FMS Student Handbook: Instruction & Instructional Resources

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District Mission Statement

Guilderland Central School District’s mission is to inspire all students to be active life-long learners, able to achieve their highest potential in a demanding and ever-changing global community.

District Educational Philosophy

The Board of Education believes that the Guilderland Central School District is dedicated to the service of its students, their families, and the entire community. To this end, we will be attentive and responsive to the diverse needs of all. By serving our students we mean to empower them for success and effectiveness both now and throughout their lives. Our purposes for students include:

Developing and cultivating the full range of human intelligence and capabilities;
Instilling the habits of mind and dispositions of character needed to use understanding wisely and humanely;
Developing the skills necessary to live, work and succeed in our own democratic society and an ever-changing community;
Encouraging the development of each individual’s unique expression while fostering the development of lifelong respect for others.

Our aim is to assure that each student will become a self-initiating, life-long learner and a contributing, productive member of society.

In order to achieve this, we require our schools to encourage and foster a learning environment where students work alone and with others to evaluate, construct, and generate knowledge. Students are supported in taking risks and thinking independently.

Staff members are expected to direct their energies to do what is necessary to meet our students’ needs. The district actively supports employee efforts to improve their professional practice aimed at learning and implementing effective ways in which to meet students’ needs.

Recognizing that the whole community is affected by its schools, the Board of Education encourages participation and conversations about what students are learning, what schools and families are seeking to do, and what the community needs. We will operate in an arena of collaboration and partnership. Our actions and relationships will foster mutual respect, trust, and support. We will make decisions based on what we believe is good and on what we know is effective in enhancing the full range of human development (BOE policy 1000)

Farnsworth Middle School Philosophy

Farnsworth Middle School, a New York State School to Watch, is an exciting learning community: thoughtful, stimulating, reflective, engaging, and engaged. The staff balances challenging curriculum goals with its understanding of the unique intellectual, social-emotional, and physical needs of 11-14-year-olds. In partnership with families and community, we support and nurture students in their development of a love for learning, strong habits of the mind and body, a commitment to high academic standards, an appreciation for the arts, an understanding of democratic principles, respect for self and others, and responsibility for their actions.

Farnsworth Middle School students successfully make the transition from elementary to high school. All students use their minds well, think critically and creatively, make informed and reasoned judgments, produce and in-vent, critique and analyze, develop personal responsibility and concern for others, and move toward greater independence as learners.

Statement of Non-Discrimination/Anti-Harassment

It is the policy of the Guilderland Central School District not to permit discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, economic status, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability in the district’s educational programs, activities or employment.
Harassment may take the form of comments, name-calling, jokes, stalking, perpetuating rumors or gossip, offensive gestures or language, assault, or any other behavior that is designed to annoy, intimidate or cause fear.
Bullying and/or hazing of students and staff are prohibited behaviors and will not be tolerated at Farnsworth Middle School.

New York’s Dignity for All Students Act and Guilderland Central School District’s policy #5010 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, gender, creed, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, military status, or marital status and will not tolerate any form of unlawful discrimination or harassment. Any parent, student or district employee who believes they have been discriminated against based upon race, color, gender, creed, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, military status or marital status should contact one of the district’s Dignity Act Coordinators:

District-wide Coordinator
Demian Singleton
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction
(518) 456-6200, ext. 3119
Michael Laster
FMS Principal
(518) 456-6010
Bill Aube
FMS House Principal
(518) 456-6010
Michael Pipa
FMS House Principal
(518) 456-6010

Instruction

The development and maintenance of optimal educational programs are the primary functions of the Guilderland Board of Education. (BOE Policy 4000)

Daily Schedule

Walkers and students arriving before 8:35 a.m. must report directly to the cafetorium unless a pre-signed pass is obtained or a pre-arranged meeting is in place. (Please be aware that the building does not officially open until 7:30 a.m.)

Buses unload: 8:35 a.m.
Students must be in homeroom: 8:45 a.m.
Attendance and Pledge of Allegiance
1st dismissal to buses: 3:25 p.m.
2nd dismissal to buses: 4:05 p.m.

Breakfast Program 8 – 8:45 a.m.

Upon arrival at school, students will be offered the option of eating breakfast. Breakfast will be served from 8 to 8:45 a.m. Any student arriving at 8:45 a.m. in need of breakfast should report first to homeroom before going to the cafetorium. Students will be dismissed from the cafetorium to arrive in homeroom by 8:45 a.m. All food and beverages must be consumed in the cafetorium.

Activity Period 3:30 – 4:05 p.m.

Activity period at FMS is on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons. Activity periods are part of the school day. Students may be required to stay for help with schoolwork, detention, or other extensions of the school program. Students may stay for enrichment with teachers, extra help, participation in clubs and intramural activities, etc. Students may only stay for activity period as part of a supervised program. Only students staying for one of these activities may ride the 4:05 p.m. bus. Students and parents need to be clear about the student’s plan prior to arrival at school. Student access to the phone will be limited to emergency situations only.

Attendance

Attendance is a critical factor in school success for our students. Consistent school attendance, academic success and school completion are positively related. School attendance is both a right and a responsibility in New York State. Children have the right to attend school between the ages of 5 and 21, and are mandated to attend between the ages of 6 and 16. Parents are expected to make sure that their children attend school on a regular basis. (BOE Policy 5100)

It is each student’s basic responsibility as a member of the school community to be on time and attend all classes. To report a child’s absence from school, please call or e-mail your child’s house office secretary. Daily telephone calls will be made to parents or guardians to report unexcused absences.

Excused and Unexcused Absences

The following reasons for student absences from school are recognized as excused:

Personal illness
Illness or death in the family
Impassable roads or weather making travel unsafe
Religious observance
Medical appointment
Approved school-sponsored trips
Quarantine
Required court appearances

Any other absence is considered unexcused. Students returning to school following an absence should submit a written excuse stating the reason(s) for his or her absence to the House Principal.

The district will support and encourage a student’s efforts to maintain or improve school attendance. Students with unexcused absences will be disciplined according to the provisions set forth in the district’s Code of Conduct.

Late Arrivals

Students who arrive late must enter through the front door near the reception area and the Main Office and immediately sign in at their House Office.

Student Dismissal Precautions

In order to ensure students’ safety, House Principals maintain a list of individuals who are authorized to obtain the release of students in attendance at the school. No student may be released to the custody of any individual who is not the parent or guardian of the student, unless the individual’s name appears on that list. We encourage all parents to update their child’s student profile on our eSchoolData Parent Portal.

Certified copies of any court orders or divorce decrees provided by the custodial parent, which restrict a parent’s ability to seek the release of his or her child, shall be maintained in district offices.

Early Release

Early release should be kept to a minimum as it disrupts the educational process. Early release of students should be requested in writing by the parent and submitted to the House Principal. If anyone seeks the release from school of a student, they must report to the reception area located next to the Main Office on the first floor and present satisfactory identification to the receptionist. If the person seeking the release of a child exhibits to the school official an out-of-state custody order, the Building Principal or the Building Principal’s designee will be called.

Learning Center

Farnsworth students receive instruction in the research process through various until in the curriculum. They are led by certified library media specialists who teach students how to think critically when interacting with information in varying formats.

The Learning Center is open every school day and is equipped with books, magazines, Internet access, online databases, and other educational resources. Students may come to the Learning Center during class, Access, or activity period with a pass from a teacher.

Materials in the library circulate for a specific period of time, generally three weeks. All students wishing to borrow materials must check them out at the library desk.

Students are expected to be responsible and courteous of the needs of others and return library materials on time. Lost or damaged materials must be replaced at the expense of the borrower.

Multimedia Tools in the Classroom

Increasingly, non-print media—including television, music video, videotape, film, radio, compact disc, and hypertext for personal computers—have become primary sources of information and recreation, as well as emotional and artistic experiences for Americans. Today’s children come to school from homes and communities which provide them with a wide exposure to non-print media. It is crucial that teachers draw upon this background both to recognize their students’ knowledge and to develop their students’ critical thinking about non-print media.

Students must develop the knowledge, critical awareness, and technical skills to become participants in, creators of, thinkers about, and commentators on the non-print media that are so pervasive an influence on their lives. This means that teachers may sometimes use potentially controversial materials to help students confront issues such as stereotyping, propagandizing, and editorializing in the media. As educators, we are aware of and sensitive to the needs and perceptions of middle-age students. These materials are never selected to expose students to gratuitous violence or sexuality. Instead, such materials may be chosen to allow students to discover that non-print media works are various constructions of reality and that they may have commercial, ideological, and value-laden messages.

Educators have included the study of film and video in their classrooms for decades. The school district affirms that the purpose of including these materials is to:

Support the development of students’ print literacy and appreciation of print literature by building on students’ informally acquired media literacy skills;
Study artistic and informative works in their own right;
Deepen students’ abilities to understand and to critically analyze the powerful non-print media sources of their daily information and entertainment.

Film or video used for instructional purposes has to meet specific selection criteria. Parents will be notified if potential controversy related to language, violence, drug and alcohol abuse or sexual issues exits. Parents will also receive notification of all health videos and units before they are shown. (BOE Policy 4512)

Use of School Computers and Internet

The Guilderland Board of Education considers computers to be a valuable tool for education and encourages the use of computers and computer-related technology in classrooms.

Computer use is an integral part of the curriculum and the use of software applications, online databases, bulletin boards and electronic mail significantly enhance a student’s educational experience.

To this end, the Board extends the privilege of using computers to access the Internet to help perform academic work, to explore educational topics, to conduct research projects, and to contact others in the educational world. The privilege of using the computers in the school may be revoked at any time if a student fails to comply with the Board’s policy and regulations. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in the event of violations of this policy. (BOE Policy 4510.2)

GCSD Engaged Learning Initiative (ELI) through 1:1 Chromebook Model

The Engaged Learning Initiative (ELI) aligns with the district’s vision and mission by providing students in grades 5-12 with regular, equitable access to digital learning tools in school and at home.

Students will receive a Chromebook for in-school and at-home use at the start of every school year. Students will be expected to bring their Chromebooks to school every day and to use them for all computer-based school assignments. There is no fee to families unless a student’s Chromebook is damaged, lost or stolen — the same policy as for textbooks. For full information on the initiative, please refer to the Educational Technology Department’s website, accessible through the district website.

Acceptable Use Policy

An acceptable use policy for student use of the district’s computer network is sent home annually. It describes the student’s access to the network and expectations for acceptable use. Parents are expected to review this agreement with their child. Failure to abide by these regulations may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension from school and/or revocation of system access and related privileges.

Staff and students are expected to follow these guidelines when using computers:

School computers may only be used to help perform academic work, explore educational topics, conduct research projects or contact others for educational purposes.
When using school computers, students and staff will be expected to take reasonable care of school equipment and materials.
Students and staff are expected to act in a responsible, ethical and legal manner while using school computers and the Internet. They should be polite to Internet users and should act within the laws of New York State and the U.S.
No purchase may be made via a computer owned by the school, or through one of the school’s Internet accounts.
Students will be supervised when they access the Internet. The school will take every reasonable precaution to ensure that a student will not access objectionable materials. Students will be instructed to notify a teacher immediately if they accidentally access something objectionable from a school computer.
Students will be told not to provide personal information or agree to meet strangers that they meet on the Internet. Students should notify a teacher if someone on the Internet requests personal information or asks to meet with them.
In accordance with the district’s “opt-out” policy for the use of student directory information, web page documents on the Internet may include a student’s full name, grade level, photograph, artwork, academic interest, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, terms of school attendance and graduation, awards received, etc. unless the district has been notified in writing not to publish this information in any given school year.
Information stored on school computer equipment is not private and may be viewed or traced by authorized personnel.

Staff and students must understand that if they violate these rules, their computer privileges may be suspended. Violations of these guidelines will result in a referral to the school administration for further disciplinary action.

District Responsibilities

While the district uses technological and manual means to regulate access and information on the school computer network, parents would understand that these methods do not provide a fool-proof means of enforcing the provisions of the district’s policy and regulations.

The district makes no warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, for the access being provided. Further, the district assumes no responsibility for
the quality, availability, accuracy, nature or reliability of the service and/or information provided. Use of the district’s computer network and the Internet is performed at the user’s own risk. Each user is responsible for verifying the integrity and authenticity of the information that is used and provided.

The district will not be responsible for any damages suffered by any user, including but not limited to, loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, misdeliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or the errors or omissions of any user. The district will also not be responsible for the unauthorized financial obligations resulting from the use or access to the district’s computer network or the Internet. (BOE Policy 4510.2)

Internet Safety

The Guilderland Central School District is committed to safeguarding children’s access to the Internet and the World Wide Web on district computers. Although Guilderland Central School District cannot totally guarantee the effectiveness of selected filtering and blocking technology, the district will use such measures that block or filter Internet access to visual depictions that are obscene or otherwise harmful to minors, as defined in the Children’s Internet Protection Act. In addition, Internet safety is part of the sixth-grade technology program.

Student E-Mail Accounts

All middle school students are issued a secure district e-mail account through the Google Apps for Education service. This account is intended for instructional purposes. Students may only send messages to and receive messages from other GCSD students and staff members.

District Website

Internet access in the Guilderland Central School District provides an opportunity for students, staff, parents, and the community to share information in a very unique way. The district’s website provides information to the community about school curriculum, instruction, school-related activities, and other general information relating to our schools and our district’s mission. Internet access for the creation of web pages is provided by the district Web Team through Capital Region BOCES.

Creators of web pages on the Guilderland Central School District’s website need to familiarize themselves with and adhere to, the district’s published website guidelines in order to receive and retain authorizing privileges on the district website or to have an independent website linked to the district website.

Students may create new web pages or modify existing web pages only as part of a classroom or club activity with the authorization of a designated staff member. The web pages may only be placed on the district web server with approval from the network administrator. (BOE Policy 4510.2-R.2)

School Ceremonies and Observances

The school district recognizes the value of certain ceremonies and observances in promoting patriotism and good citizenship among the students. Therefore, activities in schools commemorating national holidays such as Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and President’s Day are encouraged. Guilderland Central School District reminds students, faculty and administration of the variety of religious beliefs, and all are urged to be conscious of and respect the sensitivities of others.

Activities related to a religious holiday or theme will be planned to ensure that the activity is not devotional and that students of all faiths can join without feeling that they are betraying their own beliefs.

Therefore, keep in mind the following:

School and class plays shall be secular and nonsectarian in nature. Although school and class plays may have religious content, the purpose may not be to promote or endorse a specific religious belief.
Although religious music may be played and/or sung to demonstrate the cultural significance of such art forms, the Guilderland Central School District will not permit such music to entirely dominate the district’s music program or concerts.
Program notes and illustrations of a religious nature shall not be included if the purpose or effect is to encourage students and community members to accept and/or follow such religious teachings.

Students shall be given the option to be excused from participating in those parts of a program involving a religious theme that conflicts with their own religious beliefs. If a parent or student has any questions regarding the use of religious music, artwork and/or symbols in a particular course/activity, the Building Principal should be contacted.

Assemblies

Student assemblies are seen as part of the overall educational process. School assemblies, at all instructional levels, are often held to provide recognition of student accomplishments by peers, parents and staff members. Assemblies
will be appropriate to the educational experience, as defined by the Guilderland Central School Board of Education, and reflect our school’s educational mission.

Students are reminded of proper conduct at assemblies to ensure responsible audience participation:

Take an assigned seat quietly;
Do not speak above a whisper, and then only when necessary;
Pay attention to the speaker/ performer(s);
Applaud only when appropriate.

School Lockers and Locks

All students will be assigned a locker to secure their belongings. Students assigned lockers in Hiawatha, Mohawk, and Tawasentha will need to use a free-hanging combination lock to secure their lockers. Students in Seneca will be assigned lockers with integrated locks (no need for free-hanging lock). Please note that school lockers are not the private property of students but the property of the school district and as such may be opened and subject to inspection from time to time by school officials (BOE policy 5330). School-is-sued locks allow for a keyed entry by school officials. For safety/security reasons, school officials may need to cut-off privately purchased locks to gain access.

Students are responsible for the contents of their lockers and are encouraged to use a school-issued lock.
The school is not responsible for items that are lost or stolen.
Students should keep all valuables in locked lockers.
Students should not share lock combinations with other students.

All 6th-grade students and new 7th- and 8th-grade students in Hiawatha, Mohawk, and Tawasentha will be provided one, free-hanging, combination lock in Homeroom at the start of the year. Returning 7th- and 8th-grade students are expected to their assigned lock home over the summer and bring back the [same] lock [they were assigned]. Students are responsible for their provided lock for their entire career at Farnsworth Middle School. At the end of the school year, students will take their assigned lock home for the summer and bring it back for the next school year.

Students who misplace or lose this lock will need to purchase a replacement. We encourage them to purchase a school-issued lock at a cost of $5 at their House Office.

The requirement to bring your own lock for Physical Education remains the same.

Physical Education

CSD believes that the physical education program should:

Aid the development of a student’s mind by encouraging the development of a healthy body;
Encourage student participation in appropriate physical activity while in school and to teach the skills of those activities so that they will carry over to activities throughout their lifetime;
Increase appreciation of physical fitness and its importance in regard to good health;
Impress upon students the importance of integrating one’s mind, body, and attitude in preparing to face the challenges life presents;
Instill self-respect, self-discipline, and the value of cooperation and teamwork which are essential elements of good citizenship.

With these objectives in mind, the P.E .staff works with admins to develop a physical education program that develops each student’s flexibility, agility, coordination, strength, and endurance incorporating a progression of skills and activities from the simple to the more complex. This program is flexible enough to accept each student with his/her own pattern of growth and development and includes activities that ensure both individual and group development throughout the student’s school years.

Every student who attends school must take part in a physical education program. If a student requires a special or adaptive physical education program, he/she should notify the school counselor and P.E. teacher as soon as possible. A note from the student’s physician may also be required.
(BOE Policy 4316)

If a student must be excused from P.E. classes for less than a week either due to minor injuries or upon returning to school following an illness, the student must deliver a note from the parent to the physical education teacher.
If a student must be excused from P.E. for more than a week, that student must deliver a note from his/her physician to the school nurse.

Proper Attire for Physical Education Class

Students are expected to dress appropriately in order to participate in physical education classes. All students are required to wear sneakers for safety and performance reasons.

Music

Performing Music Ensembles

MS offers grade level and co-curricular ensembles in band, chorus, and orchestra. All students (regardless of previous experience) are invited to participate in the program. Ensembles meet as a class every other day during normal school hours and students are graded on achievement in lessons and rehearsals. The music directors will work to create and maintain a high level of performance, foster motivation to perform, and develop teamwork within the group. For students to gain performance experience it is required that they attend rehearsals regularly and participate in concerts. Although evening concerts are beyond the school day, they are a vital component of the musical experience and a culminating event that cannot be made up. A written excuse from a parent or legal guardian has required in the event that a student misses a performance for any reason. In the case of illness or a family emergency, the parent should contact the director as soon as possible.

Instrumental Lessons/Private Lessons

All band and orchestra students receive a small group music lesson once a week, 40 minutes in length. The lesson meets on the same day each week but times may rotate. Music lessons are considered an excused absence and students are responsible to make up missed classwork. On the morning of the lesson, the student picks up a lesson card with the assigned lesson time. This card is shown to the classroom teacher and is used as a pass.

Instrument Storage

Students may store their instruments in the band or orchestra room. The student’s name should be clearly visible on the instrument case. Please keep a record of the model number and a serial number of the instrument at home. Many home-owner policies cover musical instruments in school. FMS is not responsible for lost or stolen property.

Commitment to the Ensemble

Students in performing music ensembles are making a commitment to the ensemble and other members of the team. The success of any organization is dependent upon the spirit, pride, leadership, teamwork, dedication, and cooperation of its members. While students all develop at different rates, students are encouraged to put forth their best efforts and honor their commitment for the school year.

School Counseling/Social Work Services

Mission Statement: The Farnsworth Middle School Counseling Department recognizes the importance of each child’s academic, social, and emotional needs as related to the developmental stages of student growth.

In partnership with our students, staff families, and community, we will empower students to become effective learners, achieve success in school and develop into contributing members of our diverse society.

Counseling/social work services are available to all students in grades 6-8.