A premier independent preschool to eighth grade school in Buffalo, NY.
Elmwood Franklin School
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The 2020-21 School Year

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Elmwood Franklin School will continue to focus on delivering its educational program with the same excellence and forward thinking that has been the hallmark of the school for 125 years.

On-site COVID-19 Testing
In November, Elmwood Franklin School was registered with New York State as a Limited Service Laboratory to administer BinaxNOW Rapid COVID Tests to students and faculty.

To participate in testing, parents/guardians and employees must complete the COVID-19 Testing Consent and Intake Forms.

Student COVID-19 Testing Consent Form
Employee COVID-19 Testing Consent Form
COVID-19 Testing Intake Form

Any person who tests positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate at home and inform all close contacts and household members to quarantine, per the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH). ECDOH contact tracers will contact individuals who have a positive test result or their parent/guardian. This may take time, so please do not wait for contact tracers before starting your isolation or quarantine.

Any person who tests positive will not be permitted to attend in-person learning until completing the required 10-day quarantine.

Additional Resources
Updated Guidance on School COVID-19 Testing in Orange and Red Zone
Erie County Department of Health Isolation Orders
CDC Isolation vs. Quarantine Flyer


Building Reopening Plans

Planning Teams
In April 2020, Elmwood Franklin School established five teams led by school administrators, teachers, trustees, and domain experts from the parent body. The teams are:
  1. Healthy Environment and Routines
  2. Academic and Social-Emotional Readiness
  3. Service Learning
  4. Marketing and Communication
  5. Financial and Long-term Strategic Planning

The teams worked to create and communicate an integrated plan that nimbly responded to emerging conditions to reopen the school as safely and as skillfully as possible. Planning Team Members took into consideration new research, expert guidance, and emerging best practices from around the globe.

Building Reopening Plan (July 30, 2020)
  • Download Plan

​Plan Highlights

Healthy Environment and Routines
Our Healthy Environment and Routines Plan meets all of the guidelines set forth by New York State and the CDC for reopening and operating schools. Our plan focuses on the following ten areas:
  1. Cleaning and Ongoing Building Care
  2. Building Entry
  3. Masking in the Building
  4. Hygiene Plan
  5. Provision of Meals 
  6. Instructional Considerations
  7. Attendance Tracking
  8. Illness of Students and Staff
  9. Dismissal
  10. Accountability / Quality Control
​
Academic, Student, and Family Support
Our Academic and Social-Emotional Support Plans were developed by a committee of teachers, administrators, board members, and parents who are educators with the goal to design a programmatic implementation that delivers our current curriculum within the framework developed by our Healthy Environment and Routines team. As a result:

  • Total enrollment for 2020-21 school year has been capped at 300 to maintain social distancing in each classroom and offer a 5-day program;
  • We are utilizing all indoor and outdoor spaces to ensure active and engaged learning even within a socially distanced learning setting;
  • We delivering our complete curriculum;
  • While we are prepared to offer interscholastic sports, our ability to do so is subject to New York State policy and the health landscape in WNY;
  • In addition to our full-time mental health counselor on staff, we are providing enhanced social-emotional offerings to insure community and connection;
  • Traditional trips and outdoor education will be pushed to the spring of 2021 when we expect a more favorable public health situation;
  • If we are allowed to return to our pre-COVID structure during the school year, we are preparing to switch over in a matter of days;
  • We are providing a daily snack and lunch that adheres to policy guidelines.

Distance Learning Plan and Schedules
In the event of an extended building closure, our goal is to continue fulfilling our mission of preparing students to thrive in life with minimal interruption to their academic schedule through meaningful, developmentally-appropriate learning opportunities.

​Prep and Lower School Distance Learning Schedules
​(Updated November 2020)
  • Download

Upper School Distance Learning Schedules
(Updated November 2020)
  • Download
​Prep and Lower School Distance Learning Schedules (Updated November 2020)
  • Download

Upper School Distance Learning Schedules
(Updated October 2020)
  • Download

EFS COVID Infection Response Chart (Updated January 2021)
  • ​Download

Building Reopening Plan
(July 30, 2020)
  • Download Plan

    Parent Feedback and Input

    Parent input is essential to us. Please send us any feedback, questions, or concerns you may have as we develop and communicate our plans. 
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© Elmwood Franklin School | 104 New Amsterdam Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14216
admissions@elmwoodfranklin.org | 716-877-5035 | fax 716-877-9680

​Elmwood Franklin School is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools.