A Way Forward - Wednesday July 29, 2020
Dear ASMS Community,
We are looking forward to the start of the school year, and I want to express my gratitude to each of you. We could not have made it to this point without every member of our community giving of themselves, remaining flexible, and making tough decisions. Here are some reminders and updates before school starts.
Move-In Procedure
We are currently on schedule to begin move-in next Friday, August 7, with our incoming sophomores. Please be sure to review the move-in schedule and procedures on our website.
Move-In Forms
Before coming to campus, please make sure you have completed the following forms by AUGUST 4:
- Health Screening Questionnaire - Both the student and family members assisting with move-in will need to complete the form.
- Student COVID-19 Procedure Review and Acceptance
- Student Assumption of the Risk and Waiver of Liability Relating to Coronavirus/COVID-19
- Student Quiz: Signs, Symptoms, and School Procedures
All of these forms are available on the COVID-19 page of our website. ASMS will administratively withdraw students who do not fill out these forms on time.
Self-quarantine before Move-In
We ask students and family members assisting with move-in to self-quarantine between now and the time they arrive on campus. We understand this may not be feasible for everyone, but for those who are able, this will reduce potential exposure to the virus.
Testing for Students
The ASMS Leadership Team is in discussion with UAB about offering COVID-19 tests to all students before school starts. As soon as we have more information, we will provide an update. In general, we encourage students and family members assisting with move-in to be tested for COVID-19 before arriving on campus. We also understand this may not be feasible for everyone, but for those who are able, this will help reduce potential exposure as well.
Important! Personally Prepare
More than anything else, we encourage our community members to reflect and individually prepare themselves for what lies ahead. This year will be different in almost every aspect. Students should not expect to return to ASMS and things feel normal. Operations, procedures, programs, and opportunities have been restructured, and some will occur virtually or not at all.
We will need every community member to exhibit an extreme abundance of patience, adaptability, and respect. Despite our planning, there is a strong likelihood that we will transition to remote learning during the first term. Please make sure you and your student are prepared for this. A good reference point is Major League Baseball. This multi-billion dollar sport spent millions on keeping players safe but just suffered a significant setback three games into the season when 17 players and staff members on one team tested positive for COVID-19. Now, the thought of finishing the 60-game season is in jeopardy despite spending millions and instituting many precautions.
Summary
To close on a positive note, we are very excited for our students to return to school in person and virtually. If you have questions about anything described above, please reach out to us at newsletter@asms.net. We are here for you, and together as ASMS Dragons, we will start the school year safe and strong.
Sincerely,
John Hoyle, Ph.D.
President