July 22, 2020

Dear Bolles Community,

This summer, I have been working closely with the Return to Campus Task Force to facilitate a safe plan to re-open our campuses for the 2020-21 school year. We completed detailed, multiple walk-throughs and analysis of each campus, a process that included close scrutiny of classroom spaces, facilities, traffic patterns, distancing capabilities, dining areas and all other areas where our community convenes during a normal school day. As you well know, our four campuses are spread out and uniquely situated – each with its own distinctive blend of assets, challenges, populations and facilities. After weeks of due diligence and expert consult, we determined that a “one size fits all” approach does not align well with the Bolles community’s multi-faceted complexion. We are extremely confident, however, in the Return to Campus plan that has emerged. I am pleased to share it with you today:

Both the Lower School Whitehurst Campus and the Ponte Vedra Beach Campus will return to school as scheduled on August 13 in Operating Scenario 2. (Using all safety protocols/social distancing. Click here to review Operating Scenario 2 Re-entry Plan)
The Middle School Bartram Campus will also return to school as scheduled on August 13 in Operating Scenario 2.
Given the larger student population on the San Jose Campus and the size of the facilities, we plan on the upper school returning to campus August 13 in Operating Scenario 3. In this scenario, students are coming to campus every other day and stay in their regular rotation of classes. The upper school student body will be split alphabetically. More details to follow. (Please click here to review Operating Scenario 3)

We will operate under these protocols and will continue to monitor the situation closely and will communicate quickly should it be necessary to make a change. All students, faculty and staff will be monitored daily with wellness checks when entering the campuses and contact tracing will be done when a positive case should arise. We are requiring all students, faculty and staff to wear masks both inside and outside on all four campuses. To maintain wellness checks and proper social distancing, we are temporarily restricting campus access to parents and visitors. While not ideal, these short-term rules are important to the protection of our community “bubble” and the health of those living and learning inside.

For our middle and upper school students, we can offer one temporary rule that may gain favor with students: a “relaxed” prescribed dress and uniform code for the start of the 2020-21 school year. As students will be wearing masks and spending more time outside, we thought relaxing the formal dress would allow students more comfort during the school day. Click here to review our temporary dress code requirements.

Lastly, I have included a form for you to respond telling us if your child will be attending school on campus or will be attending through At-Home Learning. If At-Home Learning is selected, it will be through the first quarter, ending October 15. Click here to complete survey by Monday, July 27, 2020 by 4 p.m. (Please submit a form for each child enrolled.)

I would like to thank the Return to Campus Task Force Team for their hard work and preparations to make our return to campus as safe as possible and for implementing plans and new protocols to keep everyone as healthy as possible. I also would like to express my gratitude to each of you for your continued support of The Bolles School and entrusting us with your most precious gift—your child.

As always, please feel free to contact your campus head or any of us if you have questions.

Stay well,

Tyler Hodges

President and Head of School