The Gilbert School E-News
April 2024
Incoming 7th Grade Family Night is 4/23
Please join us on 4/23 with your incoming middle school student to learn about all that The Gilbert School has to offer. Look forward to seeing you there!
AP Students: May Exam Schedule Now Available
It's hard to believe that the fourth quarter is beginning, and that AP Exams are right around the corner starting on Monday, 5/6. Students and parents can use the handy schedule below for planning purposes.
Coffee House Returning To TGS 4/11
Our spring coffee house will be on Thursday, April 11th at 6.30 pm in the library. Signups will be outside of Ms. Daniele's classroom (room 308)-- and are due by the end of the school day on Friday, April 5th. Faculty and staff are welcome to perform, too! Mark your calendars - and feel free to reach out to Ms. Daniele at danielef@gilbertschool.org with any questions.
SENIORS & JUNIORS: Upcoming Fundraiser and Events
FUNDRAISERS
- Please spread the word and support SENIOR FUNDRAISERS. In addition, if your senior has not yet paid class dues, it is required to attend the outing and/or prom. Please see Ms. Salvatore to pay your dues! Miss Lewis will send a letter with a fully detailed description of all senior obligations and events after the April Recess.
- Car Wash at Northwest CT Realty at 98 Main Street, Winsted, on Saturday, April 27, 9:00-12:00. Please ENCOURAGE your senior to sign up with Mrs. Valigorsky to wash cars.
EVENTS
- Junior/Senior Prom: Saturday, May 18 at Fairview Farm Golf Course in Harwinton, 6-10 pm.
- Senior Outing: Friday, May 24 at Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park in Orange, CT. A stop at an outdoor venue (beach or park) TBD. Buses will leave from the school; exact times TBD.
- Graduation: Friday, June 7 at Gilbert, 7:00 p.m.
WAY TO GO!
Emily Lapointe won a $50 Amazon gift card for being randomly chosen amongst seniors who fully paid class dues by March 19. Congratulations, Emily, and thank you to all seniors whose paid class dues.
Gilbert Drama To Present The Wizard of Oz 4/5-4/7
We are OVER THE RAINBOW to be heading down the Yellow Brick Road this April, with our 10th Anniversary Production of the WIZARD OF OZ! This MGM Classic is celebrating it's 85th Anniversary this year as well!
Our Gilbert players will present four shows only of "The Wizard of Oz" on Friday, April 5 @ 7:00 pm, Saturday April 6 @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm, and Sunday, April 7th @ 2:00 pm. We can't wait to see you in OZ!
Click HERE to order your tickets online! Students (18 and Under) $10, Adults $15 Tickets available at the door $15/$20.
Gilbert Celebrates Music In Our Schools Month
March was Music In Our Schools Month! Our MIOSM Concert took place on March 19th in the TGS gymnasium, and featured a sampler of every performing group that we have to offer! Jazz Ensemble, Middle School Chorus, Middle School Band, WInter Percussion Group, High School Choir, High School Band, AND a sampler of the student band from the Rock/Pop Ensemble class. Great job, TGS student musicians! And, thank you Mr. Minnerly for all you do!
Marching Band Fundraiser
Great news...now that the Yellowjacket Marching Band has new duds, you have an opportunity to own some very cool TGS memorabilia! Proceeds will support ancilliary costs for future marching band field shows! See the flyer below for more information.
Middle School Counseling News
2024-2025 School Year Schedules
- In March, 8th grade students participated in high school presentations with their middle and high school counselors. Students learned about what to expect in high school, their options and opportunities, and pick their classes for freshman year based on their interests and teacher recommendations.
- If you have any questions about which level/class your student was recommended for, you can reach out to the teacher or look on Powerschool
SBAC Testing Preparations
Middle school students will be participating in the SBAC state testing in May. Students may be taking some practice tests in preparation for formal assessments.
Northwestern Region 7 Vo-Ag and Oliver Wolcott Tech Application Deadline closed
- Records will be sent to the schools upon their request
Students of Quarter 3
- Middle school students will be participating in their quarterly town hall assembly to recognize those students with perfect attendance, and the ones that made the honor roll.
UPDATES on Hive Time for 7th Graders
School social workers are meeting with 7th grade students 2-3 times weekly in groups to provide social/emotional support, curriculum, and skill development lessons during Hive Time.
In the month of April, Hive Time will focus on learning about types of boundaries and identifying healthy boundaries with peers. Activities will include; situational role play, outdoor activities (weather permitting), personal space.
If you would like more information about Hive Time for your middle school student, please contact Ms. Thompson at thompsonm@gilbertschool.org.
By Josh Penn, Gilbert Athletic Director
It's Not Too Late To Sign Up!
Spring Sports are underway! There is still time to join. Our numbers for Spring Sports are strong, but there is always room for more students. Use the QR below to sign up today! Or, register your student for Spring Sports by going to the Family ID website.
SAVE THE DATE: The Blue & Gold Golf Tournament is 8/12
The Gilbert Blue & Gold Annual Golf Fundraiser has officially set a date. The tournament will be held on August 12th at Edgewood Golf Course in Southwick, MA. More information to come!
More TGS Athletics Information:
- Eliminating the Fall, Winter, and Spring sports awards and having one big “Espys” style sports award event at the end of the year. Teams are encouraged to have team events at the end of the season where they can present their varsity letters and patches. More information to come.
- The Travel Release Form is available on the Gilbert Website and is an online form. Once completed the Athletics Office will receive a notification.
- Game schedules are posted on the Gilbert Athletics website. I look forward to a great fall season and hope to see the stands filled with Blue and Gold!
Questions?
Contact Josh Penn, Gilbert Director of Athletics 7-12 at: pennj@gilbertschool.org or call 860 379-3721 with any questions regarding Athletics. If you have specific questions regarding practices and games please contact the coach directly.
Springtime Artistic Endeavors
By Magdalena Kruk and Lauren Hunter, International Program
In recognition of Women's History Month, our international students attended the production of Cinderella at the Palace Theatre in mid-March. Misty Copeland's philanthropic initiative of this collaborative ballet performance, organized by the Open World of Dance Foundation and starring the American Ballet Theatre, was to make the world of dance more accessible to underprivileged and diverse youths. The evening ended with a delectable Italian dinner.
On another occasion, the Student Ambassadors organized a Sneaker Painting Night, where students had the opportunity to unleash their imagination and artistic abilities and express themselves by custom painting a pair of sneakers. Although their personalized creations displayed a variety of motifs, they all had one characteristic in common: representing the individual interests and styles of each designer.
High School Counseling News From Mr. Brintle & Ms. Fiducia
Mock AP exams
Students in Advanced Placement courses will participate in the timed practice tests over the first two weeks of April.
The official College Board AP exams take place during the first two weeks of May
The official AP Exam Schedule is posted at the beginning of this newsletter issue.
Counselors are continuing to meet with students in Grades 8-11 classes in March to discuss course offerings and make selections.
- Counselors have been working with juniors to explore Career Clusters, to identify their "best fit" cluster and explore various career pathways within each, finding salary ranges and education requirements for the occupations of their choice.
Hartford College Fair Field Trip
Many of our Juniors attended the NACAC Harford College Fair on 3/21.
These students had an opportunity to speak with over 300 college representatives.
If you're a student interested in exploring more colleges, universities and trade/technical schools, see our list of upcoming College Fairs below!
JUNIORS: SAT School Day Scores Available Soon!
SENIORS: Update the Status of Your Applications
GRADES 9-11: Get FREE Customized Online SAT Prep
Khan Academy, in conjunction with College Board, is offering free customized SAT prep based on a student's performance on the PSAT. Generated SAT practice is tailored specifically to focus on those areas in which the student requires the most practice. Click on the button below to find out more information!
GRADES 9-11: Additional SAT & ACT Test Dates
In spring 2024, all junior students will participate in the Connecticut SAT School Day here at The Gilbert School. However, any student (not just juniors!) can register online to take the SAT and/or to take the ACT throughout the year - as many times as you choose. Like anything else, the more you practice, the better you'll get!
*Please note that The Gilbert School is no longer a testing site and will not be hosting SAT testing on alternate dates.
GRADES 9-12: Upcoming College Fairs
Hundreds of colleges and universities from the US and worldwide will be ready and waiting to talk with you at an upcoming in-person college fair. Don't miss these free events for high school students and families. See the list of fairs below.
- April 30 - Southern Connecticut College & Career Fair, Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, Bridgeport, 4:30 - 7:30 pm
- Multiple Spring dates & locations - NEACAC College Fairs, various colleges/universities in New England
Physicals for Students
Physicals for Students in Grade 9
Students are required to have a physical exam during ninth grade. It can be done during the summer before ninth grade. Blue physical forms will be mailed out in report cards at the end of the year. Physicals are also required every 13 months for students who are trying out for sports. Don’t forget to make your doctor’s appointment for your child as times book up quickly!
Sports Physicals
Does your child play a sport? Don’t forget to book your sports physical for this summer! Students need a current physical on file in the nurse’s office to try out for a fall sport. Physicals should be dated within 13 months.
Join Our Team!!!
- Would you like a part time job with summers off?
- Are you available to work during school hours?
- If you answered yes, School Food Service may be the place for you!
Opening for cafeteria workers, daily, or on a substitute basis. The work schedule follows the school calendar, approximately 5.25 hours/day, on an as needed basis. Applicants must be flexible with times, as school lunch schedules occasionally change. No experience needed, will train. Application, resume, letter of intent and 2 letters of reference are requested. Interested individuals should click HERE to apply online.
2024 High School Yearbooks are on sale now!
ATTENTION STUDENTS: Limited Number of Yearbooks Still Available For Purchase
Our 2024 yearbook order has been placed and only a limited number of yearbooks are still available for purchase. Purchase your yearbook early to ensure that you have a copy when they arrive later this year! To order HIGH SCHOOL yearbooks, click HERE or contact Mrs. Daniele. The purchase price for Yearbooks is $85 through 6/1.
Important Dates to Remember
No School
4/15-19 Spring Recess