School Nurse Tricia Gibbs would like to share guidance from New York State about immunization requirements for school for 2020-2021.

The information is available here.

If you have any questions, please email Ms. Gibbs at tgibbs@wynantskillufsd.org.

Dear Gardner-Dickinson Families,

We hope that this letter finds your family safe, healthy and ready for a break from homeschooling! Thank you for your incredible hard work and support, as together, in a true partnership, we successfully facilitated remote learning this quarter during the statewide school closure. We could not have done this without you!

Together, families and our GD faculty and staff worked tirelessly to shift to remote instruction for all of our Pre-K-8 students. Learning new technologies and online platforms instantaneously to support instructional materials and to keep our close to 400 students connected and engaged was a huge undertaking. It was a great success due to the hard work from our students, families, faculty, staff, support teachers, therapist, counselors, technology coordinators and clerical staff. They were correct in saying it takes a village…thank you Wynantskill UFSD!

We know many of you are eager to know what the start of next school year will look like and you are not alone. Over the summer, as we await the Governor’s plans to return to our physical school building, we will examine a variety of different scenarios while working closely with the NYSED, Questar III, and the CDC to consider their guidance on re-opening schools. This is an ever-evolving situation and you will be informed as soon as we have any definitive answers as to what school will look like next year. Be assured that we will always prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and staff during this planning process.

Families, please remember to drop off any school materials (computers, books, etc.) and pick up your children’s belongings next: Monday, June 15 anytime between 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. if your last name begins with the letters A-L and Tuesday, June 16 between 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. if your last name begins with the letters M-Z.

Families should pull right up in the circle and a staff member will come to your car to retrieve your items (books, laptops, or any materials that belong to the school) and to hand you your child’s belongings as well as their 4th quarter report card. *Please note that report cards will not have next year’s classroom teacher included as we will wait until later in the summer to release classroom rosters. Supply lists are also being placed on hold as the PTA is currently working with the district to provide funding for supplies in hopes to cover all costs for all families. Thank you PTA!

Warm wishes to our 8th Graders as they leave GD and move on to the high school. Although this year was not the way anyone would like you to have finished, please remember the amazing years you have had at Gardner-Dickinson and know that you are forever in our hearts. We will see you for your outside graduation ceremony/parade on Wednesday, June 17th at 7:00 p.m. (more specific information to follow).

To all of our students, have a wonderful summer as you have earned it. Please take advantage of the online resources that will continue to be provided to you over the summer. You will still have access to your Google Classroom if you want to revisit any previously posted materials and links, as well as, the use of Moby Max and MyOn for extra math and reading practice during the summer months.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not publicly give a tremendous thank you to Dr. Reardon for his amazing job to support our GD community over the last 5 years. He is the most dedicated and hardworking educator that I have had the pleasure of working with. He took on many hats during his 5 years at GD and his brilliant, problem-solving approach was unlike no other. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with such a positive leader. Gardner-Dickinson is a stronger school community because of his countless contributions. We wish him the best of luck as he moves onto the next chapter in his career as Schalmont CSD needs his help as well.

Stay well, stay Safe! We miss you all very much and can’t wait to see you again in person. Have a wonderful summer!

Much love,

Dr. Yodis

Greetings, GD Families!

We hope you are preparing for a well-deserved summer. First and foremost, thank you for your support of your children as we navigated this uncharted terrority of remote instruction for the past three months. Certainly, none of us could have predicted this would be our “new normal.” But, like any challenge GD faces, we prevailed and made what seemed like the impossible something manageable. I am proud of the work your children accomplished and though nothing can substitute for being in the classroom, GD students rose to the occasion.

As for the Fall and what our program will look like, there are many questions that have yet to be answered. Rest assured that as further guidance is provided from the Governor and the New York State Education Department we will keep you informed. Right now, we must simply wait, recharge, and remain as flexible as possible (an attribute all of you displayed when this pandemic hit us mid-March).

Your child’s report card will be sent home the week of June 15. Recognizing that this quarter was nothing like the first three, we elected to “grade” using the following system:

Elementary Report Cards (Pre-K-5)

Your child’s teacher will write a narrative only, with no scores listed in the individual subject boxes. The narrative will contain an account of the learning that occurred and any comments observed by your child’s teacher.

Middle School Report Cards (6-8) and Special Area: (K-8)

In lieu of a number grade for the 4th quarter, faculty of respective courses will use the same ratings used for progress reports (indicating if your child worked below, at, or above expectations set forth by each individual course). The final course average box will be computed as either a Pass (P) or Fail (F), based upon their first three quarter averages, combined with their cumulative participation during the 4th quarter. This model is consistent with our neighboring school districts and our eighth grade student transcripts will reflect the course credit earned as they enter ninth grade (high schools are not looking for a numerical average for these courses, even courses with a Regents exam as these assessments were universally cancelled this year).

Teacher Assignments (K-6)

You will also notice on the K-6 report cards that your child has not been assigned a classroom teacher for the Fall like we have traditionally done in the past. With the uncertainty and potential restrictions, it would be unfair to set expectations for a particular teacher and then have to make changes before the start of the school year due to guidance from the CDC, New York State, and Department of Health. Once we receive all of the additional guidance and regulations for September, we will send that information out to families along with your child’s classroom teacher and a supply list.

A true testament to a school community is how they react during a crisis. Once again, thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Dr. Thomas Reardon

The Board of Education would like to update the community about its superintendent search process.

At its May 21 meeting, the Board agreed to use Questar III BOCES to assist the district’s search with the goal of having a superintendent appointed as close to the opening of the 2020-21 school year as possible.

The district will use an online community survey to help the Board build criteria for the next superintendent and questions for the Board to ask during interviews.

Principal Dr. Mary Yodis was appointed interim superintendent effective July 1 to lead the district during the search.

The Board will continue to keep our community updated about the search process as it proceeds. Thank you.

To make it easier for families to find the latest information about the school closing due to coronavirus precautions, we are listing all updates on this webpage. Last updated May 4, 2020.

Classes Canceled Through End of School Year

Governor Andrew Cuomo has extended the school closing for all New York schools through the end of the school year.

Buildings Closed to Visitors

School buildings are closed to visitors. We apologize for the inconvenience but we want to minimize the number of people in our buildings and allow our Facilities Department to thoroughly clean with minimal disruption.

Home Instruction Resources

During the school closure, our teachers are working to help keep students learning. While nothing replaces direct teacher instruction in a classroom, please check our Contact US webpage for email addresses, websites and social media accounts for teachers.

Playground Closed

The school’s playground is closed during the school closure by order of New York State to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Capital District YMCA to Provide Childcare for Essential Personnel

The YMCA is providing childcare services for essential personnel who do not have the option to work from home, as defined by the NYS Education Department. More info here.

Free Meals Available for Students

Gardner-Dickinson School will offer a week of meals for any student who wants them each Monday from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m.

Pick up location is the loading dock on the right side of the building. Meals will be ready for any families who picked them up last week.

If you have not received the meals and would like to, please email Food Service Director Lori Audi at laudi@wynantskillufsd.org with names of students and any allergies or restrictions. You can also leave a message at 518-283-4600 ext. 22.

Technology

Families facing technology challenges during school closure are asked to please email Superintendent Dr. Thomas Reardon.

Grades 3-8 Assessments Suspended

New York State has suspended the Grades 3-8 ELA and Math assessments this school year.

Preventative Measures for Families

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an excellent website with preventative measures.

• Here are some basic guidelines.
• Encourage your family to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is the top recommendation by the NYS Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing. Throw away tissues after use and wash hands with soap and water.
• Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, including cell phones

Have a Question About an Update That Is Not Listed Here?

Please email Communications Specialist Jason McCord if you have a question not listed on this webpage.

Hello GD Families,

First and foremost, I hope you are all well and staying safe at home. I miss the kids terribly and hope you will give them my love and well wishes.

I wanted to let you all know that due to the extended school closure, we at GD, are hard at work as we begin to deliver new instruction in an effective and efficient manner. The last few weeks teachers have ensured a spiral review of previously taught curriculum and moved towards mastery in many areas.

Now that home instruction is continuing through the end of the month, we will be presenting students with new curriculum and materials at each grade level and in every subject area. We will be utilizing the same curriculum framework and materials that our students are accustomed to, just delivering in a creative fashion to say the least.

In ELA, grades K-5 will continue the use of our Journeys reading program and grades 6-8 will continue their use of novel studies and writing units. In math K-8 students will continue the NYS Standards and Modules. In Science, our new Foss Kits will be used virtually in conjunction with your new home laboratories (thank you). In Social Studies, the NYS inquiry-based standards will continue to be followed. Spanish in grades 6-8 will have combinations of review at differentiated levels, as well as new areas of study. Special area teachers will also be posting activities and assignments to engage your children in the arts and physical education.

Because we will now be providing new instruction, it is essential that your children are able to log on to a computer each day to obtain these new lessons, complete assignments and to engage in group meetings. Please note that if you need to borrow a computer from the school, please email Anthony Vescio at avescio@wynantskillufsd.org in order to arrange a time that is mutually convenient.

Next Monday, April 13, will begin the collection and assessment of student work that will be used for 4th quarter grading. Participation, effort and completeness of assignments will be used for grading so it is critical that students are engaging each day.

We understand that many of you are juggling work, your children’s schooling, and everyone’s mental health and well being during such a stressful time. Please know that we are working hard to provide children with clear and concise instructions/assignments and reteaching opportunities so that they should be able to work independently or with minimal support. We will also have our remedial, special education teachers, therapists and support staff reaching out to students to provide their services and supports as well.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to email me at myodis@wynantskillufsd.org.

Thank you and please be well and stay safe,

Dr. Mary Yodis