Pandemic Response Task Force

Mission

The mission of the COVID-19 Pandemic Task Force is to consider the possible scenarios that our community will be faced with when returning to School in September 2020 and to create plans that are responsive, flexible, inclusive, and implementable. The COVID-19 Pandemic Task Force will be guided by the following principles:

      1. Safeguard the welfare of our community by articulating and analyzing plans that prioritize health and safety.
      2. Maintain a commitment to the School’s core tenets and educational values of ethical learning, academic excellence, and progressive education.
      3. Shape plans and decisions that are informed by morality, ethics, and empathy.
      4. Steward the school’s financial sustainability.
      5. Recognize the responsibility that each of us has to the greater whole.


Scenarios for Consideration

Opening School in the fall will be a process, rather than an event. Each working group will plan responses to scenarios that consider the myriad internal and external factors that may affect a September 2020 reopening and the duration of the 2020-2021 academic year, with an appreciation for the fact that this continues to remain a rapidly evolving global health crisis. Working groups will ground plans and decisions in practices that are in the best interest of our community, supported by scientific research, and comply with relevant governmental regulations. Responses to scenarios should forecast short-term and long-term strategies that better assist the School in scaling plans.

Our baseline considerations of opening scenarios must include the assumption that some members of our community may be medically precluded from returning to campus and required to stay home. We are planning three scenarios:

      • Opening as normal: While this scenario seems to be highly unlikely, working groups will discuss plans to open with the same preventative measures in place from spring 2020, including increased cleaning.
      • Opening with modifications: This scenario will take into consideration physical distancing measures (remaining six feet away from other individuals), alternative scheduling, a reduction in on-site daily student population, wearing a face covering, limiting the size of group gatherings, and other preventative measures that may be wise or recommended by federal, state, or local officials. With the advantage of expansive campuses and strong Facilities and Technology teams, we are taking full advantage of the opportunity the summer provides to reimagine and modify our educational environment to ensure our community is safe and our students benefit from our progressive approach, including a best-in-class hybrid or hyflex model of on-site and remote learning, as well as myriad academic and social-emotional support resources.
      • Remote learning: This scenario activates robust synchronous and asynchronous remote learning either from the beginning of the academic year or as necessitated by pandemic conditions locally, regionally, or nationally.

Working Groups

The COVID-19 Pandemic Task Force is organized into five working groups with a cross-section of institutional partners and community members who are tasked with developing specific plans within their charge.

PK-5 Remote Learning

The PK-5 Remote Learning working group will focus on the creation and implementation of successful strategies should the continuation of remote learning be necessary in the lower schools. This working group will also focus on the social-emotional needs of students, professional development needs for faculty and staff, and parents supporting their children at home.


Membership:

Monique Astengo-Rosen, Second Grade Teacher, Fieldston Lower

Jessica Bagby, Head of School, Ex-Officio

Rosemarie Buzzeo, Assistant Principal for Academic Life, Fieldston Lower

Felipe Coco, Ethics & Technology Coordinator, Fieldston Lower

Rob Cousins, Principal, Ethical Culture, Co-Chair

Danny Crawford, Fourth Grade Teacher, Ethical Culture

Jeannie Crowley, Director of Technology, Co-Chair

Vanessa D'Egidio, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, Ethical Culture

Kim Deveaux, Ethics & Technology Coordinator, Ethical Culture

Barbara Downing, Math & Science Teacher, Ethical Culture

Kate Eady, Visual Arts Teacher, Ethical Culture

Liz Fernández, Assistant Head of School for Ethical Education and Social Impact, Co-Chair

Simira Freeman, Psychologist, Fieldston Lower

Vonick Jean-Guillaume Gibson, Interim Assistant Principal, Grades 3-5, Ethical Culture

Erica Held, P+T Representative

Hazel Hunt, Fifth Grade Teacher, Fieldston Lower

Erik Landgren, Assistant Principal, PK-2, Ethical Culture

Joe McCauley, Principal, Fieldston Lower School, Co-Chair

Maggie Morrison, Fourth Grade Teacher, Fieldston Lower

Jessica Panek, Librarian, Fieldston Lower

Naomi Randolph, Assistant Principal for Student Life, Fieldston Lower

Carline Samson, Second Grade Teacher, Ethical Culture

Kimberly Smith Spacek ‘91, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Ex-Officio

Laura Stewart, Ethics Teacher, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, Fieldston Lower

Margot Tenenbaum, Guidance Counselor, Ethical Culture

Audrey Train, P+T Representative

Krishna Veeraraghavan, Assistant Secretary of the Board of Trustees

Reilly Vlassis, Trustee

Kyle Wilkie-Glass, COO and Assistant Head of School for Strategic Initiatives, Ex-Officio

6-12 Remote Learning

The 6-12 Remote Learning working group will focus on the creation and implementation of successful strategies should the continuation of remote learning be necessary in the middle and upper schools. This working group will also focus on the social-emotional needs of students, professional development needs for faculty and staff, and parents supporting their children at home.


Membership:

Jon Alschuler, Interim Principal, Fieldston Middle, Co-Chair

Kylah Arias, Psychologist, Fieldston Middle

Jessica Bagby, Head of School, Ex-Officio

Roy Blumenfeld, Director of City Semester, Fieldston Upper

Juan Botella, Science Teacher, Fieldston Upper

Margot Bridger, P+T Representative

Bob Cairo, Assistant Principal for Academic Life, Fieldston Fieldston Upper

Lisa Caputo, Parent

Arhm Choi Wild, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, Fieldston Middle & Fieldston Upper

Tom Christensen, Music Teacher and Department Chair, Fieldston Middle & Fieldston Upper

KC Cohen, Director of Health and Wellness, Fieldston Middle & Fieldston Upper

Melanie Cooper-Leary, Language Teacher, Fieldston Upper

Jeannie Crowley, Director of Technology, Co-Chair

Karen Drohan, History Teacher, Fieldston Upper

Jeanine Edwards, P+T Representative

Liz Fernández, Assistant Head of School for Ethical Education and Social Impact, Co-Chair

Nigel Furlonge, Principal, Fieldston Upper, Co-Chair

Kenny Graves, Ethics & Technology Coordinator, Fieldston Middle & Fieldston Upper

Meg Hanson,Math Teacher and Department Chair, Fieldston Upper

Laurie Hornik, English Teacher and Department Chair, Scheduler, Fieldston Middle

Katrinka Hrdy, History Teacher, Fieldston Middle

Meghan MacKay, Secretary of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the DEI/Education Committee

Russell Marsh, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, Fieldston Upper

Gia Moreno, Math Teacher, Fieldston Upper

Christine Perez, Language Teacher and Department Chair, Fieldston Upper

Francesca Pisa, Assistant Principal for Academic Life, Fieldston Middle

Rashad Randolph, Assistant Principal for Student Life, Fieldston Upper

Keira Rogers, History Teacher/ Chair, Fieldston Middle

Jessica Romano, Learning Center Chair, Fieldston Middle and Fieldston Upper

Ingrid Sabogal, Ethics & Technology Coordinator, Fieldston Middle

Debra Sands, History Teacher/Level Coordinator, Fieldston Middle

Bree Sheahan, P+T Representative

Kimberly Smith Spacek ‘91, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Ex-Officio

Vanessa Solomon, Learning Specialist, Fieldston Middle & Fieldston Upper

Jeff Walker, Trustee

Kyle Wilkie-Glass, COO and Assistant Head of School for Strategic Initiatives, Ex-Officio

Finance and Enrollment Management

The Finance and Enrollment Management working group will focus on monitoring enrollment patterns and related tuition revenues. This working group will also identify enrollment trends that will inform the School’s 2020-2021 recruiting strategy.


Membership:

Jessica Bagby, Head of School, Ex-Officio

Phillip Bettencourt, Music Teacher, Ethical Culture

Marvin Cabrera, P+T Representative

Russell Currie, Music Teacher, Fieldston Middle & Fieldston Upper

Nancy Dwinell, Director of Admissions, Ethical Culture

Tyler Fereira, Director of Admissions, Fieldston Middle & Fieldston Upper

Liz Fernández, Assistant Head of School for Ethical Education and Social Impact

Charles Guerrero, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Co-Chair

Chris Harper, CFO and Director of Human Resources, Co-Chair

Andrew Holm ‘01, Treasurer of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Finance Committee

Tal Kaissar, Trustee and Chair of the Compensation Committee

Mara Kanner, P+T Representative

John Kurtz, Math Teacher, Fieldston Middle

Nelie Locher, Librarian/ Chair, Fieldston Middle & Fieldston Upper

Chloe Scott-Giry, Director of Admissions, Fieldston Lower

Kimberly Smith Spacek ‘91, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Ex-Officio

Kyle Wilkie-Glass, COO and Assistant Head of School for Strategic Initiatives, Ex-Officio

Community Engagement

The Community Engagement working group will focus on creating internal and external strategies to reach constituents and promote clear lines of communication regarding how the School will sustain community traditions, experiences, and milestones. This working group will integrate in a consultative capacity with other working groups to provide expertise as necessary.


Membership:

Carl Anhalt, Math Teacher and Dean, Fieldston Upper

Jessica Bagby, Head of School, Ex-Officio

Stephanie Behrens, Science Teacher, Fieldston Middle

Susan Bram ‘81, Trustee & Co-Chair of the Advancement Committee

Melanie Cooper-Leary, Language Teacher, Fieldston Upper

Lauren Coulston, Director of Communications, Co-Chair

Kate Culligan, Third Grade Teacher, Ethical Culture

Yasmine Fillmore, Director of Alumni Relations

Rachel Greenfield, ASMC Representative

Nina Kronengold, Fieldston Student Government Co-President

Erik Landgren, Assistant Principal for Grades PK-2, Ethical Culture

Mica McGriggs, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, Fieldston Middle

Nancy Oti, Director of Special Events

Francesca Pisa, Assistant Principal for Academic Life, Fieldston Middle

Princess Prince-Mccoade, P+T Representative

Naomi Randolph, Assistant Principal for Student Life, Fieldston Lower

Rashad Randolph, Assistant Principal for Student Life Fieldston Upper

Bree Sheahan, P+T Representative

Alexa Shikar, Third Grade Teacher, Fieldston Lower

Kimberly Smith Spacek ‘91, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Ex-Officio

Julia Sonenshein, Communications Manager

Calder Stokes, Fieldston Student Government Co-President

Debora St-Claire, English Teacher and Dean, Fieldston Middle

Stephanie Wagner, Trustee & Co-Chair of the Advancement Committee

Grace Wang, P+T Representative

Sarah Wendt, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Co-Chair

Kyle Wilkie-Glass, COO and Assistant Head of School for Strategic Initiatives, Ex-Officio

Campus Support and Community Health

The Campus Support and Community Health working group will focus on establishing procedures and issuing guidance pertaining to the ways in which students, faculty, staff, and parents interact with each other and the physical campuses. This working group will integrate in a consultative capacity with other working groups to provide expertise as necessary.


Membership:

Odalys Alcivar, Assistant Director of Facilities, Ethical Culture Campus

Dave Argenzio, Director of Campus Safety

Jessica Bagby, Head of School, Ex-Officio

Corinne Bilerman, P+T Representative

Lori Cohen, Nursing Office Administrative Assistant

Yolanda Dublin, Assistant Director of Human Resources

Ken Glassman, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Audit & Risk Management Committee

Sue Gower, Nurse, Ethical Culture

Penny House, Fifth Grade Teacher, Ethical Culture

Stacey Husted, Nurse, Fieldston Lower

Marcia Lange, Nurse, Fieldston Middle & Fieldston Upper

Liz Layne, Executive Assistant to the HOS and BOT

Nelie Locher, Librarian and Department Chair, Fieldston Middle & Fieldston Upper

Katerina Lucas, Assistant Director of Human Resources

Robert Lundgren, Assistant Director of Facilities, Fieldston Campus

Mica McGriggs, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, Fieldston Middle

Pam Mittman, P+T Representative

Gus Ornstein, Director of Athletics, Co-Chair

Teddy O’Rourke, Director of Campus Services

Nancy Oti, Director of Special Events

Joe Piselli, Director of Facilities

Jon Rozoff, Trustee

Kelly Sigro, Science Teacher, Fieldston Middle

Carolyn Smith, Athletic Trainer

Kimberly Smith Spacek ‘91, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Ex-Officio

Amy Van Tassell, Director of Dining Services

Veronica Vazquez, Pre-K Teacher, Ethical Culture

Anneka Ward, Nurse, Fieldston Upper & Fieldston Middle

Kyle Wilkie-Glass, COO and Assistant Head of School for Strategic Initiatives, Co-Chair