Dear Gardner-Dickinson Families,
We hope that this letter finds your family safe, healthy and ready for a break from homeschooling! Thank you for your incredible hard work and support, as together, in a true partnership, we successfully facilitated remote learning this quarter during the statewide school closure. We could not have done this without you!
Together, families and our GD faculty and staff worked tirelessly to shift to remote instruction for all of our Pre-K-8 students. Learning new technologies and online platforms instantaneously to support instructional materials and to keep our close to 400 students connected and engaged was a huge undertaking. It was a great success due to the hard work from our students, families, faculty, staff, support teachers, therapist, counselors, technology coordinators and clerical staff. They were correct in saying it takes a village…thank you Wynantskill UFSD!
We know many of you are eager to know what the start of next school year will look like and you are not alone. Over the summer, as we await the Governor’s plans to return to our physical school building, we will examine a variety of different scenarios while working closely with the NYSED, Questar III, and the CDC to consider their guidance on re-opening schools. This is an ever-evolving situation and you will be informed as soon as we have any definitive answers as to what school will look like next year. Be assured that we will always prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and staff during this planning process.
Families, please remember to drop off any school materials (computers, books, etc.) and pick up your children’s belongings next: Monday, June 15 anytime between 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. if your last name begins with the letters A-L and Tuesday, June 16 between 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. if your last name begins with the letters M-Z.
Families should pull right up in the circle and a staff member will come to your car to retrieve your items (books, laptops, or any materials that belong to the school) and to hand you your child’s belongings as well as their 4th quarter report card. *Please note that report cards will not have next year’s classroom teacher included as we will wait until later in the summer to release classroom rosters. Supply lists are also being placed on hold as the PTA is currently working with the district to provide funding for supplies in hopes to cover all costs for all families. Thank you PTA!
Warm wishes to our 8th Graders as they leave GD and move on to the high school. Although this year was not the way anyone would like you to have finished, please remember the amazing years you have had at Gardner-Dickinson and know that you are forever in our hearts. We will see you for your outside graduation ceremony/parade on Wednesday, June 17th at 7:00 p.m. (more specific information to follow).
To all of our students, have a wonderful summer as you have earned it. Please take advantage of the online resources that will continue to be provided to you over the summer. You will still have access to your Google Classroom if you want to revisit any previously posted materials and links, as well as, the use of Moby Max and MyOn for extra math and reading practice during the summer months.
Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not publicly give a tremendous thank you to Dr. Reardon for his amazing job to support our GD community over the last 5 years. He is the most dedicated and hardworking educator that I have had the pleasure of working with. He took on many hats during his 5 years at GD and his brilliant, problem-solving approach was unlike no other. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with such a positive leader. Gardner-Dickinson is a stronger school community because of his countless contributions. We wish him the best of luck as he moves onto the next chapter in his career as Schalmont CSD needs his help as well.
Stay well, stay Safe! We miss you all very much and can’t wait to see you again in person. Have a wonderful summer!
Much love,
Dr. Yodis