November 9, 2020

Dear Thornton Academy Families:

This letter is to inform you that we learned this morning of three separate cases of Coronavirus
Disease 2019 (COVID-19) within the Thornton Academy community. According to Maine’s COVID
Standard Operating Procedure, three or more cases of COVID-19 within a 14-day period that are
epidemiologically linked are considered an outbreak. Out of an abundance of caution, starting
tomorrow (Tuesday, November 10th) Thornton Academy will effectively move to a fully remote
learning model until Monday, November 30th. This designation will also prohibit all athletics and in-
person after school activities for the duration of the closure.

Our nursing staff are working closely with the CDC and have begun a preliminary investigation.
Safety protocols have been initiated and all known individuals identified as close contacts have been
notified. Should additional positive cases emerge, the Maine CDC or a school representative will
contact you directly to notify you that your student has been identified as a close contact.

HEALTH & SAFETY INFORMATION

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that ranges from mild to severe. It can be more severe in adults 60
years and older and in those with underlying conditions. The virus mainly spreads when an infected
person coughs or sneezes and an uninfected person breathes in the virus. Signs and symptoms
include:

• fever or chills • new loss of taste or smell

• cough • sore throat
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • congestion or runny nose
• fatigue • nausea or vomiting
• muscle or body aches • diarrhea
• headache

Please keep in mind that many things can cause respiratory illness, so you should be up-to-date on
influenza and routine vaccinations. Upon return to school and as a reminder for all staff and students
please complete the CDC Pre-Screening checklist prior to school each day.

Maine CDC recommends certain measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These include proper
handwashing with soap and warm water, which is especially important after using the bathroom, before
eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. When soap and water is not available, use an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
with unwashed hands and avoid close contact with people who are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze into a
tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using
a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Preparing students for a changing world since 1811

438 Main Street, Saco, Maine 04072 | 207.282.3361 | thorntonacademy.org
MOVING TO A FULLY REMOTE PLAN
Fortunately, our instructional plans in all scenarios (in-person, hybrid, and fully remote) were designed to
be flexible to accommodate this predicted disruption. All instruction will remain on Google Classroom and
Zoom. It is important to note that students are expected to be present remotely for each scheduled class
meeting, and all current attendance and grading policies remain in place.

Beginning Tuesday, November 10, all classes will move to synchronous instruction as listed in schedule
below. Please also note that Wednesday, November 11th is a holiday and no school is scheduled.

Daily Synchronous Schedule for the Upper School

(Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday)
*Wednesdays will remain asynchronous as they have been all year. Students should expect teachers to post
assignments for them to complete on their own time.

Block 1 9:00-10:08
Block 2 10:13-11:21
Block 3 11:26-12:34
Lunch/Break 12:40-1:25
Block 4 1:31-2:39

Daily Synchronous Schedule for Middle School

(Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday)
*Wednesdays will remain asynchronous as they have been all year. Students should expect teachers to post
assignments for them to complete on their own time.

Block 1 9:00-10:05
Block 2 10:05-11:10
Block 3 11:10-12:15
Lunch/Break 12:15 - 1:15
Trojan Time 1:15-1:35
Block 4 1:35-2:40

Suggestions to Help Students Find Success in a Fully Remote Model

1. While remote, be sure to check in on Google Classroom and call in to Zoom at the regularly
scheduled class times. (Please reference the school calendar here.)
2. Establish a room/space at home that is quiet and without distractions; this will support your ability
to fully engage in the class activities.
3. Be prepared before your class(es) begin, so you are able to log in on time.
4. If you encounter technical difficulties, use helpdesk@thorntonacademy.org and/or reach out to
your teacher if appropriate.
5. Should your student need to retrieve an item that was left on campus, please contact
deborah.lamarre@thorntonacademy.org (Upper School) or debbie.crepeau@thorntonacademy.org
(TAMS).

Preparing students for a changing world since 1811

438 Main Street, Saco, Maine 04072 | 207.282.3361 | thorntonacademy.org
To support the safety and wellbeing of our school community and facilitate a return to campus as soon as
possible, we will ask students to continue to complete the Daily Self Screening Tool, even when learning
entirely remotely. Any experience of COVID-19 symptoms should be reported using the Absent Student
Reporting form for TAMS or the Upper School. You may also continue to use this form to report student
absences for other reasons.

Questions may be directed to our school nurses at health@thorntonacademy.org. You may also read the
most current updates to our school community and find important reminders and resources on our
website. For general COVID-19 questions, dial 211 (or 1-866-811-5695). You can also text your ZIP code to
898-211 or email info@211maine.org. Call a health care provider for questions about your symptoms.
More information can be found at www.maine.gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Sincerely,

Rene M. Menard
Headmaster

Preparing students for a changing world since 1811

438 Main Street, Saco, Maine 04072 | 207.282.3361 | thorntonacademy.org