July 17, 2020


Dear Chatham Hall Families, 

We are pleased that the unnecessarily harsh July 6 regulations announced by the United States Department of Homeland Security have been rescinded and that the same guidance used by secondary schools and universities throughout the spring is now in place. We are heartened that the collective voices of students and schools created change, as this is what education is all about. Today we’d like to summarize our best understanding of travel and school protocols as they stand now and how best to proceed for the start of school. 

  • Our plans for opening school remain in place. Returning students should aim to arrive on Aug. 23 and new students on Aug. 30. We absolutely understand if you are unable to arrive then and we will ensure that you begin the school year online with much success. Please remember to keep us updated on your travel plans.

  • Students traveling from mainland China, Brazil, and Iran must quarantine for 14 days in another country before entering the U.S. F-1 students from the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, and Ireland may now travel to the U.S. directly. You may read the official announcement here.

  • Students who live in another country but are U.S. passport holders should be able to travel back to school directly from anywhere.

  • Although under the current guidelines it is not necessary to reissue I-20s, we will still do so out of an abundance of caution. It will arrive by email. You will need to print, sign, and bring it with you to begin school. 

  • All Students: Please keep us updated as you make flight arrangements and additional travel plans. We know this is a time of great uncertainty, but the more information we have the better we can help you and the more prepared we can be for your arrival.

  • New Students: Keep trying to make your visa appointments and please let us know when you get one, when the consulate indicates appointments will resume, and once you have had the appointment.

  • Parents: If your daughter is under 18, you must sign the front page of her I-20. Please do not forget to do so where indicated. 

  • When you do travel, please bring your passport and I-20, along with any documents you believe may help with your border crossing in case of difficulty, such as a Chatham Hall grade report (returning students can print from TurtleNet), copy of your acceptance letter (new students), a bank statement, or a printed statement from SmartTuition showing your tuition has been paid. Also, if you are a student who must quarantine in an additional country before entering the U.S., we suggest keeping information like your flight record and hotel receipt to prove you have satisfied the quarantine.

We remain hopeful about the future. We have every confidence that by working together and following safety protocols the world can defeat this illness. We have faith that with the actions of schools and citizens around the world, these travel burdens will be eased. We are in this together, and we are so thankful that you have chosen Chatham Hall as your daughter’s high school home.

Important contacts:

Important resources and reminders:

Esto perpetua,
Rachel A. Connell
Rector