Giffen Memorial Elementary School

Prekindergarten-Grade 6

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

Phone: 475-6650

Fax: 475-6652

Website: http://giffenmemorialelementaryschool.weebly.com/index.html

Jasmine N. Brown, Principal

E-mail: jbrown@albany.k12.ny.us

South End native returns home as Giffen's new principal

Jasmine N. Brown, a South End native and a graduate of Albany High School, is the new principal at Giffen Memorial Elementary School. Brown, also a former English teacher at Albany High, takes over for Maxine Fantroy-Ford, Ed.D., who retired after her third stint as Giffen's principal and 35 years in the City School District of Albany.

Brown (pictured at right) is excited to be back home.

"I am most fortunate to have the opportunity to return to the City School District of Albany," she said. "I am honored to be working with the students, staff and families of the Giffen community. We will continue to work collaboratively to maintain high expectations while developing and refining instructional strategies and programs that will improve the achievement of all Giffen students."

Brown served as the assistant principal at Lansingburgh High School from July 2010 until this summer. She began her career in education as an English teacher at Albany High in 2002, and also served as assistant to the ELA secondary supervisor (2007-08) and Albany High's summer-school coordinator (2008 and 2009).

She is a graduate of Siena College and holds a master's in English education from the University at Albany. She also earned an advanced graduate certificate in educational administration at UAlbany.

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.

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