A message from Dr. Wiles:
Dear GCSD Families,
I hope each and every Guilderland Central School District family had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and extended weekend. Now that classes have resumed, there are just three weeks of school remaining in 2024. This is a very busy time, as we are working on several important initiatives, including a panel discussion on distraction-free schools and the development of a capital improvement project.
Panel discussion on distraction-free school environment, Dec. 9, 7 p.m.
On Monday, Dec. 9, 7-8:30 p.m., the district will host a panel discussion on distraction-free school environments. This is an information gathering session for the school community and will help inform a cellphone-free policy the Board of Education is considering. The panel discussion will be held in the Large Group Instruction (LGI) room of Guilderland High School. An in-person event, the session will be livestreamed to the GHS Media YouTube page and recorded.
The school community may submit questions for the panel via this linked form. We cannot guarantee all individual questions will be addressed during the session, however questions received will help shape the overall discussion.
Shortly after the Dec. 9 panel discussion, the district will launch a ThoughtExchange to gather community input and perspectives on a possible cellphone-free policy. Information about the ThoughtExchange will come in a ParentSquare message next week.
Facilities committee update
The Facilities Committee met on Wednesday, Nov. 20. At that meeting, representatives from CSArch, the district’s architecture and construction firm, presented an overview of suggested improvements. The presentation detailed both short- and long-term renovations with the goal of preparing each and every GCSD student to be future ready. Proposed improvements included increasing storage, creating collaboration spaces, upgrading to multi-purpose furniture, expanding performing arts and instructional spaces, and updating technology district wide. The Facilities Committee is in the process of evaluating the information and will reconvene on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The committee is tasked with making recommendations to the Board of Education in Feb. 2025, with the objective of a referendum going to Guilderland voters in May 2025.
Change to LINQ Connect fees
Effective Dec. 1, LINQ Connect, the meal payment system utilized by GCSD, has increased the convenience fee for online payments. All fees go directly to LINQ Connect to cover the vendor’s costs of operating the online payment system. Please visit the Food Services page on the district website for more details.
Defensive driving course reimbursement
Albany County has announced a Defensive Driving Course Reimbursement Program. Students who reside in Albany County are eligible to apply to be reimbursed for completing a New York State Department of Motor Vehicles-certified defensive driving course. To file for reimbursement, submit proof of completion to the Office of the County Executive by emailing county_executive@albanycountyny.gov.
Holiday open house at Mynderse/Frederick House, Dec. 6-8
The historic Mynderse/Frederick House will host an Open House on Dec.6-8, featuring free refreshments, entertainment, tours and a visit from Santa. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of ornaments, floral arrangements, decorated wreaths, raffle baskets and other crafts will benefit community organizations, a scholarship for local high school students and local food pantries. Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate. For more details, see the linked flyer.
Donations of boxes of cereal needed for annual FMS event
District families, staff and community members are invited to donate unopened boxes of cereal to Farnsworth Middle School’s cereal box domino event. This annual event combines critical thinking with philanthropy, as students are empowered to make a difference while applying lessons from the classroom to spark a chain reaction of generosity. Collection boxes will be located in the FMS main entrance until Tuesday, Dec. 10. Donations will be used to create an elaborate domino pathway throughout the school on Thursday, Dec. 12. Following the event, the boxes of cereal will be donated to the FMS Backpack Program and the Guilderland Food Pantry. The goal is to surpass last year’s record by collecting at least 1,000 unopened boxes of cereal. All donations are greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your continued support of Guilderland Central School District students and our school community. Have a wonderful week.
Sincerely,
Marie Wiles, Ph.D.
Superintendent