Mustang News - January 23, 2026

Haga clic en "Translate/Traducir" arriba para elegir su idioma preferido.

Click here for all past Mustang Newsletters

From the Principal's Desk

It has been another solid week at GMS. Along with the continued momentum in classrooms, our students have been busy with winter activities, including another great week of the ski program and exciting games for our girls basketball teams as their season continues. Our outdoor skills classes also took a group to Lake City to ice climb and another group to Crested Butte to ski at the Nordic Center!

Our week was highlighted by an incredible Martin Luther King Jr. Day Summit on Monday. This truly was a special day for our students, focused on service, kindness, and community. A huge thank you to everyone who helped organize this meaningful experience and to all of the community members who shared their time, stories, and expertise by presenting and leading sessions. Your involvement made a powerful impact on our students and created an experience they will remember.

Keep up the great work, and as always, please let us know if there is anything we can do to support your student or your family.

Go Mustangs!

Lance Betts

Principal

Gunnison Middle School

Schedule a Meeting with Mr. Betts

6th Grade Weekly Digital Planner

7th Grade Weekly Digital Planner

8th Grade Weekly Digital Planner

Join the GCS Team!

We're hiring! Multiple positions available. See full job descriptions here.

January 30 and February 6: All-School Ski Days

Schedule for January 26-30:

Monday: A

Tuesday: A

Wednesday: E

Thursday: O

Friday: A

GMS Bell Schedule

GMS Student/Parent Handbook

GMS Student/Parent Handbook (Spanish)

Did you know that January is National Hobby Month? One of the themes that I've heard students talking about in these past few weeks is that learning a new hobby is helping them to stave off those feelings of the winter blues. While this January hasn't been as cold and stormy as ones that we have had in the past, we can all still be affected by the shorter days. Students have told me that painting, learning how to make kandy (bead art), learning to play an instrument, doing puzzles, and spending time with friends and family has really helped them stay engaged, decrease feelings of loneliness and sadness, and kept them from making less healthy choices. Research shows that learning a new hobby has other benefits, including boosting brain health, supporting mental health, building resilience and self-confidence, encouraging social connection, adding purpose and balance to life, and promoting life-long learning. Plus, with the value and practice of the month being "I actively participate," it seems like perfect timing to learn something new!

Go, Mustangs!

Travel Opportunities for 2026

Washington DC, Spring Break, 2026

2026 is the United State's 250th Birthday!

A great way to celebrate would be to go to Washington, DC for Spring Break!

You'll see sites like the Lincoln Memorial, George Washington's home, the Air and Space Museum, the US Capitol, and the National Zoo. This will be a fun, exciting, educational, and safe experience for all interested GHS and GMS students.

All current 6th, 7th, 8th, and high school students (plus, other friends and family members!) are invited. Registration is now open! You can sign up online at worldstrides.com/register or by phone at 800-468-5899. Use the code 219547 to sign up. Please reach out to Sara Lamar if you have any questions: slamar@gunnisonschools.net. Thanks!

Dominican Republic, Summer, 2026

Mrs. Lamar and Mrs. Clements are very excited to announce that we are planning our next trip to the Dominican Republic! We’ll be participating in cultural activities, service projects, and having so much fun in the summer of 2026. All current 5-8th graders are invited. Registration is now open! Enroll now with this link: www.eftours.com/2680037BT. Please reach out to Sara Lamar with any questions: slamar@gunnisonschools.net. ¡Gracias y vamos!

Track and Field season is right around the corner! Practice begins on March 26th. Mandatory parent meeting is Thursday, March 27 at 5:15. Requirements for participation: current physical, signed Code of Conduct, payment of $75 fee Questions? Mary Nordberg

Mustang Athletics for Jan 26-30

Girls basketball update:

GAME DAY vs Centennial and Columbine

Saturday, Jan. 24 at 8:00 am

7th grade at GMS

8th grade at Columbine MS in Montrose. **Team bus leaves the back parking lot at 6am.

--------------------------------------------------

Wrestling Practice begins on February 9!

Questions? Contact Mary Nordberg at mnordberg@gunnisonschools.net

PowerSchool Parent Account Update

Dear GMS parents/caregivers,

Beginning the week of February 23rd, you will be prompted to change your password when logging into PowerSchool to a strong password. A strong password is 12 characters long and includes an uppercase, lowercase, number, and symbol. After you make this update, you will no longer be required to reset your password every 30 days.

Mobile app users, you will not be able to update your password directly in the mobile app. The app will direct you to your browser app (Safari, Chrome, Edge) on your mobile device to make the update.
Otherwise please use a laptop/computer and update your password at https://gunnisonschools.powerschool.com/public

Estimados padres de familia/cuidadores de GMS:

A partir de la semana del 23 de febrero, se le solicitará que cambie su contraseña al iniciar sesión en PowerSchool por una contraseña segura. Una contraseña segura tiene 12 caracteres e incluye letras mayúsculas, letras minúsculas, números y símbolos. Después de realizar esta actualización, ya no será necesario restablecer su contraseña cada 30 días.

Si usa la aplicación móvil, no podrá actualizar su contraseña directamente en ella. La aplicación le dirigirá a su navegador (Safari, Chrome, Edge) en su dispositivo móvil con la finalidad de realizar la actualización.

De lo contrario, utilice una computadora portátil o de escritorio y actualice su contraseña en https://gunnisonschools.powerschool.com/público

GMS Wednesday Workshop

Are you looking for a social and screen-free activity for your student on early release days?

Have we got the program for you!

All GMS students are invited to join the new and enhanced Wednesday Workshop program. Together we create and share snacks, move and play games, explore art and creativity projects. Quite often we even have a lot of fun.

We also have GHS Honor Students providing homework help in a quiet and supportive environment.

Curious? Sign up to give it a try!

Link to enroll: https://forms.gle/odVKJZGHp9DinpWJ7

Want to learn more? Reach out to Kristi Remkus, GMS Enrichment Coordinator, kremkus@gunnisonschools.net.

GMS Taller Del Miercoles

¡Tenemos el programa perfecto para ti!

Todos los estudiantes de GMS están invitados a participar en el nuevo y mejorado programa de Talleres de los Miércoles. Juntos preparamos y compartimos meriendas, hacemos ejercicio y jugamos, y exploramos proyectos de arte y creatividad. ¡Y lo mejor de todo es que nos divertimos muchísimo!

También contamos con estudiantes de honor de GHS que brindan ayuda con las tareas en un ambiente tranquilo y de apoyo.

¿Te interesa? ¡Inscríbete y pruébalo!
Link to enroll: https://forms.gle/vUFMgt28xDx5meAN7

¿Quieres saber más? Comunícate con Kristi Remkus, Coordinadora de Programas Complementarios de GMS, a la siguiente dirección de correo electrónico: kremkus@gunnisonschools.net.

Safe and Responsible Technology Use

Please take time to review our district's GWSD Student Safe and Responsible Use Policy (English and Spanish). All GMS students will be asked to review and sign this agreement starting January 12th. In addition, we ask that parents and guardians review our GMS Cell Phone Agreement (English / Spanish). Please contact Renee Brekke, GMS Assistant Principal if you have any questions rbrekke@gunnisonschools.net. Thank you for helping us support safe and responsible technology use at GMS.

7th and 8th Grade Ski Day Information

We look forward to bringing 7th and 8th graders skiing on January 30th and February 7th. In preparation for these special days, we'd like to remind you that there will not be any programming at GMS on these days. If your child does not plan to participate in the ski program, please plan to keep him/her home these days and contact the GCS Office to report their absence at (970) 641-7710.

Students that do participate in the ski program will bring home a code of conduct form for parent/guardian signature.
Students may request a school sack lunch, bring their own lunch, or bring money to purchase food. Please note that cash is not accepted at most restaurants.
Ski/snowboards are not allowed on school buses. Parents need to bring students on ski days or leave ski/snowboards at school if necessary. Trucks for gear will be located on the north end of the GMS building.
Students will load school buses at 8:30am. In the afternoon, 7th and 8th graders will either return on a school bus or the 3:45 or 4:15 RTA bus from the Mt. CB Transit Center. Students will be allowed to call parents/guardians when they board their bus for more specific pick up times.
Parents/guardians may pick up their child and ski gear in the GCS parking lot at approximately 4:30-5:00pm.

ORDER YOUR 2026 YEARBOOK NOW!

If you order personalization, there are four free icons

for you to choose through the end of October!

GMS Yearbooks are still ONLY $20! They will be delivered

in May but you can order now and never worry that we'll run

out.

Click the link below to check this off your list!

GMS Yearbook

Contact Mary Nordberg with any questions.

mnordberg@gunnisonschools.net

Be sure to take a look and see if you recognize anything in our lost and found collection.

District Calendar - Click HERE

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.