GSD E-Blast November 2023

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We have completed almost two months of school, which means it's time for parent-teacher conferences and report cards. Communication between home and school is critical, and we encourage all parents to be involved in their child's education as much as possible. You can stay connected with your child's progress by checking the MiStar Parent Portal, reviewing report cards or progress reports, and meeting with your child's teacher during conferences. During these meetings, ask your child's teacher for ways to support your child at home and how the school can support them if they are struggling. It's also a good idea to talk to your child about their favorite subjects and activities in school to keep positive conversations about learning going.

To keep up-to-date with all the exciting learning opportunities and events at school, make sure to follow your child's official building's Facebook and X (formally Twitter) accounts.

Your partner in education,

Amy Conway

Superintendent

We have exciting news for all GSD Community!

This summer, the Gibraltar School District Board of Education has approved placing no tax-rate increase bond proposal on the November 7th ballot. Voter approval of the bond proposal will not increase residents' current tax rate.

The $81.5 million no-tax-rate increase bond proposal is designed to improve the learning environment and update the interior and exterior of school buildings.

The bond proposal will allow the school district to make improvements in five key areas:

1. enhancing elementary educational programming;

2. enhancing student safety and security;

3. improving the learning environment;

4. expanding arts, athletics, and play areas; and,

5. addressing aging facility infrastructure and, increasing building efficiencies.

To learn more about the bond proposal, click HERE

Amy Conway- Superintendent

Research shows that being happy and positive primes the brain to be more successful and productive. Promoting positivity will enhance our student’s academic ability and develop them into happy and positive thinkers and leaders. Each month we will highlight a building or staff member that is spreading “The Orange” (Happiness) through Gibraltar!

Under the thoughtful leadership of Ms. Danielle Oubeck, the Hunter Family School Association put together a heartwarming gesture to express gratitude towards the staff and teachers at Hunter. She organized a tasty nacho apple bar, which not only tantalized the taste buds but also spread joy throughout the school. This gesture not only exemplified the community's appreciation for the tireless efforts of the educators but also highlighted the power of simple yet delicious acts of kindness in creating a positive and supportive environment.

It is hard to believe but the fall sports seasons are coming to an end. The Carlson High School football team won its third consecutive and first outright downriver league championship, finishing 8-0 in the league and 8-1 overall. Also, the girls golf team capped its season with a third consecutive trip to team states in Lansing last week. And, not to be outdone, the boys tennis team also returned to the team state finals.

The football team begins its 2nd postseason game at home against Dexter on Friday night, while the swim and volleyball teams begin their post-season runs the first week of November.

CHS Marching Marauders are on a roll! First, they had an amazing performance at the Spectacular Spectacular.

Next up, our Marching Marauders performed at the 3rd Annual Southgate Marching Band Showcase!

They earned:

• 1st Place in their Class A Division
• Caption Awards for:
• Best Marching
• Best Percussion
• Best Color Guard
• Best Musicianship

And they were the Grand Champions of the entire competition, earning the highest score out of ALL of the bands in all ALL the classes.

Finally, they rounded their accomplishments out by making history having the first undefeated season in Mr. Brockington's program history! They had 3 first place standings plus 2 Best in Shows with back to back Downriver FanFare Best in Show wins. What an amazing accomplishment!

Congratulations to Mr. Brockington and all of our Marching Marauders!

The kindergarten class went on an exciting field trip to The Real Life Farm! It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to explore and engage with the science curriculum we have been studying. The children were able to not only witness the wonders of nature firsthand but also participate in various engaging activities.

Our time at the farm was filled with fun! From milking cows to riding horses, their faces lit up with joy at every new experience. They had an absolute blast interacting with the animals, learning about the different chores they do on the farm, and even getting their hands dirty while doing the chores. It was truly a memorable day for all of us! We are so proud of their enthusiasm and curiosity during this educational adventure.

With the help of 25 families, including grade level teaching teams, the Hunter Elementary Family School Association hosted a grand Trunk-or-Treat. This was a sensory friendly event where students from Preschool age through 5th grade could dress in their creative Halloween costume and spend time with their teachers, family and friends. The 25 trunks ranged from Starbucks, Lilo and Stitch, Barbie, Graveyard and Harvest theme. The HFSA and staff are thankful for the solid family turn out and the 70 degree weather. Fall fun was had by all.

At Downriver STEM, we are thrilled to announce the launch of our Peer-to-Peer program for the 23-24 school year, which just kicked off this past month. It was an exciting beginning as our peers and links came together to learn about each other and build meaningful connections.

Throughout the academic year, these dedicated students will embark on a journey of philanthropy and collaboration. They will participate in a wide range of inspiring initiatives, such as crafting cards filled with warmth and compassion for children in hospitals or creating table mats for the elderly residing in nursing homes.

This program is not just about fostering friendships; it's about cultivating a sense of community, kindness, and empathy within our school. We firmly believe that these young individuals will play a pivotal role in creating a happier, more welcoming, understanding, and inclusive environment for all.

We couldn't be prouder of the dedication and spirit demonstrated by these remarkable young people. The future of Downriver STEM is brighter because of their enthusiasm and commitment to making a positive impact. Here's to a year filled with compassion and collaboration!

We are excited to introduce a new fitness program to Shumate that we believe will greatly benefit our students. Beginning this year, we introduced a 7th and 8th grade weight lifting and conditioning class, which will provide our students with an opportunity to improve their physical strength, overall fitness, and develop important lifelong skills. Within this new elective, students have the opportunity to engage in strength training exercises using various pieces of equipment. The class is both educational and practical, with students learning about muscle groups, exercise routines, and nutrition alongside their physical activities. This class aligns with the CHS strength and conditioning class, using the same PLT4M program, which now allows students to chart their data from grades 7-12. It is our aim to promote a healthy lifestyle along with a culture of health and fitness in our school, and we believe this class is a valuable step in that direction.

Our Leadership Club went into action to plan our first community service event of the year by wanting to help local children experience the Halloween spirit. Students reached out to Christy's Legacy of Hope to provide Halloween treat bags for children in foster care. By asking for donations, our club leaders and students created over 50 treat bags filled with a variety of candy, Halloween themed toys and coloring sheets, and created Halloween cards. Thank you to all who donated items and a special thank you to Apple Charlie's Orchards who donated cider and donuts for our students as they made these special, spirited bags. We hope we were able to brighten a child's day with a little Halloween spirit!

We are holding our 11th annual “Fill the Bus'' food drive at the Transportation Building, located at 28291 Fort Street. We will start collecting donations on November 8, 2023 through December 20, 2023. Any donations may be dropped from Monday through Friday, 6:30 am to 4:30 pm.

We will be collecting non-perishable food items and daily essential supplies. All donations go to the Gibraltar Food Pantry. This is an opportunity for our community to come together and help those in need.

We also want to take this time to wish you all Happy Holidays and thank everyone for their support of our mission to feed the hungry in our community.