GCCSD News and Updates - Oct. 2025

Dear Gates Chili School Community,

As the leaves begin to change and the crisp air settles in, October is a month that reminds us of the importance of tradition, community and connection. Across our district, the energy is high as students dive deeper into their learning and engage in exciting fall events.

This month, we’re especially proud to highlight Homecoming Week, a beloved tradition that brings together students, families, staff, alumni and the community. From spirit days and pep rallies to the return of the Homecoming Parade and the Friday night football game under the lights, the Spartan spirit is stronger than ever. We hope to see you there cheering on our teams and celebrating all things Gates Chili.

In this issue, you’ll also read about inspiring student leadership, exciting learning experiences, a new Board of Education member, and a sneak peek at upcoming community events like the Fall Family Fest and Spartan Way Coat Drive. There’s something for everyone this season — and we’re just getting started.

Thank you for being part of the Gates Chili family. Here’s to a season of tradition, pride and friendship — this is the life of a Gates Chili Spartan.

Go Spartans!

Christopher J. Dailey

Superintendent of Schools

The Gates Chili school community is made up of more than 3,700 students and 900+ staff members! Get ready to peek into the world of our Spartans in our e-newsletter segment: Ask the Spartans!

This month, meet Key'Andre J., a senior at Gates Chili High School and this year’s student ex-officio on the board of education.

Tell us a little about yourself.

Key’Andre: I’ve lived in Rochester my whole life. I participate in a lot of music and extracurriculars in school and have a job outside of school. I am a part of a lot of leadership groups, chorus, show choir, and play the saxophone in band and jazz band. I want to be a teacher when I grow up.

How does it feel to be a senior?

Key’Andre: I feel a little sentimental about it. This year is fall of “lasts” of everything, like last first day of school. I’m also happy that I’ve made it this far.

You said you wanted to be a teacher. What kind of teacher do you want to be?

Key’Andre: I want to be a science teacher and teach either biology or chemistry. I want to get a degree in science and hopefully maybe become a professor someday.

Tell us about your experience as the student ex-officio on the BOE so far.

Key’Andre: It's been very eye-opening to see a lot of the processes and decision-making. Like there’s a lot of advanced planning that goes into everything that happens. Like in the last meeting, they talked about the capital project and the new music rooms at the middle school. Those renovations were pitched a while ago, and now we’re finally seeing it come together. I’ve gotten to learn more about the district and the roots of where everything comes from.

Is there anything you hope to accomplish in this position?

Key’Andre: I hope to give the board members some insight into what it’s like to be a student and an idea of what's happening in the school. A lot of them aren’t able to be in the schools every day, so they might not know all of whats going on.

It's your last year of high school. What are you most looking forward to this school year?

Key’Andre: I’m excited about homecoming. There’s a lot of old traditions coming back this year. We’re going to have a parade and a dance, which will be fun. I’m also excited about Senior Week and the faculty basketball game.

In your own words, what does it mean to be a Spartan?

Key’Andre: I think to be a Spartan it means to follow our core values: respect, responsibility, compassion and hard work. As a Spartan you should embody those values every day.

The Gates Chili Central School District is proud to welcome Adam Reinhardt as the newest member of the Board of Education. Reinhardt is a proud 1998 Gates Chili graduate and longtime district resident.

He and his wife, Alicia, are raising two Spartans — one at the middle school and one at the high school. In his career as a speech-language pathologist, Reinhardt supports students who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). He’s excited to give back to the community that shaped him and to help support the success of all Gates Chili students.

Get ready, Spartans — Homecoming Week is back Oct. 14-18, and we can’t wait to celebrate with our students, families, staff, alumni and community! This year’s lineup is packed with athletic events, spirit-filled activities and special traditions to bring our district together.

One of the highlights of the week is the return of the Homecoming Parade on Friday, Oct. 17. Starting at 5:30 p.m. at Neil Armstrong Elementary School, the parade will travel about a mile to Spartan Stadium. Parade lineup will begin at 4:30 p.m. Students marching in the parade with their athletic team or club will be bussed to Armstrong from the main campus or must be dropped off at Armstrong for the parade lineup. Fall athletic coaches and club advisors will communicate specific information for their team/group. Please note that Gates Police will be closing Wegman Road between Armstrong and the main campus no later than 5 p.m. that day, so please plan accordingly.

After the parade, the celebration continues with concessions, food trucks, family activities and plenty of Spartan pride leading up to kickoff. Then, the varsity football game vs. Greece Athena begins at 7 p.m. under the lights, featuring a halftime performance by the Gates Chili High School Marching Band and the induction of the Gates Chili Hall of Fame Class of 2025. It’s important to remember that all elementary and middle school students must be accompanied by an adult at all times during the game.

Other Homecoming Week events include pep rallies, themed spirit weeks for each school and plenty of opportunities to cheer on our Spartan athletes across multiple sports. The week concludes with the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, Oct. 18 (for Gates Chili High School students only).

Full details, including schedules and safety reminders, are available at gateschili.org/homecoming.

Gates Chili High School presents “Super Scary” and “Night of the Macabre” on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Gates Chili Performing Arts Center (GCPAC).

First, a storyteller’s night of spooky tales goes awry when everyone in the theatre keeps interrupting to share their own, less-than-chilling versions of the stories. This Halloween comedy will leave you screaming with laughter! Then, a hunt for horror finds four friends at a wax museum featuring scenes from classic scary stories, but the real terror happens when the exhibits start to come to life!

Mark your calendars — it’s almost time for the Fall Family Fest: Harvesting Health and Wellness in our Community!

Please join us on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 5-7 p.m. in the Spartan Field House at Gates Chili High School, 1 Spartan Way. This family-friendly event will feature fun games, live performances, community resources, our annual coat drive and much more!

Flu Vaccinations
Flu shots will be available from 5-7 p.m. for individuals ages 4 and older. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged. To schedule, call (716) 805-1020 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Most insurance plans are accepted; please bring your insurance card. For those without insurance, the cost is $45 per person. For more information, contact info@INCnursing.com.

Coat Collection Kicks Off Soon

The annual Spartan Way Coat Drive begins later this month! Coats collected will be distributed at the Fall Family Fest on Thursday, Nov. 6.

Donations of new or gently used coats, hats and mittens will be accepted from Monday, Oct. 27, through Friday, Oct. 31, at the following locations:

• Gates Chili District Office
• Gates Chili Operations Center
• Gates Chili Transportation Center
• Gates Chili High School
• Gates Chili Middle School
• Imagination Childcare Academy
• Florence Brasser Elementary School
• Neil Armstrong Elementary School
• Paul Road Elementary School
• Walt Disney Elementary School
• Gates YMCA Elmgrove
• Chili Public Library

We can’t wait to welcome families and neighbors for an evening of connection, celebration and community care. See you there!

All district residents will soon be receiving a postcard in the mail regarding a community census. This census will assist the district in obtaining the most accurate enrollment data for planning future school programs and services.

If you have children in your household under the age of 21, please complete the community census form using one of the methods outlined below no later than Oct. 31, 2025:

• Go to gateschili.org/census on your computer or mobile browser to complete the form
• Call (585) 247-5050 ext. 12224 to complete the form over the phone with the registrar
• Scan the QR code on the postcard you receive in the mail

If you have any questions, contact the district registrar via email at registrar@gateschili.org or by calling (585) 247-5050 ext. 12224. Your prompt attention to this request is greatly appreciated.

The Building Brighter Futures capital project is getting closer to the finish line. Visitors to the main campus may have noticed significant progress on Spartan Park, the new multi-purpose turf fields between Gates Chili Middle School and Buffalo Road. While this portion of the project will be done sometime this fall, the grand opening celebration will happen this spring.

Work also continues on new music classrooms at the middle school. Meanwhile at Florence Brasser Elementary School, some work is nearing completion while construction begins in other areas of the building. The entire project is expected to be completed this school year, making way for construction to start on the district's next capital project, Future Ready. For updates and information on both of these projects, visit gateschili.org/CapitalProject.

The Gates Chili Food Pantry, in partnership with Gates Chili Community Connections, provides essential support for Gates Chili students and families.

The pantry is open on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 3-4 p.m. at the Gates Chili Operations Building (3 Spartan Way, Door #5 – near Spartan Stadium).

Available items often include non-perishable goods, refrigerated and frozen foods, birthday boxes, and occasionally personal care or cleaning supplies.

Families in need are encouraged to stop by during open hours — no appointment necessary!

Click on the links below to learn more about this month's awareness and heritage months:

Learning Disabilities Awareness Month

National Principals Month

National Bullying Prevention Month

LGBTQ+ History Month

Filipino American History Month

Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15)

Italian American Heritage Month

Polish American Heritage Month

Oct. 1: Elementary School Open Houses for Grades 1, 3 and 5, from 6-7 p.m.

Oct. 2: Elementary School Open Houses for Grades K, 2 and 4, from 6-7 p.m.

Oct. 2: FB Picture Day

Oct. 2: HS CARA College Fair, 10:15-11 a.m., GCPAC

Oct. 2: Staff Flu Clinic, 3-5 p.m., GC Operations Center

Oct. 7: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30-8 p.m., GCPLC

Oct. 8: WD Fall Family Fun Night, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Oct. 8: HS Financial Aid Night, 6-7:30 p.m., HS Library Mezzanine

Oct. 10: Superintendent’s Conference Day – No School for Students UPK-12

Oct. 13: Columbus / Indigenous People’s Day – District Closed

Oct. 16: HS Picture Make-up Day

Oct. 17: GC Homecoming

Oct. 17 NA Picture Day

Oct. 20: PR Picture Day

Oct. 21: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30-8 p.m., GCPLC

Oct. 22: HS PSAT Exam

Oct. 22: WD Picture Day

Oct. 23: PR Harvest Fest, 5-7 p.m.

Oct. 23: HS Fall Drama Performance, 7-9 p.m.

Oct. 24: MS Grades 7-8 Social, 7-8:30 p.m.

Oct. 27-31: Red Ribbon Week

Oct. 29: HS Military Careers Day

Oct. 30: NA Autumn Extravaganza, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Oct. 31: PR Socktober Fest, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

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 1253: Teacher Aide for the 2025-26 school year

Job ID 1257: Substitute Support Staff

Job ID 1258: Substitute Teacher*

Job ID 1288: Winter- Boys Modified B Basketball Head Coach

Job ID 1310: Winter - Boys Swimming Program Assistant Coach

Job ID 1312: Elementary Special Education Teacher - 12:1:1

Job ID 1313: Secondary Special Education Teacher 15:1

Job ID 1314: Secondary Special Education Teacher – CT

Job ID 1316: Registered Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse - Float

Job ID 789: Lifeguard

Job ID 1251: Bus Attendant for the 2025-26 school year

Job ID 1252: Bus Driver for the 2025-26 school year

Job ID 1254: Cleaner for the 2025-26 school year

Job ID 1255: Security Worker 2025-26 school year

Job ID 1256: Food Service Helper for the 2025-26 school year

Job ID 1315: Senior Network Technician (Civil Service Competitive Position)

*The Gates Chili Board of Education approved new,