Positive COVID-19 Case in Wynantskill UFSD

June 17, 2021

Dear Families,

The Wynantskill UFSD learned today that an elementary 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.

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

June 21 BOE Meeting Agenda

WYNANTSKILL UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT Regular Meeting of the Board of Education
June 10, 2021 @ 7:00 PM Gardner-Dickinson School Media Center
Join Zoom Meeting
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Agenda
1.0 Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
1.1 1.2 1.3
1.4
1.5
Record of Attendance
Review of Agenda/Additions to Agenda Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
a. May 20, 2021 Acceptance of Financial Reports
a. Internal Claims Auditor’s Report May 2021
b. Monthly Treasurer’s Report with Budget Transfers

Visitors and Communication
a. Communications to the Board of Education
Dowd Scholarship Update
Update on Virtual Meetings
b. Opportunity for the Public to be Heard
2.0 Reports to the Board of Education
2.1 Board of Education Reports & Updates
2.2 District / Superintendent Program Report
2.3 Principal’s Report
2.4 PTA / SEPTA Update
3.0 Appointments and Authorizations
3.1 BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Wynantskill Union Free School District hereby reduces one (1) position in the physical education tenure area from a 1.0 FTE to a 0.60 FTE, effective June 30, 2021. The Superintendent is directed to notify
the affected staff member of this action.
3.2 BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education hereby approves the request for FMLA for Sarah Sepp, commencing on September 1, 2021 and ending October, 29 2021, followed by an unpaid child rearing leave of absence through the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year.
3.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Wynantskill Union Free School District hereby approves the Memorandum of Agreement by and between the Wynantskill Teachers Association and the District, WHEREAS, for the 2021-2022 school year only, the District would like to amend the arrival and dismissal times for WTA bargaining members so to allow the District to comply with all federal, state and local COVID-19 requirements; as per attached MOA.

3.4 Approve CSE/CPSE Recommendations as per attached.
3.5 Approve Funding of District Reserves using excess fund balance.
3.6 Motion to abolish the Pre-K agreement with CEO.
3.7 Approve 3% salary increases for 10 and 12 month employees, and school principal for the 2021-2022 school year.
3.8 Appoint Eric Audi as a Food Service Worker at a rate of 16.33/hr., 4 hours /day for the 2021-2022 school year.
3.9 Appoint Tina Albert Cafeteria Worker at a rate of $17.74/hr for the 2021-2022 school year.
3.10 Appoint Robert Hurd as a Recess Aide at a rate of $17.74/hr. for 2 hrs./day for the 2021-2022 school year.
3.11 Appoint Heidi Hallock as part-time Superintendent’s Secretary at a rate of $20.60/hr., 4 hours/day for the 2021-2022 school year.
3.12 Appoint Brenda Vermilya as Part Time FTE (.6) School Nurse @ St. Jude beginning 9/1/2021- 6/30/22 @ Step 12 prorated.
3.13 Appoint Jean Marie Steffek Summer School Teacher for 30 days, 4 hours/day at a rate of $49.00 hour not to exceed $6,200.00.
3.14 Appoint Alicia Travis Teachers Aide for Summer School program for 30 days, 4 hours/day at a rate of 16.33/hr.
3.15 Approve Kate Lansing for Summer Speech and Language Services at a rate of $49.00/hour as needed/requested by the District.
3.16 Approve Amy Murphy (School Counselor) for up to ten days of summer work at a daily rate of $ 414.20 as needed/requested by the Superintendent.
3.17 Appoint Robert Cushing, 19-A Examiner and a NYS School Bus Driver Instructor, as driver trainer at a rate of $25.00/hr.
3.18 Appoint Marianne Lenseth, 19-A Examiner and SBDI School Bus Driver Trainer, at a rate of $40.00 /hr.
3.19 Appoint Karen Keagan Permanent School Bus Driver, effective 2/2/21.
3.20 Appoint Michael Goyer as a Transportation Consultant at a rate of $50.00/hour as needed for
the 2021-2022 school year.
3.21 Adjust base School Bus Driver rate to $20/hr., and the Substitute Bus Driver rate to $18/hr. for the 2021-2022 school year.
3.22 Appoint Bus Driver Trainees at the substitute bus driver/driver training rate of $18.00 per hour. a. Bob Rowe b. Patricia Rowe c. Nicole Manzer d. Brenda Alderman

4.0
3.23 Appoint Summer School Bus Drivers for July 6 thru August 16, for 4 hours/day as needed by their assigned bus runs. See attached assignments.
a. Nancy Ruffinen b. Ralph Roberts c. Bob Cushing d. Debbie Hayes $20.25/hr $20.35/hr $20.25/hr $20.35/hr
3.24 Approve Joyce Lanesey Summer Bus Aide for July 6 thru August 16, 2021, 4 hours/day at a rate of $16.33/hr.
3.25 Approve Joyce Lanesey Bus Aide at a rate of $16.33/hr. for the 2021-2022 school year.
Informational
4.1 Organizational/Regular Meeting of the Board of Education July 6, 2021 @ 7 pm
4.2 Graduation Thursday June 24, 2021 @ 7pm
4.3 Opportunity for the Public to be Heard
5.0
Recommended Action: That the Board of Education adjourns into Executive Session, if needed, for the
purpose of discussing one or more of the following subjects:
1. _______ Matters that will imperil the public safety if disclosed.
2. _______ Any matter that may disclose the identity of a law enforcement agent or informer.
3. _______ Information relating to current or future investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense that would
imperil effective law enforcement if disclosed.
4. _______ Discussion involving proposed, pending, or current litigation.
5. _______ Collective negotiations pursuant to article 14 of the Civil Service Law.
6. _______ The medical, financial, credit, or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters
leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal,
or removal of a particular person or corporation. 7. _______ The preparation, grading, or administration of exams.
8. _______ The proposed acquisition, sale, or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition, sale, or exchange of securities, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value of these things (Pub. Off. Law § 105(a-h)).
6.0 Return to Open Session 7.0 Adjournment
The mission of our community-based school is to create a safe, compassionate, progressive learning environment that recognizes individual needs and encourages all students to strive for personal and educational excellence.
As a small, suburban school district, rich with pride, we believe that by working together we can: create a dynamic program based on character, tolerance and diversity; provide opportunities for all to reach their fullest potential; empower all to
achieve personal excellence and encourage a life-long love of learning.

District Calendar Clarification

We are writing to clarify our website’s district calendar. 

There has been some confusion surrounding an entry on our website’s district calendar. The calendar previously read that our last day of school (June 24) would be an early dismissal day. That entry has since been removed; June 24 will be a full day of school for all grades.

While it was originally planned to be an early dismissal day, the district used this time to push back the start of the 2020-21 school year in September and therefore must make up for this time. 

We apologize for any confusion.

 

Revised Mask Guidance Effective June 8

Yesterday, Governor Cuomo indicated that the state would relax its mask mandate for schools when students are outside for recess or physical education.
Effective today, Wynantskill UFSD will implement this policy change for outdoor activities, including sports. Masks will still be required indoors and on buses for all students and staff for the rest of this school year along with other COVID-19 mitigation protocols including social distancing. Updated guidance, released late last evening, indicates that no student, teacher, staff member, or visitor may be prevented from voluntarily wearing a mask outside on school grounds. We will communicate any changes to protocols impacting summer school and the start of school this fall when this guidance is available from the state.
Wynantskill UFSD

Important Update Regarding Mask Use

After meeting with regional superintendents and county Department of Health officials, the
District will be implementing temporary mask adjustments in anticipation of the expected heat
and humidity tomorrow and of additional guidance from the New York State Department of
Health (NYSDOH).

On Monday, we will provide teachers and staff with the discretion to extend mask breaks in
class while students are seated. Mask wearing can be relaxed outside during recess and
physical education while following all other COVID-19 mitigation protocols including physical
distancing. Please continue to follow all COVID-19 mitigation protocols, including social
distancing, handwashing, and the wearing of masks on buses as these have worked throughout
the school year and have allowed us to maintain our schools and offices open.

Our district is aware of the letter that the NYS Commissioner of Health Dr. Zucker sent to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky last Friday
regarding new COVID-19 guidance for the wearing of masks in schools across NYS. While Dr.
Zucker’s intent has already been publicized in various media outlets; these changes have not
been formally communicated to school districts. Over the weekend, we received an email from
the New York State Education Department clarifying that the intent of this letter was to obtain
a response from the CDC regarding differing standards for summer camps and schools.

At this time, we are awaiting official guidance from the New York State Department of Health
or the State Education Department on mask changes. We will inform the Wynantskill
community when official guidance is received. The school district will review and evaluate the
guidance before considering or making any changes to its COVID-19 mask protocols.

The health and safety of our students and staff remains our top priority as we prepare to finish
one school year and plan for another. We thank you for your patience as we await formal
guidance that will allow us to make any permanent changes to the mask protocols.

NYS Guidelines Still Require Masks on Pre-K to 12 Campuses

The State recently adopted the CDC’s Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People for most business and public settings. This guidance states that fully vaccinated individuals may resume activities without wearing masks or physical distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. 

However, the State has required all pre-K to 12 schools to follow the existing COVID-19 health guidelines until more New Yorkers are fully vaccinated, which means all individuals in schools, on school property and on school buses must continue to wear masks whether or not they are fully vaccinated. This new guidance also applies to public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes and healthcare settings.

We thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding.

Class of 2021 Valedictorian and Salutatorian Named

The Wynantskill Union Free School District is pleased to announce Elizabeth Carbone as its Valedictorian and Carley Walsh as its Salutatorian for the Class of 2021.

Elizabeth Carbone
Carbone will be attending Averill Park High School in the fall. Carbone says she looks forward to meeting new people entering high school. Carbone has played on the Gardner-Dickinson soccer, basketball and softball teams and has participated in Odyssey of the Mind. Carbone says she will miss the tight-knit Gardner-Dickinson community the most when she enters high school and has been positively impacted by every teacher she has had in her time at Gardner-Dickinson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carley Walsh
Walsh will be attending Averill Park High School in the fall. Walsh is looking forward to making new friends in Averill Park next school year and says she will miss all of her friends at Gardner-Dickinson who will not be going to Averill Park next year.

NYS Science Testing

Gardner-Dickinson Families,

In March, we shared that the New York State Education Department submitted a waiver to the United States Department of Education that would not require New York districts to administer state assessments due to circumstances surrounding the ongoing pandemic. That waiver has not been granted, so Gardner-Dickinson must move forward with its scheduled dates to administer state assessments.

On Tuesday, June 8th, in-person students in grades 4 and 8 will be taking the New York State Science Test. Only the written, first session of the assessment will be administered this school year. Grade 4 will begin at 9 a.m. and Grade 8 will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Tips for testing:

  • Get a full night’s rest before testing
  • Eat a healthy breakfast the morning of
  • Have a relaxing night before testing

If you have any questions regarding state assessments, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Suzann Cornell
Gardner-Dickinson Principal
scornell@wynantskillufsd.org
518-283-4600