GCCSD News and Updates - Sept. 2023
Please take a few moments to review the important information and reminders in this e-newsletter ahead of the start of the year. This publication, shared monthly, is a way for us to celebrate our school community and provide snapshot of news, upcoming events and job opportunities.
Thank you all for your continued partnership. We look forward to seeing all students on Tuesday, Sept. 5 and seeing students and families at back-to-school events throughout the month!
Go Spartans!
Christopher J. Dailey
Superintendent of Schools
Making a SPLASH with physics 💦
Students in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Summer Program used water balloons to learn about kinetic energy and force. What a great way to SOAK UP some knowledge!
Elementary summer learning fun 🎨
Fall sports kick off 🏐
Our dedicated student athletes spent a lot of their summer break at off-season practices and trainings. We can't wait to watch their hard work pay off on the field, court, trails and in the pool. GO SPARTANS!
Summer band camp is music to our ears 🎵
Incoming sixth-graders moving up from all four elementary schools to the middle school picked up their instruments for Junior Band Camp. The two-day summer program gave students a chance to practice playing as one big group before the start of school.
Welcoming many new Spartans 👋
The district welcomed more than 140 new Spartans this year at New Staff Orientation! Meet them in the Growing Our GC Family Tree bulletin linked here or at the bottom of this e-newsletter.
Kindergarteners take on fun and safety 🚍
The Gates Chili Central School District is proud to announce that students can receive a free breakfast and lunch every day in Gates Chili cafeterias the 2023-24 school year!
The district was recently approved for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a program by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that allows schools in low-income areas to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students.
Providing free meals for all students—regardless of income—is a proven strategy to reduce food insecurity, improve mental and physical health, support students’ ability to thrive academically, and bolster educational, health, and economic equity. Thus, the district encourages all students to take advantage of this benefit by getting a free breakfast or lunch at school every day.
Families do not have to complete any forms for their student(s) to receive free meals at school. However, families are strongly encouraged to complete the Income Eligibility Form, formerly known as the Free and Reduced Meal Application, which is tied to other important benefits for students such as fee waivers for advanced placement exams, dual-credit tuition assistance, state funding and more. To complete that secure application, families should go to gateschili.org/IncomeForm.
SchoolTool is the student management application that maintains student information. It houses contact information, class schedule, attendance record, grades and assessments. Families access this platform through the SchoolTool Parent Portal.
Meanwhile, Schoology is used for course management, mobile learning and communication. Students use this platform to participate in interactive discussions, submit assignments digitally and much more. Families can follow their student’s learning using a Schoology Parent Account.
Check out both the SchoolTool and Schoology pages on our website for more information and resources about each platform, including how to login.
The Gates Chili Food Pantry is moving to fall hours!
In September, the pantry will be open weekly on Wednesdays from 3-4 p.m. Beginning Oct. 4, the pantry will move from a weekly schedule to be open twice per month, on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. The hours will remain 3-4 p.m. during this new twice monthly schedule.
The food pantry, supported in partnership with Gates Chili Community Connections, is located at the Gates Chili Administration Building. Typical in-stock items include non-perishable food, coats and clothing and birthday boxes to help celebrate special days. At times, there may be personal care items and cleaning supplies available.
The district calendar/handbook began landing in mailboxes last week!
The handbook portion is full of information to support your student in their educational journey. From information about those free meals for all students and emergency closing policies to health services and opportunities for family engagement, please review the information thoroughly and keep this handbook as a reference throughout the school year.
The opposite side of the booklet is the district calendar covering the school year months. While we strive to be as accurate as possible with these dates, the need may arise for dates and times to change. Always check the district website for the most up-to-date dates and times for events.
- Sept. 4: Labor Day (District Closed)
- Sept. 5: First Day of School for Students
- Sept. 5: Modified sports begin
- Sept. 7: HS Picture Day
- Sept. 8: HS Picture Day
- Sept. 11: Patriot Day
- Sept. 12: BOE Meeting, 6:30 p.m., GCPLC
- Sept. 15: Rosh Hashanah begins
- Sept. 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month begins
- Sept. 19: HS Senior Parent/Guardian Night, 5:30-6:30 p.m., HS Library Mezzanine
- Sept. 19: HS Open House, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- Sept. 20: MS Gr. 6 Meet the Staff Night, 6:30-8:45 p.m., MS Gym
- Sept. 18-22: Homecoming Week
- Sept. 22: Gates Chili Homecoming Football Game and Fireworks Show, 7 p.m. Spartan Stadium
- Sept. 24: Yom Kippur begins
- Sept. 26: BOE Meeting, 6:30 p.m., GCPLC
- Sept. 27-28: MS Picture Day
- Sept. 27-28: HS Gates Chili College Fair, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Sept. 27: Elementary Open House - Gr. K, 2, 4, 6-7 p.m., All elementary schools
- Sept. 28: Elementary Open House - Gr. UPK, 1, 3 and 5, 6-7 p.m., All elementary schools
- Sept. 29: GC Pride Day
Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) takes place Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 every year and is a time to recognize and celebrate the numerous contributions, diverse cultures, and the extensive histories of the American Latino community.
The observation began in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was later expanded into a month-long observance in 1988. Rather than begin on the first of September, HHM begins on the 15th of the month as it marks the independence of several Latin American countries.
In Gates Chili, approximately 16% of students districtwide identify themselves as being of Hispanic or Latino origin. In addition, Spanish represents the third most spoken language among families behind English and Arabic!
Keep an eye on Gates Chili's official social media sites for more information about Hispanic Heritage Month between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15.
- Job ID 924: Elementary Special Education Teacher - Grade 6
- Job ID 925: English Teacher
- Job ID 923: Science Teacher - Earth Science
- Job ID 703: Technology Teacher
- Job ID 913: Speech Language Pathologist
- Job ID 927: Micro Computer Maintenance Technician
- Job ID 904: Cleaner
- Job ID 889: Food Service Helper
- Job ID 926: Office Clerk III
- Job ID 789: Lifeguard
- Job ID 903: Teacher Aide - School Aide (2023-24 school year)
- Job ID 728: Hall Monitor/Cafeteria Monitor (part-time)
- Job ID 905: Bus Attendant
- Job ID 906: Bus Driver (2023-24 school year)
- Job ID 723: Substitute Support Staff
- Job ID 724: Substitute Teacher*
- Job ID 871: Building Substitute Teacher (2023-24 school year)
*The Gates Chili Board of Education recently approved new,
increased rates for instructional substitutes. Click here for details.
The Gates Chili Central School District is dedicated to fostering curiosity, growth, and diversity within our school community. The district celebrates and embraces differences and strives to dismantle exclusion, bias, racism, and prejudice of all forms.