March 26 health updates

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Updated instructional resources for students
The City School District of Albany is pleased to announce enhanced and expanded curriculum resources available through the academic resources section. 

These new resources include enhancements to the core materials originally posted in the academic resources section March 13, and information for courses beyond the core of ELA and math, as well as special education specific guidance. Social-emotional support resources also are available for students and families. The resources are structured by grade level for more parent-friendly access.

The district is continuing to work on additional enhancements as well as strategies to address the digital divide.  

Student check-in update
As of 4 p.m. Thursday, district faculty and staff had been in contact with 70% of our families over the past three days in our efforts to check in at home. Students and families can expect to continue to receive check-in and support calls while classes are cancelled due to COVID-19. 

OCFS childcare survey
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services is asking parents, guardians and caregivers who are in need of childcare to complete a Parent Need for Childcare survey.

Based on the information collected in this survey, OCFS may be able to help families find the childcare program to meet their needs. It may be a challenge to find childcare due to COVID-19-related closures. However, OCFS is trying its best to support families to find high-quality childcare programs.

The OCFS website also has several resources available.

YMCA childcare partnership
A reminder that the district is partnering with the YMCA to offer childcare services for health and emergency-response personnel. The YMCA is administering and staffing the program, which operates from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. daily at the following six schools:

  • Arbor Hill Elementary School, 1 Arbor Drive
  • Eagle Point Elementary School, 1044 Western Ave.
  • Giffen Memorial Elementary School, 274 South Pearl St.
  • New Scotland Elementary School, 369 New Scotland Ave.
  • Schuyler Achievement Academy, 676 Clinton Ave.
  • Sheridan Preparatory Academy, 400 Sheridan Ave.

The program has a limited capacity, with a maximum of 30 children per school (three classrooms with 10 children). The YMCA is staffing each room with two employees.

Online registration is available. Health and emergency personnel needing childcare are also welcome to call the YMCA at (518) 869-3500.

UAlbany offers distance-learning opportunities 
The University at Albany Center for Autism and Related Disabilities is offering online distance-education training for professionals, parents and guardians on a wide range of topics related to autism spectrum disorders.

The trainings are free. You can register online or call (518) 442-2574 for more information.

Picking up medications at school
In the event of an emergency, parents and guardians who need to pick up medication that is currently stored at school can contact Health Services Coordinator Suzanne McCarthy to schedule a time to pick up the medication.

Parents and guardians can contact the health services coordinator at (518) 475-6730 or smccarthy@albany.k12.ny.us. Be sure to include your child’s name and school, and the best phone number where you can be reached. The health services coordinator will contact you to make arrangements to pick up medications.