School Reopening Plan 2021
COVID-19 Policies
To mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on the Girard College campus, where students live in dormitories and attend classes together, the Policy outlines actions critical for our collective health and safety.
Download the Girard College COVID-19 Policy
Last updated November 8, 2021
The College has adopted a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy in an effort to protect the health and well-being of all staff, students, and families. This policy applies to all Girard College employees and all vaccine-eligible students, and is a condition of continued employment and enrollment.
Download the Girard College COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Last updated November 8, 2021
May 2022 Updates
May 23
Due to the increased rate of COVID transmission in our region and on our campus, Girard College is reinstating an indoor mask mandate for all staff and students, effective immediately.
Masking is an important mitigation effort to reduce the spread of illness, and will be required indoors until further notice. Please continue to monitor yourself for symptoms, report any encounters with COVID, and stay home if you are not feeling well.
Additional News and Resources
The CDC now recommends that children aged 5 through 11 receive a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine five months after being fully vaccinated. Read the statement from the Philadelphia Department of Health.
Every household in the U.S. is eligible for a third round of free at-home tests, and many insurance providers are offering reimbursements for purchased tests. Learn more at www.covid.gov/tests.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community safe and healthy.
May 10
We have seen an increase in staff and students testing positive for COVID-19 over the past two weeks. This is consistent with the uptick in cases occurring throughout the greater Philadelphia region. As we know, the current variants are highly transmissible, but the vaccines are doing their job of protecting against serious illness.
Thank you to all who work directly with our students to keep them safe, and especially our nursing staff, human resources staff, and contact tracer for quickly identifying cases and communicating protocols to those impacted by illness. Thank you also for your flexibility in dealing with unanticipated disruptions to our programming.
At this time, the College will continue with our Mask to Stay and Test to Stay policies for individuals who have been exposed to a positive case, which are based on guidance from the Philadelphia Department of Health.
Mask to Stay
Ages 12 and up
Mask for 7 days following an exposure
Test within 48 hours and on or after day 5
Test to Stay
Ages 5-11
Mask for 7 days following an exposure
Test every other day for 7 days
Families also have the option to quarantine their child at home following an exposure if they so choose.
The College will also continue with our mask-optional policy. All individuals are encouraged to make the best decision for themselves.
Communication Protocols
The College will begin issuing weekly updates with the number of active cases amongst staff and students in our community. Individual notifications for each positive case will no longer be issued.
We are committed to fostering a healthy and productive educational community while protecting the health of all community members. Please continue to monitor yourself for symptoms, report any encounters with COVID, and stay home if you are not feeling well.
April 2022 Updates
April 22
The City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health has announced that masks are strongly recommended, but no longer required, in indoor public spaces, including schools.
Girard College will resume our mask-optional policy, effective immediately. All staff are encouraged to make the best individual decision for themselves regarding masking.
Please continue to monitor yourself for illness, report any encounters with COVID, and submit updated vaccination cards to Human Resources.
Thank you for your understanding as we navigate the changing guidance and for working to keep all in our community safe and healthy.
April 13
On April 11, the City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health announced that masks will once again be required in all indoor public places, including schools, beginning on Monday, April 18.
All staff, students, and visitors will be required to wear a mask indoors beginning April 18.
Girard College will be adopting Mask to Stay and Test to Stay protocols to keep students in school in the event of exposure to COVID-19. Families also have the option to quarantine their child at home following an exposure if they so choose.
Please stay home if you are feeling sick. Contact Health Services (students) or your supervisor (staff) if you are experiencing symptoms and follow all recommendations from our contact tracer.
Girard College strongly recommends that all employees and all eligible students (age 12 and up) receive a vaccine booster dose. According to the CDC, “boosters help broaden and strengthen protection against Omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants.” Boosters are available at most local pharmacies and primary care offices.
We will provide updates with any future changes based on the city’s COVID Response Levels. Thank you for your cooperation as we work to keep all in our community safe and healthy.
March 2022 Updates
March 9
There have been several positive developments recently regarding COVID-19 protocols in the City of Philadelphia.
- On February 16, the city announced new COVID Response Levels based on specific metrics that govern when mandates are necessary.
- On March 2, the metrics improved enough for the indoor mask mandate to be dropped.
- On March 9, the School District of Philadelphia went mask-optional.
Based on the updated guidance from the Department of Public Health, Girard College will adopt a mask-optional policy beginning on Sunday, March 13. The College will enforce a one-week mask requirement following Spring Break (April 3-7).
All families are encouraged to make the best individual decision for themselves and their students regarding masking, and all choices are to be respected. Harassment of any type will not be tolerated.
Wearing a mask is still one of the best ways to keep yourself and others protected. The Department of Public Health recommends that those who are at a higher risk of severe COVID (or who have a high-risk family member) consider continuing to mask.
The College will continue with other mitigation efforts such as the daily health screener, deep cleaning of classrooms and dorms each Friday, and frequent handwashing.
If you, your student, or a member of your household test positive for COVID, please contact Girard College Health Services immediately and follow all recommendations from our contact tracer. If your student is not feeling well, please keep them home.
As we know, things can change quickly, and the College will be prepared to reinstate additional precautions if necessary. But with the current low level of transmission and the safety of the vaccinations, we can all breathe a little easier for the time being.
February 2022 Updates
February 14
As the positive downward trend in COVID transmission continues, we are evaluating our health and safety policies with an eye towards easing certain restrictions. Below are the latest updates to our screening, testing, and masking policies.
Health Screening
- Temperature checks will no longer be administered at the main entrance.
- The daily online Health Screener will continue for staff and students.
Testing
- Weekly Staff COVID testing will be discontinued, effective immediately.
- Student COVID testing on Monday, February 21 will only be conducted for grades 4, 5, 11, 12. All other students may proceed directly to the dorms.
- Testing will be available for symptomatic students or those with an approved exemption.
Masking
- Effective immediately, outdoor masking may be discontinued unless you are in a large group or can’t maintain three feet distance.
- Indoor masking will continue until further notice. As a reminder, cloth masks alone are no longer acceptable. Please wear well-fitted surgical or KN95 masks.
We will continue to implement the guidance put forth by our local health officials and rely on our layered mitigation efforts to keep all in our community safe. Thank you and stay safe!
January 2022 Updates
January 24
We have seen the COVID numbers trending downward in our region and have reviewed the updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the Philadelphia Department of Health.
As long as this trend continues, we will be ready to move forward with welcoming students back to campus beginning the week of February 6 according to the schedule below.
Student Return Schedule
Students are added each week (no rotations)
Sunday, February 6
6th, 7th, 8th and 10th grades
Sunday, February 13
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 9th grades
Monday, February 21 (Presidents Day)
4th, 5th, 11th, 12th grades
We will operate on a four-day in-person school week (Sunday return and Thursday dismissal) with virtual programming on Fridays until further notice.
The safe and successful return of our student body will take cooperation from every department and team at the College, and we stand ready to welcome you and your students in the coming weeks.
Health and Safety Policy Updates
Masking
- According to the latest guidance from the CDC, cloth masks alone are the least effective in protecting against virus transmission in light of the Omicron variant.
- Cloth masks alone will no longer be acceptable in meeting the College’s masking requirement.
- The College will require that all staff and students wear a well-fitted surgical mask or respirator.
- The College will provide staff and students with five (5) surgical masks each week.
- The College recommends the use of cloth masks in combination with (on top of) surgical masks (double-masking).
- Cloth masks that are worn in combination with surgical masks are the responsibility of each individual or family to provide.
Testing
- All staff and students will be tested for COVID weekly regardless of vaccination status until further notice.
- All staff will be PCR tested weekly beginning on Thursday, February 3, 2022.
- Students will be rapid tested during check-in on Sunday nights.
Thank you for adhering to these updated policies. The College continues to work closely with the Philadelphia Department of Health on these and other policies regarding quarantine and contact tracing guidelines. Additional mitigation efforts such as health screenings, temperature checks, frequent handwashing and sanitation will remain in effect.
If you have any questions about the student return plan or health and safety policies, please email reopening@girardcollege.edu.
We have all been waiting for the time when our students are back living and learning on campus. We will do everything we can to make this transition as safe and comfortable as possible.
Hail Girard!
January 10
We continue to see unprecedented case counts of COVID in our region. Girard College will continue to offer virtual instruction for all students until the current trend of high transmission reverses. At this time, we cannot predict exactly when that might occur, but we will continue to assess all updated guidance from our local health officials and provide timely updates regarding our program.
Meals for Virtual Students
While Girard College is operating virtually, all students are eligible to receive breakfast, lunch and snack for each school day. Please place an online order each Monday by 1:00 p.m. for meals covering the following week. Pick-up takes place each Wednesday from 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Banker Hall.
Meal Requests must be placed via the online portal. If you have multiple students in your household, you must request for each student separately.
https://calendly.com/girardcollege_diningservices
Please email Dining Services directly with any questions or concerns: DiningServices@GirardCollege.edu
January 3
Given the current health landscape and considering the latest recommendations from the Philadelphia Department of Health, Girard College will be transitioning to a fully virtual learning model for the first two weeks of January. During that time, we will continue to monitor the post-holiday surge and evaluate our plan for the safe return of students.
Next Steps
- Grades 4-12 will attend class virtually beginning Tuesday, January 4
- Grades 1-3 will not have classes the week of January 3. They will work independently on their take-home packets. Families are required to pick up computers at the Elementary School, Monday, January 3 – Friday, January 7, 10am – 4pm.
Tentative Student Return: Monday, January 17, 5:30-7pm (MLK Holiday)
Following a modified Quarter 2 rotation schedule
- 1st-3rd, 6th-8th and 10th grades
- All students will be tested for COVID during check-in, regardless of vaccination status
If you, your student, or a member of your household test positive for COVID, please inform the school immediately (HealthServices@girardcollege.edu; 215-787-2651).
Quarter 2 Update
Letter from the President
November 8, 2021
Dear Girard Community,
As we reach the 2nd quarter of the school year, allow me to take a moment to say thank you for your dedication and commitment to the mission and students of Girard College. Your work and support makes it possible for our community to move forward and persevere in challenging circumstances.
As I’ve shared in previous messages, the health and safety of everyone in the Girard community is my top priority. The best path forward for the College as a living, learning school community is for all staff and students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The disruptions, learning loss, and trauma caused by the pandemic can only be adequately addressed when we are all back together serving our students and families in person.
As of November 8, 2021, we are a vaccine-only campus. This was not an easy decision, and does not come without its hardships. We have done everything we can to keep every talented employee and deserving student a part of our community. However, we do anticipate the loss of several staff members and students as the vaccine requirement is enforced. We will communicate clear next steps to support staff, families and students through this transition.
We will not be bringing in any new students until the 2022-23 academic year, and all admitted students going forward will be required to comply with the College’s vaccination requirement.
Based on the recent FDA Emergency Use Authorization and the CDC recommendation of the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine for children ages 5-11, the College will be extending the vaccination requirement for all current students.
If all goes well and the local health landscape remains steady through the winter, we will be in a good position to welcome all students back to campus for the 3rd quarter. That is our goal, and we will continue to work collectively toward it.
Because of our successful vaccination and mitigation efforts, we are also able to slightly relax our COVID protocols, and have updated our policy documents accordingly. The updated policies (linked below), align us more closely with guidance issued by the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Departments of Health.
We have been battling the pandemic for the better part of two years, and will continue to take every necessary precaution. But brighter days are on the horizon, and with students rotating in throughout the 2nd Quarter, I know their light will shine on all of us.
Any questions about our plans, policies, or protocols can be directed to reopening@girardcollege.edu.
Thank you again for getting us to this point. Let us continue ever upward.
Hail Girard!
Sincerely,
JT
James D. Turner
Interim President, Girard College
Student Return Rotations
All Girard College students will spend time on campus for in-person learning during Quarter 2.
Elementary & Middle School
11/8 to 11/18 – 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Grade
11/28 to 12/16 – 1st – 5th Grade
1/3 to 1/27/2022 – 1st – 3rd Grade and 6th – 8th Grade
High School
11/8 to 12/2 – 12th Grade
12/5 to 12/16 – 11th Grade
1/3 to 1/13/2022 – 10th Grade
1/18 to 1/27/2022 – 9th Grade
COVID-19 Policy and Vaccine Requirement
To mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on the Girard College campus, where students live in dormitories and attend classes together, the Policy outlines actions critical for our collective health and safety.
Download the Girard College COVID-19 Policy
Last updated November 8, 2021
The College has adopted a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy in an effort to protect the health and well-being of all staff, students, and families. This policy applies to all Girard College employees and all vaccine-eligible students, and is a condition of continued employment and enrollment.
Download the Girard College COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Last updated November 8, 2021
Based on the FDA Emergency Use Authorization and the CDC recommendation of the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine for children ages 5-11, the College will be extending the vaccination requirement for all current students.
Opening of School 2021
Letter from the President
August 18, 2021
Dear Girard Community,
I hope you are well as we begin the important work of opening the school for the 2021 academic year. Throughout the summer, our faculty and staff have been working hard to prepare our campus and our programs for the return of students.
Over the course of the past month, we have found ourselves again battling the COVID-19 pandemic, with the highly transmissible Delta variant causing cases to spike in our area, including in school-aged children. While we were all looking forward to a more normal school year, we must consider the impact of these developments. Our top priority remains the well-being of everyone in the Girard College community, especially our vulnerable students who are not yet eligible for the protection offered by the vaccine.
After careful consideration, we have updated our 2021 School Reopening Plan to call for a phased return to in-person instruction and boarding for our students. Students in Grades 1-3 will return to campus on August 29, with Grades 4-12 beginning the year remotely.
By bringing our youngest students back to campus first, they can benefit from in-person instruction while we allow time for eligible students to become fully vaccinated. This action reduces the risk of virus transmission so that we can remain open and deliver the best possible education to our students.
None of us thought we would be in this position just a few short months ago, but we remain ready to do what is necessary to keep our community safe and healthy. We will draw on the lessons learned last year as we continue to respond to the data at hand and follow the guidance of our public health officials.
The details of our Reopening Plan will remain available on this web page and will be updated as needed. Any questions about our plans, policies, or protocols can be directed to reopening@girardcollege.edu.
Thank you also to each of you for your continued support and dedication to our students. We will get through this, together.
Hail Girard!
Sincerely,
James D. Turner
Interim President, Girard College
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Girard College making the decision for a phased return?
Because Girard College is a congregate setting where students live on campus during the week and return home on the weekend, our community faces a unique level of risk. Throughout July-August 2021, the COVID-19 Delta variant has taken hold in our region, with Philadelphia reaching a high level of community transmission. Our decision is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in order to protect our students, who are not fully vaccinated.
Why can’t vaccine-eligible students (ages 12+) return to campus now?
The Girard College COVID-19 Vaccination Policy requires all eligible students to be fully vaccinated by September 20, 2021. Beginning the year with virtual instruction will allow time to verify that all students are fully vaccinated prior to returning to campus.
What kind of supports are in place for students?
The Student Achievement Team offers supports to help students deal with trauma and other obstacles to academic and social-emotional growth. The Achievement Team also assists families with finding needed resources.
What about extracurricular activities?
It is with an abundance of caution that all extracurricular activities will be temporarily on hold until further notice.
Is it safe for Girard staff to be working in person?
Yes, Girard College has implemented many layers of mitigation such as masking, social distancing, sanitizing, ventilation and testing. Also, Girard staff is currently 77.8% fully vaccinated, and do not sleep in a congregate setting. All staff are required to be fully vaccinated by September 20, 2021.
Health and Safety Plan
The Girard College Health and Safety Plan is posted at the link below as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Girard College Health and Safety Plan (updated August 2021)