Safe Start 2020: Webb's Reopening Plan

Health and Safety
Tabetha Sullens

Update 7-31-20

Health and Safety - Final Recommendations

There will be a video communication from the nurses to the Webb community within the coming week.

Before School Begins

Quarantining

Students who have traveled by public transportation after August 1 (planes, buses, subway, ride-share, Uber, Lyft, taxi, etc.) will need to quarantine for seven days when arriving on campus. We will enforce masks and sanitizing during this time. Dormitories will open August 7 for quarantining students. Students will need to be quarantined in their room as much as possible. Nurses and dorm parents will monitor daily. To learn more about travel safety please visit this link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/using-transportation.html.

Testing

The CDC does not recommend testing asymptomatic students/faculty/staff. The nurses will screen students as they arrive for fever/symptoms/exposure. We will enforce daily health screening. For more information on testing please visit this link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/colleges-universities/ihe-testing.html. 

Orientation

Orientation Day for all new students will be Saturday, August 15, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Families will be asked to arrive at a specific time to ensure proper social distancing. Students will have the opportunity to visit their classes, meet their teachers, and pick up their textbooks. The Admissions Office will send out specific arrival times to families. We will be following the guidelines below to ensure orientation is as safe as possible.

·   Families must arrive during their designated appointment time

·   Only two parents per student will be allowed to attend

·   Temperature checks will be taken upon arrival 

·   Families will need to wear masks and physically distance at all times

·   We encourage all families to speak with our nurses to discuss ongoing and/or existing medical conditions.

Once School is in Session

It is important to note that beginning this year ALL communication from parents regarding illness or absence due to illness of their child be directed to the Health Center. When the nurses send out their video, they will provide a cell phone number for parents to call or text.

Melissa James, Student Information Systems Specialist, will contact families if we have not heard from them regarding an absent student. Ms. James will inform the family to call the Health Center and alert the Health Center they should expect a call. Late students should report to Ms. James’ office in Rand. She will assess the student’s temperature and general health status and record attendance before allowing them to go to class. 

If a faculty/staff/student presents with one or more symptom
Fever/Chills, cough, shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, muscle/body aches, headache, loss of taste/smell, rash, sore throat, runny nose/congestion are the “key symptoms” according to CDC/TDH.           

The faculty/staff/student should apply a mask asap and go to the Health Center for evaluation/isolation. (Symptomatic students should report through the side door closest to the gym. Students with non-covid symptoms should report through the front door. Proper signage will be posted on doors.) Teachers will be given a symptom flowchart.      

Day Students:

1. The nurse will notify the parent and advise to pick up their day student for testing/quarantine at home.

2. The student will remain in isolation until picked up by the parent.

3. The parent will be instructed to expect a call from the Head Nurse and will be given the Return to School form. (These will be added to the COVID section of the Handbook and can be accessed online as well.)

4. The Head Nurse, Risa Brown, will remain the Point of Contact (POC) for all COVID communication with students, parents, HD, doctor, etc. to minimize info loss/confusion, and will work w/admin. as necessary to notify “close contact” parents. 

5. We ask that all students and their parents allow the Nurse (POC) to communicate suspected COVID cases and results with the community and to not disclose personal information with the community.          

Boarding Students:

The parent will be called and notified of the situation and the following steps:

1. The student will be placed in the Health Center isolation area for monitoring to determine if COVID-19 testing is warranted. 

2. If testing is deemed necessary, the student will be placed in a private long-term isolation room until taken to a testing facility while waiting for results. 

3. The student will be taken by Head nurse, Risa Brown, to the local pediatrician- Dr. Charles Stimpson (Shelbyville) for evaluation and testing. 

Plan A: The student will be taken to Dr. Stimpson for evaluation and testing. 

Plan B: The student will be taken to Fast Pace Urgent Care for evaluation and testing.

Plan C: The student will be taken to Bedford County Health Department for testing, with a follow up appointment with Dr. Stimpson or Fast Pace asap after testing. 

4. Close contacts will be identified, isolated, and all parents (of those directly exposed) will be notified. 

5. Students will remain in isolation until test results received or picked up by parents, if domestic/contiguous. If a student is picked up, the parent/guardian will be given a Return to School form. (These will be added to the COVID section of the Handbook and can be accessed online as well.) The following will occur if a student is unable to go home:

a. IF POSITIVE: Students will remain in an isolation room for a duration of 10 days + 24 hours fever free (without fever-reducing medication) and symptom improvement. 10 days begins from the onset of symptoms.

b. IF NEGATIVE: Students will be allowed to return to the dorm room unless nursing staff determines that extra time is needed due to the student still presenting with fever or other worrisome symptoms. Students may be sent for an additional test based on parent/nurse collaborative decision if false negative is suspected. If a nurse determines a student needs more time in isolation, the same guidelines for the duration of isolation for a COVID-19 positive test result would be followed. 

6. If while in isolation, it is determined the student needs more advanced medical care, they will be driven to St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro, TN for further evaluation and possible admission.

7. 911 will be called for all emergencies with transport by ambulance to St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro, TN              

If a student tests positive: 

The Head Nurse will serve as Point of Contact (POC) for the school and will remain in contact with administration regarding all suspected COVID-19 and confirmed positive COVID-19 cases. 

Day Students:  

The Health Department will assign a “contact tracer” to the student’s case. The Head Nurse will stay in communication with the contact tracer and/or parent to identify those who were in close contact with the suspected/confirmed COVID-19 case. The students and parents of those who are identified as close contacts will be notified. The Head Nurse will inform close contacts that they need to quarantine for 14 days, per CDC guidelines, and will remain in contact with parents/guardians regarding all updates. Increased sanitation/cleaning will be initiated where applicable. The Head Nurse will serve as Point of Contact (POC) for the school and will remain in contact with administration regarding all suspected COVID-19 and confirmed positive COVID-19 cases.  

Boarding Students:

The Head Nurse will begin the contact tracing process on campus and will collaborate with the Bedford County Health Department’s contact tracer to identify those who were in close contact with the suspected/confirmed COVID-19 case. The students and parents of those who are identified as close contacts will be notified. The Head Nurse will inform close contacts that they need to quarantine for 14 days, per CDC guidelines, and will remain in contact with parents/guardians regarding all updates. Increased sanitation/cleaning will be initiated where applicable. The Head Nurse will serve as Point of Contact (POC) for the school and will remain in contact with administration regarding all suspected COVID-19 and confirmed positive COVID-19 cases.  

Plan For Roommates/Suitemates/Classmates

Roommates/Suitemates should be quarantined in their rooms until we have a test result from the symptomatic student. If roommates/suitemates become symptomatic, they will be moved to a long-term isolation room. If the student tests negative and we feel confident in a negative result, roommates/suitemates may be released from quarantine. If the student tests positive, roommates/suitemates should remain in quarantine for 14 days. Classmates’ isolation and testing would depend on distancing available and would essentially follow contact tracing guidelines. 

Before Any Child Can Return to School if COVID-19 is Confirmed:

Day Students:

Parents/Guardians must coordinate in advance, by phone or email, with the Health Center for the return of the student to campus. The student along with their parent/guardian will need to bring a copy of their completed Return to School form along with required documentation, if applicable, to the Health Center upon arrival to campus. 

Boarding Students:

Students must remain in isolation for a minimum of 10 days after symptom onset. Students can return to school after 10 days from symptom onset if fever free for 24 hrs. without the use of fever reducers, and symptoms are improving/resolved. No further testing is required.  

Any student testing positive but remaining asymptomatic can return to school 10 days after the first positive test, provided they continue without symptoms. This is per the updated CDC recommendations as of July 24.

Academics and Arts
Nicole Taucare

Update 7/23/20

In-person or distance learning:  It is our hope and intent for as many of our Webb students as possible to be with us in-person from the first day of classes, August 17.  We understand that some of our international and domestic boarding families cannot yet be present at Webb for various reasons, and we understand that some of our day families are not yet comfortable with in-person attendance.  If you intend to begin the school year in our distance-learning program, please follow the protocols below:

• Send confirmation email to Julie Harris, Director of Enrollment Management, (jharris@webbschool.com) with the name of your student and the reason for distance-learning request.
• We want to keep the disruptions associated with an individual moving between in-person and virtual to a minimum.  Toward that end, switching more than twice will require specific, written permission from Nicole Taucare, Dean of Academics and Arts.

Distance Learning: Students who will enroll in our distance learning will be given information regarding Zoom links for each class prior to the first day of school. 

Learning Management System: Time will be dedicated on the first day of school to train students in CANVAS, the new Learning Management system. This training will be made available to distance learners through a live-stream and recording. 

Face coverings in class:  Students will be required to enter all classrooms from hallways and sidewalks with face coverings. We have organized our classrooms so that every class can allow for appropriate social distancing and thus allow for students to learn without wearing masks. That said, because of teachers at Webb with varying risk, students wearing masks will be up to the discretion of each teacher.  Once class has begun, he/she may allow students to remove their masks as long as the class activities allow appropriate social distancing. However, no student will be required to remove a face covering in the classroom. 

2020-2021 Daily Schedule

Update 7/9/20

The philosophy of our approach to academics and arts as we reopen amid the pandemic can be found below in these updates. Our guidelines for Academics/Arts as we safely reopen are informed not only by the most up-to-date safety protocols but also our Mission, Enduring Understandings, and the Webb Difference. The updates are clarifications and/or new pieces of information as we fine-tune our Safe Start.

Faculty are preparing to conduct classes in two concurrent modes: 

• In-person classes 
• Distance learning for those students who are unable to attend in person due to travel restrictions or COVID-19-related reasons. 

After spending considerable time analyzing the square footage of Webb’s instructional space, students are being scheduled in classes with a limited number of students to be able to social distance in the classrooms. Faculty are preparing to teach those students who will be present in the classroom while also teaching a concurrent class for students who cannot be on campus. This model will ease the transition from in-person to distance learning if a student must self-quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure. Faculty have dedicated time during the summer to focus their efforts on the concurrent instruction outlined above while maintaining the course learning objectives as the central driver of curricular choices. 

One major addition to the academic program is the new Learning Management System, Canvas, which will be the consistent and primary system for the academic program for both modes of instruction. 

Another important change to the school year will be the adjusted daily schedule, which can be found here. The schedule takes into consideration additional passing time and lunch periods as well as added community time dubbed “Feet Life.” We maintain and strengthen our community by adding time with advisory groups and maintaining chapel and club periods.

Student schedules and additional information about Canvas will be forthcoming.   

6/19/20

Webb’s focus in the classroom for academics and arts will be based on two, main modes of teaching and learning, and they will be delivered simultaneously: 

• In-person, small-class teaching and learning, similar to what our students and parents have experienced in the past.
• Distance Learning-virtual, online teaching and learning -- much more comprehensive than what was delivered in the spring of this year.

Our in-person teaching and learning will be informed by the protocols of social distancing that our Governor’s Office requires and some recommendations of federal, national, state, and local organizations.  Toward that end, we have hired additional staff to ensure that every in-person class is small enough to allow social distancing. Embedded in our in-person academic and arts classes will be the protocols enumerated in the Health & Safety section of Safe Start 2020:  Webb’s Reopening Plan.

Our distance-learning program will be closely aligned to our in-person program.  At least one section of every class we offer will be live-streamed (synchronous) so those who can only join us at home can join their classes in real time.  Additionally, our live-streamed classes will be recorded so those at home, particularly those in time zones significantly different than Bell Buckle’s, can engage in our teaching environment at times other than scheduled class times (asynchronously). Additionally, faculty will make themselves available to virtual learners via Zoom.

In addition, the daily schedule will be adjusted to a block schedule to maximize class time and to minimize student movement on campus.  Webb has utilized a hybrid block schedule for the last few years -- sometimes meeting every day, sometimes meeting every other day. A detailed schedule will follow in the coming weeks.

The COVID-19 experience spring taught us a lot about distance learning. We learned quickly what worked well and what needed to be changed. We take that knowledge with us into the summer as we prepare for the fall semester.  Building on that knowledge, this summer faculty will be introduced to a new Learning Management System (LMS) that will be the central and consistent platform for all classes to use. We are investing significant resources of time and money in providing training for all faculty to lead this dual platform in powerful and effective ways. 

Professional Development Summer 2020

Global Online Academy

GOA’s mission is to reimagine learning to empower students and educators to thrive in a globally networked society.

1.     Design Bootcamp (June 15-19): Select members of the faculty participated in Design Bootcamp and will be key facilitators to their departments.

2.     Designing for Online Learning (June 22-26)

3.     Deep-Dive Classes After Designing for Online Learning

3a. Assessment (July 13-17): This is a practical one-week course for educators looking to rethink and reimagine assessments in online learning settings. 

3b. Wayfinding (July 20-24): Wayfinding is the practice of designing pathways and cues that help a person navigate a complex system on his or her own. 

3c. Student Agency (July 27-31): Topics include Introduction to Student Agency, Pace and Choice, Student Voice, Student Support)

Community Events
Tabetha Sullens

Update 7/23/20

We are looking forward to our first day of school on Monday, August 17. Orientation Day for all new students will be Saturday, August 15. Families will be asked to arrive at a specific time to ensure proper physical distancing. The Admissions Office will send out specific arrival times in the near future. There will also be a new international student orientation on Friday, August 14, at 1:00 p.m. Below are the specific arrival times for boarding students. 

Arrival Dates:

• Thursday, August 13 - prefects and new unaccompanied international students 
• Friday, August 14 - orientation leaders, new international students
• Saturday, August 15 - new domestic students and returning students
• Sunday, August 16 - returning students
  
  Orientation Schedule
  First Day of School Schedule

6/19/20

Webb encourages full participation inside and outside the classroom.  Through social activities and gatherings, there are numerous opportunities for students to gain a sense of community and belonging.  In addition, the importance of learning how to work effectively with others dates to the original mission and is part of the "Webb Difference."  Webb has already begun planning its communal activities and events this fall so that they are safe and enjoyable for everyone.  As we begin the year, we humbly ask for your patience and for your attention to the particular protocols for each event.  While we ARE opening safely, there will be many adjustments to the way we organize our community events. Many of those will be changes from what our students, parents, and faculty are accustomed to doing.  Please look at each community event as a “new” event with which you have to familiarize yourself.

For example, standing before the Webb community and delivering a prepared declamation, oration, or presentation is one of the rites of passage at the school. To accommodate large groups, the "Emerging Voices" program is adjusting the timing and venues for these public performances.  Relatedly, we will have to adjust the way we conduct chapel, offering a live stream available in smaller settings throughout campus several days a week and meeting occasionally as a larger group in Barton Athletic Center so we can distance students better.  Another Webb difference, the WILD (Wilderness Instruction and Leadership Development) program, trains students to develop leadership skills through outdoor activities.  WILD will be continuing its work of providing students with opportunities to grow while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.

Webb also plans to host a number of social events in the fall and will be following the guidelines and protocols noted in the "Health and Safety" section of this document.  Signature events include the beginning of school "Orientation and Welcome Back Social" in August; Parents’ Weekend in September; a special campus Webb 150th anniversary celebration in October; and Senior Blazer Day in November.

One of the hallmarks of a Webb education is the teaching and learning that occurs outside the classroom, often complementing the academic and arts programs.  Many of these opportunities come in the form of field trips.  To be clear, it is our intent to continue to offer these opportunities.  It is likely this year, however, that we may have to adjust to local and regional venues to achieve the same aims we achieved in other, more far afield, settings.  As we finalize dates and details for these important out-of-the-classroom opportunities, we will communicate those to our parents and students.  

To help families plan their activities, Webb will have several online resources.  A weekly schedule of classes, a daily calendar with special events listed, and an "At-a-Glance Calendar" with highlights for the year.

• Daily calendar with notes on special activities/events:  coming soon 
• Visitors to campus will be asked to check in at the Administration Building for sign-in and a health check.  Masks will be available upon request.  Visitors to athletic contests will also be asked to follow appropriate protocols as indicated by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA).  Webb faculty and staff attending social gatherings on and off campus will be given a health check similar to the health screening being given to students and visitors.  Health checks for guests coming to one-time Webb events on campus will be conducted in accordance with the most recent guidelines for visitors.

Residential Life
Jon Bloom

Community and Residential Life

Before arrival

We ask that all students quarantine one week before arriving on campus. Isolating is one of the best ways to ensure that every student arrives on campus, healthy and ready to learn in person. If possible, we ask that any parents, who plan to come to school on opening day, also quarantine for the week before arrival. 

Quarantining

Students who have traveled by public transportation after August 1 (planes, buses, subway, ride-share, Uber, Lyft, taxi, etc.)  will need to quarantine for seven days when arriving on campus. We will enforce masks and sanitizing during this time. Dormitories will open August 7 for isolating students. Students will need to be quarantined in their room as much as possible. Nurses and dorm parents will monitor daily.

Arrival Dates:

• Friday, August 7 - Students may arrive early to quarantine due to public transportation
• Thursday, August 13 - Prefects
• Friday, August 14 - Orientation Leaders
• Saturday, August 15 - new domestic students and returning students
• Sunday, August 16 - returning students

Orientation

Orientation Day for all new students will be Saturday, August 15, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Families will be asked to arrive at a specific time to ensure proper social distancing. Students will have the opportunity to visit their classes, meet their teachers, and pick up their textbooks. The Admissions Office will send out specific arrival times to families. We will be following the guidelines below to ensure the orientation is as safe as possible.

• Families must arrive during their designated appointment time.
• Only two parents per student will be allowed to attend.
• Temperature checks will occur upon arrival.
• Families will need to wear masks and physical distance at all times.
• We encourage all families to speak with our nurses to discuss ongoing and existing medical conditions.

Community

• We recently hired a residential nurse who will reside in the Health Center apartment.  We now have two full-time and two part-time nurses.
• Face coverings will be worn in common areas when physical distancing is not possible.
• Temperature and screenings will happen every morning.
• Students will need to wear a face-covering when using school transportation, and proper physical distancing is not possible.
• Increased janitorial staffing and standard cleaning, along with new safety protocols, will be executed throughout the Webb community.

Boarding Life

• Dorm parents will temperature check with touchless thermometers and health assess after study hours at night.
• Room configurations will promote social distancing and allow for more space.  Beds and desks will be 6 feet apart, and we ask that students do not bring extra furniture.
• Daily and thorough room inspections.
• Specific laundry schedules will occur in dorms.
• Students will need to bring their kitchen cookware for use in the dormitory kitchen, and immediately wash them and take them back to their room after use. The school will supply paper products and disposable utensils.  However, we do encourage students to provide their flatware, cups, plates, and bowls.
• Smaller group dorm family gatherings, much like our academic and arts classrooms.
• Extended dinner hours to increase accessibility and social distancing in the dining hall.
• Separate quarantine areas, separated by gender, for those who have symptoms.

Leaves and Weekends

• There will be no weekday leaves beyond Bell Buckle. Students will be able to go on local visits on the weekends, only with proper PPE and parent permission.

• We recognize the importance of boarding students to interact with day students at their homes and to travel home on the weekends from time to time.  We ask for parents, boarding and day in the case of overnight to a day student's house, to contact their dorm family head for off-campus leaves this year as well as filling out the proper leave in boardingware.  We urge the host family to please limit the number of people and monitor the activity.  Upon return, dorm parents will screen students.

• Weekend trips will continue but be limited to allow for distancing, proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and an increased amount of Wilderness Instruction and Leadership Development (WILD) offerings and events on campus.

International Students
Julie Harris

Update 7/23/20

Arrival Dates:

• Thursday, August 13 - prefects and new unaccompanied international students
• Friday, August 14 - orientation leaders, new international students
• Saturday, August 15 - new domestic students and returning students  

There will also be a new international student orientation on Friday, August 14, at 1:00 p.m in the Bond Library.  Orientation Day for all new students will be Saturday, August 15. Families will be asked to arrive at a specific time to ensure proper physical distancing. The Admissions Office will send out specific arrival times in the near future.

SEVP Update:

The U.S. Government has rescinded the policy released on July 6, requiring students to take at least one course in person.  We are awaiting updated SEVP information, but we have been told that the SEVP update from last March will remain in effect and students can remain in “Active Status.”  

New international students who are transferring from another school and are currently outside the United States should keep their SEVIS records in “Initial Status” and request a data fix when these students are ready to re-enter the United States to begin study.

The following update was made on July 15, 2020 to the Frequently Asked Questions for SEVP Stakeholders about COVID-19.

SEVP will allow F1 Visa students to temporarily count online classes toward a full course of study... even if they have left the United States and are taking the online classes else.

Athletics
Scott Dorsett

 

Update 8/11/20

Click to watch the Athletics Safe Start Webinar
Password - ^Fqwz4x7

Update 7/23/20

As we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to strive to maintain a safe environment for our students, visitors, families, and staff.  The following guidelines have been put in place and will be required to be followed while on The Webb School property. Please note these guidelines are subject to change based on public health agency recommendations.

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT RULES

• Any groups meeting on Webb property must first obtain permission from the Athletic Director or Head of School.
• Prior to beginning any activity, all students, staff, and spectators will be screened.  This entails temperature being taken with a no-touch thermometer.  Temperature must be below 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit to participate in any activity on campus.  Those above this temperature will be asked to leave.  The following questions will be asked of each individual:
• Have you been in close contact, or cared for someone with COVID-19?
• Have you had a fever in the last 48 hours?
• Are you experiencing a cough, shortness of breath or sore throat?
• All student athletes will be offered flexible attendance in order to avoid sick individuals from attending events.  If a student is unable to attend due to risk, coaches will offer at-home exercises or drills for the student to complete.
• Students or staff who exhibit any symptoms or who may even suspect that they have been exposed to COVID-19 should NOT attend any Webb activity and should remain home until either testing can be completed or for a minimum ten-day quarantine period.
• If any person is later identified as being positive for, or displayed symptoms of, COVID-19, the coach should contact the Athletic Trainer, Laken Puckett, who in turn will communicate with our nursing staff on campus.  Communication is the key to making sure we are protecting everyone on campus.
• Physicals that have expired for athletic clearance will need to be completed by July 27th for Volleyball, Golf, and Cross-Country.  Football should have their physicals completed and turned in by August 27th.  
• All of our sports will follow the direction of the TSSAA; all relevant TSSAA guidelines and requirements will be followed.
• All of our coaches and administrators will be required to complete the NFHS online course entitled, “COVID-19 for Coaches and Administrators.”  We will continue ongoing education for our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and families.
• Social distancing of at least six feet should be maintained between all participants, coaches, and attendees.
• All athletic activities will provide hand sanitizer and disinfectant for all participants and attendees.  Teams will also have disinfectants for surfaces available for frequent cleanings of touched surfaces, and prompt students to wash hands and use sanitizer.
• Cloth masks will be required when appropriate: when you are not able to maintain the six-foot social distancing.
• All indoor spaces may only be utilized to the extent that six-feet social distancing can be maintained in all directions, and at no time should the indoor space exceed half its recommended capacity.
• Contained spaces such as dressing rooms, practice spaces, storage rooms, etc. should only be occupied to the extent six feet can be maintained between individuals.  If six feet cannot be maintained, the athletic activity must use an alternate location.
• All spectators will be required to maintain social distancing (six feet, or the equivalent of two empty seats between themselves and other fans) from anyone other than those living in the same household.  Spectators will also be required to wear face coverings while attending an event (except children under age 2).

The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association approved guidelines to move forward with all fall sports in accordance with the TSSAA sports calendar.  At this time, all contact sports are limited to strength training and conditioning in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Orders prohibiting contact sporting events and activities.  The TSSAA is hopeful that the prohibition on contact sporting events and activities at the high school level will be lifted by August 3, 2020, allowing contact sports to move forward in the TSSAA sports calendar.  In the event the prohibition is not lifted by that date, the Board of Control has approved a contingency plan until that prohibition has been lifted.

As members of the TSSAA, we follow the guidelines that are given to us by this organization as a governing body of High School Athletics in the State of Tennessee.  The guidelines we have been given do not guarantee safety, but they do encourage safe practices that help to maximize our ability to give our students the opportunity to engage in sports competition during this period of COVID-19 pandemic. Following these guidelines and ones we have received from the CDC, NFHS, and the TN Department of Health reminds us that the safety and well-being of our students, staff and families are always the primary considerations in any decisions we make.  We look forward to working with everyone in our community to follow these guidelines and educate our students, coaches, staff, and families in following the guidelines in making our community as safe as possible.

Update 7/9/20

As every other area in education, athletics in the State of Tennessee is ever changing. I want to give an update on what is going on with our fall sports programs. As of this writing, volleyball, cross-country, and golf are moving forward as scheduled with practices and scheduled contests. We will adhere to all directives that have come down from the governor’s office, CDC, and the NFHS in following best practices of operating these programs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We just received word from the TSSAA that is working closely with the governor’s office, that contact sports for the fall, football and girls soccer, are being limited to non-contact practice and social distancing until August 29th. TSSAA is currently working on modifying the season schedule and working to develop a plan for a safe return to contact practices. I will continue to have updates as information becomes available.

6/19/20

It is such a blessing to hear the sounds of our students, your children, on campus again! Some athletic pre-season workouts and athletic summer camps have safely begun, consistent with state and local guidelines.  For practice and interscholastic competition, we will be closely following protocols from the Tennessee Association of Athletics (TSSAA) and the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS).  For the number of fans who can attend our games and the protocols at large gatherings, we will follow directions from the Tennessee Governor’s Office.  We, along with all associations and the Governor’s Office, are constantly looking at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations as well. 

In addition to our usual daily routine procedures, the Athletic Department at Webb has implemented COVID-19 infection prevention measures to promote the health and safety of our student athletes and coaches.  Your child’s safety is our first concern, and the Athletic Department staff will continue to make sure all local, state, and national protocols are followed as they continue to develop. 

Some precautions you will find in our facilities include:

• Temperature checks and completion of the Symptom Monitoring Form before each workout and practice
• Required hand washing/hand sanitation from athletes and coaches before each workout and practice
• Increased distance between athletes and a limit on the number of participants at each workout and practice
• The use of personal water bottles only for hydration
• Restriction on the use of locker rooms by student athletes
• Limited use of the Athletic Training Room-reserved for scheduled rehabs only

Please click here for more detailed information on return-to-play guidelines

We will soon have a link to our Fall 2020 Athletics Calendar. You will be able to find it here and on our school calendar. 

Finances
Jim Callis

Update 7/9/20

Tuition Discounts or Credits
Like most independent schools, Webb invests more than 80 cents of every tuition dollar in our people, in the form of annual commitments for salary and benefits.  These commitments would not change in a potential transition to distance learning or even campus closure.  Also, the school has incurred considerable unbudgeted costs to prepare for a robust distance-learning experience and to bolster our campus health and safety resources.

In the event of a transition to online learning, the Board of Trustees, working with Webb’s leadership team, is committed to a careful and transparent review of the school finances to determine the possibility of a credit or discount. 

6/19/20

This section is still under development by our new Associate Head for Finance and Operations, Mr. Jim Callis, who joined us on June 1st, and our new head of school, Mr. Ken Cheeseman, who will be on campus July 1st.  As they work cooperatively with the finance committee of our board of trustees, you may expect helpful information to be posted in this section in the coming weeks.

We know that finances involve important considerations and decisions for every family here at Webb. Thank you for your ongoing communication and feedback as we develop information to give you insights into the finances for next year. 

Daily bus routes will run to all normal destinations with an additional bus to Murfreesboro to lessen numbers on that bus.  Bus drivers will temp check every student before allowing them to get on the bus. We ask parents to remain in the parking lot until your child is cleared. When your child is cleared and gets on the bus, he or she will be given a clearance bracelet for the day. These are color-coded for each day of the week. Students are required to wear the bracelet for the duration of each school day. While on the bus, students will be seated one child per seat. Masks will not be required, but are highly encouraged. Buses will be cleaned after each use. We will be using an electrostatic sprayer to apply a disinfectant fog that evenly coats surfaces and kills all bacteria.

The daily bus schedule has been adjusted to accommodate our new daily schedule.  The early bus will now depart Webb at 3:30 p.m. from the parking lot behind the Big Room. The late bus run will remain the same, departing Webb at 5:45 p.m. from the Barton Athletic Center.  Please see the link below to view the specific bus route arrival times.  Please note, faculty meetings are held every other TUESDAY morning, and classes do not begin until 8:30 a.m. Therefore, morning departure times will be ½ hour later every other TUESDAY. There will be an early release every other FRIDAY, so the early bus will depart at 2:30 p.m. on those Fridays. 

Bus Schedule