Mustang News - February 13, 2026
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Mustang News: February 13, 2026
From the Principal's Desk
Wow. I am so proud of our students and staff and the way they navigated the events of this past week. It is during times like this that we truly see how strong and caring our community is and how we show up to take care of one another.
Congratulations to the GMS students who were selected to perform in the Fort Lewis Honor Band last weekend! We are proud of your hard work and representation of our school. Wrestling also began this week, and we are excited to see such a fantastic turnout as the season gets underway.
We invite families to join us for our GMS Substance Use Prevention Night on February 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. This type of learning and collaboration is one of the most proactive ways we can support our students, and we value the opportunity to partner with families around this important topic. If you plan on attending please RSVP at this link by Feb. 23 - CLICK HERE - Dinner is provided! See the parent info section for more details.
Thank you to our PTA for hosting the Valentine’s Dance tonight. We appreciate the time and care that goes into creating these positive experiences for our students.
A reminder that there is no school on Monday and Tuesday of next week. We look forward to welcoming students back into the building on Wednesday.
Lance Betts
Principal
Gunnison Middle School
Join the GCS Team!
We're hiring! Multiple positions available. See full job descriptions here.
Mustang Moments
January Students of the Month
(back row left to right): Gabriel Woytek, Ethan Lopez, Grey Froymeyer, Efren Rosales, Eilohwy Cantu, Iris Lee, Bella Fish (bottom row); Emmajean Stanley-Kaichen, Calvin Messner, Reese Schartz, Sadie Swift (missing from photo: Luis Vasquez de la Pena)
February 13: GMS Valentines Day Dance 6:30-8:30
February 16-17: No School
February 27: Substance Use Presentations and Movie Night
March 4 and 11: Parent Teacher Conferences
March 16-20: Spring Break
April 7-15: CMAS Assessments
Save the dates for GMS Summer Experience 2026!
Session 1: June 8-25, Mondays-Thursdays, 8:00-12:00am
Session 2: July 6-23, Mondays-Thursdays, 8:00-12:00am
More information to come!
Next Weeks Bell Schedule:
Monday: A
Tuesday: A
Wednesday: E
Thursday: O
Friday: A
Next week for lunch...
Hi Mustang Families,
In today's counselor corner, I wanted to share an article from Parent Guidance's February newsletter titled "Friendship Skills: Teaching Your Child How to Make and Maintain Healthy Friendships."
Friendship skills are key to your child’s social and emotional well-being. Positive friendships offer support, companionship, and opportunities for growth. Research shows that kids with strong social ties enjoy better mental health, higher self-esteem, and improved academic success. Parents play a vital role in guiding and encouraging healthy connections.
Teaching and Encouraging Friendship Skills:
Model healthy friendships: Show your child how to be a good friend by practicing empathy, respect, and communication in your own relationships.
Encourage social interactions: Give your child opportunities to interact with peers through playdates, clubs, or community events to build social skills.
Teach empathy and understanding: Help your child understand others’ feelings and perspectives to form deeper, more caring friendships.
Promote active listening: Teach your child to listen carefully, make eye contact, and show interest to better understand and support their friends.
Resolve conflicts peacefully: Show your child how to express feelings, listen to others, and find fair solutions when disagreements arise.
Develop social skills: Help your child learn how to start conversations, join groups activities, and respect boundaries through practice and role-play.
The Importance of Healthy Friendships:
Research shows healthy friendships benefit children’s well-being. Here are some key findings:
A Journal of School Psychology study found that children with strong friendships have a higher sense of belonging and life satisfaction.
Research from the University of Illinois shows children with healthy friendships have better emotional intelligence and do better in school.
The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that strong friendships help improve mental health and lower the risk of anxiety and depression.
A University of Virginia study found that kids with close friends tend to have better physical and mental health later in life.
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found that positive peer relationships boost self-esteem and reduce risky behaviors.
The University of Cambridge found that strong friendships help children build resilience and cope better with stress and adversity.
Encouraging your child to develop healthy friendships not only enhances their current happiness and well-being but also equips them with important skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. Remember, building and maintaining friendships is a lifelong process, and your guidance and support play a crucial role in your child’s social development. By nurturing their social skills and fostering a positive and inclusive environment, you provide them with the tools they need to navigate and cherish meaningful relationships.
Mustang Athletics
Wrestling season completed the first week of practice with
about 50 boys and girls participating! Competition gets underway
on February 27 and 28.
Wrestling parents! Hoody orders are due next Wednesday, 2/18
to Mrs. Nordberg.
Athletic fees are due ($25 deposit, minimum) in order to participate
in tournaments.
Questions? Contact Mary Nordberg, Athletics Coordinator.
GMS Substance Use Prevention Night: Friday, February 27, 6:30-8:30pm
GMS is collaborating with the Gunnison Police Department and the Gunnison County Substance Abuse Prevention Project (GCSAPP) to host two substance use prevention presentations for our students and parents/guardians on Friday, February 27th at 6:30pm. Presentations for 7th and 8th graders will take place during the school day and a parent/guardian presentation will take place that evening at 6:30pm at Gunnison Middle School.
Dinner will be provided for parents. While parents/guardians are participating in the substance use presentation, students and siblings can enjoy a movie and concessions in the GCS Commons.
RSVP by Monday, February 23rd: Please complete this short participation form so we know how much food to purchase.
The safety, health, and well-being of our students is our top priority. We hope these presentations will give students and families the opportunity to engage in this important conversation. Please let us know if you have any questions: rbrekke@gunnisonschools.net or (970) 641-7710.
GMS Conferences
Gunnison Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, March 4 and March 11. Teachers and interpreters will be available in the Gunnison Community School Commons from 5:00-7:00pm, no appointment necessary. This is a great time to chat with all of your child's teachers, ask questions, and gain valuable information about their academic progress this year.
Thank you for supporting your child's education at GMS. Feel free to contact us with any questions about conferences. We look forward to seeing you soon!
ORDER YOUR 2026 YEARBOOK NOW!
The deadline to order a yearbook is fast approaching!!
Make sure to reserve one now so that your student gets one in May!
If your student is active outside of GMS, please send us pictures!
Hunting, rafting, golfing, baseball, arts and crafts....the yearbook
is looking for those! Thank you! (Send to Mary Nordberg at
mnordberg@gunnisonschools.net)
Contact Mary Nordberg with any questions.
mnordberg@gunnisonschools.net
Junior Mountaineer Camps
Junior Mountaineers Camp (JMC) is back on the Western Colorado University campus this summer, AND we’re adding overnight adventure camps for middle and high schoolers, featuring backcountry hut trips, expedition trips, and more! JMC is a state-licensed summer day and overnight adventure camp that blends athletics, outdoor recreation, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) learning. Led by experienced staff and Western students, JMC provides a safe, active, and inclusive experience for campers. Families can register by the week, with each week offering a unique theme and outdoor recreation activities. For more details on JMC Summer 2026 offerings, please visit us online.
Lost and Found
Be sure to take a look and see if you recognize anything in our lost and found collection.
Our Mission
The Gunnison Middle School community supports the growth of all learners to think critically and engage as empathetic, respectful, healthy, and responsible global citizens.