Author: jzurfluh

COVID Strategy in the Coming Weeks

As you will find in eNotes below, we begin the process of sign-up for both conferences and for your re-entry testing by our drop-in format following the October break. November 2-3 are dedicated to virtual conferences for students and you’ll sign up for appointments for your meetings with teachers. Starting last year, we coordinated this activity following the October break in order to also provide an opportunity for families to come to school for re-entry testing given the potential risks to the school community of a long vacation. It should be noted that we will make decisions about the remainder of the first week back based on the results of re-entry testing and we also intend to follow a higher frequency of testing for an additional week after we are back as a precautionary measure.

I should hasten to add that we are thoughtful about our recent cases and the increasing numbers being reported daily in Poland (2640 today). Since a few of our cases have also been vaccinated individuals, it confirms our approach to treat vaccinated and unvaccinated the same for the time being. We also recognize that other illnesses with similar symptoms are in the air, including the flu, some strep throat, and seasonal colds. We are not ready to increase from our medium level protocol and are currently recommending the following:

• Be careful about “outside of school” activities. If you are involved in outside activities, we recommend maintaining a mask wearing protocol – even in the case of tutors or private lessons and irrespective of vaccination status of the individuals involved.
• Be thoughtful about travel and mixing with crowds of any size. Again, following hand washing and masking guidelines can help prevent infection and should be followed even if others are not following this guidance around you.
• Be thoughtful about mass transit – we are back to being concernd about buses and any enclosed mixing with general population, as we have suggested previously. While we know it is necessary in some cases, please wear a mask and try to distance from others.
• We can’t advise directly on travel. As we noted earlier in the year, we are leaving this determination to government authorities for control of destination and any quarantine imposed when returning to Poland. We can only share that this is still a risk, even with the protocols and requirements now in place. We worry most about younger children who do not yet have a vaccination option. So, please be careful.

We know that, generally speaking, young children have been generally spared the more severe symptoms associated with this illness generally. However, there is a small statistical probability that some children will become more sick than others and we should continue to be cautious because of that small chance that someone might be more seriously impacted. Our layers of protective mitigation provide a high degree of safety, but nothing is 100%. Therefore, I only suggest caution and that you follow habits that we have forged together.

It is not yet time to relax, so please make sure your kids have comfortable masks to wear each day, plus a backup. Make hand washing a family habit and stick to it – frequently. Watch the distancing and avoid crowds. Travel thoughtfully and follow all protective measures required – and more!

Parent Testing & Test to Stay

During our most recent town hall, we put forward the proposal for implementing two new programs. The first is the long promised parent testing which we announced on Monday via the Weekly update. It involves a link to the Epixpert portal for the purchase of vouchers which can be used towards weekly testing and use of the OK4School application for daily attestation. Further to that communication, we also have stipulations associated with the program. We will limit parent access to the Ground floor of the school for the foreseeable future and parent access to the school will always be through the main entrance. We offer this program primarily for those additional volunteers who want to participate with PTO. This program is available for purchase now and you just need to contact security along with your “green” status on OK4School to enter the building. Mask wearing is required in the building at all times.

The second program, “Test to Stay,” has developed at schools in the U.S. and England and we believe it can be implemented here. One study regarding the program is provided as a backdrop to the program:

This only provides an option for “close contact” individuals allowing them to choose to be tested daily for 7 days and remain in school rather than at home on isolation and exclusion. It has a cost associated with it as follows:

We intend to start this program as an option after the October break. As we discussed in the Town Hall, I’m happy to receive any further comment on this before full implementation.

Vaccination

First, for flu vaccine, there is some difficulty in confirming shipments and availability, but as I was writing this tonight, I got confirmation of pending delivery of the childhood nasal vaccine for 2-18 year olds. We will NOT be ready for our original date of Saturday, October 16. We are now looking at a possible date next week in hopes of offering this before the break. We are at the mercy of high demand and frustrated deliveries, so please be patient with us.

For COVID vaccine, we are looking at dates after the break and will come back with dates and registration for those dates next week. If you are looking for a booster, it may be better to seek support from doctors and clinics right now because each person needs to be qualified in the Polish national system to receive a booster based on the current eligibility standards. Our focus will be on future events for students and we are still hopeful of the vaccine being available for our younger students in the coming weeks.

By the way… Our current vaccination rate (one or more doses) for Upper School students is 80%!

Dr. Donna Lynn Swagers (1945-2021), elementary principal at ASW from 2002-2008, passed away on September 30, 2021. After growing up in Seattle, WA, USA, she found her true calling as an educator, spending 30+ years in education as a teacher, principal, director, and mentor to many students, teachers, and families. Being an educator took Donna to many different regions in Washington and ultimately to Warsaw. Donna regarded her time as an educator in Poland as the adventure of a lifetime.

Over the years Donna enjoyed sailing, boating, riding motorcycles, and being a member of various organizations. She especially loved her Harley dog.

She was married to the love of her life Peter Swagers for 20+ years. Peter was security coordinator at ASW during Dr. Swagers tenure at ASW. In their retirement, they decided to reside on Camano Island and enjoyed traveling in their motorhome.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband Peter, son Chad Hudson, and her two grandsons Austin and Ryan Hudson. Donna has been laid to rest and the family is going to have a memorial gathering this coming Saturday in Seattle.

Thoughts for the family can be forwarded to the Director’s Office for compilation into a memory book that will be sent to the family at a later date. You can send them to the school, forward via email to director@aswarsaw.org, or simply add a comment to this post on Zimplicity.

Vaccination Survey – by tomorrow please

Please remember to fill out the vaccination survey by tomorrow, Thursday, in order to get our numbers for planning. Registration will quickly follow, particularly for the Flu vaccination. We need a rough idea of numbers to determine if we can go ahead and order the vaccines.

Link to the survey is here and details are in the survey: https://forms.gle/UQWkpQQL4ktx98cWA

On Friday this week, our entire staff will take part in a Day of Diversity! The day will serve as a professional development launching place for the journey we intend to take around inclusivity at ASW. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice are big themes of the conversations teachers will be having with each other and aligned with strategic work approved by the board in June. Many staff members have stepped forward to lead conversations and idea inquiries into topics related to the belief that ALL students are OUR students and that ALL students belong and are valued at ASW. The PD will help us to investigate inclusion structures and processes to maximize support for students and increase pathways to success for all students. In addition to the teacher collaboration aspects of the day, the staff will engage with a keynote address from Dr. Elizabeth Schoeder, a consultant, and expert in the area of inclusive and affirming education. At ASW we continue to strive to be consistent with our core values and be Accepting, Safe, and Welcoming!

Sports Update under COVID

As part of our mitigation plan at the medium level, we opened the door to talking about local competition for our sports teams. As we discussed this possibility, we reached out to medical advice and confirmed that we would only be able to consider this if we were collaborating with schools that are following the same or similar protocols for community protection like at ASW. Knowing this, some dialog was initiated with the British School Warsaw to discuss the potential for a pilot event that would take into account necessary protocols and provide for a safe opportunity for our teams to compete. We settled on our pilot program focusing on football (soccer).

One of the key agreements is similar to our protocol for our recent parent event at the Marriott with pre-event testing. Both schools have a testing program in place and both are working with Epixpert on this. While there are differences, we have access to the same materials and staff.

Therefore, we are planning for our first soccer match on Monday, October 4, with our HS Girls’ Soccer traveling to the British School and our boys hosting the British School HS Boys’ Soccer at ASW. We are not opening to spectators for this first match, but we are hopeful for outdoor events in the future that will allow this opportunity in a controlled fashion. Coaches and officials will also be vaccinated and tested.

We’re happy to be able to provide this opportunity to students and hopeful of a positive experience as we take measured steps in our overall recovery. No decision on CEESA sports or traveling is likely to come before a December time frame and we will communicate to parents about other activities we might organize along these lines. Looking forward to a spirited match on Monday. Go Warriors!

Over the years, much research has been done concerning the importance of the home-school connection in a child’s education. Consistently, this research has confirmed the positive impacts on all aspects of schooling associated with parent knowledge of and support for all aspects of the school experience. Consider the following quote from 1997…

Children learn best when the significant adults in their lives — parents, teachers, and other family and community members — work together to encourage and support them.

https://www.edutopia.org/home-school-team

Or this one from a 2020 study out of Oakland University…

How engaged families are in their children’s lives, whether at home or in school, predicts their success in school and in life.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2158244020973024

Both suggest, as do many others, that the dynamics of the school-home relationship are critical to holistic education and form the foundation of a child’s success. We’ve seen this all around us in the kinds of activities that wrap around our work together in building community. It is through the activities of our parent group and the opportunities to help us build relationships that become a critical component of the overall benefit.

Another point from the 2020 study…

Relationships were woven throughout all focus groups as an essential element in supporting family engagement. Relative to relationships, inclusive activities and communication strongly prevailed as essential elements supporting family engagement.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2158244020973024

We are very much aware of this relationship element in our understanding of school success here at ASW. So much so, that we captured it in our Core Values (Without Us All, We’re Nothing) and suggest that we would leave no one behind in trying to enhance these connections and relationships at every opportunity.

You’ve seen one part of this engagement through our Back-to-School nights this week. While encumbered by COVID protocols, we are trying hard to continue reaching out with the information you need to understand what we do in the classroom, but also provide the foundation of building a relationship that serves your child’s needs. Use this as an opportunity to better understand our hopes and dreams for your children and reach out as much as you desire to build that all-important partnership in order to surround our children with learning experiences that bridge the gap between home and school. Ask your questions, share your insights so that we can all work together toward the common goal of accomplishment and pride.

See you tonight at Town Hall – note the modified time of 7:30p in order to accommodate ES Back-to-School Night (see below).

This last weekend, as we offered vaccines to our 12+ students and while we had a traditional staff social event that had been on hiatus during the pandemic, I was also reflecting on the past and watched with interest the memorial moments centered on a tragic historical event. A large portion of our community was engaged in thoughts and reflections surrounding that event and many of us may have been affected more directly through the impact on ourselves, friends, and/or family.

My reflections on 9-11-2001 involve my time as an elementary principal in Buckley, Washington. I received the call from my Superintendent as I was sitting down to breakfast on the West Coast and watch it unfold on television. I continued to my school and began immediately confronting worry and concern while comforting staff members concerned about friends and relatives in the New York area and waiting for word of their safety. Unbeknownst to me at the time, a close friend was in New York on a short business trip and was a few short blocks away from the towers in the midst of the emergency efforts. So, I remember with clarity the day as it unfolded.

But, here’s where the story takes a turn. Later that night, after a stressful day, I was woken to make a midnight trip to the hospital when my wife informed me that my daughter was intent on making her debut. At just after 3:00a on 9-12-2001, Erin Zurfluh entered the world.

So, I’m left with both one of the worst days in memory and one of the best days of my life sandwiched together. On this last weekend, I found myself reflecting on the importance of 9-11 when we all needed to come together, and thereafter, celebrated the 20th birthday of my precious daughter.

I think this may need to be the way we always encounter the most challenging times in life. Our adolescent learners often grapple with the emotional tides that swing from happy to sad in the blink of an eye. Even our youngest students can be crying one moment and the next enveloped by joyous giggles. Something that we thought was devastating often turns to silver linings that bring meaning and renewal getting us past the heartache.

In the end, I just want our community to know that some in our midst were reflecting on the past in recent days and may have shed a tear of sadness. This happens often throughout the year with different nuances depending on the cultural backdrop of your personal story. We should share these moments often, embrace each other in kind regard, and broaden the diversity of our global understanding. I cherish these moments in the true spirit of “Work Together – because without us all we’re nothing.” I’m blessed by your fellowship, enjoy the “bounce back” spirit in the worst of times, and the resilience built through common purpose.

I’m looking forward again to sharing some non-virtual time with all of you on the weekend. I’ll be there, with my umbrella if necessary. We hope for the best in the final days of summer but are always prepared for the worst. (Summer officially ends on September 22!). Dry and happy thoughts, please! See you on Saturday!

The board met on Monday night and got the ball rolling on the year, including approving the annual submissions on Organizational Chart and the current edits to the school Crisis Plan.

We also presented the latest version of the Culture of Giving brochure for our upcoming launch with the community and all appreciated the keen focus on all the many potential areas of partnership for the benefit of our students and in service to our mission. We will have more information available in the near future on this campaign and the associated activities.

We had an array of reports by the administration providing a look at year startup which included some amazing results from last year in our IB Results and many of the goals in divisions, departments, and overall teaching and learning.

I also shared as I do each year, the compared results of the Annual Parent Satisfaction Survey, looking at the last three years of results. We continue to review this information in depth each year

The board has set their calendar for the year and you can find dates on the Public Calendar. More information on board work will be coming and on topic for tonight’s Town Hall. Looking forward to seeing you!

We saw our teams hit the fields and courts this week with a full range of Upper School athletics and activities starting their offerings. Hundreds of kids turning out for our Fall sports and activities. The weather has not kept us from moving forward and the Fall buzz is in the air – excitement along with a bit of wind and rain. We have a wide range of coaches across all of our offerings and your students were introduced to their choices at recent fairs which I attended. For myself, I’m looking forward to November and the start of my Middle School MUN group meeting for the first time with 21 students already signed up. I know we also have drama options in action with a musical under casting and initial production.

Our after-school athletics/activities (ASA) offerings are an important part of our holistic program and complement the core academics with engaging and enriching opportunities. New items have been added to our growing list this year and we are finalizing the elementary options that will start a bit later in September with a similar array of choices. We encourage all students to consider participating and it’s not too late if you missed the first couple of days to still get added to the rosters. Go to CHQ (you’ll find it in PowerSchool) and you’ll see the options. Read further down in eNotes to find more information as well.

Vaccination in Upper School

As you know, we’ve been gathering immunization information for COVID-19 vaccines and I can report initial information on the counts so far. We are two weeks into our initial safety review period of 4-weeks and important to keep you informed of vaccination rates as we currently understand them as this will be part of our decisions going forward. We know that for the lowest end of this spectrum (Grade 6) we may be waiting for age requirements to be met, but the following will give you a good picture of the current status:

Part of this may mean that we still need you to provide documentation and our records are not yet complete. Please send confirmation of vaccination for all students 12+ to aswhealth@aswarsaw.org – please include in your message the dates of both doses for our records. Also, please update us on any other childhood vaccinations that we may need to add to our records. Thanks in advance for your help in this!

We’ll assess this information in another week with regards to our future planning and we’ll send a message to parents of students without vaccination information to make sure that our records are correct. Our hope is that vaccination will continue to increase in order to improve the safety of our community. Please reach out if you have any questions about how to access more information.

Here’s your annual reminder about safety concerns before and after school in our parking and pedestrian area. We are challenged by our continued protocols, but generally, we are doing well. Here are the reminders for you to consider.

1. Parking:
Please do:

• Park in reserved parent parking zones away from the building.  

• Remember that you should never be too far from your car in the Kiss-n-Go Zone and you should not stay in this area for very long. Cars parked in these areas create a risk for children. With small children in our facility, there is a high risk for potential injury when students walk between cars and this is the main reason we do not allow parent parking closest to the school in the elementary area. Instead, we reserve parent parking away from the building.  

•  Always use the crosswalks – never teach children to cross between cars as this is very dangerous.

Please do not:

• Park on the curbed or yellow areas nearest the buildings and thank you for keeping these areas clear.   

 2. Use of ID cards 
Please do:  

• Remember that the driver of the vehicle must have proper identification as a parent or helper and that this identification be used for access.   

• Have your own ID and please be sure to wear it at all times on campus to avoid being asked about it. ID cards for parents or other adult caregivers can be requested online HERE (You’ll need to have a Google account to use this – forms also available at main reception).

3.Relationship between guards and parents

Please do:  

• Treat our guards with courtesy and respect. I expect them to do the same. We are all focused on the same objective — to be safe and care for all of the children in the school. That is our only intent when asking for compliance on any of our rules.

4. Bicycles. 
Please do:  

• Remember that bicycles must be walked at all times on campus.  Given our current load of vehicles and the number of pedestrians, it is not possible to provide for a safe environment while mixing bicycles and traffic in our parking lot.  

Stay to the side of the sidewalk while waiting to meet someone and while allowing others to pass.

Please do not:  

• Block sidewalks 

5. Speed
Please do:

• Monitor your speed at all times in the parking lot and not just at the speed bumps. Once you enter the campus, there is no need to be in a hurry and everyone is safer when we all take our time.

6. Air quality.  

Thanks to all for doing a great job keeping engines off when waiting for students. It means cleaner air for all of us!!

Parking area rules summary has been updated and is HERE.

We are off to a wonderful start for the new school year and the joy on faces was evident, even with masks in place. I think I saw almost every student yesterday and today, whether greeting on the sidewalk before and after school or peering through windows as classes working on initial routines and information that is always part of the early days. But, learning was also evident with math lessons in 2nd grade, writing in middle school, and background refreshers for upper school science students. Much engagement throughout the building to get new ideas flowing in the first day.

In opening assemblies, I shared with students that we have to treat the current situation just like a serious injury, like a broken leg or arm (many in the audience could relate and I saw two casts). I talked about how there are two stages to these types of injuries. The first stage is the initial intervention, meant at protecting from infection and making sure that everything is set right for the next stage of healing – putting the cast on. The second stage is recovery and recovery is always the longest part where we give the body the time it needs to repair and build back strength that was lost to the injury. The second stage requires the most resilience and patience. You have to nurture it and remain careful so that you don’t unintentionally cause more injury.

I suggested to all of the audiences that the COVID-19 pandemic is similar. Last year was the initial injury and we fought hard to find the end of the first stage through our practices and now vaccination. As we’ve seen, there are continued challenges associated with our recovery and we must remain diligent.

Late yesterday, we identified our first case – a middle school student. There was no exposure to the community, so I’m reporting it here rather than through a Special Update. There is reason to applaud because everything was done right in this instance:

• The family returned from travels just before the start of school, like many of you.
• They noticed symptoms in one of their children – a high temperature.
• They isolated and contacted our nurses.
• We arranged through Epixpert home testing
• The result was received in the late afternoon and conversations shortly confirmed that there was no exposure to other students or community members

I can only thank the parent in this instance for a job well done!! The attestation and focus on potential symptoms were crucial in preventing any exposure to the school or other children. We should always default on the side of caution in this regard and this is the main reason for the daily survey. In this instance, I should also report that the student in question has previously had COVID. This confirms the literature that points to the potential for re-infection. The natural protection of recovered status seems to be limited to about 8-9 months, but the clear numbers are not yet certain and this is only an estimate.

Vaccination is a critical factor here and I want to remind you again that vaccination is available for ages 12 and up. Our next vaccination event is this coming Saturday, August 21, starting at 9a. We will be sending reminders tomorrow, but it’s not too late to sign up. The link is HERE. If not at school, you can find vaccination easily at local clinics and via many doctors. Also, please communicate your child’s vaccination status to our school nurse by sending a scan of vaccination cards to aswhealth@aswarsaw.org.

So, let the recovery continue with both patience and care. We continue to be a community dedicated to a common purpose, driven by our core values. We are always learning in the true spirit of education, and we encourage your comments and feedback at every step of the journey!

I hope this first official eNotes finds you well and either in Warsaw or quickly winding your way into our midst in preparation for the school year that lies ahead. It’s always best when kids make it on the first day and we are always working hard to make sure we support your needs in achieving that goal.

This message continues our exploration of continued growth and development of a school through some modest updates. We learned last spring that, even in the midst of the most challenging times in our history, we could still continue the work of strategy and vision continuing our efforts on the plans we charted some years ago.

I was out for morning arrival today, coffee in hand, greeting everyone, and taking advantage of the outdoor mask removal so I could enjoy basking in the sunshine. Like Relay for Life on the weekend, it was a great opportunity to soak in the apparent relaxing spirit of the feeling of recovery, even while limited by our sense of caution. I also shared a bit of time with Elementary staff this morning as they gathered outside officially for the last time, sharing their praise and farewells in creative ways. I’m certain similar events will play out in Middle School and High School in the final days.

But, our most significant event is back, even though we won’t quite be ready to open our doors wide, we will be outdoors for our Closing Assembly on the Annex field, complete with all students and staff, our Flag Ceremony and bell ringing to bring our toughest year on record to a traditional close. We have much to be proud of and we are hopeful that this event will bring important punctuation to all that we have accomplished together. Here’s the link for the live stream feed so that we can share this with all of you:

We start at 10:00a!!

Next Year Protocols

As promised, and we will discuss at the Town Hall, I have a draft to share for our upcoming shift next year to more detailed protocols. This is a draft for public comment, so it comes with a link to a survey for you to share your comments after you have a chance to review. I’ll be reviewing with my team and staff later in July as we get ready for the school year and a final version will be published in August along with other announcements.

Link to the document is HERE

Link to the survey is HERE

Thank you in advance for your participation in our process of planning and looking forward. You have until early July to provide your thoughts.

Final Note

A final note of thanks to all for your fortitude and courage throughout the year. I’m happy and proud having been your shepherd this year and I want it clearly understood that we could not have achieved this without each and every one of you. Even in periods of adversity, I appreciate that it encourages us to consider other points of view and balance our approach in the shadow of conflict. I was happy to be the target of anger and frustration, I’m happy to serve in that role if it helps. I remain committed to all of you as we continue this journey together, staff, parents, and students. I wish for all of you a wonderful summer of recovery and renewal. For those departing to other adventures, we will miss you and hope for you a journey that is safe and rewarding. For those new families who may also be reading this, we look forward to greeting you in August, ready to embrace fellowship together. We welcome you!

As one student in Grade 5 wrote to me recently, “I have been given a great opportunity to become part of the ASW Community, which I am very thankful for. I promise not to take it for granted and always be the best MS Warrior I can!” I appreciate the idea that we all should consider how we contribute in a community like this. Let’s all take this to heart as we plan for reuniting in August!!

Looking forward to seeing those who have signed up this weekend. I’m looking forward to it and walking with my wife as a family team to honor and remember my father, Arthur P. Zurfluh, Jr. who we lost to his fight with cancer in 1995. I’ll be wearing a t-shirt that I had made for the opportunity and remember well his short fight with this terrible menace. I look forward to sharing this time with others, both survivors and those who have lost loved ones in an event of remembrance. As I suggested in my speech at graduation, looking forward to “putting the pieces back together.”

A huge thanks to Epixpert for their donation of testing for this event. They have been true partners this year and we very much appreciate their help in facilitating broader community involvement in this event under the circumstances. Please join me in thanking them as you get tested on Friday for the event. They are true friends and warriors!!

Testing Next Week

Speaking of testing, we’ve confirmed paid testing for the community next week on Thursday and Friday, June 10 and 11. Epixpert will be here 8a to 4p each day for pre-travel testing, both PCR and antigen. Please contact your airlines for details on what you need and the timeframe requirements. You can stop in on Monday through Wednesday and get forms in advance of Thursday or Friday in order to speed your processing on testing day. Again, thanks to Epixpert for these additional hours.

After next week, Epixpert will only be at School on Mondays from 8a to 11a each week, but still available for paid testing at these times. They will also be providing support for Summer School on those days.

Have a great long weekend!!

Dates/Events/Links

Below is a list of upcoming and end-of-year (EOY) events. I thought I’d provide this list and the live stream links where appropriate. Lots of important things to keep us engaged until the final day.

• May 28 – 9:30a – Senior Awards Assembly
• May 28 – 7:00p – Studniowka
• May 29 – Graduation
• June 2 – ASW Staff Social Gathering – Campus closed at 3:45p and until 8:00p.
• June 3-4 – NO SCHOOL – Corpus Christi Holiday
• June 4 – 12p to 12a – Relay for Life
• June 7 – 9:00a – Open House – Please share with your friends who might be considering coming to ASW.
• June 11 – 10:00a – Closing Assembly – We will have a closing assembly outdoors for all students together on the final day, complete with flag procession and live-streaming. We won’t be able to open this to all parents, but only to the population of cleared staff and adults currently on our roster.

There are probably more links below for specific grade levels or other divisional events. Our thanks to all the important involvement from all areas of the school to support these wide-ranging activities. In particular, it’s a very busy time for PTO and grade level reps as they bring many activities to a conclusion. Thank you for all that you do and thanks for the great general meeting last week!!

Yearbook

We are providing the yearbook again this year as a complimentary gift to all families. Every student will receive a yearbook according to the schedule of their divisional offices.

Parent Survey

Please remember to fill out your parent survey. Thank you to the early responders! You will continue to receive weekly reminders until you are done! Please only use the personal link sent to you. If you have any trouble accessing it, please contact us. Appreciate your attention to this important task!

Testing

As you know, we changed our testing frequency starting this week and scheduling has gone well. We’ll change the testing next week again because of our holiday. Next week will be a three-day schedule and we’ll follow the same schedule the following week. That means our last testing day will be June 9th.

We are now looking forward to transition from school year to summer and want to announce that testing for summer school and staff will start on Monday, June 14, and will be Mondays, 8a to 11a each week through the summer until August 2. Testing will remain in the main lobby for staff who continue to work during the summer and paid testing will remain available during these hours only for ASW Community members.

Travel

Based on a review of current regulations and stipulations of EU member states with our medical advice and after reflection with the Crisis Team, we will make one additional change for the remainder of the current academic year. We are aware of official status change in countries across the EU and did a comprehensive review on the European CDC site. Based on these reductions of restrictions, we will align and reduce the travel restrictions to only areas outside of the EU. The revised question and the guidance that follows will be implemented in the next 24-48 hours.

Question #5 – Travel
Have you or someone in your household traveled to areas outside of the EU or to areas identified as high risk? (Not applicable to fully vaccinated individuals.)

This question no longer includes travel within the EU and is primarily focused on the risk associated with larger populations.  Travel in a private vehicle or under controlled conditions is not the focus of the question and is not considered a risk in and of itself.  Risk exposure is still reported in question #6 and is of equal concern whether traveling or not. Remember, most children at school are not yet vaccinated and risk has to be assessed for that reason.

Further, this question also applies to visitors coming to your home if they have traveled to areas of risk.

Exclusion is 7-days and the app will inform you of your date for re-entry testing once you enter the date returned.  You may come to school for testing during your exclusion.  CDC guidelines recommend one test at 3-5 days after travel and a second test after at least 7 days. Government quarantines of longer periods will supersede ASW guidelines.

Excluded from consideration (answer “no”): Fully vaccinated or recovered individuals.

It’s time to launch our parent survey, as we do annually. Please watch your mailbox tonight for your personal invitation to our annual customer satisfaction survey. There are some changes, but here’s a summary for your awareness:

• We’ve simplified the survey so that each parent will only complete one survey for the entire family. Based on questions at the beginning, you will then fill out common questions followed by divisional questions and selected items based on the ages of your child(ren) at school. This means a more customized experience and only one survey to complete rather than filling out the entire survey from each child’s perspective. For some of the common questions, you will have to consider them from the whole family’s perspective and then add comments at the end where an individual child’s experience may have been different than the family average.
• We have added a section of questions on our COVID mitigation response.
• We’ve kept 80% of the rest of the survey the same to support year-on-year comparison. We removed one or two questions because they are no longer relevant and added some for similar reasons.

We are hopeful of your early attention to this task and would love to see a strong response rate. As in prior years, I will send periodic reminders to those who have not yet completed the survey until we close the survey in early July. We will compile the results and communicate them to the community in the Fall along with any related plans.

Thanks in advance for completing this important task!!