COVID-19

No. Due to declining rates of COVID and high levels of vaccinated or immune students and employees, we have shifted to a mask-optional policy. The decision to remove or continue wearing a mask is a personal one informed by a variety of circumstances and considerations, and we must respect and support one another in our respective decisions.

Last year we upgraded our HVAC system and we continue to optimize it to increase the flow of outside air and reduce return air.

In addition, we offer four lunch services to reduce the number of students seated at any given table in the Great Hall. We have also furnished an outdoor space for dining. Students will continue to have the choice to dine outdoors.

No. We are resuming our innovative teaching methods and programs after a long period of dormancy. A Thaden education is designed to be much more interactive and dynamic than has been possible under the fixed conditions of physically distanced classrooms and online platforms. We are excited to bring our seminars, laboratories, workshops, maker spaces, teaching kitchens and gardens, and many other instructional spaces back to life with the full variety of hands-on learning that our campus was created to support.

We rely on families to ensure that their children do not show COVID-19, cold, or flu-like symptoms prior to sending them to school. We will no longer conduct daily health screenings on campus, nor will a morning text reminder be sent to families. 

We have resumed all educational programs and co-curricular activities, including those that involve trips off campus. In light of declining infection numbers in Benton and Washington Counties, wearing a mask is now optional in all areas of campus.

Due to our overall high vaccination rate among students and employees, we are no longer required to place anyone in quarantine due to an on-campus exposure to COVID, regardless of the exposed individual’s COVID vaccination status. If, however, an unvaccinated or partially vaccinated student or employee is exposed to COVID at home, they will be required to quarantine per FAQ 9.

A 5 day quarantine period applies to those under age 18 who have not had or completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines and have been in close contact with someone with COVID in their household. Upon return to school after 5 days of quarantine, the student will then need to wear a well-fitting mask through the 10th day after their last exposure. Monitor for symptoms, and if symptoms occur, self-isolate and get tested. 

No. Quarantined or isolated students will continue their academic work from home on their own time, but we will support their learning through conferences with teachers via Zoom and other methods. Allowing these students to participate virtually in live, campus-based classes (the “blended” model) is not feasible or effective given that our teaching methods are more fluid and interactive this year.

If a student develops symptoms during the school day, their parent(s) or guardian(s) will immediately be notified. No student will be tested without the verbal or written consent of their parent(s) or guardian(s).

With the proper consent, we will use a rapid antigen test on campus, which usually gives us results within 15 minutes. In addition, we can obtain a swab for PCR testing for processing at NWA Pathology Associates (NAPA) in Fayetteville, which usually gives us the results within 24 hours. There is no out-of-pocket expense to Thaden families or employees for either method of testing.

If the COVID exposure happens on campus, no one is obligated to test per the new ADH guidelines. That being said, testing 5-7 days post exposure for fully vaccinated individuals is the current CDC recommendation. People who are not fully vaccinated should get tested immediately when they find out they are a close contact. If their test result is negative, they should get tested again 5–7 days after their last exposure or immediately if symptoms develop.

We will revisit this as vaccine recommendations evolve. COVID vaccines are widely available at a number of local pharmacies. The federal government is providing the vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status. The Northwest Arkansas Council publishes a calendar of community vaccine events on its website.

The state of the pandemic in Northwest Arkansas and our understanding of the Omicron variant continue to change rapidly. We will monitor the situation closely and modify our policies and practices accordingly. In making any such decisions, we will weigh a variety of quantitative and qualitative factors, including but not limited to the following:

• local infection levels
• local hospital capacity
• school quarantine levels
• school vaccination levels
• indications of contagion within the school community or specific groups (teams, grade levels, etc.)
• weather conditions and availability of outdoor space
• guidance from the CDC, ADH, and other relevant authorities
• social-emotional wellness of students

Please note that these factors are not listed in order of importance and that all will be given full consideration as we strive to meet our primary objectives: protecting the health and safety of our school community while keeping our campus open for live instruction free of the disruptions caused by high levels of quarantining.

Decisions to modify our policies and practices will be made by the Head of School in close consultation with the administrative leadership team and the Board of Directors.