COVID Protocols

Please note that the campus protocols listed below assume that a student has been vaccinated. Vaccine-exempted students may need to follow different protocols than those listed below.

The protocols listed below could change depending on health conditions at Taft and the surrounding communities, based on the advice of medical experts, and the needs and functions of the school.

Campus Protocols

Is remote learning being offered?

Do students need to wear masks?

Will there be capacity limits or physical distancing guidelines this year?

How are classrooms functioning this year?

How is the dining hall functioning?

What about the afternoon program?

We anticipate a full slate of afternoon activities this year. Outdoor athletics have minimal risk and may function as normal. Indoor spaces will require masks in all circumstances. Weight Room and other indoor facilities will have limits on how many students may be in the space at a given time. Community service will be dependent on where the service is done and what the stipulations are in that location.

Are there interscholastic athletics?

Yes!

The Founders League heads of school have committed to full interscholastic athletic seasons, and we are really excited that Tafties at all levels will compete this year. By league agreement, all students, coaches and trainers must be vaccinated. If an individual is not vaccinated due to an exemption, they must wear a mask and have a negative PCR test within 48 hours of any contest. Mask wearing will not be mandated for athletes competing outdoors.

Are students allowed to walk to town?

Are students allowed to leave campus for an overnight?

Students are allowed to leave campus for overnights under normal sign out procedures through the dean's office with their parents, immediate family members, or other Taft parents. Students will be allowed to visit the home of another Taft student if Taft students are the only guests. Under some circumstances, a PCR test will be necessary upon return. When traveling on public transportation and in public spaces (restaurants, for example), students are asked to take every precaution to limit their potential exposure and keep our community safe.

Will students be allowed to participate in sports and other activities outside of Taft?

Will students be allowed to visit colleges?

What are the expectations when leaving campus?

We want students to be able to have important experiences off campus that are central to their growth and development. We also want to limit the potential for disease to arrive on campus as a result of a student being off campus and then returning to campus. Each member of the Taft community has a responsibility to fellow community members to act and function in ways that limit the potential of infection. When a student is off campus, they should engage in behaviors that will help limit the potential for infection. Students should follow local and state guidelines on mask wearing (especially indoors, on public transportation, and in crowded settings), physically distancing as appropriate, and hand washing regularly. Taft may require a PCR test to return to campus, particularly after an extended absence.

Can parents and others visit campus?

As of January 19, fully vaccinated Taft parents and guardians may attend athletic competitions at Taft. Read the latest spectator policy here.

We will be unable to reasonably monitor the vaccination status of visitors. As a result, visitors will need to adhere to stated Taft COVID safety guidelines. Indoors, visitors (including parents) will need to wear masks. Admissions Tour Visitors and Guides will wear masks at all times.

What about all school assemblies and Morning Meetings in Bingham? Sit down dinner?

How will close contact tracing and quarantining work?

The CDC has updated guidance on what constitutes a close contact for students, and these guidelines are different than last academic year. Under the new guidelines, a close contact is someone who has been within 3 feet of an infected individual for more than 15 minutes, but vaccinated community members will not be required to quarantine and instead asked to monitor symptoms—and can go about their normal daily life.

Does Taft still have a 48 hour guardian requirement?

COVID-19 Testing Dashboard

Communications Archive

The following is an archive of recent communications emailed to all community members.

2/16/22 — Anticipated Changes to Mask Policy
2/3/22 — Winter Long Weekend Reminders
1/18/22 — Winter Sports Spectator Policy
1/18/22 — Winter Family Weekend Announcement
1/13/22 — Important Weekend Information
1/11/22 — Booster Availability & 48 Hour Guardian Resources
1/8/22 — COVID Testing Strategy
1/7/22 — Start of the Winter Term
1/2/22—Important Return to Campus Information
12/29/21—Pre-Arrival Testing and Other Important Return to Campus Information
12/16/21 — January Pre-Arrival Testing Protocol
11/19/21 — Positive Case Notification
11/8/21 — Change to COVID Testing Protocol
10/14/21 — Update to COVID Testing Protocol
10/7/21 — COVID Testing Update
9/20/21 — Taft Vacation Return Policy
9/10/21 — Taft in 10 Newsletter
8/31/21 — Campus Arrival Reminders
8/30/21 — Pre-arrival PCR Testing Options
8/12/21—Important Opening of School Information
8/2/21—Return to Campus Requirements and Protocols
7/22/21—Taft Arrival and Orientation Information