Sixth Formers:
Sixth formers may be granted one campus leave during the Spring Term for college visits which must be approved by Mrs. Deitrich (edeitrich@thehill.org) and the Deans’ Office (deans’office@thehill.org) and will only be granted if critical to the decision-making process. Sixth formers alternatively may request to delay their in-person return for the Spring Term until March 21 to visit colleges but still must have permission from Mrs. Deitrich and the Deans’ Office; this delayed return will count as their one permitted campus leave. Sixth formers may not request scheduled leaves or delayed returns for any other purpose.
Underformers (Third, Fourth, and Fifth Forms):
Underformers may request up to two campus leaves during the Spring Term for a critical academic, arts, or outside sports activity. Underformers applying for leaves should contact the Deans’ Office (deans’office@thehill.org); for arts or outside sports leaves, students must have permission from Mr. Eilberg (seilberg@thehill.org). Underform students may request to delay their in-person return for the Spring Term until March 21 as one of their two leaves for the same limited reasons, but must have permission from the Deans’ Office and Mr. Eilberg, if applicable.
Departing for Leaves:
To minimize campus disruption, all scheduled leaves must begin on a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and all leave returns are on Thursdays or Sundays. Students may not return from leave on any other days of the week, even if their home quarantine is completed sooner.
Returning from Leaves:
After completing the permitted leave activity/event, students must transition back to campus as follows:
- Returning by car: 10-day home quarantine with re-entry testing protocol followed by a three-day modified quiet period on campus.
- Returning by air or other mass transit: 5-day home quarantine with re-entry testing protocol followed by a 6-day on-campus quarantine (subject to PCR test results) in McCune Lodge or Guest House and a three-day modified quiet period in the dormitory.
- Day students: 10-day home quarantine with re-entry testing protocol followed by three days of limited co-curriculars and other campus interactions.
- Quarantining before returning: During the 10-day quarantine before returning from a leave, please understand that we expect you to stay at home, avoid all contact with anybody outside your immediate household no matter how limited, resume daily WAVE checks, report any illness or symptoms to the Wellness Center immediately, and use masks and physical distancing indoors with household members who must leave home for work, school, or otherwise. You may not attend any gatherings or events, fitness or athletics facilities, or compete in any club sports practices or competitions during this time. Quarantine violations will result in a delayed return and a disciplinary response.
Leave Maximum Durations, End Dates, and Expectations:
- Maximum Duration: Campus leaves may not be longer than 20 days including the 10-day quarantine period (regardless of whether quarantine is on- or off-campus).
- Campus Leave End Date: No leave requests will be granted for any student which would result in a return after Sunday, May 8. We believe it is essential to our community that all in-person students complete the last month of School together.
- Synchronous Classroom Participation: While on leave, students must attend classes remotely and synchronously unless a special exception is made by the Dean of Students.
Emergency or Family Event Leaves:
Sixth formers and underformers may request a leave for a true emergency or an important family event. More routine family events such as birthdays, extended family member weddings, or anniversaries are not eligible for leaves. These leaves and corresponding return plans will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Deans’ Office. They will likely be subject to the aforementioned return transition timelines/policies and count as one of the permitted leaves for underformers.
Medical Leaves or Remote Participation Requests for Other Reasons:
All leave requests based on medical or mental health, except those conditions specifically listed by the CDC at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, are subject to Hill’s standard Medical Leave policy and process. Students who are placed on Medical Leave under these circumstances likely will not be permitted to synchronously participate in classes via Zoom and may not participate remotely in co-curricular activities, advisory meetings, or other Hill activities.
