Gator News – Your Trusted Source

We are excited to welcome all of our new students to the GSA High School community!

Whether you’re beginning high school for the first time or joining us from another school, we’re glad you’re here! High school is a time to learn, grow, build friendships, and discover new opportunities. We encourage you to get involved, challenge yourself, try new things, and make the most of your experience.

Our teachers, counselors, administrators, and staff are here to support you every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, get involved, or reach out whenever you need help. Remember, you are an important part of our school community!

🏀Any boys interested in joining the basketball team, please see Coach Williams in Room 100 and introduce yourselves! 🏀

We are also excited to welcome several new members to the GSA High School family! Please join us in giving a warm welcome to:

Mr. Go
Ms. Snow
Mr. Pomerenke
Mr. Casey
Mr. Ahanchi
Mr. Bolyard
Ms. Gray

We are thrilled to have them joining our school community and look forward to the knowledge, experience, and energy they will bring to our students and staff.

Welcome to GSA! We’re happy to have you here! 🎉

Fabric & Sewing Supply Donations Wanted!

Our Fiber Arts and Intro to Fashion Design classes are getting ready for an exciting year of creating quilts, pillows, clothing, and other sewing projects, and we could use your help!

If you have any extra sewing supplies at home that you'd like to pass along, we'd love to give them a new life in our classroom. We're looking for:

• Fabric
• Yarn
• Ribbon and trim
• Thread
• Buttons
• Zippers
• Lace
• Other sewing notions and supplies
• Also: Casual and formal dresses

Please make sure all donated items are clean and in good, usable condition.

Thank you for helping our students learn new skills, get creative, and bring their ideas to life!

If you haven’t already, please see Ms. Erin in the front office to pick up your yearbook during regular school operational hours.

📢 YEARBOOKS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE DURING ORIENTATION DAY, AUGUST 17TH!

Please note that CASH ONLY will be accepted for yearbook purchases.

Thank you!

❗IMPORTANT INFO FROM NURSE JILLIAN❗

All students must have up-to-date immunization records on file before attending school. Documentation must include the month, day, and year of each immunization.

If your student has a medical or religious exemption, then the appropriate exemption form must be submitted and kept on file.

Please note: Unimmunized students may be excluded from school in the event of an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease.

If your child is missing any required immunizations, you will receive a notification email from Nurse Jillian.

💦ACHOOO💦

St.Louis has seen an increasing number of cases of flu and respiratory illness in the past month. This is a challenging time of year, and I appreciate your help to keep our students and staff healthy! Please refer to the guidelines below if your child is not feeling well.

Students who exhibit symptoms such as fever greater than 100.4F, persistent cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea, or general illness should remain at home until they are well enough to participate fully in school activities.

COVID-19 Considerations
Students who test positive for COVID-19 should remain home while they are acutely ill. They may return to school once:

- They have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, and
- Their symptoms have significantly improved, allowing them to participate in normal school activities.

Upon return, it is strongly recommended that students wear a well-fitting mask for several days (at least 5 days) to reduce the risk of transmission, particularly if coughing or nasal congestion persists. Masks are available in the front office and nurse office.

Other Respiratory Illnesses (Flu, RSV, etc.)
The same return-to-school principles apply to other respiratory illnesses. Students should remain home until fever-free for 24 hours without medication and symptoms are improving.

FREE Summer Vision Exams and Glasses!

Does your student need a vision exam or new glasses? Kids Vision for Life is bringing their mobile vision clinic to several public libraries over the summer. You can see learn more at the website:

https://eyethrive.org/mvc/

Uniform Donations Needed

Please donate gently used school pants and uniform shirts that your student has outgrown to help other students! We especially need sweatshirts and adult mens pants at this time. Thank you.

Students in the GSA Summer CYSP program engaged in a wide range of academic, social, and enrichment activities. Their summer included academic camps, extracurricular camps, athletic sessions, community service projects, reading and character‑education activities, and personal physical development.

Scholars cleaned GSA classrooms and the Youth Center, participated in volleyball, table tennis, and foosball, and joined multiple in‑town trips to museums, parks, and cultural sites such as the Missouri History Museum, the Contemporary Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and Laumeier Sculpture Park.

These activities also supported our ongoing effort to maintain students’ momentum and growth during the summer months.

Highlights of the Experience

Why This Was Important for GSA

It was a great opportunity for Coach Williams and several of our student-athletes to attend a SLU basketball practice. They enjoyed every moment and gained valuable insight by seeing firsthand what it takes to compete at a high level.

A huge shoutout to everyone who dedicated their summer to improving their game. Your hard work, commitment, and willingness to grow will continue to pay off. Keep chasing greatness! 🏀💪

Students who participated:

• Sr. Jackson Canady
• Sr. Jayden Bradley
• Jr. Jayden Jackson
• Jr. John Wright
• So. DeAngelo Allen
• So. Miquel Lopez
• Fr. Darwin Love

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Erdogan and Mr. Parker on being recognized as STL Champions of Education by the Missouri Charter Public School Association!

This recognition celebrates their dedication, hard work, and commitment to making a positive impact on our students and school community.

We are incredibly proud of both of you and grateful for everything you do for GSA!

Congratulations, Ms. Erdogan and Mr. Parker! We are proud to call you GSA Champions! 🎉👏🏆

Mrs. Erdogan

CONGRATULATIONS! Your patience and dedication make a difference every day. Your influence as a teacher lasts far beyond the classroom.

GSA family,

We have an exciting introduction to make! Our school culture is all about community, respect, accountability, and making sure every student feels seen and supported. Who better to help lead the way than someone who is committed to making GSA an amazing place to learn, grow, and thrive?

👏 Let’s give a BIG GSA welcome to our Assistant Principal of Culture, Mrs. Armbrister! 👏

We’re can’t wait to see the positive impact you’ll make this school year! 🎉💙

The National Honor Society decided to bring out some culture and hosted their very own cultural night. The event turned out to be very successful and really was a fun experience. From the food, to the dancing, and learning ; it was all so captivating! Here are a few photos from the exhilarating night.

Some of the students had the opportunity to participate in College Visit Day and here are some photos our staff wanted to share!

The annual Rock Climbing Club & CYSP went on a trip to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in Arkansas and OH BOY! does it look like they had loads of fun.

A beautiful time was had and we can't wait to see where you all will go next year!

Students in Dr. Aydin`s Introduction to Engineering Design class learned how to use the professional Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software Onshape. Using this program, they designed a variety of 3D objects from scratch, which were later produced using 3D printers. Through these projects, students gained hands-on experience in 3D modeling, engineering design, and problem-solving skills. The class held the 3D Engineering Showcase for the 5th hour with the support of our wonderful teachers and their students.

"It was a great success, and we truly appreciate everyone who helped make it possible together." - Dr.Aydin

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the PTO Committee for the incredible effort, thoughtfulness, and care you put into making Teacher Appreciation Week so special.

Your generosity and attention to detail did not go unnoticed. From the treats and decorations to the kind gestures throughout the week, every moment made our teachers feel valued, supported, and celebrated. Your commitment to uplifting our staff truly reflects the strong sense of community that makes our school so special.

Thank you for continuously going above and beyond to show appreciation for our educators. Your support means more than words can express.

- September 11

- October 16

- November 20

- December 11

- January 15

- February 5

- March 5

- April 9

- May 7

We are so excited to finally have a school library space for our students! This long-awaited addition creates a welcoming environment for learning, creativity, and exploration. Thanks Mr. Morrow!!!

Our library is more than just a place to check out books. It’s a space where students can read, research, study, collaborate on projects, or simply enjoy a quiet moment during the school day. With a growing collection of fiction, nonfiction, and academic resources, the library supports both classroom learning and a love of reading.

We’re also proud to share that Mrs. McCann has created a library app, making it even easier for students to explore books and access resources right from their devices.

A special thank you to Mrs. Bland for helping decorate the space and bring it to life. Her thoughtful touches have helped make the library warm and inviting for all.

We can’t wait to see our students take full advantage of this exciting new space!

At GSA, we are proud to call the YMCA our partners in expanding opportunities for students and families. The Y plays an essential role in strengthening our schools—from sponsoring underwater robotics programs in our elementary and middle schools to collaborating with us to secure the Mobile Y for the Gateway Region, which our students and families now enjoy through a variety of after-school activities.

Many of our students rely on the Y as a safe, welcoming place to go after school, and this partnership continues to open doors for incredible experiences. A GSA High School student represented both our school and our local YMCA at the International Leadership Conference in Colombia, showcasing the leadership potential within our district.

The YMCA also invests in our educators—providing professional development opportunities—and works alongside us to co-host family events that bring our community together.

By contributing to the YMCA’s annual fundraising campaign, you are investing directly in our students, our families, and the strength of our community. Every contribution, big or small, makes a meaningful difference.

Thank you for supporting a partnership that helps our students thrive. We are proud to call the YMCA our partners! You can donate easily at the following link-

Here

We’re proud to share that GSA now has a workout room on campus serving our student-athletes. This and many other athletic improvements are possible because of your continued support.

Thanks to your generosity, we have been able to purchase essential tools for our programs, including:

• Dr. Dish Basketball Shooting Machine

• Volleyball Spike Machine

• Additional weights and equipment for the weight room

• We were able to host clinics

• And more resources that directly support student-athlete development

Families can support GSA Athletics in multiple ways:

• Donate directly: https://omella.com/flrgc

• Shop the GSA Merch Store, including retired jerseys, with proceeds supporting the athletic department:
  https://omella.com/7gxza

Thank you for investing in our student-athletes and helping us continue to build a strong, sustainable athletic program.

We look forward to another great spring season as we continue building a culture of accountability, effort, and excellence—on and off the field.

Go Gators
GSA Athletics Department

Important Links

Athletics Website | Access/ Register on FinalForms | GSA FanStore | Download Sports Physical

Follow us on Social Media

GSA Athletics on Twitter | GSA Athletics on Instagram | GSA Gator Athletics on Facebook

🐊💙 Welcome to the GSA Athletics Merch Store!

We’re adding retired Gators jerseys to the shop—your chance to own a piece of GSA history. These authentic jerseys have been worn in competition and are now available for fans, alumni, and families to take home.

Every purchase supports new jerseys, warmups, and equipment for our current athletes, helping us keep GSA teams strong and game-ready.

🛒 Shop now or make a direct donation to back our Gators: GSA Merch Store

Looking for ways to connect, give back, and help shape the future of our community? Join one of our local neighborhood associations!

• Southwest Gardens Neighborhood Association – Build friendships and support neighborhood projects.

• Northampton Neighborhood Association – Share your voice and stay informed about community updates.

• The Hill Neighborhood Association – Celebrate culture and help plan fun neighborhood events.

• South Hampton Neighborhood Association – Work together to keep South Hampton vibrant and welcoming.

Whether you attend a meeting, volunteer at an event, or simply stay informed, your participation strengthens the GSA community and the neighborhoods we call home.

Matt Devoti: devotim@stlouis-mo.gov

Thora Pearson: pearsontho@stlouis-mo.gov