Dear Wooster Community,
After much careful consideration by our leadership, health/safety team, and consultation with our community public health experts and Board of Trustees Executive Committee, we have decided that Wooster School will shift to a mask optional policy starting on February 28, 2022.
Throughout the pandemic, we have relied on using local data and the best thinking of scientists and public health experts to make decisions about safety and risk within the context of our priorities of keeping students safe while also providing them with the best possible learning environment. We have also been committed to the idea that as the nature of the virus and its effects evolve, we must also. We believe that this decision continues to align with that thinking and process, and those priorities. When we project out our metrics using the trends that we are seeing with the Omicron variant, and factor in the significant impact of being a fully vaccinated community, we believe that by February 28 we will have achieved levels which will allow safe, optional masking here on campus.
This decision, as with all of those that we have made in response to the pandemic, comes with the caveat that if we see changes in our situation, we will make any necessary adjustments, including a return to masking indoors. Rest assured that we will be watching things closely In the days ahead. Our intent is to keep existing ventilation and distancing mitigation efforts in place until further notice.
On a final note, it is now clear that in addition to a full vaccination, those who are eligible should receive a booster shot. We are highly encouraging all eligible community members to receive a booster shot if they haven't already. To that end, we are hosting yet another booster clinic here on campus on February 23, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. Follow this link to sign up for a booster shot.
I would again like to thank our entire community for your strength, flexibility, and good humor as we have made our way through this pandemic. Like all of you, I am hoping that we are coming out of the woods.
Be well,
Matt Byrnes
Head of School