QUESTIONS: ASKED AND ANSWERED

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is the school considering helping families financially who are impacted by the econimic upheaval?

Duke School Board of Trustees have created the Duke School Cares Emergency Fund (DSC Fund). This fund provides tuition and related fees grant assistance to Duke School families who are experiencing immediate financial hardships that threaten the academic progress of their child(ren). Information is available through the Office of Business and Finance. Please contact Russell Rabinowitz if you have any further questions.



Will Duke School have school on campus in August 2020?

The answer to this question is yes, as long as the governor’s executive orders permit us to do so. At the same time, our current public health crisis demands meaningful changes in our policies and procedures that will likely make the upcoming school year feel quite different.



Access to Duke School campus and buildings:

All buildings are locked and alarmed. Employees will need a key and alarm code to enter the building (and then reset the alarm when you leave). Families needing access to buildings should contact the appropriate division director.



Who should I contact with questions?

  • For questions related to Preschool/Lower School, please contact Nicole Thompson.
  • For questions related to Middle School, please contact Jenny Murray.
  • For questions related to Admissions, please contact Linda Vargas.
  • For questions related to billing, tuition, campus cleaning or any other financial or operations related issues, please contact Russell Rabinowitz.
  • For questions related to fundraising or the capital campaign, please contact Kenneth Chandler.



BACK TO SCHOOL PLANNING

Key Principles in Developing the 2020-21 School Plan

Protecting the health, safety, and well-being of every member of our community is our highest priority. Duke School created a Covid-19 Response Task Force (CRTF) to aggressively seek solutions to dilemmas presented by the global pandemic and to plan for a rich, safe, and continuous learning experience moving forward.

Duke School’s Leadership Team has played a key role in planning processes to date, and the School is grateful for the input and feedback of faculty and staff committees, as well. In developing our plan, Duke School is committed to these key principles:

• Prioritizing the health and safety of our students, employees, and families

• Ensuring the delivery of a robust, comprehensive, and mission-consistent educational program

• Demonstrating fiscal resilience and responsibility

• Promoting equity and underscoring the dignity of every person in all our efforts.



Members of the COVID-19 Response Task Force

  • Craig Spitzer, Chair, CRTF; Trustee
  • Lisa Nagel, Head of School
  • Kathy Bartelmay, Curriculum Director
  • Laurie Braun, Trustee
  • Corey McIntyre, Trustee
  • Russell Rabinowitz, Director of Finance and Operations
  • Bimal Shah, Chair, Board of Trustees



Members of the Duke School Health Advisory Group

  • Ethan Basch, M. D., University of North Carolina School of Medicine
  • Susannah Naggie, M. D., Duke University School of Medicine
  • Michael Cohen-Wolfowitz, M. D., Duke University School of Medicine
  • Bimal Shaw, M. D., Duke University School of Medicine



Guiding Organizations

Duke School will continue follow the governor’s executive orders for the state of North Carolina, as well as the clinical guidance statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for the reopening of schools and public health guidance issued by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

• American Academy of Pediatrics

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• North Carolina State Executive Orders

• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

• Durham County Public Health Department

• INDEX

• National Association of Independent Schools

• Southern Association of Independent Schools

• North Carolina Association of Independent Schools
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