April 19th, 2026
Dear Fabulous Families,
April has a way of turning everything a little topsy-turvyâin the best and busiest ways. The weather canât quite decide what itâs doing, the calendar fills up faster than expected, and our days at school seem to stretch and swirl with energy, excitement, and just a touch of unpredictability. Itâs a season of momentum forward, but with still so much to accomplish with our learning. So even though the sunshine beckons during these warmer months, we are going to use that warmth and light to solar power Gate City and continue to grow creativity, confidence, community, and our big, beautiful minds!
Important Dates:
April 20th Family Game & Pizza Night sponsored by Title I 6pm-7:30pm
April 20th Yearbook Custom Page Deadline
April 20th-24th Spirit Week
April 27th-May 1st Spring Break Week
May 4th-May 8th Staff Appreciation Week
May 4th GCCSA Art Classes Begin 3-4pm
May 18th Yearbook Ordering Deadline
May 20th Arts Festival 5-8pm
Spirit Week kicks off tomorrow!
We canât wait to see our students showing their school spirit and joining in the fun all week long.
Spirit Schedule:
đ¸Monday 4/20 Spring Colors Day
đTuesday 4/21 Sunglasses Day
đŠWednesday 4/22 Hat Day
đŚŠThursday 4/23 Tropical Day
đ¤Friday 4/24 PJ Day
And donât forgetâŚ
Game Night is TOMORROW NIGHT!
Join us for an evening of games, laughter, and community. Itâs a great chance to connect, unwind, and celebrate together. This special event is designed to bring families together through interactive games that build essential math, reading, and problem-solving skills-all while having fun together! Pizza dinner and snacks provided for all attendees.
April 20th
6-7:30pm
Gate City Charter School for the Arts
Please RSVP and let us know you are coming:
If you don't RSVP but decide to come, the more the merrier.
AlsoâŚ
đTomorrow, April 20th, is the Custom Page Deadline! Order Your Yearbooks: Donât forget to order your Gate City Yearbooks! The deadline to complete your custom pages (2 are free) is tomorrow!
Custom Page Ordering Info - Deadline April 20th
Yearbook Ordering Info - Deadline May 18th
Wait there's moreâŚ
đźď¸ REGISTER BY FRIDAY! After School Art Class: Join Ms. Danielle and explore painting techniques, mixed media, sculpture and more! This 5 week class is open to all grades and will be held on Mondays beginning May 4th through June 8th from 3-4pm. The cost is only $50 for all 5 weeks, materials included. Students must be registered and the class fee paid by April 24th. Register HERE: Spring 2026 Art Class Registration
*As always, if you require fee assistance, please reach out to the front office.
One more thingâŚ
đStaff Appreciation Week: Staff Appreciation Week is coming up fast. Planning is in full swing and the CSO needs your help to make it a week to remember! This year it will be the week following April Break: May 4th-8th.
Want to help with donations of time or supplies? Please head to our SignUp Genius HERE: Staff Appreciation 2026 Donations & Support
Almost there. Last but not leastâŚ
đ¨ SAVE THIS DATE!! Annual Spring Arts Festival: This year our annual Spring Arts Festival will be on Wednesday, May 20th from 5pm-8pm at Gate City. At the festival we will have an art auction, the spring concert, fun activities, and food to purchase. All students will have artwork on display and all students in grades k-5, middle school chorus and band will be performing. This is the culminating event of the year, and the proceeds fund our arts program.
FREE ENTRY!! Open to family, friends, neighbors and ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS!
Art Auction Entry:Students interested in putting art in the art auction need to have a permission form filled out and turned in with their art. Art submissions are due by May 8th with an Early Bird Deadline of April 17th. The permission form is both attached and found at the following link: 2026 Annual GCCSA Art Auction Permission Slip
Please Donate: We are looking for donations to help with materials needed for the Arts Festival as well as volunteers to help at the festival. If interested in making a donation, please see the Wish List link HERE:.Arts Festival Donations.
Would You Consider Volunteering? If interested in volunteering, please email: artsfestival@gccs-nh.org.
Letâs make memories this week! We are going to fill it with spirit, smiles, and a whole lot of fun.
Onward and upward through topsy-turvy April we go!
Jenn Blanchette
Director, GCCSA
April 12th, 2026
Dear Gate City Families,
This is the stretch of the year where growth stops whispering and starts speaking up. Students are taking risks, finding their stride, and showing us just how much theyâve grown. It's a moment of momentum, and itâs a powerful one to witness.
This momentum shows up as confidence, creation, and new-found energy. Itâs as if the ground thaws, so do we. And the list below is evidence of the building momentum. Games, art classes, and other events are in the works. Your students are so excited to put their masterpieces on display at the Spring Arts Festival. It is our end-of-year celebration of who we are and a collective effort by our student community to support our schoolâs arts programs. Of course, we also love it when staff, family members, and others donate their art for the festivalâs auction.
đď¸ Important Dates:
April 17th CSO Planning Meeting 8:45am
April 20th Family Game & Pizza Night sponsored by Title I 6pm-7:30pm
April 20th Yearbook Custom Page Deadline
April 20th-24th Spirit Week
April 27th-May 1st Spring Break Week
May 4th-May 8th Staff Appreciation Week
May 4th GCCSA Art Classes Begin 3-4pm
May 18th Yearbook Ordering Deadline
May 20th Arts Festival 5-8pm
đ˛ Family Game Night Join us on April 20th from 6-7:30pm for an evening of laughter, connection, and meaningful play at our upcoming Title I Family Game Night! This special event is designed to bring families together through interactive games that build essential math, reading, and problem-solving skills-all while having fun together! Pizza dinner and snacks provided for all attendees.
đSpirit Week: Last one! Best one! Every student who participates will have the chance to win a prize!
Spirit Schedule:
Monday 4/20 Spring Colors Day
Tuesday 4/21 Sunglasses Day
Wednesday 4/22 Hat Day
Thursday 4/23 Tropical Day
Friday 4/24 PJ Day
đźď¸ NEW!! After School Art Class: Join Ms. Danielle and explore painting techniques, mixed media, sculpture and more! This 5 week class is open to all grades and will be held on Mondays beginning May 4th through June 8th from 3-4pm. The cost is only $50 for all 5 weeks, materials included. Students must be registered and the class fee paid by April 24th. Register HERE: Spring 2026 Art Class Registration
*As always, if you require fee assistance, please reach out to the front office.
đOrder Your Yearbooks: Donât forget to order your Gate City Yearbooks! The deadline to complete your custom pages (2 are free) is April 20th. DEADLINE TO ORDER IS MAY 18TH!
đStaff Appreciation Week: Staff Appreciation Week is coming up fast (planning is in full swing and the CSO needs your help to make it a week to remember!
Interested in helping plan? We would love to see you at the planning meeting this Thursday at 8:45am in the Great Hall.
Want to help with donations of time or supplies? Please head to our SignUp Genius HERE: Staff Appreciation 2026 Donations & Support
đ¨ SAVE THIS DATE!! Annual Spring Arts Festival: This year our annual Spring Arts Festival will be on Wednesday, May 20th from 5pm-8pm at Gate City. At the festival we will have an art auction, the spring concert, fun activities, and food to purchase. All students will have artwork on display and all students in grades k-5, middle school chorus and band will be performing. This is the culminating event of the year, and the proceeds fund our arts program.
FREE ENTRY!! Open to family, friends, neighbors and ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS!
Art Auction Entry:Students interested in putting art in the art auction need to have a permission form filled out and turned in with their art. Art submissions are due by May 8th with an Early Bird Deadline of April 17th. The permission form is both attached and found at the following link: 2026 Annual GCCSA Art Auction Permission Slip
Please Donate: We are looking for donations to help with materials needed for the Arts Festival as well as volunteers to help at the festival. If interested in making a donation, please see the Wish List link HERE:.Arts Festival Donations.
Would You Consider Volunteering? If interested in volunteering, please email: artsfestival@gccs-nh.org.
Look for information about registering for before and aftercare for next school year this week!
I hope that the sunshine brightens your days and fills your hearts. Hope to see you at our upcoming events.
Onward and upward,
Jenn Blanchette
Director, GCCSA
April 5th, 2026
Spring has a way of reminding us what we already know: that growth is rarely immediate, and rarely all-at-once or on demand. It happens quietly, in small moments and only following careful tending. And then, a student finally finding the right word, a math concept clicking into place, a child choosing kindness when no one is watching. This season, we pause to notice those moments. They are everywhere. Blooming like flowers after a season of patient nourishment and care.
So many of our students were in full, bright bloom this past weekend as they lit up the stage at the Court Street Theater performing Matilda Jr. Congratulations!
đď¸ Important Dates:
April 6th-10th Guardian-Teacher Conferences
April 9th 3:15pm CSO (Community-Staff Organization) meeting.
April 20th Family Game Night sponsored by Title I 6pm-7:30pm
April 20th Yearbook Custom Page Deadline
April 20th-24th Spirit Week
April 27th-May 1st Spring Break Week
đŹ GuardianâTeacher Conferences April 6th-10th: Conferences are a time for families and teachers to connect, celebrate progress, and plan next steps together. These conversations help strengthen the partnership between home and school so every student can continue to grow and thrive at Gate City Charter School for the Arts. Look for sign-ups from the teachers.
đOrder Your Yearbooks: Donât forget to order your Gate City Yearbooks! The deadline to complete your custom pages (2 are free) is April 20th. DEADLINE TO ORDER IS MAY 18TH!
This season is a good reminder that we can never underestimate what is possible and that how we tend and care for those around us, including ourselves, matters. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.
Keep blooming,
Jenn Blanchette
Director, GCCSA
March 30th, 2026
Dear Families,
We were pleased to have a week filled with performance and celebration last week!
Our Destination Imagination team performed their competitive problem solving masterpieces. And the 2nd grade students left us in awe with their rendition of âWe Shall Overcomeâ. They played xylophones, sang, and even used ASL. We entered the weekend with an all-star talent show featuring dozens of live performances. Thank you for all of the support!
This week our drama crew is preparing for an all-out musical. GCCSA Drama Group will be hitting the Court Street Stage in Nashua for 3 performances. Please do all that you can to make a show this weekend. You will not be disappointed. More information below.
This Wednesday on April 1st we celebrate the educational assistants that make all of our classrooms the supported, creative, loving, and wonderful spaces they are!
đď¸ Important Dates:
April 3 & 4th Matilda Jr., Friday at 7pm and Saturday at 11am and 3pm
April 6th-10th Guardian-Teacher Conferences
April 3rd Report Cards Available on ALMA
April 20th Family Game Night sponsored by Title I 6pm-7:30pm
April 20th-24th Spirit Week
April 27th-May 1st Spring Break Week
đ GCCSA Presents Matilda Jr April 3rd at 7pm and April 4th at 11am & 3pm
at the Court Street Theater: YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS!
Tickets are now on sale and can also be purchased at the door. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for seniors (65 and older) and students. There is also no assigned seating in the theater. Concessions and raffles available. Ticket Website: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/matilda-jr-8
đ°Drama Fundraiser:
Gofundme: With your support, we can rent stage lights that elevate the productionâs visual impact, secure sound equipment that supports our student performers, and build future opportunities in theater tech and production for our middle schoolers. Together, we can make Matilda Jr. a shining success! Matilda Jr Gofundme
đŹ GuardianâTeacher Conferences April 6th-10th: Conferences are a time for families and teachers to connect, celebrate progress, and plan next steps together. These conversations help strengthen the partnership between home and school so every student can continue to grow and thrive at Gate City Charter School for the Arts. Look for sign-ups from the teachers.
đOrder Your Yearbooks: Donât forget to order your Gate City Yearbooks! The deadline to complete your custom pages (2 are free) is April 20th. DEADLINE TO ORDER IS MAY 18TH!
đ Rise and Shine Gate City: Rise & SHINE is a Gate City-style approach to the NH SAS: a positive, schoolwide effort designed to build student confidence, familiarity with testing tools, and a culture of encouragement leading into state assessments. This approach will involve students in grades Kâ8, incorporating practice and encouragement into the classroom, and families helping students feel prepared and supported at home. Together, we can help our students rise with confidence and shine with their best effort.
Hereâs to a week of celebrating staff and watching our students light up the stage!
Onward and upward,
Jenn Blanchette
Director, GCCSA
March 8th, 2026
Dear GCCSA Community,
Welcome to the week ahead at Gate City! As we return on Monday with the clocks set forward for Daylight Savings Time, we know the morning may feel a little earlier than usual. The extra daylight in the evenings is a welcome sign that spring is slowly making its way toward us, and we look forward to another week filled with pie and passion, information and ingenuity, and wisdom and wonder!
đ REMINDER: To help keep our school day running smoothly, we ask families to arrive on time for dismissal and avoid early dismissals unless absolutely necessary. The final part of the day is an important time for classroom closure, reflection, and preparation for the next day.
CONGRATULATIONS to our Destination Imagination teams!
Our teams put their minds together at the regional competition and made magic happen!
đ Middle School Team: Frozen Garfunkels won 5th place
đ Elementary Team: Girls Rule to the 6 to the 7 won 2nd and will move on to states
UPCOMING EVENTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS:
đŹ March 9th LAST ONE! Information Night 5:15-6:30pm
â March 9th Intent to Return Due GCCSA Intent to Return 2026-27
đ March 11th NO MERIMACK BUS!
đ March 12th CSO (our PTO) Monthly Meeting 9am-10am ALL WELCOME!
𼧠March 12th SAVE THE DATE! Family Pi (also Pie) Night 5pm-6:30pm
đŤ March 13th NO SCHOOL for Students, Professional Development Day & LOTTERY DAY!
đMarch 16th-20th Book Fair
đŤđŞ March 18th Celebration of Learning Open House 5pm-7:30pm
đŹ March 27th Talent Show Rehearsal 3pm
đ¤¸đ¤š March 28th RESCHEDULED Talent Show 6-8pm
PLAYBILL FUNDRAISER ALERT: Support our young performers and promote your business by becoming a sponsor of Gate City Charter School for the Artsâ production of Matilda Jr., the Musical! All sponsors will be featured in our show playbill. We invite you to support our cast and crew by placing an advertisement or dedication in our Matilda Jr. playbill. Performances will take place on April 3rd and 4th. Please complete the form by March 20, 2026. More information attached! Form HERE: Playbill Fundraiser Form 2026
âšď¸ FINAL Enrollment Information Session TOMORROW March 9th 5:15pm-6:30pm
Here is your chance! Share Gate City with your community and families! Do you know a family that might be interested in learning more about Gate City Charter School? Attendees will take a tour, learn more about the school, and have the opportunity to ask questions.Itâs not too late to register! Tell a friend! GCCSA Information Nights Registration Social media is a great place to get the word out!
đŞSAVE YOUR SPOT for Enrollment at GCCSA 2026-27
Respond By TOMORROW to secure your spot!
We love having you at GCCSA! Itâs time to claim your spot(s) for your student(s) by completing your Intent to Return for the 2026- 2027 School Year. Find the form HERE:
GCCSA Intent to Return 2026-27
đ¸Before & After Care Survey EVERY FAMILY PLEASE RESPOND!
We are still waiting for responses from many of our families. Beginning next school year, in 2026-27, Gate City Charter School for the Arts will be offering before- and after-school care at GCCSA through a partnership with the YMCA. We are asking EVERY family to respond. Respond HERE: Before and After Care Survey 2026-27
Π𼧠Pi Night: Join us March 13th for the love of everyoneâs favorite number: 3.14159⌠and baked goods, we will be hosting a community PiâŚand pie family fun night! From 5pm-6:30pm we will enjoy pie and Pi-centered activities! RSVP by March 9th. Free event! Bring the grandparents and neighbors too!
𼳠Celebration of Learning: March 18th from 5:30-7pm we will be holding our first-of-the-year, Celebration of Learning! This is an event open to families. Classrooms will be open. Student work will be on display. The Arts will be highlighted. And we will celebrate all that makes Gate City Charter School the unique, wonderful, exceptional learning community that it is! We encourage every family to attend. The event will be âopen houseâ style, so come when you can and stay as long as you're able.
đ RESCHEDULED Talent Show: Come to the annual talent show to take place AT GATE CITY(venue change) from 6pm-8pm on March 28th! Please join us whether you have a performer or not! The students light up when their schoolmates show up for them! Concessions, raffles, and more! This is truly one of the highlights of the year! Tickets are purchased at the door for $5 each or a max of $25 per family.
đŹ Rehearsal March 27th 3pm âHave questions or a child that did not get a chance to audition and really wants to perform? Please reach out to the show coordinator at Danielle Johnson.
Enjoy the warmer weather and lighter days ahead!
Jenn Blanchette
Director, GCCSA
March 1st, 2026
Welcome back Gate City!
We hope your February break was filled with rest, laughter, fresh air, creativity, and a little bit of winter magic, even with blizzard conditions.
This stretch of the school year is filled with creativity and energy in amounts higher than our snowbanks! As the days are getting longer, we begin to see the growth that has been quietly taking root throughout the year begin to emerge and expand. At Gate City, we believe learning is not just memorization and repeating information â it is artistic, collaborative, expressive, and deeply human.
As we return:
- đĽ đď¸ â° Please help students reestablish healthy routines (sleep, breakfast, on-time arrival).
- đ đ Make every effort to have your students at school every day that they are healthy. Learning loss is real and cumulative for students and can lead to a variety of learning, behavior, and/or social challenges. NOTE: Combined tardies are counted as absences for your student, and excessive absences may require actions such as notification letters, team meetings, home visits, and contact of appropriate authorities.
- 𤧠When students are ill we understand that it can prove difficult to navigate childcare for a sick child along with other obligations. However, PLEASE do not send a student back to school until they have been fever free and without intestinal episodes for at least 24 hours WITHOUT fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- đ Kindness Matters! We ask for your partnership in reminding students how important kindness is in our school community and beyond. A few thoughtful words, inclusive actions, and respectful choices help everyone feel safe, valued, and ready to learn. In the âinsult cultureâ around us, we are striving to show our students that choosing love and kindness is a powerful gift to themselves, others, and the world.
CONGRATULATIONS!
đŚâĽď¸đ¨ Kindergarten was the latest grade to be presented with The Art of Having Heart Award!
đĽď¸đď¸ Gate City Charter worked very hard on their i-Ready testing administered last month and demonstrated significant overall growth!
đď¸ Upcoming Events
March 3rd 4th & 5th Grade Field Trip 10am to 2pm
đŹ March 9th LAST ONE! Information Night 5:15-6:30pm
đ March 12th CSO (our PTO) Monthly Meeting 9am-10am ALL WELCOME!
𼧠March 12th SAVE THE DATE! Family Pi (also Pie) Night 5pm-6:30pm
đŤ đ March 13th No School for Students, Professional Development Day & LOTTERY DAY!
đMarch 16th-20th Book Fair
đŤđŞ March 18th Celebration of Learning Open House 5pm-7:30pm
đŹ March 27th Talent Show Rehearsal 3pm
đ¤¸đ¤š March 28th RESCHEDULED Talent Show 6-8pm
âšď¸ FINAL Enrollment Information Session March 9th 5:15pm-6:30pm
Here is your chance! Share Gate City with your community and families! Do you know a family that might be interested in learning more about Gate City Charter School? Attendees will take a tour, learn more about the school, and have the opportunity to ask questions.
đ YOU are our best advertisement! A majority of our newly enrolled families come from recommendations from our community. Please share our Information Night registration link with those you think will love Gate City like we do: GCCSA Information Nights Registration Social media is a great place to get the word out!
đ Know someone interested in attending Gate City transferring this year?
Have them email our Enrollment Coordinator,Paige Duval, at info@gccs-nh.org.
đŞSAVE YOUR SPOT for Enrollment at GCCSA 2026-27
We love having you at GCCSA! Itâs time to claim your spot(s) for your student(s) by completing your Intent to Return for the 2026- 2027 School Year. Find the form HERE:
GCCSA Intent to Return 2026-27
đŞHAVE SIBLINGS JOINING US? Great news! We offer sibling preference! Please use this to let us know about any incoming siblings in Kindergarten or transfer siblings!
đŞ´GATE CITY IS GROWING! Waitlists are getting longer! We LOVE đ that the word is getting out about our awesome community, but we don't want our current students to lose their spots. Completing Intent to Return will keep your child enrolled!
đ¤If you are uncertain if your student(s) will return next year, please mark them as Uncertain. This will hold their space(s) until March 09, 2026. If no response is received by March 9th, the space in question will be added to the lottery.
đ¸Before & After Care Survey EVERY FAMILY PLEASE RESPOND!
We are still waiting for responses from many of our families. Beginning next school year, in 2026-27, Gate City Charter School for the Arts will be offering before- and after-school care at GCCSA through a partnership with the YMCA. We are asking EVERY family to respond.
đ IMPORTANT: Respond with what you know NOW. You will not be excluded from or enrolled in the program based on this response. Basically, we need your best guess before we can go any further. We ask that ALL FAMILIES GRADES K-7 respond !
Please respond HERE: Before and After Care Survey 2026-27
Π𼧠Pi Night: Join us March 13th for the love of everyoneâs favorite number: 3.14159⌠and baked goods, we will be hosting a community PiâŚand pie family fun night! From 5pm-6:30pm we will enjoy pie and Pi-centered activities! Look for more info this week!
𼳠Celebration of Learning: March 18th from 5:30-7pm we will be holding our first-of-the-year, Celebration of Learning! This is an event open to families. Classrooms will be open. Student work will be on display. The Arts will be highlighted. And we will celebrate all that makes Gate City Charter School the unique, wonderful, exceptional learning community that it is! We encourage every family to attend. The event will be âopen houseâ style, so come when you can and stay as long as you're able.
đ RESCHEDULED Talent Show: Come to the annual talent show to take place AT GATE CITY(venue change) from 6pm-8pm on March 28th! Please join us whether you have a performer or not! The students light up when their schoolmates show up for them! Concessions, raffles, and more! This is truly one of the highlights of the year! Tickets are purchased at the door for $5 each or a max of $25 per family.
đŹ Rehearsal March 27th 3pm
âHave questions or a child that did not get a chance to audition and really wants to perform? Please reach out to the show coordinator at Danielle Johnson.
đˇ Together, we continue building a place where creativity thrives, kindness leads, and every child has space to bloom.
Hereâs to a strong, joyful return and donât forget to share our school with friends!
Onward and upward,
Jenn Blanchette
Director, GCCSA
February 16th, 2026
Dear Gate City Community,
As we pause on Presidentsâ Day, we reflect on what it means to lead well and the impact we have as we serve and lead in our community. We are feeling especially grateful for the many ways our own school family leads with heart.
đ âĽď¸ A giant thank you to our incredible CSO for helping make the school dance such a GLOWING, joyful and memorable celebration, and to everyone who helped make Grandfriends Day so meaningful for our students and their special guests. Your time, energy, and presence truly make our school shine. And you showed that SHINE during a fabulous Spirit Week! đ
As we head into the week before February break, we look forward to a few more days of being together before a well-earned time of rest. Letâs make it a wonderful week!
đď¸ FEBRUARY BREAK is the 23rd through the 27th
đşđ˛ CIVICS NIGHT Join us for iCivics Family Fun Night February 18th 5-7pm
Celebrate the 250th birthday of The Declaration of Independence! Bring the whole family and your friends to the free community iCivics game night. Can you win the Whitehouse? Are you ready to vote? Letâs find out! What is iCivics? https://vision.icivics.org/about/ Enjoy Declaration birthday cake! đ!
đŞSAVE YOUR SPOT for Enrollment at GCCSA 2026-27
We love having you at GCCSA! Itâs time to claim your spot(s) for your student(s) by completing your Intent to Return for the 2026- 2027 School Year. Find the form HERE:
GCCSA Intent to Return 2026-27 HAVE SIBLINGS JOINING US? Great news! We offer sibling preference! Please use this to let us know about any incoming siblings in Kindergarten or transfer siblings!
đŞ´GATE CITY IS GROWING! Waitlists are getting longer! We LOVE đ that the word is getting out about our awesome community, but we don't want our current students to lose their spots. Completing Intent to Return will keep your child enrolled!
If you are uncertain if your student(s) will return next year, please mark them as Uncertain. This will hold their space(s) until March 09, 2025. If no response is received by March 9th, the space in question will be added to the lottery.
đ¨Before & After Care Survey EVERY FAMILY PLEASE RESPOND! Beginning next school year, in 2026-27, Gate City Charter School for the Arts will be offering before- and after-school care at GCCSA through a partnership with the YMCA. We are asking EVERY family to respond.
IMPORTANT: Respond with what you know NOW. You will not be excluded from or enrolled in the program based on this response. Basically, we need your best guess before we can go any further. We ask that ALL FAMILIES GRADES K-7 respond ! Please respond HERE: Before and After Care Survey 2026-27
As you consider your plans for next year, please know that each student and family at GCCSA is valued. I am always more than happy to meet to discuss your questions, concerns, thoughts. Every year at Gate City is the best year yet, and that has everything to do with your faith and support!
Onward and upward ALWAYS,
Jenn Blanchette
Director, GCCSA
February 8th, 2026
Dear GCCSA,
The coming week promises a whole bouquet of Valentine magicâblooms of spirit, friendship, joy, and plenty of heart. As our school fills with festive moments and thoughtful gestures, weâre reminded that loving one another is an art form. Vincent van Gogh once said, âThere is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.â Love may be a lost art in too many parts of the world, but, at Gate City, every day love fills the canvases of our classrooms and community.
UPCOMING EVENT DATES:
- February 9th-13th Spirit Week
- February 10th & 12th Friendship Gram Sales
- February 12th CSO Meeting
- February 13th Valentineâs Bake Sale
- February 13th Grandfriendâs Day
- February 13th Family Glow Dance
- February 13th Friendship Gram Delivery
- February 16th NO SCHOOL
- February 18th iCivics Night
đ Be on the lookout for a New Talent Show Date!
đ Spirit Week February 9th-13th
- Monday: Hearts and Heroes
Dress like someone you think is fab! Teacher, friend, hero, family member, character or historical figure!
- Tuesday: Wear Your Heart on Your Feet!
Wear Valentines, soft & fuzzy, or any socks that show your loving vibe!
- Wednesday: Cozy & Kind
Wear comfy PJâs and share compliments and kindness all day!
- Thursday: Wear What You Love!
Show us what you love! For example,wear a cat shirt, pizza socks, and/or Patriots pants if you love hanging with your cat, eating pizza, and watching football.
- Friday: Dress in Cupid Colors!
Wear red, pink and purple! Feel free to add some sparkle and shine!
đ Classroom Valentines:
Gate City allows students to exchange Valentines with the focus being on friendship and community. Given the large number of students with food sensitivities and allergies, we encourage the exchange of stickers, erasers, and other small, non-food trinkets.
ONE GREAT IDEA:The CSO will be selling Friendship Grams!
đ Friendship Grams for Sale!
Students are able to purchase friendship grams for anyone they would like during lunches Tuesday and Thursday. They are ONLY $1 each and will be delivered on Friday, 2/13! What a great way to support the school AND get classroom valentines checked off your lists! Students will get to pick the accompanying âgiftâ at the time of purchase. Students can purchase for their entire class or specific students! Volunteers will be available to help younger students complete grams. You may want to send a list for younger students if grams are for specific students.
âĽď¸ Grandfriendâs Day February 13th 12pm-1pm
We are so excited to be hosting our annual Grandfriends Day for grades K-5. Grandfriends Day is a day for your childrenâs grandparents/any special person in their lives to come enjoy some time with them at Gate City!
đ§8th Grade Fundraising Valentineâs Bake Sale February 13th Lunchtime
The 8th Grade will be holding a fundraising bake sale on Friday. All items $1. Gluten-free items being sold.
đ đđş Family Glow Dance February 13th 5:30-7:30pm
FREE ENTRY FAMILY DANCE! Get ready to GLOW! Bring the ENTIRE family! Concessions for sale: Pizza -Snacks- Drinks! Raffles! See flyer for details! See the CSO Newsletter for volunteer and donation sign ups!
đşđ˛ iCivics Family Fun Night February 18th 5-7pm
Celebrate the 250th birthday of The Declaration of Independence! Bring the whole family and your friends to the free community iCivics game night. Can you win the Whitehouse? Are you ready to vote? Letâs find out! What is iCivics? https://vision.icivics.org/about/
đ¨Before & After Care Survey PLEASE RESPOND NOW!
Beginning next school year, in 2026-27, Gate City Charter School for the Arts will be offering before- and after-school care at GCCSA through a partnership with the YMCA. We are asking EVERY family to respond. IMPORTANT: Respond with what you know NOW. You will not be excluded from or enrolled in the program based on this response. Basically, we need your best guess before we can go any further. We ask that ALL FAMILIES GRADES K-7 respond!
âď¸ Please respond HERE: https://forms.gle/6kSMqkaLVz7R7mcd8
CSO Meeting & Newsletter We are hoping to streamline communications in an effort to increase community support and volunteers. That being said, we have officially published our newsletter which is linked here: CSO Newsletter. Here you will find ways to support, volunteer and donate to our upcoming events as well as any fundraisers that will directly support our staff and students. All are welcome to come and share ideas during our CSO meetings. Our next meeting will be February 12th from 3:15-4:15. Not able to come? Please feel free to email us with any ideas or questions you may have. Our email is cso.gccsa@gmail.com or attend virtually at https://meet.google.com/pzt-ksab-wrw.
The next two weeks are blooming with activity and brimming with fun. So glad you are here with us to enjoy it!
Onward and upward!
Jenn Blanchette
Director, GCCSA
january 26th, 2026
Happy Monday Gate City Community!
Winter reminded us whoâs in charge this week. With the snowstorm keeping us off the roads, we shifted to a remote learning dayâthank you for the flexibility, patience, and grace you showed as we adjusted together. Our hope is that today brought moments of learning, creativity, and calm, all while keeping our community safe.
Reminders:
- Please avoid dismissing students during the last half hour of school whenever possible. The end of school is an important time to gather as a class in a closing meeting. It is also a chaotic time of the day for classrooms. We understand that this is at times unavoidable due to doctor's appointments and other urgent matters.
- We are currently taking the i-Ready mid-year assessment. While these assessments are always of value. This round of results will be reviewed at our rechartering meeting at the DOE in March. Letâs team up to help our students show their best work! Rest and good nutrition are significant factors in assessment results.
Talent Show: We are excited for the return of the GCCSA Talent Show!
Many students came to our âauditionâ with a lot of enthusiasm! Was your student unable to make it but would like to participate? Please reach out to Danielle Johnson.
RESCHEDULED Practice Day 1: Friday January 30th 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Practice Day 2: Friday, February 6th. 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Talent Show: Saturday, February 7th. 6:00 - 8:00 pm @ Merrimack High
CSO Planning Meeting February 3rd at 9am: Interested in being part of the planning of Grandfriendâs Day/Friendship Grams, our Family Glowdance, or our Talent Show Concessions? Please join us for powerhouse planning meetings. You are essential in making the magic of our events happen. Want to help but canât make these meeting times work? No problem. Just reach out to our CSO Support Leads at cso.gccsa@gmail.com .
NEW!!!! CSO NEWSLETTER!! Introducing the monthly CSO Newsletter! It will feature information on ways to get involved, upcoming events, and how to build our community and make our school even better! Find the newsletter attached below (links on the newsletter are active).
SAVE THESE DATES:
- February 7th Talent Show
- February 9th-13th Spirit Week MORE INFO THIS WEEK!
- February 13th Grandfriendâs Day
- February 13th Family Glow Dance
Onward and upward-even through feet of winter snow!
Jenn Blanchette
Director, GCCSA
january 19th, 2026
Good evening Gate City Community,
This weekend I have taken time to consider the following impassioned words of Martin Luther King Jr.:
âLifeâs most persistent and urgent question is, âWhat are you doing for others?â
As we pause to honor Civil Rights Day, we reflect not only on history, but on how kindness, courage, and compassion show up in our everyday actions. Dr. King reminded us that change is rooted in how we care for one anotherâthrough listening, fairness, and the belief that every individual deserves to feel safe, seen, and valued. Every day we have the opportunity to encourage, cultivate, and nourish such change. At GCCSA, the arts help students learn to express themselves, respect others, know the power of kindness, and contribute positively to the community around them.
Imagine a world in which each person woke every morning and asked first, âWhat will I do today for others?â
Reminders:
- Please avoid dismissing students during the last half hour of school whenever possible. The end of school is an important time to gather as a class in a closing meeting. It is also a chaotic time of the day for classrooms.
- We are currently taking the i-Ready mid-year assessment. While these assessments are always of value. This round of results will be reviewed at our rechartering meeting at the DOE in March. Letâs team up to help our students show their best work! Rest and good nutrition are significant factors in assessment results.
đ˛â THANK YOU! A huge thank you to our Community Partner, Alltown Fresh of Manchester for their generous donation of $1,300!
đşMiddle School Dance Friday, January 23rd 6-8:30pm: 8th grade will be hosting a dance for grades 6-8 this Friday. Chaperones and donations welcome! Find ways to help at this sign-up.
đTalent Show Returns! We are excited for the return of the GCCSA Talent Show!
Many students came to our âauditionâ with a lot of enthusiasm! Was your student unable to make it but would like to participate? Please reach out to Danielle Johnson.
Practice Day 1: Monday, January 26th. 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Practice Day 2: Friday, February 6th. 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Talent Show: Saturday, February 7th. 6:00 - 8:00 pm @ Merrimack High
CSO Planning Meeting February 3rd at 9am: Interested in being part of the planning of Grandfriendâs Day/Friendship Grams, our Family Glowdance, or our Talent Show Concessions?
Please join us for powerhouse planning meetings. You are essential in making the magic of our events happen. Want to help but canât make these meeting times work? No problem. Just reach out to our CSO Support Leads at cso.gccsa@gmail.com .
đŁ NEW!!!! CSO NEWSLETTER!! Introducing the monthly CSO Newsletter! It will feature information on ways to get involved, upcoming events, and how to build our community and make our school even better! Find the newsletter attached below (links on the newsletter are active). It will also be sent again in a separate email.
SAVE THESE DATES:
- February 7th Talent Show
- February 9th-13th Spirit Week
- February 13th Grandfriendâs Day
- February 13th Family Glow Dance
Looking forward with hope as we celebrate the power of human kindness and the potential of individual voices raised collectively. May we always have the courage to ask what we can do for others.
Onward and upward ALWAYS!
Jenn Blanchette
Director, GCCSA
january 11th, 2026
Greetings Gate City!
The first week back was a whirlwind of excitement and adjustment. Now, the anxious energy of our return has transitioned into active learning, and our classrooms are once again filled with the sound of questions, laughter, and brave new ideas. This part of the year is the second act in the masterpiece of our school year at Gate City Charter School for the Arts!
Congratulations to our 8th Grade! They performed their rendition of A Midsummer Nightâs Dream last week as a humorous, artistic, and amazing end to a cross-curricular unit.
âšď¸INFO NIGHT This WEDNESDAY! Share! Invite! Spread the word!
ENROLLMENT INFORMATION SESSION January 14th 5:15pm: Here is your chance! Share Gate City with your community and families! Do you know a family that might be interested in learning more about Gate City Charter School? Attendees will take a tour, learn more about the school, and have the opportunity to ask questions.
YOU are our best advertisement! A majority of our newly enrolled families come from recommendations from our community. Please share our Information Night registration link with those you think will love Gate City like we do: GCCSA Information Nights Registration
Know someone interested in attending Gate City transferring this year?
Have them email our Enrollment Coordinator,Paige Duval, at info@gccs-nh.org.
đCSO Planning Meetings January 15th and February 3rd at 9am: Interested in being part of being the planning of Grandfriendâs Day/Friendship Grams, our Family Glowdance, or our Talent Show Concessions? Please join us for powerhouse planning meetings. You are essential in making the magic of our events happen. Want to help but canât make these meeting times work? No problem. Just reach out to our CSO Support Leads at cso.gccsa@gmail.com .
đTalent Show Returns! We are excited to announce the return of the GCCSA Talent Show! So start practicing those acts! Feel free to perform solo, with a group of friends, or even with your family!! âAuditionsâ will be held on Friday, January 16th.
Please have the Google Form at the following link completed by Audition Day: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeo__SZ7fh-EdwbNWdVrzJMK-olyZtUbK0qZsTnNAc1hwHJ1w/viewform?usp=preview.
Students will not be allowed to audition without it.
Audition Day: Friday, January 16th. 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Practice Day 1: Monday, January 26th. 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Practice Day 2: Friday, February 6th. 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Talent Show: Saturday, February 7th. 6:00 - 8:00 pm @ Merrimack High
đşđ˛ CIVIL RIGHTS DAY January19th NO SCHOOL
Make this week a masterpiece!
Jenn Blanchette
Director, GCCSA
january 5th, 2026
Dear Gate City Families,
Welcome back! I hope the break offered moments of rest, laughter, and connectionâwhether that meant quiet mornings, busy adventures, or simply a change of pace.
As we return at the start of a new year, weâre reminded that learning, creativity, and growth donât require perfectionâonly the courage to begin. This stretch of the year is full of meaningful learning, creative exploration, and steady routines that help our students feel safe and successful. Thank you for partnering with us as we ease back in togetherâone day, one rhythm, one small win at a time.
I canât wait to see what your students will write on the blank page of 2026! I am doubtless that it will be a story filled with growth, discovery, and even some big risks and beautiful, beneficial mistakes.
NOTES & REQUESTS:
đ§¤COLD WEATHER: We have had some frigid temperatures lately. Students without the proper cold weather gear are finding it difficult to remain outside and/or requesting to not to go outside at all. A reminder that we go outside as long as it does not feel below 20 degrees. We know middle schoolers often believe they are immune to cold temperaturesâŚuntil they are outside in them. Please have them bring their cold weather gear âjust in caseâ.
đ¤ ILLNESS: As we are fully engaged in the season of sickness, please remember not to send students to school that have had a fever or experienced intestinal or other significant symptoms in the last 24 hours. Fevers should be evaluated without fever-reducing medications.
â° ATTENDANCE: All healthy students should be attending school. Every day absent from school is a missed opportunity for learning. Plus, we really do miss your students when they arenât here. Tardiness also costs a student valuable time at school. Numerous accumulated tardies count as a full dayâs absence. Excessive absences do require us to notify both the district and the state. Please let us know if you are struggling with your childâs attendance. We are here to help.
đĽ REPORT CARDS: Report cards for Trimester I may be found in ALMA. Questions? Please email Paige Duval at info@gccs-nh.org.
đREQUESTS FOR NEXT YEARâS HOLIDAY SHOP: Have you been out shopping and seen some clearance items that would be great for the next Holiday Shop? We will gladly store your donations and use them in December 2025. Please mark your bargains âHoliday Shop CSOâ and drop them at the Front Office.
OR, EVEN BETTER, bring them to our monthly CSO meeting this Thursday, the 8th of January, in the Great Hall at 9:15am. All are WELCOME and urged to attend! We start every meeting with time to meet with me to share your suggestions for and questions about Gate City! So please come with your thoughts and ideas!
EVENTS:
đĽď¸ i-READY WINDOW OPENS January 13th: Each student takes the i-Ready Diagnostic Assessment three times a year (fall, winter, and spring) to help teachers understand their progress in reading and math. These assessments provide valuable insight into their learning growth and help guide classroom instruction.
âšď¸ ENROLLMENT INFORMATION SESSION January 14th 5:15pm: Here is your chance! Share Gate City with your community and families! Do you know a family that might be interested in learning more about Gate City Charter School? Attendees will take a tour, learn more about the school, and have the opportunity to ask questions.
YOU are our best advertisement! A majority of our newly enrolled families come from recommendations from our community. Please share our Information Night registration link with those you think will love Gate City like we do: GCCSA Information Nights Registration
Know someone interested in attending Gate City transferring this year?
Have them email our Enrollment Coordinator,Paige Duval, at info@gccs-nh.org.
đşđ˛ CIVIL RIGHTS DAY January19th NO SCHOOL
A new year invites us to turn the pageânot to erase the past, but to build on it. With fresh energy and a shared sense of purpose, we look ahead to all the learning, creativity, and connection waiting for us. Thank you for your continued partnership and trust. We canât wait to see what this next chapter holds for our students, our staff, and our community.
Onward and upward!
Jenn Blanchette
Director, GCCSA
