Dear MBS Community,

This letter is an update to my communication on Friday, January 8 about our latest round of COVID-19 testing.

Over the weekend, we have been in contact with the New Jersey Department of Health to discuss our testing results. After examination of the data, we have learned that the positive cases most likely represent a cluster rather than a community-wide spread. Based on this new information, and in discussions with the NJDOH, we plan to test the entire community again this Thursday, January 14 (see details below).

By conducting another round of COVID surveillance testing this week, we can determine if these cases indeed remained localized. Once we have received the results from this week's testing (anticipated by Sunday afternoon), we will consult with the NJDOH for an updated recommendation in regards to reopening campus and extra-curricular activities. Based on the results of the testing, we may be able to open school and resume extracurricular activities on Tuesday, January 19. We are planning to communicate the final decision on when we will be able to reopen campus on Monday, January 18.

At this point, we cannot make any promises that the recommendations from the NJDOH will change, but I want you to know that we are committed to doing all we can to enable our students to return to on-campus learning. Once the data is reviewed and we, along with the NJDOH, feel that we can ensure a safe academic environment, we will reopen campus. Until then, we will remain in remote learning mode.

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Testing details for January 14

Please pick up your test kit on Senior Circle on Thursday, January 14 and drop
it off n the Main Gym between 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. or 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. There will
be a special distance learning schedule for that day as follows:

B Week

10:15 - 11:15 a.m. — Period 8

11:20 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. — Period 7

12:25 - 12:55 p.m. — Lunch

12:55 p.m. — Resume regular schedule

Students, faculty and staff will pick up their test kit on Senior Circle,
complete their sample collection in their cars and then drop off the sample in
the gym.

If you would like to pick up your test kit before Thursday, we have them
available all week at the front reception desk in Beard Hall from 8:00 a.m. to
3:00 p.m.

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Please remember that you have signed a community health pledge in which you agreed to help safeguard the health of our community. Your actions, both on and off campus, determine our ability to be on campus and to be with each other.

Sincerely,

Peter J. Caldwell
Head of School

70 Whippany Road • Morristown, NJ 07960 • Tel: 973.539.3032 • www.mbs.net