Category Archives: Elementary School

Tips for Celebrating the Holidays Safely

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The CDC has released updated guidance on how best to safely celebrate the holidays. Some important highlights include:

  • Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination (such as young children) by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated.
  • Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth if you are in public indoor settings.
  • Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.
  • Outdoors is safer than indoors.
  • If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering.
  • Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

See the full guidance here.

 

Reminder – Covid-Testing Consent Form Due Oct. 29

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Please note that we sent home a consent form with your children on October 14 regarding Covid-19 testing, which we are required to offer by the NYS Department of Health. You can also download the form here. We anticipate this testing will begin by early November.

We ask that you complete and return the form to Gardner-Dickinson’s main office in-person or with your children by October 29. The original communication regarding this matter can be viewed here.

 

NYS School Board Recognition Week

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We would like to recognize our Board of Education members for all their efforts on behalf of the Wynantskill UFSD – your leadership helps our students and school community to thrive. We appreciate and thank you for your work!

 

Supt. Yodis (front, center) with Wynantskill UFSD Board members, left to right: (back) Eric Strang, Keith Hirokawa, Cathy Castle and (front) Andrew Lanesey, Darcy Mack

 

 

Wynantskill UFSD Gardner-Dickinson

Updated Remote Learning Plan, Code of Conduct and More

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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

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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

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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!

Opt-In To Text Messages from GD

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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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