Congratulations to Ryan Strang, Lauren Czubek and Leo Clemenzi, this year’s valedictorian and co-salutatorians, respectively!
Category Archives: Middle School
3rd Quarter Honor Rolls Announced
High Honor Roll
Grade 7: Ryan Bates, Madelyn Comenole, Molly Graiff, Anya Kulzer, Rita Lin, Mia Lucey, Keely Panichi, Taylor Schoonmaker, Athena Seebald, Laura VerWys and Abram Weatherwax.
Grade 8: Leonardo Clemenzi, Maryssa Crosier, Lauren Czubek, Kaya George, Emma Gilooly, Christian Kim, Cooper Murray, Ryan Strang and Michael Zakarka.
Honor Roll
Grade 7: Braden Ceresia, Sydney Davey, Madeline Defreest, Samantha Flagg, Gabriella Geise, Ethan Hallenbeck, Jireh Henriquez, Owen Hirokawa, Angela Lanesey, Aaron Martin, Isabela Niver, Olivia Palmer, Alivia Reo, Tim Thomas and Carter Zimmerman.
Grade 8: Matthew Blaisdell, Theresa Crawford, Kassidy Duda, William Eccles, Isabella Marte, Joseph Parrottino, Mia Perrotti, Tyler Quinn, Philip Ryan, Anthony Sano, Baylee Terry and Ryan Therrien.
Parent Letter About Internet Hoax
Dear Gardner-Dickinson School families,
We want to inform you of an internet hoax called “The Momo Challenge” that while not real, can still be distressing to students.
The so-called Momo Challenge started as news reports of a new internet challenge that caused students to self-harm or commit suicide. There is little to no evidence that actually occurred.
However, while fact-checking organizations have largely debunked the Momo Challenge, a disturbing image associated with the hoax has spread on social media. (The image is actually an unrelated sculpture of a grinning figure with dark hair and bulging eyes created by a Japanese special effects company.)
We have alerted our faculty and staff about this and we are taking proactive steps to deter students from seeing the image or sharing false information about the hoax. We do not believe students are intentionally trying to frighten classmates; it is more a curiosity.
However, given the nature of the internet, it is difficult if not impossible to completely shield students from this unfortunate hoax. We recommend you talk to your child to reassure them in case they have heard about it or are concerned. Here are some talking points.
- If they have seen the image, tell them it is not real and cannot harm them.
- If they have heard about the Momo Challenge, tell them it is a story someone made up.
- Reassure them they are safe.
- Remind them that not everything they read online is true.
If you would like to learn more about the hoax, here is a flier from the National Online Safety.
Please also feel free to contact me if you have further concerns.
Sincerely,
Dr. Thomas Reardon
Superintendent of Schools
High School Selection Information
Dear Parents of 8th Grade Students,
The final year at Gardner Dickinson can be very busy with planning for graduation, the 8th grade trip to Washington D.C., and the high school selection process.
In order to help you and your child make the most informed decision, there are several opportunities to learn about the area high schools. In the fall we participated in a program at Tech Valley High School (your child also participated in a spring session during seventh grade). In January we hold our High School Fair, and in late winter the students will have the opportunity to visit one high school during the school day. Prior to the fair, I will be working with your child during the day to develop questions, and assist them developing skills to make an informed decision.
This year, our High School Fair will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 15 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in our cafeteria. Students will have an opportunity to meet with representatives from each of the high schools in order to learn about course offerings and extra-curricular activities. Families are more than welcome to attend, but this is not a requirement. The schools participating in the Fair are Averill Park, Brittonkill, Columbia, Troy and Tech Valley. Please be aware that residents of the North Greenbush Common school district may select from Averill Park, Columbia and Troy High School.
In addition to our fair, each of the schools offers an open house for students and families entering ninth grade. These programs are typically presented by the school principal with assistance from the counselors and teachers. This is a good opportunity to visit the school and ask any questions you may have.
Tech Valley High School requires that students who are interested in their program attend a parent/student information night at their school. The next session will be held on Thursday, Jan. 10 at 6:00 p.m. at Tech Valley High School. The other open houses are listed below.
- Columbia High School – Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 6:00 p.m.
- Averill Park High School – Thursday, Jan. 31 6:30 p.m.
- Tamarac (Brittonkill) High School – Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 6:00 p.m.
- Troy High School – Thursday, Mar. 7 at 6:00 p.m.
I encourage families to learn about all of the schools in order to make a very well informed decision. I will be asking for your selection no later than Friday, Mar. 15. Students who select Tech Valley High School will need to let me know by Friday, Feb. 15. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have about this process.
Sincerely,
Amy Murphy
School Counselor
Literacy Fair – Wednesday, Mar. 20
Gardner-Dickinson School is hosting a Literacy Fair Wednesday, Mar. 20 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
All students are invited to participate by creating a project at home inspired by something they have read or have had read to them.
Here is a permission form with more info.
Please return by Friday, Mar. 8.
2nd Quarter Honor Rolls Announced
High Honor Roll
Grade 7: Ryan Bates, Molly Graiff, Anya Kulzer, Mia Lucey, Keely Panichi, Taylor Schoonmaker, Athena Seebald, Laura VerWys and Abram Weatherwax.
Grade 8: Matthew Blaisdell, Leonardo Clemenzi, Maryssa Crosier, Lauren Czubek, Kaya George, Christian Kim, Cooper Murray, Anthony Sano and Ryan Strang.
Honor Roll
Grade 7: Braden Ceresia, Madelyn Comenole, Sydney Davey, Christina Decker, Madeline Defreest, Samantha Flagg, Anna Galvagni, Gabriela Geise, Mwamba Green, Ethan Hallenbeck, Jireh Henriquez, Owen Hirokawa, Angela Lanesey, Rita Lin, Aaron Martin, Liam McCrudden, Isabela Niver, Olivia Palmer, Alivia Reo, Chloe Rodriguez, Tim Thomas and Carter Zimmerman.
Grade 8: Theresa Crawford, Kassidy Duda, William Eccles, Ethin Fries, Isabella Marte, Joseph Parrottino, Tyler Quinn, Philip Ryan, Ryan Therrien and Michael Zakarka.
1st Quarter Honor Rolls Announced
High Honor Roll
Grade 7: Ryan Bates, Braden Ceresia, Jason Cupp, Christina Decker, Madeline Defreest, Gabriela Geise, Molly Graiff, Jireh Henriquez, Anya Kulzer, Angela Lanesey, Rita Lin, Mia Lucey, Alivia Reo, Taylor Schoonmaker, Athena Seebald, Tim Thomas, Laura VerWys and Abram Weatherwax.
Grade 8: Matthew Blaisdell, Leonardo Clemenzi, Maryssa Crosier, Lauren Czubek, Kassidy Duda, Kaya George, Christian Kim, Isabella Marte, Cooper Murray and Ryan Strang.
Honor Roll
Grade 7: Madelyn Comenole, Sydney Davey, Samantha Flagg, Anna Galvagni, Malena Grande, Mwamba Green, Ethan Hallenbeck, Owen Hirokawa, Aaron Martin, Liam McCrudden, Isabela Niver, Alison O’Brien, Keely Panichi, Jayden Rene and Carter Zimmerman.
Grade 8: Nicole Benson, Theresa Crawford, William Eccles, Ethin Fries, Sara Geisser, Tyler Quinn, Phillip Ryan, Anthony Sano, Ryan Therrien and Michael Zakarka.
How District Decides to Delay or Cancel School
Dear Wynantskill UFSD families,
With winter weather upon us, Wynantskill UFSD would like to share with our community how we decide to delay or cancel school due to weather conditions.
First and foremost, please know our children’s safety is our first priority. While we always want our students here in school where they can learn and grow, we will not hesitate to cancel or delay school if we are concerned about the safety of our students.
When poor weather conditions are predicted, we communicate with county and town highway departments as well as our surrounding school districts before 5:00 a.m. to assess road conditions. Each district is different given their roads and terrain but talking with other districts early provides us with additional perspectives. Given the unpredictable nature of weather, particularly in the northeast, assessing road conditions can be difficult because it can change so quickly but we do our best knowing that we want to announce any delays or cancelations early to give parents time to make childcare arrangements. Fortunately, we have such a fantastic team of bus drivers who take every precaution to get children safe to school each day no matter the weather.
If you ever have a question or concern, please call me anytime.
Sincerely,
Dr. Thomas Reardon
Wynantskill UFSD
518-283-4600 ext. 14
Gr. 8 Class Trip Fundraiser
To help raise money for the Gr. 8 class trip to Washington, D.C., 6 Center Redemption in Wynantskill has created an account for the class.
Bottles and cans can be dropped off anytime; simply mention they are for the Gardner-Dickinson Gr. 8 class.