Reminder to MS Track parents that our annual parent meeting will take place at 5PM today (Fri. 3/15) in the MS Cafeteria. The coaches will discuss season expectations and answer questions. The meeting should take around 15 min. We hope to see as many as possible this evening!
GCMS Elementary School will host our annual OPEN HOUSE on Thursday, April 25th from 5:00-6:30. Thanks!
Mr. Kean
Our own Girls Basketball coach Ross Hardin has been nominated for IBCA coach of the year! The banquet will be held on Saturday May 4. Congratulations to coach Hardin on this well deserved honor!
Happy Pi Day! Mrs. Hay's Pre-Albegra class designed pie crusts that Mrs. Young's Baking Essentials class brought to life. What a delicious collaboration!
GCMS Middle School has been designated as an Illinois Horizon School to Watch by the Association of Illinois Middle Grade Schools! In June we will be honored as a National School to Watch by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle School Excellence in Washington D.C. A School to Watch is one that shows excellence in the following areas; Academic Excellence, Social Equity, Developmental Responsiveness, and Organizational Structures. It's a great day to be a Falcon!
Good Afternoon Middle Families! Please be aware that all middle school students will be taking the required state IAR tests on April 8th-April 12th from 8:20-9:50 A.M. Additionally, 8th grade students will take the ISA test all day on April 19th. If possible, please try to avoid scheduling appointments during this time. We appreciate your assistance and flexibility during testing!
Freshmen and Sophomore Parents,
GCMS High School will be administering the PSAT 9 and PSAT 10 to all freshmen and sophomores on Thursday, April 11. All testing will be conducted on a digital platform this year.
Please make every effort to have your student in attendance the day of testing and avoid appointments or absences if possible.
Please reach out with any questions.
Sincerely,
Mr. Bielfeldt
Junior Parents,
GCMS High School will be administering the SAT to all juniors on Thursday, April 11. Completion of the SAT is a necessary requirement for graduation. All juniors will be testing in the high school gym that day on a digital platform this year.
Upon the completion of the test by all students, juniors will be allowed to leave school for the day. We will have an Avanti’s gondola and a bag of chips for the students to take as they leave the school.
Please make every effort to have your student in attendance the day of testing and avoid appointments and absences if possible.
Please reach out with any questions.
Sincerely,
Mr. Bielfeldt
Senior Parents,
GCMS High School will be taking the PSAT/SAT tests on Thursday, April 11. Seniors are not required to be in school that day. This day can be used by seniors for college visits, job shadowing, etc.
Parkland College is offering a Senior Day for any students planning to attend Parkland after high school on April 11. During this event, from 9 am to 1 pm, students will be able complete assessment testing (if needed), learn how to access Parkland’s digital services such as email and Cobra learning platform, meet with an Academic Advisor, register for classes, and take a tour of campus. Mr. Carter has sent an email to all senior students with detailed instructions on signing up for this opportunity. If you have any questions regarding the Parkland Senior Day, please contact Mr. Carter.
Please reach out with any questions.
Sincerely,
Mr. Bielfeldt
The latest edition of the GCMS Middle School Newspaper is now available! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mJ1V0z63OjYWKqDdFvju3iRqLcl6zGii/view?usp=sharing
There's stil time to sign up for our Family-Daughter book club for students in grades 4-7! The group will be reading Finally Heard by Kelly Yang. If you are interested in joining and would like to learn more, fill out our form at https://forms.gle/DHerYadcmWd4nNVEA Deadline for signup is March 13.
GCMS Families and Community,
We are just one week away from the March 19th Primary Election that will include two different questions to increase the sales tax for Gibson City residents (1%), and Ford County residents (1%). Those that live in Gibson City, should both pass, would see a 2% increase in the sales tax. The current tax rate is 6.25% compared to 9% in Champaign /Urbana, 8.75% in Bloomington /Normal, and 8.55% state wide average.
The School County Facilities Sales Tax would generate over $1,000,000 for the three school districts in Ford County that can only be used for facilities, mental health professionals, or school resource officers. GCMS would see a new revenue source that would generate over $500,000 per year.
The Gibson City sales tax would generate over $600,000 and can be used for infrastructure improvements and maintenance including drainage, water systems, and the community pool.
Both of these revenues would be placed into the controls of the elected officials to prioritize needs, wants, and the effect of the new revenues on current tax rates.
The cost of doing business for schools and municipalities is ever growing and alternative revenue sources need to be considered to offset the other sources (property taxes) of revenue and ensure the quality that our community expects.
I encourage everyone to educate themselves and cast an informed vote. I will gladly answer any questions. Darnell.jeremy@gcmsk12.org or (217)784-8797. You can also post general questions on the social media outlets and I will respond when available.
Thank you for always supporting GCMS, our staff, and most importantly the children we serve!
Falcon Proud,
Mr. Darnell
A reminder that boys basketball intramurals will meet after school on Tue. 3/12 from 3:30-5:00 at the Middle School. 5th graders who plan to attend should ride a bus from the Elem. to the MS to participate.
There's still one more chance to see the show! Catch Me If You Can tonight at 7:00PM in the GCMS High School Gymnasium. Tickets available at the door.
Parents, on Friday, March 15th we will be having our GCMS Postsecondary Exploration Day, which will include a college/career fair and various breakout sessions for students to interact with college, military, business, and trade representatives as they plan for opportunities after graduation. A list of the reps being offered is linked below. If you have any questions please reach out Mr. Carter. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mo2Wj75Np6NFLEPBd8NiOB8p5l1K3zf69ls3Q5Yj5ZE/edit?usp=sharing
DON'T FORGET!!!
11:30 dismissal today, March 8
Our very own Mrs. Petersen is a published author! Today Mrs. P shared her book Peanut Butter Shampoo with Elementary School students.
Congratulations to Ryland Holt ('19) for his selection as Defensive Player of the Year and a first team All Lonestar Conference selection for West Texas A&M. The Buffs are ranked #1 in NCAA DII. Best wishes in the post season! #5 makes us #FalconProud!
GCMS is hosting a Family-Daughter book club for student in grades 4-7! The group will be reading Finally Heard by Kelly Yang. If you are interested in joining and would like to learn more, fill out our form at https://forms.gle/DHerYadcmWd4nNVEA Deadline for signup is March 13.
GCMS Middle School Cheerleading will be hosting Spring Clinics in March! Info packets are available in the ES and MS Offices. Contact Coach Willis with any questions at willis.joanna@gcmk12.org.
