Travel Advisory for In-Person Families We are working incredibly hard to remain open for our families that have elected in-person instruction and know how many of our students thrive inside the school building and understand the challenges of remote instruction for many of our learners. As COVID cases around the city and country continue to rise, we must remain diligent in our practices to keep Cooke students, staff, and families safe. As the holiday season approaches, this means a close look at our traditional rituals and routines. We cannot tell families not to gather for the holidays. We do ask that you consider your decisions carefully and limit interactions to your household pod. Remember that your child's classroom is part of your pod. If your family decides to gather and take the risk, please follow the CDC's recommendations of mask-wearing, social distancing, and remaining outdoors as much as possible. We know these sacrifices are heartbreaking during such a challenging year, but it is the only way we can continue to open Cooke's doors and minimize the back and forth transitions throughout this winter. If your family does travel or gather with members outside of your household, we ask that you follow the New York State Health guidelines of quarantining and receiving a negative COVID test before returning to school. These continue to be tough times, but it does feel that there is light in the times ahead. For the safety of all of the Cooke staff and fellow classmates, please follow these restrictions carefully. For travelers who were out-of-state for more than 24 hours:
Clubs for Remote Students Great news remote students: Clubs are back! When we return from Winter Break we will resume (optional) clubs on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.
“ The Earth Without Art is Just Eh!” -Demetri Martin Students have done a fantastic job showing the Transitions community and outside organizations the importance of art and tapping into your creative side. In Art and Artists, students are exploring empathy and diversity through short films as well as learning about new artists. Students have helped with creating the class curriculum by discussing artists they would like to learn more about, street art they have seen on a walk, exploring short films on their own, and sharing with their peers. Of course! We have to mention the amazing art students have created using drawing prompts based on what they have learned in class. We rather show you than tell you. Please click on Transitions Gallery Link below to view a few of the students' artwork. Transitions Gallery Link (recommend viewing via laptop or tablet) Civil Rights, Social Justice, & Cultural Identity This semester, Humanities classes at Cooke Transitions have been focusing on civil rights, social justice, and cultural identity. Such topics were addressed through the lense of current events. Humanities and speech & language staff supported students to understand and make personal connections to global news. Students worked to use their voices to speak up about issues they care about for themselves and as a group. Earlier this month, students in Baldwin Pod 2 had the pleasure of virtually meeting Darren Mack, an incredible activist/organizer from the Close Rikers Campaign and Just Leadership USA. He engaged in an inspiring and thought provoking discussion about what students can do to take action for themselves and others. Darren Mack is now the Co-Director of Freedom Agenda. Additionally, the Milk cohort virtually met and spoke with Michael Venturiello, the fabulous founder and lead tour guide of Christopher Street Tours. He led a brilliant presentation and an engaging discussion about the LGBTQ history, pride, and intersectionality as it relates to the current Black Lives Matter Movement. We look forward to more discussions with featured speakers in the new year! Click here for virtual activities to do over break!News from Nurse Liz The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful and isolating for many people. Gatherings during the upcoming holidays can be an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. This holiday season, consider how your holiday plans can be modified to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to keep your friends, families, and communities healthy and safe. Considerations for Small Gatherings of Family and Friends celebrating virtually or with members of your own household (who are consistently taking measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19) poses the lowest risk for spread. Your household is anyone who currently lives and shares common spaces in your housing unit (such as your house or apartment). This can include family members, as well as roommates or people who are unrelated to you. People who do not currently live in your housing unit, such as college students who are returning home from school for the holidays, should be considered part of different households. In-person gatherings that bring together family members or friends from different households, including college students returning home, pose varying levels of risk. Organizers and attendees of larger events should consider the risk of virus spread based on event size (number of attendees and other factors) and take steps to reduce the possibility of infection, as outlined in the Considerations for Events and Gatherings. Several factors can contribute to the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 at small in-person gatherings. In combination, these factors will create various amounts of risk:
The following people should not attend in-person holiday gatherings People with or exposed to COVID-19 Do not host or participate in any in-person gatherings if you or anyone in your household
Do not host or attend gatherings with anyone who has COVID-19 or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days. People at increased risk for severe illness If you are an older adult or person with certain medical conditions who is at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, or live or work with someone at increased risk of severe illness, you should avoid in-person gatherings with people who do not live in your household. You may find more comprehensive information at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html Wishing you all safe and happy Holidays!! Kitchen Skills for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum Please see below for details about YAI's virtual Kitchens Skills course. You can call or send an email to the phone number or email address provided below. You can also fill out THIS form and someone will will be in touch to help you determine if you meet the program's eligibility criteria. Holiday Fun At Cooke Transitions!On Wednesday 12/23 students will enjoy an alternate schedule of programming to see in the Winter Break! Students will attend their first period class, remain in that class to view a “Year in Review” slideshow, followed by the Virtual Holiday Exchange! This year students will give each other “virtual gifts,” such as an eCard! The day will end with a virtual holiday party, hosted by Cooke Transitions counselors. At Transitions, we recognize the importance of focusing on students’ social/emotional needs during this unprecedented time—this is why we’d like to head into break with fun, social interaction and music! Students will be dismissed at noon on Wednesday, December 23rd—more details to follow! Comments are closed.
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