All staff and students will be screened daily for COVID-19 symptoms or exposure. The health screening checklist will be provided to families in advance of school reopening. It must be completed and submitted every day by parents as they enter the early learning center. For students arriving by bus, the checklist must be in his or her backpack. Students who answer any screening questions in the affirmative should not report to school and should contact the school nurse. Learn more in Section 2 of the plan.
ELC Reopening Plan
(Plan Updated: July 2021)
On this page you will find our reopening plan for Bronx Early Learning Center (BELC). This plan is required by the New York State Education Department.
The plan represents our current thinking based on the most up-to-date guidance from city, state, and federal agencies regarding the safe reopening of schools. Our leadership team continues to develop and update the plan in a way that addresses the educational and developmental needs of our students, while protecting the health and well-being of families and staff.
The goal of the plan is to guide the delivery of high-quality educational services as safely as possible, through a blended combination of remote and in-person services. The social and emotional needs of our students, families and staff members remain a top priority. By working together and focusing on the outcomes we seek to achieve, we will find collaborative solutions to the challenges ahead.
I hope that each of you will take time to review the full reopening plan in detail and provide us with feedback as we finalize our plans. Regardless of how we open in the fall, we look forward to continuing our engagement with students and families.
Sincerely,
Linda Rosenthal
Director of Early Childhood Educational Services
VOA–Greater New York
WHAT DOES SCHOOL LOOK LIKE AT THE BELC?
VOA-Greater New York continues to provide in-person and remote learning services to students at the Bronx Early Learning Center in their primary language. A blended learning model—with both in-person and remote instruction—or 100% remote instruction are available. The blended format is designed to provide greater opportunity to physically distance students and staff during instruction and transportation. Read Section 7: School Schedules in the full plan below to learn more about the blended learning model, updated July 2021 for the summer session.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Will there be a screening process for students and teachers?
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Does my child need to wear a mask at school?
Students are encouraged to arrive at the early learning center wearing pediatric masks, however there may be instances in which a student’s respiratory status or social emotional well-being is impacted by being “forced” to wear a pediatric mask. Staff will work with the students through modeling and learning activities to encourage students to wear masks. The school nurse will have a supply of disposable pediatric masks available as a backup. Learn more in Section 2 of the full plan.
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What happens if a student or teacher tests positive for COVID-19?
If a student or teacher tests positive for COVID-19, the individual must stay home and notify the school immediately. School administration will determine whether the individual was on the premises during the time frame that started two days prior to symptom onset (or testing positive). If so, the areas visited by that individual will be closed off immediately and disinfected. The bus company will also be notified, as well as families of other students in that individual’s classroom (without naming the individual). If two or more individuals within the ELC test positive for COVID-19, all families will be notified, the ELC will be closed for 14 days, and all students will revert to 100% remote learning for 14 days. Learn more in Section 2 of the plan.
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How will the BELC be cleaned and sanitized?
The BELC will be disinfected on a daily basis, using the cleaning protocols recommended by the CDC and New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and cleaning products recommended by the CDC and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Staff will complete a daily checklist confirming that these protocols have been completed. This checklist will include disinfecting of high-touch areas within the buildings. Learn more in Sections 2 & 3 of the full plan.
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Can my child still take the bus to school?
Transportation for preschool students with disabilities enrolled in 4410 programs is provided by the NYC Department of Education (DOE). Transportation routes for students will be determined by the bus company, which is under contract with the DOE Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT). Learn more in Section 5 of the plan.
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How can I expect to receive updates and other important information?
Families will receive weekly email newsletters from the Education Director (also sent via mail). As well, teachers will provide weekly phone calls. For students who attend in-person, daily/weekly communication will also be shared via the student’s communication notebook. All written and verbal communications will be available in English and Spanish. ASL is also available.
We encourage you to review our Guide to the Reopening Plan, which will walk you through the available information and where to find it in the plan.