London Pettibone ’23
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Episcopal Academy students and administrators are taking unprecedented measures to stop the spread over Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. EA is currently scheduled to reopen after both breaks, but has made plans for alternative cases.
Over the past months, Episcopal is preparing a plan for the upcoming winter breaks. Michael Letts, Head of Upper School, says in an official statement to me, “We are constantly evaluating the wider COVID landscape and meeting regularly to plan out any possible or potential scenario.” Letts explains that the administration has “begun discussing the holidays, but has made no decisions other than to respectfully ask all of our families to stay close to home and to follow all PA and CDC guidelines and protocols.” A decision regarding the return post-Thanksgiving and Christmas break has not been made, but keeping a low number of cases can only make the transition easier.
Students are also taking precautions during their Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks in order to keep everyone safe and be able to return to school after their time off. Chelsea Swei ‘23 says “my family has decided not to travel, but that we are having a small family gathering. We still plan to celebrate the holidays, but in a smaller setting.” Another student, Sabrina Brunetta ‘23, added that her parents’ jobs will restrict her travel plans. “My mom works in a hospital and my dad works with nursing homes,” Brunetta says. “We aren’t going anywhere and before our dinner we are having a family zoom session with our relatives. Also, both my sisters are getting tested before returning home.” Charley Harrar ‘23 is in a similar position:“My family is choosing to stay home and not visit family in order to keep everyone healthy during Thanksgiving. This will be the first time in my life that we haven’t gone anywhere to see family.” Hopefully these precautions and the student body’s dedication to stay healthy will be the help we need to stay in school through the winter.