School Day Experience

Other than some minor tweaks, the student schedules looked very much the same as they have in recent years.

No; USM followed the same start and end times for each division this year, which are listed here. Preschool: 8:15 a.m.–3:05 p.m. (half-day students are dismissed at 11:15 a.m.); Lower School: 8:15 a.m.–3:10 p.m.; Middle School: 8:10 a.m.–3:20 p.m.; Upper School: 8:10 a.m.–3:20 p.m.

Prior to the start of the school year, USM evaluated the square footage and specific layouts of all classrooms, as well as other spaces that might be used for teaching and learning activities, to ensure that recommended physical distancing could be achieved in all learning environments. Class sizes for the 2020–21 school year accounted for all students assigned to that class, whether their families had chosen the in-person or distance learning option. Appropriate changes were made to Preschool, Lower School, and Middle School classrooms, and, in most cases, only minimal changes were needed for Upper School classrooms.

Fine arts classrooms were subject to physical distancing and other health measures, just like other classes and activities. This created some additional unique challenges for band, orchestra, choir, drama, and dance classes, although the school found safe solutions to be able to allow this programming to continue this year. Some limited in-person performances, with guests in attendance, were able to be held at the end of the 2020–21 school year.

Physical education classes were safely offered in all divisions, although no students changed into physical education gear for classes during the 2020–21 school year. Locker rooms were used for storage of other equipment by students, but locker room access was limited and supervised, with small groups of students with physically distanced lockers being allowed into locker rooms at the same time.

Shared educational spaces, such as the makerspaces (Lubar Center for Innovation and Exploration and Nerdvana), the Virginia Henes Young Theatre, and gymnasiums, were utilized, but with smaller capacities due to physical distancing recommendations and with additional cleaning and sanitizing.

Most field trips and retreats scheduled or planned for the 2020–21 school year were canceled or postponed, although some off-campus events were able to be held later in the school year. Most experiential learning opportunities were modified to limit the number of off-campus visitors, including hosting many guests through online meetings.

While the student dress code was still in place in all divisions, it was relaxed somewhat for the 2020–21 school year, given the nature of the situation. Ties and blazers (for Middle School and Upper School students) and dress shoes (for all students) were made optional. The dress code for faculty and staff was also been relaxed somewhat. There were some special days (student picture day, etc.) when students, faculty, and staff will be asked to wear full dress code attire. Information about dress code for the 2021–22 school year will be shared as decisions are made.

Yes, students who used distance learning while on-campus learning was being offered were expected to follow the relaxed dress code during the 2020–21 school year while participating in online (synchronous) activities with their classmates and teachers. USM will not be offering a distance learning option for the 2021–22 school year, and would only plan to use distance learning if a situation required the move of all teachers and students to that mode in order for teaching and learning to continue.

Yes; students in all grades were allowed to be out of dress code, in USM or Wildcats gear, for Wildcat Wednesdays on the first Wednesday of each month. Students using distance learning were also be strongly encouraged to participate in Wildcat Wednesdays from home. There were also many additional out-of-dress-code days held during the 2020–21 school year.

Self-serve stations were not allowed due to cross-contamination concerns. However, the school still provided a full lunch service with hot and cold choices for all students. As decisions are made about lunch for the 2021–22 school year, updates will be provided.

Students in Preschool, Lower School, and Middle School were able to choose from a wide variety of hot and cold entrees and sides which were delivered to classrooms. In addition, Middle School students were able to visit the Palermo Hall servery in the Upper School on a rotating basis by grade level to select their lunch items. Upper School students also used the Palermo Hall servery, selecting from various hot and cold entrees and sides, with other guidelines in place to ensure the health and safety of our community.

Students dined in various locations around school, including in classrooms, physically distanced dining rooms with fewer seats, and outdoor spaces when the weather allowed, depending on their grade levels. All spaces were cleaned and sanitized prior to each lunch period. Face masks were able to be removed by individuals while eating lunch. The goal was to be able to maintain as much of the USM dining experience as possible while following recommended physical distancing.

Preschool and Lower School students continued to use classroom cubbies. Middle School students used lockers for personal belongings, and access to lockers was managed and supervised to ensure recommended physical distancing. The Upper School did not use lockers during the 2020–21 school year, although any family with a child that might have had a specific need for a locker was able to request one. Cubby and locker assignments and access times for all grade levels were staggered to ensure appropriate physical distancing among students.