GCA Weekly Update
5/20/22
Hello Spartan Community,
As we end another school year, we get to wind down a little as we gear up for next year. We did our yearly calendar meeting yesterday afternoon. While we do that process, we look back on what and when we did activities this year. We have done a ton of great things this year. To me, some of the first semester items on our calendar feel like they were two years ago. It has been a tough, rewarding, challenging, and beneficial year. There were times we needed to push ourselves, and now there are great things to celebrate.
Every year students ponder whether they should find an easier path. We often hear, “is it worth it” to stay at GCA and deal with the rigor. Every year I talk to alumni who say, “yes, it was.” GCA is the training period for the marathon of life as it is hard to train to do well in a marathon, as it is hard to train to do well in the marathon of life. We are designed to help kids thrive in college and beyond, and I am proud of the job we do. To answer the question, “is it worth it.” Remember, this perspective comes from someone who just put themself through the rigors of obtaining a doctorate in Education Administration and focused on College Readiness. I asked myself if it was worth it many times. I can tell you pushing yourself through an arduous process of learning and improving yourself is always worth it. My advice to everyone is to look for and embrace every challenge because that is when you grow the most.
Important Items for the End of the School Year
Bring in gently used uniforms that have become too small and get a ticket to dress down the last two school days. For seniors, it means Monday and Tuesday. For other students, it is Wednesday and Thursday. All used uniforms go into the PTO Uniform closet to raise money for PTO.
Friday, 5/20/22 - Pops Concert - See the information below in GCA Music News.
Sunday, 5/22/22, 1 pm, at MJHS - Baccalaureate for our graduating seniors.
Monday, 5/23/22 - Finals for seniors (see the link below for the final schedule)
Tuesday 5/24/22 - Finals for all students (see the link below for the final schedule)
Wednesday 5/25/22 - Early Dismissal 11:20 am. - Finals for 7 - 11 grade students (see the link below for the final schedule)
6:30 pm, Gilbert High School Auditorium, Spartan Graduation for the class of 2022.
Thursday 5/26/22 - Early Dismissal 11:20 am - Finals for 7 - 11 grade students (see the link below for final schedule)
Spring 2022 Final Exam Schedule
Please notice school releases at 11:20 am on Wednesday and Thursday. Please make arrangements for students to be off-campus by noon. Thank you.
Saturday Latin Tutoring
Last chance for this school year to bring $5 to Ms. Vincent’s room on Saturday between 8 and 11 am and get all the Latin tutoring you need.
GCA Music News
Congratulations to our Spartan bands on a fantastic end-of-year concert last Friday. All the groups sounded amazing, and there was an outstanding senior feature and a wonderful send-off to Mrs. Kalo.
"Road Trip" Choir Pops Concert- TONIGHT at 7 pm and TOMORROW at 3 pm @ MJHS. Tickets are $5 for ages 12 to adult. Free for children up to 11!
ALL concert uniforms are DUE NOW. Please be sure to dry clean and return your uniform to your music teacher on Monday.
All parents of students who will be in Chorale, Symphonic Strings, or Wind Ensemble next year should visit tinyurl.com/gcamusictrip23 for details about next year's music tour. A "parent meeting" video and registration code are now available. You all should have received an email earlier this week with this information. Please email Mrs. Joslin at rebecca.joslin@gilbertschools.net if you have any questions.
Sunday, May 22- Advanced Vocal to sing at Baccalaureate @MJHS, call time at 12 pm
Monday, May 23- Music Department end-of-year celebration. ALL music students are invited. The celebration begins with snacks and socializing at 2:30 pm, and the awards portion will begin and be live-streamed at 3:15. The link will be sent out through email earlier that day.
Wednesday, May 25- Symphony Orchestra (members of Symphonic Strings and Wind Ensemble) to play at Commencement @GHS, call time at 5:30 pm
Final Exam Tutoring and Study Groups
Look for information in a separate email.
GCA Good Things
Noah Scilley earned 2A All-Conference- Honorable Mention as Pitcher
Astha Dedakiya Story. Enjoy this story.
Counseling Corner
Please welcome our new GCA Academic Counselor, Erica Shumaker. Erica will be taking care of the students whose last names fall under the following.
7th grade M-Z
8th/9th-grade L-Z
10th grade M-Z
11th-grade K-Z
12th-grade L-Z
Erica is excited to be joining us at GCA. She has years of experience in education as a school and college counselor and former English teacher. She is new to the Gilbert area and enjoying discovering new places to hang out with her family and dog, Penny. Students, stop by the office in the next few weeks and say hello. You can also email Erica at Erica.Shumaker@gilbertschools..net.
Mental Health Counselor
If you are concerned about your child’s mental health or need family support, please don’t hesitate to contact me at nicoleta.alfaro@gilbertschools.net.
Expect Greater Things,
Dan Hood Ed.D.
Principal
Gilbert Classical Academy