Important Spring 2020 Updates from Mr. Day

Dear Cardigan families,

We are looking forward to connecting with you during Cardigan’s virtual Town Hall meeting this Saturday, April 18. While we are confident in our Distance Learning plan and proud of the boys for their engagement and enthusiasm thus far, we also understand that many of you have questions, and we hope to answer as many of them as possible on Saturday.

In advance of the Town Hall, I would also like to share some significant updates on issues that I know all of you are curious about:

• Distance Learning grading will be "Pass/Incomplete.” In an effort to best serve our boys, we will be enacting a Pass/Incomplete grading policy for the spring trimester. We believe this policy to be most equitable for the varying circumstances that Cardigan boys and their families are facing during this time. I invite you to read a message from Dean of Academics Jamie Welsh, as well as our Distance Learning Grading Guidelines on our Distance Learning webpage.
• We are developing a plan for the retrieval (or storage) of students’ belongings. Due to governmental restrictions, it is still not possible to visit campus. However, next week Cardigan faculty will begin scheduling Zoom meetings with families for the purpose of determining the best path forward for each student and his belongings. We believe we have assembled a complete plan to serve the needs of all of our students. Please review the complete explanation of this procedure from Director of Student Life Nick Nowak at this link.
• Cardigan's 74th Commencement will take place "virtually" on May 31, 2020. We have made the decision to conduct a virtual Commencement event for the Class of 2020 and their families. While this was an extremely difficult decision, I assure you it comes as a result of careful consideration of a number of important factors:
   
  • There remains significant uncertainty regarding the timeline of the COVID-19 crisis, which creates significant difficulty in scheduling and planning an on-campus event. 
  • We want to honor the Class of 2020 this spring, while our connections are strongest, our experiences are still fresh in our minds, and we are best able to provide appropriate closure for everyone.
  • Cardigan represents a diverse community from all over the world, which will likely make it impossible to bring together our entire ninth grade class and their families in the future.
  • We feel that we can honor and celebrate individual boys and this exceptional ninth grade class thoughtfully and uniquely, even if virtually.
     

We understand the Commencement news will be disappointing to the boys and to all of you. I know you believe me when I say that we share profoundly in that disappointment. The Class of 2020 has been (and continues to be) exemplary, both in ways seen as well as ways unseen. I know the faculty is deeply saddened at losing the opportunity to share this milestone and congratulate them personally here on The Point. We are committed to making this event special and we are excited to share our plans in the coming days.

Meanwhile, we hope you and your family continue to be happy and healthy, and we thank you for your continued support as we all navigate a situation that seems to evolve daily.  We are excited to “see” those of you who choose to participate on Saturday morning at our first Town Hall, and remember that you can submit your questions in advance (using the button below.)

Sincerely,

Christopher D. Day P’12,’13
Head of School

Submit a Question for the Town Hall