Congratulations, Glens Falls Class of 2017!

Family, friends, and faculty celebrated the 150 graduates of the Class of 2017 on Saturday afternoon—and a 92 percent graduation rate for this Glens Falls Class! "Seek out your support group and ask for help when you need it," said Superintendent Paul Jenkins. "Whether that group is your family or your friends, reach out to them and I guarantee they will be there and they will all be willing to lend a hand. We are all very proud of each of you and all of your accomplishments over the years." A photo gallery of some graduation moments is available [ HERE ]. The ceremony was live-streamed in its entirety, and the uncut video is available to view [ HERE ]. Congratulations, graduates!!

High School awards celebrate student accomplishments

More than 60 students at Glens Falls High School were honored with 90+ different awards, scholarships and other designations at the school’s annual awards program on June 1. The event began with recognition of the Class of 2017’s Top Students, including valedictorian Lucille Tougas, salutatorian Andrew Culliton, and Elliot Gohn, Xiao Yan Liu, Mia Cote, Laura Hendley, Bridget Bruen, Michael Chevalier, Joshua Greenwood, and Wilson Herrmann. For more details on each of the Top Students and a complete listing of all awards given out on June 1, see the High School's awards and honors page [ HERE ].

Congratulations, GFMS student-musicians!

Wrapping up another busy year in the music department, approximately 96 Glens Falls Middle School students were recently recognized for performing at a NYSSMA Solo & Ensemble Festival and/or for being selected into a Saratoga Warren Music Educator’s Association’s All-County Ensemble. All of these students practiced diligently at home and put in several hours after or before school to prepare. Congratulations to our middle school musicians!

New York State Master Teachers named at GFMS

Not one, but two math and science teachers from Glens Falls Middle School have been inducted into the elite New York State Master Teacher Program (NYSMTP). Science teacher Jason Brechko and math teacher Yvonne Anderson are members of the newest cohort of educators statewide to be named Master Teachers. [ MORE ]

Voters say “Yes” to 2017-18 school budget; Bus lease and capital project approved; Field lights rejected

Glens Falls City School District residents approved the 2017-18 school budget by a margin of 1108 "yes" votes to 260 “no” votes – an 81 percent approval rate. The $43 million spending plan will increase the tax levy by 1.94 percent, and represents a budget-to-budget spending increase of $1,627,387, or approximately 3.9 percent.  [ MORE ]

Super Readers celebrated at Big Cross!

Big Cross kids read 26,675 minutes during this year’s super hero-themed Parents As Reading Partners (PARP) challenge! Way to go, BC Super Readers!!

Recognizing outstanding teaching and learning during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 8-12, 2017

We’re recognizing national Teacher Appreciation Week by spotlighting committed and enthusiastic teachers from every one of the district's schools each day this week! Read about Friday's honoree, psychologist Elaine Hersey at the Middle School [ HERE ].

Senior Lucy Reid sings in All-Eastern Honors Choir

In early April, GFHS senior Lucy Reid sang in the prestigious National Association for Music Education's All-Eastern Honors Choir in Atlantic City, NJ. “Lucy is more than just ‘talented,’” says music teacher Abigail Sery. “She is a hard worker who always strives for excellence and brings enthusiasm into everything she does.” [ MORE ]

SUNY ADK summer enrichment registration open

Adventure sports, an archaeology field school, and STEAM camp await your children at SUNY Adirondack this summer! Learn the skills professional archaeologists use to dig, analyze and document their findings, have fun in a hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) program, or experience the best rock climbing, hiking and canoeing the Adirondack region has to offer. For details on registration, click [ HERE ].

Stewart's Holiday Match sends $1,500 to Big Cross

A big THANK YOU to Stewart's Shops for the $1,500 Holiday Match Grant for Big Cross Elementary's summer enrichment program! This funding supports a great program that lets kids study the aerodynamics of paper airplanes, celebrate Brazilian Carnival, read through exciting chapter books, taste the chemistry of homemade ice cream, and so much more.

GFMS' Kate Arney is NewsChannel 13 Top Teacher!

The Middle School's own Kate Arney has been honored as one of the region's top teachers by NewsChannel 13! While many say middle schoolers are the toughest age group to teach, Mrs. Arney says she loves teaching this age group. Watch her feature story [ HERE ]

School District Foundation supports GFHS Girls' Day

Girls Day is an initiative designed to strengthen and empower high school girls with life skills, information, and bonding over fun activities throughout a day-long event. Again this year, the School District Foundation of Glens Falls made a $1,000 donation to support Girls' Day, which is free for girls to attend, and open to all girls in grades 9-12. Former superintendent and current board member of the Foundation, Tom McGowan, presented the check to assistant principal Liz Collins and the Girls' Day organizing group in mid-February.

GF Nation raises $1,606 for South High Marathon Dance

Through a collaborative effort GF Nation donated $1,606 to the SHMD! The Glens Falls Teachers' Association, The High School Student Council, and the Grandstanders each ran a fundraiser in the weeks leading up to SHMD. Student Council Members made a live presentation on Friday night at the Dance Marathon and the students and volunteers were very appreciative. We are hopeful that this will be a new tradition for GF Nation!

Lucas Sanders wins Section 2 title; places 4th in NYS

GFHS senior Lucas Sanders is the Section 2 Wrestling champion in the II-285 class! Lucas went on to take fourth place in D-II at 285 in the New York State tournament February 24-25 at the Times Union Center in Albany. [ MORE ]

2017 Founders' Day Award winners

The Parent Teacher Student Associations at each school are proud to present the 2017 winners of the Founders' Day Awards! These awards celebrate committed parent volunteers and/or staff members from each school. Each honoree has been selected to recognize his or her service and dedication to go above and beyond for the students of Glens Falls City Schools. [ MORE ]

Universal Pre-K classes hold a "Souper Bowl" for Open Door

Universal Pre-Kindergarten students in Sue Williams' classes at Jackson Heights held their own “Souper Bowl” contest in which they tried to collect 51 cans of soup to donate to The Open Door Mission! [ MORE ]

Tougas sisters reach 1,000 points in same game

Congratulations to student-athletes Lucy and Sophie Tougas, who each reached their 1,000th career point in Thursday’s home game vs. Queensbury! Senior point guard Lucy Tougas hit a rebound in the first quarter to make it to 1,001 … and just a minute later, sophomore forward Sophie Tougas hit a 3-pointer to surpass the 1,000-point mark. More on the game is [ HERE ] and [ HERE ].

Universal Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten registration underway

The Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program is a free, half-day, full-year program for four-year olds. Entry into the UPK class is determined by lottery each spring. Lottery forms are due by April 13, 2017. Read more about the UPK lottery application [ HERE ].
Kindergarten students must be five years old by December 1, 2017 in order to start school in September. Registration for new kindergarten students is held at Kindergarten Round-Up events at each elementary school in March. Read more about kindergarten registration [ HERE ].

Make-A-Wish star sales help grant the wish of GFMS student

Say “Aloha” to seventh-grader Isabella Bullard! The GFMS student had the trip of a lifetime granted this past March, thanks in part to nearly two decades of Make-A-Wish fundraising right here in GF Nation—and star sales are happening again, right now! [ MORE ]

Diver Matt Parent breaks school record

At the first meet of the season, senior Matt Parent set a new school record of 334.30 for 6 dives! He broke a two-year-old record of 330.15 set by Raislan Aiken, who is now diving at Marist College. Before his record-setting performance in diving, Matt won the 50-yard freestyle in 25.15 seconds. He also anchored the winning 200 freestyle relay. Way to go, Matt!

MS food drive donations top 1,200 items

Great job, GFMS students!! More than 1,200 food items went to the Salvation Army on Dec. 13th as a result of the Middle School's annual food drive. The fifth-graders brought in more than 500 items alone ... and Ms. Kayla Lewis' class collected 265 items, with 153 of those coming from Shanti Dawkins' family! The Student Senate officers made daily announcements, kept track of the number of cans brought in, and helped sort and load food for the Salvation Army.

JH food drive helps Salvation Army meet needs

Jackson Heights students and staff completed a food drive in early December that sent 138 food items to the Salvation Army of Glens Falls! Jeremy Davis' fourth-graders helped load the Salvation Army  van with all the donations on Dec. 14th. Great job, GF Nation!

Service, leadership, and character embodied in National Honor Society inductees

23 GFHS students have been recognized as outstanding members of the Glens Falls student body for their exemplary contributions to the school and community—all while maintaining stellar grades in their academic courses. [ MORE ]

Lucy Reid makes repeat performance at All-State

Glens Falls High School soprano Lucy Reid has earned a repeat performance in the prestigious New York State School Music Association All-State Chorus. Lucy was chosen for this honor by receiving a perfect score on her level 6 All-State solo and sight-reading auditions last May. [ MORE ]

Congratulations, State Champions Indians Football!

Congratulations to coach Pat Lilac, his staff, and all Glens Falls football players on winning the Section 2 Class B New York State championship on Saturday with a 47-39 win over the Chenango Forks Blue Devils! GF Nation fans were loud and proud at the Carrier Dome. Some photos of the game in Syracuse are available [ HERE ], and videos of the team boarding the bus after the win are [ HERE ].

Thank you, Veterans!

THANKS SO MUCH, VETERANS! The Project Power students at the Middle School created this mural to honor all of GF Nation's veterans. The students also baked a special batch of sugar cookies with buttercream frosting and red, white, and blue sprinkles for three special vets: MS English teacher Rob Manning; MS cafeteria monitor Hank Dwyer; and HS social studies teacher Doug Hoyne. Thank you all for your service!

Boys Cross Country team—Foothills Champions!

The Glens Falls Boys Cross Country team are Foothills CHAMPIONS!! Chris Hughes was the boys individual winner, covering the Saratoga Spa State Park course in 15:17.95. He was more than 37 seconds faster than the rest of the field. Runners Cameron Giordano and Ethan Wyman placed 4th and 5th, with Noah Britton taking 8th, and Sam Hogan placing 20th. Congratulations Chris Hughes, Cam Giordano, Ethan Wyman, Noah Britton, Sam Hogan, Will Florio, Paul Trackey, John Andre, Sam Bordeau, Nate Kroeze, and coach Larry Woods!

Superintendent's letters on lead testing results

The district obtained the results of lead testing in K-8 buildings' water sources on October 26, 2016. The letter to parents and staff is available [ HERE ]. The district obtained the results for the High School on November 18, 2016. The letter to parents and staff is available [ HERE ]. 

GFHS Art Club blends creativity with service

The new HS Art Club is using creativity to serve the community. Art teacher Karen Mars and students recently made over one hundred worry stones to donate to a local suicide prevention group. The students sold refreshments at the homecoming dance, visited the Hyde Museum to see the Rembrandt and Durer exhibits, and carved eye-popping pumpkins. Up next: mural painting for area organizations!

Sean Pettis selected to march in Macy's Parade band

GFHS freshman Sean Pettis has been selected to play tenor saxophone in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! Sean’s sister, Hannah, proudly announced the news to the Board of Education at its October meeting. “Along the parade route, there will be three million spectators,” [ MORE ]

BC wears orange for Unity Day 2016!

Big Cross elementary participated in UNITY DAY on October 19th, wearing orange [ PHOTOS ] and standing together against bullying — united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion. The event by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center is part of National Bullying Prevention Month. [ MORE ]

"Pennies for Pink" effort raises a whopping $2,355.52 for cancer patients

Now in its fourth year—and second school-building headquarters—the annual “Pennies for Pink” drive is still collecting thousands of dollars to get local cancer patients to and from their treatments. Hundreds of dollars at each elementary building, combined with more than a thousand at the Middle School  brought the effort above this year's goal. [ MORE ]

Rotary Club provides dictionaries to every third grader

Former Superintendent Tom McGowan was back in a Glens Falls classroom this month, giving a mini-lesson to third graders who had just received their very own dictionaries. [ MORE ]

Tammy Silvernell to serve as next GFHS Principal

Educational leader Tammy C. Silvernell is set to become Glens Falls High School’s next principal as of January 3, 2017. She currently serves as the grades 7-12 principal at Cambridge Central Schools. [ MORE ]

Modified Girls Soccer raises $200 in Power of Pink game

GFMS Modified Girls Soccer players and their families donated $200 towards breast cancer research at the Power of Pink game on Tuesday, Oct. 11 against Queensbury. "The QBY girls had a bake sale and made $120," said Coach Juliana Ogden. The event is a combination of awareness and support. Great job, GF Nation!

Boys Soccer team earns second national award

For the second year in a row, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America has awarded the Glens Falls’ Boys Soccer team its High School Team Academic Award! [ MORE ]

Supporting students in multiple ways—that's the GF Nation Fund!

The GF Nation Fund, Inc. consistently supports Glens Falls students at every level—and this fall, that can be taken quite literally. Stability balls now replace half of the chairs in Pam Laurent's third-grade classroom at Kensington Elementary. [ MORE ]

Third-grader making a difference for Open Door

A big-hearted third grader is leading the charge for change ... five-cent deposits, to be exact. Earlier this month, Kensington student Tristan Lane unselfishly decided to donate money he received as a gift to a local charity, the Open Door Mission. But he didn't stop there. [ MORE ]

A note from Superintendent Paul Jenkins

"I would like to welcome everyone back for another great year ahead! The new school year is just around the corner and thanks to the hard work of our faculty, administration, and staff, we are ready for our students to return. [ MORE ]

2016-17 school calendar available here

 [ HERE ] is a one-page printable version of the 2016-17 district calendar that includes school breaks, holidays, and Regents exam days. The detailed 2016-17 calendar is in PDF format [ HERE ]. Any district resident may request a printed calendar by calling the district office at 792-1212.

Glens Falls High: 2016 Silver Award from U.S. News and World Report

In the U.S. News Best High Schools 2016 rankings, Glens Falls High School placed 187th within New York (#2069 in the National Rankings) and earned a silver medal! Schools are ranked based on their performance on state-required tests and how well they prepare students for college. Read more on our U.S. News overview page [ HERE ].

You can make a difference with GF Nation Fund

Attention Alumni and Friends of Glens Falls Schools: There’s a new way to help and support our students. Take a minute and visit www.gfnationfund.org and see what we are all about. YOU can make a difference simply by signing in and becoming part of our outreach network. Having a reunion or gathering? We would love to know about it. And, please get the word out. WE NEED YOU!

Educator scores available to parents and guardians

Under education law, parents and guardians of students may request the final quality rating and composite effectiveness score for each teacher and the principal of the school to which their child is assigned for the current school year. Read the process to request APPR ratings and scores [ HERE ]