GCCSD News and Updates - Sept. 2026

Dear Gates Chili School Community,

Welcome to the 2026-27 school year! I hope our students, staff and families had a restful and enjoyable summer and are ready for another year of learning, growth and connection at Gates Chili. There is always something special about the start of a new school year — a renewed sense of possibility, familiar faces returning to our schools and new Spartans beginning their journey with us.

Throughout the summer, our schools and teams have been busy preparing for the year ahead. Students continued learning through summer programs, our newest kindergarteners took their first steps toward becoming Spartans and nearly 120 new staff members joined the Gates Chili family. Now, as we prepare to welcome all students back on Sept. 8, we look forward to seeing our classrooms, hallways, fields and learning spaces filled once again with the energy and enthusiasm of our students.

A successful school year is built on strong partnerships between our schools, families and community. As we begin this new chapter together, I encourage families to stay connected, review the important information and reminders included in this newsletter and take advantage of the many resources available throughout the district. Whether it is helping students stay focused during our distraction-free school day, preparing devices for learning or simply keeping up with the many events and opportunities ahead, your partnership plays an important role in helping every Spartan thrive.

The beginning of a school year gives each of us an opportunity to set new goals, build new relationships and continue creating a community where every student feels welcomed, supported and empowered to succeed. I am excited for all that lies ahead and grateful to our staff, families and community members for the many ways you support our students and schools each day.

I hope you enjoy this Back-to-School edition of our district e-newsletter, and I look forward to another wonderful year of learning, growth and GC Pride together.

With GC Pride,

Dr. Mitchell J. Ball
Superintendent of Schools

Please join us in welcoming Neil Armstrong Elementary School’s new Assistant Principal Nicole Williams! She will officially start as Armstrong's newest Star on Sept. 16.

Williams joins Gates Chili from the West Irondequoit Central School District, where she served as a school counselor at Dake Junior High School for more than a decade. She also brings administrative leadership experience overseeing the district’s K-12 extended school year program, as well as experience supporting special education processes, student support systems and schoolwide climate and culture initiatives.

We’re excited to welcome Williams to the Gates Chili community and look forward to the experience and leadership she will bring to Armstrong!

Gates Chili provides students in grades K-12 with a district-issued laptop to support learning. As part of the district’s four-year device refresh cycle, students entering grades K, 6 and 9 will receive new laptops this year.

Before a new laptop can be issued, a parent or guardian must complete a Laptop User Agreement for their student in ParentSquare. Students entering grades 6 and 9 must also return their previous district-issued laptop and take care of any outstanding damage or loss charges , if they have not done so already.

Completing the agreement also ensures families receive the district’s laptop protection plan at no additional cost, helping reduce financial responsibility in the event of device or accessory damage or loss.

Have a student entering grades K, 6 or 9? Log in to ParentSquare to complete their Laptop User Agreement and help ensure they’re ready to receive their new device!

Please note, devices will remain at school and are not taken home for elementary and middle school students.

As we begin another school year, Gates Chili families are reminded that all schools will continue to be distraction-free throughout the school day.

In accordance with New York state requirements and district policy, students must keep personal internet-enabled devices — including smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, earbuds and gaming devices — silenced and away from the start to the end of the school day. Keeping these distractions out of classrooms helps students stay focused, engaged and connected to their learning and one another.

Exceptions may be made for approved needs, such as medical monitoring or assistive technology included in a student’s learning plan.

Need to reach your student? Parents and guardians can contact their school’s main or grade-level office at any time during the school day. Staff can relay a message or bring the student to the office to speak with their parent or guardian.

Families traveling to Gates Chili High School should be aware of a traffic pattern update for parking lots D and E this school year.

Following last year’s pilot traffic pattern, the lots have returned to their previous entrance and exit configuration for 2026-27. Vehicles should enter lots D and E using the driveway closest to the bus loop. When leaving, vehicles may exit using either the center driveway or the driveway closest to the Operations Center.

🚗 Student Parking Lot
Student drivers will park in Lot H, located near the Gates Chili Performing Arts Center (GCPAC). Lot E near the Field House will no longer be used for student parking.

🚸 Morning Drop-Off
Student drop-off will occur in the GCPAC loop (Door 60). Families should proceed north through Lot H as will be indicated by security to drop off students in the loop safely and efficiently.

🚙 Afternoon Pick-Up
Instead of lining up in Lot E, families picking up students in the afternoon should park in Lot D and wait for their students to come out after dismissal. Please do not line up along the sidewalk to wait for students.

Check out the map below for a visual of the traffic flow, and please use extra caution during arrival and dismissal as students, families and staff get reacquainted with the traffic pattern.

• Riding e-bikes and e-scooters is not permitted at any time on Gates Chili campuses (for any age), including on tennis courts and turf/grass fields.

• Riders using e-bikes or e-scooters to get to campus must dismount, turn off the motor and walk their e-bike or e-scooter upon arriving on district property. Motorized features may not be used anywhere on school grounds.

• Wear a properly fitted helmet and other appropriate safety gear.
• Follow traffic laws and posted signs.
• Ride at a safe speed and stay alert for pedestrians, vehicles and other cyclists.
• Avoid distractions, including using a phone or headphones while riding.
• Use extra caution in parking lots, crosswalks and other high-traffic areas.

Thank you for helping us protect our facilities and keep Gates Chili campuses safe and welcoming for everyone!

You may have noticed that ParentSquare looks a little different! Over the summer, our school-to-home communication platform introduced a refreshed brand, including a new logo and updated color scheme.

While the ParentSquare app icon may look new on your device, it’s still the same ParentSquare you know, with all the same features that help Gates Chili families stay connected to their schools and the district.

New to Gates Chili or ParentSquare? Visit gateschili.org/parentsquare to learn more about the platform and get help setting up your account.

While all Gates Chili students will receive free school meals again for the 2026-27 school year with no application required, families are still encouraged to complete the Income Eligibility Form, formerly known as the Free and Reduced Meal Application.

Why does it matter? Information from these forms helps connect students and families with important benefits, including AP exam fee waivers and dual-credit tuition assistance. It also helps Gates Chili qualify for state funding that supports programs and services for students while helping offset costs for local taxpayers.

Every completed form makes a difference! Families can quickly and easily complete the form online through MySchoolApps or download a fillable form at gateschili.org/incomeform.

Keep an eye on your mailbox! The 2026-27 Gates Chili District Calendar/Handbook is on its way to GC households.

This annual resource is packed with important information to help families navigate the school year, including key dates, district information, helpful resources and more.

Be on the lookout for your copy arriving soon!

In the meantime, go to gateschili.org/calendars to access online versions of all of our calendars, including pattern calendars, at-a-glance calendars, a pdf of the print calendar and the online district calendar.

Sept. 1-2: Superintendent Conference Day – Staff Only

Sept. 2: NA and PR Kindergarten Orientation, 3-4:30 p.m.

Sept. 2: FB and WD Kindergarten Orientation, 3:30-5 p.m.

Sept. 3: MS Locker Setup, 4 p.m.

Sept. 7: Labor Day – District Closed

Sept. 8: First Day of School for Students

Sept. 8: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 p.m., GCPAC

Sept. 10: HS Senior Parent/Guardian Night, 5:30-6:15 p.m., HS Library Mezzanine

Sept. 10: HS Open House, 6-7:30 p.m.

Sept. 10-11: HS Picture Day

Sept. 15: HS CARA College Fair, 1:15-2 p.m.

Sept. 16: Fall Sports Information Night, 5:30-7 p.m., GCPAC

Sept. 17-18: MS Picture Day

Sept. 22: MS Grade 6 Meet the Staff Night, 6-7:30 p.m.

Sept. 24: HS Gates Chili College Fair

Sept. 24: NA Family Movie Night, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 25: #GCPride Day

Sept. 29: MS Grades 7-8 Meet the Staff Night, 6-7:30 p.m.

Sept. 30: Conference Day – Half Day for Students UPK-12

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

Help drive the Spartan experience! Gates Chili Central School District is seeking dependable and student-focused bus drivers to safely transport students to and from school, athletic events, field trips and other activities. Bus drivers play an important role in creating a safe, welcoming and positive experience for students from the moment they step on the bus.

This part-time, 10-month position offers a starting rate of $24.71 per hour with no prior bus driving experience or $25.71 per hour with at least one year of bus driving experience, along with eligibility for district contributions toward health, vision and dental insurance, paid personal time and paid sick time. Routes require a minimum of five paid hours per day, with schedules varying based on the assigned route.

The ideal candidate is dependable, safety-conscious and comfortable working with students of all ages and abilities. A valid New York state driver's license appropriate for the vehicle operated is required.

If you're looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students while becoming an important part of the Gates Chili team, consider applying for a Bus Driver position!

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 1546: Secondary Special Education Teacher – CT

Job ID 1552: Building Substitute Teacher

Job ID 1553: Speech Language Pathologist

Job ID 896: Lifeguard

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

Job ID 1490: Security Worker for the 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 1526: Network Technician

Job ID 1548: Community Use and Fitness Facility Supervisor

Job ID 1551: Custodian

Job ID 1555: Office Clerk IV/III

*The Gates Chili Board of Education approved new,