May 1 Message to the Community

Governor Ron DeSantis’s decision to put Florida into Phase One of the planned three-phase re-opening effort starting Monday, May 4 effectively takes away any chance Berkeley Preparatory School had of returning to campus for classes. The earliest we could have done so based on previous CDC guidance would have been May 18, and that is unlikely, given the governor’s measured approach to re-opening this area of the state. As such, Berkeley will continue with our distance learning program for the remainder of the academic year (now May 22 for all three divisions – save seniors, who will finish earlier).

‘Berkeley Remote’ is going very well. We’ve worked extraordinarily hard, collected copious feedback, made adjustments and improvements, and are continually innovating in order to provide an outstanding learning experience for our students. At this point, carrying this modality through to the end is both viable and prudent, and so we will move forward, together, dispersed.

We are hopeful that the governor’s evaluation of our region’s progression through the month of May will be such that after Memorial Day we may be able to offer students the option of returning to campus to gather items and say goodbye (for now). More on that later in May (and more on plans for our Baccalaureate service and Commencement mid-month as well). I remain grateful for your patience and trust as we continue to deliberately consider all factors when making decisions in these unprecedented times. Stay well, and Go Bucs.

Joseph W. Seivold
Headmaster