October 9, 2020
Dear Students, Parents, Faculty, and Staff,
Well, we have finished the first of our six mini-terms. Congratulations to one and all. I hope that the next few days without classes gives everyone some time to relax and get ready for the return of our boarders and the start Fall Term 2. We expect to have approximately 600 students on campus and 100 more online.
Parents and students, you have received multiple emails on everything that needs to be done to be ready for next term. This week's Parent eNews summarized the most important of these—but always be in touch with your child's advisor or class dean if you are confused about anything or have continuing questions. Fall Term 2 will take us until Thanksgiving, and then you will remember that the entire school will be fully online between Thanksgiving and the New Year. As of now, the Founders League has not made any decisions regarding winter athletics. I expect that we will be able to give you more information about the winter by the middle of November.
It is really beginning to feel like fall around here. The beautiful weather allowed Loomis' jazz band, dancers, and orchestra to perform on the Rockefeller Quadrangle with treats from the dining hall. The Shultz Fellows hosted their second watch party on Wednesday for the Vice Presidential Debate. Students in the PHI are working with the Yale School of Public Health to develop a dongle to allow us to do contact tracing more easily if we need to. Our debaters excelled at their recent Yale-sponsored tournament, coming home with second place among 113 teams from around the country. We have celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, and next week we will celebrate pledge week with Spectrum, affirming our support for all individuals regardless of their sexual orientation. Whew! There is a lot happening—and that is as it should be.
A little while back Liverpool soccer star Mohamed Salah commented, "You cannot score 10 goals from 10 shots—that's impossible—but I am trying." I feel as if his words capture so much of what we have tried to do this term, but I belong to a Leeds United household so, as much as I admire Salah, I have to also include a quotation from our manager Marcelo Bielsa, who noted, "A man with new ideas is a madman, until his new ideas triumph." This term we scored 10 out of 10, and our new schedule and calendar were, I believe, perhaps not a triumph but certainly helpful. They gave us the flexibility needed to be able to approach the challenges that this new year has brought. It has not been easy on you; that is for sure! The Board of Trustees and I admire your adaptability, your hard work, and your continuing patience and good humor. Thank you!
Be careful out there. The numbers of COVID-19 cases are on the increase everywhere. Connecticut's numbers remain low, but we all need to be sure to follow the protocols so that we can keep everyone safe. Mask up, wash your hands, keep your distance.
Enjoy the break! I look forward to seeing you next week. Sheila
The Loomis Chaffee School • 4 Batchelder Road • Windsor, CT 06095 • 860.687.6000
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