GCIT Weekly Newsletter

This week, the Dance Program’s annual “I Was Here; Dancing for Humanity” benefit, held in honor of Katharine Campbell, was a truly moving and unforgettable evening.

From the very first performance, it was clear that our dancers poured their heart and soul into every moment on stage. Each movement reflected deep emotion, passion, and purpose. The level of excellence and professionalism displayed by all performers was extraordinary—it was nearly impossible to distinguish between our freshman dancers and those who have participated in this benefit in previous years. Every dancer performed with confidence, grace, and a shared commitment to something greater than themselves.

A special round of applause and sincere recognition goes to our dedicated dance instructors, Mrs. Stahl and Ms. Colon. Their unwavering commitment to our dance program was evident throughout the evening. Countless hours of rehearsals, attention to every detail—from choreography to lighting, sound, and seamless stage transitions—resulted in a beautifully executed and deeply meaningful performance. Their passion and guidance created a space where students could truly express themselves through movement.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff, students, parents, and families who came out to support this incredible event. Your presence and encouragement meant so much to our performers.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, the event raised over $4,000 in support of Habitat for Humanity of Gloucester County. This remarkable achievement reflects not only the talent of our dancers, but also the compassion and unity of our school community.

It was an evening filled with emotion, artistry, and purpose—one that truly embodied the spirit of giving and the power of the arts. Great job Dancers - we are proud of you!

In science, important discoveries don’t always come from perfectly planned experiments—they often come from paying attention when something unexpected happens.

This week in our college biology class, students were culturing environmental bacteria collected from around our school. One student, Ally Black, successfully grew a dense bacterial "lawn" on her agar plate. While reviewing the results, we noticed something unusual: a small fungal colony had grown in the center, surrounded by a clear zone where bacteria were suppressed in their growth. This indicates that the fungus Ally found is secreting antibacterial compounds.

This pattern—known as a zone of inhibition—mirrors one of the most famous moments in scientific history. In 1928, Alexander Fleming observed a similar occurrence, which led to the discovery of penicillin and other antibiotics which have saved tens of millions of human lives since then.

While this was simply a chance environmental contaminant, it created a powerful teaching moment. Ally’s capture gave us the opportunity to observe how careful observation and curiosity can turn even unexpected results into meaningful learning.

Written by Dr. Robert Anderson

Juniors in Mrs. Terpollili’s Cosmetology class put on their wigs with ‘Wig Theory’ on Thursday. Students learned about types of wigs, how to put on the wigs, and even how to cut and style them… and of course had a little fun along the way.

Written by Ms. Hill

Jessica Hill

Without Ms. Hill's Dedication and enthusiasm for teaching ELA, my students would not be where they are today. Ms. Hill has transformed my class from readers with lower scores to readers with some of the top reading scores in the school. The excitement she brings with her lessons to class is second to none. I am grateful to work alongside such a professional. If You ask Mr. Roskiewich I think he will agree that this teacher definitely deserves teacher of the month!

Kirstin Lynch-Walsh

My vote for March’s Employee recognition is a super star. For over twenty years, I have watched with admiration and amazement the fruits of her labor. She inspires her students to perform at their highest by fostering creativity and confidence. She doesn’t look for the spotlight, instead she works tirelessly backstage so her student’s shine. She understands her role and the importance of the arts in influencing society and our human experience. For these reasons (and many more) I proudly nominate Ms. Kirstin Lynch-Walsh for March’s Employee Recognition.

Jimmy Connor

He's fun, he's dynamic, and the kids love him. I witnessed the single greatest moment between a coach and a player during soccer season and to go into the details, just would not do it justice. The relationship that he had with some of the most challenging hotheads, it was just pretty incredible to see how he related to them as athletes and individuals. On top of this, Jimmy has made the US National Team in soccer at the age of 50+. He's feeling the pains of it now, but listen, he's competing at levels that most 20 year olds could not dream of doing right now - and most of all, he does it without even bragging about it. All of this will come to a head in the Philippines and it's just something that this school community should be proud of and celebrate.

Dave Andrews

Since coming in just a few years ago Dave Andrews has injected much needed youthful enthusiasm into our program. He has brought in a huge amount of knowledge and field experience to pass on to his students both day and night. He is respected and admired by his students and staff that work with him. Dave makes himself available to help anyone who needs his expertise and goes above and beyond expected teaching duties. As time goes on, I see Dave becoming a cornerstone of the GCIT CTE community.

Dave Andrews is truly deserving of this month’s staff recognition for the tremendous expertise and generosity he brings to our school community each day. As our Automotive Technology teacher, Dave consistently goes above and beyond by sharing his automotive knowledge with staff—whether he is helping brainstorm an issue, diagnosing a vehicle problem, or offering practical advice on how to resolve it. He is the driving force behind all live automotive work throughout the district, and his skill, dedication, and willingness to help never go unnoticed. Most importantly, Dave’s kindness and supportive nature make him a valued and trusted member of our school community.

We are excited to share a thoughtful idea brought forward by one of our own students, sophomore, Charlotte Stewart-Groff, who proposed adding a “Student Spotlight” section to the GCIT Weekly Newsletter. This feature would provide students with an opportunity to showcase their creative talents, including poetry, short stories, photography, and other forms of artistic expression.

Charlotte shared that, in the absence of formal art and music programs, this could serve as a meaningful outlet for creativity and a way to further strengthen our school community. The spotlight will be featured monthly and may even include themes or prompts to inspire participation.

Students who are interested in showcasing their talents in the newsletter are encouraged to submit their work directly to Charlotte Stewart-Groff on Teams.

Student-initiated ideas such as this are what make GCIT a true community of learners who excel in all areas. We are proud of Charlotte’s initiative and her desire to contribute in a positive and meaningful way, and we look forward to celebrating the creativity of our students.

HOSA Fundraiser Clothing Drive April 18th – time to start Spring Cleaning!

Clean out your closet and make a difference. Donate your gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories and household item to help raise funds for HOSA.

Written by Rebecca Melniczuk

Jullianna Carroll, Eunice Sta Clara & Natalie Pandolfo added a little extra Cheetah spirit to the school. With the direction of Mr. Leary and the Varsity Club, the girls took time after school to paint a new mural on our walls and give the place a little more colorful flair.

We appreciate Juls, Eunice and Natalie's dedication to school spirit and thank them for our new artwork.

Written by Mr. Leary - GC Educational Network Manager

• 4/29/26: Science - 2 units - Periods 1-4
• 4/30/26: Science- 2 units - Periods 1-4

Make-ups

• May 4 - May 5: Science - Periods 1-4

• 5/11/26: Reading - Periods 1-3
• 5/12/26: Reading - Periods 1-3
• 5/13/26: Writing - Periods 1-3
• 5/18/26: Math - Periods 1-3
• 5/19/26: Math - Periods 1-3

Make-ups

• May 20 - May 29: Reading, Writing, Math, Science

Assessment Department

Yards are filling up fast for "Egg Your Yard 🐣🐰!"

If you are planning on signing up or know someone who may be, make sure to sign up as soon as possible! Sign up here: Egg Your Yard 2026.

By: Courtney Schoettle - Program Manager for CRESS/Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services

All students and staff are required to wear their GCIT lanyard and ID around their neck every day.

• Students must have their ID visible and on their GCIT lanyard before entering the building.

Wearing your GCIT ID helps ensure the safety and security of our school community. Please make sure to have it with you each day!

We would like to remind all students to follow the GCIT Dress Code Policy every day. Maintaining a respectful and appropriate learning environment helps everyone stay focused and successful.

Please keep the following guidelines in mind when getting ready for school:

• 👖 Bottoms (pants, skirts, shorts) must be fingertip length – be sure to check before leaving home.

• 👚 Stomachs must be covered – crop tops that expose the midriff are not permitted.

• 👕 Shirt straps must be at least two fingers wide – spaghetti straps are not allowed.

• 💤 No pajamas are permitted during the school day.

• No flipflops

📘 For more information, please review the full Dress Code Policy in the Parent/Student Handbook (page 13), available on the GCIT Website.

Let’s work together to make sure GCIT continues to be a professional and welcoming place for all!

• March 28 - SkillsUSA Competitions at GCIT
• April 3 - 12:15 pm Student Dismissal
• April 6 -10 - Spring Break - School Closed
• April 13 - 17 - Assistant Principal Appreciation Week
• April 22 - Administrative Professionals Day
• April 24 - Spring Cabaret
• April 27 - 30 - Spring Dance Showcase
• April 28 - Love Our Vets Celebration
• May 1 - 12:15 pm Student Dismissal
• May 1 - Principal Appreciation Day
• May 1 - Junior Prom - 7:00pm to 11:00pm at The Forum (109 N Black Horse Pike Blackwood, NJ 08012)
• May 3 - Out Of The Darkness Walk
• May 4 - 8 - Teacher Appreciation Week
• May 5 - 8 - Freshman Production
• May 14 - Film Premier
• May 19 - 20 - Dance Senior Pieces
• May 22 - 12:15 pm Student Dismissal
• May 25 - School Closed - Memorial Day
• May 26 - GCIT Live
• May 27 - Senior Awards Ceremony: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
• May 29 - 12:15 pm Student Dismissal
• May 29 - Senior Prom at The Grove
• June 2 - Junior Trip to Hersey Park
• June 4 - Drama Academy Awards
• June 6 - SAT
• June 7 - 11 - Senior Trip to Disney in Orlando
• June 16 - 18 12:15 pm Student Dismissal
• June 18 - Last Day for Students (Tentative Graduation Day)
• June 22 - Last Day for Instructional Staff