Mustang News - September 5, 2025
Haga clic en "Translate/Traducir" arriba para elegir su idioma preferido.
Mustang News: September 5, 2025
From the Principal’s Desk
Gunnison Middle School Families,
We have wrapped up another great week here at school, and it has been wonderful to see our students settling into their daily routines and bringing so much energy into the building. The excitement of a new year is still in the air, and it’s clear that students are ready to learn and grow together.
A special thank you goes out to all of our teachers and the many community partners who made last week’s Taylor Challenge such a success for our 8th grade students. From rafting and rock climbing to archery and fishing, the experience was unforgettable and would not have been possible without the incredible support of so many people.
This week, we also completed our beginning-of-year iReady diagnostic for both English and Math. These assessments will give us valuable information to help guide instruction and support each student’s growth this year. Thank you to our students for their hard work and focus throughout this process.
Finally, we are excited to share that our new track behind the school is officially open! This space is a fantastic addition to our campus and will be enjoyed by both our school community and the larger community. A few reminders as we begin using it:
-
The track is closed to outside use during school hours (8:30 AM – 3:30 PM).
-
Please stay off the sod in the infield until it has had time to fully take root.
-
Help us keep the track safe and clean by treating it with care and respect.
The track is designed for running and walking only. Please do not ride bicycles, skateboards, or any other type of vehicle on or around the track.
It has been a joy to welcome everyone back, and I look forward to many more weeks of learning, connection, and growth ahead.
If you need anything at all, please don't hesitate to reach out. You also schedule a meeting with me using the link below.
Schedule a Meeting with Mr. Betts
Lance Betts
Principal
Gunnison Middle School
Join the GCS Team!
We're hiring! Multiple positions available. See full job descriptions here.
8th Grade Taylor Challenge!
See photos below.
September 6 - GMS Football 10am (Cowboy Memorial Stadium) and GMS Volleyball 8am (GMS)
September 9 - GMS Volleyball at Olathe MS, 4:00pm
September 10 - Get the Scoop Night (For parents/guardians of 6th graders and new 7th/8th graders)
September 10 - GMS Football at Columbine MS, 4:00pm
September 11 - GMS Volleyball at Paonia K8, 4:00pm
September 12 - 7th Grade Mill Creek Field Trip
September 13 - Mustang Cross Country Invitational at GCS, 9:00am
September 23 - Picture Day
September 26 - GHS Homecoming Parade
September 29 - NO SCHOOL -Professional Development Day for Staff
Schedule for September 8-12:
Monday: A
Tuesday: A
Wednesday: E
Thursday: O
Friday: A
September is National Self-Improvement Month! One of my favorite conversations to have with students is regarding their goals. Setting goals and strategies to achieve them can be a great way to start the year and work toward self improvement. I recommend writing goals down and displaying them somewhere where they can be seen on a daily basis. There’s just something about the act of writing and being reminded that can help us commit to achieving these goals! Another suggestion would be to write down specific steps that you can take to accomplish your goals. For example, many students tell me that they want to earn certain grades in their classes at school. The steps they might take to earn these grades could be writing down their assignments in a planner or notebook, getting in the habit of reading every day, staying focused in class, asking questions, etc. And of course, self improvement can happen outside of school as well! Setting personal growth goals are an awesome way to try something new, work on our mental health, and take care of ourselves. If I can ever help with goal setting and/or self improvement, please reach out! Go, Mustangs!
Travel Opportunities for 2026
Washington DC, Spring Break, 2026
2026 is the United State's 250th Birthday! A great way to celebrate would be to go to Washington, DC for Spring Break! You'll see sites like the Lincoln Memorial, George Washington's home, the Air and Space Museum, the US Capitol, and the National Zoo. This will be a fun, exciting, educational, and safe experience for all interested GHS and GMS students. There will be a trip information meeting to discuss this wonderful opportunity on Tuesday, September 9th at 5:30 PM in room A117 at GHS. All current 6th, 7th, 8th, and high school students (plus, other friends and family members!) are invited. Registration is now open! You can sign up online at worldstrides.com/register or by phone at 800-468-5899. 5/6/7 graders use the code 219547 and 8th graders use the code 219069 to sign up. Please reach out to Sara Lamar if you're interested but unable to attend the meeting or with any questions: slamar@gunnisonschools.net. Thanks! Dominican Republic, Summer, 2026 Mrs. Lamar and Mrs. Clements are very excited to announce that we are planning our next trip to the Dominican Republic! We’ll be participating in cultural activities, service projects, and having so much fun in the summer of 2026. All current 5th, 6th, and 7th graders are invited. Registration is now open! Enroll now with this link: www.eftours.com/2680037BT. Please reach out to Sara Lamar with any questions: slamar@gunnisonschools.net. ¡Gracias y vamos!
Mustang Athletics for Sept. 8-13
Congratulations to the Cross country team placing first in boys and third in girls divisions at Lake County!
Volleyball away at Olathe 9/9 at 4 pm
Volleyball away at Paonia 9/11 at 4 pm
Volleyball Game Day at GMS 9/13 at 8 am
Football away at Columbine on 9/10 at 4 pm NOTE: This is a date change.
Cross Country host Mustang Invitational 9/13 at GCS Lower field at 10 am
Our Mission
The Gunnison Middle School community supports the growth of all learners to think critically and engage as empathetic, respectful, healthy, and responsible global citizens.