been good for him. Although, as his parent, it has been hard to watch and of course, I want to make it better for him. But I guess there is a lesson there as well. 
I can only reassure child that everything is meant to be - and if it was meant for him to go to XX school, it will happen. But secretly, I am trying to think positive.
Thanks again!
Got the news: Cate is starting online, and bumped the start date up to Sept 1. A week earlier.
They are waiting and seeing when the kids can come. It is totally dependent on the county/state. They meet/surpass the school opening requirements. So it is out of their control right now.
Sigh. Kiddo is disappointed but taking it well.
Update on Blair - Unless something major mandated by the state. It all systems go for August. Staggered arrivals, mandatory masks, different course schedule, mandatory covid swab testing and lots of other changes.
They have given students the option to RL. Nov - Jan will be RL for all.
I must say I am very impressed with what appears to be as good a thought out plan as can be expected. DD is excited to be heading there next month.
Anyone else getting info from their schools testing BEFORE arrival with mail-in tests to a lab?
@Golfgr8 Our school requires a negative molecular test within 3 days prior to arrival (which is a tough turnaround at the moment in CA), then another test upon arrival, and a 3rd before school begins. Staggered arrival over 3 weeks w/ quarantine for those coming from “hot” states.
@Hopeful0304 that is similar to DS’s school. MA requires 14 day quarantine. They’re requesting a negative test result from all students within 5 days of stepping foot on campus. They are providing lists of local testing sites for those quarantining from far away. Then, they are arranging repeat testing within 5 days of move in. A final test within a week of opening up “house groups” and starting full class/dining routines. Three tests total.
After that, random tests arranged through the school will be performed.
@Golfgr8 I don’t know that I understand the question? Are you asking if we have to test before going? Yes. (but I most schools are doing that, so that makes me wonder if I’m not understanding?)
@buuzn03 - not to split hairs but I actually think MA has a recommended quarantine, not a required one. So no going into stores, restaurants, etc if you come in from out of the area. In our case, from my understanding, it allowed to go drop off kiddo at school and then go (fly) back home, while limiting any external contact. (in other words – kiddo will do her quarantine in her dorm and parent will just drop off and fly home.)
@Calliemomofgirls Per travel rules (when I booked his flight back) MA is requiring a 14 day quarantine. Having it completed prior to arriving on campus is the school’s requirement to prevent outbreak on the school’s campus (as much as possible). As a medical professional, I understand the school requirement to have quarantine completed prior to coming to school. They are providing Adult supervised accommodations for distant domestic students in an off campus location to complete this requirement
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Here is the official info from the Commonwealth:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/travel-information-related-to-covid-19
Let’s move on from debating semantics.
^” Let’s move on from debating semantics.”. I’m sorry. If my post came across as such, that was not my intent. I was just trying to clarify what we’d been told and what we had to do.
@buuzn03 - Just a heads up on the testing situation in town. The free testing is 4 hours of sitting in your car (no bathrooms and you can’t eat or drink before the test), you spit into the tube, drop it off somewhere else. Reliant Medical (right behind the school) is a quick and easy drive-through although it is a swab. I’m not sure what the school health center’s policies are, but as it’s practically on campus, I’m assuming they might have an agreement with Reliant (formerly Southboro Med) and if you can do Reliant I highly recommend it. The other option in the area is an urgent care center by appointment easy in and out but you will probably pay out of pocket.
@Golfgr8 , a colleague’s college son was sent test kits and is required to send them in before arrival. Several colleges have made independent arrangements with test facilities in order to guarantee a useful turnaround on results. I think that’s what you were asking.
@vwlizard thank you! The school was supposed to give us a suggestion list. I can’t go with him -there’s no way I can take off for 2 weeks. So, he’s staying with a close family. And I know a few moms that rented a large house for several kids who have to fly in, so I’ll pass this info along to them. The Reliant office is very well known to my son, unfortunately.
Thanks @gardenstategal - yes that is what I was asking about. Last night, we received info @ testing pre-arrival with test kits sent to us.
The lastest on travel to MA and quarantining requirements.
Its nice that there is a test exemption fo MA…that would make planning so much easier.
Testing in California is a bear. Assuming you can get tested, it can take 2 weeks to get the results back.
For that to work re: going back to school you have the appointment 3 weeks out or so? And they are scheduling 2 weeks out. So I would have to schedule the test basically now if I want to get the result in the week before he was supposed to return. California kids going east will have logistical challenges for sure.
This is all based on my test 2 weeks ago (negative!). You can’t test voluntarily anymore unless you have Symptoms. They are prioritizing who gets the appointments. People who have no symptoms or exposure or aren’t front line can’t get tested until the turn around time is under 48 hours. We are a long way from that.
@CateCAParent that is how it’s about to go here. I’m just sending my kid back and he can use the testing sites the school has set up for them.
I’m just hoping the officials at the airport (if there are any) don’t give him any hassle. He’s going for quarantine as they are requiring. So I hope it’ll be a smooth transition back. ??