Efforts continue in USN's COVID-19 defense
In the words of U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci, "The one thing we don't want to do is to get complacent." Health Team Director Margee Brennan responds to ever-changing guidelines, increased vaccine availability, and the loosening of local restrictions.
By Margee Brennan, Health Team Director
Following the CDC's recent modifications to operational guidelines for schools, the increasing availability of vaccines to students 16 and older, and the loosening of local restrictions, the Health Team has received many questions regarding potential changes to USN's day-to-day COVID-19 prevention measures. I want to reaffirm that USN is continuing to employ our "layers of swiss cheese" to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus within our school community.
The CDC has made allowances for 3 feet of physical distancing as opposed to 6 feet. This guidance is intended to help previously remote schools where spacing did not allow for 6 feet of physical distancing to reopen. It does not recommend scaling back any preventive measures, and it very importantly does not change the parameters for identification of a close contact which means the 6-feet/15-minute rule still applies. Although CDC guidelines don't specifically refer to the plexiglass, we see it as one of our layers of protection. See below for more about this from a trusted source:
- The new distancing guidance is nuanced and continues to recommend cohorts and keeping desks facing forward whenever possible. The guidance stresses that students should be at least 3 feet apart at the elementary level and that in middle and high school students should be at least “3 feet apart in areas of low, moderate, or substantial community transmission. In areas of high community transmission, middle and high school students should be 6 feet apart if cohorting is not possible.”
- The new distancing guidance says that 6 feet should be maintained between adults and students during lunch, any time masks are off, in common areas, and anytime events involving exhalation occur including during sports and singing, shouting, band, etc.
- Guidelines stress that the definition of a close contact has not changed: “For schools that use less than 6 feet between students in classrooms, the definition of close contacts should not change. Students sitting less than 6 feet next to another student or person diagnosed with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more should quarantine at home and be referred for testing.”
I hope to get more information out soon regarding vaccinations. For families with students 16 years old and older who are interested in getting vaccinated you can sign up here. In the meantime, consider all of our layers of mitigation our way of navigating safely through the end of the school year. In the words of U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci, "The one thing we don't want to do is to get complacent."
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Following the CDC's recent modifications to operational guidelines for schools, the increasing availability of vaccines to students 16 and older, and the loosening of local restrictions, the Health Team has received many questions regarding potential changes to USN's day-to-day COVID-19 prevention measures. I want to reaffirm that USN is continuing to employ our "layers of swiss cheese" to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus within our school community.
The CDC has made allowances for 3 feet of physical distancing as opposed to 6 feet. This guidance is intended to help previously remote schools where spacing did not allow for 6 feet of physical distancing to reopen. It does not recommend scaling back any preventive measures, and it very importantly does not change the parameters for identification of a close contact which means the 6-feet/15-minute rule still applies. Although CDC guidelines don't specifically refer to the plexiglass, we see it as one of our layers of protection. See below for more about this from a trusted source:
- The new distancing guidance is nuanced and continues to recommend cohorts and keeping desks facing forward whenever possible. The guidance stresses that students should be at least 3 feet apart at the elementary level and that in middle and high school students should be at least “3 feet apart in areas of low, moderate, or substantial community transmission. In areas of high community transmission, middle and high school students should be 6 feet apart if cohorting is not possible.”
- The new distancing guidance says that 6 feet should be maintained between adults and students during lunch, any time masks are off, in common areas, and anytime events involving exhalation occur including during sports and singing, shouting, band, etc.
- Guidelines stress that the definition of a close contact has not changed: “For schools that use less than 6 feet between students in classrooms, the definition of close contacts should not change. Students sitting less than 6 feet next to another student or person diagnosed with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more should quarantine at home and be referred for testing.”
I hope to get more information out soon regarding vaccinations. For families with students 16 years old and older who are interested in getting vaccinated you can sign up here. In the meantime, consider all of our layers of mitigation our way of navigating safely through the end of the school year. In the words of U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci, "The one thing we don't want to do is to get complacent."
School News
List of 3 news stories.
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Stokes earns Excellence in Auxiliary Award
Read MoreDirector of Auxiliary Services Rebecca Stokes was given the Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative’s award for her work including students in the selection of a new playground, transitioning the school bookstore, refining registration systems and processes for summer camps & enrichment activities, and expanding the school’s cultural and holiday celebrations to be inclusive of USN’s diverse student body. -
Preview USN on November 14
University School of Nashville welcomes prospective families to tour the Edgehill Campus, speak with students, faculty, and administrators, and learn about our K-12 school's academic, athletic, and arts offerings. Sessions will take place at 9:30 a.m. for Middle & High Schools and 1 p.m. for Lower School. Let us know you are coming at usn.org/preview.Read More -
Secure your tickets to Artclectic Patrons Party today
Read MoreFor more than 30 years, Artclectic has been one of Nashville's premier juried art shows, welcoming nationally recognized artists and visitors from across the city to USN's Sperling Gym turned art gallery. The weekend features exceptional artwork, artist demonstrations, student experiences, family activities, and special events that celebrate creativity, with proceeds benefiting USN. Purchase your tickets today.
Athletics News
List of 3 news stories.
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Mountain Bike Team Takes on Winged Deer Trails, HS Makes Podium Appearance
Read MoreWinged Deer Park and trails in Johnson City hosted our 4th race on Sunday October 11th, and despite a bit of hurricane outwash winds and showers - and reduced team numbers due to fall break and distance from Nashville - our racers utilized all available skills and fitness aquired which helped “wing" Sophomore Claire Dehner to a 4th place podium spot, our first podium appearance and medal for the season. -
HS athletics recaps for September 11-17
Tiger golfers have officially qualified for the region tournament, and our other teams are not far behind. Volleyball sits near the top of the district, finishing up regular season play next week with Senior Night. Girls soccer continues to hold first place in the district after another 9-0 win, and our cross country runners are chasing after some school records. To round it all out, our mountain bike team traveled to Oakfield to continue to improve on their times for the season. There’s plenty more where that came from- so be sure to come out to the River Campus, Sperling Gym, or out on the road to cheer on our Tigers before their seasons end.Read More -
MS athletics recaps for September 11-17
Middle School volleyball and tennis teams are nearing the final games of their seasons, with the competition heating up while the Tigers play to determine their HVAC rankings. Cross country was finally able to race at the River Campus despite the heat, and our mountain biking team traveled to Oakfield, Tennessee, for a high-temperature race weekend.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.