Coronavirus Information and Resources: Updated 3/17

Given that information related to coronavirus is a rapidly developing situation, we will use this web page to share information and resources with our families as the circumstances warrant. Time-sensitive, critical information will also be shared through Blackboard, our mass notification system.

School Closure

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on May 1 that due to ongoing public health concerns related to COVID-19/Coronavirus, the statewide school closure will be extended through the remainder of the school year.

Our teachers have been in contact with students and their families to provide instructional materials and will continue to do so throughout this extended closure in accordance with the district’s plan for continuing instruction. Our food service department will continue to provide “Grab and Go” meals and we are working with regional partners to make childcare resources available to families of essential workers. Our plans and resources in these areas can be found below.

Even though our buildings are closed, it’s important to us that we find alternative ways to celebrate end-of-year milestones. More information will be forthcoming about how we will recognize the many outstanding achievements happening in our school community in spite of these challenging circumstances.

We appreciate our families’ patience and flexibility during this time. The district will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Thank you for your continued partnership.

Meals

“Grab and go” meals are available to all district families weekdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Cohoes High School, Van Schaick Grade School, and the United Church of Cohoes, and from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at The Venue.

Two to three volunteers per day will also assist with food drop-off at the following locations and designated drop-off areas:

11:15 a.m. – Manor Sites, drop-off in front of main office
11:30 a.m. – Lionheart, drop-off in centralized parking area
11:45 a.m. – Roulier Heights, pick-up in front of laundry room
12:15 p.m. – Saratoga Sites, pick-up in front of laundry room

Cohoes Food Pantry Locations/Hours

Church of Holy Trinity
122 Vliet Blvd.
Food pantry is on Simmons Ave. in the small building behind the church.
Ph: 257-2501
T/Th, 10am – Noon

United Church of Cohoes
123 Mohawk St.
Ph: 237-0278
M/W/F, 10am – Noon

Good Ground Family Church
49 Johnston Ave.
Ph: 463-6678
M/Th, 10am – 2pm
(last week of the month hours for pantry are 10-11:30am)

Donate to Cohoes Food Pantries

Donations for our local food pantries are accepted on Thursdays from 11-12:30 at Cohoes High School.

Accepted items include:

All food
Personal care items such as, but not limited to, shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, baby supplies, diapers, pet food

Learning Resources

During this extended period of school closure, ongoing instruction remains our priority as we continue to support our students’ foundation for future learning, coursework and post-secondary plans.

After a regional collaboration led by the Capital Region BOCES and input from our administrators and teachers, we are pleased to present the district’s framework for continued learning which includes expectations for instruction, a timetable by subject-area and grade level, and information on how learning will be assessed.

Social Emotional Learning and Support Resources

While we are not with you in person, Cohoes City School District social workers, school psychologists, school counselors and parent engagement specialists are available to support students and families with individual concerns. Visit our Social Emotional Learning and Support Resources page for contact information as well as related information, articles and activities.

Child Care

No cost child care 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% 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.

Apply for the COVID-19 CARES Child Care Scholarship

Help from the Office of Children and Family Services

If you are a parent or caregiver who needs child care, please complete this parent need for child care survey. Based on the information you provide about your job, employer, number of children, and financial need, OCFS may be able to help you find the child program you need. It may be a challenge to find child care due to COVID-19 related program closures, however the staff at OCFS are trying their best to support families to find the high quality child care that they need. In addition, the OCFS website has several resources available: https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/

TSL

Families in need of childcare are welcome to contact TSL, which is currently operating daycares in Troy, Rotterdam, and Guilderland, as well as a school-age program in Albany (Western Ave near Stuyvesant Plaza).

tsladventures.net
tsladventures@gmail.com
518-368-2653

YMCA

The Capital District YMCA has extended care to cover all essential workers.

See the complete list of the professions covered under the “essential workers” executive order.

More information about child care locations, hours and registration can be found on the Capital District YMCA website.

School Nurse Remote Office Hours

Our school nurses are available virtually to discuss medical concerns, health promotion, working papers, or just to chat! Just click the link to get connected during their office hours. You can also schedule a time to meet with a nurse anytime during school hours.

Abram Lansing: Sandra Kipp, Mon/Tues/Fri, 10-11 a.m.
Harmony Hill: Lisa Leblanc, Mon-Fri, 9-10 a.m.
Van Schaick: Cheryl Barber, Mon-Fri, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
CMS: Patricia Scott, Mon-Fri, 9-10 a.m.
CHS: Sam McCullough, Mon/Tues/Wed/Fri, 10-11 a.m.

Working Papers

During the period of school closures due to COVID-19, Cohoes has elected to issue working papers using the following alternative process:

Parents/guardians and minors complete the appropriate application form and email it to the district’s Certificating Officer, Samantha McCullough at smccullo@cohoes.org.

A fillable PDF version of the AT-17 Application for Employment Certificate
is now available on NYSED’s Employment of Minors website. These forms allow digital signatures.

The Certificating Officer schedules a video call with the minor, and if required, the parent or guardian. During this video call, the minor presents required documentation. Certificating Officers may then complete the working card, sign it, and mail it to the minor. The minor should sign the card upon receipt.

Coronavirus Resources

In addition, New York has established a Novel Coronavirus Hotline, which can provide additional information. Call 1-888-364-3065 with questions or concerns about travel and symptoms.

CSE Meetings

While the current pandemic has closed schools throughout New York State, the Committee on Special Education (CSE) must continue meeting to create Individualized Education Plans for our students who need them.

Meetings that had been scheduled for March 13-20 were canceled and will be rescheduled.

Moving forward, all CSE meetings will be held as scheduled and conducted via phone conference following guidance from the State Education Department. This change to virtual meetings will allow us to focus on student needs while limiting group gatherings until further notice. Please contact our office at 518-237-0990 with any questions.

District Contacts

Please feel free to reach out to our district and building leaders with any questions or concerns.

Superintendent Jennifer Spring – jspring@cohoes.org
Assistant Superintendent Peggy O’Shea – poshea@cohoes.org
Director of Special Programs – Erin Hill – ehill@cohoes.org
Abram Lansing Elementary – Principal Cliff Bird – cbird@cohoes.org
Harmony Hill School – Principal Mark Perry – mperry@cohoes.org
Van Schaick Grade School – Principal Jacqueline DeChiaro – jdechiar@cohoes.org
Cohoes Middle School – Principal Dan Martinelli – dmartine@cohoes.org
Cohoes High School – Principal Bryan Wood – bwood@cohoes.org