Gateway College Prep Newsletter

March 27, 2025

Gator Families,

This semester is flying by, as we knew it would! All of the happenings taking place on and around campus just add to the excitement of the dwindling school year! We are so incredibly proud of our students as they have been working diligently and responsibly alongside our staff who have been serving passionately to help our kids find success in their classes and in their various clubs and activities.

We are looking forward to kicking off our “testing season” starting in April, which is right around the corner. Because this will be a heavily tested month, and because we will be utilizing all optional locations on campus to test our students, we will be closing our entire campus to all visitors for the full month of April. We realize this might present an inconvenience to some, but please know for testing security, it is a necessity we must do for our students. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

We hope everyone has a great close to their week, and as always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns we can help you with. Thank you for all you do and for helping us make this the BEST school around!

In partnership,

Donna Weirich

Front Office News

Campus will be closed for the month of April due to testing. No visitors will be allowed on campus for any reason.

A few reminders:

We require an ID everytime you come to sign in for lunch, class parties, volunteer or pick-up your student etc. Please be sure and bring it with you each time you visit campus even if you have been here before.

If you are sending an email to the office, particularly to the front desk (gcps.frontdesk@orendaeducation.org), please be aware that it may take at least one hour for us to see your email and verify that the email has come from a listed email in your students Frontline contacts, if needed. We will acknowledge your email once we have the information confirmed. Thank you in advance.

Lunches: If you are bringing a lunch for your student, please deliver it at least 1 hour in advance. Please notify your student you will be bringing food and to pick up in the student union between classes or at their lunch time. We cannot call students out of class to eat lunch.

Attendance: Students receive 3 parent notes per semester. They do not carry over at semester end. Absence submissions must be made within 5 days of the absence and include appropriate documentation in order to be changed or the absence will remain unexcused. You may submit the absence on the school website, school app, email to attendance@orendaeducation.org or send a note to the front office. Elementary students may not be signed out after 2:45pm. Secondary students may not be signed out after 3:30pm.

Spring Semester Events/Save the Dates

April
*Campus will be closed to visitors for the month of April due to testing*April

4th - OAP Public Performance

7th - Gator Bites

8th - 3rd/4th/5th ELAR STAAR

9th - 6th/7th/8th Grade ELAR STAAR

10th - HS Eng I and ll EOC

10th - Cheer Mini Clinic

12th - Prom/Spring Dance Show

15th - HS US History EOC

15th - 5th/8th Science STAAR

16th - HS Biology EOC

16th - 8th Grade Social Studies STAAR

17th - Easter Egg Hunt (K-4 @ Specials) *more details to come

17th - 5th Grade Science STAAR

18th - No School - Spring Holiday

22nd - 6th/7th/8th Grade Math STAAR

23rd - 5th Math STAAR

24th - Algebra l EOC

30th - 3rd and 4th Grade Math STAAR

May

1st - 3rd/4th Grade Spring Shows

5th to 9th - Spring Book Fair

5th - Gator Bites

6th - Secondary Choir Concert

8th - Elementary Math and Science Night/K to 12 Art Show

9th- Spring Pep Rally

14th - Athletic College Commitment Ceremony

19th - 4th Grade Field Trip

21st- MS Awards

22nd - Last Day of School! ½ day Student instruction/ Kinder Graduation

23rd - Teachers last day

24th - GCPS HS Graduation

Important Reminder

Families,

As we approach the month of April, we wanted to remind you that the school campus will be closed to visitors and volunteers during this time in order to accommodate important state testing across campus.

This temporary closure will apply to all volunteer activities, lunch visits and other non-essential visits to the school throughout the month. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we prioritize our students' academic success.

Thank you!

Elementary News

Dear Families,

The spring semester always brings loads of activities to elementary schools. We are looking forward to an exciting last 9 weeks! Here are some dates for your calendar::

April 8 - 3rd and 4th grade Reading/Writing STAAR test and first grade field trip

April 17 - Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by NHS

April 18 - School holiday

April 30 - 3rd and 4th grade Math STAAR test and second grade field trip

May 1 - 3rd and 4th grade music performance

May 5-9 - Book Fair

May 8 - Math and Science night and Art Show

May 12 - 3rd grade field trip

May 15 - Field Day for Kindergarten, first, and second grades

May 16 - Field Day for 3rd and 4th grades

May 19 - 4th grade field trip and 3rd grade awards

May 20 - 2nd grade awards

May 21 - 4th grade awards

May 22 - Last day of school (early dismissal)

We are looking forward to seeing all the academic growth your students will show when they complete their end-of-year assessments! To help them with this, please be sure you don’t schedule doctor or dentist appointments on these dates. Also, please make sure your students get plenty of rest and have a healthy breakfast.

We appreciate your partnership as we work together to serve students. If you have any questions, please reach out to beth.henrichs@orendaeducation.org.

Thank you,

Mrs. Henrichs

Middle School News

Families,

It has been an honor to transition into Middle School. I look forward to supporting your child the rest of the school year. If I can help any way, please do not hesitate to contact me at millie.blackwell@orendaeducation.org

Revised STAAR Dates: With collaboration of our Middle School teachers, we revised the spring STAAR dates. Please see the new dates below:

4/8/25: 3rd, 4th and 5th grade ELAR STAAR

4/9/25: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade ELAR STAAR

4/10/25: English I and English II EOC

4/15/25: 5th and 8th grade Science STAAR and US History EOC

4/16/25: Biology EOC and 8th Grade Social Studies STAAR

4/22/25: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Math STAAR

4/23/25: 5th grade Math STAAR

4/24/25: Algebra I EOC (with 8th graders who are taking Algebra)

4/30/25: 3rd and 4th grade Math STAAR

High School News

Families,

It is hard to believe we are moving onto the last nine weeks of the school year! It will be busy with EOCs, AP testing and spring sports. Please encourage your child to attend tutoring sessions, make up assignments when missed, and finish out the school year strong. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Colby Blackwell

colby.blackwell@orendaeducation.org