Summer Food Service Program
The Greater Johnstown School District will offer a summer food service program from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on weekdays between July 13 through August 7, 2009, at the Warren Street Elementary School. Lunch will be provided at no charge for all children 18 years and under. Refer to the summer food service rogram flier and the July/August lunch menu for further details.

Summer Recreation
Johnstown students can keep busy with a multitude of physical activities during the months of July and August, courtesy of the district's Summer Recreation program. Check out the 2009 Summer Recreation schedule for information on program days, times, locations and age levels.

Summer Band Program
Beginning July 15, the band and color guard will host a summer program for students in grades 7-12 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m. at JHS. This program will culminate with Band Camp, to be held August 17-19 and 24-26. For more information on participating with the Sir Bills Marching Band and Color Guard, please refer to this Band Program flier.

Revote Scheduled for Two Propositions on July 16
Residents of the Greater Johnstown School District will go back to the polls between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2009, to revote on a proposition for a one-year lease extension for the transportation facility on Crescendoe Road, together with a proposition for a four-year lease extension on three 66-passenger buses and one wheelchair bus, both of which failed during the May 19 annual budget vote and board election. To read more about the propositions and the revote, click here.

Residents of the City and Town of Johnstown will vote at the Johnstown High School Auditorium Lobby; residents of the Towns of Ephratah & Palatine will vote at the Ephratah Fire House. You may vote if you: are at least 18 years old , are a U.S. citizen, have been a resident of the Greater Johnstown School District for the past 30 days, and are a registered voter. Voter registration will be held at the school business office between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2009. This registration is only for residents who are not currently registered with the County Board of Elections.

Budget Vote & Board Election Results
Residents of the Greater Johnstown School District approved the $27,456,100 budget for the 2009-10 school year by a vote of 407 in favor and 203 opposed on May 19, 2009. Due to a mathematical error in the tallying of the votes, this was initially reported as 507 in favor and 203 opposed. To learn more about the budget, please refer to the Budget Newsletter, Proposed 2009-2010 Budget Statement and the budget glossary page.

Residents also approved the capital construction reserve proposition by a vote of 383 in favor and 189 opposed. However, two other propositions on the ballot were defeated. A one year renewal of the lease for transportation facilities at Cresendoe Road failed by a vote of 293 opposed to 286 in favor. A four year extension of leases for three 66-passenger buses and one wheelchair bus failed by a vote of 295 opposed to 275 in favor.

Elected to serve three year terms on the Board of Education were Ronald Beck (423), James Levin (342) and Evamarie Mraz (331). Candidates Patrick Javarone and Robert Kosowicz garnered 317 and 283 votes, respectively.

Acting Principal Appointed at Knox Junior High
At the May 7 meeting of the Board of Education, Mr. Michael Satterlee was appointed as Acting Junior High School Principal, effective May 8, 2009 through June 30, 2009. During this time, he will also continue to serve in his role as Director of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Extra-Curricular Activities. Mr. Satterlee looks forward to providing the students with a smooth and rewarding conclusion to the school year and, with regard to managing the responsibilities of two positions at one time, says “the welfare of the Knox community will be my number one priority, with the responsibilities of my present position priority one A.” Superintendent Katherine Sullivan asks the Knox community to welcome Mr. Satterlee and has expressed her confidence in the ability of everyone district-wide to be helpful and supportive during the transition period. As always, Knox parents, students and staff should feel free to contact the Knox office with any concerns.

Information about Swine Flu in New York State
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently confirmed several cases of a strain of swine flu in New York City. To date, no cases of swine flu have been identified locally. While the CDC has declared a state of emergency and the State of New York has entered a heightened surveillance stage, this is only to better provide quick access to resources should it become necessary. For more information about swine flu and ways to limit exposure, please visit the links below:

• Letter from the Superintendent
• Centers for Disease Control
• New York State Department of Health

Change is in the Air, Jansen Ave. to Close
As winter dissipates and spring emerges, we all prepare for a new season in life. Following months of study, the Board of Education voted unanimously on March 26 to close the Jansen Avenue Elementary School building at the end of the 2008-09 school year. And so we begin preparations for a new season in the Johnstown school community.

Each year, our students say good-bye to one grade level and move on to another. Our pre-kindergarteners say good-bye to their classroom at Warren Street School and move on to new classes and perhaps to new buildings; our sixth graders say good-bye to their elementary building and move on to Knox Junior High; our eighth graders say good-bye to Knox and move on to Johnstown High School; our seniors say good-bye to high school and move on to college or to work. Almost every year, some member of our staff says good-bye and moves on to retirement. Change is an inevitable and ongoing part of life.

At the close of the 2008-09 school year, our Jansen students and staff will say good-bye to their building and relocate to other schools in the district. While it will bring a touch of sadness, it also brings the opportunity for new adventure, with new classroom space to set up, new hallways to traverse and new friendships to be forged.

Over the next several weeks, the Board of Education and school administrators will work to establish new attendance boundaries in the district. While all of Jansen’s population will find themselves in new surroundings at the start of the 2009-10 school year, some students from other buildings may be relocated as well. For many children, change is exciting; it is a chance to learn and grow. For some, change can bring a touch of apprehension. Be sure to communicate with your children and attempt to ease their minds. If you think your child is having a problem accepting the idea of change, please speak to his or her teacher.

We encourage all students, parents, staff and community members to look for positive ways to embrace this transition. If we come together, share together and work together, we will succeed together.

Restructuring: Educational Impact Statement Filed
The 15-member Citizens Advisory Restructuring Committee, formed in accordance with Education Law Section 402-a to investigate the impact of closing a building in the Greater Johnstown School District, filed its Educational Impact Statement with the Board of Education on March 6, 2009. The full report may be viewed online by clicking the link provided above (note: this is a large file which may take some time to download). Photocopies are also available at all school buildings in the district.

2009-10 School Year One Page Calendar

View or download the one page 2009-10 School Calendar, as adopted by the Board of Education on March 5, 2009

Universal Pre-Kindergarten
The Greater Johnstown School District Universal Pre-kindergarten program is accepting applications for the 2009-10 school year for children who will be four years old on or before December 1, 2009 and who reside in the district (when all sessions are full, we maintain a waiting list for placement in the event of a vacancy). The Universal  Pre-kindergarten program addresses instructional components, cognitive skills, social and emotional development, and physical skills of youngsters. The program does not require income eligibility. For more information on the Johnstown Universal Pre-kindergarten program or to receive an application, contact Warren Street School’s main office at 762-3715. You may also download a 2009-10 Pre-K Application Packet. Applications, together with appropriate documents, must be returned to the GJSD Pre-kindergarten Office at Warren Street School.

2009 Fulton County Spelling Bee
The following Johnstown super spellers participated in the 2009 Fulton County Spelling Bee, presented by the Leader Herald, on Monday, March 16 at the Gloversville Middle School Auditorium: Kevin Ammann - Knox seventh grade; Elizabeth Anderson - Jansen fifth grade; Skylar Anderson - Pleasant fourth grade; Hanna Breda - Pleasant sixth grade; Casondra Davis - Warren sixth grade; Mia Franko - Pleasant fifth grade; Allison Hanmer - Warren fifth grade; Alex Hollister - Knox eighth grade; Danny Jarabeck - Glebe fourth grade; Kelsey Johnson - Glebe fifth grade; Jessica Manno - Jansen sixth grade; Cecelia Mowrey - Jansen fourth grade; Christopher Renda - Glebe sixth grade; and Mason VanDeusen - Warren fourth grade.

Sixth Annual JHS Hall of Fame Ceremony Honors Three Graduates
The sixth annual JHS Hall of Fame Ceremony took place on Sunday, November 2, 2008 in the Johnstown High School lecture hall. This year's event, which was open to the public at no charge, began with a reception and tours of the new auditorium, followed by a 5 p.m. ceremony recognizing the professional and civic accomplishments of JHS graduates Dr. Robert J. Valachovic (dec.), Class of 1942; Mr. Frank Shields, Class of 1949; and Mr. Jon (J.D.) Aldrich, Class of 1967. To read more about the honorees and their accomplishments, click here.

If you would like to nominate a Johnstown High School graduate for consideration by the Hall of Fame Committee for the 2009-2010 year, please download a Hall of Fame Nominating Form, or contact the district clerk at 762-4611 to request one.

JHS Grand Opening Celebration
October 28 marked a special day for the District, as the community came out to get a glimpse of the completed renovations and new additions at Johnstown High School. Standing in the new showcase and display area at the front of the former auditorium, Superintendent Katherine Sullivan wielded a large pair of ceremonial scissors to slice through a gala purple & gold bow before a gathering of onlookers, while surrounded by current and former Board of Education members, along with JHS Principal Michael Beatty, Facilities and Operations Director E.J. Maye, Clerk of the Works Mike Croneiser and representatives of both Bonacci Architects and Bast-Hatfield Construction. Click here to read more and see additional photos.

JHS Homecoming Weekend - 5K Run/Walk Race Results
Many thanks to all who volunteered their time to help with the various JHS Purple & Gold Club Homecoming Weekend festivities. We hope all who participated enjoyed the events and will be back to join us again next year! As part of the weekend celebration, our first 5K Run/Walk Race (which we hope to make an annual tradition) took place on Saturday, October 11. Please click here to view final race results.
 

Jansen Avenue Elementary School Selected to Receive National Honor
U.S. Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings announced on September 9 that the Greater Johnstown School District’s Jansen Avenue Elementary School has been named a 2008 No child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon School. Only 320 schools from 45 states are receiving the honor, which recognizes public and private K-12 schools that either score in the top 10 percent on state assessments, or make dramatic gains in student performance on state assessments when at least 40 percent of the students are from disadvantaged backgrounds. Jansen Avenue has been selected as a school in the top 10 percent of New York State with at least 40 percent of its students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Read More

Votes Tallied, High School to Receive New Street Address
The addition of the new JHS auditorium and the elimination of the thoroughfare between Wright Drive and Pearl Street necessitates a change of street address for the high school. At the suggestion of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, the “circle” in front of the building is to be given a name and used as the high school’s new street address. The JHS Student Council chose a list of approximately 10 names and, on Monday, September 22, all high school students had an opportunity to vote for the new name during homeroom. Following a tally of the votes, the winner with 106 votes is.... "Sir Bills Circle." The name was adopted by resolution of the Board of Education on October 14 and, effective November 1, 2008, the official address to be used for the high school will be 1 Sir Bills Circle, Johnstown, New York 12095.

Guidelines for Spectators at Knox Field Athletic Events
Events at Knox Field are enjoyed by students, faculty and members of our community. For reasons of safety, all spectators are expected to adhere to the following rules:
 
No Bicycles on Knox property.  You will be asked to leave.
No Skateboards. You will be asked to leave.
No Dogs. You will be asked to leave.
 
While watching athletic events all spectators must remain to the right of the stairs to the lower level and the field except to use the rest room in the field house.
 
No one is to be on the playground at any time.
 
Please be respectful to the others that are watching the game.
 
Horseplay on the hill will not be tolerated.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Free/Reduced School Meal Application

Download a free/reduced school meal/milk Application for the 08-09 school year, and/or a Free and Reduced Price Meal Application  Fact Sheet. Please fill out one form per family, listing all children on one form, as well as what school they attend and their grade level. Completed applications should be returned to the attention of School Food Service, 2 Wright Drive, Johnstown, NY 12095, or your child's school building. Please call 762-1875 if you have any questions.

2008-09 School Year One Page Calendar

View or download the one page 2008-09 School Calendar

Get the Most Up-To-Date Johnstown Sports Schedules
For the most up-to-date Johnstown sports schedules, visit HighSchoolSports.net and then simply select your sport, grade level and gender. You can also view Johnstown's current sports schedule. Should you have any problems or need further information in accessing the particular Johnstown sports schedule you're looking for, please contact Patti St. Peter in the Athletics Department at 762-7636.

New York State Report Cards
Each spring, the New York State Department of Education releases various statistics and information about NYS school districts (e.g., enrollment figures; annual results on Regents examinations, Regents Competency Tests and ELA, math and science state test results, etc.) from the previous school year, to help to keep the public informed about the performance of public schools. To view current and past NYS school report cards for Johnstown (or any other school district), please visit  www.nystart.gov/publicweb/

Local Government Financial Data Available Online
The New York State Comptroller's Office recently announced that local government financial data is now available through their Open Book New York Web site. The site contains revenue and spending data for more than 3,100 counties, cities, towns, villages, schools and fire districts from 1996 to 2006 and is intended to be updated quarterly. The data is from local government financial reports filed with the Division of Local Government and School Accountability.

Taking Precautions Against Antibiotic Resistant MSRA
Please take a moment to read the attached Letter from the Superintendent regarding precautions everyone can take to reduce their possibility of contact with Methicillin resistant Staphyloccoccus aureus (MRSA).

Safety First
We should always remember to keep our children’s safety in mind and to immediately report to the police department any incident of a stranger approaching a child. Please take a few moments to review these safety tips with your children. (Read more)

Practice Tests Online at Local Libraries
The Johnstown Public Library now has access to online databases that help students practice for a variety of tests, such as Firefighter and Real Estate exams, GED, SAT, ACT and GRE exams, grammar and math skills, and much more. The database is called Practice Tests from Learning Express Library, which can be found by visiting Johnstown Public Library’s public access catalog at www.mvls.info. The practice tests can be found in the “Databases” link under the “Education” section, off of the homepage. The process is so simple — the sample tests can be accessed by using your library card. If you only have a short amount of time to take an online test, you can save your work and revisit it later, what a great resource!

Greater Johnstown School District Helping Parents Realize the Dangers of Blogging and Unsupervised Internet Use
In the past, children used to keep their deepest thoughts and secrets in diaries under lock and key — times have changed. Blogging has become extremely popular among junior high and high school students — and even among elementary children. Students may be posting pictures of themselves and their friends, as well as their full names, their cell phone numbers and even their addresses. (Find out more)

Annual Notification of the availability of the district asbestos management plan
The Greater Johnstown School District submitted in 1989, to the New York State Education Department, the Greater Johnstown School District’s Asbestos Management Plan. In accordance with the EPA Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1987 (40 CFR Part 763), this memo is intended to fulfill annual notification stating that the Asbestos Management plan for this school building is available and kept on file at: Director of Facilities & Operations Office. These records are available for review during these times: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, please contact the following persons: E.J. Maye, LEA Designee, 518-762-3212

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