New COVID-19 Cases in the District
The district learned of three individuals testing positive for COVID-19. One case is connected to Altamont Elementary and does not require contact tracing. The other two cases are connected to Farnsworth Middle School that according to Albany County Department of Health guidelines resulted in contact tracing, and those individuals have been contacted. Also, Westmere Elementary School was required to implement additional quarantining associated with an existing case that was already reported.
Because of the two cases at FMS, a group of students and staff need to quarantine, which has caused a staffing shortage for grades 5-7. Because of this staffing shortage at FMS, all students grades 5-7 will be remote-only tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 15. At this time, we plan to have all FMS students, not under quarantine return to in-person and hybrid instruction on Tuesday, Jan. 19. Please watch for additional communication confirming our plans for next week.
2021-2022 School Budget Thoughtexchange
If you didn’t have a chance to watch last night, you can view the Jan. 13 virtual panel discussion recording here. Information about budget planning for the 2021-22 school year was shared.
We are hosting a Thoughtexchange, an online forum to gather advice from our parents/guardians and community members on what we need to consider as we develop the school budget for next year. This exchange is open now through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 29, 2021. Participate in the 2021-22 School Budget Thoughtexchange.
Testing in GCSD Schools to Begin Jan. 15 at GES
Beginning on Friday, Jan. 15, the Guilderland Central School District will start COVID-19 testing at Guilderland Elementary School. Testing of approximately 20% of consenting in-person school community members will continue in all GCSD schools starting Wednesday, Jan. 20, through Monday, Feb. 1.
If you provided consent for your child(ren) to be tested in school, you would have received a confirmation email earlier today indicating your child might be chosen for testing. If you have any questions, please reach out to your school nurse or building principal.