The Gilbert School E-News
November 2022
Wingman Kick-Off Day 11/30
With the Wingman training workshops in the books, we are busy planning our Kick-Off Day on November 30, 2022! This year, a high school Wingman will be paired with a middle school Wingman to facilitate various team building activities that they have selected and prepared.
So what exactly is Wingman?
Wingman is a social and emotional learning program that inspires students to go above and beyond for others, instilling in them the courage and leadership to create strong, inclusive school communities. The purpose of Wingman is to use experiential education pedagogies to foster empathy and empower people with the belief that they matter. Empathy must be nurtured. The majority of people are resistant to change, most prefer their static comfort zones. Through careful sequencing we build experiences that allow people to move through changes at their own pace. "Failing Forward" is our favorite term to describe continuous improvement. Whether we meet our goals or not, learning from our mistakes is a critical element of growth. We apply this principle to our own programs and never stop striving to be better. We take an active stance to instill honesty as a core quality of our leaders.
We all have superpowers that can make us a great leader, we just need the chance to showcase them. Great leaders have the moral choice to use their powers for good or evil, we help ours focus on the good.
"Anyone can support a team that is winning — it takes no courage. But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you, that takes a lot of courage."
-Bart Starr
It’s a GREAT day to be a Yellowjacket!
By Buckley Morgan, Gilbert Director of Athletics
The crisp air of the fall season surrounds us here at The Gilbert School. The fall colors seem to have peeked and so has the fall sports season at Gilbert. Although the Fall sports season is not entirely over, we do have a Gilbert standout who has been recognized as an All Star. Aiden Blanchette was selected All Star Status for BL Golf. Golf has finished up their regular season with Gilbert finishing 2nd in the Berkshire League as a team. Most other Fall sports will conclude their regular season in the first week of November. Football will be a few weeks later.
We will hold the fall athletics celebration in the Gilbert auditorium on November 15th at 6:00 pm. All parents and family are invited to join us in celebrating the success of our Gilbert Athletes.
Winter sports registration opened on 20 October. Click here to register for a winter sport. We encourage everyone to sign up for a winter sport. Understand that sports are a commitment and we ask that if you sign up for sports, you must commit to that sport and fully understand and abide by the student athlete handbook located on the Gilbert Athletics website.
Winter season practice will begin soon:
- Girls Basketball - 11/28, Coach Hicks (hicksg@gilbertschool.org)
- Boys Basketball - 12/1, Coach Douglass (douglassm@gilbertschool.org)
- Wrestling - 11/28, Coach Schibi (schibid@gilbertschool.org)
- Indoor Track - 12/1, Coach Scarangelo (scarangelot@gilbertschool.org)
- Cheer - 12/1, Coach Schibi (schibim@gilbertschool.org)
The winter season sports schedules are available now on the Gilbert website.
Gilbert held its annual Blue and Gold 5K Saturday the 21st of October. Everyone had a great time and funds were raised for the athletic department. Look for next year's 5K to be in the spring coinciding with the B&G Golf tournament. Mark your calendar, the golf tourney is tentatively scheduled for May 13, 2023 and the 5K is planned for the following Saturday.
Remember, you can watch all our TGS home games held on Van Why field or in the gym on the NFHS Network.
The Gilbert School Athletics department will begin using GoFan for digital ticketing of our Winter sports. Digital tickets are NOT required, some may find it convenient. The ticket taker at each event will take cash or digital tickets at the gate. To obtain digital tickets navigate to Gilbert Event Tickets. Be aware that there is an additional charge for digital tickets.
For Gilbert specific updates, be sure to follow the TGS Athletic Department Facebook page and @tgsmrmorgan on Twitter.
Questions?
Contact the Gilbert Director of Athletics at: morganb@gilbertschool.org or call 860 379-3721.
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS & PARENTS:
NWR7 VoAg
- Representatives from Northwestern’s VoAg presented their program to the 8th grade class on Thursday October 27th
- Students should visit the Guidance/School Counseling Office for applications after the presentation and/or notify the office of intent to apply
- Application deadline is to be returned to guidance by Wednesday, December 21st
- “See What We Are About” event at NWR7 is November 10th at 6:00PM
- See their recruitment letter, frequently asked questions document, and “See What We Are About” flier
Oliver Wolcott Tech
- Wolcott Tech’s open house is Wednesday November 2nd from 6:00 - 8:00PM ● If you are unable to attend but would like more information, virtual tours can be found linked here or on their website, or reach out to their admissions office to schedule a private/small group tour
- The online application portal will open on November 1st
- The online application can be found linked or on their website under the ‘Admissions’ tab
- 8th grade application priority deadline is December 15th
Please help us by having conversations with your 8th grader about their high school plans!
TGS Students To Attend Career Fair
On 11/2, the School Counseling and Career/Tech Ed departments will be taking 50 high school students to the Aerospace Components Manufacturing Workforce Opportunities Career Fair at the Hartford Convention Center. The goal of this trip is to make students and their families aware of the wide array of employment opportunities and well-paying careers available in the local aerospace industry. Students will meet representatives from over 90 local aerospace firms to learn about the different careers, what employees look for when hiring new employees and see leading-edge technologies that modern manufacturers are using.
JUNIORS & SENIORS: Earn College Credit In High School
Interested in taking a college course at NCCC for free? High School Partnership Program Spring 2023 application is open for juniors and seniors!
- For those new to the program, apply at Northwestern Community College’s High School Partnership Program.
- New student applications are due December 1st, 2022. Let your counselor know soon if you are interested in enrolling for NCCC’s HSPP for the first time!
- Students currently taking HSPP courses only need to fill out the Academic Assessment Form. Due date is December 15th, 2022.
SENIORS: Watch Those Deadlines!
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.
SENIORS: College Visits at TGS
College Representative are continuing to visit Gilbert! The list of college rep visits is updated regularly on Naviance. Sign up for a pass in the School Counseling office. The next visits are:
- Sacred Heart - Nov. 4th
- Lasell University - November 22nd
SENIORS: Scholarships
Check Naviance “Scholarships & Money” to see the scholarships that are coming in to Gilbert. See Mrs. Kirsch or your school counselor for assistance.
SENIORS & PARENTS: Free FAFSA Workshops For CT Residents
Reminder for Seniors!
The free online FAFSA application for the 2023-24 school year is open. Everyone seeking financial aid and scholarships needs to apply online. Be sure to note the FAFSA deadline for the colleges on your list.
If you were unable to attend the TGS Financial Aid Workshop on 10/27, click on the button below to catch another of these free 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.
GRADES 9-12: Upcoming Virtual College Fair 11/6
Hundreds of colleges and universities from the US and worldwide will be ready and waiting to talk with you at the last virtual college fair for fall. Don't miss this free, one-day event for high school students and families. Click here for more info on the 11/6 VIRTUAL fair
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!
Gilbert Boys Soccer Team is Universal
By Debra LaRoche Walls, Dean of Admissions
This year the Gilberts boys’ soccer team welcomed a new Varsity Head Coach, Mrs. Ingryd
Flores. Under her coaching direction, the team showed incredible improvement throughout the season. Mrs. Flores wears many hats at Gilbert as she is also a building substitute, International Ambassador Faculty Advisor and the proud mother to one of the outstanding members of the soccer team, 12th grade son, Captain, Joshua Flores. Mrs. Flores is joined by Caleb Goodell, Assistant Coach, a former soccer player and graduate of Gilbert. Diadema Pineda, daughter of Coach Flores, is a substitute team manager and great supporter to the team.
This year’s team was made up of many of the students from the international program.
Returning for his second year, international student, Carlos Garcia, grade 11, from Mexico was chosen as one of the teams three Captains. Joining him from the international program are: Andrew Park, grade 11, from South Korea, Ivan Lyu, grade 12, from China, Jhonatan Silveira, grade 12, from Brazil, and support member, Fabricio Naves, grade 12, also from Brazil.
On Tuesday evening, October 25, the students played their one and only game under the lights
at the Torrington High School soccer field. This was also “Senior Night” and each of the Gilbert senior students were mentioned on the field with their parent or guardian and Coach Flores presented each senior and underclassman with a gift bag and team picture. It was a special night for each of the soccer players. Gilbert’s Athletic Director, Mr. Buck Morgan was the official announcer for the ceremony. Also at the game was Gilbert graduate 2021, Brett Marvin, who was the professional photographer/videographer who captured the evenings event. It was a proud night for the families and friends who came to support the team. They will play their last official game of the season on Monday, October 31.
Ivan Lyu, Jhonatan Silveira, Bernardo Aguiar, and Captain, Carlos Garcia
Senior Night, October 25, Gilbert Soccer Team, Coach Ingryd Flores at Torrington High School
Yearbooks Are On Sale Now
2023 High School Yearbooks are still available at 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 Parents!
Place a personal ad in this year's yearbook and celebrate your students' accomplishments! You can purchase your ads online using the link above or you can reach out to Mrs. Daniele directly at danielef@gilbertschool.org.
Ad Costs (personal and business ads)
1/8 page: $40
1/4 page: $75
1/2 page: $150
Full page: $300
Attention Seniors!
Please select TWO poses from your senior portraits for use in the yearbook as soon as possible. If you need assistance in selecting your photos, please reach out to Mrs. Daniele. Please make your selections by 11/30.
News From The TGS Health Office
By Kelli Gilbert RN BSN, Director of Health Services
How can TGS help your family this winter?
Winter Coats
Need a winter coat? We have new and gently used coats available for anyone that needs one! Contact Mrs. Gilbert at 860 379 8521 x1431 or email at gilbertk@gilbertschool.org.
Thanksgiving Dinners
We have a wonderful tradition at The Gilbert School of delivering Thanksgiving meal boxes to those who could use a little extra help during the holiday! The box contains a turkey and all the fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner. These are delivered to homes the week before Thanksgiving by our school staff. Interested in getting one? Please email Mrs. Gilbert at gilbertk@gilbertschool.org or call the school at 860 379 8521 x1431. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday!
Nutrition Backpack Program
Did you know about the nutrition backpack program? It is designed to assist families with additional grocery items to help on the weekends. Items such as cereal, pasta, sauce, rice, peanut butter, jelly, etc, are packed into a backpack and sent home with your child once a week, usually on Fridays.
Holiday Angel Program
Need some help during the holiday season? In the spirit of the holiday season, TGS faculty and staff volunteer to participate in a holiday angel program. Please email Mrs. Gilbert at gilbertk@gilbertschool.org or call the school at 860 379 8521 x1431 if you are interested in assistance!
Influenza and COVID Vaccinations
Influenza season is here! Please consult with your child’s pediatrician if an influenza vaccination is recommended for your child. COVID booster vaccinations are also available now if you would like your child to get a booster vaccination if they haven’t already.
COVID Update
We are continuing to see sporadic cases in all grade levels. Our COVID positive numbers have dramatically reduced in the past couple of weeks! Below is a chart on current COVID protocols.
Important Dates to Remember
No School
11/8 - Professional Development for Teachers, No School for Students
11/23-25 - Thanksgiving Recess
Fall Sports Banquet
11/15
Club & Activity Day
11/16
Senior Portraits
11/17
Wingman Day
11/30