Positive COVID-19 Case in Wynantskill UFSD

December 30, 2020

Dear Families,

The Wynantskill UFSD was informed today that a student in the elementary school has tested positive for COVID-19. The student has not been physically present in the building since Dec. 11.

As a result of the student’s extended absence, the Rensselaer County Department of Health has determined no contact tracing is required. No action is necessary by any students or staff members. Gardner-Dickinson will remain open as normal on Jan. 4, 2021.

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 our school community continue to practice social distancing, properly wear face coverings, practice proper hand hygiene and avoid travel and large gatherings.

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

The health, safety and well-being of our students and staff are the foremost concern of the Wynantskill UFSD. We thank each of our families for your constant support, understanding and efforts to keep the Gardner-Dickinson School a safe learning environment for all.

If you have any questions or need to report any COVID-related issues before we return to school on Jan. 4, 2021, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at myodis@wynantskillufsd.org.


Sincerely,

Dr. Mary Yodis
Wynantskill UFSD Superintendent

Wynantskill UFSD Survey

The Wynantskill UFSD has created a survey to learn how to better serve its families during the pandemic.
Please take a moment to complete our survey so we can make improvements. The survey takes only 2-5 minutes to complete.

Wynantskill PTA Nominations

Our current terms for all our PTA officers will expire at the end of June 2021. Therefore, opportunities exist to fill the positions of President (or Co-Presidents), Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. The Officer positions are a two-year term and will be effective July 2021 – June 2023.

If you are interested in becoming a WPTA Officer, it is a great time to explore and learn more about our wonderful Wynantskill PTA. Some may be curious as to what the PTA entails and you can learn for yourself by attending any of our public meetings (currently via Zoom). Attendees are always welcome. To learn more about the WPTA, review nomination information here.

Wynantskill UFSD Closed Dec. 18

Due to unsafe travel conditions, Wynantskill UFSD will be closed tomorrow, December 18.

A number of roads in the area are unsafe to travel on, as snow removal is incomplete.

Please be reminded that the Wynantskill UFSD will not be participating in the New York State Education Department’s snow day pilot. We are closed for both in-person and virtual learning.

Enjoy the additional snow day. Continue traditions, and make new traditions as well.

Please continue to send snow day photos to kthorsey@wynantskillufsd.org so we can share on our social media and district website.

Be safe, and have fun. 

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Mary Yodis
Wynantskill UFSD Superintendent

Wynantskill UFSD Closed Dec. 17

While we do not typically call a snow day the night before, all weather predictions for tomorrow are calling for significant snowfall. We believe it is in the best interest of our entire school community to announce tonight that the Wynantskill UFSD will be closed tomorrow, December 17.

Please be reminded that the Wynantskill UFSD will not be participating in the New York State Education Department’s snow day pilot. We are closed for both in-person and virtual learning.

Instead of getting out Chromebooks and chargers, we hope that our students will get out their boots and sleds during snow days this winter. In a year that has been full of changes, we hope our families will be able to maintain snow day traditions and let go of worry for just a moment. 

Tomorrow, build a snowman; make hot cocoa; watch your favorite holiday movie; go sledding. Enjoy the wonders snow days bring.

As you enjoy the fresh snow, take photos that will last a lifetime. As you wind down at the end of the day, send those photos to kthorsey@wynantskillufsd.org so we can share on our social media and district website.

Stay safe, and enjoy. 

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Mary Yodis
Wynantskill UFSD Superintendent

COVID-19 Testing Consent Form and Test Information

New York State has implemented a micro-cluster strategy to designate areas with high COVID-19 infection rates as Yellow, Orange, or Red Zones, based on positivity rates and daily new cases. If a zip code, census tract or region is placed in one of those Zones, there will be restrictions for schools.

Please review our Yellow, Orange and Red Micro-Cluster Zone letter if you have not already done so.

Testing a portion of our school’s population for COVID-19 is a requirement set forth by the state if we enter a Yellow, Orange or Red Zone in order to keep our school open. Just as we have asked for your continued assistance with following the new COVID-19 protocols, we would need your permission to administer tests to your children. The Wynantskill UFSD testing consent form is available here. This applies only to in-person students. Students who are learning in a full virtual setting are not required to be tested.

Please note the test will not be the deep-sinus nasopharyngeal swab. The test will be a non-invasive nasal swab, just inside the lowermost portion of the nostril. Please view this test demonstration video.

The testing consent form will be sent home with students tomorrow, December 15. Please fill out and return the consent form.

We would like to thank each and every member of our school community for your uninterrupted support and understanding. We are GD Strong, and we will get through this difficult time together.

Smartphone with GD Royals logo and 67587

Sign Up for Text Alerts

Sign Up for Text Alerts

Sign Up for Text AlertsWynantskill UFSD offers text alerts for school delays, school closings, and other emergency or non-emergency announcements.

How To Sign Up

Parents just need to text the letter Y to number 67587 using the phone you would like to receive text messages on. You should receive a response confirming you have subscribed.

We recommend subscribers create an entry in their phone’s contact list for “Wynantskill UFSD” and the phone number 67587. This will help make it clear that the text is coming from the district.

If you have trouble signing up for text alerts, please call the Main Office at 518-283-4600 ext. 10 so we can check if we have the correct contact information on file.

If You Experience an Issue

It is important to note that your phone number must be in the system to receive text alerts. If you text the letter Y to 67587 and your number is not in the system, you will still receive a confirmation text but will not receive future text alerts. (We apologize for this, but it is how the system operates and we cannot change that).

If you are a parent and experience an issue, please contact the Main Office. They can check to see if your contact information is correct.