GCCSD News and Updates - Dec. 2025
This December, we continue to shine a spotlight on student creativity and leadership — from middle schoolers performing Elf Jr. to high schoolers giving back at Fall Family Fest. These stories, and so many more, remind us that the best gifts we can give one another are time, support and encouragement. With winter weather on the horizon, this issue also includes important reminders about emergency closing procedures.
As we move into the holiday season, I want to thank you for the continued care and collaboration that make Gates Chili a special place to learn and grow. May the coming weeks bring you rest, joy and meaningful moments with the people who matter most.
Go Spartans!
Christopher J. Dailey
Superintendent of Schools
Bears lead the way ⭐
Cozy vibes 🧸
Gobble, gobble 🦃
Wild about animals 🐇
Time to kickball 👟
The best way to spread holiday cheer 💚
Passion for creativity 🖼
NTHS Inductees 🎊
Gates Chili students Nicolas D. (Carpentry) and Jimmie S. (Criminal Justice) were inducted into the BOCES 2 CTE National Technical Honor Society. Congratulations!
Crafty leaders ✂️
GCHS Peer Leaders lent helping hands to young Spartans during the 2025 Fall Family Fest at their craft table.
Tell us a little about yourself.
Jyles: I’m from Gates and still live here today. I attended school here, and it’s kind of funny to be back and working with my old teachers and principals.
How long have you been working in the district?
Jyles: I’ve been working in the district for about four and a half years now. I started in January of 2021 as a building substitute here at the middle school and have been here ever since.
Can you talk about your experience as a building substitute?
Jyles: This position has been great for me. I’ve heard the way it’s set up is different depending on what building you're in, but I have really enjoyed the set up here at the middle school. I’ve been able to build relationships throughout the entire building. Some teachers don’t get to see all the other teachers throughout the day, but as a building sub you bounce around and help out in different areas. You get to see and interact with all the students, regardless of grade level. The students get to know you well too, and they stop and say “hi” all the time when they see me in the halls.
What are you currently teaching?
Jyles: Right now, I am filling in for 15:1 Special Education for English, social studies and reading in a combined class of seventh and eighth-graders.
What is the difference between a building substitute and a traditional substitute teacher?
Jyles: From what I understand, regular subs have to check in each day and see if there is a class they can fill in for. Whereas building subs come to work every day, as a full-time position. Some days you’re in the classroom teaching, while other days you might be on hall duty all day, but there’s always something for you to help out with.
In your experience as a building substitute teaching different classes, what has been your favorite subject to teach?
Jyles: This program I’m currently teaching [15:1 Special Education] is probably my favorite. When I first started working at GCMS, I worked with this program the most. I’ve been able to build good relationships with the students, which has been really great. I also really enjoyed teaching Italian, which covered for about two to three months. I had to teach myself Italian in the process, thoroughly studying up on the lesson plans before each class so I could be prepared to read aloud. It was challenging, but honestly really fun.
Are you involved in anything else with the district outside of your role?
Jyles: Yes, I have coached baseball here at Gates Chili since starting my role. I’ve moved up the different levels over the years. I started coaching modified B and then A, and now I’m coaching the JV team. I can’t wait for spring to come and for the season to start.
In your own words, what does it mean to be a Spartan?
Jyles: It means a lot to me, actually. I went to school here and have really built up that feeling of Spartan pride. As a student I was at all of the different games, leading the student section. It's always been important to me, which is why I came back to work here and why I wanted to coach. I wanted to be able to influence that feeling of Spartan pride and build connections. I want to help students find pride in the things they do, whether it be schoolwork, athletics or any other extracurriculars. The Spartan Way’s four pillars of respect, responsibility, hard work and compassion are also pillars of living a good life and being a good person. If you can have those four values in your life, I think you're going to be okay, and things will work out. I think striving to be a great person is the core of being a Spartan.
Technology knowledge and skills are vital for students' active participation in 21st-century life. Coupled with knowledge and skills is reliable access to computing devices and high-speed internet. That’s why the New York State Education Department (NYSED) requires public schools to provide information on student and teacher access to devices and the internet.
We ask all families to complete the annual Digital Equity Survey by Monday, Dec. 15.
Family members can complete the survey in ParentSquare or by going to gateschili.org/DigitalEquity (this will prompt you to log into your ParentSquare account). The nine-question survey should take no more than two minutes per school-age student to complete.
As we head into the winter months and the possibility of inclement weather, the district would like to remind families of our procedures for emergency closings, delays and schedule changes.
In the event of an emergency or weather-related closure, ParentSquare will be used to share updates via phone call, text message and email. The district will also post information on its website, social media channels and local TV and radio stations. Whenever possible, school closings will be announced by 6 a.m.
While early dismissals are avoided whenever possible, there may be times when they are necessary due to rapidly changing conditions. Families whose homes are unattended during the day are encouraged to have a plan in place to ensure students have supervision if an early dismissal occurs.
If afternoon activities are canceled due to weather, all district buildings and campuses will close, and all events — including athletics, field house activities, club meetings, Continuing Education classes and other scheduled programs—will be canceled. All late bus runs will also be suspended for the day.
To ensure you receive timely notifications, please keep your contact information up to date throughout the year. Visit gateschili.org/updatecontact for instructions on how to make changes in the SchoolTool Parent Portal.
Get ready for another unforgettable night of high-energy entertainment as the Gates Chili Education Foundation welcomes the Harlem Wizards back to the Spartan Field House!
The Wizards will take on the GC Faculty, Staff and Administration All-Stars on Friday, January 16 at 7 p.m. Expect plenty of laughs, trick hoops and alley-oops as this fan-favorite event brings our school community together for a fun-filled evening.
More details, including ticket information, will be shared soon — mark your calendars now!
Dec. 2: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 p.m., GCPLC
Dec. 3: PR Band and Chorus Winter Concert, 7 p.m., GCPAC
Dec. 5: NA, PR and WD Picture Make-up Day
Dec. 5: FBFA Holiday Craft Show, 6-8:30 p.m., Chili Community Center
Dec. 6: FBFA Holiday Craft Show, 12-4 p.m., Chili Community Center
Dec. 8: Conference Day – No School Students Grades UPK-5.
Dec. 9: HS Band Winter Concert, 7:30 p.m., GCPAC
Dec. 10: HS FAFSA Night, 5:30-7 p.m., HS Library
Dec. 10: MS Grade 6 Band Concert, 7 p.m., GCPAC
Dec. 12: NA Theatre Club – Frozen Jr., 6:30 p.m., NA Cafetorium
Dec. 13: WDPTO Craft Show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., WD
Dec. 13: NA Theatre Club – Frozen Jr., 1 p.m., NA Cafetorium
Dec. 16: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 p.m., GCPLC
Dec. 16: WD Band and Chorus Winter Concert, 7 p.m., GCPAC
Dec. 17: MS Grade 7-8 Band and Jazz Band Concert, 7 p.m., GCPAC
Dec. 19: Conference Day – Half Day for Students Grades UPK-5.
Dec. 19: #GCPride Day
Dec. 22 – Jan. 2: Holiday Recess – No School for Students and 10-Month Staff
Dec. 25: Christmas – District Closed
Jan. 1: New Years Day – District Closed
Position spotlight: Teacher Aide (Job ID 1253)
Teacher Aides play a vital role in supporting student success and keeping classrooms running smoothly across the Gates Chili School District. In this role, aides work directly with teachers and administrators to assist with a wide range of classroom tasks — helping ensure that students receive the attention and support they need each day.
Teacher Aides focus on classroom-centered support, such as:
Assisting with academic activities
Grading papers and proctoring exams
Gathering and organizing instructional resources
Providing 1:1 or small-group support as assigned
Depending on the assignment, Teacher Aides may support students with disabilities, primary-aged students, library or ESOL students, and may assist with student self-care needs.
While Teacher Aides do not develop instructional materials or deliver instruction, their work is essential in creating a positive, productive, and well-supported learning environment.
If you're looking for a meaningful role where you can make a daily difference for students and staff, consider joining the Gates Chili team as a Teacher Aide!
Instructional Staff Positions:
Job ID 1253: Teacher Aide for the 2025-26 school year
Job ID 1257: Substitute Support Staff
Job ID 1258: Substitute Teacher*
Job ID 1345: FACS Teacher
Job ID 1350: Secondary Special Education Teacher 15:1
Job ID 1351: Speech Language Pathologist
Job ID 1353: LTS-Special Education
Job ID 1343: Spring – Boys Modified Baseball Head Coach
Support Staff Positions:
Job ID 789: Lifeguard
Job ID 1251: Bus Attendant for the 2025-26 school year
Job ID 1252: Bus Driver for the 2025-26 school year
Job ID 1254: Cleaner for the 2025-26 school year
Job ID 1255: Security Worker 2025-26 school year
Job ID 1256: Food Service Helper for the 2025-26 school year
Job ID 1349: Office Clerk IV – High School Counseling
Job ID 1352: Maintenance Mechanic II – HVAC Experience Preferred
*The Gates Chili Board of Education approved new,
increased rates for instructional substitutes. Click here for details.