GSD E-Blast November 2024

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we near the end of the second month of school, it's time for parent-teacher conferences and report cards! Strong communication between home and school is essential, and we encourage all parents to stay engaged in their child’s education. Checking the MiStar Parent Portal, reviewing report cards or progress reports, and meeting with teachers during conferences are all excellent ways to stay informed about your child’s progress, celebrating their strengths and identifying areas for growth.

Consider asking teachers how you can support learning at home and how the school can provide additional help if your child needs it. Talking to your child about their favorite subjects and activities in school can also spark positive conversations and keep the focus on the joy of learning.

Following your child's school’s official Facebook and X accounts is another great way to stay updated on the wonderful learning opportunities and events happening at school each day.

Take a look below to discover all the amazing things our students and staff are doing to make Gibraltar Schools an incredible place to be!

Your partner in education,

Amy Conway

Superintendent

As you know, on November 5, Gibraltar School District has two important millage renewals on the ballot that will impact our school district’s future – a Non-Homestead Millage Renewal and a Sinking Fund Renewal and Restoration. These measures are being proposed to maintain and enhance the quality of education and facilities in our district.
Here are some quick facts about each proposal.
Non-Homestead Millage Renewal

• The Non-Homestead Millage Renewal is not a new tax.

• All school districts in Michigan are required to levy this millage to receive their full share of State Aid.

• The Non-Homestead Millage does not affect primary residences (the home in which you live). It is a renewal of an existing levy on businesses, second homes, rental properties, and vacant land.

• The Non-Homestead Millage Renewal is projected to generate $3.6 million annually.

• Renewal of this millage supports educational programs and services for our students.

• Sinking Fund Renewal and Restoration

• The sinking fund millage is essential for the continued upkeep and improvement of our school buildings and infrastructure.

• The sinking fund millage is projected to generate $415,000 annually for facility repairs and updates.

• Revenue from the sinking fund will cover needs such as roof replacements, heating and cooling system updates, and upgrading technology.

• Due to Headlee rollbacks per the Michigan Constitution, the sinking fund has been reduced from the original amount of 0.5 to 0.4817.

• Restoring the sinking fund to the original 0.5 mills will cost the average homeowner living in a home with a $200,000 market value ($100,000 taxable value) $1.83 per year.

• Your Voice Matters
  Your vote can make a substantial difference in the educational experience Gibraltar School District provides to students. If you have requested an absentee ballot, make sure your completed ballot is returned to your local clerk’s office before 8 p.m. on November 5.

If you have any last-minute questions about these proposals, please visit: https://www.gibdist.net/page/election-information or contact the board office at 734-379-6351.

Thank you for being part of the Marauder community!

Research shows that being happy and positive primes the brain to be more successful and productive. Promoting positivity will enhance our student’s academic ability and develop them into happy and positive thinkers and leaders. Each month we will highlight a building or staff member that is spreading “The Orange” (Happiness) through Gibraltar!

Parsons Orange Squad has been busy trying new ideas to promote positivity. Small acts of appreciation, such as the adult Trick or Treat event organized by Parsons, give staff the chance to connect, relax, and start their day on a joyful note. Staff stopped by different stations for snacks and rewards in order to foster a sense of community, provide a moment of levity, and remind them that their hard work is recognized!

Carlson High School's football team continues its dominance by securing a fourth consecutive Downriver League Championship! With a current record of 7-1, the 2024 Marauders have outscored their opponents 353 to 83 this season. Carlson is well-positioned for another postseason run as the defending Division 2, District 2 Champions. The first round of the playoffs will take place this Friday, November 1st, at Marauder Stadium against Bedford.

Carlson girls golf team had another successful season. They won the final league tournament of the season and finished 2nd in the Downriver league for the overall league point standings. The team also qualified for states for the 5th year in a row, finishing in 15th place.

The Carlson Marching Marauder Band has had a Spectacular Fall marching band season! Building on their tremendously successful 2023 season, the CMB came out strong again this fall and achieved FIRST place in every marching invitational they performed. A highlight for the band was winning the “Best in Show” Award at the Wyandotte Downriver Fanfare for the 3rd year in a row. The Marching Marauders also won caption awards for Best Music, Best Marching, and Best Percussion! The Marauder Band, under the dedicated direction of Band Director Dave Brockington, has put in remarkable effort this fall. Their hard work and commitment have been evident in every performance, and Brockington couldn’t be prouder of his students' accomplishments on the field. Go Marauders!

In an ongoing effort to promote responsive learning opportunities at Shumate Middle School, we have restructured our math-based electives (Hands on Geometry 6, Hands on Geometry 7, and Mathematical Adventures 8) to build upon an already solid foundation for essential math skills taught within our math classes. These 9-week courses are now mandatory for all students each year, except those enrolled in high school foreign language and band/choir, resulting in over 95% student participation. Initially introduced to address pandemic-related learning gaps, these electives have become essential in reinforcing and enhancing key math skills. With a project-based focus, students apply mathematical concepts directly to real-world situations, building both understanding and enthusiasm. Through activities like designing a scale-model geometric city, creating a 3-D object with custom packaging, or researching global issues to produce interactive infographic displays, students gain valuable skills that will support their success in future math classes and academic pursuits.

Thank you to our amazing PTO, Chapman hosted it's first Fun Run! All students grades K-5 ran laps around our walking track and completed obstacles along the course. Obstacles included walking on stilts, a blow-up slide race, walk the cornstalks, and more! Parents were able to come watch and cheer their children on throughout the day. This was a wonderful event to not only raise funds for our building, but to also promote physical activity, exercise, and fun with our students. Thank you, again, to our PTO, and to all of the volunteers, donations, and sponsors that helped make this event special for our students.

October is AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Awareness Month! At Hunter Elementary School, we are proud to embrace our students who use all forms of AAC, ensuring they receive the support they need in all learning environments.

Our commitment to total communication spans general education classes, special education classes, and specials in the Gibraltar School District. We believe that every student deserves a voice as well as the opportunity to participate fully in all school activities. Our teachers are dedicated to learning how to effectively integrate AAC devices into their teaching, tailoring approaches to meet each student’s unique needs. They have already done a phenomenal job utilizing low-tech supports such as Core boards, visual aids, pictures, and schedules in their classroom environment and activities.

By fostering an inclusive environment, we empower all students to communicate and engage with their peers and educators. Together, we’re making strides toward a more accessible and supportive educational experience for everyone. Hunter teachers are making a difference every day, helping all students find their voice.

Let’s continue to celebrate and promote AAC Awareness throughout October and beyond!

DTE Energy visited Parsons Elementary School on Wednesday, October 9th. Students participated in the sponsored “Think! Energy” program. The program aligns and enhances the Amplify “Energy Conversions” unit students are currently studying and allows students to apply what they learn in school at home.

Students participated in hands-on minds-on learning that explored topics such as nonrenewable resources, energy conservation, and recycling. They even created a circuit using energy from their bodies!

At the conclusion of the program, students were gifted a FREE “Take Action Kit” of energy-efficient products. Kits include a shower timer, sink aerators, pipe insulators, a showerhead, LED night light, and an LED light bulb. Students get to take their knowledge and new understandings and apply them at home by making their homes more energy-efficient.

DTE Presenters shared that “not only does the program encourage students to be a leader in your home and community, but families also benefit from lower energy bills!”

We are incredibly thankful for the Downriver Career Technical Consortium (DCTC) for visiting Weiss Elementary and engaging our 5th graders in an inspiring exploration of various careers and trades! The students had an amazing time learning about a wide range of fields, including construction, photography, digital media, screen printing, dentistry, agriculture, and more.

This hands-on experience opened their eyes to the possibilities that lie ahead and sparked their interest in future career paths. The DCTC team brought a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm, making the sessions interactive and informative. Our students left feeling excited about the future and the many opportunities they can pursue as they grow.

We look forward to more partnerships like this that enrich our students' learning experiences and help them envision their paths beyond elementary school! Thank you, DCTC, for your support and dedication to our young learners!

October is Bullying Prevention Month. At Lakeshore, our students and staff wore orange on Unity Day to promote kindness towards everyone. Additionally, our Leadership Club hosted an anti-bullying event where students watched videos about bullying and learned how to be "upstanders" to help prevent it. During the event, they engaged in roundtable discussions about the videos, shared their own experiences, and explored ways to stop and prevent bullying. The event concluded with the creation of a kindness chain, with each link featuring a positive or kind quote. This chain will continue to grow throughout the school year, eventually stretching from one room to another. It was a wonderful opportunity for students and staff to come together and empower each other to prevent any future bullying they may encounter.

We are holding our 12th annual “Fill the Bus” food drive at the Transportation Building, located at 28291 Fort Street. We will start collecting donations on Monday, November 11, 2024 through Friday, December 13, 2024. Any donations may be dropped off from Monday through Friday, 6:30 am to 4:30 pm.

We will be collecting non-perishable food items and daily essential supplies. All donations will go to the Gibraltar Food Pantry. This is an opportunity for our community to come together and help those in need.

We appreciate your caring and ongoing support of our mission to help those in need in our community.

We are excited to announce the return of our Global Eats featured menu items from around the world! Starting in November, we will showcase items from six different countries, beginning with Mexico. In the upcoming months, look forward to tasting flavors from Italy, India, China, the Caribbean, and Korea.

Additionally, we are pleased to serve our Thanksgiving lunch to Carlson and Shumate on Friday, November 22, and to the Elementary Schools on Monday, November 18.