Positive COVID-19 Cases at Wynantskill UFSD

Dear Families,

The Wynantskill UFSD is reporting the following Covid-19 cases since the start of the holiday break: 6 staff, 4 elementary students and 3 middle school students.

We have been in close communication with the Rensselaer County Department of Health (RCDOH) to determine any necessary follow-up. The district is assisting the RCDOH with contact tracing efforts using attendance records. RCDOH is continuing to investigate at this time.

The county has advised the district to continue with its regular cleaning protocols. The district will perform an additional deep clean of the school as a precaution. The building will be open as normal.

We encourage you to offer your full cooperation if you are contacted by a representative of the RCDOH or the district. If you are not contacted by a representative of the RCDOH or the district, there is no further action needed on your part and you may continue your usual schedule. If, at any point, you or someone in your family is directed to quarantine, please respect what you are being asked to do in the interest of public health. People in quarantine need to stay home, separate themselves from others in the home, monitor their health and follow directions from the local health department.

Due to privacy laws, we cannot divulge any further information about the positive individuals, and we ask that our families respect the positive individual’s privacy.

We ask that all families continue to follow all safety guidelines outside of school hours including proper use of face coverings, social distancing and proper hand hygiene.

Please monitor your child(ren) for any symptoms of COVID-19 and report any absences and positive COVID-19 test results to your child’s school.

Thank you all for your continued support and ongoing efforts to keep Wynantskill UFSD safe and healthy. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mary Yodis
Wynantskill UFSD Superintendent

Student reads to therapy dogs.

Students Read to Therapy Dogs

Student reads to therapy dogs.

Reading to therapy dogs proved a hit once again with children on Aug. 21 as Gardner-Dickinson welcomed friends from the Schenectady Chapter of Therapy Dogs International.

Teacher Lauren Curran organizes the event to help encourage students to read over the summer.

Thank you Mrs. Curran and our guests for putting together this wonderful event!

More photos.

Student reads to therapy dog

Students Read with Therapy Dogs

Student reads to therapy dog

To help encourage students to read over the summer, children read to therapy dogs July 31 at Gardner-Dickinson School.

Teacher Lauren Curran organizes the event each summer with help from the Schenectady Chapter of Therapy Dogs International.

The second event will be held Wednesday, Aug. 21 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Thank you Mrs. Curran for putting together this wonderful event!

Kindergartners pick lollipops

Kindergartners Pick Lollipops

Kindergartners

Kindergartners picked lollipops on Apr. 16 that grew from magic jelly beans that Food Services Director Lori Audi helped students plant the prior week.

Thank you Ms. Audi for sharing this wonderful tradition with our students each year!

More photos.

Sheriff Russo with students

Sheriff Russo Reads to Kindergartners

Sheriff Russo with students

Kindergartners had a special guest reader Apr. 12, Rensselaer County Sheriff Patrick Russo.

Sheriff Russo explained to students that he was visiting because his “#1 employee”, a sergeant with the department, has a child in the class.

Sheriff Russo read one of his favorite books, “5 Pennies to Spend,” a story about a child who decides to buy items for friends he meets on the way to the store instead of buying something for himself.

Sheriff Russo also handed out deputy stars to students.

Thank you for visiting our students today!

Students listen to Dr. Seuss book

Kindergarten Celebrates Dr. Seuss

Students listen to Dr. Seuss book

Kindergartners celebrated Dr. Seuss Week with the author’s books and special themed days.

On Thursday, for example, students wore hats, listened to a reading of “The Cat in the Hat” and participated in Dr. Seuss-themed activities.

As teachers read books they engaged students by asking them which words rhymed and encouraged children to think about the characters in the books and inquired what they would have done in the same situation.

Great job!

More photos.