We developed guidelines for the resumption of classes and other activities in a manner that puts the health and safety of our community at the forefront and is consistent with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ "Four-Phase Approach" to reopening. Please see details below.
In some cases, local health departments may opt to reduce quarantine at day 10 if no symptoms have been reported or after day 7 if there is a negative test (with 48 hour turnaround)
Individuals released from quarantine must still be monitored for symptoms and wear masks.
In case you missed it last week, Pfizer and Biontech have completed phase 3 trials of an m-rna based vaccine which has been shown to be 90% effective, exceeding the FDA’s requirements. An estimated 50 million doses could be manufactured before the end of 2020 with 1.3 billion more produced in 2021, with the vaccine likely to be effective for about 1 year.
The CDC has more definitively stated that mask wearing protects the wearer from getting COVID-19 just as it prevents transmission, with further research suggesting that masks may block approximately ¾ of any droplets that might be directed towards the wearer.
This fascinating article shows how risk of transmission increases or decreases depending on the type of situation, including looking in a classroom. In the school environment, a teacher is more likely to infect students than vice versa and that risk increases with time, even when masks and ventilation are in place.
A “40,000-person study found that children under 15 were about half as likely as adults to be infected, and only half as likely as adults to transmit the virus to others. Almost all the coronavirus transmissions to children came from adults.” The study looked at almost half of Iceland’s population through testing and contact tracing. While naming that children are more at risk from adults than vice versa, the author cautions that when cases in the community are on the rise, risks in schools also increase. At the same time, it remains clear that after the age of 10-12, there is an increase in the adolescents both contracting and transmitting the virus
There has been an increase in the number of children in Belgium being admitted to the hospital with Multisymptom Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). “The recognisable symptoms of [MIS-C] are fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, swollen hands and feet, skin rashes, cramping, confusion and even breathlessness if the heart is affected.”
After an infant experiencing heart damage leading to heart failure tested positive for COVID-19, there is concern that children may experience similar heart problems to adults as a result of the virus.
Gina Kolata. November 10, 2020, Updated Nov. 12, 2020. The New York Times.
New research on antibodies seems to indicate that children who experience many colds in early childhood may have antibodies from prior colds, many of which are caused by other coronaviruses, that prevent severe infection from COVID-19. This may explain why they are less likely to experience ill effects of the virus. Up to 43% of children seem to have these antibodies, one of which sticks to the base of the coronavirus spike, preventing infection, vs 5% of adults.
While returning to school includes the risk of being exposed to and contracting COVID-19, not attending school has serious negative health impacts including possible delay of community health supports and preventative health care, social isolation, and reduced physical activity. Early research also shows that students both in and out of school are experiencing behavioral and emotional challenges including increasing substance abuse as a result of changed schedules and parent stress. Economic hardship also means that children are experiencing food insecurity at higher than normal rates. The report underscores the need for support services for students and families.
This meta analysis of studies around children’s susceptibility and ability to transmit SARS-CoV-2 found that children (under age 20) are 0.56 as likely to be an infected contact vs. adults and found that there was little evidence that children are less likely to transmit the virus than adults. There is a caveat that many of the studies reviewed were of medium or low quality and that the studies generally looked at middle and high income Asian countries. One promising quote from the study: “Three school-based contact-tracing studies found minimal transmission from child or teacher index cases” though cases of transmission have been documented in schools.
A new study compares immune system responses in children and adults and found that children’s immune systems more rapidly react to destroy new viruses in the body, where adults rarely come into contact with new viruses and so their immune systems are more specialized. Children in the study had higher levels of immune molecules interleukin 17A and interferon gamma, and the younger the study participant, the more prevalent the molecules. The study found no link between exposure to coronaviruses that cause the common cold and children’s immune responses, and found that adults actually had more viral antibodies in their systems than did children, leading to concerns that our antibodies might actually make us more sick in response to SARS-CoV-2. There are some critiques of the study as it only surveyed children who were in the hospital and not newly infected. The most encouraging quote from this article: “If this virus becomes endemic, like the coronaviruses causing common colds, children eventually will develop adaptive defenses so strong that they will not experience the problems that adults are having now, Dr. Mina said. / “We will eventually age out of this virus.””
As schools reopen, CVS is offering self-swab covid testing for individuals aged 12 years and up at over 2000 CVS Pharmacy drive-thru testing locations with test results available in 2-3 days. Families must register in advance and the press release says there will be no charge to patients for the tests.
A new study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that in-person classes at K-12 schools do not appear to lead to increases in COVID-19 when compared with areas that have online-only learning.
Further evidence seems to point to the fact that schools don’t seem to be places of major transmission of COVID-19 and that children are experiencing lower rates of infection than adults. When infections showed up in schools, they usually impacted adults in the school first. This article is notable in that it doesn’t rely entirely on the data out of Brown University overseen by Emily Oster, meaning it affirms much of what has come out of her study. Notable Quote: “But even in places where community infections were on the rise, outbreaks in schools were uncommon, particularly when precautions were taken to reduce transmission.”
The authors of this study looked at droplet transmission and whether 6 feet of physical distancing was enough. They concluded that, depending on the type of activity, 6 feet may not be enough, or some distancing or masking restrictions could be loosened. Extrapolating this information to apply to schools, as we consider different types of activities, ventilation, and programming, it might behoove school leaders to review the researchers’ table showing various risk levels associated with different venues, volumes, and mitigates.
As we think about the future of education, this Brookings report names four trends in education globally: an acceleration in educational inequality; a change in focus on innovation; increasing public recognition of the key roles schools play in society; and an increase in the number of people and actors supporting student learning. The article goes on to mention 5 areas where schools, in particular public schools, should focus. Click above to read more.
We are all experiencing exposure therapy as relates to COVID-19. The more we are exposed to it, the less threatening it seems, the more we are desensitized and the less likely we are to take seriously the mitigates that reduce the chance of spread. Extrapolating this article to school communities, we might make two hypotheses: 1) Getting nervous employees back on campus may reduce their trepidation and 2) all community members are less likely to take distancing and masking measures seriously the longer they are together without serious negative impact.
Kids struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and stress and worry related to police brutality and the reckoning for racial justice may be experiencing heightened emotional responses during the COVID pandemic. Parents are warned to be on the lookout for “ severity, frequency, and duration of changes.” Any major changes in behavior are warning signs. The article links to a pediatric symptom checklist that can be completed before taking a child to a primary care physician for follow up. The article also recommends keeping open lines of communication with the child and helping them to identify and develop coping mechanisms, the importance of keeping a schedule at home, and limiting media exposure and taking care of oneself.
The fall term runs from August 24 through November 20. Winterim will have the flexibility of taking place remotely or in person for students, and will consist of three, three-week windows that will lead up to Spring Break. The spring semester will run from March 8 through June 9, with graduation on June 5.
While there are many familiar features in our daily schedule, there are also modifications that allow for longer passing time as well as a net increase in the length and number of lunch blocks. The new daily schedule maintains its signature single and double-letter structure: single-letter periods meet synchronously eight times for forty-minutes each over a two-week interval, along with one additional asynchronous forty-minute class; double-letter periods meet three times synchronously for seventy-minutes per week, with an additional forty-minute asynchronous class. We have preserved the element of asynchronous classes in recognition of the ways in which they can be used to enhance learning outcomes.
During peak flu season, Cushing Academy will offer mandatory learning experiences structured around three three-week windows that will lead up to Spring Break. As the bridge between the fall and spring semesters, Winterim will deepen skills and supplement learning experiences from the fall across all disciplines. Additionally, Winterim will provide exciting new opportunities to explore interdisciplinary seminars fostering greater student engagement, interpersonal growth, and agency. When the second semester begins, we will finish the year with fourteen weeks of on-campus learning. Our focus has remained on optimizing the allocation of time spent on campus, maximizing breaks from campus for rejuvenation and the allowance of safe returns, and again, supporting the continuity of learning. We will design Winterim with the flexibility of being mainly remote with flexibility for on-campus participation as the public health situation and medical advice warrants.
We are limiting the number of people in each classroom by following Massachusetts guidelines and measuring the distance between desks. We are also increasing passing times to allow for fewer students in the hallways. Lastly, some students are attending school via online instruction.
We have new cameras in classrooms to allow students who attend classes online to fully participate in learning and feel that they are more directly involved in the classroom experience. We are also recording and posting all live classes. Additionally, we have scheduled international (and west coast) students to attend classes during periods that are most realistic.
If a transition to fully remote learning is necessary, classes should be able to continue without significant disruption due to the nature of our new daily schedule.
The Cushing experience includes participation in a number of arts offerings both in and outside the classroom. We have created guidelines for how students can continue to engage with the performing and studio arts during this atypical time.
Some Visual Arts classes such as Ceramics, Metalsmithing, and Fused/Stained Glass cannot be taken concurrently or remotely. We do offer Remote Art as an asynchronous class. Other Visual Arts classes are offered concurrently.
Cushing Academy is following the guidelines and restrictions put in place by local and state governments as well as those by the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC). If it is safe and recommended by governing organizations that interscholastic sports continue, then Cushing Academy will allow its teams to participate in athletic competitions.
Currently, Cushing is providing a full athletic program on campus including practices, physical training (with our partner, Power Source), and other offerings including sports psychology, college recruitment, as well as general opportunities for fitness, health, and wellness.
Fall teams are on the fields, court, and trails engaging in physically-distanced practices. We continue to monitor the current health situation under the advice of our medical team in case we have the opportunity to make an official decision about participating in competitive athletics.
In addition, NEPSAC has approved out-of-season coaches to work with their teams if schools are non-competitive this fall. At this time, winter and spring sports are working on skill-building and strength and conditioning, also while staying physically distanced. The winter and spring athletics schedules remain tentatively scheduled.
We are prepared for the winter athletics program to operate during Winterim (if allowed by the State of Massachusetts and other governing agencies). We do not have any details on the spring athletics season yet and hope that it will operate normally by that point as we return for the spring semester in March.
A Waddle is a small cohort of students and faculty grouped together in order to limit the risk of viral spread. Waddles are grouped according to their living space (floor/area of a dorm, day students). Students are "waddled" to accommodate the highest-risk activities that require mask removal, such as eating, sleeping, and personal hygiene practices, though students are expected to maintain practices of mask-wearing and physical distancing at all other times. Waddles may vary in size from 8 to 16 students. While we hope that students will come to think of their Waddle as their family, a Waddle is not the same as creating a "family bubble."
Yes, faculty, staff, and students are expected to wear masks at all times on campus—unless alone in a dorm room or office or while eating—to help protect against the spread of the virus.
At this time, students may not leave campus to go home or other locations to prioritize the health and safety of our community. We may loosen or reverse this decision depending on the progress of the public health situation and with advice from our medical experts.
As for going to downtown Ashburnham, students may be permitted to go into downtown Ashburnham wearing a mask and complying with all physical distancing requirements once the Cushing COVID-19 Advisory Level (CCAL) reaches Yellow (Limited).
At this time, day students should leave campus immediately following their last commitment of the day. Extra help sessions or other meetings may take place via Zoom. We will reevaluate this restriction as the year progresses, and in consultation with our medical team.
No, dormitory access is restricted to residents only. We will reevaluate this restriction as the year progresses, in consultation with our medical team.
Remote learning is offered for international students unable to travel to campus or for students who may be considered vulnerable due to health and safety as it relates to COVID-19. Please complete this form to request remote learning.
The blend of in-person, hybrid, remote, and online instruction that will be offered during the 2020-21 school year does not reduce the quality and value of a Cushing Academy education.
With remote and online teaching, faculty and instructors are still able to provide regular instruction and interact daily with Cushing students, and can also employ methods of assessment and regular feedback.
We are also prioritizing the health and safety of our campus by allowing for the de-densifying of campus during flu season by completing a full semester before Thanksgiving and beginning the spring semester in March and finishing in June. This time period will be bridged with additional time for learning and to give students the opportunity to explore meaningful topics that they would not normally have the opportunity to explore.
Guidance focused on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Massachusetts guidelines, which are updated frequently and as needed. All boarding and independent schools are making their own decisions based on local conditions and state guidance, and plans vary. To ensure the safety of our campus and the local community, we have a measured and appropriate response to the situation in order to provide a safe educational and physical environment for our students, faculty, and staff—and meet or exceed the professional guidelines recommended.
Yes, faculty, staff, and students are expected to wear masks at all times on campus—unless alone in a dorm room or office or while eating—to help protect against the spread of the virus.
Any student diagnosed with COVID-19 will be cared for by our medical staff in an isolation unit on campus, and we will expect that student to leave campus within 24 hours to recover from home. If needed, they can be transported to Heywood Hospital (6 miles from campus) for treatment. Following any COVID-19 diagnosis, the health team will immediately start the process of contact tracing and create a list of close contacts in conjunction with the Department of Health. We will then follow state guidelines as needed for isolation and quarantine.
To help mitigate the spread of COVID, Cushing is sanitizing and disinfecting its dormitory bathrooms, hallways, and common spaces daily. Hand sanitizer stations have also been installed at most doorways as well.
At this time, Cushing’s medical team is discouraging any travel to Ashburnham or any weekend travel off campus. As the public health situation changes and at the recommendation at our medical team, Cushing will review this expectation.
Cushing Academy is following the guidelines and restrictions put in place by local and state governments as well as those by the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC). If it is safe and recommended by governing organizations that interscholastic sports continue, then Cushing Academy will allow its teams to participate in athletic competitions.
Currently, Cushing Academy is providing a full athletic program on campus including practices, physical training (with our partner, Power Source), and other offerings including sports psychology, college recruitment, as well as general opportunities for fitness, health, and wellness.
Fall teams are on the fields, court, and trails engaging in physically-distanced practices. We continue to monitor the current health situation under the advice of our medical team in case we have the opportunity to make an official decision about participating in competitive athletics.
Webinars
January 14, 2021
December 3, 2020
October 22, 2020
September, 17, 2020
August 18, 2020
August 6, 2020
July 30, 2020
July 14, 2020
Webinar for Students: New Academic Schedule and Activity Updates
We apologize for the occasional poor audio quality of this recording.
June 25, 2020
June 11, 2020
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May 21, 2020
Senior Steering Committee
Joseph Marzilli Chair of the Board of Trustees Randy Bertin
Dr. Tina Hermos, MD Assistant Professor, Pediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases University of Massachusetts Medical School Affiliated with UMass Memorial Medical Center
Dr. Anne Hoen, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Epidemiology, of Biomedical Data Science, and of Microbiology & Immunology Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine
Dr. Michael Mutchler P '15, '16 Family Medicine, Adolescent Medicine Heywood Hospital Cushing Academy Medical Director since 1996
39 School Street Ashburnham, Massachusetts 01430 978-827-7000 admissions@cushing.org
Cushing Academy
Cushing Academy exists for students and develops curious, creative, and confident learners and leaders. Founded in 1865, Cushing is a co-ed, college preparatory boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12 and PG. Our students, who come from over 30 states and 30 countries, excel in our outstanding academic, art, and athletic offerings. We welcome you to visit our community and beautiful 162-acre campus in Ashburnham, Mass., just one hour from Boston, to experience all that Cushing has to offer.