Dear FMS Families,
Due to ongoing issues with our boilers that have not yet been resolved, FMS will pivot to remote learning on Monday and Tuesday, April 20-21, to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
On Monday and Tuesday, teachers will provide live online instruction following our regular letter-day rotation. Please plan for students to participate remotely during normal school hours on those days. View the remote learning schedule, by grade level, here.
During remote learning, students should:
- Start the day by watching FMS TV News
- Log in daily to check assignments and email using FMS credentials
- Using FMS Google credentials to sign in to applications related to remote learning will keep students from having to remember additional passwords
- Attend live (synchronous) class sessions
- If the schedule provided does not work due to home schedules and shared devices, be sure to log in and complete the daily assignments when you are able
- Use the provided schedule as a guide to complete assignments
- Reach out to teachers, school counselors, or house principals for help
- Contact house secretary for technical assistance
We recognize that the modified remote learning schedule may feel confusing at first, and we encourage families to reach out with any questions or concerns. Your child’s teacher, school counselor, or house principal is always happy to help.
To support students during remote learning, families can:
- Help students choose a quiet, comfortable workspace
- Encourage them to stay on top of assignments and communication
- Support a healthy balance between schoolwork and free time
- Promote screen‑free breaks, such as outdoor time, exercise, or creative activities
- More tips: good habits for online learning
If your family needs internet access for remote learning, district-provided hotspots are available. Please contact your house secretary, who will coordinate with IT to ensure connectivity.
The Guilderland Public Library has mobile hot spots available for FMS families during the remote learning period. A library card is required to borrow a hotspot; families without a card may obtain one by bringing proof of address to the library. In addition, the library has set aside conference rooms with Wi‑Fi for FMS students to use on Monday and Tuesday.
FMS sports update (Monday and Tuesday)
Modified sports schedules are not canceled; practice and games will take place at FMS as usual. Coaches will communicate specific practice plans directly with their teams.
Home games
There is one modified home game scheduled for Monday (modified baseball). This game has been moved to the Guilderland High School varsity baseball field and will begin at 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday away games
- Any 7th or 8th-grade student-athletes participating in JV softball or JV girls lacrosse must provide their own transportation to Guilderland High School on Tuesday to board the bus for their away contest. The JV girls lacrosse bus will depart GHS East at 2:40 p.m. The JV girls’ softball bus will depart GHS West at 2:50 p.m.
All modified baseball players are expected to provide their own transportation to FMS on Tuesday to board the bus to their game. The bus will depart at 3:05 p.m.
If you have any questions, please reach out directly to your child’s coach or to Athletic Director Dave Austin.
Thank you for your continued understanding and partnership. We are working closely with district and facilities staff and will share updates as more information becomes available as we navigate this unexpected situation.
Sincerely,
Daniel Mayberry
Superintendent of Schools