TGS Teacher Recognized By The AP Program
In a recent letter to Mr. Shugrue, Terry Redican, Vice President of the AP Program in Princeton New Jersey, recognized TGS Math faculty member Christopher Affie for his role in the AP exam reading process. In June of 2022, Mr. Affie joined a group of more than 1100 AP Statistics teachers and college faculty to score over 200,000 AP Statistics exams taken in May by students from across the country.
According to Redican, "the careful evaluation of students’ work by Christopher and other highly qualified educators is one of the most important aspects of the AP Program." Selected by the College Board's AP Program for his proficiency in the subject area, Mr. Affie spent between 60-70 hours over nine days - scoring close to 800 individual questions. As an AP Stats teacher here at TGS for seven of the past eight years, Mr. Affie is uniquely qualified for the task. Redican explains in the letter, "Credit through AP is largely made possible by the evaluation and scoring process that reflects the high standards of AP Readers who, by virtue of their experience and expertise, have appropriate student performance expectations within their respective disciplines."
Before the pandemic, AP exams were scored in a central location. However, like most organizations, the AP has gone to a hybrid model, with some readers in Kansas City, and some remote. Mr. Affie scored the AP exams remotely, and described the experience as "one of the best PD (professional development) opportunities to see how the exam is graded and how I might adjust my teaching in the future."
Thank you Mr. Affie, and congratulations on your accomplishment!
Spirit Week & Homecoming 10/17 - 10/22
Student Council is actively planning our annual Homecoming dance and Spirit Week Activities. Students are choosing locations for their wall themes and working diligently to ensure we have a fun week of spirit dress activities during the school day and at lunch. They will be participating in various competitions throughout the week and ending our school week with a Pep Rally on 10/21 where our fall sports teams will showcase their talents and our classes will take each other on to determine the illustrious winner of the coveted Spirit Week championship trophy. The Homecoming Court will be announced at the Homecoming Game versus Crosby High School on 10/22.
Monday, 10/17 - Merica Day
Wear red, white, and blue! (Please note, students should not wear flags or anything political.)
Tuesday, 10/18 - Color Day
- Freshman - WHITE
- Sophomores - BLUE
- Juniors - GREY
- Seniors - BLACK
- Eighth Graders - RED
- Seventh Graders - YELLOW
- Staff - Rainbow
Wednesday, 10/19 - Adam Sandler Day
Wear your best big shirt and big pants combo or dress up as your favorite character Adam Sandler's Character.
Thursday, 10/20 - Country vs Country Club
Dress in your cleanest cowboy boots or your newest polo!!
Friday, 10/21 - Blue and Gold Day
Rep your school colors in leading up to the end of spirit week.
Wingman Student Leaders Selected
We are proud to announce Year 2 of the Wingman program at TGS is off to a great start! We have been busy recruiting new Wingmen for the 2022-23 school year. 70 + students either applied or were nominated to participate. Those students each received a contract outlining the expectations of participation and signed contracts were then reviewed by a faculty committee. A cross selection of almost 50 students from Grades 7 -12 were then selected to attend a two-day interactive Wingman training workshop to prepare them to become role models and peer leaders for Wingman community building activities throughout the school year.
The Wingman training workshop for middle school students takes place on Monday and Tuesday, October 3rd and 4th. High school students' workshops takes place on Wednesday and Thursday, October 5th and 6th. This year, Robb Armstrong, Wingman Master Trainer and Program Director for Dylan’s Wings of Change will work with almost fifty participating Gilbert students to prepare them for leadership roles in The Gilbert School community.
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.
It’s a GREAT day to be a Yellowjacket!
By Buckley Morgan, Gilbert Director of Athletics
Fall sports are well underway and near the halfway point of regular season play. All of our teams are enjoying the opportunity to play sports and are improving their skills daily. I am seeing great motivation and excitement at all of our games.
GNH Football held their first home game in the NVL on the 24th of September against Wilby. They won that game and are now 2-2 for the season. A new league and new uniforms for the GNH team but the same determined and hard working team.
The concession stand at Van Why field is getting some improvements. It is getting a fresh coat of paint and some new weatherproof trim and siding along the bottom as well as a few other touch ups. The ground around the building has also been graveled. No more muddy ground on those rainy football game days. Thanks to Darek Schibi and volunteers for putting a new face on our concession stand.
We still have lots of Fall sports to come. Stay informed by keeping an eye on the CIAC website, and for Gilbert specific updates, navigate to and follow or like the TGS Athletic Department Facebook page.
Questions?
Contact the Gilbert Director of Athletics at: morganb@gilbertschool.org or call 860 379-3721.
Grades 8-11 Students: PSATs are October 12
This is a reminder that on 10/12 students in grades 8-11 will be taking the PSAT for the day, which is a half day for the students. The students in grade 12 will be participating in various activities ranging from college essay writing to real world budgeting. The PSAT is a very important benchmark for college and career readiness for all of our students so please encourage them to take the test seriously in order to measure progress from last year. Registration is not required.
College Planning
College Visits Begin at TGS
- Log into your Naviance account weekly to see which colleges want to meet with Gilbert students!
- Open the "Colleges" tab and click on "Visits" to register now.
Questions? Contact Mrs. Fiducia!
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 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.
SENIORS: Apply FREE To The Connecticut State Universities On 11/15
In an effort to minimize the expense of applying to college, all five of the Connecticut State Universities will offer an application fee waiver for Connecticut residents on Tuesday, November 15. That's great news for seniors applying to Central, Eastern, Southern, Western and UCONN through the Common App.
To qualify, seniors should complete and submit the FAFSA by 11/15. Then submit your completed Common App on 11/15 to CCSU, ECSU, SCSU, WCSU and/or UCONN, and select the "Application Fee Free Day" waiver for Connecticut Residents. Usually, it would set you back $50 per application to apply to any of the sister schools, and $80 to apply to the University of Connecticut. That's a potential cost savings of $280 if you're applying to all five schools. But don't delay - the free application is a one-day-only event! Stay tuned for more information.
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!
More Free FAFSA Workshops For CT Residents
Can't make the TGS Financial Aid Workshop on 10/27? Catch one of these workshops for Connecticut residents. 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.
A Birthday Celebration Bowling Style
By Debra LaRoche Walls, Dean of Admissions
What day can be more important for a young teenager than that of their birthday. On Saturday, September 3, Residential Coordinator and ELL instructor, Ms. Lauren Hunter, chaperoned three of the international students to The Bass Pro Shop, to Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill Bowling in Bridgeport. They were going to celebrate the birthday of international student, Joanne Kang.
That day was the actual birthday of Joanne who turned 14 and came to The Gilbert School from South Korea. She is an amazing and independent 8th grade student. Joanne, who’s Korean first name is Minseo, was joined by fellow international students; Ivan Lyu, grade 12 from China and Gabriel Maia, grade 11 from Brazil.
The day started with Ivan giving Joanne a birthday card in the residency hall and the group playing “Happy Birthday” in Korean as they enjoyed cake and ice cream after a fun hour of bowling. Joanne made a wish for her first American birthday celebration. We hope all of Joanne’s wishes come true as we are grateful, she has chosen to be a successful student at Gilbert. The group enjoyed more celebration and fun in the Arcade that is part of the bowling venue. All of the students and Ms. Hunter shared a great day together.
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
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:
- $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.
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.
Outdoor Resource Guide from FitTogether
This is a great time of year to get outside and get some fresh air and exercise! Living in the Northwest Corner allows us access to so many beautiful areas. Do you know all the places you can go to in our area and enjoy some outdoor time? Look no further and check out the outdoor resource guide below!
