Health, safety and care for the whole school community lie at the heart of our plan to responsibly resume operations for the 2020-21 school year.
We are committed to the ongoing development of a comprehensive plan that is optimally informed and thoughtfully considered. Our planning and decision making has been informed by emerging public health data. While we cannot eliminate risk, we are doing everything in our power to mitigate the risk to the entire Maplebrook community.
It is important to note that this initial plan to reopen for the 2020-21 school year is subject to changes as new information emerges relative to COVID-19 and changes in state and federal guidelines and mandates evolve.
It is important to note that this initial plan to reopen for the 2020-21 school year is subject to changes as new information emerges relative to COVID-19 and changes in state and federal guidelines and mandates evolve.
campus operations: plans, procedures & protocols
RETURN TO CAMPUS
Arrival information
Student drop-off will take place on the main campus visitor parking lot. Appointment times for drop off will be sent by September 1. Upon arrival, please remain in your vehicle until your check in appointment. Please refrain from walking around campus or going into buildings. Students will be directed to get screened by health office personnel at Woodcliff while families check in with the nurse in Thalheimer Hall. After screening, students can begin to bring their belongings to their rooms. Staff will be on hand to help them set up their rooms. It is important to reiterate that parents/guardians will not be permitted in dormitories and we ask for a prompt farewell after drop-off. International Travel Support
Travel Restriction Support Our admissions team is working closely with international students and families to help them navigate the challenges surrounding the student visa process and related travel restrictions. Our hybrid educational model will allow all students the opportunity to start the school year on time, even if their travel to campus is delayed. Should an international student be unable to make it to campus for the start of the school year, they will be able to begin classes online and then transition to in-person study when travel permits. For assistance with visa paperwork and documentation, contact: Director of Admissions Paul Balser at pbalser@maplebrookschool.org. Restricted States
In response to Governor Cuomo’s travel advisory and the mandatory quarantine necessary for all people coming to New York State, we are offering early entrance to those from restricted states and foreign countries so that we can make the required quarantine more comfortable for the students. This will be a non-negotiable offer in order to ensure the safety of the students coming and the staff here working with them. Therefore, if you are from a foreign country or a restricted state as of August 25, your student may return to campus on September 1. Pre-arrival preparations
Preparing to bring back the entire Maplebrook community this fall during the pandemic will require all those returning to campus to take some responsibility for their re-entry process. Our goal is to return to school in good health and be COVID-19-free. The process for all of us will begin in earnest during the two weeks prior to arrival on campus. During this time you will be asked to take simple steps to protect your health prior to returning to school. These steps include:
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HEALTH & SAFETY
The health and safety of our students, and entire community, is of the utmost importance. Our Health Office personnel in conjunction with the ADMINISTRATIVE team has worked in close collaboration with local public health officials to develop extensive health and safety policies, protocols, and procedures.
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COMMUNITY LIFE
Athletics & Recreation
Athletics are an integral part of life at Maplebrook. We are committed to developing an approach which allows our students to continue to develop and to engage in a range of physical activity. We will offer a wide range of activities and opportunities for all of our students to stay active and even cultivate new recreational interests through intramural activities, as well as a wide range of outdoor activities and pursuits. We will look to utilize our extensive campus and expand our opportunities to engage in socially distanced activities such as:* Biking * Swimming * Hiking * Tennis * Cross Country Running * Yoga * Skiing/Snowshoeing community life
Community life will prioritize student and faculty safety while engaging all community members in memorable and positive experiences. Our goals are to foster a close community with faculty modelling safe and healthy behavior for everyone. Primary activities this year will be held on campus grounds whenever possible. For purchasing of essentials and the comforts of home, feel free to send packages to campus with your student's name and the school address. Mail delivery is limited to Howes Hall and all mail and packages will be delivered directly to the dormitories. ACTIVITIES
All weekend off-campus trips will be minimized this fall in order to reduce the risk of viral exposure. These policies will be reviewed on a regular basis, taking into account the prevalence of COVID-19 at Maplebrook, in our surrounding communities, and at the trip destination. We plan to enjoy a multitude of activities using our vast facilities on campus and building upon our service learning projects. Boarding School Life
Dorms are arranged into smaller units by floor or wing. Students will share a bathroom within their unit with appropriate distancing and will engage in dorm socialization with proper physical distancing. Access to dorms and individual rooms will be restricted to students who live in those spaces. We will look to find creative ways to gather communally, yet socially distanced, in our outdoor spaces and larger indoor spaces. Leaving campus
Any boarding student who needs to leave campus during the fall semester must request permission through the Head of School, who will assess the request for both necessity and risk in conjunction with the Health Office. If boarding students return home, they will be subject to quarantine and additional screening. With this in mind, we ask for limited visits home. Dining Services
We are working diligently to ensure that the dining experience at Maplebrook is safe and healthy. We will be flexible and responsive to any changes in guidelines or requirements. Sit-down meals and high quality of food and options will remain. Planning for the reopening of the dining hall includes: * Reduction of dining hall capacity and new traffic flow to account for social distancing. * Menu and serving modifications, including the addition of some disposable materials. * Staggered seating for meals. * Sanitization of dining surfaces between meals. |
ACADEMIC CONSIDERATIONS
In-Person Instruction
All classes will be held in the classroom spaces on the main campus. This will allow for smaller class sizes and for proper physical distancing. Both the Academy and ICCS students will have access to Thalhiemer Hall, Babcock Hall, Hilfiger Hall and the Library. In addition, faculty will be encouraged to make use of outdoor spaces for teaching classes whenever possible to comply with social distancing guidelines. All students will be required to bring their own laptop computer for school use to cut down on communal use of electronic devices. Staff Training
Maplebrook School is providing faculty with professional development and training to ensure that they are well equipped to teach their courses in a hybrid or distance-learning environment. Student schedules will be created to allow for individualization to account for not only learning styles, but to ensure a well rounded education. Faculty/staff are engaged in professional staff training to ensure that they are experts in using the technology necessary for delivering quality programming. This will be reviewed and reinforced throughout the school year. Attending Virtually
Faculty will use their laptops during class to allow for distance-learning students to attend classes via Zoom or Google Meet. All classes that include distance learners will be recorded and posted to the class page as well. Distance learning
Should it be necessary, Maplebrook School will provide a comprehensive distance learning program to maintain consistency and structure while students are home. We look to actively avoid that scenario unless state government dictates otherwise. ICCS Internships
We are working diligently with our community business partners to secure off-campus internships for our postsecondary students. This is a fluid situation and careful planning to ensure the safety of both the students and business owners. Where an internship can be secured safely, the same reentry protocols will be followed upon return to campus. |
SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL WELLNESS
The COVID-19 pandemic is causing an increased amount of stress, fear, and anxiety for many people. To ensure our students are optimally supported throughout the upcoming year, we will be providing additional mental health resources and support, including the addition of A full-time school counselor, enhanced health and wellness education, a social-emotional learning curriculum, and mentoring through the rise program. Maplebrook will continue to provide students with access to onsite mental health care and will coordinate care with outside service PROVIDERS, when necessary.
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frequently asked questions
How will we know when our student is supposed to arrive?
We are allowing international students and students from restricted states to arrive on September 1 in order to follow New York State quarantine rules. We hope to have a final arrival appointment schedule for remaining students completed and families notified by the first week in September.
Will students be permitted to get outdoor daily exercise during the quarantine periods?
Yes, absolutely. Weather permitting, the students will be able to get outside each day to exercise and socialize.
Depending on the changing situation could the winter and spring break quarantine periods be eliminated?
We will continue to work closely with those in public health to determine the safest course of action moving forward and should the COVID climate improve, we would modify our programming and protocols accordingly.
Will there be changes to the school calendar?
We are working on an adjusted school calendar to accommodate travel restrictions and to limit the amount of coming and going from campus. Once we finalize the details surrounding the fall semester vacation periods, we will communicate them with our school community. The October Parents'/Family Weekend will be virtual.
Will there still be 75th anniversary celebrations?
Absolutely! We are prepared to honor the traditions and legacy of Maplebrook School throughout the year both in person and virtually.
how will the community be kept informed?
Administration will continue to communicate with the Maplebrook community weekly. If there is pertinent and immediate information that needs to be communicated, that will be done in a timely fashion. As always, families are welcome to contact us with any questions or concerns.