Dear Worcester Preparatory School Community,
As we continue to move toward our September 1 return to campus, I wanted to make you aware of some updates to our Mallard Strong Task Force discussions and recommendations. First, we are going to a soft opening the first week of school so that we can identify strengths and weaknesses by Division and make the appropriate adjustments. In addition, students will not have been on campus in over 9 months, and this will give them some time to adjust.
With that in mind, on Tuesday, September 1st, just the Upper School students will report to campus. They will follow their normal schedule keeping with our safety protocols, and our entire faculty and staff will help with their transition and provide feedback on where we need to adjust our plan for them.
Similarly, the Middle School students only will report on Wednesday September 2nd and just the Lower School students will report on Thursday September 3rd. There will not be school on Friday, September 4th due to the Labor Day Holiday. All levels will report on Tuesday, September 8th.
Secondly, we met last week with all the Heads of School and Athletic Directors to discuss the status of the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC). It was agreed that we will move forward with high school athletics, but with a modified schedule. Voluntary practices will begin Monday, August 17th. These will be conditioning and skill-building sessions lasting one hour. We will begin our regular practices after Labor Day and then play a shortened schedule of games with just ESIAC schools later that month and October. Unfortunately, in accordance with the Maryland Department of Health guidelines, there will be no spectators allowed in attendance. We also discussed the possibility of Middle School Athletics, and although we do not have a concrete plan, we all agreed to work together to develop a program. Mr. McGinnis will provide more specific information as we get closer to the season including a plan to broadcast the games for spectators and parents.
Finally, the August letter containing Back to School updates should be coming out later this week. Please be on the lookout as it will contain lots of information for you and your child.
As mentioned before, all these things are subject to change pending Governor Hogan’s executive orders and recommendations from the Worcester County Department of Health.
Thank you. Stay informed, stay safe and stay Mallard Strong!
Dr. John C. McDonald Jr.
