GSD E-Blast April 2025

Spring Has Sprung at GSD!

Spring has finally arrived, and with it comes a season full of excitement and activity across the GSD! As we head toward the end of the school year, our buildings are buzzing with special programs and events—from Kindergarten Roundup and 6th and 9th Grade Orientations to concerts, athletic competitions, and activity nights. There’s something for everyone to enjoy this season!

To stay informed about what’s happening in April, May, and June, be sure to check in with your child’s school for event details. We also encourage families to follow both their schools and the district on social media—X, Facebook, and Instagram—for regular updates and amazing photos showcasing the learning, fun, and accomplishments happening every day at GSD.

Your partner in education,

Amy Conway

Superintendent

Research shows that being happy and positive primes the brain to be more successful and productive. Promoting positivity will enhance our student’s academic ability and develop them into happy and positive thinkers and leaders. Each month we will highlight a building or staff member that is spreading “The Orange” (Happiness) through Gibraltar!

Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders

GSD recently hosted its third annual Student Leadership Day at Carlson High School—an inspiring event that brought together student councils and leaders from across the district for a day of learning, collaboration, and connection. What makes this event so powerful is that it’s led by our high school student council, who take the reins and serve as role models, guiding younger students through activities designed to build leadership skills and confidence.

The day kicked off with students reflecting on their individual leadership styles and sharing what they love most about their schools. From there, they worked in teams to plan a school-wide event, presenting their ideas to fellow student leaders from across the district. The day wrapped up with a well-deserved pizza lunch and a strong sense of pride and purpose.

At GSD, we believe that student leadership starts early, and we’re proud to provide opportunities for students to grow, lead, and inspire one another. We can’t wait to see the creative and meaningful ways our student leaders will serve their schools and communities in the 2025–26 school year!

Do you have a child at home who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2025? Do you know someone who does, perhaps a friend or a neighbor? If so, Gibraltar School District has a spot waiting just for them in our kindergarten classrooms next year! Gibraltar School District offers both a traditional Kindergarten program as well as a Young Fives Kindergarten program. Both of these programs have a strong focus on the math and literacy skills needed for a solid foundation through the course of the formative elementary years. Registration opened on February 18. Once you register, please join us for an informational night, for parents and prospective students, on April 22 at 6:00. These will be held in each elementary building. Visit our website for more information!

https://www.gibdist.net/page/kindergarten-and-young-fives-information

Congratulations to our MSBOA State Solo and Ensemble Award Winners!! 🎶✨ Your dedication, countless hours of practice, and passion for music have led to this incredible achievement. We are so proud of your hard work and talent, and we celebrate your excellence in musicianship. Your performances showcased skill, artistry, and commitment to your craft—well done! Keep striving for greatness, and may your musical journey continue to inspire others. Bravo! 👏🎻🎺🥁

Trumpet Duet -- Nick Stuart and Peyton Allen -- Division II rating!

Clarinet/Flute Quartet -- Sophia Lenard, Madelyn Kimmel, Audrey Gilbert, and Evelyn McMaster -- Division I rating!

Saxophone Quartet -- Max Smith, Hayden Fleming, Logan Lancaster, Chaun Bilbao -- Division I rating!!

We are very pleased and proud to announce the outstanding achievements of our Shumate students at the recent Downriver Choral Association (DCA) competitions.

At Solo and Ensemble, the following students earned a I Superior rating for their exceptional performances:

• Brynley Lowe (Shumate)

• Rliah McNair (Shumate)

At the DCA Choral Festival, our choral groups also delivered incredible performances, earning the following ratings:

• Shumate Singers (7th Grade) – I

• Shumate Singers (8th Grade) – II

Congratulations to all on these well-earned accomplishments!

March was an exciting month at Chapman Elementary as we celebrated March is Reading Month with the theme “Get Your Paws on a Good Book!” Our students embraced the joy of reading with special guest read alouds from: Officer Koren (Rockwood Police Department), Trooper Nick and K-9 Boomer, Superintendent Conway, Rockwood Mayor Troy Cox, Wayne County Commissioner Alex Garza, and Principal Soranno and her puppy, Poppy. In addition, many parents and grandparents came in to be guest mystery readers to classes. Their visits and read alouds inspired our young readers and made story time extra special!

Throughout the month, students had the chance to earn rewards by completing fun and engaging reading activities both in school and at home. Our amazing PTO also donated a Free Little Library to Chapman, ensuring that students and families have access to books anytime. A highlight of the month-long reading celebration was Bingo for Books Night, where teachers hosted a fun-filled evening, and students won fantastic new books to read!

It was a paws-itively wonderful month celebrating the love of reading at Chapman! 🐾📚

First grade students at Hunter Elementary recently turned their classrooms into operating rooms as they dressed like surgeons—complete with gloves, masks, and caps—to perform careful “surgery” on a collection of Non-Fiction Text Features. With precision and focus, these young doctors “surgically removed” (cut out) various text features and carefully added them to the body of a flip book, creating a powerful learning tool. Their attentive nurses (teachers) were close by, offering guidance and support throughout the procedure. This engaging activity helped students understand how elements like captions, headings, and diagrams support comprehension by helping readers locate key information and make sense of complex content in non-fiction texts.

Last month, our third graders embarked on an exciting virtual journey into ocean exploration with Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota, FL—without ever leaving their classroom!

Through Zoom, they explored the ocean’s layers, discovered cutting-edge ROVs & AUVs, and saw firsthand how STEM innovation is shaping the future. Inspired by Mote’s experts, our young scientists brainstormed creative solutions to real-world challenges while learning about the importance of ocean conservation.

Experiences like these spark curiosity, innovation, and a passion for protecting our planet. It’s amazing to see our students engaging in real-world STEM learning, and this exploration will be a great foundation as they dive into their upcoming LEGO Robotics project! The future is bright!

Our students recently took a well-deserved break from their online classes to enjoy board games, laughter, and socializing. The event provided a refreshing opportunity for students to step away from their screens, engage in friendly competition, and build connections with their peers. From classic games like Checkers and Uno to fast-paced favorites like Connect Four and Jenga, there was something for everyone to enjoy. This interactive break not only fostered teamwork and critical thinking but also reinforced the importance of balance in a digital learning environment. The day was a reminder that sometimes, the best learning happens when we simply take time to connect and have fun!

Spring is just around the corner and we would like to remind parents about EpiPens. If you have a child that is allergic to bees or food, please make sure your EpiPen is updated and make the school aware as well as the bus driver.