@hastalavista What is the point of kids being on campus if they can’t actually do anything? HADES school can’t be that desperate for room and board money.
@hastalavista - that is an interesting rumor! Has anyone on here received any info or updates from their coaches (especially Fall sports).
The schools do not know today what they will be doing, guys. They are preparing several different plans, and will be choosing the best one at the last possible moment so they have as much information as possible on which to base that decision. The coaches do not know what is happening, because the schools don’t know what is happening, e.g. with fall sports.
That said, my soccer playing son doesn’t think that there will be school v school games. I hope he is wrong!
@cj9623 @cityran I understand that the MAPL schools are also coordinating quite a bit. There has been some discussion that perhaps the only competition we will face in teh fall will be other MAPL schools, if we are all following the same protocals? It will be interesting. At the very least, I’m happy to hear they’re sharing info and best practices. I really hope we all go back…
They are going to have to decide soon though, so international families can plan accordingly re: visas, travel, etc. If the plan is to start early, those families need to get ducks in a row now.
If starting early is off the table then there is a chicken v egg problem. Families won’t want to commit in July without knowing the plan, and the schools will want to know who is committing before they can be confident in the plan.
^ They can plan to start in person to get international student processing going (which is what I think most are optimistically planning anyway) but realistically, the plan to pivot back to online has to be there. I think everyone is anxiously waiting to see how things go as restrictions are loosened.
For those of us in states that were hard hit and where infection rates are falling, it seems like the mindset is that the worst is behind us and with precautions, we can do this. But I look at states that reopened aggressively (not ones where most bs are), and there’s a different story there.
My sense is that all the BS are desperately hoping to be in person and will do what they can to be so. Residential education is their reason for being!
The covid projections are sobering.
I am totally optimistic that most schools will be open for business with kids in the dorms. It is all about community for them. I just wish they would tell us what the plan is already!
Personally I think it is safer for all of us with kiddo on a bs campus in the fall than with kiddo being home and attending public school.
Hotchkiss has said they will announce their plan in July, before the deadline to commit, so that families can take the plan into account before they decide whether or not to attend.
Article today in the WSJ @ a well known NYC school opening a Hamptons branch…and why.
@Golfgr8 Wow, just wow. The educational rift gets even wider. I’ve heard some stories of kids not having relevant/stable internet access or laptops to access online classes (public school and BS). This could be a big issue not so far down the road. Imagine having a 1st grader who misses a year of school. A friend of mine has a child with processing issues. It has been very difficult for him to learn online. And kids can’t make up an entire year of learning.
I can’t imagine that year-round residents of the Hamptons are excited about NYC residents visiting them if the virus rebounds either. There were several issues in Nantucket between local and NYC residents. Rural areas and islands don’t have enough ICU beds.
@Happytimes2001 , you have hit on something so important in terms of the communities that “host” any school. They don’t want outsiders infecting them and they lack adequate health care facilities if there is an outbreak.
The Outer Cape is also struggling with “outsiders”, including homeowners with seasonal homes. I get it. There was a great article in the Atlantic by the owner of Canteen in Provincetown that very sensitively captures the conflicts between wanting/needing to be more open yet taking on the risk associated with it.
My son had a call with the x-country coach and after the call he said the coach was talking like school will be in session and in person. Head of school is providing an update Monday regarding school and the “opening plan.”
@gardenstategal Yes, I agree. Beach towns across MA ( from North to South) have implemented various tools, from eliminating parking to stopping ferries. I do have empathy for those who live in these communities year-round. Some are quite small and can’t absorb a large number of cases. I also have empathy for those whose businesses are tied to tourism.
In ME, I have heard that many out of state cars have been vandalized. And in NH, one is technically supposed to quarantine. And it cannot be done in a hotel/air bnb. This will be a non-issue/small issue this Summer unless cases surge again.
We are in for a long, hot Summer ACROSS the US.
@D1swim2kidshoop Many XC runners are still doing virtual runs. Of all the sports, XC is the easiest to do during a Pandemic. They are not holding Nationals this Summer, however. I think it’s too hard for people to fly there.
There isn’t a lot about Hockaday on here but they have decided to temporarily close their boarding dept for this upcoming year. You can switch to a day student or continue online learning.
With only 7% boarding it makes sense that Hockaday would temporarily close their boarding department. We are sitting here on pins and needles waiting to hear Thacher’s plan. They did a wonderful job navigating online learning and maintaining a close community, but the kids needs to be on campus. They chose Thacher for a reason and that reason cannot be replicated in an urban environment.
Thanks @cj9623 - it was a big disappointment for the Spring athletes this year - especially for recruiting. It will actually be 2 years from the time these kids get back on the field from the last time they played for their school. D2 dead period just got extended, also. So, for our kids who have worked hard in all sports and who really need those scholarships, our prayers are with you. It’s difficult for a 16-17-18 year old to deal with it. Yes, some will say “it’s only sports”…and “Everyone is in the same boat”…but for many kids their sport has been a huge commitment for many years and means opportunities. I can’t even imagine what we would have felt like at their age.
@Golfgr8 That’s true of sports and other things as well. Depending on the schedules/timing kids missed things that are very important in terms of college acceptances and major scholarships. For the kid who is on a debate team that missed TOC, or the kid who does really anything, timing is important. And if you miss that important “thing” you are at a disadvantage.
Let’s hope the schools can figure out how to recruit even given Covid. I’d imagine that for some kids it’s been impossible to practice.
Fingers crossed this year is smoother than last Spring.
The think kiddo was most upset about this summer was having that first real job (camp counselor) cancelled. Uggh…anyone else find jobs that ARE still available for kids this summer. Is VIP Kid hiring high school students for tutoring?
Lizardkid was bummed he wasn’t going to be able to get his first job, but one fell in his lap. Town baseball is going to start up at the end of June and because they have to socially distance the kids, they are going to need more “adults” then they have parents to volunteer, so they are asking some of the baseball alumni that know the game and are good with kids to help out. They are paying them through the rec department.
That sounds like a great gig! What a break.
On the bright (?) side of a slow summer - Kiddo said most of his school friends are relieved that jobs are scarce and summer enrichment opportunities are cancelled. They are happy for the forced vacay from the pressure to always be doing something productive. It is a badly needed mental health break for them.
I kinda felt that way when the stay at home orders happened. Once the panic passed, I actually got a little quiet time to let my over-taxed brain to heal. So I get it.
Still, while that might be a silver lining for some, for the kids whose passions are impossible to do right now, I can understand the immense sense of loss.