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City School District of Albany
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Giffen Memorial Elementary

Giffen Memorial Elementary School

Prekindergarten-Grade 6

 

274 South Pearl St., Albany, NY 12202 (click here for directions)

Phone: 475-6650

Fax: 475-6652

 

Maxine Fantroy-Ford, Ed.D., Principal

E-mail: mfantroy-ford@albany.k12.ny.us

 

About Giffen  
Originally opened in 1960, Rev. John Giffen, M.D., Memorial Elementary School serves students from prekindergarten through grade 6. Giffen underwent significant improvements that were finished in summer 2009, including a renovated computer lab, new phone connections, new air conditioning and new lighting in the gym, cafeteria and auditorium. Giffen is the 11th school to be completed as part of the district’s sweeping plan to rebuild or renovate every elementary and middle school by September 2010.


We are proud to be able to provide a range of programs and services to take care of our children's academic needs as well as provide health and wellness services on-site. These services include mobile dental health services through our partnership with the St. Peter's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House, and school-based health services through our partnership with Whitney M. Young Jr., Health Services, in addition to mental health and other wellness services on premises.

 

Giffen gym closed for repairs

The Giffen Memorial Elementary School gym will be closed through the holiday break to allow for repair and stabilization of areas of the ceiling where lead paint is suspected.

 

The gym was closed last Friday afternoon when paint from a section of the ceiling tested positive for lead. The gym was closed through the weekend while lead-certified workers made repairs. The gym was cleared for regular activity after those repairs. However, additional areas of chipping paint were identified Monday and the gym will remain closed while those repairs are made.

 

An inspection of the rest of the school found no other areas with similar issues. The gym is expected to reopen Jan. 3 when school resumes after the holiday break.

 

School times

  • Building opens: 8:30 a.m.

  • Breakfast begins: 8:30 a.m.

  • School day begins: 9:05 a.m.

  • School day ends: 3:35 p.m.

  • After-school child care ends: 5:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5 p.m. Friday

Points of distinction

  • School is an integral part of the community

  • Partnerships with numerous organizations and agencies.

  • Ethnically diverse student body

Upcoming events

  • Wednesday, Feb. 1 -- Magnet elementary school lottery applications available
  • Tuesday, Feb. 14 -- Random Acts of Kindness Day
  • Friday, Feb. 17 -- Black History Celebration, 1:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Feb. 17 -- College Friday
  • Monday, Feb. 20-Friday, Feb. 24 -- Winter recess, no school
  • Tuesday, Feb. 28 -- PTA meeting, 4 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 1 -- Prekindergarten lottery applications available

  • Friday, March 2 -- Third-quarter interim marking period ends

  • Monday, March 5 -- Random Acts of Kindness Day

  • Friday, March 9 -- Parent-teacher conference day, early dismissal

  • Wednesday, March 14 -- All-City Band Concert, Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School, 7 p.m.

  • Friday, March 16 -- Hat Day

  • Tuesday, March 20 -- PTA meeting 8:30 a.m.

  • Tuesday, March 20 -- Science Fair

  • Wednesday, March 21 -- All-City Orchestra Concert, William S. Hackett Middle School, 7 p.m.

  • Thursday, March 22 -- Dress for Success Day

  • Friday, March 23 -- College Friday

  • Tuesday, March 27 -- Fun Picture Day

  • Wednesday, March 28 -- All-City Chorus Concert, Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School, 7 p.m.

  • Friday, March 30 -- Professional Development Day, no school

  • Friday, March 30 -- Deadline to register for magnet elementary school and prekindergarten lotteries, 3 p.m.

  • Saturday, March 31 -- New York State School Musical Association festival, William S. Hackett Middle School, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

News and information

  • Click here to visit the City School District of Albany Photo Gallery.

School times

  • Breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m.

  • The school day begins at 9:05 a.m.

  • The school day ends at 3:35 p.m.

Absence from school
If your child is absent from school for any reason, call the school at 475-6750 during the morning and provide a written excuse when your child returns to school.

 

 
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