Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary

Hello, Golden Arrow families! This is your principal, Mrs. Pierson. 😄

What a wonderful start we’ve had to the 2025–2026 school year! Our students are settling into routines, building friendships, and working hard in the classroom. It’s exciting to see our school community come together with such energy and enthusiasm as we begin another amazing year.

In August, our focus was on creating a positive vision, inspired by the Energy Bus. You can continue this at home by asking your child what success looks like for them—this week, this month, and throughout the year. Help them imagine their goals and see how setting them can open doors for the future.

As we move into September, our theme shifts to fueling our journey with positive energy. Families can support this by encouraging children to work hard, make good choices, and notice how a positive attitude can help them succeed. Ask about the moments in their day that bring joy or make them proud—those conversations will help them carry positive energy throughout the school year.

Here’s to a fantastic September, Golden Arrows!

Warmly,

Mrs. Pierson

September 1 • No School - Labor Day

We understand that families sometimes need to schedule doctor appointments or family trips.

To help with planning, please keep these important dates in mind, including our GBR Conference Dates: September 25 and January 29.

No School Dates 2025-2026

• Sept. 1 (Mon) – Labor Day

• Oct. 13 (Mon) – Staff Development

• Nov. 7 (Fri) – McGovern Debate

• Nov. 11 (Tues) – Veteran’s Day

• Nov. 26–28 (Wed–Fri) – Thanksgiving Break

• Dec. 23–Jan. 2 – Christmas Break

• Jan. 5 (Mon) – School Resumes

• Jan. 19 (Mon) – Staff Development

• Feb. 13 (Fri) – No School

• Feb. 16 (Mon) – President’s Day

• Mar. 18–23 (Wed–Mon) – Spring Break/Staff Development

• Apr. 3–6 (Fri–Mon) – Easter Break

• May 22 (Fri) – Last Day of School

Testing Reminder:
Statewide testing for grades 3–5 takes place in April. If a student misses their scheduled testing time, we are required to provide a make-up session. Students generally perform best when testing with their peers, so we kindly ask that you avoid absences or appointments during this time whenever possible.

At Gertie Belle Rogers, doors open at 7:30 am. For safety reasons, students will need to wait outside until that time—even in cold or rainy weather—as staff are not available to supervise before 7:30. Likewise, staff leave the building by 3:45 pm, so please plan for students to be picked up before then (unless they are part of our after-school program).

Thank you for helping us keep arrival and dismissal times safe and smooth!

Daily Schedule:

• Doors open: 7:30 am

• Breakfast: 7:30–8:10 am

• First bell: 8:07 am

• School starts: 8:15 am (students are tardy at 8:16)

• Dismissal: 3:15 pm

Parents, a friendly reminder to please call the office on the days that your student will not be in school, OR if you child will be leaving early for an appointment, etc.

We highly encourage you to have a doctor's note faxed to the school office or have your child bring one into the office upon return from any type of appointment. The student's absence for that day will be exempted when a doctor's note is received.

For early pick up, please call the office when you arrive, or come into the school office. We will then send your child out the front doors to meet you at your vehicle or send with you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office. Our phone number is 605-995-3091!

School announcements—such as weather-related late starts, early dismissals, or cancellations—as well as reminders about Gertie Belle Rogers events, can be sent to you through text notifications. To sign up, download the “Mitchell School District” app from the App Store or Google Play. Once installed, select Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary (and any other schools your children attend).

Please remember, this is the way you’ll be notified when schedules change due to weather—the school does not call individual families.

Also, be sure your phone number is current in both Campus and with the school office. You’ll continue receiving text alerts as long as your contact information is accurate and you’ve accepted notifications.

GBR Fall picture day is scheduled for Friday, September 12, 2025!

Be sure to wear your nicest outfit and best smile! Order forms were sent home on Friday, August 29. You may also go online to place orders - see the flyer below for details!

Your student's teacher may have sent home information regarding your student needing certain supplies for class. These may include headphones and hang up bags.

If your student is still in need of any of these items, they may be purchased at the school office.

Headphones are $5.00

Hang Up bags are $2.00

In addition to these items, we also have some excess 24-25 Yearbooks available to purchase. Please stop in the office with $10.00 if you would like to buy one.

The GBR Merch Store is open now through September 10! 🎉

Choose from sizes youth small to adult 3XL in a wide variety of colors. We can’t wait to see how you show off your Golden Arrow Pride!

🛒 Shop here: https://stores.inksoft.com/gertie_belle_rogers/shop/home

GBR teachers will be scheduling Parent/Teacher conferences soon. Conferences will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 3:30pm - 9:00pm. Please watch for an email or paper from your child's teacher a week or two prior to the conference date with your conference time.

Thank you for your attention to this!

Please note that our school does not keep any over-the-counter medications on hand. If your child needs to take any over-the-counter medication, please bring it in its original bottle or package to the school office. We will have you fill out a form, and the medication will be stored in the Nurse’s office. This includes allergy medications, cold and flu remedies, antacids, inhalers, and all prescription medications.

All medications—whether prescription or over-the-counter—must be administered through the office. Make sure the medication is in its original packaging. If you have any questions, please stop by to see Mrs. Snoozy, our school nurse, or call 605-995-3091 and ask for the nurse.

It's that time of year again where lice seem to magically appear. Along with the tips above, you can try these to help keep the little critters out of our lives.

• Keep long hair pulled back or braided.
• Use Rosemary spray as a preventative.
• Add several drops of Tea Tree Oil to shampoo and wash hair every other day as a preventative.
• If you do have lice in the household, you will have to pick each person's hair until there are no more nits or eggs left. This will have to be done daily for several days.

Registration is now open for our After School Enrichment Program! Students will enjoy a mix of time playing outside, academic time, hands-on activities, and field trips to enhance learning. Please note: there is no bussing at 5:30 PM—buses only run at 3:15.

Children must be registered to attend. The link to sign up can be found here: After School Sign Up