GCMS Families,
GCMS is planning to return to full in person classes on January 4th as planned. January 3rd is a teacher in service day and all offices will be open for communications on absences for January 4th.
At this time we will return under the same practices for Covid exposures and quarantine timelines. We are aware that on Monday the CDC issued new guidance and have communicated with Ford County Public Health to determine if we can reduce quarantine timelines as we enter the new year. Our goal has always been to keep students in school and activity as much as possible and we will adjust our practice should IDPH and FCPH adopt the adjustments.
We appreciate your attention. Have a safe, happy, and healthy New Year!
Sincerely,
Mr. Darnell
Middle School students donated candy and student made lap blankets to residents at GAH Annex today. Our kids are awesome!
Congratulations to our Middle School December Students of the Month!
6th Grade - Brecke Barnard
7th Grade - Payton Alley
8th Grade - Lizzy Goodin
The lunch menu lists, "Cooks Choice" for tomorrow (Dec. 22) @ the elementary school. Here is what that will be:
Oven Roasted Chicken
Buttered Carrots
Dinner Roll
and Fruit cup
Also, a reminder that tomorrow is a 2:20 dismissal.
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!
Mr. Kean
GCMS Boys Basketball will be hosting their Falcon Youth league for grades 2-5 beginning 1/8/2022. You can find the registration form at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Sy7mI2vmAZMla4YNitfklOOtb3zh6w7_/view?usp=sharing
A quick reminder that the MS will be having dress up days next week. Enjoy our last few days before break!
Congratulations to our Middle School Basketball Award Winners!
7th Grade Team
Most Improved - Brecke Barnard and Bailey Bunting
All Out - Kate McCall
8th Grade Team
Most Improved - Lily Sizemore
Ms. Practice - Bailey Grider
Falcon Pride - Hadley Doman
GCMS High School is looking for an outstanding Special Education Teacher. Apply online at https://www.applitrack.com/roe9/onlineapp/JobPostings/view.asp?FromAdmin=true&AppliTrackJobId=18106
Due to facility issues at Pontiac, Monday's Middle School Wrestling meet at Pontiac has been cancelled. The GCMS Middle School Wrestling team will now open their season Tuesday, Dec. 14 with a home meet at the Elementary School vs. Champaign. The match will start at 5:30PM.
Join us this Sunday for our 2021 Winter Concert! Featured groups include Middle School Choir, High School Concert and Chamber Choir, 5th Grade Band, Middle School Band and High School Jazz and Symphonic Band.
GCMS High School is pleased to announce that five students from the graduating class of 2022 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission presents this important recognition of academic achievement to exceptional Illinois high school students annually. This year’s GCMS HS Illinois State Scholars are Sadie Christensen, Emily Hood, Braylen Kean, Lucy Keigher, and Aiden Phillips. We are very proud of you!
GCMS Middle School will be having dress up days Dec 20-22. Get into the holiday spirit for our last few days before break!
Families,
It is amazing that we have just 12 days left before winter break and the end of the semester. I want to thank you all for your partnership in serving our students. As winter weather approaches we wanted to share our Remote School Day plans with you again should a weather or health related school closure occur. We will engage in Remote learning if either of these events occur. Please know that we understand and respect individual family challenges when it comes to remote engagement and will work with students to ensure no educational opportunities are lost.
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1724500/GCMS_Remote_Learning_Schedules_2021-2022.pdf
Falcon Proud,
Mr. Darnell
Congratulations to our November Middle School Students of the Month!
6th grade - Genne Kincaid
7th grade - Kolbie Eichelberger
8th grade - Alyssa Morgan
GCMS Middle School is currently collecting candy bars for local annex residents and monetary donations for the Gibson Area Food Pantry
Families,
A couple of quick reminders / requests as December 1st hits!
We have experienced 13 COVID positive students the first three days after returning from break and we want to encourage all families to monitor their children's health situation and do not send them to school if symptomatic without a negative COVID test. We have greatly reduced our close contacts this year, but sending symptomatic kids to school and exposing other children has led to many more absences than COVID itself.
With many indoor activities ramping up we want to encourage both students and guests to follow indoor masking rules when possible. We know that this is managed differently in every gym, store, and restaurant you enter, but at this time our rule is to wear one while attending indoor school events. We want everyone to enjoy our events and focus our attention on kids performing and competing.
Two years ago we all just wanted our kids to be in school and be able to play / perform. Last year we wanted to be able to come back and watch. Now, we have to remember that the most important thing happening is the students engaging in learning and what they love, and we all have to work to provide them with a healthy, positive, supportive atmosphere. Character, integrity, and sportsmanship matter please do your part.
Falcon Proud!
Mr. Darnell
Public health COVID vaccine clinics available for those interested.
As we head into the holiday weekend, don't forget that GCMS PACT is raising money through Scrip Gift cards. Read the details below and download the order form at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zoDHd2WgvOEpNuXnXsKikIqOHWD0O4Ji/view?usp=sharing
GCMS 2nd graders recently read "Balloons over Broadway" and created a balloon parade of their own! Guest commentary by Taylor and Lucy Willis. https://youtu.be/kkIVkgmz0Oc
GCMS Families,
Reminder this is a short week! Today is a normal schedule and tomorrow is a 2:20 dismissal. We hope that everyone has a safe and healthy Thanksgiving Break!
Falcon Proud-
Mr. Darnell