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 sent through Everbridge. If you are not already receiving Everbridge alerts please consider signing up. Enrollment information is located on the Village web page. Be sure to sign up for “School Alerts.”
Closure Information | Meals | Update Your Contacts | Working Papers | Child Care | SNAP Benefits | Coronavirus Resources
Updates from the district
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 2019-20 school year.
During this time, we will continue to provide continuity of instruction, meals for students and childcare resources.
Breakfast & Lunch Free for ALL Students During Closure
Our school buses will deliver breakfast and lunch daily to your child’s bus stop. Meals can also be picked up at school between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. via the school entrance. If you would like to sign up for delivery or request a more specific delivery time, please call 518-465-4561, ext 120.
Please update your family’s contact information
It has been apparent during these unprecedented times the importance of having the most up to date contact information for our students and their families, and to be able to get information out to them quickly. To that end we are asking for your help!
Please fill out and submit this Google form to ensure we have current student data and family contact information.
We will utilize this updated information as we move to a new and more robust emergency management notification system.
Working Papers
During the period of school closures due to COVID-19, Menands 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, Sue McCormick at smccormick@menands.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.
For more information, please call Sue McCormick at 518-465-4561, ext. 101.
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.
As part of the COVID-19 response effort, Menands is working with the Colonie Youth Center (CYC), YMCA and other local child care providers to provide childcare resources to families who work for any business or entity deemed essential by the state.
Complete list of essential businesses and professions
Child Care Providers
The Colonie Youth Center (providing services at the Rudy A. Ciccotti Center)
YMCA
- cdymca.org/EmergencyChildcare
- (518) 869-3500
Other Providers:
Families needing child care resources for non-school-age children (birth to age five) can visit A Child’s Place at Unity House or call (518) 271-6777.
Additional child care resources in the Capital Region can also be found by visiting BrightsideUp (formerly the Capital District Child Care Council) or call (518) 426-7181.
SNAP Benefits
SNAP provides monthly benefits to spend at local grocery stores. You can get
and use SNAP while keeping a safe distance from other people:
- Everything you need to do to apply for and receive benefits can be done
by phone or online—no need to visit a local social service office. - Use SNAP to purchase food at local grocery stores.
- Shop for food online using SNAP benefits and have groceries delivered
or picked up.- Amazon.com—available statewide
- Walmart and ShopRite—available in some zip codes
Apply for SNAP online or contact Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, our local Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) Coordinator, at (518) 689-6327.
Coronavirus Resources
- New York State Department of Health
- Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Travel: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
- COVID-19: What is Stigma and What Causes It?
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – Frequently Asked Questions – Prevention
- Prevention, Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
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.