The modern New York classroom has never looked more different. Barriers separate students, who each don a mask as they learn throughout the day.

But as most schools across the state begin to return to a full, in-person schedule, Windsor elementary schools in the Southern Tier have been doing it all along.

What You Need To Know

  • There has been just one COVID-19 case reported in A.F. Palmer

  • Students sit with barriers on their desks

  • Masks must be worn if students work together

A.F. Palmer Elementary Principal Toby Youngs walks the halls as he reflects on what’s been a unique year, to say the least.

"It’s certainly been different. There’s obviously different protocols we have in place, but in a sense of learning, and our kids with education, it’s still the same process. We’re still focused on learning. We’re still focused on getting our kids where they need to be," said Youngs.

Part of the reason schools like A.F. Palmer have been able to stay open this whole time has been because of strict protocols, that don’t only apply to students.

"Every visitor that we have, comes in, pages into our secure doors, one of our secretaries pages them in, we buzz them in, they come in, they get their temperature checked, they get some hand sanitizer and then they go through a screening process," said Youngs.

Windsor sits about 15 miles from Binghamton and its elementary schools house over 700 children.

Here at A.F. Palmer, despite being open from the beginning, the school had just one COVID-19 case so far this year.

Youngs credits the hardworking teachers, and the students for following guidelines.

"Every student has their own barrier, and within their barrier, they have their own space. And those barriers have allowed students to take mask breaks any time they’re sitting behind a barrier," said Youngs.

A separate drop-off area outside and staggered start times have also helped.

"We have our busses pull up, I have two staff members our front who are there to greet the kids; kids come in the door, I have several staff members here where we have our thermometers there, kids come in and get their temperature checked. Once we get their temperature checked, then they head down to the classrooms," said Youngs.

So in a virtual, and socially distant world, one district has found success in helping children continue to learn as they always have.

Despite being fully in person, elementary children in Windsor have the opportunity to learn virtually if they wish.

Small class sizes have also allowed the district to keep cases out.