COVID-19 Update: Hopeful Steps Forward

2/28/2021

Dear Collegiate Families,

As we look forward to spring break, my colleagues and I are pleased to share with you some plans taking shape for hopeful steps forward in regards to on-campus activities. Health and safety remain our focus and COVID-19 mitigations will remain in place. Our low numbers on the Collegiate dashboard, along with medical advice, research findings on schools and the relaxing of some government guidelines give us confidence in our planning in response to COVID-19. As always, we will continue to monitor our community’s health and may make adjustments accordingly.

Graduation and Final Exercises
- We are planning for in-person Upper School Graduation, Eighth Grade Final Exercises and the 4th Grade Moving Up Celebration. More details to follow.
Athletics
- Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball are each scheduled to play a game this week.
- Spring sports practice has begun for JV/V and Cub will begin in-person on March 16. We will progress to game-like drills; intrasquad scrimmages; and hopefully interscholastic play. With this goal on the horizon, games are scheduled for all levels of our program.
- We are expanding our livestream capabilities. Follow our Athletics Twitter account for the latest livestream updates.
- We will begin to host limited spectators for varsity home games, starting with seniors’ families. Details may vary by sport (due to facilities, team size, etc.) and will be shared by our coaches and Athletic Director.
- Once we have two weeks of experience with senior athletes’ families, assuming that all goes smoothly, we will communicate opportunities for additional spectators.

Arts
- Upper School Chorus and Camerata will begin to rehearse together for the first time this school year, with plans for a spring concert that seniors’ families will be invited to attend, which will also be recorded on video. Rehearsals and performance will take place outdoors, with masking, physical distancing and sanitization protocols observed.
- Wind instruments will reunite with the Upper School Band for rehearsal indoors in the Oates Theater, distanced, with sanitization and appropriate protective gear. Seniors’ families will be invited to attend a year-end performance.
- Senior recitals will be held in the Oates Theater, with seniors’ families invited to attend.
- Seniors' families will be invited to attend performances of the chorus, orchestra, band, strings ensemble and guitar ensemble.
- The ArtWalk will be a combination of in-person and virtual experiences, with plans to invite seniors’ families to view the displays on campus.
Outdoor Collegiate
- After a winter season on Robins Campus, Outdoor Collegiate is moving to the James River Park System, with opportunities for students to be on the water and explore the park system; with mitigation plans specific to each activity.
Playground
- Playground equipment will open to Lower School students following spring break. Cohorting, hand sanitization, masking and equipment cleaning will be in place.
Youth Sports
- As previously shared, Cougar Zone sports - Geronimo Lacrosse, Sandlot Baseball, RiverCats Softball - will offer skill-based clinics in a number of sports later this spring. Details forthcoming and sports camps are being offered through Summer Quest.
Summer Quest
- Collegiate Summer Quest is excited to Welcome Back Summer! and will offer a wide range of camps on campus. Click for details. Registration opens March 1.

For safety reasons, everyone coming to campus for a program or event will be expected to follow Collegiate’s COVID-19 protocols (wear a mask and social distance), complete a health assessment and sign the required Visitor Assumption of Risk, Waiver and Indemnity form. We will make this form available to you prior to your arrival.

I hope this news brings you joy and optimism as we continue to move forward together as One Collegiate. I thank my colleagues for their dedication and tireless efforts to provide the best possible experience for our students and families, regardless of circumstances. Your continued support and adherence to our Responsible Cougar Pact keeps our community safe, allows for our in-person learning experience and for these advances to become and remain possible. Thank you for continuing to do your part to help our community remain healthy.

Warmly,

Penny B. Evins

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