The Greater Amsterdam School District > GASD Reopening Schools Information – 2020-21 > How instruction will continue if school is closed due to COVID-19

How instruction will continue if school is closed due to COVID-19

In the interest of planning ahead, the GASD would like to inform our families about how instruction will continue to be provided if one, some or all of our schools are required to close for a short or extended period of time due to COVID-19. If school is closed, in-person (Purple & Gold) instruction will be suspended and instruction will continue to be provided daily remotely/virtually to students according to specific schedules outlined below. If you have questions please contact your school principal.

The district will continue to follow the health and safety guidelines provided by Montgomery County and the New York State Health Departments and communicate any changes as they arise.

Thank you in advance for your patience and flexibility as we continue with the school 2020-2021 year.

Elementary School Level – Barkley, McNulty, Marie Curie or Tecler

In the event of a school closure, all students will move to full remote instruction. The instructional format at the Elementary Level will be as follows:

Students will be expected to login to their homeroom teacher’s Google Classroom to view and the weekly schedule and assignments as their first reference. Students will receive the following live instruction:

  • Morning meeting daily
  • Reading and Math
  • Small Group Instruction weekly
  • Special Area Class weekly
  • Support Services will be communicated to individual students

Students are expected to join live meets for instruction as teachers are required to take attendance based on participation in live meets and completion of daily assignments. Any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher through email or Parent Square to ensure your message is received.

Feel free to reach out to our elementary school Social Workers at any time:

Middle School Level – Lynch Literacy Academy

In the event that Lynch Literacy Academy is required to close as a result of COVID-19, instruction will continue to be provided to all students via Remote Learning for All. To ensure that our students have uninterrupted access to learning, the daily instructional format will follow the same schedule as when school is open.

Students will be expected to participate in synchronous learning from 7:50 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. through Google Classroom and Google Meet, with teacher office hours from 1:35 p.m. to 2:35 p.m. Attendance will be taken each period and grading will follow our traditional numeric grading process.

LLA bell schedule during remote learning

Remote Learning expectations and norms for students

  • Be on time
  • Consider your presentation
  • Mute yourself when joining class
  • Participate! Be focused, pay attention, ask questions.
  • Wear headphones, if you have them
  • Chat responsibly

To help support your child during Remote Learning, we encourage you to:

  • Provide an environment that is conducive to learning
  • Limit distractions
  • Establish routines and systems
  • Make sure that your child keeps their Chromebook/electronic device charged
  • Encourage your child to actively participate in class sessions
  • Encourage your child to contact their teachers with questions during office hours
  • Encourage a growth mindset

Have questions or need help?

Technology Question?

Contact our Building Technology Leader, Mrs. Cookhouse at acookhouse@gasd.org

Schedule Question?

Contact your child’s school counselor:

Feel free to reach out to our elementary school Social Workers or Psychologist at any time:

Anything else?

Please check out the resources on our website (www.gasd.org), message us on Parent Square, call (518-843-3716 ext. 2000) or send us an email.

High School Level – Amsterdam High School

In the event that Amsterdam High School is required to close as a result of COVID-19, instruction will continue to be provided to all students via Remote Learning. To ensure that our students have uninterrupted access to learning, the daily instructional format will follow the same schedule as when school is open.

Students will follow their regular classroom schedule of periods one through nine, just as they do Wednesdays when they are all remote. Students will be expected to participate in learning daily from 7:50 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with teacher office hours from 1:35 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Attendance will be taken each period, and grading will follow our traditional numeric grading process. Content and instruction will be provided via Google Classroom.

Please see detailed schedule information below:

AHS bell schedule during remote learning

To help support your child during Remote Learning, we recommend that you:

  • Provide an environment that is conducive to learning
  • Limit distractions
  • Establish routines and systems
  • Make sure that your child keeps their Chromebook/electronic device charged
  • Encourage your child to actively participate in class sessions
  • Encourage your child to contact their teachers with questions during office hours
  • Encourage a growth mindset

Have questions or need help?

Technology Question?

Contact our Building Technology Leader, Mr. Peter dpeter@gasd.org

Schedule Question?

Contact your child’s school counselor:

Thank you for all that you are doing during these uncertain times. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions that you may have.