To browse important upcoming events, please click the events button above or select the link to the events calendar below.

May 20-22 | Final Exams

The attached information is very important in regards to a possible St.Louis Measles exposure. On 4/30/2025 between 1-6pm an out of town visitor was at the St.Louis Aquarium. We now know this individual has a confirmed case of Measles. They were also at a restaurant but that information is reported to not be available at this time. If your child was there at that time, please let me know as soon as possible. You would also need to inform the Health Department. This will be especially important if your student is not immunized for Measles. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED ITEMS:1.) GSA POLICY for unvaccinated or not-compliant with immunizations during a measles outbreak in our district. 2.) City Of St. Louis Health Department release

As the school year winds down, we're excited to offer a FREE ACT Summer Enrichment Program to help students get ahead and shine on test day!

Why Join?

ACT scores matter for college admissions and scholarships—and it’s never too early to start preparing! Based on spring ACT data and teacher recommendations, we believe this program could give your student the extra boost they need to reach their full potential.

Program Details:

Dates: Wednesday, May 28 – Friday, June 13

Location: GSA HS ACT Summer School @ Fyler Campus

Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (in-person)

Meals: Free breakfast and lunch provided daily

Bonus: Free registration for the official ACT on June 14!

We’ll tailor the schedule to student availability, so please complete the preference form by May 5, 2025 to help us build the best experience for everyone. Please submit your preferences and register here.

Don’t miss this chance to gain confidence, improve your score, and open doors to future success!

We want to take a moment to reflect on an action-packed April! From college visits and our Career Fair to ACT/Pre-ACT testing, family conferences, and exciting field trips, the month was full of meaningful moments. We were especially thrilled to welcome our future Gators from the Class of 2029 and celebrate the heart of our community at Culture Night. Thank you to our students, staff, and families for making this such a memorable and successful season—we’re proud of all we’ve accomplished together!

On the weekend of April 26, GSA teachers, students, and parents proudly represented our schools at the final round of the Math Olympics. With over 3,600 participants in the first round of the MathCON Test among CONCEPT Schools, only two students from each grade advanced to the final round. The finals, consisting of 32 challenging multiple-choice questions to be answered in 50 minutes, took place at the prestigious Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.

We are thrilled to share that GSA made history with a stunning performance:

• GSA Smiley has been ranked 1st Best Elementary School.

• GSA Middle has been ranked 1st Best Middle School.

• GSA High has been ranked 1st Best High School among all CONCEPT Schools.

Congratulations to all of our students for their hard work, dedication, and outstanding achievements in this competition. Your hard work has truly paid off, and you’ve made us incredibly proud!

A special thank-you goes to our supportive parents and exceptional Elite Math teachers—Mrs. Erdogan, Mrs. Unsal, Ms. Wade, and Mrs. Celepoglu—for their invaluable guidance and dedication to our students’ success.

Highlighting Our Achievements:

• Dylan Tucker – Silver Medal

• Isaac Smith – Bronze Medal

• Garrett McElroy – Honorable Mention

10th Grade

• Afra Karatas – Gold Medal

• Rukiye Gungor – Silver Medal

11th Grade

• Kadir Sobo – Gold Medal

• Ismael Alnusour – Honorable Mention

12th Grade

• Murllin Bender – Bronze Medal

• Quentin Beck – Honorable Mention

MathCON National Championship: We are equally thrilled to announce that 10 GSA students have been selected as finalists for the 2025 MathCON National Championship, standing out among over 30,000 participants nationwide! This incredible achievement reflects their hard work, dedication, and love for math.

Congratulations to Our MathCON Finalists:

• Angel Reed (5th Grade)

• Michael Vanden Berg (6th Grade)

• Sila Karatas (6th Grade)

• Leo Craven (7th Grade)

• Rocket Credit (8th Grade)

• Afra Karatas (10th Grade)

• Ismael Alnusour (11th Grade)

• Kadir Sobo (11th Grade)

• Quentin Beck (12th Grade)

• Murllin Bender (12th Grade)

We are incredibly proud of these students for earning their place among the nation’s brightest young minds. Their participation in the MathCON Finals is a testament to their talent and determination, and we can’t wait to see them shine in the competition!

These achievements would not have been possible without the support of our parents, teachers, and the entire GSA community. Together, we continue to nurture excellence and celebrate the accomplishments of our students. Stay tuned for more updates and celebrations as we highlight the outstanding achievements of GSA schools!

Our Gators shined at the 2025 CONSEF Science Fair! Congratulations to Betul Erdogan for earning the Best of Category Award, and to our Gold Award winners: Jared Bender, Ajla Diehl, Kawthar Dizdarevic, Emily Eichenseer, and Rukiye Gungor. Silver Awards went to Belma Diehl and Kenzie Morris, while Melissa Aliyeva and Myra Krownapple were recognized with Top 5 STEM Expo Demonstration Awards. GSA Fyler High also proudly ranked 3rd in the Senior Division overall!

Ms. Neudorf’s Dual Credit Anatomy and Physiology class visited Logan University for an unforgettable “Tour of the Body.” Students had the rare opportunity to observe a real human cadaver and even touch actual human organs. The experience gave them firsthand insight into the impact of smoking and alcohol on the lungs and liver, and they also examined real hip prosthetics within the body. Students walked away with a deeper appreciation and understanding of human anatomy that textbooks alone can't provide.

Coach O’s students have been stepping out of the classroom and into culture! Each class has taken turns visiting a local Venezuelan restaurant to sample authentic dishes and learn more about Venezuelan cuisine, customs, and traditions. It’s a delicious way to connect learning with real-world experiences.

A big THANK YOU to all the students, families, and staff who made our Culture Night a vibrant, joyful success! From the colorful displays and delicious food to the incredible performances and warm community spirit, the evening truly celebrated the diversity that makes our school so special. We loved seeing everyone come together to share traditions, learn from one another, and have fun.

Click here to view more pictures.

The freshmen will be having an assembly on Tuesday, April 8th to reward students for their GPA and attendance. The top students in each class will receive a permission slip and invite to a day at the zoo on Wednesday, April 16th. Our A+ students will also receive a voucher for a cardinals' game. Dress Down day is April 11th. For those who have perfect attendance or a perfect GPA, they will receive a wristband for a free dress down day on April 15thh.

Prom Court will be announced at an assembly on April 16th.

StuCo is hosting the Spring Fling on Friday, May 9th.

Please see below the district-approved calendar for the 2025-2026 school year

Guardian Angel’s new Pantry and Clothing Closet is officially open! Families can now shop for clothing and household items while picking up food essentials.

The food pantry serves the greater St. Louis area, offering staple items like canned goods, bread, pasta, rice, beans, fresh produce, and meat. Instead of pre-boxed food, members can shop based on dietary and religious needs.

Hours (by appointment only):

• Tuesdays: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Thursdays: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
• Fridays (Seniors 55+ only): 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Every 2nd Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

For urgent food needs, emergency bags are available without an appointment.

📞 Call 314-773-9027 to schedule a visit or submit an appointment request here.

Residents of 63118 or 63104 are encouraged to take advantage of this resource!

Families in need can access food and clothing assistance through the local pantry and clothing room. No appointment is necessary—just bring a photo ID!

🍎 Food Pantry:

• Shop for Groceries (M-Th, 10 AM – 1 PM): Guests can choose their own food, including canned goods, meat, deli items, produce, and bread.

• Pre-Packed Bags (Fridays, 10 AM – 1 PM): Pre-packed food bags are distributed.
• Fresh Food Friday (Fridays, 10 AM): Free fresh produce, deli items, bread, and occasional dairy/eggs.

Clothing Room:

• Open Tuesdays–Thursdays, 10 AM – 1 PM
• Offers gently used clothing for all ages, including business attire for job seekers

• Who Can Access These Services?

• Food pantry: Available to residents of 63104, 63110, 63118, and 63116 (limit twice per month).
• Clothing room: Open to all (limit once per month).

For more information, visit during open hours or call for assistance!

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) is offering a free 2-week summer program called Design Your World (DYW) for high school students interested in art, architecture, interior design, fashion, or other creative fields.

Location: Sam Fox School of Design, Washington University

Dates: July 7 – July 18 (Monday–Friday)

Who: Rising 9th graders through graduating seniors

Bonus: $200 stipend upon completion

Program highlights include:

• Hands-on workshops in design and architecture
• Studio time to build creative projects
• Mentorship from industry professionals
• Final showcase for family, friends & local community
• Only 25 students will be accepted citywide on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Deadline to apply: June 27

Apply here or visit the IIDA website for more info.

Let your creativity shine this summer!

The Governor’s Council on Disability announced applications are now open for the 2025 Missouri Youth Leadership Forum (MO-YLF) for high school students with disabilities (ages 16-21). Applications are due on March 31, 2025, to join the forum July 15-19, 2025.

The MO-YLF provides a unique and empowering experience for students looking to grow their leadership skills and prepare for a successful transition into college, careers, and independent living. Students will gain valuable skills, connect with peers and mentors, and immerse themselves in a college environment, staying on campus at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Learn more about the opportunity and submit your application on the State of Missouri Disability Portal here. The entire program is provided at no cost to selected delegates, thanks to support from the event's sponsors and donors.

For all IT-related requests, students and parents are kindly asked to submit a ticket by emailing helpdesk@gsastl.org. This ensures that your concerns are addressed promptly and efficiently.

Thank you for your cooperation!

To support students in reaching their academic goals and staying on track for graduation, mandatory tutoring will begin on Monday, October 21, 2024.

Students who receive a failing grade or a D- (below 65) in any subject by the end of the quarter are required to attend after-school tutoring sessions with their teachers throughout the second quarter. This tutoring is designed to prevent further academic challenges and will continue until the end of the next quarter.

If your student is in this situation, please ensure they attend the mandatory tutoring sessions. Tutoring will take place from 2:35 PM to 3:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, following the teacher's tutoring schedule.

For more details, please refer to the following documents:

• Mandatory Academic Tutoring for At-Risk Students Letter
• 24-25 Extracurricular Schedule (Clubs, Sports, & Tutoring)

Thank you for your cooperation in supporting your student's success!

Over the past two years, the CYSP department has organized international trips for students, parents, and staff from 34 Concept Schools. This year, we have exciting trips planned to five different destinations. You can explore them by following the link below.

Submit a Gator Gratitude nomination NOW, where you can recognize any Gateway Science Academy employee, volunteer, or community partner for going above and beyond what is expected.

Let's continue to show our appreciation for the wonderful individuals who make a positive impact on

our school community!

BrightArrow is a district communication service that enables us to send timely and relevant SMS text messages directly to parents' cell phones.

To participate, parents must opt in. Simply text YES to 79041 and repeat this process for any phone number you want to receive text messages on. Please ensure that the front office has your current cell phone information.

Please note, standard message and data rates may apply based on your wireless carrier’s terms.

If you have any questions regarding SMS text messaging, feel free to contact Ms. Amra at 314-500-1312 or Ms. Illda at 314-500-1313.

We can now offer additional GSA-branded gear through South City Sporting Goods! You can check out the collection here: GSA Collection. The site is live and ready for orders 24/7/365, and everything is produced on demand.

If you are shopping for uniform items, please select “yes” on the left side of the screen and you will have a display of all approved selections from each campus.

GSA High School students!

Do you feel like you’re invisible? Like you don’t have a voice? Or maybe you have a pressing question you’d like to ask in a laid-back setting. Well, this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for! The success of any school requires the input of all its stakeholders and YOU are a very integral part of that community. Assistant Principal of School Culture, Mrs. Hibbler, is spearheading a new opportunity for high school students to meet with her on a very informal basis to become acquainted with her and other students, enjoy snacks, and chat! The best ideas can come from casual conversations and she is excited to hear from you!

Space is limited, so sign up today!!

Ready to level up your high school experience? Whether you're into sports, arts, gaming, or something totally unique, we've got a club for YOU! Joining a club is the perfect way to meet new people, explore your passions, and make lasting memories.

Please take a moment to review the list of clubs below. If you’re interested, just swing by the rooms mentioned and sign up for the club/s you like. Get ready to get involved, make friends, and have a blast!

We have a ✨✨NEW ✨✨website for our Seniors and Families!

Please visit the following link to access all information regarding Senior Year:

https://sites.google.com/gsastl.org/gsaseniorclass2025/home

Please use this website to order your Senior Sweatshirts and pay Senior Dues moving forward. If you have already ordered one, or paid, there is no need to do it again.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Your Senior Sponsor,

Mrs. Bland

💠 3/20 - March Movie Madness 💠

💠 5/14 - Lemonade and Learn 💠

Reminder About Medications at School: Students are not allowed to carry over-the-counter medications at school, including tylenol and ibuprofen. They also should not carry prescription medications unless they have permission forms on file with the nurse to carry their inhaler or epipen. Thanks for helping to remind your student of these safety practices.

Covid and Respiratory Illness Guidelines: GSA is following the current guidelines from the STL City Department of Health and CDC. These guidelines state for a person to stay home when ill or have tested positive for Covid. A person can return to school/activities when symptoms have been improving for 24 hours - and if a fever was present, it has been gone for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. In addition, people are strongly encouraged to wear a mask for the next 5 days to curb the spread of disease.

Food that is shared class-wide must be store bought and come in original packaging (not homemade).This list contains some suggestions for allergen safe snacks for your child to bring to class for their daily snack.

The cost is $3 for the single day(s) or $12 for the semester. They can be purchased from Mr. Cruz in the morning of each dress down day. Cash or check made payable to "GSA PTO."

Please review our dress code matrix as to what is allowed.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are pleased to inform you that the Free and Reduced Meal applications for the 2024-2025 school year are now available. We kindly request that each household completes the application, even if you do not believe you will qualify for free or reduced meals.

Did you know that completing the Free and Reduced Meal application helps in many areas beyond just providing meals? Just one form ensures continued funding to support ALL students in several critical ways:

• School Budgets: Increased state and federal funding for staff, equipment, and supplies.

• Computer Network: More funding for internet access and network services.

• School Meals: Free or reduced-price school meals and qualification for various pandemic benefits.

• Scholarships: Eligibility for local scholarships, tuition assistance, and discounted college application fees.

• Sports Fees: Reduced fees for sports and other extracurricular activities.

By filling out this application, you contribute to the betterment of our entire school community.

Please use the Free and Reduced Lunch Application blue 🔝🔝click button 🔝🔝 above to complete your application!

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

GSA Fyler Campus

The view the breakfast, lunch and snack options for the rest of the school year. Please click on the Menu Navigator (blue button) above.

Question 1: What is PowerSchool? Answer: PowerSchool is a student information system that allows us to manage a wide range of information, including the following: grades, attendance, tests, demographics, activities, courses, and photos. Because the program has been designed using Internet-based software tools, it also allows us to connect parents and students to information.

Question 2: When will parents and students get access to the information on the PowerSchool server? Answer: Parents of students in grades 6-12 can get their logins and passwords at Back- to-School Night from the office where their student is enrolled. Usernames and passwords will be available in the school office.

Question 3: Whom should I call if I have a question? Answer: Please use the table below to decide whom to contact for various types of questions.

Question 4: Do all teachers post grade and attendance information to the PowerSchool server? Answer: Attendance is posted by teachers and by the office.The office collects information and logs the daily attendance (which is used for state reporting) while each individual teacher is responsible for recording the period attendance for their rosters. All teachers assign and post grades to PowerSchool at different times. Some may give grades to their students’ everyday and some may give far fewer grades during the marking periods. This is up to each teacher and depends upon their grading system. If you see grades in PowerSchool for some teachers but not others, this is a normal function of the way teachers assign and post grades. As always you may contact teachers by e-mail or request a phone call or meeting at any time.

Question 5: I know that teachers sometimes weigh different categories of grades. How does this affect how a grade is calculated? Answer: Many teachers use categories such as tests, quizzes, and daily work to organize and give different weights to grades; how they weigh them is an individual decision. Teachers share with students how they grade at the beginning of each course. As always you may contact teachers by e-mail or request a phone call or meeting at any time.

Question 6: How often can we expect grades to be updated? Answer: There are many factors that determine how soon a teacher can assess and return assignments. Essays, research papers, and tests take longer to grade than a quiz. Coaching, club sponsorships, and family commitments can also affect turnaround time, as well as a teacher's student load. All teachers do their best to grade their students and communicate their progress in a timely manner.

Question 7: Do all teachers use the same grading scales? Answer: Yes. Grading scales are common among teachers and among classes in the same building. All teachers share their grading scales as well as other class policy information with their students at the beginning of each course.

Question 8: What can I see on the PowerSchool site? Answer: Parents and students can access the following information on the PowerSchool public site.

• Grades for current classes, as well as the assignments that make up those grades

• Attendance for the past two weeks or for the current term, including a legend of attendance codes used by the school

• Teacher comments • Reports via Email, which allow parents to request daily, weekly, or monthly reports to be sent via email.

Question 9: Can other people see my son’s/daughter’s grades? Answer: As long as you protect your password, others will not be able to see your information.

Question 10: How does one get a PowerSchool login and password? Answer: The school will provide this information.

The A+ Program is a program funded by the state of Missouri to provide scholarship funds to eligible graduates of A+ designated high schools, including Gateway Science Academy, who attend a participating public community college or vocational/technical school, or certain private two-year vocational/technical schools.

Dual credit programs offer high caliber high school students the opportunity to earn college credits and become familiar with the college experience while still in a high school setting. College credits earned through dual credit programs are widely accepted at Missouri public colleges and universities and many other institutions across the country.

* the grading systems may be different.

The work that the student completes throughout the course contributes to the student's final college grade in the class, which shows on their college transcript. This is why in order for students to transfer their dual credit, they must request a transcript be sent from college they are completing dual credit through to the college they are ultimately attending after high school.

Top Reasons to enroll in Dual Credit
* Save some serious cash on college
* Challenge yourself with college-level courses
* Learn from master’s-level teachers
* Start your college transcript
* Earn easily transferable college credit hours
* Get a head start of your college career

To prepare students to meet top colleges’ entrance requirements, GSA’s graduation requirements exceed those of traditional Missouri public high schools and include:

🎓 Minimum of 26 credits of coursework 🎓

🎓 40 hours of community service: Each grade level is required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of community service.🎓

🎓 Must pass the US Constitution and Missouri Constitution exams.🎓

🎓 Senior thesis project 🎓

🎓 Must take the following tests: EOC Algebra I or EOC Algebra II, EOC English II, EOC Biology, EOC Government 🎓

Beginning your freshman year, and continuing throughout high school, you’ll complete 40 hours of community service. By connecting classroom curriculum with service projects, you’ll deepen and extend your knowledge to improve academic achievement, build social skills, and develop civic skills and attitudes. To ensure a manageable workload and a smooth progression towards meeting the 40-hour community service requirement, it is advised that students commence their service early, spreading their efforts across their high school years. We propose implementing a yearly completion target of 10 hours, allowing students to steadily accumulate towards the total of 40 community service hours before their senior year.

Volunteer Match

Use the advanced search option and enter the zip code, interests, and check the teen box.

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

Charity Navigator

Use the advanced search option to find a list of about 50 local charities.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/

Tree House of Greater St. Louis

https://thstl.org/volunteer/

Stray Rescue

http://strayrescue.org/node/79

St. Louis Zoo

https://www.stlzoo.org/give/volunteer

Open Door Animal Sanctuary

https://odas.org/volunteer/

Missouri Department of Conservation

https://mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage/volunteer-opportunities

St. Louis Parents

https://www.stlparent.com/story/volunteers-needed-15-places-st-louis-where-your-teen-can-make-difference-summer

United Way of Greater St. Louis

https://www.stlvolunteer.org/syg?layoutViewMode=tablet

You can also volunteer at:

• Magic House

• Science Center

• Zoo

• Animal Shelters

• Food Banks

• Churches, mosques…

• Tutor students

• Wildlife Center of Missouri

• Schools

You can call a charity and offer to plan an event for them. Can you put together a teen trivia night or a walk-a-thon to raise money? Use your creativity to come up with ideas, like a dog house decorating contest to benefit an animal shelter, a book drive to support a local children’s charity? The possibilities are endless!

There may be more than these listed ones. You just need to find them!

🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝

Every student in our district now has access to the Varsity Tutors for Schools platform that includes 24/7 On-Demand Chat Tutoring, On-Demand Essay Review, 100+ Weekly Live Classes in Test Prep & Enrichment, Recorded Enrichment Classes, Self-Study & Practice Resources.

Students will log into the platform using Clever.

Please see the following for more information:

How to Access Scheduled Tutoring Sessions (Students-Clever).pdf

Test Prep - ACT, SAT, more - Flier - High School Student 2.pdf

Upcoming PTO Meetings & Events :

November 21: General meeting

Saturday, February 8: 3rd Annual Mouse Races, Affton Elks Lodge

February 20: General meeting

April 24: General meeting & Elections

PTO Website

hs.gsastl.org/pto

Please join the PTO Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/GSAMiddleSchoolPTO

Students are only allowed to wear these as part of spirit wear on Fridays or dress down days.

St. Louis County Library and Operation Food Search are offering free meals to children ages 5-18 at four library branches during the 2024-25 school year. Meals are served Monday through Friday and include activities for kids.

Student eCards are a powerful tool that connects students with a wealth of learning resources, enhancing their educational experience both in and out of the classroom. These eCards give access to digital materials, library resources, and more, helping to support their academic growth.

Families play an important role in making the most of this opportunity! We encourage you to review the flyer below which provides an overview of the eCards and answers common questions. By staying informed, families can help students fully utilize these valuable resources.

Check out the helpful video below for an introduction to the library eCARDS for your student.