Headmaster Update: Step Start Plan Progression - October 2020

Please watch this video announcing that effective Tuesday, October 20, Lower School will move into Step Four of our Step Start Plan. Early Middle School, Middle School, and Upper School will stay in Step Three, with their schedules unchanged. Preschool schedules also remain the same. (See Daily Schedules.)

The data has become somewhat more complicated, given the increasing case numbers in King County. Notwithstanding, the COVID-19 data for the Eastside cities where our faculty, staff, and students live, remains in the low to moderate range. Because of this, we feel comfortable moving forward with this change.

Other factors we considered when making this decision include:

• The value of a consistent schedule and in-person learning opportunities for our K – 4 students. 
• Seattle King County Public Health recently affirmed our health and safety protocols.
• Both medical research studies and the experience of other schools in our area have shown that children under age 10 seem to have a lower infection rate and are less likely to contract a serious case of the virus. 
• We have some upcoming four-day weeks, allowing Lower School students and faculty to ease into the increased number of days on campus.

We continue to evaluate the data weekly and make the best decisions in the interest of our mission as well as the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff.

Grace and peace,

Patrick Carruth
President and Headmaster