The GC Loop - Oct. 13, 2026
Oct. 13, 2026
Thank you for your engagement during Friday's Superintendent's Conference Day. The time we spend learning, collaborating and growing together strengthens the experiences we create for our students every day. I encourage you to share your feedback in the form linked below as we continue planning meaningful opportunities for professional learning.
This week also gives us plenty to celebrate, including welcoming home six outstanding alumni as our newest Hall of Fame inductees. Their stories are a wonderful reminder that the impact of our work extends far beyond graduation.
Thank you for all you do to make Gates Chili a place where everyone belongs. Wishing you a wonderful Homecoming Week!
With GC Pride,
Dr. Mitch Ball
Superintendent of Schools
Thank you to everyone who participated in Friday's Superintendent's Conference Day! Across the district, staff engaged in professional learning, collaboration and dedicated work time focused on strengthening our practices and supporting student success.
As we continue planning meaningful professional learning opportunities, we want to hear from you! Your feedback helps us understand what worked well, identify opportunities for improvement and plan future conference days that meet the needs of our staff.
Please take a few minutes to complete the evaluation form and share your experience by, Friday, Oct. 23.
District Improvement Team
The District Improvement Team (DIT) brings together students, families, staff and district leaders to share perspectives and help inform ongoing district improvement efforts. The team examines student experiences, opportunities and outcomes, with a focus on strengthening practices, programs and systems to help every student thrive.
Meeting dates: Nov. 3, Jan. 5, March 2 and June 8 (Tuesdays), from 4–5:30 p.m. in the Professional Learning Center (PLC).
Common Ground Collective
The Common Ground Collective (CGC) provides a supportive space for staff from traditionally marginalized identities to connect, build relationships across buildings and roles, and share experiences. Gatherings focus on community-building, reflection and meaningful conversations about culture, belonging and connection at Gates Chili.
Traditionally marginalized identities may include, but are not limited to, race, ethnicity, culture, disability, gender identity and sexual orientation.
Spartan Strong Wellness Champions
Help us make staff wellness a priority across Gates Chili! Wellness Champions serve as building representatives who help promote wellness opportunities, share ideas and encourage colleagues to participate in Spartan Strong activities throughout the year.
Champions will participate in three meetings (tentatively November, January and March), each lasting no more than one hour, and help support the Spartan Strong Wellness Fair on Friday, April 9. Meeting dates and format will be determined based on participant feedback collected through the interest form.
Interested? Complete the form below even if you've served as a Champion in the past. The form also provides an opportunity to share your preferences for meeting times and format.
APPR documents for the 2026-27 school year are now available in Frontline. As a follow-up to the recent staff email, please review the APPR Notebook and keep these important reminders in mind:
- Annual goals: Goal meetings may now take place. Complete the Annual Goal/SLO Document in Frontline's Professional Growth section by Nov. 1.
- Non-tenured staff: The first announced observation should be completed by Dec. 1.
- Observation feedback: Following an observation, watch for an email notification from Frontline prompting you to digitally acknowledge your written feedback so your administrator can finalize it.
The district’s approved evaluation plan and APPR Notebook are available on the staff intranet’s APPR page. You must be signed into ParentSquare to access these resources. Please reach out to your administrator with any questions.
It's almost time for annual benefits open enrollment! From Nov. 1–24, benefits-eligible employees will have the opportunity to review their coverage and make changes to their benefit elections for 2027.
Now is a good time to review your current benefits and consider whether any changes are needed for the coming year. Not sure which health insurance plan is right for you? Watch the short video below comparing the Value Plan and High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) to better understand the differences before making your elections.
Need help navigating your options? The Human Resources team is visiting buildings to answer questions and provide enrollment assistance:
- Walt Disney: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 8:15 a.m., WD Library
- Paul Road: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 8:05 a.m. PR Faculty Room
- Middle School: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 3 p.m., MS Library
- Florence Brasser: Monday, Oct. 26, 8:10 a.m., FB Cafeteria
- Neil Armstrong: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 8:05 a.m., NA Library
Additional opportunities for assistance, including District Office sessions, are being planned.
Visit gateschili.org/Benefits for benefits information and enrollment resources. Additional reminders and instructions will be shared as open enrollment approaches.
Last week, the Board of Education approved a new policy allowing Gates Chili employees to use district electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at no cost.
Charging stations are currently available at the high school, middle school, District Office and Florence Brasser. As we continue capital construction work across the district, we will look to install chargers at the remaining buildings.
Employees should use the charging stations located at their assigned building.
Good news! Windows + K casting is working again.
Using the Windows + K keyboard shortcut allows you to quickly connect your laptop to a nearby WiDi display or Samsung Interactive Board without needing cables. Simply press Windows + K, select the display you want to connect to, and start sharing your screen.
A friendly reminder: while wireless casting is a convenient option, many classrooms also have a desktop computer that is directly wired to classroom displays and projectors. If you experience any issues with wireless casting or need the most reliable connection, the classroom desktop remains a great option.
As part of our ongoing work to strengthen consistency in grading practices, the Office of Instruction has revised the comment bank to help teachers provide clearer, more meaningful feedback about student learning.
Comments are now organized into categories such as Academic Achievement, Growth and Progress, Assessment Evidence, and Learner Behaviors, making it easier to select feedback that aligns with the purpose of the communication.
While work habits, participation and responsibility remain important, the revised comment bank places greater emphasis on what students know, understand and can do. This shift helps ensure that comments reflect demonstrated learning and progress toward standards, giving families a clearer picture of student achievement.
The goal: More accurate, consistent and learning-focused feedback for students and families.
Kerri Kanada, Occupational Therapist at Paul Road Elementary School
Kerri is a dedicated student advocate who works tirelessly to help every child succeed. Flexible and collaborative, she works with colleagues to find creative solutions that meet students’ unique needs. Kerri also plays an important role in making Paul Road Elementary School a more inclusive and welcoming place for all Panthers. We’re grateful for the care, expertise and dedication she shares with our school community!
This week, we’re proud to welcome the Gates Chili Hall of Fame Class of 2026:
- Louis Comenale ’02
- Agathi (Georgiou) Graham ’03
- Jamie Comenale ’04
- Nancy DiPonzio ’89
- Carla Rosati ’88
- David Lippa ’87
These six alumni have taken their Spartan experiences into careers and communities near and far, making an impact through leadership, service, advocacy and a commitment to helping others.
Our inductees will return to Gates Chili on Friday to visit our schools and connect with students before being officially celebrated as part of Homecoming on Saturday. As we kick off Homecoming Week, help us give these accomplished alumni a warm welcome home—and celebrate the many ways the Spartan experience continues long after graduation.
A small moment of connection can make a big difference. This month, make an intentional effort to greet students and colleagues by name.
Whether you're welcoming someone into a classroom, answering the phone, passing someone in the hallway, serving lunch or helping someone at the front desk, using a person's name sends a simple but powerful message: I see you. You matter here.
Restorative practices begin with relationships, and relationships are built through everyday interactions. Sometimes, something as simple as remembering and using someone's name can help create a stronger sense of connection and belonging.
Need help putting a name to a face? Check out the district's staff photo directory to get to know colleagues across Gates Chili. The directory is password-protected and available to employees.
Calling all instructional staff — did you know we have a classroom management tool that gives teachers real-time visibility and control over what students are doing on their laptops during class? Formerly known as Classwize, it's now called Linewize Classroom Manager!
With it, you can:
- See student screens in real time
- Focus devices on just the sites/apps you want for an activity
- Pause internet access for the class, a group, or one student
- Message students individually without disrupting the lesson
- Recognize good digital behavior, not just catch off-task use
How to access it: Log into ClassLink and look for the Classwize tile. If you have a schedule set up in SchoolTool, all of your classes will already be preloaded — no extra setup needed! Click here for some Classroom Manager quick start guides!
Caleb Meyerhoff, Long-Term Substitute Music Teacher
Outside of being a music teacher, Caleb sings opera and composes. He loves to include those elements in his teaching as much as possible. Caleb also enjoys reading and writing poetry. He recently graduated from the Eastman School of Music and is looking forward to filling in as a long-term music substitute for the year!
Alexis Davis, Teacher Aide
Lexi describes herself as outgoing and optimistic. She loves to laugh, learn new things, meet new people and to travel to see new places.
Rachel Gorney, Community Schools Social Learning Specialist
Rachel comes to Gates Chili as Paul Road’s new Community Schools social learning specialist! In this role, she will help teach students social-emotional skills designed to foster school engagement.
Carolyn Barron, Cafeteria/Hall Monitor
Carolyn retired from Frontier Communication with 29 years of experience. She enjoyed relaxing with family and friends in retirement but decided to return back to the work force in search of new endeavors.
Kevin Scott, Community Schools Social Learning Specialist
Kevin comes to Gates Chili as the middle school’s new Community Schools social learning specialist! In this role, he will help teach students social-emotional skills designed to foster school engagement.
Kaitlyn Phelan, Teacher Aide – Library
Kaitlyn is a GC alumna who loves reading all kinds of books and working with others. She is ready to help students and staff with their library selections!
Maranda Byer, Community Use Fitness Facility Supervisor
A familiar face in an additional role: Maranda has been a proud member of the GC community for six years in her current role, as well as a GC parent for 17 years. She is excited to join another team within GC and looks forward to taking on this additional role in the Spartan Field House.
Nicholas Ilievski, Community Use Fitness Facility Supervisor
In his free time, Nick enjoys playing hockey, watching sports and hanging out with friends and family.
Nicholas Licata, Microcomputer Maintenance Technician
Nick enjoys creating video games and spending time with his cat.
Laurie Vivian-Carson, Community Use Fitness Facility Supervisor
Laurie has 26 years of experience in coaching for Greece CSD. She coaches tennis, basketball and softball. She looks forward to meeting the Gates Chili community and hopes you stop by and say “hi!”
Now for this issue’s challenge…
The answer to this issue’s question is hiding somewhere in the Loop! Can you find it?
Three ways to connect, three ways to grow,
Three chances to help our Spartan pride show.
One shapes improvement, one helps us belong,
One keeps our wellness and spirits strong.
What three opportunities could I be?