GCCSD News and Updates - Nov. 2026

Dear Gates Chili School Community,

As we welcome November, we have much to be thankful for across Gates Chili. The first few months of the school year have been filled with learning, growth and opportunities to come together as a community. From the excitement of Homecoming to the everyday moments of discovery and connection happening in our classrooms, it has been wonderful to see our students, staff and families demonstrating what it means to be a Spartan.

This month, we are taking another important step toward shaping the future of our district. As part of our ongoing strategic planning process, we are inviting families to share their perspectives on our first strategic priority: Culture and Belonging. Creating schools where every student feels welcomed, valued and supported is central to our work, and the experiences and insights of our families are essential to making that vision a reality. I encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the survey included in this newsletter and help guide the work ahead.

November also brings opportunities to celebrate the connections that make our community so special. From our upcoming Fall Family Fest to student performances, winter athletics and other school activities, there are many ways for families to get involved, support one another and share in the Spartan experience. These moments remind us that a lot of learning and growth happen when we come together.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our dedicated staff, supportive families and community partners who make a difference for our students each day. Most importantly, I am thankful for our students, whose curiosity, kindness, determination and accomplishments continue to inspire us and make Gates Chili a place we can all be proud of.

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our schools. I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with warmth, gratitude and connection.

With GC Pride,

Dr. Mitchell J. Ball
Superintendent of Schools

The Gates Chili school community is made up of more than 3,700 students and 900+ staff members! Get ready to peek into the world of our Spartans in our e-newsletter segment: Ask the Spartans!

This month, meet Dylan W., an eighth-grader at Gates Chili Middle School. From middle school memories, to a little gratitude and plenty of Spartan pride — we caught up with Dylan to hear all about his GCMS experience.

Tell us a little about yourself.

Dylan: My name is Dylan and I'm an eighth-grade student here at Gates Chili Middle School. I'm in a lot of accelerated classes like earth science, algebra, enriched social studies and English. Outside of school I like to play golf and the guitar.

You're in your final year of middle school! What's been your favorite part of being a student at GCMS so far?

Dylan: All the different opportunities and clubs available to us. I also feel like we have more of a voice here, and more freedom than when we were in elementary school. I've enjoyed having more independence.

What clubs do you participate in?

Dylan: I'm in Peer Ambassadors, Student Council and National Junior Honor Society, which I was chosen for last year and am really excited about.

What's something you've learned or accomplished in middle school that you're really proud of?

Dylan: I've gotten a few awards that I'm really proud of. At the end of sixth-grade I got an award for Outstanding in Science, and at the end of last school year I got two more awards: Outstanding in Italian and Outstanding in Health.

As we head into Thanksgiving, what's something you're especially thankful for this year?

Dylan: My parents, who are always so great. They take care of me, work hard to keep a roof over my head and keep my fed. I'm grateful for them.

Are there any school experiences you're grateful for?

Dylan: Last year I was chosen to participate in the Akoben Student Championship group. We spent time taking part in multiple training days and came together with certain staff members too to all work together. It was just a really fun experience.

In your own words, what does it mean to be a Spartan?

Dylan: I think it just means you're proud and happy to be here [in the community]. It's being responsible, hard working, respectful and compassionate, just like we've been taught is the Spartan Way. Even little things like holding the door for someone or giving someone a compliment can make you feel like a Spartan.

Last month, we shared an overview of the next phase of Gates Chili's strategic planning process. From November through February, we're inviting families to provide feedback on one of our four strategic priorities each month. Your input will help us identify opportunities for improvement and develop meaningful action steps for our district's next three- to five-year strategic plan.

This month, we're focusing on Culture and Belonging, our commitment to deepening the culture of belonging, engagement and partnership across our school community.

We want to hear about your family's experiences, including how connected and welcomed your child feels at school, how schools partner with families, and how family voices are considered in decisions. Your feedback and ideas will help inform the actions we take to strengthen these areas.

The survey takes approximately 3–5 minutes to complete and will remain open through Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Please note: You must be logged into your ParentSquare account to complete the survey. Because responses are connected to ParentSquare accounts, the survey is not anonymous. However, individual responses will remain confidential and will be used to inform our strategic planning work. The survey is not intended to evaluate individual staff members or schools, but rather to gather feedback and ideas to help guide our district's future.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your voice and help shape what's next for Gates Chili!

Fall fun, family connections and community spirit — it's all coming together at this year's Fall Family Fest: Harvesting Health and Wellness in Our Community!

Join us Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 5-7 p.m. in the Spartan Field House at Gates Chili High School for an evening of family-friendly fun! Enjoy games, live performances, helpful community resources and more as we celebrate health, wellness and togetherness across Gates Chili. New this year, haircuts for kids will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis!

There's still time to give back! Our annual coat drive is underway, and coat donations are being accepted through Wednesday, Nov. 4. Your generosity can help keep members of our community warm this winter.

We can't wait to see our GC families come together for a fun-filled evening!

Calling all Spartan athletes! Registration is officially open for the 2026-27 winter sports season, which kicks off Monday, Nov. 16 for varsity and JV, and Monday, Nov. 30 for modified.

Before hitting the court, mat or ice, student-athletes must have an up-to-date physical on file with their school nurse. Students at both the middle and high schools can schedule a physical with their school nurse by appointment only. Families should contact their student's school nurse to arrange an appointment.

A mandatory Winter Sports Information Night will also be held Monday, Nov. 23, from 7-8 p.m. in the Gates Chili Performing Arts Center. Students and families must attend this informational meeting to learn more about the winter sports season.

Don't wait until the last minute! Get your student-athlete ready for the season by completing registration through ArbiterSports.

As we continue to cheer on our Spartan athletes this school year, we want to remind families that middle school students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when attending Gates Chili athletic events and contests. Middle school students are not permitted to attend these events on their own.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment for all spectators. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to seeing you cheering on our Spartans!

Get ready for a scrumdiddlyumptious adventure! Gates Chili Middle School students are bringing the magical world of Willy Wonka to life with their production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory JR.”

Join Charlie Bucket and four lucky golden ticket winners as they step inside Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory for a journey filled with chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels, Oompa-Loompas and plenty of surprises! This sweet adventure is sure to delight audiences of all ages.

Performances will take place Thursday, Nov. 19, and Friday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. in the Gates Chili Performing Arts Center.

Tickets are on sale now through Nov. 20! Click the button below to purchase tickets and support our talented GCMS performers. Don't miss your chance to experience a world of pure imagination!

Grades 8-10 students and their families are invited to discover the world of career and technical education during CTE EXPO Night on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the WEMOCO Career and Technical Education Center (3589 Big Ridge Road in Spencerport).

During this interactive evening, visitors can:

• Explore all CTE classrooms and labs including both Locally Approved Courses (Foundations and Introduction) and NYSED Approved Programs
• Experience demonstrations of in-demand skills used in fields such as health care, construction, manufacturing, information technology and more
• Expand their understanding of future career and college opportunities by meeting CTE teachers, students and industry professionals

CTE staff and program representatives will be available to answer questions and share insights about each program. Families are strongly encouraged to participate, as CTE EXPO Night is the only opportunity for adults to visit WEMOCO before future student enrollment.

Most CTE programs are designed for students in grades 11 and 12, with registration handled through each student’s home high school counseling office.

Click here for a full list of BOCES 2 Career and Technical Education programs and learn how CTE helps students turn passion into profession.

Family Literacy Month

National Native American Heritage Month

Nov. 2: HS Picture Day Retakes

Nov. 3: District Improvement Team (DIT) meeting, 4 p.m., GCPLC

Nov. 4: MS Picture Day Retakes

Nov. 4: HS Choral Fall Concert, 7:30 p.m., GCPAC

Nov. 5: HS National Honor Society Ceremony, 6:30 p.m., GCPAC

Nov. 6: MS Grade 6 Social, 7 p.m.

Nov. 10: FB Picture Day Retakes

Nov. 10: Fall Family Fest, 5 p.m., Spartan Field House

Nov. 11: Veterans Day – District Closed

Nov. 13: Grade 6-12 End of Quarter 1

Nov. 15: Varsity and JC winter sports season begins

Nov. 17: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 p.m., GCPLC

Nov. 18: Conference Day – Half Day for students UPK-12

Nov. 18: CTE Expo Night, 5:30-7:30 p.m., WEMOCO Career and Technical Education Center

Nov. 19: HS Skills Trades Day

Nov. 19-20: MS Musical - "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory JR.", 7 p.m., GCPAC

Nov. 20: #GCPride Day

Nov. 23: Winter Sports Information Night, 7 p.m., GCPAC

Nov. 25-27: Thanksgiving Recess – District Closed

Nov. 30: Modified winter sports season begins

Always be sure to check the district website for the
most up-to-date dates, times and locations for all events.

Looking for a rewarding career that makes a difference? Gates Chili is hiring bus drivers! Our drivers do more than transport students — they help start and end each school day on a positive note, creating a safe and welcoming environment for Spartans of all ages.

This part-time, 10-month position offers a starting rate of $24.71 per hour, or $25.71 per hour for drivers with at least one year of experience. Drivers are guaranteed a minimum of five paid hours per day, with eligibility for district contributions toward health, vision and dental insurance, plus paid personal and sick time.

We're looking for dependable, safety-minded individuals who enjoy working with students. A valid New York state driver's license appropriate for the vehicle operated is required.

Ready to get behind the wheel of a rewarding career? Join the GC team and help drive the Spartan experience!

Gates Chili is seeking qualified candidates for the following positions. Click the button below to apply or share the opportunity with someone you know!

Job ID 1257: Substitute Support Staff

Job ID 1258: Substitute Teacher*

Job ID 1492: Teacher Aide for the 2026-27 school year

Job ID 1573: General Science Teacher

Job ID 789: Lifeguard

Job ID 1489: Cleaner for the 2026-27 school year

Job ID 1490: Security Worker 2026-27 school year

Job ID 1491: Food Service Helper for the 2026-27 school year

Job ID 1493: Bus Attendant for the 2026-27 school year

Job ID 1494: Bus Driver for the 2026-27 school year

Job ID 1505: Microcomputer Maintenance Technician

Job ID 1572: Custodian

*The Gates Chili Board of Education approved new,