Reopening Plan 2020/2021

Dear Parent/Guardian,

SAIL at Ferncliff Manor has been actively planning and preparing for the start of the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. Given the fact that the 2019-2020 school year ended so abruptly under extremely difficult conditions the work we have done to reopen school safely and effectively has been extremely challenging to say the very least. Over the past few months we have reviewed, discussed and evaluated several different scenarios for our reopening. However, we soon realized that there is no one specific option that can address all of the operational and instructional challenges that we will face.

Clearly we will start the 2020-2021 school year in a very different and unique way with many new health and safety protocols, including social distancing and more. I fully understand the sudden closure of our school this past March and the on-going uncertainty about our upcoming school year has caused a significant disruption in your lives. I want to assure you any options we have considered will provide for both academic success and help to ensure the safety of our students and staff at SAIL.

What I am providing you with is simply an initial guide. We will continue to enhance, adjust and improve these recommendations as the school year progresses and as we receive further directives from the New York State Education Department, the Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control. I realize that you may have questions and concerns as you review these options. Please be assured we will address any concerns or questions over the next few weeks as we await further direction from Governor Cuomo’s office.

I have included an overview of the safety protocols that will be implemented when our students return to school for in-person instruction. Also there are several instructional models that we have identified and will have available for our students. Our primary goal is to ensure the best possible educational opportunities for all of our students no matter what the circumstances, in the safest environment possible.

I thank you for your understanding and continued support. Please stay safe.

Sincerely,
Paul M. Siragusa, Principal