The LA Wind Ensemble rehearsing from a distance
Veterans Day is tomorrow, and I hope that we all take a moment to acknowledge veterans in our families and community for their service to our country. My brother and I were born on a US Army base in Stuttgart West Germany, and we have our own unique appreciation of the commitment and dedication for members of the armed services. To all those that have served, thank you for all you have done for our country.
The MPA has given us an update on winter sports and, disappointingly, canceled the state cross country championships scheduled for this week due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in Maine. With that news in mind, I wanted to provide an update on plans for the second trimester at LA.
We have begun a school-wide ventilation project that will provide needed air exchange in the main building, including the academic wings and the Nelson Bailey Gymnasium. This is a big project that will require sustained time on campus to complete by the end of the year. Supplier delays have impacted the installation schedule, so in order to complete this work as soon as possible we will have a fully remote learning week immediately before winter break, from December 14-18. This means that after Thanksgiving we will start the trimester with two in-person weeks in our current hybrid schedule, and then hold our final week before the holiday break virtually.
Work in the gym also means we will delay the start of winter sports practices until January 4, independent of what the MPA decides. By that time our gym will be fully updated and appropriately ventilated to accommodate indoor activities more safely. We are watching the guidance from the MPA regarding winter sports and what is possible for both practice and competition after January 4.
Thanks for all that you do and have done to help keep our community safe and in school–it makes a difference.
Be well and stay safe.
Jeffrey S. Burroughs
Jeff Burroughs
Head of School
