The Gilbert School E-News
September 2022
Dear Parents and Students:
A new school year has started and I’m happy to report that we have had an exceptionally smooth opening. Students and staff have acclimated well and seem to have gotten back to the routine of school.
With any new school year comes change. Please join us in welcoming the following new teachers, staff, and assignments:
- Debra Lewis, Principal *
- Donald Crossman, Associate Principal *
- Buckley Morgan, Tech. Ed *
- Shannon Whitney, PE/Health *
- Karen Pfeffer, Librarian
- Jason Cerbone, Social Worker
- Nikita Tarabara, HS English *
- Christian Mormile, MS Language Arts
- Catherine Vaillancourt, Math Interventionist
- Jessica Sosnicki, HS English
- Marijo Thompson, Guidance
- Brian Kiernan, MS Science
- Lauren Hunter, ELL Teacher
* denotes TGS faculty in a new role
The Gilbert School is a wonderful school that offers tremendous opportunities for our students in and out of the classroom. I hope to see you all out and about at the many exciting events to come this year. Here’s to a happy and successful school year!
Sincerely,
Greg P. Shugrue
Head of School
Greetings Gilbert families!
I’m writing this as we are in full swing here after a few weeks of classes. We kicked off the year with an amazing three days of professional development for faculty and staff followed by meetings with each class where we set the stage for our expectations for the year. It was great to see many of you at our Open House night and other events thus far and I am certain that I will be seeing alot of you in the near future as well! Please know that your students’ teachers, counselors, and administrators are here to help make this the best year ever!
I am happy to say that our social media accounts are slowly reviving. Follow us on our Gilbert Facebook page and on our staff Twitter accounts where you are sure to see new photos, descriptions of events, and glimpses of life here at Gilbert! We are super excited to share our experiences with all of you! Start by following me on Twitter @TGSMISSLEWIS to see what we here at #TGSNATION are all about!
With Yellowjacket Pride,
Miss Lewis
TGS Principal
PowerSchool Registration Instructions
Unsure how to set up your PowerSchool account? No problem! Follow these simple steps:
- Begin at The Gilbert School Webpage www.gilbertschool.org
- From the Parent dropdown menu, choose PowerSchool
- Click on the PowerSchool logo
- Click the create an account button
- Completely fill out the form
(The Access ID is your child’s student ID number, and the Access password is the first 8 letters of your child’s last name.)
PLEASE NOTE - PASSWORDS MUST BE:
- At least 7 characters
- At least one uppercase and one lowercase letter
- At least one number
- At least one special character (!,$,&,*, etc.)
Should you need assistance, please contact battistas@gilbertschool.org
Spirit Week & Homecoming
I've got spirit, how 'bout you?
It's time to show that Yellowjacket spirit! - Spirit Week will be the week of 10/17 - 10/22, and will be filled with dress-up days, class contests, and wall building! The Homecoming Court will be announced at the Homecoming Game versus Crosby High School.
TGS Clubs & Activities
What is Club & Activity Period?
The Gilbert School offers a special program of co-curricular, non-athletic clubs and activities that meet during the school day and/or after school. Once per month, the daily schedule is changed to offer an activity period during the school day. Our first Club & Activity Period will be on Wednesday, 10/19.
Days before the Club and Activity Period a list of all clubs and activities will be posted throughout the school as well as discussed in Advisory for students to become familiar with what is being offered. On 10/19, the students will attend the club and activity period of their choosing.
“I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
- Michael Jordan
It’s a GREAT day to be a Yellowjacket!
By Buckley Morgan, Gilbert Director of Athletics
All fall sports programs have already participated in their first Berkshire League contest or NVL contest for Football. The student athletes are all very excited to be practicing and working on their skills. This will be Football's first season with the Naugatuck Valley League. We have a good size team of 48 student athletes and are excited at the potential that the NVL brings. Less windshield time and better balanced competition.
Fall sports include the following:
HIGH SCHOOL - Boys & Girls Soccer, Boys & Girls Cross Country, Girls Volleyball, Cheer, Golf
MIDDLE SCHOOL - Boys & Girls Soccer, Boys & Girls Cross Country
Key Dates To Mark On Your Calendars:
Homecoming is scheduled for the week ending October 22. The final day will include a home football game between GNH and Crosby High School.
The Blue & Gold 5K will also be held on the morning of 10/22, prior to the football game. Runners of all ages and abilities are invited to run in this annual fundraiser for athletics. More info coming soon. Come out and support Gilbert athletics and enjoy a run with prizes and comradery!
Be sure to follow the TGS Athletic Department Facebook page and Twitter as well. This will keep you informed on a daily basis with pictures and postings of our amazing student athletes in action. Game schedules are posted on the Gilbert Athletics website. I look forward to an energetic, fun and exciting athletic season. We can’t wait to see you all there cheering on your student athlete and the rest of the Yellowjacket team.
Questions?
Contact the Gilbert Director of Athletics at: morganb@gilbertschool.org or call 860 379-3721. The Middle School Athletic Director is Josh Penn, who can be contacted at: Pennj@gilbertschool.org.
AP Students: May 2023 Exam Registration
Our AP courses are in full swing. Students completed summer work for each course and are already starting to progress through their rigorous college-level curriculum. Fees for the mandatory AP tests (required for the course) will be due to Mrs. Fiducia soon; listen for the announcements on when and where to turn in your payments. Those students who pass the test will be refunded money back as an incentive from Gilbert. Also, most colleges accept scores 3 and above for college credit (check specific university/college requirements for credit). Students who take AP courses in high school are proven to perform better academically in post-secondary programs than those who do not. If you have any questions about AP courses, please contact your school counselor.
For 2023 testing information and dates, please visit this link on the College Board website.
Grades 8-11 Students: PSATs are October 12
GRADES 9-11: SAT & ACT Test Dates
In spring 2023, all junior students will be participating in the Connecticut SAT School Day here at The Gilbert School (date to be announced). 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. Additional testing dates are listed below. 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.
FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES, & JUNIORS: 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 9-12: Upcoming College Fairs
In New England: Attend an IN-PERSON NEACAC College Fair
The New England Association for College Admission Counseling is holding several in-person college fairs this fall! Visit the NEACAC website for more information and to see a list of hosting New England colleges and universities, and the colleges and universities that will be attending.
Nationally: Attend a NACAC College Fair
Hundreds of colleges and universities from the US and worldwide will be ready and waiting to talk with you at an upcoming virtual college fair. Don't miss these free, one-day events for high school students and families.
Free FAFSA Workshops For CT Residents
Starting October 1, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) can be filed for any student entering their freshman year of college next fall.
In partnership with the Connecticut State Department of Education, the College Board, New Haven Promise, the Connecticut Association of Financial Aid Administrators (CAPFAA), the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities, ECMC The College Place, and the University of Connecticut are joining forces to host a series of FAFSA workshops for the Class of 2023.
Financial aid professionals will be available to help students and families navigate the process of need-based federal aid. Those who sign up will receive a checklist of items that they will need and support to successfully complete the process. Click on the button for more info and to register for one of their events.
New International Students Join Gilbert
By Debra LaRoche Walls, Dean of Admissions
On Thursday, August 25, Dean of Admissions, Debra Walls and CEO, Tim Cronin, headed to JFK in their rented Dattco coach bus, to greet and warmly welcome four new international students to The Gilbert School international program.
The new students who arrived were 8th grade, Joanne Kang from South Korea, 11th grade, Gabriel Maia from Brazil, 11th grade, Fabricio Naves from Brazil and 11th grade, Jay Quan from Vietnam. They have joined returning international students; 11th grade, Carlos Garcia from Mexico, 12th grade, Ivan Lyu from China, 11th grade, Andrew Park from South Korea, 12th grade, Jhonatan Silveira from Brazil and 12th grade, Evan Zhao.
All nine students are living in the residency hall located on the school’s picturesque 120-acre campus under the guidance of Residential Coordinators, Rosemary Harris and new ELL instructor Lauren Hunter.
During their stay while attending The Gilbert School, the students will be attending planned events each Saturday to visit local and nearby sightseeing venues. Visiting historic Boston and exciting New York City are on their “wish list” that are located only two hours away. In addition to joining the local YMCA in town, the students enjoy seeing the area attractions that our beautiful state of Connecticut has to offer them.
Before the first day of school started, students; Carlos Garcia, Jhonatan Silveira, Andrew Park and Ivan Lyu along with Fabricio Naves, were already at Walker Field, beginning the Gilbert boys’ soccer practices. Under the direction of the new coach, Ingryd Flores, (also from Brazil), the team is working so well together and they are adding to the culture and sportsmanship that Gilbert is known for.
Thank you for welcoming all of our international students to our Gilbert family. In most cases, they have come half way around the globe to be with us. Let’s make their experience one that will be cherished and remembered for their lifetime.
Below, from left to right: Jay Tran, Fabricio Naves, Gabriel Maia, Joanne Kang
Network Use Agreements
Please bring in your signed network usage agreements as soon as possible. This will allow students to receive their Chromebooks quickly before or after school, or during advisory. Completed forms should be submitted to the IT Department. If students need another copy please visit the Main Office before/after school, or during a study hall.
Connecticut Laws for New Drivers
A reminder for those students who drive to school: with driving, comes new responsibilities. Connecticut State laws state that newly licensed individuals, for the first year of driving, are not allowed to have any passengers with the exception of immediate family members. We ask that you not come on campus with other students in your car. You risk losing your license and you risk losing the privilege to drive on campus. For more information on teen driving restrictions, visit the Connecticut DMV website.
Yearbooks Are On Sale Now!
2023 High School Yearbooks are on sale now! Purchase now to get Early Bird Pricing!
Yearbook Prices:
- $55 until 9/17
- $65 from 9/18-11/31
- $75 from 12/1-12/31
- $85 from 1/1 through end of the school year
To order High School Yearbooks click HERE or contact Mrs. Daniele.
Attention Senior Parents and Guardians: Personal yearbook ads are available until November 1st! Personal ads for your students are a great way to support them and show them how proud you are of all their accomplishments! Ads can be purchased and created on the yearbook website, or you can submit physical ads and payments to Mrs. Daniele.
Senior Portraits 9/29-30
The next round of senior portraits is coming up on September 29-30! Be sure to schedule your appointment (or see Mrs. Daniele for assistance). Email danielef@gilbertschool.org with any questions.
Scheduling links and personal ID codes were sent home via email from Prestige and Mrs. Daniele. If you have any trouble scheduling your photo, please contact Mrs. Daniele. All seniors will choose two pictures for the yearbook: a headshot and a more informal portrait for their memory page. Seniors, please remember to login and select your two photos after your proofs arrive!
Food Services Update
During the transition back to regular school operations in the school year 2022-23, The Gilbert School has opted into the School Meals Assistance Revenue for Transition (SMART) funds to provide meals (breakfast and lunch) at no cost for all students at the beginning of the school year. Please note that meals at no cost to all students are unlikely to last all year and are subject to the availability of district funds.
Since the availability of meals at no cost will expire when all funds have been expended, it is critical that households submit a free and reduced-priced meal application as soon as possible to determine a student’s eligibility for this school year and avoid unpaid meal charges.
Completing and submitting an application will also help TGS raise additional funds to help us make meals available to all students at no cost for as long as possible. Click HERE to apply. The district will notify parents and guardians of the date when students who are not directly certified or have no approved application on file will be expected to pay for their meals.
News From The TGS Health Office
By Kelli Gilbert RN BSN, Director of Health Services
TGS 2022/2023
COVID Return to School Guidelines
___________________________________________
- Return to school on Day 6 from when you tested positive for COVID or your symptoms started. You should be free of a fever for 24 hours without medication and your symptoms should be improving.
- If you are able to do work at home, homework for all classes is posted in google classroom. You can submit your work to your teachers while home.
- Wear a mask until Day 10. If you need a mask break, come to the nurse’s office anytime!
- If you have Band during Days 5-10, you can practice fingering on your instrument, just not blowing. You can begin to play your instrument normally on Day 11.
- If you are in Chorus during Days 5-10, you should wear a mask.
- If you have PE during Days 5-10, you can watch PE or your teacher will have you involved in the class in a less physical way until your doctor clears you for physical activity.
- If you participate in a sport, you cannot participate until Day 11. You will need a doctor’s note to return to sports. Your doctor will decide how long you need to participate in a return to play protocol with the athletic trainer before you return full time to your sport.
- Consult with your physician about returning to sports and physical education. Ask your doctor for a note when you can return.
- Provide the nurse’s office with the note from your doctor.
Any questions, come to the nurse’s office! We are here to help!
Important Dates to Remember
No School
9/5
Early Dismissal
9/14 - all students will be dismissed at 12:16 pm
Senior Portrait Days
9/29-30
PSATs
10/12
Club & Activity Day
10/19
Wingman
10/26
Spirit Week
10/17-22
Homecoming Game
10/22