Given that this is a fluid and potentially rapidly developing situation, we will use this web page to share information and resources as the circumstances warrant. Any time-sensitive, critical information will be shared via the district’s School Messenger notification system, which can send e-mails, text messages and phone calls. Please check back frequently for updates

May 22 – 11 a.m. – Last day of school June 17, Next year’s school schedule ready

GASD school students and families,

This Monday, May 25 the Greater Amsterdam School District will join our nation in its annual Memorial Day tribute as we honor and commemorate all of the men and women who have died in military service for the United States. As we take a break from our remote learning, please take some time to reflect on the sacrifices made including many from our former students serving in the military while you enjoy your families and loved ones, and your time together. Our nation has been through an awful lot in the past few months but remember we have had one another to get through this and we will come out stronger in the end. Please note that the last day of the 2019-20 school year for students and their remote learning will be Wednesday, June 17. Below are links to the elementary and secondary school calendars for the 2020-21 school year approved by the Board of Education. Finally, as our Mohawk Valley region begins the reopening process our school district’s SAFER Committee is putting plans in place for reopening schools in the fall following federal, state and county directives. More information will be forthcoming. In the meantime, enjoy your holiday and be safe everyone.

• 2020-21 Elementary School Schedule
• 2020-21 Secondary School Schedule

Dr. Raymond Colucciello
GASD Interim Superintendent of schools

Members of the GASD Board of Education

May 8 – 5 p.m. – Schools/COVID-19 video message to staff/community from Interim Superintendent

I hope you are all staying healthy. COVID-19 has brought many challenges to our Greater Amsterdam school students and staff, and of course, to our families. Teaching remotely, providing Internet access to homes, incorporating Chromebooks into daily instruction, video communications, feeding our families, social distancing, wearing masks, constantly washing our hands … and the list goes on. But through all of this, we have risen to the challenge ever mindful each day of our most important concern – the health and safety of everyone.

• Watch Video Message Here

May 1 – 5 p.m. – Schools closed through remainder of academic year, School budget/school board vote June 9 by mail

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that all schools in New York State will remain closed through the remainder of the academic year including the suspension of all athletics and extracurricular activities. Cuomo said his decision to continue remote learning is based on the challenges of making schools safe for students, teachers and employees. A decision on summer school will be made by the governor by the end of May, he said. All school offices and facilities remain closed under PAUSE through May 15. Additionally, NYSPHSAA announced that the spring interscholastic season has been canceled. Schools will continue remote instruction, supplying meals to students and offering day care help to essential workers under the governor’s executive order. 

Early this week, the State Education Department also announced that the August 2020 Regents exams have been cancelled. There are no Regents exams being administered this school year.

Earlier this week, the New York State Education Department announced it would form a statewide task force made up of educational leaders, including superintendents, principals, teachers, parents, school board members and other stakeholders, to guide the reopening of schools and ensure that children’s educational, developmental and overall well being is considered during this important discussion.

Gov. Cuomo also announced school districts must develop plans for reopening to in-person learning. GASD school leaders had already organized a Reopening Task Force made up of administrators, department heads, staff and community members to begin discussing what guidelines and regulations will need to be met to safely reopen school for the 2020-21 school year. This includes how to properly adhere to social distancing guidelines, proper disinfecting and cleaning protocols, etc. The Task Force will begin meeting next week and will incorporate guidance from state and local health departments in the plans. More information will be available at a later date.

Gov. Cuomo also signed an executive order setting the school budget vote and school board election vote day statewide to June 9, 2020. There will be no in-person voting. All voting will be done by mail-in ballot. More details coming on that.

April 24 – 12:30 p.m. – Update on child care funding for essential workers

New York State is using a portion of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funds to provide child care to income eligible essential workers at no cost. Essential workers who must work outside of the home and who are using a regulated child care provider will receive a scholarship for the cost of care as long as the funds to support it are available. All licensed and regulated providers who are caring for essential workers are able to participate in this new program.

In order to qualify for the scholarship, families must have an adjusted gross income at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four that equals an annual income of $78,600. 

Parents are asked to complete the following application for the CARES Child Care Scholarship via the link below. It informs parents that the application will be considered complete once the online application is finished AND the required supplemental documentation is submitted to Brightside Up, the Childcare Resource and Referral Agency (CCRA) for Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady counties. For parents that currently receive a subsidy from their local DSS to pay for child care, this scholarship can cover the parent co-pay. Parents should apply for the CARES Act Scholarship, and then contact their local Department of Social Services to get a letter stating their current co-pay. Please address any questions to Tricia Howland at thowland@brightsideup.org.

Click here for the COVID-19 CARES Child Care Scholarship Application

April 16, 2020 – 2:30 p.m. – Gov. Cuomo extends school closures through May 15

April 14, 2020 – 1:30 p.m. – Gov. Cuomo says reopening of school tied to starting of businesses

Governor Cuomo has an executive order in place that all schools will remain closed through and including April 29. So the question everyone is asking, and one the governor says he, himself, is asked “a hundred times a day” is: Will schools really reopen at that time?

The answer is simple … nobody really knows.

While we closely monitor the situation at the state and local level, the governor has said that he believes the reopening of schools is closely tied to the reopening businesses. In fact, they ideally should reopen at the same time.

“Schools, businesses, workforce, transportation — it all has to be coordinated,” Cuomo said. “If you say schools are closed … then you’re effectively saying businesses are closed … because you can’t restart the economy fully without restarting schools. Schools also provide not just education but also in many ways child care for people who can then go to work.”

With that in mind, Cuomo announced Monday he and governors from six surrounding states have formed a joint task force to determine how quickly and fully they will be able to reopen their state economies from coronavirus-related lockdown measures in the weeks and months ahead.

The new economic partnership between New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Delaware (and now) Massachusetts was announced during a news conference between each states’ governors. Cuomo, who led the conference, said a public health official and an economic adviser would be appointed by each state and then work alongside each governors’ chief of staff on the new taskforce to formulate a plan.

Work will begin with the 18 members on the task force this week. Any other Northeastern states are welcome to contribute to the task force, Cuomo added. Cuomo will give updates on the progress of task force members at his daily press briefings broadcast on local TV and online.

Meanwhile, any decision to reopen schools, Cuomo said, will be data and science driven. In the meantime, GASD students at all grade levels will continue to collaborate with their teachers and learn remotely from home until if, and when, they are called back to school this year.

Thank you for your patience and be well, everyone!

April 10, 2020 – 3:30 p.m. – Holiday wishes from the Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools

Dear GASD Parent/Guardian/Staff,

On behalf of the Board of Education and I, we hope you and your family are safe and healthy as you read this letter. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding as we have been adjusting, like you, to the drastic changes in life during the last few weeks. We are extremely appreciative of our students, parents, teachers, staff, and administrators for their positivity, flexibility and resilience during these trying times. We also want to thank our volunteers who work tirelessly to prepare and deliver meals to our students and our local providers who offer childcare to the essential workers in our community.

As you know, learning from home for the GASD is in full motion. Our goal is to provide continuous educational opportunities and practice for students while schools are closed but also to eliminate as much stress as feasibly possible for students, parents, and teachers. While it is our responsibility to continue to educate our children, we also want to compassionately take into consideration the variety of difficulties that our families and employees are enduring during this time.

As you know, Governor Cuomo has an executive order in place that all schools will remain closed through and including April 29. We are closely monitoring the situation at the state and local level and will let you know if that closure needs to be extended. Until that time students will continue online home instruction with their teachers each day resuming on Monday, April 13.

As we enter the religious holiday period of Easter and Passover, we wish you and your family the best. We know this time has been difficult for all of us, but we believe we will all be stronger when we come out on the other side of this pandemic. Stay close, enjoy one another and have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

The GASD Board of Education and Dr. Raymond Colucciello
GASD Interim Superintendent of Schools

April 6, 2020 – 1:45 p.m. – School closures extended through April 29, June Regents canceled

March 27, 2020 – 5 p.m. – School/office closures extended until April 15

Dear GASD parent/guardian/staff member,  

Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today, March 27, that schools in New York state will remain closed until April 15.

We realize the April 15 date falls within our spring break period, and we are waiting on further guidance as to whether school break will be affected by the governor’s latest executive order.

We are closely monitoring the situation at the state and local level and will let you know if that closure needs to be extended.  All sporting practices and events, rehearsals, shows, school events, activities and after-school programs will also continue to be canceled during this extended closure time. Fields, tracks and playgrounds will also remain closed to the public. We will continue providing meals to GASD families at our school distribution sites and bus stop locations, even during the spring break period.

During this pandemic, the district has been following close guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the New York State Department of Health, New York State Department of Education (NYSED) and our local county health departments. 

School leaders will continue to closely monitor guidance from NYSED about how these circumstances will impact the school calendar for the remainder of the academic year, including Regents examinations and graduation. We will share more information as soon as it is available. 

Thank you for your continued patience and support. We will provide you with more information as it becomes available and continue to communicate with families via email, phone calls and our website.

Sincerely,

Dr. Raymond Colucciello
GASD Interim Superintendent of Schools

March 24, 2020 – Noon – No in-person tax payments, Mental health hotline established

Mental Health Hotline established

It will be staffed by licensed Family Peer Advocates to support people dealing with anxiety and other issues related to COVID-19 and being isolated. In addition, they are equipped to assess the caller’s needs to determine if they need a higher level of care and triaged. They will have immediate access to the FCC 24/7 Crisis Team.

March 22, 2020 – Noon – Additional Chromebook distribution information

Greater Amsterdam Schools have established additional Chromebook distribution dates for students who couldn’t pick them up last Friday. Dates are as follows:

K-5 students: Please contact your school principal to arrange a pick up time.

Grades 6-8: Pickup this week, Monday – Friday, at the Lynch Academy meal distribution site from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (front entrance area) or pick up at Lynch from 3-6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25.

Grades 9-12: Pickup this week, Monday – Friday, at the Amsterdam High School meal distribution site from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (front entrance area) or pick up at AHS from 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, March 26.

March 21, 2020 – 11:45 a.m. – WMHT Home Classroom

Starting Monday, March 23, our local PBS station, WMHT Public Media, is offering an educational programming block targeted to support in-home learning for students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12 while area schools are closed. 

From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, WMHT WORLD will offer programming for students in grades 4-12. Each full day line-up will cover a range of subjects including science, math, social studies students, history and literature. 

WMHT will also continue to offer educational programming for pre-k through grade 3 students during the day on WMHT-TV and all-day on WMHT’s 24/7 PBS Kids channel and streaming service.

For the complete programming schedule, related resources, and additional home learning opportunities, visit wmht.org/homeclassroom.

To find any WMHT channel on your television, visit wmht.org/findwmht. 

March 20, 2020 – 5 p.m. – Weekend Coronavirus update

Dear GASD Families, 

Thank you for taking the time to read all of the updates we have been sending. Per Governor Cuomo’s orders, we are closed through April 1. It is important to note that we have to be closed per Governor’s directive or per Department of Health directive in order to be compliant with the Governor’s waiver of the 180-day requirement. Accordingly, we must work with the closure time frame that is currently in effect. 

There is a great deal of important information that is rapidly changing, and we will continue to share all updates with you as we get them. Thank you for your continued support. We will get through this!

Today’s announcement from the governor

Today, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced he is taking what he calls “the ultimate step” in his state’s effort to stop the spread of a deadly coronavirus, signing an executive order “mandating that 100 percent of workforce must stay home, excluding essential services. As such, GASD schools and offices will remain closed until Wednesday, April 1. Essential staff is still available through voice mail messages and email. Scroll down for contact information.

Student meal distribution

Despite schools and offices being closed, student meal pickup will continue next week and until schools reopen. Meals are distributed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at four distribution sites: Tecler Elementary School, Lynch Academy, Amsterdam High School and United Presbyterian Church on Market Street. Beginning on Friday, March 27 students will also receive weekend meals (breakfast and lunch) to take home.

Chromebooks and printed resource packets

Thank you to everyone with students in grades 3-12 who stopped by Friday and pickup up their Chromebooks at our schools. Printed academic resource packets were also handed out during meal picks this week for those who don’t have access to a computer, internet or a home printer. If for some reason you need a Chromebook and were not able to come by Friday, or the printed resource packets, please email your school principal or call your school and leave a message. All calls will be returned within 24 hours. Scroll down for contact information.

State Testing Update

Today, the Chancellor announced the suspension of New York state 3-8 testing program. 

The Chancellor writes, “It is important that during the time of closure, schools are able to continue to focus their efforts toward local school and community needs, as they have been doing, and not be concerned about State assessments. NYSED has applied for federal waivers for testing, accountability and reporting requirements.”

This suspension applies to the following New York State testing programs:

• NYS Grades 3-8 English Language Arts Test
• NYS Grades 3-8 Mathematics Test
• NYS Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
• NYS Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
• NYS English as a Second Language Achievement Testing Grades K-12
• NYS Alternate Assessment for students with severe cognitive disabilities in Grades 3-8 and high school

Essential health care workers child care survey

In accordance with state guidance, the Greater Amsterdam School District is making plans to collaborate with community partners to be able to provide child care for essential health care workers in our community. Note, this service would only be available for those who work in positions identified by the state: physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, LPNs, nurse assistants, laboratory personnel, paramedics, EMTs, police officers and firefighters.

If you are an essential health care worker and anticipate needing child care services over the next days and weeks, please complete this brief survey by midnight Monday, March 22.

Educational and Support Resources for students and families

The district has posted a variety of academic and support resources for students and families on its website. The list continues to grow so check back frequently. For the resources link, click here. As for other educational measures that will be taken during the school closures more details will be forthcoming next week as the district refines its educational plan. In the meantime, teachers are available for questions through email.

Update your contact information

During the Coronovirus pandemic and time of school closures it’s critical that we have families’ and students’ correct and up-to-date contact information. If your address has changed recently please contact Nia Grego at agreco@gasd.org

College Board changes for AP students

The College Board is making changes due to the Coronavirus national pandemic that will affect Amsterdam High School students taking AP courses. For updates please click here.

Finally please continue to take care of yourselves, your loved ones, and each other. Set aside some time to relax this weekend. We have a wonderful community here in Greater Amsterdam, and I am proud to be a part of it. 

Sincerely,
Dr. Raymond Colucciello
Interim Superintendent of Schools

March 19, 2020 – 4 p.m.

Dear GASD parent/guardian,

During the Coronovirus pandemic and time of school closures it’s critical that we have families’ and students’ correct and up-to-date contact information. If your address has changed recently please contact Nia Grego at agreco@gasd.org

Durante la pandemia de Coronovirus y el cierre de la escuela, es fundamental que tengamos la información de contacto correcta y actualizada de las familias y los estudiantes. Si su dirección ha cambiado recientemente, comuníquese con Nia Grego a agreco@gasd.org

March 19, 2020 – 3:20 p.m.

Dear GASD parent/guardian,

Upon advice from the county health department, all Greater Amsterdam School District playgrounds are closed to the public until further notice due to  the COVID-19 pandemic. The high school track is still open for use.

March 18, 2020 – 3 p.m.

Dear GASD parent/guardian,

If your child in grades 3-12 needs access to a Chromebook while classes are canceled, parents/guardians (with photo ID) please go to your child’s school on Friday, March 20, during the schedule below. If you have children in multiple grade levels within the same building, please choose one of the two times. We cannot predict how many people will arrive at each time. Please be patient and maintain at least 3 feet distance between you and others, as recommended by the Department of Health for social distancing.  We have limited capacity, if you have a device at home, please use a personal device so we can accommodate as many families as possible.  Please print out and fill out a user agreement below before you come, if possible. Thank you.

Printable Chromebook user agreement (English)

Printable Chromebook user agreement (Spanish)

Elementary School (Barkley, Curie, McNulty & Tecler)

Grade 3: 8-9 a.m.

Grade 4: 9-10 a.m.

Grade 5: 10-11 a.m.

Middle School (Lynch Academy)

Grade 6: 8-9 a.m.

Grade 7: 9-10 a.m.

Grade 8: 10-11 a.m.

Amsterdam High School

Grade 9: 8-9 a.m.

Grade 10: 9-10 a.m.

Grades 11-12: 10-11 a.m.

Estimado padre / tutor de GASD,

Si su hijo en los grados 3-12 necesita acceso a un Chromebook mientras se cancelan las clases, los padres / tutores (con identificación con foto) deben ir a la escuela de su hijo el viernes 20 de marzo durante el siguiente horario. Si tiene niños en varios niveles de grado dentro del mismo edificio, elija una de las dos veces. No podemos predecir cuántas personas llegarán cada vez. Sea paciente y mantenga una distancia de al menos 3 pies entre usted y los demás, según lo recomendado por el Departamento de Salud para el distanciamiento social. Tenemos capacidad limitada, Si tiene un dispositivo en casa, utilice un dispositivo personal para que podamos acomodar tantas familias como sea posible. Gracias.

Escuela primaria (Barkley, Curie, McNulty y Tecler)

Grado 3 : 8-9 am

Grado 4 : 9-10 am

Grado 5 : 10-11 am

Escuela intermedia (Academia Lynch)

Grado 6 : 8-9 am

Grado 7 : 9-10 am

Grado 8 : 10-11 am

Amsterdam High School

Grado 9 : 8-9 am

Grado 10 : 9-10 am

Grados 11-12 : 10-11 am

March 17, 2020 – 4:30 p.m.

Dear GASD parent, guardian, staff member,

Please note that due to Coronavirus health concerns and a directive by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, all district schools and offices are now closed until Wednesday, April 1^st. Only “essential” workers will be reporting during this time.

If you need to contact someone related to a school matter, please email your building principal or leave a message when you call the school or central district office (list below). You should receive a response within 24 hours. For all other information please check the district website frequently.

Contact information:

• Central Office matters – 518-843-3180 – Option 7
• Emergency matters – 518-843-3180 – Option 8
• Amsterdam High School – 518-843-4932 – tomeally@gasd.org
• Lynch Literacy Academy – 518-843-3716 – ehanan@gasd.org
• Barkley Elementary School – 518-843-1850 – ddecker@gasd.org
• Curie Institute – 518-843-2871 – jpenman@gasd.org
• McNulty Academy – 518-843-4773 – eromano@gasd.org
• Tecler Elementary School – 518-8423-4805 – jmiller@gasd.org

Other information related to this announcement includes:

Breakfast and lunch pickups will go on as scheduled at the distribution sites. Check the district website for complete information.

During school closures, all buildings will receive a thorough/deep cleaning by maintenance staff.

A decision on report cards will be made after April 1.

Locker and instrument pickups at the schools have been suspended at this time.

The Thursday, March 19, Board of Education meeting is closed to public attendance per the Coronavirus open meetings law waiver instituted by Gov. Cuomo. It will be recorded and available on the district website as soon as possible.

In the meantime be well and for the most current and accurate information about the Coronavirus please visit: www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus

Sincerely,
Dr. Raymond Colucciello
GASD Interim Superintendent of Schools

Estimado padre GASD, tutor, miembros del personal,

Por favor tenga en cuenta que debido a problemas de salud de Coronavirus y una directiva por el gobernador del Estado de Nueva York, Andrew Cuomo, todas las escuelas  y las oficinas del distrito están cerradas hasta el miércoles, 1abril.Solo los trabajadores “esenciales” reportan durante este tiempo. 

Si necesita comunicarse con alguien relacionado con un asunto escolar, envíe un correo electrónico al director de su edificio o deje un mensaje cuando llame a la escuela o la oficina central del distrito (lista a continuación). Usted debe recibir una respuesta dentro de las 24 horas. Para obtener información, visite el sitio web del distrito con frecuencia.

Información de contacto:

Asuntos de la Oficina Central – 518-843-3180 – Opción 7

Asuntos de emergencia – 518-843-3180 – Opción 8

Amsterdam High School – 518-843-4932 – tomeally@gasd.org

Lynch Literacy Academy – 518-843-3716 – ehanan@gasd.org

Barkley Elementary School – 518-843-1850 – ddecker@gasd.org

Curie Institute – 518-843-2871 – jpenman@gasd.org

McNulty Academy – 518-843-4773 – eromano@gasd.org

Tecler Elementary School – 518-8423-4805 – jmiller@gasd.org

Otra información relacionada con este anuncio incluye: 

Las recogidas de desayuno y almuerzo se llevaran a la hora programada  en los sitios de distribución. Consulte el sitio web del distrito para obtener información completa.

Durante el cierre de las escuelas, todos los edificios recibirán una limpieza exhaustiva / profunda por parte del personal de mantenimiento.

Se tomará una decisión sobre las boletas de calificaciones después del 1 de abril.

Las recolecciones de casilleros(locker) e instrumentos en las escuelas han sido suspendidas en este momento.

La reunión de la Junta de Educación del jueves 19 de marzo está cerrada a la asistencia pública de acuerdo con la exención de ley de reuniones abiertas de Coronavirus instituida por el Gobernador Cuomo. Se registrará y estará disponible en el sitio web del distrito lo antes posible.

Si tiene una emergencia, llame al número de la oficina del distrito al 518-843-3180 y siga las indicaciones.

Mientras tanto, esté bien y para obtener la información más actualizada y precisa sobre el Coronavirus, visite: www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus

Sinceramente,
Dr. Raymond Colucciello
GASD Superintendente interino de escuelas

March 15, 2020 – 5 p.m.

Dear GASD families and staff members,

After consultation with local public health officials concerning the developing situation of COVID-19, the Greater Amsterdam School District is joining school superintendents in the HFM BOCES area in announcing the cancellation of classes effective Monday, March 16 through Tuesday, March 31. Officials expect school will resume on April 1.

Local school superintendents unanimously made the decision to cancel classes in the region following a meeting Sunday, March 15, with county officials and school district attorneys. 

Although there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19/Coronavirus in our district at present time, the Department of Health has recommended this action as a preventative measure, given the rapidly evolving nature of the virus’s impact.

As announced on Friday, this closure also applies to all district events, activities and athletic practices and games until further notice. Staff should report to school on Monday, March 16 for the scheduled Superintendent’s Conference Day.

School leaders are also in communication with officials from Fulton and Hamilton counties. School district leaders will continue to monitor the situation and will consider if additional closures are required in the future. During this closure, please note the following: 

We are exploring options for food/meal services for students during the closure. More information will be available soon. 

Because there are significant obstacles to affording our instructional programs in an entirely online format, that will not be our goal. However, we soon will share resources for parent-guided and self-guided learning for students. A Superintendent’s Conference Day will be held tomorrow to address this and other issues. All staff should report to school on Monday at 7:45 am.

We realize this action raises a number of questions, including issues surrounding test scheduling and potential impacts on the school calendar. The New York State Education Department continues to work with the Governor’s office, the New York State Department of Health, and the U.S. Department of Education on these and other matters. As soon as we have further guidance, we will share that information with our families.  Please continue to look for updates on our website and the GASD Facebook page.

We fully understand the impact a two-plus-week school closure will have on all of our families. Please know that we made this decision based on health officials’ recommendations and the knowledge that the health and safety of our students, staff and our community are our highest priorities.

For the most current and accurate information about the coronavirus please visit: www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus. 

March 14, 2020 – 6:45 p.m.

Dear GASD parent/guardian/staff member,

I’m sure by now you are aware from news reports of the decision to close schools for various lengths of time in the Capital Region due to the national Coronavirus pandemic. While the Greater Amsterdam School District has had no confirmed cases of the virus, out of an abundance of caution our leaders are also considering what action to take in our area.

Several meetings are scheduled for Sunday and Monday involving Superintendents in the Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES, city leaders and county health officials regarding closing schools. During these meetings the health and safety of all will be our focus. A decision will be made on Monday, March 16 and GASD parents, staff and community members will be informed.

Thank you for our patience.

March 13, 2020 – 2 p.m.

Dear GASD parent/guardian/staff member,

We thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we continue to provide you with updates about COVID-19 and our district plans. As of today, Friday, March 13, the Great Amsterdam School District does not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19.

We have made the decision that this Monday, March 16 will be a Superintendent’s Conference Day and there will be NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS. Staff should report to their schools. This will replace the Superintendent’s Conference Day originally scheduled for Friday, March 20. Students should now report to school next Friday on a normal school schedule. We will be using Monday’s conference day to develop a collection of online resources and protocol in the event that the district or a school needs to close for a period of time in the future. As of right now, there are no plans to close the district or a school.

So to recap, only GASD staff should report to their schools on Monday, March 16 (NO STUDENTS) and both students and staff should report for a normal school day on Friday, March 20.

Please note this decision was not made lightly, and we apologize for the inconvenience this may cause, but we have determined this is the best course of action for the district to be prepared to support our students and families in the event that a closure is required.

Other updates regarding the district and COVID-19 are as follows:

All after school activities and events have been suspended until further notice including the All City Band Concert and all music concerts, LLA Teen Scene, the Mock Trial Competition, craft fair, etc.

By order of the NYS Athletic Conference, all athletics practices, games, etc. have been suspended through April 19.

Saturday, March 14, SAT exams at Amsterdam High School will go on as scheduled.

Due to the current circumstances, the district today began online registration for new students at the following links:

Parent Portal Login

https://parentportal-neric.eschooldata.com/Amsterdam

Parent Portal Registration Link

https://parentportal-neric.eschooldata.com/Register.aspx

Online Registration Link

https://parentportal-neric.eschooldata.com/Amsterdam/register/0/en

March 12, 2020 – 2 p.m. 

Dear Parents/Guardian/GASD Staff Member:

While there are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in the Greater Amsterdam School District we are continuing to monitor the situation daily with the help of the New York state, Fulton and Montgomery County Departments of Health and give you updates as warranted.

 State and national officials continue to emphasize that the general risk to the public is low and that while we all need to be vigilant and cautious, it is also important to stay calm and not contribute to any undue panic.That being said, we know you have questions and we will continue to address them as new information comes forward. Here is the latest:

Rumors on social media (such as Twitter) that Amsterdam Schools will be closed on Friday, March 13 are false. School will be open as usual with no schedule changes. If schools are to be closed at any time you will be notified by the school district through the official communications channels (television, website, School Messenger, etc.).

Morning swim and aqua-aerobics are cancelled until further notice.

The college fair at HVCC scheduled for March 17 has been cancelled due to concerns over the coronavirus.

All unnecessary travel and large group gatherings such as concerts and plays, etc. including field trips will be reviewed on a case by case basis and the public will be notified of cancellations.

Outside groups using school facilities will be requested to terminate their use until further notice beginning Monday, March 16. The groups will be notified by phone or email. This is being done to allow for cleaning of facilities for students and staff by night crews.

The baseball team trip to Myrtle Beach has been cancelled.

All spring sports at this time will go on as usual and will be reviewed going forward. If there are cancellations, athletes will be notified by coaches and notices will be sent to the public.

The district will continue to monitor student and staff attendance and travel. Reminder: Any student, student family member or employee who has traveled to a known high-risk exposure area should notify the school principal prior to coming to school, as well as the health departments in Fulton and Montgomery counties.

 If the district becomes aware that one of our students or staff members is diagnosed with COVID-19, we will notify staff and parents/guardians through email, website postings and through our School Messenger email alert system. For now, the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your children continues to be following standard preventive practices for influenza. There are a number of steps that students, staff and community members can take to minimize the spread of all respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, according to the New York State Department of Health: 

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Heavily soiled hands should be washed.

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 cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

More information about COVID-19 is available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. The state Department of Health also has information available on its website, including a coronavirus hotline: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/. You can call the hotline at 1-888-364-3065 with questions or concerns about travel and symptoms.

March 9, 2020 – 2 p.m. 

Dear Parent/Guardian/GASD Staff Member:

Click Here for COVID-19 information in other languages including Spanish

With the recent news of confirmed cases of COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus, within the Capital Region, district officials are continuing to monitor information from local, state and federal officials. Please note there have been no confirmed cases of the virus in the Greater Amsterdam School District involving any students or staff members.

On Saturday, March 7, Governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency in New York, which gives the state certain purchasing and hiring abilities during this time. This declaration does not impact any school or district activities at this time. Experts have not recommended that the district cancel or reschedule classes or other school events. 

State officials continue to emphasize that the general risk to the public is low and that while we all need to be vigilant and cautious, it is also important to stay calm and not contribute to any undue panic.

Regarding travel and quarantine measures, please know that the New York State Department of Health has made quarantine a mandatory measure for individuals returning to the United States from a known high-risk exposure area. Based on this, any student, student family member or employee who has traveled to a known high-risk exposure area should notify the school principal prior to coming to school, as well as the health departments in Fulton and Montgomery counties.

In regards to travel, late last week GASD learned of a high school student who had traveled to a country of COVID-19 risk. While that student has shown no signs of illness, his parents notified authorities of the situation and he is on a voluntary exclusion from school at this time. The district continues to receive direction from both the Fulton and Montgomery County Departments of Health surrounding COVID-19 measures and protocol.

For more information, please visit the Center for Disease Control’s web page for coronavirus and travel, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html

If the district becomes aware that one of our students or staff members is diagnosed with COVID-19, we will notify staff and parents/guardians through email, website postings and through our School Messenger email alert system.For now, the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your children continues to be following standard preventive practices for influenza. There are a number of steps that students, staff and community members can take to minimize the spread of all respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, according to the New York State Department of Health: 

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Heavily soiled hands should be washed.

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 cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

It is important to note that exposure to COVID-19 can occur from any person-to-person contact and is not limited to a particular race or ethnicity. Over the weekend the district exercised additional cleaning protocols in all of its schools and sanitary wipe are being supplied to classrooms for using during the school days.

More information about COVID-19 is available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. The state Department of Health also has information available on its website, including a coronavirus hotline: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/. You can call the hotline at 1-888-364-3065 with questions or concerns about travel and symptoms.

We are preparing to meet the needs of our students and staff in the event the virus affects our community. We appreciate your support of our district and will share more information as it becomes available.

Please know that, as always, the health and safety of our students and staff is our highest priority, and we will remain vigilant in our efforts to help prevent the spread of this illness.

 Sincerely,

Dr. Raymond Colucciello
GASD Interim Superintendent of Schools