Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley CUSD #5

In our latest BUG Video something strange happens at recess that forces students to look at things from a new perspective! https://youtu.be/ejc4x8p2BPM

With today's cancellation we are shifting our school menus for the week. Tuesday's menu has been shifted to Thursday, and Thursday's has been shifted to Friday. You can see updated menus on the Dining tab on our app or at https://www.gcmsk12.org/o/gcms/dining

GCMS Families, NO SCHOOL TODAY! Tuesday, January 26th. Due to dangerous rural travel conditions students will not have school today. All activities and practices are cancelled. Please stay safe, and we look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday! Sincerely, Mr. Darnell

Attention Middle School Parents - ALL after school practices for today (1/25) have been CANCELLED. ALL practices scheduled for tomorrow morning have been CANCELLED as well. We will have the scheduled practices after school tomorrow (1/26) pending student attendance. We ask that all basketball and volleyball players check their teams Google Classrooms for more information. Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Bielfeldt

Ford County Moves to Phase 1B in the Vaccination Plan: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RcEN9KBYMkj5mB__IN1P04jzZFK2-Gux/view?usp=sharing

MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYERS!- be sure to check your basketball Google Classroom today for an important message from the coaches!

Families, I want to be transparent and honest as we continue to navigate the challenges of the 2020-2021 school year. Yesterday, in typical Friday fashion we, educators, were thrown another curve without warning that is both great news and incredibly challenging. We, GCMS, will take on those challenges trying to maximize opportunities for the children we serve. The challenges include managing the expectations of the governing bodies which include IHSA, IESA, HOIC conference, Twin County conference, IDPH, and FCPH. These organization pass down universal rules / recommendations and we have to figure out what we can do and how we can manage those demands with our facilities, offerings, and staff. What sports will be played and when is not as simple as getting a season start and end date and moving forward. First, students-athletes could participate in multiple activities that either run simultaneously or have overlap creating both individual choice and potential team challenges for numbers. Second, we have to be able to provide safe appropriate facilities to engage. In a typical year our activities are spread out and gym or field space is a challenge. Compressing all activities into a narrow timeline could limit how often or what we can offer. We are fortunate to have dedicated coaches that often coach multiple sports, but they cannot be in two places at once when seasons overlap or run simultaneous. Officials will be in high demand, and have been scarce for years. Our athletic directors have a great group of officials but booking will be hard because of demand. Finally, transportation is required and we have a great crew, but limited numbers of buses and drivers for extra routes and events. I share these challenges with you to garner understanding for whatever decisions we make in the coming days. We ALL want our kids to be provided opportunities to do the things they love and we will do all we can to make that happen. Like all things in 2020-2021 what we decide will not be the same as the district down the road because our circumstance is different. We look forward to managing this unique circumstance and preparing for a fresh start to 2021-2022 this summer! If you have questions, concerns, frustrations, or celebrations please share those in a constructive and productive way and we can work together to serve our children. Darnell.jeremy@gcmsk12.org Thank you for supporting GCMS! Sincerely, Mr. Darnell

Stay Tuned!!! In 7 days we went from Tier 3 to Phase 4 and IDPH changed the sports regulations in Phase 4 without warning. The GREAT news is we can provide opportunities for kids to engage with extra curricular activities! Please be patient as we navigate what that will look like for GCMS. IHSA (high school) will be making some season decisions this coming Wednesday and IESA (middle school) has provided guidance that we will consider. There are many logistical challenges we will tackle and plans will be shared once we have more clarity. Thanks for your patience and understanding. Sincerely, Mr. Darnell

GCMS Elementary School yearbooks are now on sale. You can order online at https://bit.ly/3pbWv9Y or fill out a form and return it to the school (Students will be bringing forms home.) If you are wanting your student's name printed on the book, the deadline is NEXT Friday (1/29). If you don't want a name printed on the book, you have until February 19 to place your order.

GCMS Middle School Yearbooks are now on sale until February 22. You can order online at http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A01863510 or fill out and return the form below.

Families, I am happy to report we have had just one positive case from Thursday, January 14th through today January 20th. That case was at the elementary school and all who were directly impacted have been notified. We look forward to having all three buildings up and running on Monday, January 25th. We are also working on planning for extra curricular activities to begin within allowable parameters on Monday. Thank you for your attention and support! Sincerely, Jeremy Darnell Superintendent

Families, I wanted to share this reminder of the State's All Sports Guidance. GCMS will creating a plan to engage with kids for sports and activities starting on January 25th. Please know that we will have to continue to evolve as new information / determinations are handed down from our governing bodies. We are excited to work to provide these positive outlets to our kids! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JZCmIgTaUxynpBSojnTgNjg5EiIFDPvJ/view?usp=sharing Sincerely, Jeremy Darnell

Attention parents of all 2nd semester Drivers Ed students. Here is a recording of last night's parent meeting in case you were unable to attend it live: https://youtu.be/Dd3VKpg37TI

GCMS is looking for a full time 2nd shift (2:30pm-11:00pm) custodian. Wages start at $15.00/hr. Apply in person at the Unit Office or online using this link: https://www.applitrack.com/roe9/onlineapp/JobPostings/view.asp?FromAdmin=true&AppliTrackJobId=16680

Please click the link below for the updated Middle School Remote Learning Schedule. This schedule will be used for Friday, January 15 through Friday, January 22. There is no student engagement on Monday, January 18 in observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VuHyH7-4ayYk7xOcBIk4OopwiJ2SzziNxl-vMJHbDkk/edit?usp=sharing

Families, I am sorry to inform you that GCMS will be moving our Middle School and High School to full remote learning starting Friday, January 15 through Friday, January 22 and returning to in person learning on Monday, January 25th. GCMS Elementary School will continue in person learning. Students are being informed this afternoon in order to be prepared at home for remote instructional days on January 15, 19, 21, 22. You will receive reminders of the remote learning schedules from your child's respective schools. These closures are happening due a combination of circumstance including shortages of staff and significant numbers of quarantined students. By closing these two buildings for this duration of time we are creating 10 days of separation while only losing 4 days of in person instruction for our oldest students, while still serving our youngest students in a safe manner. It is imperative that students engage during their remote learning opportunities to ensure a continuation of learning. It is equally as imperative that we use this time to limit health risks so that we can return on January 25th. We will continue to make decisions based on current circumstance and inform you as quickly as we can knowing that these decisions challenge everyone involved. Thank you for your continued patience and attention. Sincerely, Jeremy Darnell Superintendent

Congratulations to GCMS Middle School December Students of the Month. 6th grade Lane Elder, 7th Grade Alyssa Morgan, 8th Grade Gaines Parsons. Great job!!!

We need to switch the lunch menus at the ES for Mon and Tues. Mon will be: Rib Sandwich, Mixed Vegetables, Apples. Tues will be: Pizza Boat, Mixed Greens w/Dressing, and Fruit Cocktail

The IESA gave some clarification on mitigation measures for sports moving forward. Please view the link to see what they have stated. https://www.iesa.org/news/2020-2021/COVID_1-7-21.asp

Tomorrow (Jan. 5) was supposed to be the day we were to begin basketball tryouts/practice but all of that is going to be put on hold for now. IESA has announced that we have to remain in the same situation we were in before break, with no practices or activities. So, for the time being, we won't be able to get started. Therefore, there will not be any basketball activities after school tomorrow or until we get permission to start. We are looking for ways to offer workouts on a voluntary basis, but those would need to be approved by public health. Even with that approval, the best we can hope for in the near future is perhaps something to begin after Martin Luther King Day (Jan. 18). I know this is disappointing news, but as we've always tried to do, we need to stay positive and keep our hopes up that we'll be able to have a competitive season. I'm confident that at some point we'll be able to do something, we just don't know what that will be. We're kind of in limbo until IESA gives the OK to proceed. In the meantime, start checking our classroom for drills and ideas to keep you in basketball shape, physically and mentally. Please let me know if you have any questions and keep your heads up- we'll get through this. Mr. Bielfledt Mr. Berry