GCA Weekly Update
1/27/2023
ESPN at Senior Night
Seniors in the Basketball Program
Puppy Therapy Needed
Hello Spartan Community,
We had a fantastic day yesterday with a group of 65 sixth graders from around the district. The students came to visit, see classes, meet students, and experience lunchtime. Our ambassadors did an amazing job getting to know our new students, showing them around, answering questions, and ensuring they were involved in lunch activities. Our students and teachers were great in their interactions and in helping the students feel welcome. I am so encouraged to be part of a place that shows visitors a great time and sends them out feeling better than when they arrived. Well done Spartans.
Senior Night for Soccer Tonight - Our top 10 ranked soccer teams are playing tonight and celebrating senior night. Please come out and watch their excellent play and cheer for the seniors who have dedicated blood, sweat, and tears to their respective programs. The boys play at 3:30 pm. Girls play at 5:30 pm.
How Can a Parent Help the School
We need parents to help with Armageddon. Please put March 9th and/or 10th in your calendar to help at the school and enjoy a fun day(s) with our students. I will send out a sign-up in the next few weeks.
Reminder: Parents must call in within 24 hours to excuse your student's absence.
Visitation Day Group
Chillin During Level Up
On a Scavenger Hunt
Getting to know Each Other
Maker Space Fun
Level Up Barely Fit on Stage
2nd Semester Fees
The fees for second-semester classes have been added to accounts. Please go into the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to check for those fees.
Saturday Tutoring
GCA Peer Tutoring Club
If you know a student who needs additional help in classes, have them fill out the form below to find a tutor. Also, if you have any questions, please email the club President oavollan@gilbertschools.net.
Link to Form: https://forms.gle/3dD4BiDJna1nXyQq6
Private Tutoring
Ben Ash is a GCA Alumni who is looking to help students for a fee. Ben has experience tutoring GCA students while he was a student and is now looking to use that experience to help current GCA students. If you are interested in Ben’s services and want more information please email him.Roses
The Gardening Club is selling roses to be delivered on Valentine’s Day. Go to the link below to order roses. On the form below, we are also selling tickets for $0.50 to win a succulent plant. You can also find them on the stage at lunch.
Here is the link to the google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeD4brwwFPTiTNH7fLuog6bITvEqJeJw6BniYXLfx7U34QDQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
Science Fair Judges - We can still use more judges.
The 2023 GCA Science and Engineering Fair is on Friday, February 17th. We need about 25 judges
willing to review and rate these fantastic projects. Judges need to have a college degree and be at
school from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. Lunch will be provided. If you are interested, please contact Vanessa Ameziane at Vanessa.waiteameziane@gilbertschools.net. She is on leave next week so be patient for her reply. Thank you in advance for your support.
GCA Music News
Important Dates this Quarter:
Fri/Sat 1/27-28: Regional auditions for all those signed up
Th/Fri 2/9-10: Jazz/Madrigal Festival (overnight) for Advanced Vocal
Wednesday 2/15: Guitar Area Concert Festival during the day
Band Concert- Thursday, February 16th, 7 pm at MJHS
Friday 2/24: Junior High Band Festival during the school day
Orchestra Concert- Tuesday, February 28th, 7 pm at MJHS
Monday 3/6: Area Concert Festival for Symphonic Strings, Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Band during the day
Choir Concert- Monday, March 6th, 7 pm at MJHS
Tuesday 3/7: JH Area Concert Festival for Sinfonia during the day
Good luck to all our students auditioning for regional honor ensembles this weekend. We are proud of your hard work and dedication to music!
Congratulations to 7th graders Steve W and Maddie V on their participation in the GPS Junior High Honor Orchestra last weekend. We are proud of you both!
HAWAII UPDATES: Flight information and the rooming list is now available in the Hawaii Google Drive folder. More information and documents will be added to this folder across the next several weeks! Final, added payments ($76/student) have been updated on the portal with a due date of February 10th. Please email your music teacher with any further questions.
GCA Good Things
Congratulations to 7th grader Asha Weiden on taking 2nd place in the GPS District Oratorical Contest. Asha will move on to the state-level competition next month.
Well done, Raania Khan, for representing GCA in the district spelling bee. We are proud of your hard work and dedication.
Braden Polley was accepted to Barrett Honors College.
Athletic News
As the High school winter season winds down. Our soccer teams are in position to make a run in the state tournament. Come see them at home tonight 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm.
Our basketball programs are playing for a spot in the state tournament. They could use some support tonight as they take on San Tan Charter at San Tan Charter. Go Spartans!
GCA Counseling Corner
Pier O’Brien, pier.obrien@gilbertschools.net A-L
Kathy Diggs, kathleen.diggs@gilbertschools.net M-Z
2023 NACAC College Fairs - Virtual Only for Phoenix
NACAC’s upcoming series of Virtual College Fairs kicks off on Feb. 19! We are excited to support these events, which allow students and families to connect with college representatives, learn about the admissions process, and discover financial aid and scholarship opportunities. These sessions support all students, including seniors who may still be weighing their college options.
The upcoming NACAC Spring events are scheduled for the following dates:
Virtual Fair: Register at the links below
Junior Service Learning College Application Lessons are now complete. Junior one-on-one conferences begin next week with the counseling Department.
Please ask your junior student about the lessons and what they learned.
The Lessons:
Lesson 1 - Academic Resume (assigned homework)
Lesson 2 - Personal Essay (assigned homework)
Lesson 3 - College Application Process (next steps, deadlines, transcripts)
Lesson 4 - How to fill out the Common Application and Why
Lesson 5 - Scholarships and Where to Find Them
Lesson 6 - FAFSA - Why and When to Apply
The Counseling Department will review the lessons at the beginning of senior year.
FAFSA Opened on Oct. 1, 2022
Tips for filling out the form: https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out
Most colleges will ask for the FAFSA to be filled out.
https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Here is an example of what many schools do to make paying for college more affordable. It is a Grants, Not Loans, movement. https://www.princeton.edu/admission-aid/affordable-all
A Resource for most things High School and applying to College. Some things are slightly different for GCA as we do things differently from the rest of the district. One example is that GCA does not offer Dual Enrollment courses, IB (International Baccalaureate Program), or CTE (Career and Technical Education) courses. Check the site out when you have questions.
FREE Junior ACT College Entrance Exam takes place on GCA’s campus for all GCA Juniors. Your student is registered and only needs to appear for the exam Apr 4, 2023 at 7:30 am.
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.
Make it a great weekend,
Dan Hood Ed.D.
Principal
Gilbert Classical Academy