Dear Gator Families,

The final week before winter break always seems to fly by! As we reflect on the first semester, our hearts are filled with immense gratitude for your unwavering support. This time of year can feel like a whirlwind, with so much to accomplish in such a short time, yet your kindness and generosity never fail to uplift us.

Whether it’s a kind and thoughtful message or a sweet treat, please know that each gesture warmed our hearts and is deeply appreciated. A special thank you goes out to our amazing PTO for providing treats, as well as to all the wonderful parents who contributed donations to brighten our spirits. Your actions continue to highlight the strength of our community and the beauty of showing up for one another.

As we embrace the holiday season, we hope you find time to relax and recharge with your loved ones. May this season bring warmth, joy, and laughter to your homes.

We look forward to welcoming our students back on January 6th, 2025!

Warmest wishes,

GSA High School Administration

We couldn't leave the year without this incredible announcement: We are beyond thrilled to share that two of our seniors , Alper Yildiz and Nina Iyiyol have been accepted to the prestigious Washington University in St. Louis! Known for its rigorous academic programs, world-class faculty, and consistent ranking among the top universities in the nation, WashU offers unparalleled opportunities for research, innovation, and community impact. This is an exciting milestone for our students, and we couldn't be prouder! Congratulations to our outstanding students on this remarkable achievement. 👏👏

Stay tuned—college counseling has so much more to share with you in 2025!!

Please vote for the teacher who has made the greatest impact on you or your student! The survey will be open until December 31! So far, less than a fourth of our student population has voted! We want everyone to have the opportunity to express their feelings for their favorite teachers. All sentiments will be shared anonymously to each nominee at the end of voting! They will be greatly appreciated!

Click here to vote!!

With plenty of hot cocoa and an incredible team of tutors, students had the perfect opportunity to prepare for finals. The event was filled with productive energy as students reviewed, asked questions, and got the support they needed to feel confident heading into finals and exams. A big thank you to everyone who participated and made this event so impactful! #GATORSTRONG! 🐊📚

Ms. Backsowski's Mythology class had an exciting visit earlier this month—can you guess who the special guest was? None other than the author of their textbook, Professor Jayme Novara from St. Louis Community College! It was an unforgettable experience for students to engage with the expert behind the material they’ve been studying. 📖📖

Ms. Bromberg's Forensics students took a hands-on approach to crime scene investigation prior to going into testing week! Each group designed and acted out a scene involving blood spatter, then swapped with another group to analyze the evidence. Using forensic techniques, they determined the approximate speed, angle, and origin of the blood and pieced together the sequence of events at the scene. Kudos to the students for sharpening their analytical skills and working collaboratively to solve the crime scene mysteries! 🐊🐊

The Garden Club's Hydroponics Project is in full swing as members work to build the scaffolds that will support the light source for their indoor farm, set to launch in the second semester! Initial crops will include a variety of herbs and leafy greens. Garden Club is currently seeking donations to help fund essential supplies, including light banks, planting containers, and hydroponic solution, with a goal of raising $400. Please reach out to Ms. Bromberg by email at mbromberg@gsastl.org if you are able to help out in any way. Your support is greatly appreciated in helping grow this exciting new project! 🥬🍀

The Bayer YMCA Martin Luther King Jr. Writing Contest is here, and we encourage all juniors and seniors to participate! This contest is an incredible way to honor Dr. King’s legacy while competing for scholarship prizes.

This Year’s Theme:

Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365

Reflect on Dr. King’s teachings and how they apply to creating a just and peaceful society.

Scholarship Prizes:

• 1st Place: $2,000
• 2nd Place: $1,500
• 3rd Place: $1,000

Submission Deadline: January 6, 2025, at 5:00 PM

Submit essays to Sharon Holbrooks.

📩 sharon.holbrooks@gwrymca.org.

Don’t miss this opportunity to share your voice, honor Dr. King’s legacy, and potentially earn scholarship support for your education. If you have any questions or need guidance, reach out—we’re here to help!

Best of luck, and we can’t wait to see your thoughtful submissions!

Mr. Jake Henderson

Director of Civic Engagement

YMCA Community Development

The Governor’s Council on Disability announced applications are now open for the 2025 Missouri Youth Leadership Forum (MO-YLF) for high school students with disabilities (ages 16-21). Applications are due on March 31, 2025, to join the forum July 15-19, 2025.

The MO-YLF provides a unique and empowering experience for students looking to grow their leadership skills and prepare for a successful transition into college, careers, and independent living. Students will gain valuable skills, connect with peers and mentors, and immerse themselves in a college environment, staying on campus at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Learn more about the opportunity and submit your application on the State of Missouri Disability Portal here. The entire program is provided at no cost to selected delegates, thanks to support from the event's sponsors and donors.

Get ready for a night of excitement, community, and school spirit! The Class of 2027 is hosting a Spirit Night at the St. Louis Blues game on March 25, 2025—and we want YOU to be part of it!

Join us at the Enterprise Center as the Blues take on the Montreal Canadiens at 7:00 PM. Whether you’re a die-hard hockey fan, looking for a fun night out with friends, or just want to support our amazing students, this is your chance to make a difference while having a blast!

Ticket Info:

• Tickets range from $32 to $159—there's something for everyone’s budget!
• A portion of every ticket sold through our special link will directly support the Class of 2027, helping them reach their fundraising goals for future events and activities.
• Limited tickets available, so don't wait! Grab yours today and invite your family, friends, and colleagues to join the fun.
• 
  
• BONUS: You can pay in 4 easy installments with Zip!

Purchase Deadline: March 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM

Let’s Pack the House with Gator Pride!

Imagine a sea of maroon and blue cheering on the Blues—let’s show St. Louis what the Gator community is all about! 🐊💪

How You Can Support:

• Buy Your Tickets Now: Click the link to secure your seats.
• Spread the Word: Share this event with friends, family, and colleagues.
• Show Your Spirit: Wear your Gator gear and bring that school pride!

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable night! Let’s rally together to support our students and have a great time doing it. GO GATORS! 🐊🎉

Get your tickets now and be part of the action: Get Tickets Here

For all IT-related requests, students and parents are kindly asked to submit a ticket by emailing helpdesk@gsastl.org. This ensures that your concerns are addressed promptly and efficiently.

Thank you for your cooperation!

To support students in reaching their academic goals and staying on track for graduation, mandatory tutoring will begin on Monday, October 21, 2024.

Students who receive a failing grade or a D- (below 65) in any subject by the end of the quarter are required to attend after-school tutoring sessions with their teachers throughout the second quarter. This tutoring is designed to prevent further academic challenges and will continue until the end of the next quarter.

If your student is in this situation, please ensure they attend the mandatory tutoring sessions. Tutoring will take place from 2:35 PM to 3:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, following the teacher's tutoring schedule.

For more details, please refer to the following documents:

• Mandatory Academic Tutoring for At-Risk Students Letter
• 24-25 Extracurricular Schedule (Clubs, Sports, & Tutoring)

Thank you for your cooperation in supporting your student's success!

Over the past two years, the CYSP department has organized international trips for students, parents, and staff from 34 Concept Schools. This year, we have exciting trips planned to five different destinations. You can explore them by following the link below.

Submit a Gator Gratitude nomination NOW, where you can recognize any Gateway Science Academy employee, volunteer, or community partner for going above and beyond what is expected.

Let's continue to show our appreciation for the wonderful individuals who make a positive impact on

our school community!

BrightArrow is a district communication service that enables us to send timely and relevant SMS text messages directly to parents' cell phones.

To participate, parents must opt in. Simply text YES to 79041 and repeat this process for any phone number you want to receive text messages on. Please ensure that the front office has your current cell phone information.

Please note, standard message and data rates may apply based on your wireless carrier’s terms.

If you have any questions regarding SMS text messaging, feel free to contact Ms. Amra at 314-500-1312 or Ms. Illda at 314-500-1313.

We can now offer additional GSA-branded gear through South City Sporting Goods! You can check out the collection here: GSA Collection. The site is live and ready for orders 24/7/365, and everything is produced on demand.

If you are shopping for uniform items, please select “yes” on the left side of the screen and you will have a display of all approved selections from each campus.

GSA High School students!

Do you feel like you’re invisible? Like you don’t have a voice? Or maybe you have a pressing question you’d like to ask in a laid-back setting. Well, this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for! The success of any school requires the input of all its stakeholders and YOU are a very integral part of that community. Assistant Principal of School Culture, Mrs. Hibbler, is spearheading a new opportunity for high school students to meet with her on a very informal basis to become acquainted with her and other students, enjoy snacks, and chat! The best ideas can come from casual conversations and she is excited to hear from you!

Space is limited, so sign up today!!

Ready to level up your high school experience? Whether you're into sports, arts, gaming, or something totally unique, we've got a club for YOU! Joining a club is the perfect way to meet new people, explore your passions, and make lasting memories.

Please take a moment to review the list of clubs below. If you’re interested, just swing by the rooms mentioned and sign up for the club/s you like. Get ready to get involved, make friends, and have a blast!

We have a ✨✨NEW ✨✨website for our Seniors and Families!

Please visit the following link to access all information regarding Senior Year:

https://sites.google.com/gsastl.org/gsaseniorclass2025/home

Please use this website to order your Senior Sweatshirts and pay Senior Dues moving forward. If you have already ordered one, or paid, there is no need to do it again.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Your Senior Sponsor,

Mrs. Bland

⚡ Senior Retreat ⚡

💠 2/3 thru 2/7 - Crush Grams 💠

💠 2/19 - Winter Assembly 💠

💠 3/20 - March Movie Madness 💠

💠 5/14 - Lemonade and Learn 💠

Need Health Insurance?

If you need 2025 health coverage, visit HealthCare.gov to find a plan that best fits your needs. Many who enroll in a health plan through the Marketplace are eligible for savings. In fact, 4 out of 5 consumers can find a plan for $10 or less per month, with financial help. Many families who do not qualify for Medicaid are able to find a low cost health plan.

Visit HealthCare.gov to explore your options for comprehensive health coverage.

Taking care of your child's teeth is important to keep them healthy! GSA is partnering with Big Smiles to provide an opportunity for high school students to receive dental care during school on Thursday, January 30th. During the clinic, a state licensed dentist will check your child's mouth and teeth, as well as provide a cleaning, x-rays as necessary, fluoride treatment and sealants, as needed. Additional care, such as fillings, may also be provided.

Parents must provide consent by filling out the online form at: https://www.myschooldentist.com/35451_sch

Paper forms will be sent home with students in January.

If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Jillian

Reminder About Medications at School: Students are not allowed to carry over-the-counter medications at school, including tylenol and ibuprofen. They also should not carry prescription medications unless they have permission forms on file with the nurse to carry their inhaler or epipen. Thanks for helping to remind your student of these safety practices.

Covid and Respiratory Illness Guidelines: GSA is following the current guidelines from the STL City Department of Health and CDC. These guidelines state for a person to stay home when ill or have tested positive for Covid. A person can return to school/activities when symptoms have been improving for 24 hours - and if a fever was present, it has been gone for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. In addition, people are strongly encouraged to wear a mask for the next 5 days to curb the spread of disease.

Food that is shared class-wide must be store bought and come in original packaging (not homemade).This list contains some suggestions for allergen safe snacks for your child to bring to class for their daily snack.

The cost is $3 for the single day(s) or $9 for the semester. They can be purchased from Mr. Cruz in the morning of each dress down day. Cash or check made payable to "GSA PTO."

Please review our dress code matrix as to what is allowed.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are pleased to inform you that the Free and Reduced Meal applications for the 2024-2025 school year are now available. We kindly request that each household completes the application, even if you do not believe you will qualify for free or reduced meals.

Did you know that completing the Free and Reduced Meal application helps in many areas beyond just providing meals? Just one form ensures continued funding to support ALL students in several critical ways:

• School Budgets: Increased state and federal funding for staff, equipment, and supplies.

• Computer Network: More funding for internet access and network services.

• School Meals: Free or reduced-price school meals and qualification for various pandemic benefits.

• Scholarships: Eligibility for local scholarships, tuition assistance, and discounted college application fees.

• Sports Fees: Reduced fees for sports and other extracurricular activities.

By filling out this application, you contribute to the betterment of our entire school community.

Please use the Free and Reduced Lunch Application blue 🔝🔝click button 🔝🔝 above to complete your application!

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

GSA Fyler Campus

The view the breakfast, lunch and snack options for the rest of the school year. Please click on the Menu Navigator (blue button) above.

Question 1: What is PowerSchool? Answer: PowerSchool is a student information system that allows us to manage a wide range of information, including the following: grades, attendance, tests, demographics, activities, courses, and photos. Because the program has been designed using Internet-based software tools, it also allows us to connect parents and students to information.

Question 2: When will parents and students get access to the information on the PowerSchool server? Answer: Parents of students in grades 6-12 can get their logins and passwords at Back- to-School Night from the office where their student is enrolled. Usernames and passwords will be available in the school office.

Question 3: Whom should I call if I have a question? Answer: Please use the table below to decide whom to contact for various types of questions.

Question 4: Do all teachers post grade and attendance information to the PowerSchool server? Answer: Attendance is posted by teachers and by the office.The office collects information and logs the daily attendance (which is used for state reporting) while each individual teacher is responsible for recording the period attendance for their rosters. All teachers assign and post grades to PowerSchool at different times. Some may give grades to their students’ everyday and some may give far fewer grades during the marking periods. This is up to each teacher and depends upon their grading system. If you see grades in PowerSchool for some teachers but not others, this is a normal function of the way teachers assign and post grades. As always you may contact teachers by e-mail or request a phone call or meeting at any time.

Question 5: I know that teachers sometimes weigh different categories of grades. How does this affect how a grade is calculated? Answer: Many teachers use categories such as tests, quizzes, and daily work to organize and give different weights to grades; how they weigh them is an individual decision. Teachers share with students how they grade at the beginning of each course. As always you may contact teachers by e-mail or request a phone call or meeting at any time.

Question 6: How often can we expect grades to be updated? Answer: There are many factors that determine how soon a teacher can assess and return assignments. Essays, research papers, and tests take longer to grade than a quiz. Coaching, club sponsorships, and family commitments can also affect turnaround time, as well as a teacher's student load. All teachers do their best to grade their students and communicate their progress in a timely manner.

Question 7: Do all teachers use the same grading scales? Answer: Yes. Grading scales are common among teachers and among classes in the same building. All teachers share their grading scales as well as other class policy information with their students at the beginning of each course.

Question 8: What can I see on the PowerSchool site? Answer: Parents and students can access the following information on the PowerSchool public site.

• Grades for current classes, as well as the assignments that make up those grades

• Attendance for the past two weeks or for the current term, including a legend of attendance codes used by the school

• Teacher comments • Reports via Email, which allow parents to request daily, weekly, or monthly reports to be sent via email.

Question 9: Can other people see my son’s/daughter’s grades? Answer: As long as you protect your password, others will not be able to see your information.

Question 10: How does one get a PowerSchool login and password? Answer: The school will provide this information.

The A+ Program is a program funded by the state of Missouri to provide scholarship funds to eligible graduates of A+ designated high schools, including Gateway Science Academy, who attend a participating public community college or vocational/technical school, or certain private two-year vocational/technical schools.

Dual credit programs offer high caliber high school students the opportunity to earn college credits and become familiar with the college experience while still in a high school setting. College credits earned through dual credit programs are widely accepted at Missouri public colleges and universities and many other institutions across the country.

* the grading systems may be different.

The work that the student completes throughout the course contributes to the student's final college grade in the class, which shows on their college transcript. This is why in order for students to transfer their dual credit, they must request a transcript be sent from college they are completing dual credit through to the college they are ultimately attending after high school.

Top Reasons to enroll in Dual Credit
* Save some serious cash on college
* Challenge yourself with college-level courses
* Learn from master’s-level teachers
* Start your college transcript
* Earn easily transferable college credit hours
* Get a head start of your college career

To prepare students to meet top colleges’ entrance requirements, GSA’s graduation requirements exceed those of traditional Missouri public high schools and include:

🎓 Minimum of 26 credits of coursework 🎓

🎓 40 hours of community service: Each grade level is required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of community service.🎓

🎓 Must pass the US Constitution and Missouri Constitution exams.🎓

🎓 Senior thesis project 🎓

🎓 Must take the following tests: EOC Algebra I or EOC Algebra II, EOC English II, EOC Biology, EOC Government 🎓

Beginning your freshman year, and continuing throughout high school, you’ll complete 40 hours of community service. By connecting classroom curriculum with service projects, you’ll deepen and extend your knowledge to improve academic achievement, build social skills, and develop civic skills and attitudes. To ensure a manageable workload and a smooth progression towards meeting the 40-hour community service requirement, it is advised that students commence their service early, spreading their efforts across their high school years. We propose implementing a yearly completion target of 10 hours, allowing students to steadily accumulate towards the total of 40 community service hours before their senior year.

Volunteer Match

Use the advanced search option and enter the zip code, interests, and check the teen box.

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

Charity Navigator

Use the advanced search option to find a list of about 50 local charities.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/

Tree House of Greater St. Louis

https://thstl.org/volunteer/

Stray Rescue

http://strayrescue.org/node/79

St. Louis Zoo

https://www.stlzoo.org/give/volunteer

Open Door Animal Sanctuary

https://odas.org/volunteer/

Missouri Department of Conservation

https://mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage/volunteer-opportunities

St. Louis Parents

https://www.stlparent.com/story/volunteers-needed-15-places-st-louis-where-your-teen-can-make-difference-summer

United Way of Greater St. Louis

https://www.stlvolunteer.org/syg?layoutViewMode=tablet

You can also volunteer at:

• Magic House

• Science Center

• Zoo

• Animal Shelters

• Food Banks

• Churches, mosques…

• Tutor students

• Wildlife Center of Missouri

• Schools

You can call a charity and offer to plan an event for them. Can you put together a teen trivia night or a walk-a-thon to raise money? Use your creativity to come up with ideas, like a dog house decorating contest to benefit an animal shelter, a book drive to support a local children’s charity? The possibilities are endless!

There may be more than these listed ones. You just need to find them!

🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝

Every student in our district now has access to the Varsity Tutors for Schools platform that includes 24/7 On-Demand Chat Tutoring, On-Demand Essay Review, 100+ Weekly Live Classes in Test Prep & Enrichment, Recorded Enrichment Classes, Self-Study & Practice Resources.

Students will log into the platform using Clever.

Please see the following for more information:

How to Access Scheduled Tutoring Sessions (Students-Clever).pdf

Test Prep - ACT, SAT, more - Flier - High School Student 2.pdf

Upcoming PTO Meetings & Events :

November 21: General meeting

Saturday, February 8: 3rd Annual Mouse Races, Affton Elks Lodge

February 20: General meeting

April 24: General meeting & Elections

PTO Website

hs.gsastl.org/pto

Please join the PTO Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/GSAMiddleSchoolPTO

Students are only allowed to wear these as part of spirit wear on Fridays or dress down days.

St. Louis County Library and Operation Food Search are offering free meals to children ages 5-18 at four library branches during the 2024-25 school year. Meals are served Monday through Friday and include activities for kids.

Student eCards are a powerful tool that connects students with a wealth of learning resources, enhancing their educational experience both in and out of the classroom. These eCards give access to digital materials, library resources, and more, helping to support their academic growth.

Families play an important role in making the most of this opportunity! We encourage you to review the flyer below which provides an overview of the eCards and answers common questions. By staying informed, families can help students fully utilize these valuable resources.

Check out the helpful video below for an introduction to the library eCARDS for your student.