Mountain Times - Volume 49, Number 21 - May 20-26, 2020

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2 • The Mountain Times • May 20-26, 2020 KMS tasks committee with reopening plan School prepares to reopen with out vaccine, with new protocols Staff report Will school reopen in the fall? That is the question on every parent’s mind after two months of homeschooling with about one more to go before the summer break. Tao Smith, Head of School, wrote a letter to Killington Mountain School families May 15 addressing this question. His response provides insight to what many other school communities are likely considering as they make contingency plans for a variety of scenarios. “It is our intent to open our full-term academic program in late August as scheduled,” Smith wrote. “We are also optimistic that a majority of our on-campus summer camps can take place as scheduled. How these events come to pass and with what restrictions will be the job of our recently-formed school re-opening task force, which convened two weeks ago.” Smith, who will be leaving his post at KMS in June to head up Gould Academy in Maine, has been working closely with incoming Head of School Claire Kershko and collaborating with the heads of other major ski academies in the East, participating in weekly and bi-weekly conference calls to share ideas and best practices. KMS is also taking guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Vermont Dept. of Health and the federal government, and closely monitoring health and safety agency guidelines and recommendations. “I want to be clear that there is a tremendous amount that still we do not know about this disease,” Smith cautioned. “Covid-19 impacts the old and infirmed, as well as the young and healthy… We have no known cure, and it will be at least 12-18 months at the earliest before an effective vaccine will be developed and deliverable to the world population. For herd immunity to be effective, 60-70% of the people in the United States will need to be infected or vaccinated, and scientists will need to be certain that carrying antibodies provides a measure of effective immunity. None of these conditions yet exist, and none will be in place by the time KMS reopens. Therefore, it will be of the utmost importance that we develop practices and protocols around the recommendations from the CDC, state and federal agencies, and that our families accept and support the conditions under which students will be allowed to return. We can anticipate living under the cloud of this pandemic for at least two years,” Smith said. Despite those unknowns, KMS is still planning to reopen in the fall, barring state or government mandated closures— but life will be different. “Life at KMS next year will be far different than what any KMS student has previously experienced,” Smith continued. “Changes will impact virtually every aspect of KMS life, including but not limited to arrivals, departures, orientations, academics, athletics, training, travel, residential life, transportation, PPE requirements, classroom and gymnasium density, and myriad other categories.” Meghan Girardi and Claire Kershko are leading the school reopening subcommittee, which is charged with exploring how KMS may effectively reopen and what precautions and procedures will need to be developed before we can welcome faculty and students back to campus in any form. With KMS summer athletic teams competitions beginning as early as June 20, and its camps, which typically start up in late June on campus, the committee plans to present a working draft document on May 31. “KMS will plan as best we can with all of the resources at our disposal, but there are no guarantees when it comes to executing our plan,” Smith said. “The need to remain nimble and able to pivot quickly as new information and situations come to light will be paramount for our school and our faculty... Understanding and embracing this uncertainty will be required of every family returning to camps this summer or school next year.” While the school makes plans to conform with health and safety guidance, protocols and best practices, Smith also knows that families’ comfort levels may vary — and despite new protocols families may be wary. “The fear, unknown and uncertainty are real, and as this event unfolds and will continue to have a deep We can anticipate living under the cloud of this pandemic for at least two years,” Smith said. impact on all of our lives, it is important to remind ourselves of who we are and what we stand for. KMS values and the value of a KMS education have never been more necessary and more important than it is today. Our core values of adversity, responsibility and character are embedded in who we are and what we stand for. They are what makes KMS students stand out, and will help us to navigate the challenges that lie ahead,” he wrote. “In times of crisis, the best of humanity presents itself,” Smith continued. “There are some positive lessons from this spring that we should be mindful of, such as the value of being home with family and reconnecting in ways that modern life does not allow. We have learned more about ‘essential’ workers than we previously knew; the invaluable roles that nurses, grocery clerks, emergency responders, and, yes, teachers play in our lives. Calculating what is truly important and meaningful will take on new clarity and definition in the coming years, and it is our responsibility to carry these lessons forward into a new future and for the next generation of leaders and citizens.”
The Mountain Times • May 20-26, 2020 • 3 Police report non-suspicious fire at Hartland mobile home The Dept. of Public Safety fire and explosion investigation unit investigated a fire at 109 Martinsville Road in Hartland, May 13 just after 8 a.m. The fire was in a double wide mobile home owned by Karen Walker with Amanda Walker as a tenant. The homeowner left the home around 6:20 a.m. that morning, police reported. A neighbor noticed smoke coming from the roof around 8 a.m. and went to investigate. She found the home full of smoke when she entered and could see fire in the kitchen. She exited the home, closed the door, and called 911. When the Hartland fire department arrived, they found fire in the kitchen extending to the remainder of the home. They were able to contain the fire to the kitchen. The kitchen was heavily damaged by fire. The remainder of the home had smoke, heat and water damage. There were no injuries. Hartland Fire Chief Saunders requested assistance from the Dept. of Public Safety fire and explosion investigation unit to determine the area of origin and the fire cause. Investigators from the unit arrived on scene the following morning and determined that the fire started on the kitchen counter in the area of a toaster and coffee maker. The cause will be listed as undetermined. The fire is not suspicious. The home had working smoke alarms and the alarms were sounding when the neighbor entered the home. Safety message The neighbor who noticed the fire and entered the home to see what was happening had the presence of mind to close the door when she left. Closing the door stopped air from getting to the fire, slowing the fire spread allowing time for the fire department to arrive. Closing all doors on your way out of a burning home will significantly slow the fire spread. For more information visit firesafety. vermont.gov. Courtesy of Vermont State Police Fire investigated at camp in Middletown Springs On May 16, at 12:51 p.m., the Middletown Springs Fire Dept. responded to 4000 Saw Mill Hill Road for a report of a structure fire at a remote camp. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a fully involved structure fire in the single-story camp. They noted most of the camp structure had already been consumed by the fire prior to their arrival. They then began an exterior attack on the fire; however, despite their efforts they were unable to save the structure from being completely consumed by the fire. Minor injuries were reported. As part of his scene assessment, Middletown Springs Fire Chief Joe Castle contacted the Vermont Dept. of Public Safety fire and explosion investigation unit for assistance in determining the origin and cause of this fire. Members of the Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit responded to the scene on Monday morning, May 18, and initiated an origin and cause investigation. It was determined the camp was believed to be unoccupied; however, a male identified as Scott Saltis approached the firefighters from the woods behind the camp, claiming to have sustained minor injuries from the fire. Saltis was transported to the Rutland Regional Medical Center and treated for his injuries. Police reported that it was unclear if Mr. Saltis was staying in the camp or nearby in the woods, at the time of the fire. This fire remains under investigation and is considered suspicious. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Det. Sgt. James Wright at the Shaftsbury Barracks at 802-442-5421 or the Vermont Arson Tip Award Program (VATAP) hotline at 1-800-32-ARSON (1-800-322-7766). The VATAP will pay up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Lodging facilities reopen with guidelines, bookings uncertain By Katy Savage As Gov. Phil Scott allows Vermont lodging facilities to reopen, inn operators are preparing for a new normal. Many summer events that draw thousands of tourists have been postponed or cancelled this year and many are anticipating reservations will be down significantly as the guest experience changes drastically. The Woodstock Inn is taking reservations starting June 16 under its own extensive set of protocols to keep employees and guests safe. All guests will be required to have their temperatures checked upon arrival and be asked to complete a health questionnaire. Any guest with a temperature higher than 100 degrees will be asked to leave the property and won’t be able to check in. Employees will also receive daily temperature checks and guests will be asked to wear masks in public spaces. Courtney Lowe, the vice president of marketing and business development at the inn, said staff members have spent two months preparing the guidelines, which he said are based on the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s protocols. There will be no in-room housekeeping at the inn, per the protocols, and restaurants will provide grab-n-go dining options only. Lowe said staff members will be cleaning hightrafficked areas more aggressively and the inn purchased electrostatic sprayers to disinfect Inns open > 5 WARF partners with WCSU to supplement June school lunch As the Covid-19 crisis continues, Woodstock Area Relief Fund (WARF) has received support from many area people and programs that have stepped up to help those in need. WARF has been able to partner with several of them, including the Windsor County Supervisory Union (WSCU). Last week, WSCU asked for help extending the student meals program until the end of June. The program was slated to end in the middle of the month, when the school year ends. This would have left 200 students without breakfast and lunch for two weeks, until summer programs begin on July 1. “In thinking about how the WCSU school district could extend our support of Killington Strong launches basic necessities relief The Killington Strong gofundme has launched its Relief for Basic Necessities. A portion of the funds raised from the relief effort will go to members of the Killington Community who have been strongly affected financially by the Covid-19 pandemic. The group will provide grants to help pay for basic necessities such as utilities, medicines, rent, and food. In order to accommodate the most people, each grant will be limited to $350 per household. The first of the basic children needing healthy meals daily, my first thought was WARF,” said Sherry Sousa, director of instructional support services. “They quickly responded to my need by offering to fully cover the costs of making and delivering meals for 200 students daily. Without WARF’s support, it would not be possible to meet this essential need, so I am extremely grateful. I know that the families and children are even more appreciative of this amazing gift.” WARF’s contribution supplements existing partial funding by USDA to provide breakfast and lunch daily, Monday through Friday, to local students who qualify for free and reduced lunches. The lunches will be prepared and delivered by WCSU Nutrition Program staff. necessities relief funds has been disbursed to the Killington Elementary School Sunny Day Fund. “We are delighted to have been able to provide the KES Sunny Day Fund with $5,000,” said Bonnie Robins, one of the organizers of the effort. “These funds will be distributed to certain school families to help them get through these times.” To apply for the relief funds residents can email KillingtonFund@ gmail.com or write to Killington Fund For Covid-19 Relief, PO Box 734, Killington, VT 05751 to request an application for a grant. In the words of gofundme organizer Pamela Martin, “‘Tears and fears and feeling proud to say I love you right out loud’ (Judy Collins)...I feel immense pride in this community. I love you Killington, right out loud. Here I am never alone. Never.” The group hopes to raise another $10,000 to continue the food distributions as well as assistance for the basic necessities. For more information visit gofundme. com/f/killington-strong.
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Mountain Times - Volume 49, Number 21 - May 20-26, 2020

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