GSD E-Blast March 2025
Research shows that being happy and positive primes the brain to be more successful and productive. Promoting positivity will enhance our student’s academic ability and develop them into happy and positive thinkers and leaders. Each month we will highlight a building or staff member that is spreading “The Orange” (Happiness) through Gibraltar!
Kindergarten Round Up is Coming!
Do you have a child at home who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2025? Do you know someone who does, perhaps a friend or a neighbor? If so, Gibraltar School District has a spot waiting just for them in our kindergarten classrooms next year! Gibraltar School District offers both a traditional Kindergarten program as well as a Young Fives Kindergarten program. Both of these programs have a strong focus on the math and literacy skills needed for a solid foundation through the course of the formative elementary years. Registration opened on February 18. Once you register, please join us for an informational night, for parents and prospective students, on April 22 at 6:00. These will be held in each elementary building. Visit our website for more information!
https://www.gibdist.net/page/kindergarten-and-young-fives-information
CHS Top 10
Congratulations to the following academic scholars for making the:
Carlson Top Ten
Valedictorian -- Matthew Jia - Undecided -- Computer Science
Salutatorian -- Eli Lobb - Univ.of Michigan - Ann Arbor -- Political Science/International Relations
3 -- Hannah Lucas - Undecided - Marketing Management
4-- Katherine Frommann - Undecided -- Veterinary Medicine
5-- Nolan Kennedy - Univ. of Michigan - Ann Arbor -- Computer Science
6-- Sofia Witkowski - Univ. of Michigan - Ann Arbor -- Biology
7-- Dylan Davis - Undecided -- Aviation
8-- Morgan Ross - Univ. of Michigan - Ann Arbor -- Political Science
9-- Audrey Lemus - Michigan State Univ. -- Chemistry
10-- James Rosenthal - Undecided -- Political Science
MSBOA District Solo and Ensemble Festival
This past weekend was an exciting and successful one for our talented band students as they competed in the MSBOA District Solo and Ensemble Festival! We sent two quartets and three duets to the competition, and they all delivered outstanding performances. A huge congratulations to the Saxophone Quartet of Max Smith, Hayden Flemming, Logan Lancaster, and Chaun Bilbao, the Woodwind Quartet of Audrey Gilbert, Evelyn McMaster, Sophia Lenard, and Madelyn Kimmel, the French Horn Duet of Peyton Allen and Ava Brockington, and the Trumpet Duet of Nick Stuart and Peyton Allen—all of whom achieved a 1st Division Rating! Additionally, the Woodwind Duet of Jaidev Smith and Rebecca Palson earned an impressive 2nd Division Rating! We are incredibly proud of all these students for their hard work and dedication. All 1st Division ratings qualify for the State Festival in March, and we can't wait to see them shine on the next stage. Congratulations to all! 🎉🎶
2nd Annual STEM Day at Hunter
STEM is more than just a subject—it’s a way of thinking and solving problems that connect to the real world. At Hunter Elementary, students from Young 5’s through fifth grade enjoyed a STEM class as part of their regular curriculum, and their 2nd annual Outstanding STEM Day brought these exciting concepts to life. With 14 interactive stations in the gym, kids performed “surgery” with a robotic arm, mapped the ocean floor with “sonar sticks,” built a human suspension bridge, reverse-engineered old technology, and more, all while exploring concepts from Outstanding Science Books.
This event was made truly special thanks to the creativity and dedication of Mrs. Brown, their STEM teacher and mastermind behind the day, as well as the invaluable support of parent volunteers. Their enthusiasm and hands-on guidance allowed students to interact with real STEM professionals and explore various fields.
Mrs. Brown shared that the excitement on the students’ faces was a reminder that science is everywhere, and our kids’ curiosity will change the world.
The Power of Attendance: Every Day Counts!
Every school day is filled with valuable learning experiences—from engaging lessons and hands-on activities to meaningful interactions with peers. When students are absent, they miss out on these essential opportunities, which can impact their academic progress and overall success. Consistent attendance not only supports learning but also helps build important life skills like responsibility, perseverance, and discipline.
Research shows that students who miss even a few days of school each month are at a much higher risk of falling behind academically and, in the long run, struggling to graduate. That’s why we’ve set a school-wide goal: regular attendance for every student, which means missing no more than nine days per school year.
At Parsons, we are committed to fostering a culture that values and celebrates attendance. To encourage our students:
✅ Classrooms with 100% attendance on any given day may earn a 30-second dance party or a small treat.
✅ Students with perfect attendance for the month receive a special certificate and a small prize.
We are thrilled to recognize our students’ dedication! Ninety-six students received postcards celebrating their perfect attendance in the first quarter, and 70 students earned this honor in the second quarter.
This year, it’s common to hear students excitedly say, "Our whole puzzle is here!" or "We have 100% today!" Parents are also reaching out to ensure their children are present, reinforcing our shared commitment to learning. In addition, although nationwide data show Kindergarten with the greatest attendance issues, Parsons kindergarteners have the best attendance in the school!
Together, we are building a strong foundation for success—one day at a time. Keep it up, Pirates!
Weiss Elementary’s 6th Annual Career Day: Inspiring Future Innovators!
This year marked Weiss Elementary’s 6th Annual Career Day, a tradition we began in 2020 to expose students to a wide variety of careers—each with real-world STEM connections. Our goal has always been to show students how their learning, especially in science, technology, engineering, and math, applies to the workforce and the world around them.
Our students had a front-row seat to some incredible professions this year, including:
🚓 Police Officer
💻 Coding Professional
❄️ HVAC Technician
🚒 Firefighter
🎨 Interior Designer
🐕 K9 Law Enforcement Officer
🏋️ PE Teacher at a Special Education Facility
🖥️ Software Engineer
🔧 Business Owner of a Golf Cart Repair Shop
🌿 Wildlife Refuge Community Engagement Coordinator
⚗️ Chemical Operator
A HUGE thank you to our phenomenal presenters and volunteers for making this day such a success! Your time, passion, and dedication truly inspire our students to dream big and explore all the possibilities their futures hold.
