A message from Superintendent Wiles:
Dear Guilderland Families,
COVID-19 cases for the week of September 20
This week there were 11 positive cases of COVID-19. Seven cases were at Farnsworth Middle School, six of which required contact tracing and one did not. There were also three cases at Guilderland Elementary School and one at Lynnwood Elementary School, and all required contact tracing. The principals in all three buildings worked under the guidance of the Albany County Department of Health to determine who needed to quarantine and all of those individuals have been contacted.
Starting next week, buildings will inform their school communities as new cases are reported.The district will continue to provide a summary of all new cases in the district on Friday.
Use the Versatrans My Stop App to track your child’s bus route
The district’s entire fleet of buses is equipped with live GPS technology. The GPS system, Tyler Telematic GPS, allows the district to view the current location of any bus in real-time. The GPS system includes an app that allows parents and guardians to track their child’s bus route. Learn more about the Versatrans My Stop app.
Watch the capital project video to learn more about proposed outdoor learning spaces
If you haven’t had an opportunity to view the video on the proposed capital project, please do so. It provides an overview of what’s included in the proposal, including an outdoor classroom pavilion at each of our school buildings, as well as updating other outdoor areas in the district. Outdoor learning is just one aspect of the capital improvement project; you can see what else is included in the proposal on the district website.
Reminder: athletes playing high-risk sports are required to be vaccinated
This is a reminder that student athletes, 16 years of age or older, who wish to participate in high-risk winter sports, are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. High-risk winter sports are wrestling, basketball, competitive cheer and ice hockey. Tryouts for the winter sports season begin on November 15. Students who need to be vaccinated or will seek an exemption, should do so by this date. For more details on this requirement, please visit the district website.
New DEI Director introduced at DEI Committee meeting
At the September 22 meeting of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee, Matt Pinchinat was introduced as GCSD’s first Director of DEI. Matt has served as a social studies teacher for GHS since 2017 in addition to advising GHS’s Black Student Union, serving on the steering committee of the GHS Anti-Racism Committee and working with the Engagement Subcommittee of the DEI Committee. You can learn more about Matt and his approach to his new role as DEI Director here.
Homecoming is October 1, 7:00 p.m.
GHS’ homecoming game is Friday, October 1 at 7:00 p.m. If you plan on attending to cheer on the Dutchmen as they face Saratoga, please remember, tickets are being sold digitally.
Thank you for your continued patience and support. Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Marie Wiles, Ph.D.
Superintendent