Dear Students, Families and Friends,

Temple Grandin School is OPEN for in-person learning! We have been meeting weekly with our local public health officials, and are fortunate to have the space in our new building to accommodate in-person learning while adhering to social distancing and all other public health guidelines.

Students will be meeting in three cohorts: Level 1 (Grades 5-8), Level 2 (Grades 8-10), and Level 3 (Grades 10-12). Each cohort has its own “learning pod” within the building with a separate entrance and access to outdoor space. We are following our usual Monday-Thursday full-day schedule, with core academic classes in the morning and socio programming in the afternoon. Friday enrichment programming will be held primarily outdoors, weather permitting, and this fall’s activities include 3-D design, avian studies, chalk art, bike riding & maintenance, and geo-caching.

Our program is appropriate for neurodiverse students who are able to participate in grade-level academic instruction, delivered in a small classroom setting with available adult support. Levels 1-2 are staffed with a support team member throughout the day; Level 3 students typically do not require additional support beyond the training of our tenured academic teachers (most have been at TGS four years or longer). Although many of our students have a diagnosis on the autism spectrum, that label is not required. Many of our students are twice-exceptional, resulting in a content-rich learning environment. The TGS program is best-suited for students who are motivated to learn, but would benefit from additional support to manage anxiety, social interactions, or executive functioning.

For more detailed information about the TGS program, please peruse our website. If you have specific questions or would like more information, feel free to contact us at info@2015.templegrandinschool.org.

We wish you and your family the best as we navigate this most challenging school year!

Stay well,

Jennifer Wilger