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:
Safeguard the welfare of our community by articulating and analyzing plans that prioritize health and safety.
Maintain a commitment to the School’s core tenets and educational values of ethical learning, academic excellence, and progressive education.
Shape plans and decisions that are informed by morality, ethics, and empathy.
Steward the School’s financial sustainability.
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, are 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.
Pre-K–5th Grade Remote Learning
The Pre-K–5th Grade 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 needs of parents supporting their children at home.
Membership:
Monique Astengo-Rosen, 2nd 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, 4th Grade Teacher, Ethical Culture
Jeannie Crowley, Director of Technology, Co-Chair
Vanessa D'Egidio, Diversity, Equity & 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 & Social Impact, Co-Chair
Simira Freeman, Psychologist, Fieldston Lower
Vonick Jean-Guillaume Gibson, Interim Assistant Principal, 3rd–5th Grade, Ethical Culture
Erica Held, P+T Representative
Hazel Hunt, 5th Grade Teacher, Fieldston Lower
Erik Landgren, Assistant Principal, Pre-K–2nd Grade, Ethical Culture
Joe McCauley, Principal, Fieldston Lower School, Co-Chair
Maggie Morrison, 4th Grade Teacher, Fieldston Lower
Jessica Panek, Librarian, Fieldston Lower
Naomi Randolph, Assistant Principal for Student Life, Fieldston Lower
Carline Samson, 2nd Grade Teacher, Ethical Culture
Kimberly Smith Spacek ‘91, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Ex-Officio
Laura Stewart, Ethics Teacher, Diversity, Equity, & 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, Chief Operating Officer, Assistant Head of School for Strategic Initiatives, Ex-Officio
6th–12th Grade Remote Learning
The 6th–12th Grade 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 School and Upper School. This working group will also focus on the social-emotional needs of students, professional development needs for faculty and staff, and the needs of 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, Science Teacher, Fieldston Upper
Lisa Caputo, Parent
Arhm Choi Wild, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Coordinator, Fieldston Middle and Fieldston Upper
Tom Christensen, Music Teacher, Department Chair, Fieldston Middle and Fieldston Upper
KC Cohen, Director of Health & Wellness, Fieldston Middle and 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 & Social Impact, Co-Chair
Nigel Furlonge, Principal, Fieldston Upper, Co-Chair
Kenny Graves, Assistant Principal for Academic Life, Fieldston Upper
Meg Hanson, Math Teacher, Department Chair, Fieldston Upper
Laurie Hornik, English Teacher, 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, & Inclusion Coordinator, Fieldston Upper
Gia Moreno, Math Teacher, Fieldston Upper
Christine Perez, Language Teacher, 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, Department 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 and Fieldston Upper
Jeff Walker, Trustee
Kyle Wilkie-Glass, Chief Operating Officer, 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 and Fieldston Upper
Nancy Dwinell, Director of Admissions, Ethical Culture
Tyler Fereira, Director of Admissions, Fieldston Middle and Fieldston Upper
Liz Fernández, Assistant Head of School for Ethical Education & Social Impact
Charles Guerrero, Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, Co-Chair
Chris Harper, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Human Resources, Co-Chair
Andrew Holm ‘01, Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, Chair of the Finance Committee
Tal Kaissar, Trustee, Chair of the Compensation Committee
Mara Kanner, P+T Representative
John Kurtz, Math Teacher, Fieldston Middle
Nelie Locher, Librarian, Department Chair, Fieldston Middle and 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, Chief Operating Officer, 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, Dean, Fieldston Upper
Jessica Bagby, Head of School, Ex-Officio
Stephanie Behrens, Science Teacher, 8th Grade Level Coordinator, 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, 3rd Grade Teacher, Ethical Culture
Yasmine Fillmore, Director of Alumni Relations
Rachel Greenfield, All School Multicultural Committee Representative
Nina Kronengold, Fieldston Student Government Co-President
Erik Landgren, Assistant Principal for Pre-K—2nd Grade, Ethical Culture
Mica McGriggs, Diversity, Equity, & 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, 3rd 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, 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, Chief Operating Officer, 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
Dave Argenzio, Director of Campus Safety
Jessica Bagby, Head of School, Ex-Officio
Corinne Bilerman, P+T Representative
Margot Bridger, Trustee
Lori Cohen, Nursing Office Administrative Assistant
Yolanda Dublin, Assistant Director of Human Resources
Ken Glassman, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, Chair of the Audit & Risk Management Committee
Sue Gower, Nurse, Ethical Culture
Penny House, 5th Grade Teacher, Ethical Culture
Stacey Husted, Nurse, Fieldston Lower
Marcia Lange, Nurse, Fieldston Middle and Fieldston Upper
Liz Layne, Executive Assistant to the Head of School and Board of Trustees
Nelie Locher, Librarian, Department Chair, Fieldston Middle and Fieldston Upper
Katerina Lucas, Assistant Director of Human Resources
Robert Lundgren, Assistant Director of Facilities, Fieldston Campus
Mica McGriggs, Diversity, Equity, & 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
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 and Fieldston Middle
Kyle Wilkie-Glass, Chief Operating Officer, Assistant Head of School for Strategic Initiatives, Co-Chair