Important information regarding the June calendar

Please note that there have been several changes to the June calendar of events, as sent home to all parents in the district calendar last fall. Below is a corrected list of upcoming events:

• June 16 is a full day of classes

• June 19 is the Grade 8 Moving Up Day Dance at FMS, 7-10 p.m.

• June 23 is an early dismissal day (12:20 p.m.)

• June 24 is an early dismissal day (12:20 p.m.) and the last day of school for FMS

• June 24 is the Grade 8 Moving Up Day Ceremony at GHS, 7-8 p.m.

For a complete listing of up-to-date FMS events, please visit the school's events page or the online district calendar.

Summer Reading lists now available

Summer is the perfect time for children of all ages to sit back and relax with a good book...or two! To that end, GCSD's recommended summer reading titles are now available online. Click here to see the full list of titles. Please take a few moments to review the list, organized by grade level, as compiled by our district librarians and teachers. New in 2009: Critical reviews and/or book summaries have been included to help make your selection process a bit easier. Happy reading!

Moving Up Day on Wednesday, June 24, 2009

The annual Farnsworth Middle School Moving Up Day Ceremony will be held in the New Gym at Guilderland High School on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. (doors for the ceremony will open at 6:30 p.m.) The purpose of this event is to offer our 8th grade students the opportunity to celebrate the completion of their middle school experience and formalize their transition to our high school. This ceremony brings closure to the accomplishments our 8th grade students have made while here at FMS. It also allows for students of the class of 2013 to reflect on their experiences and bid fond farewells to FMS staff members.

FMS Board of Education Awards to air on Channel 16

On Thursday, June 4, nearly 300 Farnsworth Middle School students were honored for their notable academic improvement and superior academic achievement as part of the 2009 Board of Education Student Recognition Ceremony. View the awards booklet here. (PDF) You can also catch a replay of the awards ceremony on TWC Channel 16 in the Town of Guilderland on the following dates/times:

• Monday 6/15 at 7:30pm

• Wednesday 6/17 at Noon

• Thursday 6/18 at 3:00

• Saturday 6/20 at 7:30

• Sunday 6/21at Noon

FMS student competes in Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

Congratulations to Farnsworth Middle School student Luxi Peng for her outstanding performance in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, held this week in Washington, D.C. Although Luxi did not advance to the semi-final round, she gave a perfect performance in her two appearances at the microphone in front of the judges--correctly spelling both "onyx" and "quatercentenary". To read more about Luxi's exciting achievement, please click here. To see more of the words Luxi spelled as part of the competition, visit her progress page on the official Scripps National Spelling Bee Web site.

FMS honored by Intel Corp. and Governor Paterson

On Wednesday, April 22, Intel Corp. officials and Governor David Paterson held a ceremony in Albany to honor schools in New York that recently won Intel science competitions. Farnsworth Middle School was one of nine competition finalists from across New York State and was also recognized at the event. Read coverage of the event as published in the Business Review.

Guilderland students recognized at NCBI Youth Leadership Awards

On Thursday, May 28, Farnsworth Middle School students Casie Girvin and Lauren Henderson (under the supervision of FMS NCBI coordinators DeAnn Whittet and Maureen Pokal) were honored at the first annual National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) Youth Leadership Awards Program. The ceremony, held at Hudson Valley Community College, recognized those students who went above and beyond as part of their service to the NCBI program. Congratulations to both of these outstanding students!

Since 1984, NCBI has worked with elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the world to create more inclusive, safe, and welcoming learning environments by building a coalition of concerned teachers, staff, administrators, parents, community leaders, and students.

FMS American Education Week featured in NYS School Boards Association publication

The students and staff of Farnsworth Middle School were recently featured in the magazine On Board, a publication of the New York State School Boards Association, as part of a feature on the school's annual American Education Week celebration. Read the article here. (PDF)

From the nurse's office...
Immunization notice for all students entering 6th grade

Effective 9/1/07, NYS Education Department requires all students entering 6th Grade or special education program age equivalent of 6th grade to have a booster vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (Tdap). Immunizations must be completed prior to the first day of class in September. Documented proof should be sent to the nurse’s office as soon as possible. Proof of immunizations completed over the summer should be sent to Beth Karam and Judy Tynan in the nurse’s office at FMS.

Operation Recognition underway at Guilderland

Guilderland Central School District is proud to be a partner in Operation Recognition, a New York State program which grants a high school diploma to any veteran who left school prior to graduation to serve in the military during World War II, the Korean Conflict, or the Vietnam War. Individuals need not have attended GCSD at the time of service to be eligible for this program. Diplomas may also be awarded to next of kin, if eligibility is established.

Community members interested in participating in Operation Recognition are encouraged to contact Guilderland Superintendent of Schools John McGuire at 456-6200, ext. 3102, or visit our Operation Recognition home page for additional details and eligibility requirements.