Mustang News - January 16, 2026

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It has been another great week at GMS. Congratulations to our girls basketball teams on a strong start to the season. Their hard work and teamwork have been great to see, and we are proud of how they are representing our school.

Today marked our first 6th grade ski day, and I cannot thank our teachers, parent volunteers, and Crested Butte Mountain Resort enough for helping this program get off to such a successful start. Our 6th grade students will be skiing for the next three Fridays, with our 7th and 8th grade students joining them for the final two weeks. We are incredibly fortunate to live in a place where we can offer our students such unique and meaningful experiences throughout the Gunnison Valley.

A quick reminder that we DO have school on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We are excited to host our second annual MLK Summit as a day on, not a day off, focused on community, leadership, and service. Students will hear from guest speakers and then rotate through workshops designed to inspire reflection, connection, and action.

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

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

January 16, 23, 30, and February 6: 6th Grade Ski Days

January 30 and February 6: All-School Ski Days

January 19: GMS MLK Day Summit

Schedule for January 12-16:

Monday: A

Tuesday: A

Wednesday: E

Thursday: O

Friday: A

GMS Bell Schedule

Hello GMS families,

The GWSD has purchased a subscription to Parent Guidance for all families, so we now have free access to a wealth of resources to help and support our students. Parent Guidance offers education and therapeutic support to empower and give you hope as you support your child's mental health. They put out a monthly newsletter and I will summarize their theme for you in this counselor's corner once a month. This month, they focused on navigating peer pressure and cultivating healthy choices. According to Parent Guidance, adolescence is a critical stage when peer influence increases, and many teens face pressure to engage in risky behaviors that can impact their health, academics, and mental well-being. Research shows that negative peer pressure is linked to higher rates of substance use, poor academic performance, mental health challenges, and unsafe behaviors, but strong parental influence can make a powerful difference. Open communication, clear expectations, honest education, and modeling responsible behavior help children feel supported and confident in making healthy choices. Encouraging positive friendships, practicing problem-solving skills, and creating regular opportunities for family connection—such as shared meals—can further strengthen resilience. Studies consistently show that teens with positive, engaged parent relationships are less likely to engage in risky behaviors and more likely to make safe, responsible decisions.

If you have any questions about this or want to talk further, please don't hesitate to reach out. Go, Mustangs!

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!

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!

Girls' basketball opened the season with competition against Crested Butte and

Olathe this week. Tomorrow, Jan. 17, the Mustangs host North Fork teams in

the Black Canyon Game Day. Games start at 8:00 at GMS and GES Gyms.

Mustangs travel to Cedaredge next Thursday and host a 7th-grade Game Day.

8th-grade teams travel to Montrose for Game Days.

WRESTLING Season is coming soon!!

This sport is open to ALL GMS students and one of the fastest-growing sports

in American is women's wrestling!

Practice begins on Feb. 9. An information meeting for students will happen next

week. Look for more information in the coming weeks.

Questions? Contact Mary Nordberg at mnordberg@gunnisonschools.net

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.

¡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.

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.

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.

The Gunnison Middle School community supports the growth of all learners to think critically and engage as empathetic, respectful, healthy, and responsible global citizens.