Planning for the Weeks Ahead

October 18th 2024

Dear Out-of-Door Families,

Having students back at school this week was a wonderful treat following a challenging couple of weeks. We hope you and your family are doing well as we all make strides to return to the cadence of life before the storms.

In the spirit of transparency and to enable families to successfully plan for the weeks ahead, I want to provide some parameters to guide your expectations as we work tirelessly to ensure a safe and efficient return to Siesta Key.

At this time, we are not yet able to predict an accurate date to bring students back to the Siesta Key Campus. Factors like vendor availability and procurement of materials play a significant role in how quickly we can move forward. Our team of vendors–in collaboration with our facilities team–is working diligently, but these uncertainties make it difficult to provide a precise timeline. However, we are optimistic that we will be able to share a more specific timeframe for re-entry before the start of Thanksgiving Break. Please note that we cannot commit to having students return to Siesta Key at that time. Rather, I will be able to provide a more accurate and informed perspective on the remaining length of time that Siesta Key students will spend learning at the Uihlein and Clark Road Campuses.

Again, please plan to stay the course with our current learning plan and campus locations through Thanksgiving break, at a minimum.

To our Lower School Families: I understand that this information may create disappointment for many families. With the busy lives we lead and the hardships that many among us continue to face in the wake of the recent storms, further disruptions to your family’s rhythm and your child’s academic routine are frustrating. I hear you. And I, along with our entire leadership team, make the following commitments to you and your child during this unprecedented time to make the prolonged transition as seamless as possible:

Passionate, purposeful, and prepared educators. Our educators are ready to tackle the remainder of our interim learning schedule with the same devotion that you have come to expect from Out-of-Door. Educators from all divisions, disciplines, and facets of our organization have already invested significant time and attention to supporting Lower School classroom teachers and enriching the experience of our Siesta Key students and their peers while they are extended-stay guests on our other campuses.
Continuous improvement of the classroom environment and the supporting logistics. We learn more about how to deliver a best-in-class experience in our new learning environment with each passing day. We commit to an unwavering pursuit of growth and constant improvement.
Transparency regarding progress on the key milestones necessary to bringing students back to Siesta Key. Our focus remains on ensuring that every step forward prioritizes the safety of our students, while maintaining academic continuity and fostering their growth. We understand the importance of clear communication during this time, and we will continue to provide updates to support your planning and peace of mind.

In return, Out-of-Door is asking for one thing from you: Trust. We are grateful for the confidence, support, and encouragement you have given over the past few weeks. Please continue to place your trust in us and this process as it continues to evolve. Our decisions are made and timeline developed with care and love for your children and a commitment to their future success at the forefront of our minds. We remain committed to doing what is safe and smart for them and for your family, just as we have always done.

We understand that questions will continue to arise as you evaluate the impact of this information on your own family. This is a disruption none of us could have predicted. As questions emerge, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I am committed to being a resource for clarity, guidance, and support as we all grapple to become comfortable with these temporary circumstances.

We will continue to communicate progress each Friday and keep the FAQ updated as new information becomes available. Thank you again for your patience and partnership. For a full list of the weekly progress at Siesta Key, please visit the Restoration Efforts segment of our FAQ.

Sincerely,
Dr. Deb Otey
Head of School

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