Dear FIS Community,
These past weeks have been bittersweet for the FIS community. On the one hand we are grateful to have so many of our students back on campus, but that feeling is tempered by the fact that students in Grades 7–10 are still prevented from joining their siblings and fellow FIS students.
However, we have received some good news from the German government this week. Students in Grades 7–10 may return to campus, at least part-time on select days, beginning the week of 22 March if the Covid-19 figures for our region do not significantly rise. While we would prefer an even earlier return to campus, we now know all students who are currently at home will be invited back to campus this month. Our Upper School leadership is currently working on a schedule of when each grade level will be on campus between 22 March and the start of spring break. This schedule will be shared with Upper School families next week.
Our leadership has also tried to find a way of welcoming more students back to campus at an earlier date without violating the government’s ruling, even if it is for a single week. One avenue we are exploring is to take advantage of Germany’s allowance for students under the age of 14 to be engaged in club activities. This could allow interested students in Grades 7 and 8 to return to campus next week after 15:15 to be engaged with peers on select days. Parents of students in these grade levels will receive a separate communication from our Athletic and Activities Department concerning opportunities that would take place next week that are in line with Hessen regulations.
For those families who are sending their children to school, please remain vigilant in holding to the highest health and safety standards. If your child or a family member shows any sign of illness, please keep your students at home. We have come so far since we began this fight against the pandemic one year ago, and it would be tragic if we became complacent as we near what we believe to be the final stage of overcoming the obstacles posed by this virus.
In closing, we want to once again focus on the fact that although we have endured a great deal, we still have much for which we can be grateful. We are passing another milestone and getting closer to returning all students to our campuses. Spring is soon arriving and new life is indeed before us!
Kind regards,
FIS Crisis Team
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