Wynantskill UFSD is aware that a state judge ruled the Governor and State Department of Health did not have the authority to enact a mask mandate without approval from the state legislature.

However, we received notice last evening from the New York State Education Department that the State Department of Health will appeal the decision and seek a stay regarding the enforcement of the mask rule.

As a result, the State Education Department has indicated that schools must continue to require the use of masks pending the outcome of the appeal.

Below is the full statement from the State Education Department in response to the ruling:

“The State Education Department understands that Nassau County Supreme Court has ruled that the Department of Health exceeded its authority in enacting the mask regulation, 10 NYCRR 2.60, in Demetriou et al. v. New York State Dep’t of Health et al. This regulation is the subject of conflicting decisions, insofar as Albany County Supreme Court recently upheld the regulation in Massapequa UFSD et al. v. Hochul, et al.

It is SED’s understanding that the Department of Health will appeal the Nassau County Supreme Court decision, which will result in an automatic stay that will unambiguously restore the mask rule until such time as an appellate court issues a further ruling. Therefore, schools must continue to follow the mask rule.”

We will communicate any changes to COVID protocols as they happen. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Dr. Mary Yodis
Wynantskill UFSD Superintendent

On Tuesday, January 25th, Wynantskill UFSD will hold three Town Hall Meetings in our gymnasium to hear from families.

The meetings will be held at the following times:

• Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grade Families- 5 to 6 p.m.
• 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade Families- 6 to 7 p.m.
• 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Families- 7 to 8 p.m.

Please RVSP to Heidi Hallock at Hhallock@wynantskillufsd.org or (518) 283-4600 ex. 250 so we can plan for chairs and refreshments.

We invite those who are unable to attend to fill out the survey below.

Dear Families:

At the January 20th Board of Education meeting, Suzann Cornell, our building principal shared the month by month list of activities and events that our school has provided, as well as, what we hope to accomplish by the end of the year.

Mrs. Cornell along with a PBIS committee of faculty and staff meet biweekly to discuss and plan for future events. This committee’s only focus is to provide positive school experiences and support for our students. Their work is to be commended. 

Our very dedicated PTA is also heavily involved in the creation and support of this list from providing funds to organizing their own ideas and events. Our school board members are very supportive of this work and are working closely with administration as we begin to pivot away from this covid lockdown which we have been in for 2 years. Their focus is on creating a very near future where we open our minds (and doors) to inclusive family activities while still remaining safe. 

This combined effort between our BOE, district employees and the PTA is crucial in ensuring the social and emotional well beings of our children are being met. We wanted to provide you with a copy of the calendar of events so that you can see we are working hard to pivot from Covid. 

We are welcoming any and all feedback from our families that may have additional ideas and/or any concerns. Our district values open communication and transparency and would love everyone to have a voice. Unfortunately, with all things going on, parents have been distanced from the school and we apologize for that as it was certainly not our intention. 

On Tuesday, January 25th, we would like to hold (3) one-hour GD Town Hall Meetings in our gymnasium to discuss anything and everything on your mind. We were thinking that if we had grade band meetings it may help to focus the discussions. 

The meetings will be held at the following times:

• Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade Families- 5pm to 6pm
• 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade Families- 6pm to 7pm
• 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Families- 7pm to 8pm

Please send an email or call Heidi Hallock to RSVP just so we can get a rough count for chairs and refreshments. Hhallock@wynantskillufsd.org or (518) 283-4600 ex. 250

Thank you and we hope to see you next week!

Dr. Mary Yodis
Wynantskill UFSD Superintendent

Dear Parents and Guardians:

The New York State Department of Health recently updated its guidance on COVID isolation and quarantine, which formally ends its contact tracing requirements.

While the new guidance (and a January 18th memo from the New York State Education Department) states that schools are no longer required to do contact tracing, we will continue with the same level of contact tracing of any positive cases within our school building.

If you are notified by school personnel that your child is a close contact, you must follow the guidance from the State Department of Health found here. The state also provided a quarantine and isolation chart, which can be viewed here.

Please note that you will no longer receive a phone call or quarantine/isolation affirmation or release forms from the county health department. Individuals are now expected to complete these on their own at the conclusion of their isolation or quarantine period. These forms can be found here – quarantine, isolation.

Additional information on New York State’s approach to isolation and quarantine can be found online at https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/new-york-state-contact-tracing.

Our school district will continue to provide additional at-home test kits to families as they are distributed by the state as part of a home test option. This will allow your child to remain in school if identified as a close contact and test negative at home. If your child becomes ill at school, we will be able to test them using our point of care testing machines (based on your prior consent).

This change in state guidance shifts us towards more personal responsibility and accountability. Ultimately, the best way to avoid being a close contact or risk infecting others is to continue to follow our mitigation protocols, including physical distancing, wearing a well-fitting mask (unless eating or drinking), and staying home if you are sick.

Please note that we will also modify our general COVID notifications moving forward. Starting next week, we will move to a weekly notification email to parents and guardians (instead of emails as cases happen). This is consistent with what other schools have done in the region, whether it is sending a weekly summary or moving to a COVID dashboard that is updated weekly. Families of children identified as a close contact at school will continue to receive a phone call from school personnel, consistent with what we have done throughout the pandemic.

Thank you for your continued cooperation, flexibility, and patience throughout the pandemic.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mary Yodis
Wynantskill UFSD Superintendent