Head's Weekly Message — Jan. 14, 2022

Dear Mayfield Senior School Community,

 

Congratulations! We made it through our first week back on campus with flying colors ending the fall semester on a very high note. I could not be prouder of our Mayfield community. As I walk around campus checking in with students and teachers, I feel such a spirit of determination. Determination to stay optimistic and joyful. Determination to stay focused and moving forward. Determination to do everything in our collective power to stay healthy and safe.  Determination to keep our campus open. What an amazing spirit—I am so grateful.

 

I want to thank our parents for supporting us in our efforts. Our students have really upped their game when it comes to face coverings. I have noticed that most of our students are now wearing medical grade masks, and they are wearing them correctly. This is so important to continue.

 

I also want to thank parents for supporting the isolation and quarantine requirements that we must follow. We know how difficult and confusing these can be—but we also know that we can’t let our guard down. As we continue to support our students who are in isolation or quarantine—please remember that the option to “Zoom” into classes is reserved for those whose absences are COVID-related only.

 

Being fully vaccinated and boosted continues to be the best way to protect everyone from severe illness—so please have your daughters get those booster shots as soon as they are eligible. In looking at the data from the East Coast, it looks like we might reach the peak of this surge in about two weeks. Let’s pray that happens even more quickly and that the case numbers start to come down soon.

 

In the meantime, we are in the process of acquiring a large supply of rapid antigen tests which will be very helpful in furthering our mitigation efforts. We have also arranged to offer PCR testing on campus twice a week—adding Fridays to our testing program. Starting today, all athletes will be tested on both Wednesdays and Fridays. We will continue to require weekly PCR testing for unvaccinated students, but we also invite all students to take advantage of these testing opportunities.

 

Enough about COVID-19! I hope we can all take some time to turn our attention to honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose birthday we celebrate this weekend. I know I will be reflecting on how his vision and legacy can further inform our work at Mayfield as we strive to create a community of kindness, equity and love for all. In the same way that a year ago this weekend Pope Francis asked us all to remember how “each one of us is called to be an artisan of peace by uniting and not dividing, by extinguishing hatred and not holding on to it, by opening paths of dialogue.”

 

With Love and Gratitude,

Kate Morin