GCA Weekly Update
11/20/20
Hello Spartans,
I hope this update finds you well. We were fortunate enough to spend the week talking about anti-bullying, suicide awareness, stress, and mental health. We have these tremendous glow-in-the-dark bracelets that say “Kindness starts with ME” and “It’s COOL to be KIND.” The more we talk about kindness, the more I find it is the antithesis to bullying, suicide, mental health issues, and the maker of good days. Today we are celebrating mental health and diversity awareness. During the process of planning, we ended up focusing on one particular group and excluding the others. When we tried to get back to being inclusive, we ended up excluding a group we wanted to include all along. In our effort to be kind to all, we were not kind to some. There are so many things to learn in school - reading, writing, arithmetic, and how to treat others no matter how they look, think, walk, talk, feel, and believe - even for the principal.
I have no concrete information on school closures. I will send out information as soon as I hear something.
Character Strong
We were able to create positive messages on Wednesday. Our legions are so creative. If you would like to see the videos of them, join us on Instagram at spartans_care. Keep working on our dare will be Rose, Bud, Thorn - students are to come up with something meaningful to them right now (Rose). Something that is coming in the future they are excited about (Bud). And something they are struggling with (Thorn). They are to work this into a conversation they have this week to balance the tough stuff with the good stuff. Help them achieve this dare and enjoy some solid conversations with your child about what is important to them. Also, be ready to share your rose, bud, and thorn.
Band Update
As you know our band students have been going through a program that reviews and teaches music theory. It has been beneficial to help them see not only the cleft they normally play in but the other clefts too. The assignments are designed to be completed in the classroom with very minimal homework. For next semester we are currently looking into options and will let you know as soon as there is something definite. I appreciate your patience this semester as this is not the experience we wanted for our students.
Applications for New Students next year.
Applications for the 2021-22 School year is now open. We encourage siblings of current students to get their applications in now.
New Student Informational Meeting - Going Virtual
The Informational meeting for family & friends that might be interested in learning more about the Academy is going virtual. If you shared the flyer with family and friends please let them know we are going a safer route.
PSAT 8/9 Testing Registration
Only 200 slots available for testing
Test Date: Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020 (In Person with Chromebook)
Time: 7:30 am - approx. 11:00 am
Place: GCA Campus
Cost: $13.00
Make all Checks payable to GCA. You are NOT registered until you fill out and turn in a registration form & payment is received.
PSAT Fee and registration form Final DEADLINE –Monday, November 30, 2020
9th Grade Students have precedence when ordering*
9th Grade Priority Registration beginning- November 10-30*
8th Grade Registration- beginning November 23-30
Cash or check payable to GCA. See Mr. Ortman or Mrs. Bhatia in the Cybrary) or pay online with InTouch (Infinite Campus). Your student needs to know your home address for the test. Students are allowed to bring calculators (see allowed calculators in study guide)
This year the test will be given digitally but only in person. Students will bring their charged Chromebooks to school to take the exam. Exams will be given in several sanitized classrooms.
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/psat-8-9-student-guide.pdf
GCA Food Drive
The GCA food drive is coming on November 9th. The Food Bank has shared with us that their supplies are severely depleted this year. We are determined to help fill that need with 2 tons of food (4000 lbs). We are all feeling the effects of COVID, but please help us reach our goal if you have been blessed. This link shares the point system for each item. The need for the food bank develops these points. Thank you for your help.
Parent volunteers are NEEDED
to help with Teacher Appreciation lunches. Please contact Michelle Sorensen ASAP if you’d like to be added to her list of volunteers. You can contact her via email or text.” Mnsorensen000204@gmail.com or 480-789-2195.
GCA Good Things
It looks like Austyn Jones earned All Region Second Team Recognition for Volleyball in our 2A Valley Region! Mia, Lola and Jillian earned Honorable Mentions.
We have a lot of great things coming out of our EPICS Service Learning class. GCA Alumni Ainsley Snyder received a gold award in Girl Scouts (the highest honr) for her GCA garden.
STEM Service Learning had 5 of 8 teams advancing in the science olympiad (ASU EPICS Olympiads). Advancing to Final Round Design Review with ASU School of Engineering
Thursday 11/9
They will prepare a 4 minute pitch with slide deck live presentation
Pump it Up!
Trevor Snyder, Tejas Sharma, Ethan Krueger, Charlotte Varga
2 liter bottles
Sophia Buls, Rylie Tomco, Chavi Coy
Rooftop Catchment
Ayla Young, Madison Ngo, Keely Sorensen, Khushi Parikh
Repair the Reservoir
Lizzie Beistle, Cayden Perry, Keilani Uehara, Ellie Dobbs
Repair & Filter
Chase Guymon, Joy Chen, Erica Jiang, Kyler Kalkman
We will find out next week who won prizes.
GCA PTO Information
GCA PTO is ready for YOU!!! The GCA PTO General Meeting will be held on the third Tuesday, every month, at 6 pm in room 303. We need your support to make our kids' GCA experience a positive and successful one. If you haven't already, please become a GCA PTO member by clicking HERE. As a GCA PTO member, you will be able to vote on how and what the PTO does and how funds are allocated. Get involved! Our GCA kids need you!
We can't wait to see you there and go over all the wonderful things we have planned for this school year!
***Following Gilbert Public Schools COVID-19 guidelines, all that goes on school property must cover their nose and mouth with a mask. You will not be able to attend the GCA PTO meeting if you are not wearing a mask.
Counseling Updates:
Here are the High School Grade Level Presentations delivered to students covering the college preparation curriculum through counseling.
9th Grade - Class of 2024
10th Grade - Class of 2023
11th Grade - Class of 2022
12th Grade - Class of 2021
Tutoring is underway. There have been some technical glitches, and those are being worked out as we encounter them. It is essential if your student has had a problem to make counseling aware so we can help fix the problem. Email Mrs. Raunig
Tutee Sign Up Form- Need Tips and help use this one.
Tutor Sign Up Form - Want to help others use this one.
Resources: Need help, try this link for the main site to several local organizations.
Community Information and Referral Services
Mental Health Counselor
The importance of getting adequate sleep for teens has never been greater. Inadequate sleep in teens had been linked to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression and lower cognitive ability. This can be a challenging area for parents who may feel limited in their ability to influence this part of their teen’s life. This week’s article directly talks about this issue and provides some tips that may be helpful.
Our mental health counselor, Nicoleta Alfaro, may be reached at nicoleta.alfaro@gilbertschools.net.
Stay Safe,
Follow us
Website: https://www.gilbertschools.net/Domain/39
Location: 1016 North Burk Street, Gilbert, AZ, USA
Phone: 480-497-4034
Facebook: facebook.com/spartans_care
Twitter: @SpartansGCA