Reopening Brookwood School (August 6, 2020)

I am aware that there has been a lot of communication this summer. As you prepare for Monday, here are the most important pieces of information:
Dear Brookwood Families,

I am pleased to confirm that, indeed, Brookwood School will reopen on August 10! We are excited to welcome our students back to school and are looking forward to the adventure that this year will bring.
 
I am aware that there has been a lot of communication this summer. As you prepare for Monday, here are the most important pieces of information:

  1. If your child or you are sick, please stay home! 
  2. During morning drop off, please arrive no earlier than 7:40 a.m. and wait for a health screen before your child exits the car.
  3. Your child needs to wear a mask.
  4. Bring your Warrior Spirit!

Now, here is a little more detailed information:
 
We have received full support from our Board of Directors and Health Advisory Committee to reopen Brookwood. It is official!
 
We will reopen in a modified ORANGE MODE. Here are the key points of this operating mode:
  • All students in the Middle and Upper School will wear masks throughout the day. The modification from the Orange Mode guidelines is that the 11th and 12th grades will be on campus (rather than in Continuous Learning).
  • All Lower School students will wear masks for arrival, departure, as much as is possible throughout the day, and during other key transitions.
  • PE and Athletics will continue with particular vigilance to physical distancing and sanitation.
  • In order to keep our after school numbers low, we ask that you not use WAS and ACE, if possible. However, the service will be available for parents who have unavoidable work-related conflicts.
  • For those who have previously arranged with their child's Division Director, Broadcast Learning will begin for Middle and Upper School on Monday and for Lower School on Tuesday. This is our at-home learning option for students who are sick, in quarantine, or live in an at-risk home situation. Please contact your child’s Division Director for your child if you need to use this option:
     
    The rationale for this move to Orange Mode is that it is best to begin in a more conservative mode for the first two weeks. After the first two weeks, we will be better able to assess the presence of the virus on campus and can make informed decisions. Hopefully, we will be able to move to Yellow Mode within two weeks. Additionally, given the increased presence of COVID-19 in our surrounding community, this more conservative approach is advised.
     
    Please continue to use the Reopening Brookwood School page as your primary source of information about our plans for August. Please note that this will continue to be the resource for all information about operating this year. All of our pandemic-related policy will be kept here. If you have additional questions, please send them to BWReopen2020@brookwoodschool.org.  

    COVID-19 Testing

    I am happy to share that we have a negotiated agreement with Shaw Living to facilitate COVID-19 testing for Brookwood employees and students with symptoms. Testing at Shaw Living will be by referral through our School Nurse only. When possible, testing will be on the same school day that the concern arises, and we expect to have the results back within 72 hours. This will be a tremendous benefit to Brookwood as we work to keep our community health and address concerns as they arise. More details about this program are forthcoming.
     

    Virtual Town Hall Meeting

    On Monday, August 17, at 5:00 p.m. we will have a live, virtual town hall meeting for our Brookwood Community. The purpose of this meeting is to report out about our reopening plan, the first several days of school, and current research and best practices regarding COVID-19. A link will be emailed beforehand for the video conference. Panelists will include some of the members of our Health Advisory Committee.
     

    Closing Thoughts

    In closing, I wanted to reiterate that our goal has been to have life at Brookwood be as normal as possible and as safe as possible. All of our efforts to prepare this summer have begun with the intention to manage the impact of COVID-19 on our community and have Brookwood be a viable school option. We know that we are not immune from COVID-19, and we are aware that there could be cases on our campus this year. We have plans in place to address each situation to the best of our ability.
     
    That said, we are ready to roll! Welcome back, Warriors!
     
    See you soon,
    Dr. Randy Watts
    Headmaster
    Back
    Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.