Community and Residential Life
As announced on August 26, St. Mark's will begin the 2020-2021 academic year on Monday, September 14, with two weeks of remote learning. On September 28, we will move to a hybrid program with both day and boarding students on campus. To learn more about the professional development sessions our faculty engaged in this summer to prepare for hybrid and remote learning, click here.
We are exploring ways to maintain important community events such as Chapel and School Meetings, as well as working with student leaders to create different community opportunities during the week and on weekends. Details of the move-in process will be shared the week of August 31.
Policies & Agreements
Campus Restrictions and Off-Campus Activities Policy
Fall 2020
As of August 31, 2020
Over the years, St. Mark’s has focused to meet and accommodate the needs of individual families by working with them around requests and exceptions that may have fallen outside our normal frameworks, guidelines, and rules. We have come to the point that we need to shift our focus to community issues around student and faculty safety more than individual wants or needs. We understand that this is new, frustrating, and complicated for all of us, and ask that we all aspire to the “cooperation over self-interest” goal in the School’s mission statement during this pandemic. We thank you for adhering to the social agreement and the philosophy behind that agreement. Ultimately, we want to open the school campus and keep it open.
Starting with the beginning of the in-person class session in order to enforce safety measures, normalize our health expectations, and maintain the integrity of our testing protocols, ​boarding students will not be allowed off-campus during the week or on weekends for the first three weeks of boarding, and may remain in place for a longer duration as detailed below.
After the first three weeks of the 2020-2021 academic year, and every two or three weeks after that, the COVID-19 Task Force will evaluate this framework and conditions to determine whether or not to place more restrictions or to allow certain types of off-campus trips. Our first priority in considering alterations to this policy will be to allow boarding students to sign out to go home and to provide school organized off-campus trips as part of our weekend activities program.
To be clear, we are not imagining that we will open these restrictions after three weeks. In fact, we expect that these off-campus restrictions will go from the beginning of in-person classes until the start of our Thanksgiving break on November 21.
We do not anticipate being able to allow boarding or day students to participate in off-campus or compete in off-campus club sports season during the fall term. This policy does not apply not only to athletes, but also to students who wish to participate in drama, debate, music, or other events off-campus. If a student wants or needs to attend events off-campus, particularly club sports, they should elect to attend school remotely for the semester.
If day students are planning to participate in any activities other than being at home and coming to and from school they need to get approval from the Dean’s Office. Part of this approval will likely include some stipulations that will need to be met prior to the student being able to return to campus including, but not limited to, participating in remote learning only for a defined time period. This is likely to be a minimum of 14 days but could be as long as the entire fall term.
If the school is made aware of students engaging in these activities or travels to a high-risk area, they may be required to be remote for some time period (potentially for the remainder of the Window) and/or quarantine for 14 days.
Again, we are asking day students to adhere to the same expectations. Understanding that these expectations may come across as unfair to boarding students, we need to control what we can control on campus and trust that day student families will embrace what we are trying to do with our goals of opening our campus and keeping it school open through November 21.
Boarding parents will be allowed to visit campus to see their child while remaining outdoors and abiding by physical distancing standards and wearing masks. Exceptions for boarding students leaving campus would include certain family emergencies and necessary medical appointments.
Students and families will be asked to sign a social agreement committing to St. Mark’s expectations around safety behaviors. Students will be expected to social distance and wear a mask around campus buildings in the Houses.
Please note: All plans are current as of August 31, 2020, and are subject to change.
As of August 31, 2020
Over the years, St. Mark’s has focused to meet and accommodate the needs of individual families by working with them around requests and exceptions that may have fallen outside our normal frameworks, guidelines, and rules. We have come to the point that we need to shift our focus to community issues around student and faculty safety more than individual wants or needs. We understand that this is new, frustrating, and complicated for all of us, and ask that we all aspire to the “cooperation over self-interest” goal in the School’s mission statement during this pandemic. We thank you for adhering to the social agreement and the philosophy behind that agreement. Ultimately, we want to open the school campus and keep it open.
Starting with the beginning of the in-person class session in order to enforce safety measures, normalize our health expectations, and maintain the integrity of our testing protocols, ​boarding students will not be allowed off-campus during the week or on weekends for the first three weeks of boarding, and may remain in place for a longer duration as detailed below.
After the first three weeks of the 2020-2021 academic year, and every two or three weeks after that, the COVID-19 Task Force will evaluate this framework and conditions to determine whether or not to place more restrictions or to allow certain types of off-campus trips. Our first priority in considering alterations to this policy will be to allow boarding students to sign out to go home and to provide school organized off-campus trips as part of our weekend activities program.
To be clear, we are not imagining that we will open these restrictions after three weeks. In fact, we expect that these off-campus restrictions will go from the beginning of in-person classes until the start of our Thanksgiving break on November 21.
We do not anticipate being able to allow boarding or day students to participate in off-campus or compete in off-campus club sports season during the fall term. This policy does not apply not only to athletes, but also to students who wish to participate in drama, debate, music, or other events off-campus. If a student wants or needs to attend events off-campus, particularly club sports, they should elect to attend school remotely for the semester.
If day students are planning to participate in any activities other than being at home and coming to and from school they need to get approval from the Dean’s Office. Part of this approval will likely include some stipulations that will need to be met prior to the student being able to return to campus including, but not limited to, participating in remote learning only for a defined time period. This is likely to be a minimum of 14 days but could be as long as the entire fall term.
If the school is made aware of students engaging in these activities or travels to a high-risk area, they may be required to be remote for some time period (potentially for the remainder of the Window) and/or quarantine for 14 days.
Again, we are asking day students to adhere to the same expectations. Understanding that these expectations may come across as unfair to boarding students, we need to control what we can control on campus and trust that day student families will embrace what we are trying to do with our goals of opening our campus and keeping it school open through November 21.
Boarding parents will be allowed to visit campus to see their child while remaining outdoors and abiding by physical distancing standards and wearing masks. Exceptions for boarding students leaving campus would include certain family emergencies and necessary medical appointments.
Students and families will be asked to sign a social agreement committing to St. Mark’s expectations around safety behaviors. Students will be expected to social distance and wear a mask around campus buildings in the Houses.
Please note: All plans are current as of August 31, 2020, and are subject to change.
Statement on Social Agreements
In these unprecedented times of a pandemic, it will take a shared commitment from each and every member of the St. Mark’s community to maintain the health and safety of all. We take great pride in being a caring and inclusive community where we value each other over self-interest and where we live by the standards of RUSH: Respect, Understanding, Safety, and Honesty. The following are details of three social agreements: for students, faculty and staff members, and families. The agreements will be sent to each stakeholder group in the coming days and will need to be electronically signed and returned before September 14.
Social Agreement for Students
As of August 31, 2020
Purpose
In these unprecedented times of a pandemic, it will take a shared commitment from each and every member of the St. Mark’s community to maintain the health and safety of all. We take great pride in being a caring and inclusive community where we value each other over self-interest and where we live by the standards of RUSH: Respect, Understanding, Safety, and Honesty. Therefore, as a member of the St. Mark’s Pride, students promise to protect their classmates, the St. Mark’s faculty, our families and neighbors, and myself by adopting the practices and attitudes summarized below.
Any student who feels uncomfortable or is unwilling to follow these standards and protocols, or feel that these standards and protocols are not sufficient, can choose to attend school remotely.
A student who does not fully comply with these standards and protocols will be required to attend school remotely for the time period (likely 14 days, but potentially the entire fall term) defined by the Dean of Students.
Details:
Purpose
In these unprecedented times of a pandemic, it will take a shared commitment from each and every member of the St. Mark’s community to maintain the health and safety of all. We take great pride in being a caring and inclusive community where we value each other over self-interest and where we live by the standards of RUSH: Respect, Understanding, Safety, and Honesty. Therefore, as a member of the St. Mark’s Pride, students promise to protect their classmates, the St. Mark’s faculty, our families and neighbors, and myself by adopting the practices and attitudes summarized below.
Any student who feels uncomfortable or is unwilling to follow these standards and protocols, or feel that these standards and protocols are not sufficient, can choose to attend school remotely.
A student who does not fully comply with these standards and protocols will be required to attend school remotely for the time period (likely 14 days, but potentially the entire fall term) defined by the Dean of Students.
Details:
- Students will abide by the 14-day self-quarantine expectations prior to arrival on campus.
- Students are required to be vaccinated with the influenza vaccine this year to fully engage all public health measures toward a healthier campus. If, for any reason, a student is not able to comply with this request, please inform Health Services.
- Students will honestly complete the Boardingware self-assessment, including temperature measurement, prior to arriving on campus for day students and before leaving the dorm each day for boarders. Upon arrival, day students will check-in at their assigned check-in area on campus. Boarding students need approval from House faculty before leaving their House.
- Students will monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 and immediately report any such symptoms to Health Services. Students will not be penalized for missing in-person classes, athletics, arts, or other activities in the event they need to take this responsible action. We expect students to be fully transparent about their symptoms. Further, students must not discourage other students from disclosing their own symptoms.
- Students will participate willingly and immediately in a wellness check, conducted by Health Services, if requested by a faculty or staff member.
- Students will participate in testing protocols as needed.
- Students will wash their hands frequently, be responsible for laundering their masks and wearing a fresh mask daily, and follow other best practices of hygiene, including any disinfecting protocols requested of them in the classroom shared spaces, and in the Houses.
- Students will wear a face mask or facial covering in all indoor spaces and in outdoor spaces when consistent physical distancing of six feet between individuals is not possible. Boarding students do not need to wear a mask when alone in their room. Students do not need to wear a mask when eating or drinking, or when using the bathroom or shower.
- Students will follow all prescribed traffic patterns to enter, exit, and travel within buildings.
- Students will maintain social distancing standards of six feet between individuals whenever possible. When not possible, masks must be worn.
- Students will follow the assigned bathroom, meal, and athletic times and end these activities promptly at the designated time.
- On remote learning days, day and boarding students will only access the campus as explicitly defined and permitted by the School.
- Certain spaces will have different designations (e.g., academic, social, etc.) during different times of the day, and students will follow and respect those designations and adhere to identified capacity limits.
- Once the campus opens to all students, both day and boarding students will limit travel and engagement with off-campus activities and will avoid large gatherings. Students will not be allowed to leave campus during the day.
- Students will follow the Campus Restrictions and Off-Campus Activities Policy (above).
- Any travel for day and boarding students, beyond going to and from one’s home from campus, requires permission from the Dean’s Office.
- Students who test positive for COVID-19 will follow isolation requirements as determined.
- Students will engage truthfully in a contact tracing interview to identify those at risk of becoming infected.
- If the test is conducted by another health care provider, students are expected to share truthful information with Health Services as soon as possible.
- Students who are deemed “contacts” of a person who tests positive for COVID-19 will follow quarantine procedures as determined by Health Services and the Southborough Board of Health. Only Health Services and the Board of Health determine who is considered a “contact.”
- Contact tracing will be confidential in the instance of a positive case of COVID 19 on our campus. lt will be required to trace all people with whom the student has had close contact.
- Students who are found to have broken a School rule in the course of contact tracing may not be subject to the disciplinary process.
- Boarding students will not be able to go into Houses other than their own.
- Day students will not enter House spaces and will depart campus immediately after fulfilling their last commitment.
- Realizing that guidelines may change, students agree to follow communication from School administration to stay informed about changes to guidelines and policies throughout the year.
Please note: All plans are current as of August 31, 2020, and are subject to change.
Social Agreement for Faculty and Staff
As of August 31, 2020
Purpose
In these unprecedented times of a pandemic, it will take a shared commitment from each and every member of the St. Mark’s community to maintain the health and safety of all. We take great pride in being a caring and inclusive community where we value each other over self-interest and where we live by the standards of RUSH: Respect, Understanding, Safety, and Honesty. Therefore, as a member of the St Mark’s Pride, I promise to protect my colleagues, St. Mark’s students, our families and neighbors, and myself by adopting the practices and attitudes summarized below.
Details:
Purpose
In these unprecedented times of a pandemic, it will take a shared commitment from each and every member of the St. Mark’s community to maintain the health and safety of all. We take great pride in being a caring and inclusive community where we value each other over self-interest and where we live by the standards of RUSH: Respect, Understanding, Safety, and Honesty. Therefore, as a member of the St Mark’s Pride, I promise to protect my colleagues, St. Mark’s students, our families and neighbors, and myself by adopting the practices and attitudes summarized below.
Details:
- Faculty and staff will honestly complete the daily self-assessment, including temperature measurement, prior to entering the campus and will log in and out of their workspaces.
- Faculty and staff will monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 and immediately report any such symptoms to their primary care physician. They should report to the School’s Director of Human Resources should they have a positive case of COVID-19 or if they have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19. Faculty and staff will not be penalized for missing work.
- Students have been asked to be vaccinated with Influenza Vaccine this year to fully engage all public health measures toward a healthier campus. Faculty and staff are also strongly encouraged to obtain the influenza vaccine by November 1 and ideally as soon after the start of classes as possible.
- Faculty and staff will participate in testing protocols as needed.
- Faculty and staff will wash their hands frequently, be responsible for wearing a fresh mask daily, and follow other best practices of hygiene, including any disinfecting protocols requested of them in their work areas.
- Faculty and staff will wear a face mask or facial covering in all indoor spaces and in outdoor spaces when consistent physical distancing of six feet between individuals is not possible.
- Faculty and staff will follow all prescribed traffic patterns to enter, exit, and travel within buildings.
- Faculty and staff will maintain social distancing standards of six feet between individuals whenever possible. When not possible, masks must be worn.
- Faculty and staff will follow the assigned meal times and will leave the dining hall promptly.
- Faculty and staff will avoid behaviors that place them, and thereby the St. Mark’s community, at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.
- Faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 will follow isolation requirements as determined. Faculty and staff will engage truthfully in a contact tracing interview to identify those at risk of becoming infected.
- Faculty and staff are expected to share truthful information with Human Resources as soon as possible.
- Faculty and staff who are deemed “contacts” of a person who tests positive for COVID-19 will follow quarantine procedures as determined by Health Services and Southborough Board of Health. Only Health Services and the Board of Health determine who is considered a “contact.”
- Faculty and staff will follow the established visitor policy as applicable.
Please note: All plans are current as of August 31, 2020, and are subject to change.
Social Agreement for Families
As of August 31, 2020
Purpose
In these unprecedented times of a pandemic, It will take a shared commitment from each and every member of the St. Mark’s community and their families to maintain the health and safety of all. We take great pride in being a caring and inclusive community where we value each other over self-interest and where we live by the standards of RUSH - Respect, Understanding, Safety, and Honesty. Therefore, as a member of the larger St Mark’s Pride, I promise to protect the St. Mark’s students and faculty, our families, friends, and neighbors, and myself by adopting the practices and attitudes summarized below.
Details:
Purpose
In these unprecedented times of a pandemic, It will take a shared commitment from each and every member of the St. Mark’s community and their families to maintain the health and safety of all. We take great pride in being a caring and inclusive community where we value each other over self-interest and where we live by the standards of RUSH - Respect, Understanding, Safety, and Honesty. Therefore, as a member of the larger St Mark’s Pride, I promise to protect the St. Mark’s students and faculty, our families, friends, and neighbors, and myself by adopting the practices and attitudes summarized below.
Details:
- Families will monitor themselves regularly for symptoms of COVID-19 and immediately report any such symptoms to their primary care physician.
- Families will participate in testing protocols as needed.
- Families will wash their hands frequently, be responsible for wearing masks when outside the home and follow other best practices of hygiene.
- Families who need to access campus will answer a set of screening questions, sanitize hands on arrival, and follow sign in and sign out protocols.
- Families will wear a face mask or facial covering whenever they are on campus, both inside and outside.
- Families will follow all prescribed traffic patterns to enter, exit, and travel within buildings. Family members are not allowed in residential Houses.
- Families will maintain social distancing standards of six feet between individuals whenever possible. When not possible, masks must be worn.
- Families will follow all prescribed pick-up and drop-off routines.
- Families will avoid behaviors that place them, and thereby the St. Mark’s community, at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.
- Students have been asked to be vaccinated with Influenza Vaccine this year to fully engage all public health measures toward a healthier campus. Families are also encouraged to obtain the Influenza vaccine.
- Families who test positive for COVID-19 will follow isolation requirements as determined by the Massachusetts Board of Public Health and their primary care physician. Families will engage truthfully in a contact tracing interview to identify those at risk of becoming infected.
Please note: All plans are current as of August 31, 2020, and are subject to change.
A Day in the Life
A Day in the Life of a Day Student
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
As of August 31, 2020
(Please note: Community and class events taking place on Wednesday will meet remotely, allowing us to reduce the density of campus, and direct our focus to feedback and individual support. A dedicated advisory block will allow advisors to maintain a program of regular support, reflection, and social connection with their advisees.)
Students will need to adhere to all of the expectations outlined in the social agreement including, but not limited to, six-foot social distancing and mask-wearing, with expectations as explicitly stated, throughout the day and evening. Students must wear a mask at all times on campus. Students may remove their mask when eating or drinking and in the identified “mask break areas.”
7:30–9:00 a.m.
As of August 31, 2020
(Please note: Community and class events taking place on Wednesday will meet remotely, allowing us to reduce the density of campus, and direct our focus to feedback and individual support. A dedicated advisory block will allow advisors to maintain a program of regular support, reflection, and social connection with their advisees.)
Students will need to adhere to all of the expectations outlined in the social agreement including, but not limited to, six-foot social distancing and mask-wearing, with expectations as explicitly stated, throughout the day and evening. Students must wear a mask at all times on campus. Students may remove their mask when eating or drinking and in the identified “mask break areas.”
7:30–9:00 a.m.
- Day student check-in at Library Quad Tent and MFAC Gym Parking in the former fire station lot (adjacent to Belmont Field) and the Day Student Lot
- Health screening
- Boardingware self-report
- Temperature check
- Please note: Breakfast in the Dining Hall will not be available for day students.
8:00–9:00 a.m.
- Remote Academic Blocks
8:30 a.m.
- Chapel (Tuesday and Friday)
9:00–9:30 a.m.
- Cleaning and passing time
9:30–10:30 a.m.
- Academic blocks
- Students not in class will be in designated areas Library and MFAC Mask break areas
10:30–11:00 a.m.
- Cleaning and passing Time
11:00 a.m.–noon
- Academic blocks
- Students not in class will be in designated areas Library and MFAC Mask break areas
- Lunch blocks
11:10–11:35 a.m.
- Lunch Block A
11:35–noon
- Dining Hall cleaning
Noon–12:25 p.m.
- Lunch Block B
12:30–12:55 p.m.
- Dining Hall Cleaning
12:30–1:30 p.m.
- Academic blocks
1:00–1:25 p.m.
- Lunch Block C
- Students not in class or in Lunch Block C will be in designated areas Library and MFAC Mask Break areas
1:30–2:00 p.m.
- Cleaning and passing time
2:00–3:00 p.m.
- Academic blocks
- Students not in class or in Lunch Block C will be in designated areas Houses Main campus “home base” or designated supervised areas Mask break areas
3:00– 3:30 p.m.
- Students to Athletic Center to prepare for the afternoon
- Cleaning and passing time
3:30–5:00 p.m.
- Athletics/community activities
- Day students depart after their last commitment.
Please note: Dinner will not be provided for day students.
Please note: All plans are current as of August 31, 2020, and are subject to change.
A Day in the Life of a Boarding Student
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
As of August 31, 2020
7:30–9:00 a.m.
- Wake-up time (depending on assigned breakfast schedule)
- Shower/bathroom time (schedule to be created by individual Houses)
- Health Screening: Boardingware self-report and temperature check
- Depending on the scheduled meal shift, check out to go to breakfast in Dining Hall.
7:30–7:55 a.m.
Breakfast: A Group
7:55–8:20 a.m.
- Dining Hall Cleaning
8:00–9:00 a.m.
- Remote Academic Blocks
8:25–8:55 a.m.
- Breakfast: B Group
8:30 a.m.
- Chapel (Tuesday and Friday)
9:00–9:30 a.m.
- Cleaning and Passing Time
9:30-10:30 a.m.
- Academic Blocks
- Students not in class will be in designated areas Houses Main Campus “home base” or designated supervised areas
- Mask break areas
10:30-11:00 a.m.
- Cleaning and passing time
11:00 a.m.–noon
- Academic block
- Students not in class will be in designated areas Houses Main campus “home base” or designated supervised areas
- Mask break areas
- Lunch blocks
11:10-11:35 a.m.
- Lunch Block A
11:35 a.m.–noon
- Dining Hall cleaning
Noon–12:25 p.m.
- Lunch Block B
12:30-12:55 p.m.
- Dining Hall cleaning
12:30-1:30 p.m.
- Academic blocks
1:00-1:25 p.m.
- Lunch Block C
- Students not in class or in Lunch Block C will be in designated areas Houses Main Campus “home base” or Designated/Supervised Areas
- Mask Break Areas
1:30-2:00 p.m.
- Cleaning and passing time
2:00-3:00 p.m.
- Academic blocks
- Students not in class or in Lunch Block C will be in designated areas Houses Main Campus “home base” or designated supervised areas
- Mask break areas
3:00–3:30 p.m.
- Cleaning and passing time
- Students to Athletic Center to prepare for the afternoon
3:30-5:00 p.m.
- Athletics/community activities
- Non-participants to Houses
- Shower schedule in House
- Day students depart after last commitment
5:00–5:25 p.m.
- Dinner Block A
5:25–5:50 p.m.
- Dining Hall Cleaning
5:55–6:30 p.m.
- Dinner Block B
- Students not in one of the two dining shifts will be in designated areas Main Campus “home base” or designated supervised areas or mask break areas (not the Houses)
7:00 p.m.
- House check-ins
- Shower/bathroom/laundry schedules in House
7:30–9:00 p.m.
- Study hall/quiet hours—no checkouts to other areas of campus
7:30–9:15 p.m.
- Remote academic blocks
10:30-11:00 p.m.
- Lights out depending on House Students will need to adhere to six-foot social distancing and mask-wearing, with expectations as explicitly stated, throughout the day and evening.
- Students must wear a mask at all times on campus unless they are in their room and six feet from their roommate. If a faculty member needs to check on them in their room, students are expected to put on their mask. Students may remove their mask when alone in their House room, in the bathroom, when eating or drinking, and in the mask break areas.
- Bathrooms and hand-sanitizing stations should be utilized for frequent hand sanitizing.
Please note: All plans are current as of August 31, 2020, and are subject to change.
Move-In Plans & Arrival to Campus
Move-In Plan for Boarding Students
As of September 11, 2020
*Please note that housing information will be sent in the coming days.
The September 25-27 move-in period is almost here!
Over the course of two and half days—late afternoon of Friday, September 25 and on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27—boarding students and families have the opportunity to move themselves and their belongings into their House rooms. Students will also be asked to check in with Health Services and will then be directed to a tent where they will complete the required COVID-19 PCR test.
We will be following required safety protocols, which will include providing specific time blocks for families, as well as social distancing, masks, hand sanitizer, and escorts in and out of the Houses. In order to keep Houses de-densified, we ask that only one parent and one student are involved in this process, and that families adhere to the 30-minute slot when moving in.
Here is the SignUp Genius link for families to sign up for a 30-minute slot on our move-in days:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C4FACA823A0FE3-move1
- Friday, September 25 from 3:00-5:00 p.m.
- Saturday, September 26 from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
- Sunday, September 27 from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Approximately 15 minutes before the one’s time slot, families should come to the Front Circle upon arrival in order to check-in. At the Front Circle, families will head over to the Health Service area where they will need to verify that their health records have been submitted and demonstrate the completion of a student’s negative PCR test (taken taken within the last seven days). At that time, a PCR test will be taken by St. Mark’s nursing staff.
After visiting the nurses, families will be directed to the appropriate House where they will be guided to the student’s House and room.
We ask that families are on time for their appointments and that they stay in their cars until we can ensure that the Health Services Area and House are clear and available. If you are late or cannot make your assigned time please contact the Deans’ Office as appointment times are allocated to maintain the appropriate density on campus and as such cannot be extended or changed without prior approval. If you’re late for your start time you will only have whatever time is remaining from your assigned appointment.
After moving in, students will need to be quarantined in their House rooms until their COVID PCR test results are returned. Our testing facility continues to report a 12-to-24-hour turnaround.
In their rooms, students will be able to set up their rooms and prepare for the upcoming in-person school week. The School will provide meals while students are quarantined in the Houses and will have someone checking in on them periodically while they wait for the test results.
What to bring:
- Seven double-layer cloth or two-ply masks (see SM mask guidelines)
- Enough hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to last at least the first two weeks of school
- A fan
- Clothing that meets St. Mark’s dress code requirements (which has been adjusted for the 2020-2021 school year), in addition to comfortable clothing
- A digital thermometer
- At least one extra set of sheets
- Laundry detergent
What NOT to bring:
- Any furniture beyond a small refrigerator, desk chair and plastic storage containers
- Extra clothing that you will not need
Please note: All plans are current as of September 11, 2020, and are subject to change.
Visitor Guidelines
Purpose
In order to protect the health and safety of our community that resides in our Houses (dormitory housing), the following policy has been established. This policy applies only to those living in the Main Building, Theriot, or West Campus housing, and not to those who live outside of these buildings as their guests can come directly to a family residence without entering either a dormitory or a school building.
Details
Per guidance from ISOS, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts reopening guidelines, and information regarding spread of COVID-19, the St. Mark’s COVID-19 Task Force recommends the following:
Restricted Access to Campus
Access to the campus is restricted to students, faculty, essential staff, limited designated vendors if needed, in-house faculty guests, and parents for drop off and pick up. Boarding parents will be allowed to visit campus to see their child while remaining outdoors and abiding by physical distancing standards and wearing masks. Parents are not allowed in residential Houses.
Non-essential visitors to campus will not be admitted. These include admissions tours and interviews, college representatives, outside speakers, and alumni. Additionally, all campus visitors, including student families and faculty guests, must wear a face mask at all times while in any St. Mark’s building’s interior common areas and when unable to socially distance by six feet or more when outside; answer a set of wellness/symptom screening questions; sanitize hands on arrival; follow all prescribed traffic patterns to enter, exit, and travel within buildings; and follow sign in and sign out protocols. Guests are permitted to remove their masks inside the faculty residences.
Exceptions may be made upon advance request to the COVID-19 Task Force.
Non-essential visitors to campus will not be admitted. These include admissions tours and interviews, college representatives, outside speakers, and alumni. Additionally, all campus visitors, including student families and faculty guests, must wear a face mask at all times while in any St. Mark’s building’s interior common areas and when unable to socially distance by six feet or more when outside; answer a set of wellness/symptom screening questions; sanitize hands on arrival; follow all prescribed traffic patterns to enter, exit, and travel within buildings; and follow sign in and sign out protocols. Guests are permitted to remove their masks inside the faculty residences.
Exceptions may be made upon advance request to the COVID-19 Task Force.
Criteria for who is allowed to be on campus:
- Drivers for student drop-off and pick-up. Drivers should remain in their vehicle and call the student(s) to come outside to the front circle or other parking areas.
- Pre-approved vendors who must comply with all safety precautions and who will be restricted to the facility repair and maintenance activity or delivery. All vendors for all departments must be approved by Facilities to be on-site in advance of scheduled service/delivery. This includes all departments for any work from any vendor on campus.
- Food delivery transactions for dorm faculty and students shall take place outside. For West Campus, please pick up food in the lower parking lot, and for Main Campus, please pick up food in the Front Circle (details of which food delivery services students may use can be found through the Dean’s Office). There will be no deliveries for the first three weeks of the fall term.
Please note: All plans are current as of August 31, 2020, and are subject to change.
Contact:
David Vachris
Titles:
Dean of Students
Departments:
Dean of Students Office, Senior Administrative Team, Orientation
Email:
Questions & Feedback Form
You can also submit questions and feedback to return@stmarksschool.org or through this form.