Dear Students:
As Director of Facilities, it’s my job to make sure the building operations run smoothly, both on a daily basis and in the event of an emergency. This is especially important as we reopened the School for in-person instruction last month. I am pleased to report that we have had no incidences of Covid-19 positivity within our community to date—but this doesn’t mean we should rest easy. It’s only through our shared focus and dedication that we will see this through.
With direction from public health officials, the Commonwealth, and others, our NBSS COVID-19 Response Team has worked hard to develop protocols that allowed us to reopen the building for training in full-time programs, while keeping everyone safe and healthy. The main points of the plan revolve around a few simple actions:
- Physical distancing
- Personal care (mask wearing, handwashing)
- Disinfecting spaces
- Self-quarantine, Testing, and Travel
- Sharing information
It's worth noting that new students are required to be tested for Covid-19 within a week prior to arriving at NBSS on Monday, November 2. Please reserve your test in advance so that it can be administered between Monday, October 26 and Saturday, October 31. Once you receive your results, please forward them to info@nbss.edu or leave a copy with the front desk.
In addition, though we understand it may be difficult, we strongly discourage non-essential travel, especially to areas of high risk for infection. If you must travel, please wear your mask and remain physically distant from others at all times, wash your hands often, and observe other precautions. All travelers must follow the Commonwealth's requirements for travel, including self-quarantine and testing, as appropriate.
Our full Reopening Plan can be found at nbss.edu/covid19. Separate from this document, we have contingency plans in place when someone becomes sick, needs to quarantine, has to work remotely, etc. We will flex and adapt as needed, as the things related to Covid-19 change in the world, in Boston, and in our community.
This is a lot of information to absorb, and I ask you to send any questions about these School-wide protocols to info@nbss.edu. New students will also receive information shortly about daily screenings, health resources, program-specific interventions, and so on. Stay tuned.
I cannot stress this enough: this plan only works if we all do our part. If my time at NBSS has taught me anything, it’s that we have good people here, those with the strength of character and determination to see themselves, and their community, through challenges. Staying focused and vigilant, while learning to work and move in all new ways is not going to be easy, but I know we’re up for it.
I look forward to working with you, and to a safe, healthy, and productive year ahead at NBSS.
Best,
Ralph Henry
Director of Facilities