Appreciation Week – Wednesday, One-Year Commemoration – Wynantskill Union Free School District

Dear G-D Community,

One year ago today, the Gardner-Dickinson School closed due to COVID-19. On March 16, 2020, students and staff alike packed their belongings in the midst of uncertainty the then-new virus brought. Little did we know March 16 would be the last day our students and staff were in the building during the 2019-20 school year.

We quickly assembled Google Classroom, Google Meet, Seesaw and more to make remote learning a reality and worked to ensure each of our students had food to eat and children of essential workers were cared for during the shutdown last school year.

During summer months, there was much trepidation. The unknowns of what lay ahead for the 2020-21 school year left our team wondering how we would possibly make this school year work. Though there were many questions, our staff buckled down and stepped up to the plate for our students, working together to create a plan.

In partnership with our families, we were able to create a safe learning environment for students this school year when many districts could not. Our families played a pivotal role in our return to in-person schooling.

Today, one year later, we reflect on all that has occurred during this unparalleled year. Our hearts go out to each and every family across the globe that has dealt with hardships during the pandemic, whether that hardship was losing their job or the loss of a loved one.

We must remember that Wynantskill is a strong community, and we can lean on one another in times of need. The one positive trait that stood out this year was our district’s unity. We have worked as a team with those we may not have worked with toward a common goal in the past. Collaborating with individuals within our school community whom we may not have known so well beforehand has in turn developed indestructible bonds. We have shared experiences and gotten through a difficult time together. Our already tight-knit school became even stronger than ever before.

We have all worked harder than ever before this year with very little relief. I acknowledge this hard work, and I thank you each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mary Yodis
Wynantskill UFSD Superintendent

Today, we appreciate all of our teachers, our nurse and our IT department.

Our teachers rapidly assembled remote instruction and learned to teach while miles away from students, which required quick thinking and innovation when lesson-planning. Teachers have had to adapt to teaching in-person and remote students simultaneously during the 2020-21 school year.

Our nurse Ms. Gibbs worked as our very own frontline worker. Ms. Gibbs stayed up-to-date with all CDC and NYSDOH protocols; assisted in contact tracing; and ensured all students in the building were healthy.

Our IT department, Mr. Vescio, worked to get a device in each student’s hands, set up internet hotspots for those who needed internet access during the shutdown and school year and help with any technical difficulties.

Because of our teachers, our nurse and our IT department, we are #OneYearStronger.