Dear Bullis Community,
As you’ve likely heard, the remnants of Hurricane Ida will be hitting our area overnight, likely drenching us on our first few days of school and potentially subjecting us to unusual early morning thunderstorms. To facilitate a safe and practical start to school, we have made important adjustments to our morning schedule that will affect many families. Please read the below information carefully.
First Day of School
In the interest of our students’ safety and managing a lengthy carpool line in possible thunder and lightning, we’ve made the decision to stagger school start times on the first day of school only. Accordingly, school start times tomorrow will be as follows:
LOWER SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL: 8:00 am start time. Drop off will take place from 7:40-7:55 am.
UPPER SCHOOL: 8:30 start time. Drop off will take place from 8:10-8:25 am.
*Buses will run on a normal schedule for all students.
Upon arrival, Middle and Upper School students should go directly to their advisories. Lower School students should go directly to their homeroom classes. Adults and fifth-grade safety patrols will be on hand to assist Lower School students arriving by car or by bus. If you have children in Upper School and another division, please drop off all of your children at the LS/MS drop-off time; advisory teachers will be ready and waiting for your upper schooler.
Parent Coffee and PA Board Meeting
Because we are concerned that the weather may result in slower-than-usual drop-off-lines, potential flooding, and difficulty parking on muddy fields for the remainder of the week, we are moving our Parent Coffee, originally scheduled for Thursday, September 2, at 8:15 am, to next Thursday, September 9, at 8:15 am. The Blair Center location and Zoom link [please check your email] remain the same.
Likewise, our Parents Association Board Meeting, originally scheduled for Friday, September 3, at 8:00 am, will be moved to next Friday, September 10, at 8:00 am, in the Studio Theater in the Discovery Center.
COVID Testing
Yesterday, we conducted 1,067 COVID tests on campus. Two students—one middle schooler and one lower schooler—tested positive. Contact tracing has been completed, and we’ve contacted those who may have been exposed. Though our numbers are much lower than they are in the general population, these results are a difficult reminder of how critical it is that we remain vigilant and make safe choices for ourselves, our family remembers, and our community.
Despite these changing logistics, we are so excited to put on our boots and raincoats and welcome your children to school tomorrow!
Warmly,
Christian G. Sullivan
Head of School
