Bullis Delays First Day Of School After 2 Employees Get COVID-19

POTOMAC, MD — Bullis School in Potomac has pushed back the first day of school by a week after two employees tested positive for COVID-19.

The fall semester will now start on Tuesday, Sept. 8. That was originally when school was supposed to start, but Head of School Christian Sullivan bumped it up a week to maximize instructional time.

"I have pledged to the community that we will open when all our preparations and protocols for health and safety are in place," Sullivan wrote in a message on the school's website. "When I brought the opening of school forward to September 1, it was with the intention of maximizing instructional time. Nevertheless, it is only possible to do this if we are fully ready. Having lost a week of preparation, I know that the campus and the teachers will be more ready if the first day returns to the original date of September 8. A cautious beginning to the start of school is essential."

The announcement comes nearly two weeks after Bullis informed families that two employees had been infected.

Both employees — who work in different departments and had no contact with each other — are doing well, according to Sullivan.

Bullis will be offering a mix of online and in-person classes for the fall semester. Students will be divided into groups and rotate which days they will attend class on campus.