September 25, 2020

Dear Rumsey Parents and Guardians,
As we near the end of September, we want to provide an update on our policies regarding boarding student weekend travel. We have been closely monitoring COVID-19 numbers in Connecticut and surrounding states, communicating with other independent schools in the area, and working to establish policies that will keep our entire community safe and learning in-person. We are pleased to report that our students, faculty, and staff are all demonstrating a community minded spirit by adhering to all new guidelines. Further we are pleased to share that all surveillance COVID testing results thus far have returned negative.

At this time, the School has decided to continue to prohibit weekend travel off-campus for students through the November 20th Thanksgiving / Holiday Recess. Exceptions for extenuating family circumstances will be made on a case-by-case basis by Dean of Students, Phil Perreault, and Director of Residential Life, Rick Butler. Students who are granted permission to leave campus for extenuating circumstances will be subject to both quarantine and testing before they are allowed back on campus. Quarantine and testing timelines will be determined on an individual basis, but families should understand that once a boarding student leaves campus there will be strict standards that must be met for that student to be allowed back safely into the dorm family unit and to attend in-person classes. Families should expect that this process will take at least one week.

We understand that this update will be difficult news for some students and families, but we strongly believe this is the best way to minimize potential COVID-19 exposures for our entire school community and for Rumsey to continue to offer in-person classes. We have learned that most boarding schools in our area have adopted similar policies. 

With that said, we do completely  understand and appreciate the importance of being able to visit with your children and we have opened up two weekends for parent/guardian visits. The following policy does require parents to schedule visits in advance and provides guidelines to ensure these visits prioritize our students’ safety while still fulfilling the need to spend in-person time with your children. 

Weekend Parent/Guardian Visitation Policy

1. Visits may take place on Sunday, October 11th or Sunday, November 1st and must be scheduled in advance by completing this Google form.
2. Visits can last up to two hours. Please understand that visits will be scheduled to limit overcrowding and visitation times will be strictly enforced. A second visit may be scheduled if space allows.
3. Visits will be restricted to only parents and guardians with a maximum of two visitors. If this proves difficult for your family, please contact Dean of Students, Phil Perreault or Director of Residential life, Rick Butler.
4. All parents/guardians visiting must submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test administered within seven days of the scheduled visit. Fast-acting antigen tests will not be accepted. Negative results should be emailed to travel@rumseyhall.org.
5. Visits will take place at the Solley House located at 313 Sabbaday Lane. Please see the campus map if you are not yet familiar with campus. Visitors will have access to indoor space in Solley House, outdoor seating, and will be allowed to walk with their child on Seibert Field but will not be allowed to visit other areas of campus. Visitors will be greeted by a School Administrator upon arrival and have their temperature taken.  Visiting parents commit that they have not had contact with a COVID-positive individual and that they have not had any COVID-related symptoms within 72 hours of arriving on campus .
6. Students and visitors will be required to wear a mask at all times,  maintain social distance from all other students and adults, and practice safe hygiene. Students will not be allowed in a vehicle at any time during the visit and may not leave campus. Parents/guardians may bring personal items (food, clothes, etc) for their child and the Administrator will deliver these items to the student’s dormitory. 

Thank you once again for your continued commitment to the health and safety of our school community.

Rick Butler, Director of Residential Life

Phil Perreault, Dean of Students