Gateway Gazette Spring 2024

GATEWAY GAZETTE

FINISHING STRONG

Ending 2024 on the highest notes possible p 01

FINISHING STRONG

by Ms. Stacey Johnson Harden

THE MONTHLY RECAP

See what the grade levels have been up to this month p 02

What is a school year, really? At its base-level, it can be thought of as a collection of goals with the end result of advancing a group of capable, confident and educationally-healthy students. But, when energy has been spent and exhaustion has set in, for both staff and students, it’s easy to slip into the realm of settling

OTHER SCHOOL NEWS

Learn about other school initiatives and what our specialists are doing in our building p. 6

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (CONT’D)

by Elementary Team

Over the past two years, we have been building out our elementary school with first a kindergarten and now two, first-grade groups. It’s easy to see that our smallest students have become part of the fabric of GCS culture now. Above, they hold their own performing “Blowing in the Wind.” Below, they sit on the sidelines supporting-and, sometimes scolding, the teams they are there to see. Small kids, big personalities! They fit in great!

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

by Elementary Team

These days elementary students are enjoying the fun in the sun, preparing for moving up a grade and staging silent protests to enjoy some of the perks their older counterparts enjoy...like their own dance.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (CONT’D)

by Elementary Team

For the first time ever, one of our elementary groups (fourth-graders, led by Ms. Thomas), staged a silent protest by sending well-articulated letters to their school principal in order to secure a dance for elementary students. Their dance took place during Dress Up Day for Spirit Week. How appropriate is that?!

MIDDLE SCHOOL

By Middle School Team

CAREER DAY

While elementary students were staging protests downstairs, upstairs, middle school students were learning about possible career paths. Volunteers from our school community donate their time to facilitate discussions on what it is that they do for a living. Our students learned from a wide variety of career choices such as a medic, an aesthetician, a police officer, a mobile deejay, a nail technician, an HVAC engineer, voiceover performers, an orthopedic practitioner assistant, a life coach, a podcaster, restaurant owner, an automotive mechanic, and a CEO!

MIDDLE SCHOOL CONT’D

By Middle School Team

JUMP ROPE FOR THE HEART

In February, Gateway Charter School hosted Sabra Collins of the Delaware Department of Education for Jump Rope for the Heart. Jump Rope for the Art is a Delaware initiative for cardiovascular health through the activity of jumping rope. Our middle school students learned how to jump with a single rope as well as with two (as in double dutch). Jump Rope for the Heart teaches kids healthy habits surrounding fitness in a fun way!

MIDDLE SCHOOL CONT’D

8TH GRADERS

By Eighth Grade Team

Eighth-graders rule the roost in middle school with a trip to an amusement park and an eighth grade formal! Our eighth-grade students enjoyed “Dripping in Luxury” at the Embassy Suite Hotel as well as a trip to Hershey Park. Good times! Last, but not least, we said our goodbyes at this year ’ s graduation ceremony.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CONT’D

8TH GRADERS

By Eighth Grade Team

OTHER SCHOOL NEWS

See what the specialists in our building have been up to https://youtu be/lOThv3PArPA?feature=shared

All year, our students and staff have been engaged with SUNDIATA: THE LION KING OF MALI, a true story about a young man who overcame his disabilities, surpassing all of the expectations of his adversaries, to reclaim his rightful throne as the King of Mali. The story was such an amazing triumph of courage and kindness that we created artwork and music around it...Then, our staff re-enacted the entire story! Check it out at the following web address:

SPRING ART SHOW

VISUAL ART & MUSIC

When the school year winds down, we all look forward to seeing the hard work all of our staff and students have put into their arts integration learnings at our Annual Spring Arts Festival. Every piece of work going back to August spills out into the hallways for visitor and guests to delight in the discoveries of our students. This year, the color and variety was on display with handmade paper and paper weavings, comics, ceramics and paintings, as well as poetry science projects and mathematical structures

SPRING ART SHOW (CONT’D)

SPRING ART SHOW (CONT’D)

SPRING ART SHOW (CONT’D)

Once in the gym, our students treat their parents and guests to wondrous musical ensembles with our chorus, steel drum and drum clubs as well as our modern band An amazing highlight of the entire night, our steel drum club wowed us with an arrangement of the song, “Human Nature” by Michael Jackson! Also, this year, we were graced with the presence of Jea Street (pictured above), a singer, songwriter, musican and activist living in Wilmington, Delaware. Together, he and our chorus sang, “What’s Going On?” by Marvin Gaye

SPRING ART SHOW (CONT’D)

SPRING ART SHOW (CONT’D)

SPIRIT & SPORTS

See what the specialists in our building have been up to this month

There’s nothing like a friendly game of staff versus student to enliven the spirits of our student and staff body! This year, the teachers took back the title in both the volleyball and basketball competions Better luck next year, kids!

SPIRIT & SPORTS (CONT’D)

See what the specialists in our building have been up to this month

SPIRIT & SPORTS (CONT’D)

PEP RALLY

In between games, we also had state testing. In order to calm some of the intimidation that comes with standardized testing and to help our students prepare to do their best, GCS students and staff participated in a pep rally full of games and cheers galore!

SPECIALIST SPOTLIGHT

by Gateway Community Members

CHAMPIONS

One sure-fire way to get students to achieve is to make it a game! Our school principal, Marlin White, loves to lovingly pit students against one other for a shot at the title for MAP testing in Reading and Math. Who are we kidding? The students love to have the bragging rights of top score! Below, two of our middle school students show off their belts

SPECIALISTS SPOTLIGHT (CONT’D)

See what the specialists in our building have been up to this month

It was a beautiful day when Pop-Up Opera from Opera Delaware visited our Gladiators! Opera Delaware, located in Wilmington, Delaware, is the 11th oldest opera company in the country. During their presentation, students learned quite a few factoids about opera that they didn’t know before such as the fact that there are many different languages for opera Some of the most popular are Italian, German, Spanish, and French Students also learned how to cheer the singers on It’s “Brava” for women, “Bravo” for men ; And, “bravi” for a group A few parting gifts were given to those students who paid extra special attention!

SPECIALISTS SPOTLIGHT (CONT’D)

A WORD OF THANKS

See what the specialists in our building have been up to this month

Sending a BIG Thank you to the 2024 school year volunteers

We are grateful for our Gateway Charter School PTO Leaders for their dedication to serve our students and teachers!

Mrs.KimLingrenservedasPTOPresidentfor3years

Mrs.StefanieSantana-GCSPTOVicePresident

GCSHomeroomParents

OsShanChapman |StephanieSantana|BrookeWalker|JanaeRobinson|PorchaMcDermon| ShantelLove|MelanieWilliams|JanelleKilson|MelissaMiller-Wallace|TerriCollier SyntycheHack|Kellyonnell|RoslynJones|KimLevan|LoudyGiles|

Gateway Charter School Board of Directors

Mr. Gregory Jones - President

Mrs Winifred Browne - Vice President

Mrs. Joyce Henderson - Treasurer

Mr Scott Mangieri - Secretary

Mr Brandon Dougherty - Teacher Rep

Mrs. Annette Roskam - Teacher Rep

Mrs Shannon Staab - Parent Rep

Mr Tim Perkins - Community Member

Mr. Emir Lake - Community Member

Mrs Device Smith - Former Community Member

Mrs Marsha Rogers - Former Community Member

Committee Volunteers

Mr Dave Grayson - G&G Construction

Ms Janine Sorbello - Goldey Beacom College

MR. MENNA'S MATH MOMENT

by Mr. Joseph Menna

Families,eventhoughformalmathclassesare overformostofus,thereisstillplentyof mathfuntobehadinthesummersun!Math isallaroundusallthetime:numbers,shapes, ratios,rates,equations Youjusthavetoknow wheretolook Evermakecookiesat home MATHthere!Evergoswimmingina pool MATHthere!Everplaywith Legos Maththere!

Researchshowsusthatstudentswhoengage insomesortofmathactivityoverthe summerbreakretainmoremathskill knowledgeandaremorereadytoengagein thenextgrademathstandards Therearea coupleofwaysthatstudentshavefunwith mathoverthesummerwithoutitbeinga burden

StudentswillhaveaccesstotheirIXL accountsuntilAugust15 Teacherswillbe sendingsuggestionshomeonsomeIXL lessonsthatwouldbehelpfulforstudents

2

1 Thereisawebsitethathassomefun practicalmathactivitiestodoasafamily orwithfriends: https://blogmindresearchorg/blog/summ er-math-activities-for-kids

Enjoythebreak,renew,refresh,and remembertohavesomemathfuninthesun!

MathisFun!

JosephMenna MSEd,EdD(ABD) MathInstructionalSpecialist/Coach

BADGES OF HONOR

by Ms. Catherine Dolan

Gateway Charter School’s Head of School recognizes Gateway Charter students who exhibit the qualities of being a true Gladiator while at school. The students who are acknowledged are true HERO’s who Help others, Exhibit exceptional effort, Respect self and others and Own their actions. Any student may earn a Badge of Honor from the Head of School for meeting these expectations in an exceptional way Please, help us applaud our students who have earned a Badge of Honor for Spring 2023-2024 listed

ZoriiB,8th JaydenB,8th ZicaihB,6th DeKhiB,7th LailaB,1st AutumnC,8th AidenC,7th MasonC,1st ChaseC,5th LiloC,6th OmariC,1st EthanC,7th WilliamD,7th TakyeD,6th EsmeD,5th AvaF,5th DaveonG,7th AmeenG,8th KennedyH,4th JulianH,4th AriaJ,4th R’ManiJ,4th KyrinL,8th MicahL,7th IsaiahM,6th MollieM,7th Sa’MiM,6th VeronicaM,5th NilynnN,7th AronO,1st MadisonP 3rd

HarithQ 5th

WalterR 4th

NathanR 7th

JosiahR 8th

JeremyS 1st KacideeS 7th

AmirT,6th AbdurT,8th

MaciW,6th SherwoodW,8th MalikK,6th ToikaS,7th DavidL,6th

FINISHING STRONG...(CONT'D)

That’s normally when Gateway kicks things into full gear! There’s nothing quite like a schedule, filled-to-the-brim with activities to keep the staff and students on their p ’ s and q ’ s toward the end of a school year We have had a pep rally for end-of-year testing, two staff versus student games, middle school career day, eighth-grade trips and a formal No day in May was safe! However, historically for GCS, one of the best end-of-year activities is Field Day. It’s a day when our whole school is together for the very last big event before we graduate our eighth graders and dismissing for the summer break. .

FINISHING STRONG...(CONT'D)

It’s also the one time of year where we are all unified in one purpose to have fun! Throughout the day, teachers roam with their groups while Support Staff and Specialists man stations to help students safely enjoy the activities Parents also join us for the day, helping with the refreshment table and a variety of games.

CONT'D

by Ms. Stacey Johnson Harden

This year, our Field Day was spent in team sports, dressed in gold and blue, playing games like Tug o ’ war, Gladiator Joust, Jacob’s Ladder, Obstacle Course, etc , with colorful inflatables and a ton of gym gear.

Field day is arguably, the best way to end a school year because a healthy staff and student body not only learn hard and work hard together...they also play hard together. After all, in June, when the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed, and we ’ ve all made it to the finish line, isn’t this what we want to see? A strong, unified, happy and healthy school community.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Jun4

LastDayforStudents

Jun6 LastTeacherDay

Jan24

StartofESY

A NOTE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL: IMPORTANT NOTIFICATIONS

PleasebecertainthatyouarereceivingourRobocallsand notificationsbyemailandbyphonetostayup-to-dateonlatebuses, schoolclosings,etc Youcanregisterforthisservicebycontactingusby clickingthelinkhereorbygoingtothefollowingwebsite: https://wwwgatewaycharterschooldeorg/apps/contact/

A LETTER FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL

by Head of School, Ms Catherine Dolan

Crossingthefinishlineisamilestoneinanyrace,andfinishinga schoolyearisverysimilar.Weruntheracewithbooksandcomputers; withpensandpencils;withtestsandprojects;withinspirationand perspiration!Everygreatrunnerknowsthevalueofhavingagreat coachwhowillguideanddirectyourtrainingtohelpyouachieveyour potential Thatisalsowhatgreatteachersdo Theyteachyouhowto think,butnotwhattothink Thebestteachersarethosewhoshowyou wheretolook,butdon’ttellyouwhattosee Asweclosethisschool yearandfinishstrong,letusrememberthosewhoworkedwithus shouldertoshoulder,tohelpussucceedalongtheway Wewantto thankourclassmates,ourteachers,ouradministratorsandourparents whoallbelieveinusandarethestrongestencouragerswewillever haveinlife!Thankyouallforanotherwonderfulyear Enjoyyour summer Haveafewadventures,rest,relaxandbesafe

Gratefully, Ms CatherineDolan HeadofSchool

by Principal Marlin White

Inhallsthatechowithlaughterandcheer, Thelastdayofschooldrawsnear Eighthgradersgather,heartsaflutter, Astheybidfarewelltothischapter Throughcorridorslinedwithmemoriesbright, Theywalkwithamixtureofjoyandfright Forthejourneyaheadisunknown,unseen, Buttoday,theyrevelinmomentsserene

Lockersemptiedoftextbooksandnotes, Replacedwithhopes,dreams,andantidotes Totheworriesthatwhisper,"Whatcomesnext?" Theystandtall,readytofacethecomplex

Inclassroomswhereknowledgewassownlikeseeds, They'veblossomed,grownintotheirneeds Teacherssmilewithpride,wordsofwisdomshare, Guidingthemonwardswithtendercare

Friendsgatherround,laughterfillstheair, Astheyreminisceabouttimesthey'veshared Fromawkwardbeginningstobondssodeep, Theirfriendship'streasurethey'llforeverkeep

Inthegym,wheretheyoncesatinrows, Theynowstandtogether,aunitedforce Boundbymemories,theyraiseacheer, Forthefriendshipsforged,everdear

Andasthefinalbellringsoutitschime, Theylingeramoment,savoringthetime Forthoughtheypartways,theirspiritsentwine, Foreverconnected,inheartandinmind.

Sohere'stotheeighthgraders,braveandbold, Astheystepintoafutureyetuntold Withmemoriestocherishanddreamstopursue, Theworldawaits,andthey'llconquerittoo