All GASD staff and families, 

Beginning tomorrow, Friday, January 21, ALL GASD students in Pre-K through Grade 12 will be shifting to Remote Only Learning until Monday, February 1 because of the need to quarantine additional teachers and staff districtwide due to possible exposure to COVID-19. 

These new developments occurred today as a result of new case reporting and contract tracing. The decision to pause in person/hybrid learning was made by the administration and authorized by the GASD Board of Education President out of an abundance of caution.

In person learning will be on pause for the next week from Friday, January 21 through Friday, January 29 at all schools. Teachers and staff have the option of working remotely or in their classrooms during this temporary pause unless told otherwise by their building principal. Please complete the Parent Square attestation app and sign in if you come in person to work.

Amsterdam High School students attending CTE classes: CTE classes will be held in person as scheduled and student transportation will be provided. CTE students should follow the transportation schedules being sent out by the high school building principal. If you are scheduled to take the PSAT exam on Thursday, January 27 testing will go on as scheduled in person at the high school.

Special education outside placements will continue as usual during this pause period. Wednesday in person therapy services (OT/PT), however, will be held remote only on January 27.

GASD apologizes for these continual changes but please remember that moves like these become necessary when a significant number of GASD faculty are placed in mandatory quarantine, and a staffing shortage requires that we temporarily shift schools to a fully remote setting. We ask you to check Parent Square daily and especially over the weekend and have plans in place should shifts to remote learning become necessary. If circumstances change before February 1 you will be notified.

Please continue to conduct at-home screenings and maintain personal awareness of COVID symptoms for your children and report any suspected cases to your school. As always, the health and safety of the students, staff, and community in GASD remains our top priority.

Sincerely,

Richard Ruberti
GASD Superintendent of Schools