Dear Members of the GF Nation Community,
For today, Friday, 12/16, school is in session with a REGULAR DISMISSAL (2:45 p.m. Elems; 3:03 p.m. MS/HS). All AFTER-SCHOOL EVENTS/PRACTICES ARE CANCELED.
The JV/Varsity Boys Basketball games against Schuylerville will be played tomorrow (Saturday) at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Today’s Boys Swim meet and both Ice Hockey games are postponed.
The decision on whether or not to close or delay school rarely comes easily, because of the many variables involved with each winter storm. We consider the weather–both current and forecasted–the conditions of our roads, building parking lots, and sidewalks, and our ability to get school opened safely. We also weigh the fact that many of our students’ parents have no other option but to work–snow day or not, and we feed every student breakfast and lunch for free if they want it. Serving those two meals becomes even more important on a Friday or Monday, as the weekend can be a difficult stretch for homes with food insecurity.
Our ultimate goal is to keep every child in school, every day. If we can safely make that happen, we will. The learning, nourishment, social-emotional community, and consistency of schedule for both students and their families are important. Weather forecasts are often wrong, or shift from hour to hour. We respond thoughtfully to these developments. Our City snow plows and GFSD maintenance team work hard and do the best job they can in shifting conditions. We assess their effort carefully. When students need winter gear to bundle up and get to school, we provide coats, boots, hats, and gloves through the HOPE Boutique. When all of these considerations come together and we can safely open our school doors, we always will.
Thank you for your partnership and understanding as we face the usually beautiful—but sometimes bothersome—Adirondack area snowfall, together!