Dear Oldfields Families,

As we approach a new calendar year, we reflect on the uniqueness of the fall semester and the reality of the remaining months ahead. I write to you today in preparation for our community’s return to campus in January 2021. This communication will share updates on our expectations for the return to campus and an outline of the spring semester calendar.

Much of the following information comes as a direct result of parent partnerships as well as faculty and student feedback. We hope you will be pleased with the revised, in-person spring schedule that will provide an intentional off-campus reprieve mid-way through the semester. As always, we welcome and anticipate additional questions based on your Oldfields experience this past fall.

My colleagues and I ask that you thoroughly review the information below and join us for the rescheduled Virtual Coffee with Head of School David Perfield at 8:30 a.m. ET on Friday, January 8, 2021, when we will address any questions you may have. Zoom details are included at the conclusion of this letter.

School/Family Partnership

Given the spike in COVID-19 infections across the country and in the spirit of honoring our Oldfields partnership, we ask that your family follow risk mitigation practices while your student is at home. When possible, we encourage you to lead a quiet life close to home so your student can stay healthy through the remaining weeks of Winter Break.

Should anyone in your home test positive for COVID-19 in the coming weeks, please contact the Health Center at HealthCenter@OldfieldsSchool.org prior to your student’s return.

Required Self-Quarantine for 10 Days

All Oldfields students and employees will be required to self-quarantine for 10 days prior to their return to campus.

All boarding students will return to campus on Saturday, January 16, 2021.
Specific details regarding the schedule and protocol for boarding student reentry will be shared with boarding families during the week of January 11 as we return to remote learning.
All day students will return to campus on the morning of Monday, January 18, 2021.

If you have specific questions about self-quarantining or whether your anticipated location and family circumstances allow for an adequate quarantine, please contact Director of Health Services Darla Carter at HealthCenter@OldfieldsSchool.org.

Required Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test

All students and all employees are required to get a COVID-19 test within five days of their return to campus.

The negative COVID-19 test result can be submitted by logging into Magnus Health.This is the same site that was used for your student’s health forms during the enrollment process.
We must have proof of this test before the family may arrive on campus.
Obtaining test results from some providers may take longer than five days. Please confirm in advance how long results will take in your area through your chosen healthcare provider. Contact the site where you plan to be tested to verify appointment procedures and other scheduling requirements.

If you have questions about COVID-19 testing or Magnus Health contact the Oldfields Health Center at
HealthCenter@OldfieldsSchool.org.

*IMPORTANT TO NOTE: We will NOT accept a rapid test result, with the exception of the Accula PCR testing system. For local families, this test is carried at Timonium Urgent Care.

Remote Learning (January 11-15)

The spring semester will begin with remote learning on Monday, January 11, 2021. Questions about remote learning expectations should be sent to Director of Academics Jeremy Jernigan at JerniganJ@OldfieldsSchool.org.

Move-In Day (January 16, 2021)

All boarding students will return to campus on Saturday, January 16, 2021, through a move-in process very similar to our initial campus entry on August 22, 2020. Details and a schedule of available arrival times will be shared with boarding families in the coming weeks. Any questions pertaining to the January move-in day should be sent to Dean of Students Claire Guidera at GuideracC@OldfieldsSchool.org.

In-Person Learning Begins (January 18, 2021)

Oldfields believes that on-campus, in-person learning is optimal for students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We expect all students to return to school in person, recognizing that exceptions will need to be made for students who live in regions under known travel restrictions and for families who may be managing documented health or family-related circumstances.

Questions or requests pertaining to remote learning accommodations should be directed to Director of Academics Jeremy Jernigan at JerniganJ@OldfieldsSchool.org.

In order to maintain on campus instruction while remaining sensitive to the mental and emotional health of our community, we have restructured our spring schedule to allow for an extended reprieve from campus mid-way through the semester.

Remote learning classes will resume (January 11-January15).
Classes will take place in-person for eight weeks (January 18-March 12).
Students will depart campus for a total of three weeks (12:30 p.m. on March 12-April 6).
Within those three weeks, we will enjoy one week of Spring Break (12:30 p.m. on March 12-March 21).
Classes will resume with remote learning (March 22-April 2).
Classes will resume in-person on Tuesday, April 6. Information regarding the
April 5 campus entry process will be shared later in the spring semester.

Please closely review all the dates on the Oldfields Calendar of Breaks.

Rescheduled Virtual Coffee with the Head of School (January 8, 2021 8:30 a.m. ET)

My colleagues and I look forward to discussing this information and answering any other questions that may come to mind over the course of the next few weeks. We hope to see you on Zoom for the Virtual Coffee with the Head of School on Friday, January 8, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. No registration is required.

Zoom Meeting link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7186720165

Passcode: OS2021
Meeting ID: 718 672 0165

Thank you to the entire Oldfields community who made the first half of the school year a resounding success. Enjoy your remaining holiday, and join us as we look forward to a bright 2021.

Warmest regards,

Caroline Blaum
Assistant Head of School
443-662-1025 (office)
BlaumC@OldfieldsSchool.org