A message from the North Branch Board of Trustees, April 8, 2020:
Dear North Branch Families,
We are in an unprecedented, uncertain, and scary time. With this letter the NBS Board hopes to clarify ongoing expectations for continuing education at our beloved school.
North Branch School plans to open as scheduled on August 31, 2020. The Board and staff think it is unlikely that shelter-in-place orders prohibiting schools from opening will continue through the beginning of the 20-21 academic year. If schools, including North Branch, do not open in the fall, we and other schools will all have to address how to provide meaningful education for all our children. If the NBS building does not reopen in the fall, families will have the option of release from contract.
The last date to withdraw a contract for the 20-21 year will remain April 24. Contracts are immensely important to the school, as we base our planning for student groupings and allocation of staff on the contracts for the coming year. That said, we recognize the financial uncertainties that some families are facing, and we suggest those who did not have a need prior to the virus complete our simple financial assistance form so as to be added to the pool of applicants for potential financial assistance. Contact Autum for a copy of the form. [The link to download this form is above this letter.] If you do withdraw your contract because of financial uncertainties, we would welcome you back if you wish to re-contract. If new inquiries arise about enrollment in your child’s group, Autum would contact you to offer you re-enrollment priority as a returning family.
The Board continues to be impressed with our staff’s immediate and thoughtful response to this unprecedented situation, and with the thoughtful, imaginative, and ever-evolving ways in which staff continues to work with students and for the school. We applaud our staff’s investment in creating a positive online experience in a difficult set of circumstances, their devotion and passion, and their efforts to maintain consistency and stability and a bit of normality for our/your children.
As Queen Elizabeth said recently to the British people, “We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return. We will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.”
In the mean time, stay home, stay safe, and wash your hands.
The North Branch School Board
