COVID-19 – 3/14/20

Dear Harley families,

Thank you for being patient as we navigate this unprecedented health crisis in our community and in our world. There is so much uncertainty—and the situation is so fluid—that things are changing hour by hour.

Earlier today we sent out an emergency note that, based on Country Executive Adam Bello’s statement that all public schools in the area are closing Monday to students, The Harley School will be closed as well until further notice.

Our professional development day for faculty, originally scheduled for Monday, is now moving to Tuesday, March 17. Monday and Tuesday will be considered “snow days” for students, as teachers finalize preparations; beginning Wednesday morning we will have a phased-in approach to learning activities. N-4 will be sending suggested learning activities home via email. All other grades will begin to have contact, via Schoology, from their teachers at some point Wednesday-Friday; we expect outreach on Wednesday, with educational activities to begin on Thursday, and we’ll continue to ramp up over time.

The next few days are the time to:

• Check that your student has a good and well-organized space in the home in which to work

• Determine an organization system on their computer (folders on the desktop by subject, perhaps?) and off of their computers as well

• Make sure their supplies are at the ready (pencils, paper, books, etc.)

• Complete any work-in-progress that they have already been assigned

• Test internet access, logins, and the like

• Make sure you have adequate bandwidth if everyone is online at once (Harley will have some ability to help with tech—more on that to come)

While we ramp up this coming week, next week (the week beginning March 23) we expect interactive classes to begin. More details will follow from your division next week with information about the daily schedule, logins, and more. Though we have done a great deal of work and planning at school, and we think we’re close to ready, we have to accept that it will take a little time to work out the kinks.

School will be open on Monday for pick up of any needed student materials:

• Last name A-G: 8:30-10am

• Last name H-N: 10:30am-12pm

• Last name O-Z: 12:30-2:00pm

(If these times cannot work for you, please be in touch with your division assistant.)

NOTE: This is for adults only. No students can be allowed in the building for the time being. Make sure you have locker combinations, etc. that you will need to retrieve any items. Division heads and assistants will be in to help.

More information will be shared as it develops. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions.

Please be sure to find ways to cherish family time, even as work continues for many of us. Just as we are practicing social distancing, warmth and support for our children becomes ever more important. Even at a distance, our students will benefit from working with their caring teachers. As your children share what they are thinking and feeling, remember you can find helpful resources on our Information Hub.

This is a new frontier for all of us. School will look different; it will feel different.  We will all be giving our very best in the grand tradition and spirit of Harley. This community is strong, connected, caring, and smart; as our friend and Director of Admissions Kirsten Allen Reader ’90 likes to say, “We can do hard things.” Let’s do it.

Yours,

Larry