Learning Together

Message from Troy D. Olin, Deputy Superintendent

As we move further into the spring, our schools are filled with important moments that reflect both growth and possibility. From grades 3–8 assessments underway to the many student celebrations, performances and milestones just around the corner, this time of year offers a powerful reminder of the impact of our collective work and the progress our students continue to make each day.

With that in mind, I want to take a moment to share how grateful I am for the opportunity to continue serving the Gates Chili community as I step into the role of deputy superintendent. After nearly 20 years in our district — as a teacher, coach, building leader and central office administrator — I feel a deep sense of appreciation for the people, experiences and shared commitment that have shaped my Gates Chili journey. Whether in the classroom, on the court alongside colleagues like Matt Schillaci and Chris Amesbury (as pictured here), or working with teams across our schools, it has always been about building relationships and supporting our students.

Through the end of this school year, I will continue to provide direct support for the Office of Instruction as we begin the process of identifying our next assistant superintendent for instruction. This approach is intentional, helping to ensure continuity in our work and allowing us to move forward with purpose and alignment during this transition.

In this new role, I look forward to strengthening alignment across our district priorities, systems and initiatives while continuing to support the strong foundation already in place. Maintaining a clear focus on teaching and learning remains at the center of this work, along with ensuring that our systems effectively support the important work happening each day in our classrooms, schools and departments. Through student-centered, data-informed decision-making and collaborative leadership, we will continue to build on our progress and support positive outcomes for every student.

There is great momentum across Gates Chili, and building on that foundation will require strong collaboration across schools, departments and teams. I am grateful to be part of this work and look forward to continuing to learn, lead and grow alongside all of you in support of our students.

We are pleased to once again offer a range of summer program opportunities designed to support student learning and growth.

At the elementary level, our Summer Literacy Program will be held at Paul Road Elementary School this year. Building literacy leaders will be working collaboratively to identify students to be invited to this program based on assessment data.

At the secondary level, the middle school will host several programs, including our STEM program, Jump Start to Ninth Grade, and a summer program for students in the 15:1 setting. At both the elementary and secondary levels, we will also continue to offer ENL summer programming to support our English Language Learners (ELLs).

Student recommendations for these programs will be made through collaborative processes. Middle school counselors will work with teachers to identify students for the STEM and Jump Start programs, while ENL teachers and 15:1 program teachers will recommend students for those opportunities. We are proud to continue offering these successful programs, which provide meaningful academic support and enrichment for our students in the summer. All summer programs, other than ESY and Regional Summer School, will be held from July 13 to Aug. 6. Teachers who have applied to work in our summer programs will be contacted soon with next steps.

Meanwhile, we're pleased to announce that Katherine Picha will be serving as the Summer Program Principal in Gates Chili this summer. Katie has over 10 years of experience in education, including eight years as a school counselor at Walt Disney Elementary School, and she currently serves as the elementary school counseling department leader. Katie earned her degrees from the University at Buffalo and Teachers College, Columbia University, and she is currently completing her administrative certification at the University of Rochester.

This summer, Katie's goal is to support safe, inclusive, and engaging programs that promote both academic success and social‑emotional growth, while also supporting the important work of our staff. She values collaboration, open communication, and teamwork, and looks forward to working closely with staff throughout the program.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to Katie, share ideas, or ask questions as we work together to make this a successful and meaningful summer for our students. She is excited for the summer ahead!

It is time for teacher leaders to begin planning for summer curriculum projects. Proposal forms will be due by Friday, May 29. If you are planning to participate in a curriculum project and are new to the district, or if you have not attended a curriculum training since spring 2023, you will need to attend a refresher session—details are provided below. If you are unsure whether you have previously attended a session, you can check your activity history in Frontline.

Tuesday, June 16, 3-5 p.m.

Wednesday, June 17, 4-6 p.m.

Thursday June 25, 8-10 a.m. -OR- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

All sessions are the same, you only need to choose one. They are listed in Frontline for you to sign up. Sessions will low enrollment may be canceled.

As we prepare for summer curriculum development, many secondary departments will be refining or creating common assessments. This work is a critical part of building consistent, equitable grading practices across classrooms and courses.

They should provide clear evidence of what students know, understand and are able to do in relation to the standards. When assessments are tightly aligned to standards and learning targets, they:

• Measure the intended learning
• Provide meaningful, actionable feedback
• Ensure consistency across classrooms

Without this alignment, grades can unintentionally reflect task completion, effort, or other factors rather than actual learning.

Common assessments:

• Establish shared expectations for proficiency
• Promote consistency in what is taught and assessed
• Support collaborative analysis of student learning
• Strengthen instructional decision-making

Common assessments that are grounded in standards and learning targets create a more coherent and equitable experience for students.

When assessments are intentionally designed to measure clearly defined learning targets:

• Grades more accurately reflect student understanding
• Feedback is clearer and more actionable
• Expectations are consistent across classrooms
• Students better understand how to improve

Equitable grading is not just about how we calculate grades—it is about ensuring that the evidence we use to determine those grades is valid, aligned, and meaningful.

This spring, Gates Chili Central School District is refining the School Tool Grading Comment Bank to strengthen equitable, consistent, and evidence‑based communication with students and families.

Using three years of comment bank data, staff feedback, and input from the Equitable Grading Committee, this work focuses on revising language for clarity, instructional alignment, and accuracy. Teachers will have the opportunity to share feedback through a Microsoft Form. Together, this process supports a grading system that reflects learning, nurtures growth, and promotes clear, equitable communication for every student.

At our recent meeting, the team focused on key program updates and continued collaboration to strengthen instructional alignment across the district. The Student Support Team shared a preview of upcoming updates regarding SEL Tier 1 instruction, with more information to come later this spring.

Teacher leaders also continued their book study and engaged in important conversations around pacing for the 2026–27 school year, including how to best align units and prioritize instructional time.

Thank you to all who continue to contribute thoughtful feedback to support this work.

As we plan for the 2026–27 school year, we are excited to invite staff to apply to become a Gates Chili mentor. Mentors play a vital role in welcoming and supporting new staff, and we are grateful for the strong mentoring culture across our district.

Tenured staff with five (5) or more years in Gates Chili who are interested in this opportunity should keep an eye out for an email from Teri Marsh next week with details on how to apply.

👉 Staff who are currently approved GC mentors will also receive an email with next steps for continuing in the role.

Congratulations to Robert Cocilova, Kelly Lamb, and Paige Pasquarella who were the first three to respond to last month's riddle correctly.

If you know the answer to this month's riddle, click HERE to submit your answer. The first three (3) people who answer the riddle correctly will receive a special prize in their mailbox next week!

Good luck!

April Riddle:

I’m more than a score or a task turned in late,

I show what students know — not effort or fate.

When aligned to standards, I help grades feel fair,

And I support collaboration everywhere.