A message from Dr. Wiles:
Dear GCSD Families,
As the academic year winds down, our schools are filled with joyful celebrations, picnics, concerts, and moving-up ceremonies. While these meaningful milestones reflect a successful and rewarding year, I’d also like to spotlight several recent end-of-year events that are equally significant — many of which are unique to the Guilderland Central School District.
GHS hosts fifth annual Anti-Hate Rally as part of Unity Week
On Thursday, May 22, the Guilderland High School Student Voice Committee hosted its fifth annual Anti-Hate Rally. Held in the Large Group Instruction (LGI) room, the event featured student speeches, presentations and activities centered around the theme of “Building Bridges.” This theme was selected to emphasize understanding, collaboration and inclusivity. The rally traditionally serves as the culminating event of Unity Week—a series of school-wide initiatives designed to foster connection and inclusivity within the GHS community.
This year, the Student Voice Committee added a breakfast to the Unity Week events, with the objective of encouraging dialogue that transcends differences. Scheduled on the morning of the rally and the final day of Unity Week, the breakfast created an opportunity for thoughtful discussion on community building and the importance of bridging social and cultural differences. Attendees included 25 students from all four grade levels, each nominated by teachers for their potential to be strong facilitators and engaged participants. Their contributions helped to make the event a comfortable and welcoming space for honest conversation.
E=MC² Symposium highlights innovative research
The curiosity, wonder, and inquisitive spirit of GHS students were recently on display at the annual E=MC² Symposium, an event that showcases the year-long original research projects of students enrolled in the Exploring with Mindful Creativity & Curiosity (E=MC²) course. This inquiry-based class empowers students to pursue self-directed research projects on topics of personal interest. With the theme of “Pushing Boundaries,” the symposium gave students enrolled in the E=MC² course the opportunity to showcase their investigations in a TED-Talk style speech.
GHS seniors earn NYS Seal of Civic Readiness through Teacher Corps course
Twelve students have earned the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness — the first cohort to earn this distinction at GHS. The Seal of Civic Readiness program enables students to make informed decisions for the public good while having a positive impact in their communities through civic knowledge, skills and actions, mindsets, and experiences. At GHS, students earn this seal through the Teacher Corps course, which introduces students to the teaching profession while empowering them to examine civic issues that have an effect on young children.
Twenty-one GHS seniors earn NYS Seal of Biliteracy
Recently, 21 GHS seniors received the New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB). Created to encourage the study of languages, the NYSSB prepares students for the future with essential skills for a global society. A NYSSB distinction recognizes high school graduates who attain a high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing one or more languages, in addition to English. In the Guilderland Central School District, where more than 50 home languages are spoken, the Seal of Biliteracy celebrates these languages and affirms the value of diversity.
GHS students perform at prestigious Lincoln Center
In May, five accomplished Guilderland High School student-musicians performed at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in the 41st annual Young Musicians Concert, a showcase of talented high school chamber ensembles from the tri-state area. To participate in this prestigious concert, the GHS student-musicians underwent rigorous competition, which involved multiple rounds of performances, including a video submission round and a live regional concert. Congratulations to Yoonsoo (Sam) Woo, Toby Weiss, Brendon Cao, Anthony Padula and Ian Dunn on this impressive accomplishment!
No school, Thursday, June 19
Please note, in observance of Juneteenth, there is no school for students on Thursday, June 19. School and district offices will be closed as well.
Thank you for your continued support of Guilderland Central School District students and our school community.
Sincerely,
Marie Wiles, Ph.D.
Superintendent