GCCSD News and Updates - March 2023

Dear Gates Chili School Community,

We have entered March and are continuously proud of the work being done throughout our district to connect students with meaningful learning and opportunities. This week is also National Public Schools Week. We celebrate our public schools every day in many ways.

This month, in addition to celebrating the contributions of women during Women's History Month, the arts will take centerstage during Music in Our Schools Month. There will be many opportunities this month to enjoy musical and theatrical performances by our students in our new state-of-the-art Gates Chili Performing Arts Center. Take a look at the upcoming events below or check the calendar on our district website for a full listing.

Many Gates Chili student-athletes are also sharing the spotlight this month. In addition to Boys Bowling being crowned champions (see photo below), our Competitive Cheer and Indoor Track and Field teams are both headed to their respective state competitions this weekend! Cheer athletes will compete against other cheer teams from around the state in Binghamton, while our track and field athletes will compete in Staten Island. We wish both teams of Spartans the best of luck in their respective contests.

A final reminder that next Friday, March 10 is Superintendent's Conference Day so there will be no school for students.

Go Spartans!

Christopher Dailey

Superintendent of Schools

@GatesChiliSuper

More than 800 families completed the second year of our Family Communication and Satisfaction Survey last month! This represents about 35% of our Gates Chili families. The data from this survey will be used to inform important district- and building-level decisions and highlight opportunities for growth or improvement.

A brief snapshot of the data shows:

• 65+ different countries or territories make up the cultural heritage of our district!
• Emails and text messages are again the most popular forms of communication among families.
• Common themes from some comments include that GC families like the variety of platforms for communication and feel mostly well-informed.
• Some families also shared that there was some inconsistency in communication, which is something the district is working to address.

The Athletic and Counseling departments are collaborating to host an NCAA Eligibility Information Night tonight, March 1 from 6-8 p.m. in the GCPAC. Attendees will learn about important academic requirements for student-athletes who may want to pursue NCAA athletics in the future.

The presentation will include the 16 core courses to be eligible for D1 and D2 athletics, GPA requirements, number of scholarships by programs in college and advantages to academic success and academic scholarships. There will also be a panel of college athletes and coaches will discuss their experiences.

Gates Chili High School Musical Theatre proudly presents Disney's High School Musical this spring! The cast of students (and staff!) will put on three performances in the Gates Chili Performing Arts Center (GCPAC), in their first public performance since the GCPAC opened last spring:

• Friday, March 24 at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, March 25 at 7 p.m.
• Sunday, March 26 at 1 p.m.

Tickets are $13. Click the button below or go to gateschili.org/tickets to purchase tickets in advance.

The Gates Chili School District is looking forward to its ninth year of participation in New York’s Statewide Universal Full Day Prekindergarten Program (UPK). Prekindergarten programs are available at no cost to families who reside within the Gates Chili School District. Children who will be 4 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2023 are eligible to participate. Children who are age-eligible to attend kindergarten in the 2023-24 school year are not eligible to participate in this program.

To be considered, complete the online application available by Monday, March 6 at 3 p.m.

All applicants will receive a link to watch the virtual lottery, which will take place on Wednesday, March 8. Click the button below or go to gateschili.org/UPK for more information or to complete an application.

Budget season is well underway! The budgeting process begins in October each year. Development continues through mid-April after New York State finalizes its budget.

In February, the district hosted its first of two Budget Ambassador workshops. Budget ambassadors were presented with more than 80 slides of information about the district's expenses and how those expenses factor into the proposed budget for next school year. Later this month, the group will learn about the district's sources of revenue and how state aid and property taxes play a role.

District residents will vote on the proposed budget and candidates running for the Board of Education on Tuesday, May 16 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Gates Chili Field House.

The district is now accepting petitions for Board of Education candidates. Four (4) seats on the Gates Chili Board of Education are open for election this year:

• Three (3) seats with terms beginning July 1, 2023 and expiring June 30, 2026
• One (1) seat with a term beginning May 17, 2023 and expiring June 30, 2024

Updates on the proposed budget will be available at gateschili.org/budget.

• March 1: NCAA Eligibility Information Night, GCPAC, 6 p.m.
• March 2: FB Brasser's Got Talent, FB Gymnasium, 6:30-8 p.m.
• March 2: HS Gr. 10-11 Student and Parent Night, GCHS, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  
• March 3: MS Talent Show, GCPAC, 6:30 p.m.
• March 6: MIOSM Instrumental Concert, GCPAC, 7 p.m.
  
• March 7: Saakumu Dance Troupe Concert, GCPAC, 7 p.m.
• March 8: UPK Lottery, Virtual, 9:30 a.m.
• March 10: Superintendent's Conference Day - No School for Students
• March 14: Board of Education Meeting, GCPLC, 6:30 p.m.
• March 24-25: HS Musical, GCPAC, 7 p.m.
• March 26: HS Musical, GCPAC, 1 p.m.
• March 28: Board of Education Meeting, GCPLC, 6:30 p.m.
• March 29: MIOSM Choral Concert, GCPAC, 7 p.m.
• March 30: MS Art Show, GCMS, 5:30 p.m.
• March 31: #GCPride Day

Always check the district's online calendar for the most up-to-date dates, times and locations for events.

The Gates Chili Food Pantry is open today! The food pantry, supported in partnership with Gates Chili Community Connections, is located at Gates Chili High School and will be open on Wednesdays from 3-4:30 p.m. or by appointment. Families in need of this resource should come to Gates Chili High School and enter through door #1 (the main entrance near the bus loop).

If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to Angelina Pound at appound@gateschili.org.

Job ID 817: Elementary Special Education Teacher (anticipated 2023-24)

Job ID 703: Technology Teacher

Job ID 810: World Languages Spanish Teacher (2023-24)

Job ID 725: Cleaner

Job ID 814: Custodian

Job ID 789: Lifeguard

Job ID 816: Office Clerk II

Job ID 747: Teacher Aide - School Aide

Job ID 728: Hall Monitor/Cafeteria Monitor (Part-time)

Job ID 750: Bus Attendant

Job ID 749: Bus Driver

Job ID 723: Substitute Support Staff

Job ID 724: Substitute Teacher*

*This school year, the Gates Chili Board of Education approved new,
increased rates for instructional substitutes. Click here for details.