As always, our school mission and current strategic vision remain front and center, a driving force in shaping Epiphany’s response to the pandemic. While this period is undoubtedly challenging, it also presents unique opportunities to respond with different learning modalities and approaches that support and advance our larger vision.
Mission
The Epiphany School of Global Studies, anchored in the Judeo-Christian commandment to Love God and Your Neighbor as Yourself, is a comprehensive college-preparatory and globally-focused school where dynamic and innovative learning is stretched beyond the classroom walls, emphasizing the knowledge, skills, creativity, adaptability, curiosity, and international experiences students will need to flourish in an increasingly globalized 21st century.
Strategic Vision
Epiphany is committed to pioneering a unique and successful program of global studies. The Board of Trustees, Head of School and other key administrators have designed a first-in-kind, fully comprehensive program of global studies that provides students with the knowledge and experiences to make them uniquely qualified to succeed in the future.
Scenario Planning: Determining the Way Forward
Throughout the pandemic, The Epiphany School of Global Studies has followed the guidance of the state and public health authorities. Despite the current unknowns about the fall, it is necessary to begin scenario planning for 2020-2021.
As they are released, future guidance from relevant authorities will be used to help make ongoing operational decisions.
We desire to get students back on campus as quickly as it is safe to do so.
Key Understandings
In planning for the next school year, we are operating under the following assumptions:
We are beginning with what we can control in the spring and early summer. Working groups were created on May 4 to review:
These groups rely on guidelines from governmental and health bodies as well as business and medical experts within our community.
When we operationalize re-opening in the fall, we will organize around the following framework to keep our community healthy.
Prevention
Detection
Response
Using guidance from trusted health authorities, this group will determine the best policy and operational approaches to keep our community healthy during the COVID-19 outbreak. Areas to explore could include:
This group will review governmental and health guidelines to develop clear and reasonable operational guidelines and protocols for facilities use. Areas to explore could include:
Campus Use
Cleaning/Health
Social Distancing Physical Adaptations
Social Distancing Human Adaptations
Like most businesses, the school has experienced a number of unanticipated financial impacts resulting from Covid-19, especially as it relates to a sharp drop in ancillary (non-tuition) income that directly supports the academic program and general operational expenses.
We anticipate additional costs this summer as we prepare the campus for social distancing and as our faculty works hard to build out our Digital Core.
As we evaluate our budgeting for the end of this year and into next year, we have seen all operational savings consumed by the unanticipated costs of the crisis. As a result, we have had to dip into our operational reserves to cover this difference.
However, considering cost savings realized by canceling planned grade-level overnight trips and retreats, the school has begun to evaluate what grades would be provided a credit on unused funds. In addition, families will be refunded all fees for planned overnight trips, even in cases where the school could not get back deposits for travel or lodging.
As we begin to process billing for the next school year we will take into consideration removing comprehensive fees that potentially would not be used due to the pandemic.
We recognize the stay-at-home order and subsequent economic shutdown has impacted the finances of many families. The Epiphany School of Global Studies wishes to be as responsive and flexible as possible during this uncertain time.
Families wishing to discuss the need for a more flexible payment plan or potential emergency tuition assistance should reach out to our Director of Finance, Tara Hughes.