Dear CDS Families,

Last week, as part of our comprehensive COVID-19 response strategy, our Director of Facilities and School Nurse conducted targeted surface testing in high traffic areas of the school. Our goal was to put in another precautionary layer to identify any emerging risks, especially in areas where we know students congregate or engage in relatively higher risk activities. We tested restrooms, high touch areas in the student lounges, classroom spaces, stairway bannisters, athletic facilities, and more. Through this extra vigilance, we hoped to test our cleaning protocols and identify any areas that need further study and intervention.

We received the results from our ECC and Bearss Avenue campuses this weekend and our test from the athletic weight room did produce a positive result, indicating the presence of SARS Co-V 2. It is important to note that the test does not differentiate potentially infectious "active" from inactive virus, so it does not necessarily indicate that there was a carrier present at the time of the test. What it does indicate is the need to revisit safety protocols in shared athletic spaces and to tighten up our practices so that we can continue to stay in session, participating in as many school-related activities as possible, including competitive athletics.

After reviewing our current practices, we will be following these enhanced protocols in the weight room from now on:

Greater and consistent physical distancing between equipment and people in the weight room
100% mask requirement at all times while in the weight room
Relocation of some weight room activities and routines to outdoor spaces with appropriate equipment
Keeping doors open during workouts
Strict limit of 10 students at one time
Educate all students/faculty/staff that utilize the weight room proper protocol for using and cleaning equipment after each individual use
Easier access to disinfecting wipes
Extra cleaning rotation by facilities during the school day
Timely departure from the weight room by athletes after practice to clear the way for the facilities crew
Maintenance of clear floor space with all athletic equipment being brought home for cleaning each night to ensure the facilities crew can engage in a full, in-depth cleaning of the space each night

As the recent news shows us, no space or person is 100% safe from exposure to the coronavirus, but we can mitigate its spread with our continued community effort. I want to thank you again for your partnership in reinforcing the importance of these rules with your students in our shared effort to continue to enjoy as normal a school year as possible in these difficult circumstances. We will continue to do our due diligence, including regular surface testing and review and refinement of protocols, in order to keep all of our CDS Patriots safe.

All the best,

Sara Rubinstein
Interim Head of School