The Wynantskill PTA is pleased to announce new fundraisers for the holiday season:
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Author Archive: Wynantskill Union Free School District
Updated Remote Learning Plan, Code of Conduct and More
Please note that we have recently updated our Remote Learning Plan for the 2021-2022 school year. The document can be found at: www.wynantskillufsd.org/2021-2022-remote-learning-plan-information/
We have also added the document What To Do If Your Child Is Exhibiting COVID Symptoms at Home.
Both can be found on our Opening Plan page, along with several other helpful resources.
Additionally, we have updated our Code of Conduct, which can be found here.
Letter Regarding Covid Testing Consent and Form
Dear Families,
Wynantskill UFSD is now required by the New York State Department of Health to test unvaccinated staff and to offer testing to unvaccinated students whose parents or guardians consent to this weekly testing.
We will be offering general testing in the near future to comply with this state requirement as well as expand point-of-care testing for students who are displaying COVID-19 symptoms.
General surveillance testing will be used to detect asymptomatic COVID-19 infections in unvaccinated students and staff using a rapid antigen test. Point-of-care testing will be conducted using rapid molecular testing involving the same shallow swab as the rapid antigen test. This will provide a quick result in the case of a student or staff member who began presenting symptoms while at school.
Today, we will be sending home a hardcopy of the consent form with your children; we are asking parents and guardians to please indicate their consent for these tests. You may consent to one, both or none. Please return the form by sending it in with your child or dropping it off in our main office by October 29, 2021.
We anticipate that both surveillance and point-of-care testing will begin early November. Members of our school staff along with Questar III BOCES nurses will oversee all testing, which involves gently swabbing the inner part of the lower nostril.
Regular testing will help protect everyone against COVID-19. Thank you for your continued flexibility, resilience, and patience as we work together to contain the spread of this virus.
Sincerely,
Mary Yodis
Superintendent of Schools
Wynantskill UFSD
Download copy of testing consent form here.
Fond Farwell to a Beloved Staff Member
We bid a fond farewell to Bob Hurd (“Mr. Hurd,” as the kids know him) – who will be retiring from Gardner-Dickinson as a recess monitor. Though he says he has loved every minute of his eight years at GD, he feels it is time to officially retire and enjoy some time for he and his wife. Asked what his favorite part of the job was, he replied, “The kids, and the staff.” He noted that he would like to return for a visit and read to the children. Farewell Bob! Thank you for everything – we wish you a happy and relaxing retirement!
October is National Principals Month
October is National Principals Month – we want to take this opportunity to thank Principal Cornell for her tireless efforts to create an enriched and engaging educational experience for all students at Gardner-Dickinson School.
Fun fact: Mrs. Cornell is an avid bird enthusiast with seven bird feeders at home. Her favorites are cardinals and yellow finches.
Opt-In To Text Messages from GD
Parents and Guardians – you can take advantage of our text messaging service.
Gardner-Dickinson School utilizes the SchoolMessenger system to deliver text messages, straight to your mobile phone with important information about events, school closings, safety alerts and more.
You can participate in this free service* just by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our school’s short code number, 67587.
You can also opt out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our messages with “Stop.”
SchoolMessenger is compliant with the Student Privacy PledgeTM, so you can rest assured that your information is safe and will never be given or sold to anyone.
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Change in Parent Pick-Up Procedure
In order to improve traffic flow and expedite parent pick-up during dismissal, we will be making the following adjustments beginning tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 1:
-Parents who pick-up their student/s between 2:10 – 2:25 p.m. will do so in front of the school’s main entrance (the big loop).
-Parents who pick-up their student/s between 2:25 – 2:30 p.m. will continue to line up in the school parking lot.
Thank you for your patience!
Positive COVID-19 Case at Wynantskill UFSD
Dear Families,
The Wynantskill UFSD has learned today that a middle school student has tested positive for COVID-19.
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 individual, 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
Raise Money for GD Through Box Tops for Education App
Hey GD!
Use this referral code S1CY1CRP when you download the Box Tops for Education App and you’ll get 50 Bonus Box Tops when you scan your first receipt now through 09/26/2021, while supplies last! Download the Box Tops for Education app here: https://btfe.smart.link/
You can raise funds for our school by using this App. It’s an easy way to make a difference. When you purchase Box Tops-participating products (like Cheerios!), all you have to do is scan your grocery receipt. Box Tops are worth $.10 each and they add up fast! Find the full list of participating products here.
Consider setting a weekly reminder to scan your receipts.
Thank you for getting easy money for our kids!!!
Wynantskill Soccer Teams Play First Game of Season
See the pictures –
Photos by Kristin Gilooly.