Reopening Framework - Learning together: Returning to Campus

July 24, 2020

Dear BBA Families:

I write this memo today on a picture perfect Vermont summer day. I hope you all find time to enjoy the bounty of the season –– the fresh produce, outdoor recreation, friends and family before we return to school. I am grateful to all of my colleagues; so many are working behind the scenes to plan a safe and healthy return to engaging and vigorous learning on BBA’s campus. Our task forces have completed many critical planning steps and are ready to share our reopening framework with all of you. Please take some time to review the framework and watch for more detail in the coming weeks. Keep in mind that the framework will not answer all of your questions, but it does provide an overview of the whole, with details on the parts to follow. 

 

All reopening information will be shared via email, and posted on BBA’s webpage, as well as in BBA’s OnCampus portal. I encourage you and your student to check your email regularly so that you do not miss important information. 

 

 

By leveraging what we know about brain-based learning and student engagement, we’ve designed a re-entry plan that connects students to our community, our people, and our place ––while keeping everyone safe and protecting our communities. School will open for students in a hybrid teaching and learning structure: this will allow for our safe return to campus, as well as the flexibility to transition to full in-person learning and/or remote learning as local conditions dictate. 

In BBA’s hybrid learning model, students will attend school every other day on Mondays through Thursdays. Students will be divided into Green and Gold cohorts (alphabetically), so approximately 50% of students will be on campus each day. On alternate days, students will attend classes online -- joining classes remotely and engaging with classmates and teachers in a hybrid model. This provides daily engagement in learning and also gives us the flexibility to move to full in-person classes or shift to fully online as appropriate/necessary. Think of this approach as a volume dial -- we are starting in the middle and have the ability to pivot to full campus capacity (turn up the volume) and the ability to pivot to full remote (turn down the volume). On Fridays, everyone will work remotely. 

Students who cannot attend school in person due to health concerns or other reasons can select a fully remote model and access their classes from home, providing a synchronous connection to BBA courses. More information on the process to enroll in this synchronous remote option (including the documentation needed) will follow. In addition, some programs and student learning needs will necessitate a full on-campus option. Students and families will learn more about these options from specific program directors and/or case managers. 

We’ve adjusted the opening school calendar with a phased-in approach so that we can welcome and support new and returning students to campus. We will follow all health and safety guidelines and reduce density through grade-specific programming. More information will be shared with students and families in the coming weeks. The proposed schedule (included below) will be finalized and then updated and shared as needed. 

We are looking forward to welcoming all members of the class of 2024 to campus for orientation and a launch into their coursework. Lunch will be provided each day. This extended orientation will include community building and four days of classes so the freshmen can get to know their classmates and teachers, learn the digital ecosystem, and fully understand new health and safety protocols. Relationships are at the center of all BBA programming, so we are prioritizing this time to successfully set up 9th graders for their high school experience. 

This orientation day for new transfer students will include special programming to welcome and support new students as they transition to BBA. Students will experience the community and culture, meet with student ambassadors, advisors and teachers. The program will include a short class rotation so that students can experience the campus and meet all of their teachers and have lunch. All transfer students will join their grade level cohort the following week for additional programming.  

This day will include senior class cohort meetings and workshops, special programs to prepare seniors for hybrid learning, and experience our health and safety measures, as well as a short class rotation and lunch. (Remote options will be available.)

This day will include junior class cohort meetings and workshops, special programs to prepare juniors for hybrid learning, and experience our health and safety measures, as well as a short class rotation and lunch.  (Remote options will be available.)

This day will include sophomore class cohort meetings and workshops, special programs to prepare sophomores for hybrid learning, and experience our health and safety measures, as well as a short class rotation and lunch.  (Remote options will be available.)

On Thursday, September 3rd, we will begin our Green and Gold rotation by alphabet. 

Green (last name A - L)

Gold (last name M - Z)

We will share the Green and Gold daily schedule for September 14th forward once it is finalized.

In order to return to campus, we’ve created new operational structures and campus adjustments to support the health and safety of all Burr and Burton community members. Consistency and vigilance by all is necessary as it relates to keeping our community healthy.

Preparations include, but are not limited to: 

Reopening task forces have developed a responsible approach in accordance with Vermont Department of Health and Agency of Education Guidance for A Strong and Healthy Start, CDC guidelines, and other experts. Specific decisions and plans will be finalized in the coming weeks to help ensure the health and safety of all community members. All students and families will receive a handbook that details all health and safety measures and plans for implementation (drop off, screenings, protocols, etc.). 

Required safety measures include, but are not limited to:  

Daily screening -- All students and employees will be screened daily for temperature and symptoms of COVID-19 before entering campus buildings. 

Facial coverings -- All faculty, staff, and students are required to wear facial coverings while in buildings and outside when reasonable physical distancing cannot be maintained. Adults dropping off and picking up students should wear facial coverings. Instructions for making, wearing, and washing facial coverings can be found on the CDC website. BBA will provide one facial covering for each student during orientation days and have disposable masks available for those who do not arrive each day with a face covering.

Physical distancing -- We will expect all members of our community to practice appropriate physical distancing. We are reconfiguring classrooms and community spaces to allow for reasonable distancing. 

Traffic flow and campus signage -- We’ve established campus travel routes to limit movement during the day and control traffic flow through campus. We will post clear signs across campus and in buildings to guide students in following the health and safety protocols.

Hand hygiene -- Increased education and protocols for handwashing and additional hand sanitizer stations will be installed across campus and will be made available in all classrooms.

Facilities -- Water fountains will be closed; water bottle filling stations will be open and regularly sanitized. Other modifications are being made to restrooms and locker rooms.

Limit in person gatherings -- We will follow evolving state guidelines, and modify our large group gatherings as needed, including assembly, lunch, FlexBlock, Open House, etc. 

Use of outdoor spaces -- Tents will be available to support outdoor classes, lunch and activities -- research supports that fresh air mitigates the spread of the virus.

Air quality -- HVAC studies are being done to upgrade and adjust air quality systems.

Increased disinfecting and cleaning -- Our facilities team are implementing protocols  for cleaning and disinfecting at the recommended levels and frequencies. Holding classes remotely on Fridays will allow for a deep cleaning of the campus each week.

Staying home when sick -- We will insist that students, faculty, and staff stay out of school if they are not feeling well/have any symptoms of COVID-19, isolate and contact their primary doctor to be tested for the virus.

Response to infection on campus -- We are finalizing our response to infection on campus and will work closely with the Vermont Department of Health on these protocols. 

Transportation -- We will limit off-campus field trips, off campus internships and academic/service travel for the foreseeable future.

Visitors -- We will be strictly limiting visitors to our campus.

These are extraordinary times and we need to take extraordinary measures to ensure that in-person learning is possible. We can’t lose sight of that fact, and maybe take comfort in some of the normal routines we do to get ready for school. Please review carefully the important steps for families and students to take to prepare for the school year.

• If you did not return your iPad and/or other BBA technology at the close of school in June, you must schedule a time to do so. Drop off is very quick. We will begin redistribution August 3rd but need your iPad back to be able to ensure that we have enough properly working iPads for all who need them. To schedule an appointment to return your iPad, please use: https://bbasupport.youcanbook.me/.  All technology needs to be cleaned and prepped for the new school year. This is essential for a smooth opening in a hybrid model.
• Please log into BBA’s portal OnCampus to complete all required forms and review academic schedules. Students might notice changes to their schedules, as we are working hard to balance sections to maintain physical distancing on campus. You can access OnCampus via BBA’s website or by going tohttp://burrburton.myschoolapp.com. If you need help accessing OnCampus, please email support@burrburton.org. Included in the forms is the mandatory re-enrollment (residency/tuition) form.
• Students should complete summer reading and assignments. All of the summer assignments are located under Academics - Summer Assignmentson BBA’s website. 

Much hasn’t changed, especially our commitment to each and every student. In the coming weeks, look for invitations to Zoom meetings for parents, so that we can update you on plans, answer questions, and consider your feedback. These are unprecedented times and a successful opening rests on partnering with students and families to keep our community safe. I recognize the trust that you have in BBA and I know that our faculty and staff deeply honor that trust. I hope that come late August, students are excited to explore their passions, to engage in and take ownership of their learning, and to experience the spontaneity, joy and wonder of learning together again. 

Best, 

Meg Kenny

Associate Head of School