GHS Welcome Back to the 2022-2023 School Year

August 2022

Dear GHS Families and Students:

On behalf of the administrative team, I want to welcome you back to Guilderland High School. The 2022-2023 will again be closer to a more “normal” school year and we are very excited to see all students new and returning. The following information should be very helpful to you as you transition from summer life back to school life.

Start of Classes and Arrival at School

School begins in full session on Tuesday, September 6th, following an “A” day schedule. Classes begin at 7:30 a.m. and all students are expected to be moving to their classrooms by 7:25 a.m. Doors will be locked at 7:30 a.m. and students entering after 7:30 a.m. will have to sign in and will be recorded as “Tardy”.

Buses will drop students off at approximately 7:05 a.m. and students will be housed in the cafeterias until 7:20 a.m. At 7:20 a.m. students will be allowed to move to their first block classes. Breakfast will be available until 7:20 a.m.

Buses will depart GHS at the latest 2:45 p.m. Students will move to their buses at 2:35 p.m.

For students staying for the activity period, Late buses will depart at 3:25 p.m. and will begin running on September 15. Activity Period is available on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday only.

Block 1: 7:30 – 8:54
Homeroom: 9:02 – 9:17
Block 2: 9:25 – 10:49
Block 3: 10:57 – 12:56 (Lunch is during Block 3)
Block 4: 1:04 – 2:28
Activity Period: 2:28 – 3:10

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, ext. 1000 or the district office at 518-456-6200.

If you need help the Parent or Student Portal in eSchoolData, this link will provide some assistance: eSchoolData Help.

Schedules will be released August 26.

If you would like paper copies mailed home, please contact the Counseling Department at (518) 861-8591, ext. 1300 to request the schedule be sent.

Changes to Student Parking and Parking Passes

Improvement of school safety continues to be a focus area and this school year we are going to be making some changes that we believe will have a benefit to our building safety plan. Students will only be able to enter the building through our front entrance and we are going to move all student parking to the front of the building (front student lot and football field lot). This does not include the bus loop parking spots which will be reserved for staff parking.

Parking applications are available online 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.

Code of Conduct and School Regulations

We are sharing a copy of the 2022-2023 Student Handbook which contains our Student Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is also available on the district website. 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.

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 22. 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 the form to be processed.

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.

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:

Schedules may be adjusted for the following reasons
1. You have courses you did not select.
2. You failed a course in Summer School.
3. You do not have a full schedule.
Schedules cannon be changed for the following reasons
1. You do not like the assigned teacher.
2. You have friends in a different section of the course.
3. You are a senior and would like early release or late arrival.

Students who qualify under the guidelines outlined in number one will be able to contact their School Counselor on August 26, 2022.

Fall Dates to Remember

September 1: Ninth Grade/New Student Orientation
September 6: First Day of Classes
September 22: Ninth Grade Parent Night (before Open House)
September 22: Open House
September 26: Rosh Hashanah (No School)
Sept. 30-Oct 1: Homecoming Events
October 5: Yom Kippur (No School)
October 10: Columbus Day (No School)
November 1: Superintendent’s Conference Day (No School)
November 11: Veterans Day (No School)

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. Nolan, Ms. Kaplan

I am very excited to see you on September 6, as you continue your academic journey at Guilderland High School. We are thrilled to welcome you back and I will see you soon.

Sincerely,

Michael Piscitelli
High School Principal