Dear FIS Community,

As we prepare for the upcoming final week of classes before our spring break, we know many families in our community are feeling concerned as we experience the current circumstances of this pandemic. The vaccine implementation has not yet reached a level to significantly impact the current trajectory of infections and the government has extended its “lockdown” measures until 18 April. In short, we remain in the midst of this ongoing battle.

Given the current situation, FIS intends to take another significant step in supporting the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and community. Next week, we will be distributing a free Covid-19 rapid test for every FIS student, faculty and staff member. This particular “lollipop test” is easy to administer and has a high reliability. A short video will be shared by email with this test kit distribution at the end of next week that will help you understand how to use the test kit. We are asking that every family gives this test to their FIS child(ren) the Sunday or Monday morning before we return from spring break on 19 April. Every family will also log the result of the test using a secure online form that will be sent with the explanatory video. Faculty and staff will receive these rapid tests as well.

Our last planned Crisis Team communication before the spring break will be on Thursday, 1 April. If allowed by the German government, we intend to return all students to campus in some form the week we return from spring break. Upper School parents will receive the specifics of this plan the week prior to our return. To help us further understand our community’s needs during this stage of the pandemic, and to gather input regarding the proposed testing and return to classes, please complete this short survey no later than this Sunday, 28 March. As in the past, you can complete the survey multiple times if you have multiple children enrolled at FIS.

Thank you for remaining such a strong community at a time when that strength is so important to our shared health and safety.

Kind regards,

FIS Crisis Team