Campus Safety
What measures will be taken to provide social distancing and cleaning of frequently used touch points?
Linden Hall is committed to social distancing and frequent, thorough cleaning and sanitation. Classroom spaces are arranged with seating at a distance. Sanitation routines at the end of each class period that will allow teachers and students to clean their personal spaces. Only boarding students and appropriate adult staff will be permitted in dormitory spaces. Common areas will be monitored, and students are encouraged to spend time outdoors when weather permits. Housekeeping staff will be active during the day with a routine to address regular cleaning and sanitation of high-traffic and frequently used areas. Each night, our maintenance and housekeeping staff will thoroughly clean the academic buildings.
As a student, will I need to bring my own mask to wear during the school year?
Yes, you will need to wear a mask during the school day and bring your own mask from home. If you forget your mask, we will have some disposable masks available at the Front Desk.
What is the availability of hand sanitizer campus-wide?
Hand sanitizer will be provided in all classrooms and in frequently visited spaces throughout campus. Students will be encouraged to wash their hands throughout the day.
School-age children are inherently social; what steps will be taken to ensure safe social distancing and hygiene?
Desks in classrooms will be arranged at appropriate distances, and adults on campus will help students remember to follow guidelines, especially with masks. We will have in place multiple layers of protection around our students that include cleaning, sanitation, masks, and social distancing.
Will baseline COVID testing be required of all students and LH staff? Will there be periodic testing throughout school year?
No. Because testing only provides a result at a moment in time, we have been advised not to rely on testing as a means for diagnosing the health of our community. Instead, we will use multiple systems for tracking students’ symptoms and health. Parents will be included in student care for our day students; dorm faculty will fill that role for boarding students.
What procedures are in place for visitors to LH? (Ex. parents, colleges, vendors, etc.).
All visitors are required to sign in at the front desk. Upon entering the building, they will be provided masks and will be required to sanitize their hands. Visitor movement through the building will be limited to those who must be on campus to perform a specific task, for example an electrician. All other visitors will be restricted to specified areas and must always remain masked. Whenever possible and appropriate, meetings with people outside the Linden Hall community will be conducted virtually instead of in person on campus.
Academics/ Student Activities/ Community Events
Is Linden Hall opening for the fall semester?
Yes, Linden Hall will open for Orientation on campus on August 17th. To enroll early, please contact Natasha Solomon at nsolomon@lindenhall.org.
Will school sports resume? If so, how can we ensure safety for both home and away events?
We do not yet have a firm answer about how Linden Hall students will participate in fall sports. We encourage students to engage with sports teams even if sports this fall or this year are non-competitive. Coaches are excited to work with students on campus or at a distance on skill development. We may be able to scrimmage internally for some sports if we cannot engage in games with other schools. We are paying close attention to PIAA guidelines.
How will classes be taught this fall?
We will remain flexible in our approach to teaching and learning throughout this crisis. Our primary concern will remain the health and safety of our faculty, staff, and students. After that, we will continue to deliver on the mission of the school. Classes will be in person. Look for additional information later this summer. We are still hard at work on our class schedule and our weekly schedule.
How will Linden Hall handle on- and off-campus events?
As we open campus for classes this fall, we will comply with government regulations and will rely upon the advice of our public health officials and our Penn Medicine LG Health partners to guide us in decision-making, particularly in the realm of large gatherings, domestic and international travel, and interaction with the community beyond the borders of our campus. Currently, the campus at Linden Hall is closed to outside visitors.
We will modify several traditional events at Linden Hall. Look for more information about Orientation Week, the Family Picnic, Convocation, Back-to-School- Night, and Fall Parents’ Weekend soon. As the oldest all-girls’ boarding and day school in the United States, we cherish our traditions and it is difficult to envision activities differently; however, the health and safety of our students and community must come first.
International/Boarding Students
If there is a second COVID-19 wave, what are the school's plans for students who will be on campus?
From our experience this spring, we know our students and other community members can practice safe hygiene and social distancing. We feel that keeping students on campus in a cohort together and isolated from the community will help preserve their health. Remaining on campus will allow students to actively participate in learning with their peers; our dorm and dining faculty will continue to care for them.
Will Linden Hall require students to quarantine for a two-week period upon returning to school for the fall?
Under certain circumstances, Linden Hall will require a 10-day quarantine upon return to campus. Each situation will be reviewed on an individual basis. Quarantine will take place on campus in a separate building.
Important Resources/Contacts
Where is Linden Hall getting its guidance on the coronavirus and where do you suggest I look for more information?
Linden Hall has formed a high-level task force to plan for and manage possible disruptions related to the COVID-19 outbreak, monitor federal and state recommendations, implement guidance, and communicate with our community. The task force meets regularly to synthesize the latest information, consult with experts, analyze risk, and prepare for various scenarios. The health and well-being of our Linden Hall community is our top priority.
Who can I contact at Linden Hall if I am feeling anxious about the coronavirus outbreak and the impact it has had on my school community?
Linden Hall is acutely aware of the anxiety students and parents are feeling about the coronavirus, particularly those from countries experiencing large numbers of cases, those who cannot travel home, and those whose travel plans have been disrupted due to fears of further outbreak. Our counseling and medical staff at Linden Hall continue to make themselves available to students feeling anxious about the coronavirus and will continue to provide support to our students and their families. To talk to the counseling or medical staff at Linden Hall, contact our Health Office at health@lindenhall.org.
Who should I contact about my remaining questions?
- Current parents, students, and employees can access the 2021-2022 School Year Group in Blackbaud for links to information.
- Families engaged in the inquiry or application process, reach out to Ms. Lauren Dennis, Director of Enrollment Management in our Admissions Office at admissions@lindenhall.org.
- For questions related to employment matters, contact Anne Rampulla, Human Resources, at arampulla@lindenhall.org.
- Members of the community outside Linden Hall, contact Debbie Hurd, Director of Advancement, at communications@lindenhall.org.
