FAQ: COVID-19

Our campus will be closed until further notice based on evolving circumstances and mandates by the State of New York and CDC guidelines. The spring semester resumed on Monday, March 30 through eHarvey Distance Learning and ended May 29.

The leadership team is currently engaged in a process of scenario planning for reopening in the fall that will continue throughout the summer. While we have no concrete details to share now, every decision we make will be based on our first priority which is to provide a safe and vibrant learning environment for students and staff under the circumstances we may face.

eHarvey is an online distance learning program, originally launched in 2006 and used very successfully by students every year. We recognize that this is a challenging time for everyone, and we can assure you that we are striving to develop a program that keeps our students connected and engaged while at the same time maintaining the appropriate and necessary flexibility.

Access to eHarvey Distance Learning will require an internet-connected device. We are committed to working with families to ensure that all students have the access they need. If you have questions, please contact John Wahlers, Director of Technology, at jwahlers@harveyschool.org.

Students will not be permitted back on campus during this time as mandated by the State of New York. Students were permitted to return to campus at designated times to retrieve belongings in their personal and athletic lockers.

Any questions, please contact:

• Upper School - Phil Lazzaro at plazzaro@harveyschool.org
• Middle School - Dr. Brendan Byrne at bbyrne@harveyschool.org.

Teachers of AP courses will continue to prepare students for exams as we begin distance learning on March 30. Traditional face-to-face AP Exams will not take place. Students will take a 45-minute online free-response exam at home. The full exam schedule, specific free-response question types that will be on each AP Exam, and additional testing details will be available by April 3. More information and updates can be found on the College Board AP Central webpage. 

We are monitoring the decisions made by the College Board in terms of upcoming testing. The May 2 SAT exam has been canceled. Please refer to the update page from the College Board for specific details found here.

The ACT April 4 national test date has been rescheduled to June 13 across the U.S. All students registered for the April 4 test date will receive an email from ACT in the next few days informing them of the postponement and instructions for free rescheduling to June 13 or a future national test date. 

Yes. This is a challenging time and no doubt unsettling to students and their families as they prepare for college. Students are encouraged to talk to their college counselors if they have concerns about how actual or potential cancellations will impact their testing and search plans.

If you have specific questions regarding standardized testing this spring, please contact Phil Lazzaro at plazzaro@harveyschool.org.

Yes, our dedicated faculty will provide a continuation of learning through the use of technology so that all students can complete all requirements for their degree and grade-level work.

We will be celebrating both our 8th Grade class as they "move up" to high school, and our graduating Class of 2020. We have planned two very special car parade ceremonies for both classes during the first week in June.

We are here to answer any questions or concerns our current families may have. For questions about:

• Enrollment for the 2020-21 school year, Upper School admissions, or financial assistance, please contact Bill Porter at wporter@harveyschool.org.
• Middle School admissions, please contact Stephanie McCaine at smccaine@harveyschool.org.
• Appointments or issues with technology, please contact Lori Fowler at lfowler@harveyschool.org. 
• For any of our Spanish speaking families, Jess Vicente is available regarding any of these communications and can be reached at jvicente@harveyschool.org.
• A Live Chat feature can also be found on our website to begin a conversation with a member of our Admissions team at almost any time during the day.
   

Our Admissions Office remains open remotely and is fully operational. Our admissions team is eager to speak with current and prospective families. We continue to answer inquiries for the 2020-21 school year for all grades. We are also continuing to accept applications and gather the supporting documents for students interested in entering Harvey in September 2020 as we refine our options for visits, tours, and interviews. The best way to contact our Admissions team is through email at admissions@harveyschool.org.

Visit the Admissions page for the most up to date information on our operations.

Take a Virtual Campus Tour or register to attend a Virtual Admissions event on our Visit page.

• Letter from Head of School - 1/28/2020
• Letter from Head of School - 2/28/2020
• Letter from Head of School - 3/9/2020
• Letter from Head of School - 3/13/2020
• Letter from Head of School - 3/20/2020
• Distance Learning @ eHarvey

Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause either mild illness, such as a cold, or can make people sick with pneumonia.

A novel coronavirus is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. Recently, a novel (new) coronavirus called COVID-19 was detected in thousands of people worldwide and in the U.S., and it is expected that more cases of COVID-19 will be identified in the future.

NY Governor Cuomo's 10-point "NYS on PAUSE" plan is as follows:

• Effective at 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, all non-essential businesses statewide will be closed;
• Non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed at this time;
• Any concentration of individuals outside their home must be limited to workers providing essential services and social distancing should be practiced;
• When in public individuals must practice social distancing of at least six feet from others;
• Businesses and entities that provide other essential services must implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet;
• Individuals should limit outdoor recreational activities to non-contact and avoid activities where they come in close contact with other people;
• Individuals should limit use of public transportation to when absolutely necessary and should limit potential exposure by spacing out at least six feet from other riders;
• Sick individuals should not leave their home unless to receive medical care and only after a telehealth visit to determine if leaving the home is in the best interest of their health;
• Young people should also practice social distancing and avoid contact with vulnerable populations; and
• Use precautionary sanitizer practices such as using isopropyl alcohol wipes.

Visit the State of New York webpage for more information on the coronavirus.

Connecticut Governor Lamont's  “Stay Safe, Stay Home” initiative recommends that state residents do the following:

• Effective at 8 p.m. on Monday, March 23, all non-essential businesses statewide should close;
• Non-essential public community gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason should be canceled (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed at this time;
• If you must leave your home, do not travel in groups -groups must be limited to workers providing essential services;
• Everyone should keep at least six feet away from each other whenever possible;
• Businesses and entities that provide other essential services should implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet;
• Individuals should limit outdoor recreational activities to non-contact and avoid activities where they come in close contact with other people;
• Individuals should limit use of public transportation to when absolutely necessary and should limit potential exposure by spacing out at least six feet from other riders;
• Sick individuals should not leave their home except to fill critical needs or to receive medical care, and only after a telehealth visit to determine if leaving the home is in the best interest of their health;
• Young people should also practice social distancing and avoid contact with vulnerable populations; and
• Use precautionary sanitizer practices such as using soap and water, hand sanitizer, or isopropyl alcohol wipes. Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds works best.

Visit Connecticut State Government webpage for more information on coronavirus.