Dear friend,
I hope this note finds you healthy, safe, and well. These last few months have been challenging on many levels, and I want to thank you for your patience and commitment to training. We look forward to welcoming you to NBSS this fall, where adaptability, problem-solving, and creativity are a natural part of our diverse institution.
Today, I write to share our plan for instruction for the year ahead. Drafted with guidance from public health experts, industry professionals, and our own COVID-19 Response Team, we feel confident in our ability to provide a safe, healthy, and productive learning environment for everyone at NBSS, provided we all work together. We continue to proceed with great caution, and will watch closely the trends of COVID-19 in Boston and the surrounding communities. Of course, we’ll adapt our planning and response as necessary throughout the year based on the demands of the situation. With this in mind, we are grateful to be able to maintain the highest quality training for our students.
As part of the reopening plan, we have established two separate, nine-month (ten-month for VM) academic calendars for next year depending on your program. This allows returning students to make-up time from the Spring 2020 semester, helps de-densify our program spaces in light of the ongoing pandemic, and makes for the best use of your financial aid and veterans benefits. View a graphic of the academic calendar outlined below here.
September - October 2020
- BB, JM, LK, VM: New students begin regular training in these programs.
- All programs: Returning & graduating students begin special Fall Intensive to make up lost time from the Spring 2020 semester.
November 2020 - February 2021
- CA, CF, PT, PA, PC: New students begin training in these programs.
- BB, JM, LK, VM: Academic year proceeds as usual.
February 2021 - May 2021
- CF, JM, LK, VM: New students begin training as part of the regular February start date.
- All programs: Regular spring semester proceeds as usual.
June 2021 - July 2021
- CA, CF, PT, PA, PC: Spring semester continues with training in these programs for the students who began in November.
- VM completes at the end of June as usual.
September 2021
- All programs: Regular academic year proceeds as usual.
I am confident we have found a deliberate, safe way to reopen the building while maintaining the highest level of instruction for our students. To ensure the health of our community, all persons entering the building should be prepared for daily health assessments, mandatory face masks, increased cleaning, and other interventions. As part of our training model, we will balance in-person instruction with remote learning opportunities that support students’ progress in their crafts.
I know this may not address all of the questions you may have—about training in your program, financial aid or veterans benefits, health and safety, housing, and more. Know that detailed information on these topics will be provided in the weeks to come. You will also be contacted directly about what to expect this fall. In the meantime, please view our Reopening NBSS webpage here. Please reach out to me by text or by calling my mobile at 617-513-5848. You are also welcome to email us at admissions@nbss.edu.
I look forward to welcoming you to the School this fall, and to helping make the most of your training throughout your time at NBSS.
Sincerely,
Rob O’Dwyer, Director of Admissions