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

March 5, 2020

Dear Gardner-Dickinson families,

In an effort to keep our students, employees and community well, Wynantskill UFSD is working closely with its health and safety consultant to monitor and distribute information released from the New York State Department of Health relating to the Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

The district is also working diligently to keep the facilities clean and its faculty, staff and students educated on how to prevent the spread of the virus.

Please see the following information from the NYS Department of Health:

A new coronavirus called 2019 Novel (new) Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was first found in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. This virus had not been found in humans before. This coronavirus can lead to fever, cough and trouble breathing or shortness of breath. There are thousands of diagnosed cases in China and new cases being diagnosed in a number of countries including the United States.

What do we know?

Since this virus is very new, health authorities continue to carefully watch how this virus spreads. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working hard to learn as much as possible about this new virus, so that we can better understand how it spreads and causes illness. The CDC considers this virus to be a serious public health concern. Based on current information the CDC recommends avoiding travel to China. Updated travel information related to 2019-nCoV can be found here.

How Does 2019 Novel (New) Coronavirus Spread?

Health experts believe the virus probably spreads from animals to humans and from person to person. It’s not clear yet how easily the virus spreads from person-to-person. The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) is not currently a concern for the general public and is not actively circulating among New Yorkers at this time. Therefore, there is no need to cancel school or social events, and there is no need for students or school staff to wear surgical masks at school.

Prevention

There are currently no vaccines available to protect against this virus. The New York State Department of Health (DOH) recommends the following ways to minimize the spread of all respiratory viruses, including 2019-nCoV:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
• Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Symptoms

Information to date suggests that 2019-nCoV causes mild-to-moderate illness and symptoms like the flu, including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

This is an emerging, rapidly changing situation. For questions please contact your local department of health or the NYS DOH Novel Coronavirus hotline at 1-888-364-3065.

We encourage you to keep up to date about 2019-nCoV, its treatment and prevention by visiting the following websites:

Additional Resources

• CDC’s dedicated 2019-nCoV website
• NYSDOH’s dedicated 2019-nCoV website
• NYSDOH directory of local health departments
• New York State Center for School Health website

We will continue to keep our community informed as guidance becomes available from the NYS Department of Health.

Sincerely,

Dr. Thomas Reardon
Superintendent

Library Media Specialist Linda Fecura would like to let families know that the school library has moved to a new eBook app and student account system that is easier for students to use and log in.

The library is now using the new Sora OverDrive app, which is designed for schools. The new system uses individual student accounts instead of a generic account that was used with OverDrive.

Students should now log in using their Wynantskill gmail accounts.

“It’s really so much better. It’s much more appealing for students and they can make collections for their accounts,” said Ms. Fecura.

If parents have questions, please contact Ms. Fecura at lfecura@wynantskillufsd.org.