Bulldog Bites
Your source for all things SGF
Dear SGF Families
An important message about suspensions from Superintendent Orr
The South Glens Falls CSD administration wants to discuss with our families an issue we are currently seeing across our district, an increase in behaviors leading to suspensions.
This increase, however, has a new dimension to it. We are seeing students who are encouraging negative behaviors by their peers for the express purpose of videoing the incident for social media.
I am writing this today because we are hopeful that our students will reach out to our administration, counselors or teachers when they know something is wrong.
Students who choose to video record infractions that others are engaged in instead of alerting an adult can transform a situation. The videographer is now guilty by association, and there will be consequences - including potential suspension from school - because they made the wrong decision.
I encourage you to talk with your children about appropriate responses when they know that a student is planning to make the wrong choice, whether a fight, a verbal argument, or any other inappropriate action.
When I was in high school, my father sat me down and talked to me about being “guilty by association.”
I remember being annoyed at the time because I was not the one doing the wrong thing. But the reality was, I was there and did nothing to try and stop what the other person was doing when they were doing the wrong thing. This conversation took place before a video camera was in every person’s pocket, and it was not as easy to share what people were doing wrong with all friend groups in record time.
The term guilty by association has more meaning now than ever before. It has to be connected with “if you see something, say something.”
The internet is forever. By posting or sharing videos of these incidents, the students involved now have a possible out-of-character moment transformed into something that the whole world can see forever. Furthermore, once the video is out of the original person’s hands, it can never be recalled.
As a reminder, students can always speak with any staff members here at SGF to address their concerns. Often, a situation can be quickly diffused with mediation, restorative conferencing or just a simple talk with a teacher or administrator.
Restorative Justice at SGF
We are thrilled to highlight the fantastic work of our Restorative Justice program at South High.
The program gives students an outlet to talk openly and honestly about their feelings and issues they are seeing. The program also offers students an alternative to detention and suspension by working to address any problems they face.
Please be sure to see the amazing video featuring our student RJ counselors.
Day of Dialogue
Be sure to see many more photos and a story on our website.
Recess: The Musical at OWWMS
Have you heard? The Oliver W. Winch Middle School Drama Club is putting on Recess: The Musical? We have two performances scheduled, the first tonight at 7 p.m. and the second on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the South High Auditorium. We would love to see you there!
Click the link to purchase tickets or at the door - CASH ONLY.
Snack Box Success
Thank you to everyone who helped Harrison Avenue Elementary K-5 STEM teacher Kaitlyn Quick meet the goal of 120 snack boxes for the snack closet.
Harrison Ave Elementary has a snack closet to help students in need of food throughout the school day. Each teacher has been given a shoebox-sized bin that is full of healthy snacks to provide nutrition for our needy students.
While a group works with local businesses to create a sustainable, long-lasting plan to keep the closet stocked, Quick requested help.
And help people they did. Using an Amazon registry, Quick was able to raise the 120 boxes. Donations came in from as far away as Thorne Bay, Alaska.
Mrs. Quick wishes to thank everyone who donated and is ensuring our students won’t go hungry.
Women in the Trades Survey
WSWHE BOCES is hosting a survey to find out how the Women in Trades Initiative might better support female high school students learning about and entering the trades in our region. The survey is open until Dec. 12. Click here to take the survey and help out WSWHE BOCES Women in Trades Initiative.
Career and College Exploration Opportunities
- Students interested in the fields of Advanced Manufacturing, Business and Entrepreneurship, Information Technology for Computer Networking and Cybersecurity, or New Media should plan to attend the SUNY Adirondack Early College Career Academy (ECCA) student-only information session on Tuesday, Dec. 13, during 1st block. Interested students should sign up in the Guidance Office.
- Manhattanville College will be visiting on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at noon. Sign up in the guidance office to attend.
BULLDOG SPORTS UPDATE
Bulldog Sports Update
The Adirondack United Girls Ice Hockey Team is off to a great start. The team has won 12-0 over Saranac-Lake Placid, 10-1 over Beekmantown and 2-1 over Skaneateles. Come cheer them on as they take on Malone at the Glens Falls Recreation Center at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Good luck to the Rivermen as they take on Clarkstown South tonight at 5 p.m. at the Glens Falls Recreation Center.
Good Luck to the varsity wrestling team as they compete in the Meet Mat Mania event in Glens Falls on Saturday. The meet starts at 9:30 a.m.
Congratulations to our Varsity Bowling team for their 4-0 win over Queensbury on Thursday.
Your source for all things SGF
The South Glens Falls Central School District was formed in 1945 through the consolidation of 15 rural schools, and was the first chartered school district in Saratoga County by the New York State Board of Regents. It covers 70 square miles in Saratoga County, serving approximately 20,000 residents in the Village of South Glens Falls and towns of Moreau, Northumberland and Wilton. The total district enrollment is about 3,000 students.
The district comprises four neighborhood K-5 elementary schools, one middle school and one senior high school. Class sizes average 20 students. A professional staff of more than 500 provides a high level of instruction that is creative, challenging and responsive to student needs.
Email: mcavoyminork@sgfcsd.org
Website: https://www.sgfcsd.org
Location: 42 Merritt Road, South Glens Falls, NY, USA
Phone: 518-793-9617
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SGFallsCSD
Twitter: @SGFSchools