Happy Fall Term to you all! 

We've had such a great time getting back into the swing of things this past week, and are delighted that studios are getting underway today.

A few important updates & details:

• Parents’ Night Date Change
• Supplemental Course Registration 
• New Vaccine Policy & Reviewing Onsite Safety Protocols
• 2021/2022 Student COVID Testing Schedule
• COVID Testing Resources

Parents’ Night Dates Changed

Due to scheduling conflicts we have shifted the dates of our September Parents’ Nights. Please make note of these new dates below, they have been updated on the NuVu Calendar for your convenience. Parents’ Nights will be held virtually, a Zoom link will be sent out 24 hours prior to the meeting.

• New Parent Orientation - Tuesday, Sept. 21, 5:30 - 6:30PM (for new NuVu families)
• All Parent Meeting - Tuesday, Sept, 28, 5:30 - 6:30PM (for all NuVu families)

Supplemental Course Registration

We will begin supplemental coursework on Tuesday, Sept. 14. For families who are interested in VHS Learning’s Flex Math courses, if you have not yet enrolled, please complete your enrollment prior to Tuesday, Sept. 14. This will ensure that all students within a cohort are on the same 15-week timeline. If you have questions about math level placement or registration, please contact rob@nuvustudio.org. 

New Vaccine Policy & Reviewing Onsite Safety Protocols

While more and more institutions are moving towards stricter safety protocols and vaccine mandates, we’ve elected to adopt a policy that requires students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to participate in studios onsite. For students who are not vaccinated, we will be offering remote options for studios with maker kits. This new policy will start on Monday, Sept. 13.

Onsite safety protocols will remain as follows:

• Students and staff must wear a multi-layer face mask, covering their nose and mouth while inside.
• Students and staff must follow routine COVID testing schedule.
• Consumption of water and snacks will be limited to outside of the space, either in the hallway or outside in the courtyard.
• Students are encouraged to bring their own lunch, or may eat at any of the local Central Square food establishments. Students may not venture further than Central Sq. for lunch, as this greatly increases the chances of returning to studio late. 
• Eating lunch outside as the weather permits is strongly encouraged. There are a few local places to do so:
  • University Park Commons
  • Jill Brown Rhone Park
  • Clement Morgan Park
  • This may require students to dress warmly, please send your student to school with a warm few layers in case of colder weather.

COVID Testing Schedule

In accordance with the DESE guidelines for safe school reopening, we will be initiating a rotational Student & Staff COVID Testing Schedule. Students are divided into four groups, and each group will be tested approximately every four weeks. This schedule ensures that 25% of the student body is tested for COVID-19 each week, groups were created to test a sample across all four studios. If your student is participating in studio remotely, they do not have to abide by the testing regimen. This student schedule will be added to the NuVu Calendar for your convenience!

Staff members will be divided into two groups, and each group will be tested every 14 days. This schedule ensures that 50% of all faculty and staff are tested each week, bringing the weekly testing to 75% of NuVu's total onsite population.

Testing Schedule for 2021/2022 School Year

* ALL students and staff must be tested once prior to returning from break the weeks of 11/29/21, 1/3/22, and 3/28/22. These weeks are not included in the above schedule, but are noted on the NuVu Google Calendar.

If a student or staff member tests positive:

Should any staff member or student be exposed or fall ill during the Term, we will assess the need for all onsite studios to transition to remote learning for 5 days. Upon assessment, and/or completion of the 5-day quarantine, all students and staff will need to produce negative COVID test results once before returning to the space. The individual(s) who tested positive must also complete state quarantine guidelines, and test negative twice within a 24-48 hour period prior to returning to NuVu’s physical studio space.

Testing Resources

We are currently looking into options for free, in-house COVID testing at NuVu. We’re eager to share more details of this opportunity soon, please stay tuned for more information! Until then, please consider the testing resources below. 

As we carefully steer Fall Term back to a new normal, we’re continuously reviewing relevant health and safety data regarding COVID-19. All policies are subject to change as we learn more about the risk factors associated with the COVID landscape. We sincerely appreciate your thoughtful feedback and patience while we all navigate this School Year. 

If you have additional questions contact me directly at molly@nuvustudio.org. 

Regards,

The NuVu Team