As Hudson Valley schools reopen this month, one nursery in Croton-on-Hudson is fighting for its survival and identity.

The Circle School, a non-religious nursery located within Our Savior Lutheran Church, was forced to shut down for the 2020-21 school year.

The church website cited COVID-19 health concerns, but the Circle School says it operates separately from the church and is making a plea to save the school.

According to parents leading the current legal efforts, the school community was notified one week before the school year that the nursery would not reopen, a first in more than 40 years of teaching kids between the ages of 2 1/2 and 5.

While the school is located within church, the parent's association claims they merely have a contractual relationship with the church.

One parent said they are working on preparing - if necessary - a lawsuit to separate the church and the school.

There are also other volunteers working on setting up an independent 501 (c)(3) organization for the school. Additionally, they are looking for alternative locations for the school to reopen in the 2021-22 school year as a year fully independent Circle School in Croton.

While the fate of this school year has been determined, the ownership of the nursery is still being disputed by parents and staff.