Let your voice be heard!
Budget vote set for May 21 at all elementary schools

On Tuesday, May 21, Guilderland Central School District residents will
head to the polls to vote on a $91,023,200 budget for the 2013-14 school year. This proposed budget represents an increase in spending of $1,763,340 (+1.98 percent) over the current year’s budget. If approved by voters, it would result in a 3.39 percent tax levy increase in the coming year—below the district’s maximum allowable tax levy limit as calculated under the state’s “tax cap” formula. Tax rates are estimated to increase by the same amount. In addition, on May 21 voters will elect three members to the Board of Education and decide on a bus and equipment proposition.
Learn more about the 2013-14 budget and BOE candidates

FMS Scholastic Book Fair Needs Volunteers

The Farnsworth Middle School Scholastic Book Fair will be held May 15 – 20. The library is looking for parent volunteers to help at the fair during school hours. Please contact Mary Jeanne Dicker at 456-6010 ext. 3087 or e-mail dickermj@guilderlandschools.org if you can help. For more details on the fair, visit the library media center webpage.

FMS Class of 2013 apparel sale

Attention all parents of 8th graders: Farnsworth Middle School Student Council is currently selling FMS Class of 2013 t-shirts for the cost of $10. Order forms went home with students this week but can also be downloaded here (PDF). Order forms must be completed and returned by May 22 to your child's house office. These are a great way for your child to remember their last year at FMS!

FMS student receives honor from New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers

Congratulations to eighth grader Jacob Brislin, recipient of the 2013 Philip A. Fulvi Love of Learning Award for the Capital Region. Learn more 

FMS Art Show set for May 13-30

The annual Farnsworth Middle School Art Show will be held from Monday, May 13 thru Thursday, May 30 in the FMS Art Gallery. Community members are invited to stop by and enjoy the work of our talented student-artists! In addition, there will be an opening reception, open to the public, on Monday, May 20 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. We hope to see you there!

** Updated 05/17/13 **
Board of Education Awards ceremony will be held on June 6 for all grade levels

After tallying final numbers, it was determined that it was not necessary to divide the annual Farnsworth Middle School Board of Education awards into two nights. Therefore, the awards ceremony for all students, grades 6-8, will be held on Thursday, June 6 beginning at 7 p.m. in the FMS cafetorium. We apologize for any confusion we may have caused by previously saying that the ceremony would be held over two nights. For more information on the FMS Board of Education awards, please contact the main office.

Sign-ups are underway for fall sports

Interested in playing a fall sport at GHS? Now is the time to sign-up! Fall sports include cross country, field hockey, girl's tennis, girl's swimming and diving, golf, volleyball, cheerleading, soccer, and football. Students interested in playing a fall sport should pick up a sport sign-up packet from either the middle school or the high school nurses' office and return the completed packet to the nurses' office by Friday, June 7, 2013. Learn more about signing-up for a fall sport

GCSD students selected to move on to National History Day finals in College Park, MD Learn more

 

A letter from Superintendent Dr. Marie Wiles regarding
the upcoming state assessments for students in grades 3-8

Beginning next week, GCSD students in grades 3-8 will join their peers around the state to take the NYS English Language Arts (ELA) and math exams. Please take a few minutes to read a brief letter from Dr. Wiles regarding the changes in this year's assessments. Read the letter

Can the district opt my child out of testing?
Additional information for parents regarding state assessments

As you may know, there has been some concern among parents related to the rigor of the new tests and as a result, some are asking to opt their child out of the testing. This is not an option for school districts. Read more

Award-winning author Steve Sheinkin visits FMS

FMS recently hosted Steve Sheinkin, author of numerous books about American history, during the week of March 19-22, 2013. His book Bomb: The Race to Build — and Steal — the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon has won three awards from the American Library Association, including the best work of nonfiction and a Newbery honor, in addition to being nominated for a National Book Award. Throughout the week, Sheinkin visited with all grades at Farnsworth. For more information on this exciting author visit, visit the Library Media Center home page.
Please note: Due to last week's delayed opening, the author will be returning this Wednesday, March 27, to meet with the remaining classes.

 

Important information regarding the upcoming 8th grade visit to GHS

Learn more

Upcoming NYS math testing

As a result of the Common Core State Standards for math, the types of questions used on the annual state assessments have changed. Students now need to know not only how to do the math calculations but they also need to apply their knowledge to real-life word problems. Consequently, there will be more multi-step word problems on this year's test than in the past. Learn more (PDF)

Middle School students work with Nature Preserve to create a children's book to help save an endangered species

Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission to hold a book signing party for the release of Mister Karner Blue on Saturday, March 9.
Learn more

Camp Invention returns to FMS

In partnership with the national nonprofit Invent Now, Guilderland Central School District is pleased to once again offer the nationally-acclaimed Camp Invention program to children entering grades one through six this summer. The program runs from August 5 - 9, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Farnsworth Middle School.
Learn more

Message from the Superintendent about school safety procedures

Learn more

Parent Information
MAP Assessments at GCSD

In 2012-13, Guilderland Central School District will introduce students in grades K-8 to the Measures of Academic Progress™ (MAP) tests that are designed to make it easier and faster for teachers to benchmark each student’s instructional level and measure academic growth throughout the school year. Twice each year, students will take a set of computerized MAP tests in Reading, Language Usage, and Math.
Learn more

SchoolTool Parent Portal now open

Beginning in the 2012-13 school year, GCSD is pleased to offer middle and high school parents access to SchoolTool Parent Portal. The portal officially opened on September 14 . Learn more

2012-13 clubs and activities

Looking to get involved at FMS? Why not take a few moments to visit our updated Clubs and Activities page to see some of the exciting opportunities available to students throughout the school year!