A message from Dr. Wiles:
Dear GCSD Families,
One of the goals Guilderland Central School District leaders set for the 2024-25 school year is to strengthen connections and relationships among students, teachers, staff, families and the Guilderland community. Here are a few examples of how we’re making great progress towards that objective.
Distraction-free Schools Panel
Earlier this month we hosted a panel discussion on distraction-free school environments. The invited panelists spoke about the harmful effects of cellphones and social media on the well-being of children and how distraction-free schools encourage communication and relationship building. The discussion is helping inform a cellphone-free policy the Board of Education is considering. You can watch the panel discussion on the GHS Media YouTube page and if you have not already done so, please participate in the ThoughtExchange, which closes at 5 p.m., tomorrow, Dec. 20.
FMS Cereal Box Domino Event
Last week, Farnsworth Middle School hosted its fifth annual cereal box domino event. Students and staff set a goal to collect 1,000 unopened boxes of cereal to support the Guilderland Food Pantry and the FMS Backpack Program. The total donations tallied an impressive 1,302 boxes of cereal, exceeding the goal and setting a new record for donations. Thank you to all who donated and helped make this event a success!
GHS Sources of Strength Program Fosters Community
For nine years Guilderland High School has offered the Sources of Strength program, which strives to increase student well-being and feelings of belonging. SOS serves to remind students of their strengths as well as the importance of leaning on others for strength when needed. To learn more about Sources of Strength and how it’s fostering a sense of community, please visit the district website to read an article written by GHS senior Olivia Niedermeier.
Change to Google Services
The district’s Technology Department has recently been informed by the New York State Education Department that we are required to make some changes to the way students use Google services. This is due to the constraints of NYS EdLaw 2-d as well as Google’s inability to meet the necessary standards for additional service. To learn how we are working to minimize disruption to students’ daily use of educational technology, visit the district website.
Warm wishes this holiday season
Tomorrow is the last day of school for 2024; classes resume on Thursday, January 2, 2025. As we head into a new year, I hope you have the opportunity to rest and recharge over the break and to connect with those who mean the most to you. I wish the entire GCSD community peace, joy and good health this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Marie Wiles, Ph.D.
Superintendent