Join us for Kids Day on Feb. 19

Hello GD Families,

The UAlbany Great Danes Men’s Basketball team is sponsoring a Kids day on February 19, 2022 at 4 p.m. on their home turf at the SEFCU Arena located on campus.

Tickets for kids are FREE. Tickets for adults are $8. Gardner Dickinson has reserved a section so that our GD families can cheer on the Great Danes together!  Please mention that you are with GD at the BOX OFFICE to be seated in section 500.

We hope to flood the Great Danes with a sea of ROYAL support!

If you would like to arrange parking in advance please see the link below:
https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/Buy.asp?EventID=322865#.YgPfQerMLs0

 

Update on masks, test kits

Today, Governor Hochul announced that, while the indoor mask mandate for business will end tomorrow, masks will still be required in certain settings, including schools.

In early March, the state will make an assessment on mask protocols in schools based on the latest metrics. This includes cases per 100K, percent positivity, hospital admissions, pediatric hospitalizations, vaccinations, and global trends. The state is currently drafting proposed guidelines (if the mask mandate were to end) based on feedback from state education groups.

The Governor also indicated that test kits will be sent to students prior to the winter break. These test kits are to be used as a screening tool to be used prior to returning to school on Monday, February 28.

In order to accommodate our families, Wynantskill UFSD will be sending a bag with 2 kits home per student in their backpacks on Wednesday, February 16th. If you would prefer that we do not send the kits home with your child, please let us know by calling the main office at 518-283-4600. 

Thank you,

Dr. Mary Yodis
Superintendent
Wynantskill UFSD

G-D celebrates Two’s Day

Gardner-Dickinson celebrated Two’s Day yesterday as a school community, including Twin Day by grade level. This included Pre-K/4th Grade wearing red, Kindergarten/5th Grade wearing orange, 1st Grade/6th Grade wearing yellow, 2nd Grade/7th Grade wearing green and 3rd Grade/8th Grade wearing blue.

 

Valentine’s Day project deadline extended

UPDATE

With the impending snowstorm tomorrow, we are extending the due date for Valentine’s cards to Monday, February 7.  Stock up on or pull out the crafting supplies – valentines cards would be a great cozy day activity!

Don’t forget our essential workers!  Let’s spread the love and kindness to the nurses at Van Rensselaer too!  💖.

Please leave Valentine’s cards loose (not in envelopes).  Thank you all so much for your amazing caring and compassion!

 

PTA seeks Valentine’s Day cards for local nursing home

The Wynantskill PTA would like your support to help Share the Love this Valentine’s Day!

Let’s help bring Cupid to the residents at Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing Facility by creating some fabulous Valentine’s Day cards!

There’s no limit on how many cards you can submit so create, share, and show all the love you can!

Please send cards to school to be left in the Main Office.

All cards must be received by Friday February 4.

Let’s “royally” brighten someone’s day with some love and kindness.

 

 

A Message from the Superintendent

Dear GD Families:

I want to thank those of you who attended our town hall meetings by grade level last evening. We had about 100 family members as well as PTA and BOE members in attendance to engage in important conversations about the current school year. 

I have attached the PowerPoint slides, the calendar list of actual and anticipated activities, a bulleted summary of the discussions as well as the actual notes taken by my assistant, Heidi Hallock. 

If you were unable to attend and would like to provide your feedback, please complete our online survey by Friday, January 28 at https://www.wynantskillufsd.org/2022/01/24/survey-for-families-unable-to-attend-1-25-town-hall/

We will then share the results of this survey in the upcoming week. 

Thank you again for your time, feedback, suggestions, and your support to our school district. 

We look forward to working with you to make improvements for our children.

Dr. Mary Yodis
Superintendent

Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration Now Open

Wynantskill UFSD is now accepting Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten applications for the 2022-2023 school year.

For Pre-K registration, students must be 4 years old by Dec. 1. For kindergarten registration, students must be 5 years old by Dec. 1.

Pre-K registrations are due by February 8, 2022. Please note due to the program’s limited enrollment an application does not guarantee a spot in the program. Applicants will be notified by March 4, 2022.

Gardner-Dickinson School is accepting kindergarten registrations by phone for the 2022-23 school year. Parents are asked to contact Ms. Fazioli at 518-283-4600 ext. 201 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Download our Pre-k and kindergarten registration packets online.

Update Regarding Masks in Schools

Wynantskill UFSD is aware that a state judge ruled the Governor and State Department of Health did not have the authority to enact a mask mandate without approval from the state legislature.

However, we received notice last evening from the New York State Education Department that the State Department of Health will appeal the decision and seek a stay regarding the enforcement of the mask rule.

As a result, the State Education Department has indicated that schools must continue to require the use of masks pending the outcome of the appeal.

Below is the full statement from the State Education Department in response to the ruling:

“The State Education Department understands that Nassau County Supreme Court has ruled that the Department of Health exceeded its authority in enacting the mask regulation, 10 NYCRR 2.60, in Demetriou et al. v. New York State Dep’t of Health et al. This regulation is the subject of conflicting decisions, insofar as Albany County Supreme Court recently upheld the regulation in Massapequa UFSD et al. v. Hochul, et al.

It is SED’s understanding that the Department of Health will appeal the Nassau County Supreme Court decision, which will result in an automatic stay that will unambiguously restore the mask rule until such time as an appellate court issues a further ruling. Therefore, schools must continue to follow the mask rule.”

We will communicate any changes to COVID protocols as they happen. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Dr. Mary Yodis
Wynantskill UFSD Superintendent

Survey

Survey for families unable to attend 1/25 town hall

On Tuesday, January 25th, Wynantskill UFSD will hold three Town Hall Meetings in our gymnasium to hear from families.

The meetings will be held at the following times:

  • Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grade Families- 5 to 6 p.m.
  • 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade Families- 6 to 7 p.m.
  • 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Families- 7 to 8 p.m.

Please RVSP to Heidi Hallock at Hhallock@wynantskillufsd.org or (518) 283-4600 ex. 250 so we can plan for chairs and refreshments.

We invite those who are unable to attend to fill out the survey below.