School Reopening Plan - Green Chimneys

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December 21, 2020

Green Chimneys School Reopening Plan & Protocol

Green Chimneys’ Administrative Team has reviewed and updated all procedures to align with New York State Education Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools. During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, this document serves to provide all schools, as well as their employees, contractors, students, and parents/legal guardians of students with precautions to help protect against the spread of COVID-19.

We believe that in-person instruction is the best option for learning and receiving related support services; however, we understand the individual needs and challenges of families and youth.

For both our day and residential student families, the decision to return to campus is one that may provoke anxiety. We believe that in order maximize the benefits from our enriched environment and array of services, supports, academics and other programming, in-person learning is vital.

For our residential students, we have developed practices and protocols to maximize the health, safety and well-being of the children who stay in our dormitories so that they may continue to benefit from our therapeutic milieu.

We will provide a remote learning option for those families/children who cannot participate in in-person schooling. Families in need of assistance with access or a device, should reach out to the child’s team immediately.

All related services will continue to be available in person or virtually as needed.

Please note that the School Reopening Plan is subject to change. Updates and policy changes will be communicated by way of the notification applications and online tools indicated in the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of the plan.

Cow

Blossom is a 1-year-old Holstein cow, and she was born a freemartin. A freemartin calf is a common result of twin calves; the female twin absorbs genetic material from a male twin in utero, and after birth develops male traits and subsequently becomes sterile. Since Blossom can’t produce milk, the dairy farm where she was born asked Green Chimneys if we’d like to have her, and of course, we agreed! Blossom came to us around the same time as another calf named Alfie, and the two have grown up together while being cared for by staff and students alike.