Updated Safety Protocols | Start of Classes | eSchoolData Access and Information on Schedules | Code of Conduct and School Regulations | Release of Student Information to Military Recruiters | Seniors – Early Dismissal and Late Arrival | Lockers | Parking Passes | Late Buses | Changes to Schedules | Fall Dates to Remember | Student Administrative Oversight
August 2021
Dear Parents and Students:
On behalf of the administrative team, I want to welcome you back to Guilderland High School. The 2021-2022 will be closer to a more normal school year and we are very excited to welcome all students back. The following information should be very helpful to you as you transition from summer life back to school life.
Updated Safety Protocols
- Full Capacity – all students will attend school daily and classes will be back to full capacity. Three feet of social distancing is recommended if possible. Three feet is close to our normal spacing in a 30-student classroom.
- Masking – All people inside the building will have to be masked including vaccinated individuals.
- Seating charts will be maintained in all areas where students are grouping together for contact tracing purposes.
- Classrooms and bathrooms will still be disinfected daily.
- There will be a remote option for students through Capital Region BOCES for students with underlying health conditions.
- Lunch will be in the cafeteria. Due to contact tracing requirements, classes will be assigned lunch room locations and tables.
- Quarantining procedures will be updated soon and we will share that information once it is released.
- There will not be one way hallways this year.
Start of Classes
School begins in full session on Thursday, September 9th, following an “A” day schedule. Students will report to their “1A” class at 8:20 a.m.. For the first two days of school we will be using a modified schedule with a longer homeroom so that information can be reviewed with students.
September 9 & 10 Bell Schedule
Block 1: 8:20-9:37
Homeroom (In Block 2 class): 9:45-10:15
Block 2: 10:15-11:32
Block 3: 11:40-1:32
Lunch Mod #1: 11:32-12:15*
Lunch Mod #2: 12:07-12:42*
Lunch Mod #3: 12:34-1:09*
Lunch Mod #4: 12:57-1:32*
Block 4: 1:40-2:57
*This includes student travel/return time.
Normal Bell Schedule Starting September 13
Block 1: 8:20-9:42
Homeroom (In Block 2 class): 9:50-10:00
Block 2: 10:00-11:22
Block 3: 11:30-1:27
Lunch Mod #1: 11:30-12:05*
Lunch Mod #2: 11:57-12:32*
Lunch Mod #3: 12:25-1:00*
Lunch Mod #4: 12:52-1:27*
Block 4: 1:35-2:57
*This includes student travel/return time.
eSchoolData Access and Information on Schedules
Parent and student access to placement, schedules, assignments, report cards and contact information will be found in eSchoolData. If you do not have your credentials to access the portal, please contact the high school at 518-861-8591, x1000 or the district office at 518-456-6200, x3123.
If you need help the Parent or Student Portal in eSchoolData, the link below will provide some assistance:
eSchoolData Help
Students’ homeroom this school year will be attached to their second block class.
Schedules will be released August 26th.
If you would like paper copies mailed home, please contact the Counseling Department at (518) 861-8591, ext. 3000.
Code of Conduct and School Regulations
The 2021-2022 Student Handbook which contains our Student Code of Conduct is available on the district website at https://www.guilderlandschools.org/about-us/district-code-of-conduct/
Building specific regulations will be shared with the students on the opening day of school during homeroom. This information is provided in accordance with New York State Regulations and also because we believe it is important for all students to be aware of their rights and responsibilities.
Release of Student Information to Military Recruiters
Pursuant to the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the district must disclose to military recruiters and institutions of higher learning, upon request, the names, addresses and telephone numbers of our high school juniors and seniors. However, parents or students may request, in writing, that the district not release such information. Parents, or students who are at least 18 years old, wishing to exercise their option to withhold their consent to the release of this information must contact the high school principal’s office by October 15 in any school year. You may use this form to do so.
Seniors – Early Dismissal and Late Arrival
A permission form for early dismissal and late arrival, for seniors only, can be downloaded from the Counseling tab on our website or picked up in the Counseling Center during the week of August 23rd. To be eligible for this privilege on the first day of school, the permission form must be signed by a parent/guardian and returned to the Counseling Center before the first day of school. Otherwise, seniors will have to wait for processing of the form.
Lockers
Student locker assignments will appear on your schedule. Students may bring in their own lock or purchase one at the school store. Students are required to use only the locker to which they were assigned as they are responsible for that locker for the school year. All lockers should be secured and locked at all times.
Parking Passes
Parking applications are available online at: https://www.guilderlandschools.org/guilderland-high-school/program-and-services/student-parking/ and at the school store. Parking applications and payment are due back to the school store within the first two weeks of school. Space is limited.
Late Buses
Late buses will not start until the week of September 27th. These bus routes will run Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during the school year.
Changes to Schedules
Requests for adjustment will be based only on educational merit and the availability of space in the courses involved. The following criteria will be followed as a guideline.
- SCHEDULES MAY BE ADJUSTED FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
- You have courses you did not select.
- You failed a course in Summer School.
- You do not have a full schedule.
- SCHEDULES CANNOT BE CHANGED FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
- You do not like the assigned teacher.
- You have friends in a different section of the course.
- You are a senior and would like early release or late arrival.
Students who qualify under the Guidelines in No. 1 will be able to contact their School Counselor on August 26, 2021.
Student Administrative Oversight
North Office (Mr. Mazza) – Student Assignments by Counselor: Ms. Galarneau, Ms. Knapp
West Office (Ms. Holmes) – Student Assignments by Counselor: Ms. Murphy, Ms. Baumgartner
East Office (Mr. Wolf) – Student Assignments by Counselor: Mr. Dvorscak, Mr. Kaplan
I am very excited to see you on September 9th, as you continue your academic journey at Guilderland High School. We are thrilled to have a school year closer to normal! Welcome back and I will see you soon.
Sincerely,
Michael Piscitelli
High School Principal