GCCSD News and Updates - March 2025
Throughout Music in Our Schools Month, we recognize the power of music to bring people together. Whether through performances, classroom learning, or creative expression, music plays a vital role in our studentsโ educational experiences. Gates Chili has been named one of the Best Communities for Music Education for two years in a row, a reflection of our districtโs commitment to providing high-quality music opportunities for all students. Be sure to check out the many ways weโre celebrating music this month!
This month also marks the beginning of Ramadan, which started at sunset on Feb. 28. During this time, many in our Gates Chili community are observing a month of fasting, prayer and reflection. As always, we remain committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all those who celebrate.
As we move through March, I encourage everyone to embrace these opportunities for learning, collaboration and connection. Thank you for being a part of the Gates Chili community and for supporting our students in all they do.
Go Spartans!
Christopher J. Dailey
Superintendent of Schools
Nothing but net โ and fun! ๐
Over winter recess, girls in grades 2-6 sharpened their skills on the court at the Gates Chili Girl's Basketball Camp.
Inspiring the next generation โจ
In celebration of Black History Month, GCHS Students read aloud to Neil Armstrong students, sharing inspiring stories about influential figures in Black history.
Arts Partners ๐ผ
Third-graders attended a showing of โThe Wizโ at the West Herr Auditorium Theatre.
Order in the court! ๐งโโ๏ธ
Sweet Success๐ฅง
The GCHS Class of 2026 held a pie-in-the-face fundraiser. Students and staff donated money to pie their favorite staff members in the face. We think it was a smash-hit!
A relaxing night out ๐ฝ๏ธ
Walt Disney Elementary hosted the Neurodiversity Dinner, creating an inviting space for students and their families to relax, enjoy each otherโs company, and experience the joy of dining together.
The Gates Chili school community is made up of more than 3,700 students and 900+ staff members! Get ready to peek into the world of our Spartans in our e-newsletter segment: Ask the Spartans!
This month, meet Ryan Vane, a music teacher at Gates Chili Middle School. In honor of Music in Our Schools Month, we talked with Ryan about the importance of music education and his experiences as a music teacher.
Tell us about yourself and involvement.
Ryan: My name is Ryan Vane, I am currently a music teacher at Gates Chili Middle School. I teach seventh- and eighth-grade band, sixth-grade general music and Jazz Band. I'm on the staff for the Gates Chili High School Marching Band and I coordinate and run two summer music camps for elementary and middle school students at Gates Chili, one for beginning band students and one for students going to the middle school in the fall.
Why is music education so important in schools?
Ryan: Music education is incredibly important in schools! It provides students with a unique opportunity to express themselves creatively through academic material that requires all parts of the brain. Music gives students access to various cultures of the world and is a vehicle to important social skills like teamwork and collaboration. Music education can offer students frequent opportunities to improve important life skills like work ethic and discipline while simultaneously providing a stress-relieving time for personal expression.
How can music education create a sense of community and belonging among students?
Ryan: Music education gives students a sense of community and belonging because students are given an opportunity to be a part of something that is bigger than any one person. We often talk about the contributions of each individual in music and how it impacts the group as a whole, providing each student with an equally important role in the success of the group. Music is one of the few academic areas at school that provides opportunities to present material or perform for the community, and since we at Gates Chili are so fortunate to have such a diverse student population, members of the community are able to see themselves represented within our many ensembles and groups. Students know that when they come to a music class or attend a musical rehearsal for an ensemble that they are in an environment where they can be their unique, individual self, and they will be welcomed and appreciated for it.
What inspired you to become a music teacher?
Ryan: I knew I wanted a career in music from a pretty young age. I am fortunate enough to have parents that fostered my love for music and wonderful educators in my schooling that motivated me to challenge myself musically and strive to be the best version of myself. I had many wonderful music teachers as a child that had such a passion for music and teaching that it was infectious, and I left wanting to have the same impact on my community that they had on me. My mother was a first-grade teacher in the Rochester City Schools for over 30 years, so I grew up around teachers and seeing the impact they had on students was more than enough motivation for me to see if it was something I wanted to pursue as a career, and I am very glad that I did.
Can you share a memorable moment from your teaching career that highlights the impact of music on students?
Ryan: During COVID when our school first went to remote learning, I held an optional zoom band rehearsal at 8:00 am after our last concert for any students that missed meeting as a group and playing together (even though I knew it was very early and unlikely many would join). All 73 members of the band signed on to play that morning and it was at that moment I knew that this band and this program meant so much to these students.
Is there anything else youโd like to share?
Ryan: I am a proud Gates Chili graduate that has taught in Florida, Massachusetts and New York. I have been fortunate to travel around the United States and internationally for music and there is no place I would rather teach than right here at Gates Chili. This community and this music program helped shape me into the person that I am today, and I am very grateful to have the opportunity to give back and hopefully have an impact on students through music the way my teachers had an impact on me.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Danielle (Danny) Dehem as interim principal at Brasser!
Rob Banzer has been serving as interim principal and will continue serving through March 14, then Dr. Dehm will take over as interim principal starting on March 17 through the remainder of the school year.
Dr. Dehm is a leader in the Rochester region with decades of experience in teaching, administration and mentoring aspiring school leaders. She spent 19 years as principal at Victor Primary School and now serves as a professor in SUNY Oswegoโs Educational Administration Department.
Itโs Gates Chiliโs 11th year hosting the Universal Prekindergarten Program (UPK)! This exploratory teaches kindergarten readiness, early math and literacy skills. To apply for the program, students must be:
- 4 years old by Dec. 1, 2025
- Residents within the Gates Chili Central School District
Please note that students who are age-eligible for kindergarten are not eligible for this program.
Online lottery applications will be available until Friday, March 7. Visit gateschili.org/UPK for more information.
Featuring a talented cast and crew of Spartans, this enchanting production will bring the magic of Cherry Tree Lane to life with spectacular music, dazzling choreography, and unforgettable storytelling.
You wonโt need a spoonful of sugar to enjoy this production!
Tickets for reserved seating are $13 for the following showtimes:
- Friday, March 21 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, March 22 at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, March 23 at 2 p.m.
Mary Poppins is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Music Theatre International (MTI). www.mtishows.com
District residents interested in running for the Board of Education must be nominated by petition. Interested individuals may pick up a petition from the district clerk, Condenessa Brown, at the Gates Chili District Office, 1 Spartan Way, Rochester, NY. The petition must be signed by 25 qualified voters of the Gates Chili Central School District and submitted, with other required paperwork, to the District Clerk by Monday, April 21, 2025 at 5 p.m.
The Annual Budget Vote and Board Election will take place on Tuesday, May 20 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Spartan Field House at Gates Chili High School.
For questions about the process of becoming a qualified candidate, please call (585) 247-5050 ext. 12101. Visit the New York State School Boards Association (NYSBA) School Board Member Experience website or Monroe County School Boards Association website for more information about running for a board of education seat.
March 1: Ramadan begins
March 1: HS ASVAB Exam, HS Career Center
March 3: MIOSM Instrumental Concert, 7 p.m., GCPAC
March 11: BOE Meeting, 6:30 p.m., GCPLC
March 14: Holi
March 14: MS Grades 7-8 Social, 7-8:30 p.m., GCMS
March 21: #GCPride Day
March 21-22: HS Musical: Mary Poppins, 7 p.m., GCPAC
March 23: HS Musical: Mary Poppins, 2 p.m., GCPAC
March 25: BOE Meeting, 6:30 p.m., GCPLC
March 26: MIOSM Choral Concert, 7 p.m., GCPAC
March 27: PR Day of Play
March 27: HS Choral Concert, 7 p.m., GCPAC
March 28: Superintendentโs Conference Day โ No School for Students UPK-12
Instructional Staff Positions:
Job ID 984: School Psychologist Intern (2024-25 school year)
Job ID 1069: Teacher Aide for the 2024-25 school year
Job ID 1070: Substitute Support Staff
Job ID 1071: Substitute Teacher*
Job ID 1145: Occupational Therapist (2025-2026 School Year)
Job ID 1146: Physical Therapist (2025-2026 School Year)
Job ID 1147: Speech Language Pathologist (2025-2026 School Year)
Job ID 1148: Physical Education Teacher (2025-2026 School Year)
Job ID 1149: English Teacher (2025-2026 School Year)
Job ID 1150: Mathematics Teacher (2025-2026 School Year)
Job ID 1151: Social Studies Teacher (2025-2026 School Year)
Job ID 1152: Art Teacher (2025-2026 School Year)
Job ID 1153: Secondary Special Education Teacher (6:1:1 classroom) (2025-2026 School Year)
Job ID 1154: Secondary Special Education Teacher (Secondary Special Education plus Literacy/Reading certified preferred) (2025-2026 School Year)
Job ID 1155: Elementary Special Education Teacher (2025-2026 School Year)
Job ID 1156: Elementary Special Education Teacher (6:1:1 classroom) (2025-2026 School Year)
Support Staff Positions:
Job ID 789: Lifeguard
Job ID 1065: Cleaner for the 2024-25 school year
Job ID 1066: Food Service Helper for the 2024-25 school year
Job ID 1067: Bus Attendant for the 2024-25 school year
Job ID 1068: Bus Driver for the 2024-25 school year
Job ID 1137: Security Worker
Job ID 1138: Microcomputer Maintenance Technician
Job ID 1141: Director of Physical Education, Health, and Athletics
Job ID 1142: School Aide โ Health Office
Job ID 1143: 2025 Seasonal Grounds Person
Job ID 144: Secretary
*The Gates Chili Board of Education approved new,
increased rates for instructional substitutes. Click here for details.