May 27, 2021

Dear Chatham Hall Families,

What a wonderful day it was on Saturday when the members of the Class of 2021 graduated and we were able to hold a beautiful Baccalaureate service in St. Mary’s Chapel followed by a graduation ceremony on Pruden Lawn. Though not all of our seniors were able to be with us in person, they were all certainly in our hearts as we celebrated this exceptional class. I invite you to read more about it on our website, and view the various associated videos and photo galleries at www.chathamhall.org/graduation when you have the chance.

Looking ahead, one of the first questions we would like to answer about the upcoming 2021-2022 school year concerns student vaccinations. We WILL be requiring student COVID-19 vaccinations next year, with the exception of those who have a medical or religious exemption. Proof of vaccination will be required, and may be uploaded to Magnus. Those who will require an exception must obtain this from Dean of Students Marin Miller by July 1. If you have any questions about vaccinations you may reach out to Director of the Health Care Center Lynne Shelton. As it currently stands, the majority of our returning students have been vaccinated. If we are to be able to be the community we want to be next year - hosting and going to mixers, safely enjoying competitive sports, visiting Danville and the Research Triangle - we need our students vaccinated. 

A second question is whether or not we intend to maintain the flexible arrangements from this year related to virtual learning. With state COVID-19 restrictions easing and all public and private schools expecting to be fully in person for the fall, we will not be offering the option of virtual learning, even temporarily, to families. We are a boarding school and our in-person educational experience is at the heart of who we are. Please do not expect that we will allow your child to Zoom into classes from home or elsewhere, as we are truly looking forward to being an entire community on campus again. Absence policies are available in the Community Handbook in TurtleNet. As in the past, requests for non-medical absences should be directed to Dean of Academics Martha Griswold who will determine the status of the request.

The final question I can answer today is that of the daily temperature checks we instituted during the 2020-2021 school year and if they will continue. I am very pleased to let you know that, assuming no new or expanded mandates from the Governor, we will no longer be requiring daily temperature checks. Hopefully this is only the first of many continued "easements" we will be able to make this summer and fall.
 
I hope you are all enjoying your first week of summer break, with much rest and relaxation to come. Campus is already lonely without our students, but rest assured planning for August and beyond is in full swing and we’re looking forward to their return already!

Esto Perpetua,
Rachel Connell
Rector