Notes from the Director

Dear Gate City Families,

As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s a perfect time to celebrate the love, kindness, and connection that make our school community so special. Love isn’t just about heart-shaped cards and sweet treats—it’s about the care we show one another every day. It’s in the encouragement between classmates, the dedication of our teachers, and the support you provide as families. In a broader sense, love is extending grace, practicing empathy, doing the hard work of forgiveness, and being brave enough to continue to believe in the best of one another. Love is a challenge, but one worth taking on!

GOAL EXCEEDED: We reported 1,631 acts of kindness and made Gate City even kinder!

DAVE AND BUSTER’S POWER CARDS: For the entire month of February follow the link below to purchase a 20$ POWER CARD good at any Dave and Buster’s location in the nation, and we get 50%, $10 from each card purchased. What a deal! Please share with friends, family…perfect strangers…ANYONE!! Think gifts, February Vacation and more! HERE is the link: https://www.groupraise.com/offer-campaigns/54043-gate-city-charter-school-for-the-arts-dave-busters-fundraising-campaigns?utm_source=sendgrid&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=o_offers_day_1 

February 14th Grandfriends Day! We are so excited to be hosting our annual Grandfriends Day for grades K-3. Grandfriends Day is a day for your children’s grandparents/a special person in their life to come enjoy some time with them at Gate City! Attendees can join us from 12-1pm. Light refreshments will be served, but feel free to pack a lunch. Roses will be available for purchase for your special student! 

Friendship Grams: Friendship Grams will be on sale TOMORROW, Monday 2/10! They are ONLY $1 each and will be delivered on Valentine’s Day, Friday, 2/14! What a great way to support the school AND get classroom valentines checked off your lists!  

Students will get to pick the accompanying “gift” 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.

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:Friendship Grams! 

February 15th from 4-9pm Parents’ Night Out: Help the 8th Grade raise funds for end-of-year activities and enjoy a night out! Crafts, games, movies and dinner provided! All potty-trained children ages 3-11 welcome! 25$ for one child and $35 per family. REGISTER NOW! See the attached flyer! 

No School Monday, February 17th

DONATIONS NEEDED: Bottled Water, Snacks, Printer Paper

Let’s be compassion in action!

Onward and upward ALWAYS!

Jenn Blanchette

Director, GCCSA

Congratulations Gate City Community!

This week on Thursday we celebrate a milestone—100 days of learning, creating, kindness, and joy!

In these first 100 days, our students have explored new ideas, created meaningful connections, and demonstrated resilience and curiosity in their learning. From the excitement of the first day of school to the discoveries made in classrooms each day, every moment has shaped a foundation for success.

Our mission is to create a nurturing and engaging environment where every child feels valued and inspired. Parents, guardians, and families, your support and partnership continue to make all the difference. Together, we are building a community that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a love for lifelong learning.

As we look ahead to the rest of the year, let’s celebrate not just how far we’ve come, but the incredible potential still ahead. The next 100 days will be filled with even more achievements, discoveries, and moments of joy.

Note of Thanks: What an incredible night of talent, creativity, and courage! Our annual Talent Show was a beautiful celebration of the gifts and passions of our students, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and support of so many. A heartfelt thank you to our amazing organizers and volunteers who worked behind the scenes to bring this event to life. Your time, effort, and enthusiasm made it a truly special experience for everyone.

Kindness Makes Gate City 100X Better: This week continues our school-wide challenge with a big goal: to perform and track over 1,000 intentional acts of kindness by the 100th day of school.

• Each grade will aim to complete and track 100 acts of kindness through individual and group efforts.
• The initiative will culminate on the 100th day of school this THURSDAY the 6th when we celebrate our collective and individual kindness.

February 3rd-7th National School Counseling Week Color Days: Celebrate National School Counseling Week by proudly wearing the colors of CHOOSE LOVE:

• Monday: Wear GOLD/YELLOW for courage.
• Tuesday: Wear ORANGE for gratitude.
• Wednesday: Wear BLUE for forgiveness.
• Thursday: Wear GREEN for compassion and/or 100th Day of School gear.
• Friday: Wear RED for self-love.

**FEBRUARY FUNDRAISER ALERT**

DAVE AND BUSTER’S POWER CARDS: For the entire month of February follow the link below to purchase a 20$ POWER CARD good at any Dave and Buster’s location in the nation, and we get 50%, $10 from each card purchased. What a deal! Please share with friends, family…perfect strangers…ANYONE!! Think gifts, February Vacation and more! HERE is the link: https://www.groupraise.com/offer-campaigns/54043-gate-city-charter-school-for-the-arts-dave-busters-fundraising-campaigns?utm_source=sendgrid&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=o_offers_day_1 

February 7th from 5:30-7:30pm Let’s Glow Crazy Family Dance: FREE ENTRY FAMILY DANCE! Bring the ENTIRE family! Concessions for sale: Pizza -Snacks- Drinks!  50/50 raffle. ​​

We need your help with dance donations and volunteers! Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0848ACAA22A2F8C43-54612761-lets

February 14th Grandfriends Day! We are so excited to be hosting our annual Grandfriends Day for grades K-3. Grandfriends Day is a day for your children’s grandparents/a special person in their life to come enjoy some time with them at Gate City! Look for details early this week!

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! Look out for the flier! 

February 15th from 4-9pm Parents’ Night Out: Help the 8th Grade raise funds for end-of-year activities and enjoy a night out! Crafts, games, movies and dinner provided! All potty-trained children ages 3-11 welcome! 25$ for one child and $35 per family. REGISTER NOW! 

DONATIONS NEEDED: Bottled Water, Snacks, Printer Paper

Thank you for being a part of our journey. Here’s to the next 100 days and beyond!

Onward and upward!

Jenn Blanchette

Director, GCCSA

Dear Gate City Families,

I for one am thrilled that our daylight is longer every day, moment-by-moment. The extreme cold and the darkness have been weighing heavily on me, but now it seems that there is a crack in the gray “wall” of winter, one small but mighty enough to let relative warmth and light through. Kindness is very much the same. There seems to be an abundance of worry and cruelty and division and sadness surrounding us. However, it is kindness that breaks through. It is kindness that lets the light in. At Gate City Charter School for the Arts, we believe that kindness and service are more than just values—they are powerful tools that build connections, create a sense of belonging, and make our community and the world a better place. We strive to foster a culture where every child learns the joy of giving, the importance of empathy, and the strength of coming together to make a difference.

This year we are engaging in a  Kindness Makes Gate City 100X Better initiative, a school-wide challenge with a big goal: to perform and track over 1,000 intentional acts of kindness by the 100th day of school.

We invite every student, teacher, and staff member to be a part of this meaningful journey. Acts of kindness can be big or small—from holding the door for someone to writing a note of gratitude or helping a friend in need. Each act will contribute to a growing ripple effect of positivity, not just within our school but also in our homes, neighborhoods, and beyond.

Here’s how it works:

1. Each grade will aim to complete and track 100 acts of kindness through individual and group efforts.
2. The initiative will culminate on the 100th day of school when we celebrate our collective and individual kindness.

How You Can Help:
We encourage families to join in! Model kindness at home and talk about ways your family can participate. At Gate City, we believe every small act of kindness has the power to spark change. Together, we can show our students—and the world—that kindness truly matters. 

BUCKLE UP! SO MANY HOPPIN’ HAPPENINGS:

Community-Service Organization (CSO) Meeting Recap: Thank you to everyone who joined us last Thursday! We are off to an energetic and welcoming start! Members attended virtually and in person. We discussed our mission, the talent show, Valentine’s Day fundraising, and the upcoming family dance. Look for our involvement/interest form this week. There are so many ways big and small, in-person and at home, that you can be a part of this AWESOME organization.

Thursday, January 30th 9am Donuts with the Director: Come learn more about two FANTASTIC new programs that will help you support and enrich your child’s education. Gate City recently purchased Zearn and Flocabulary as a way to offer remediation and extension for our students in fun and engaging ways. These are digital learning platforms can be used at home and are a great way for families to be involved. Come explore and play and even complete sample activities! And, as always, bring your amazing ideas for and questions about anything Gate City!

Talent Show THIS SATURDAY, February 1st: Tickets at the door! Concessions! Raffles, Shout outs and MORE! Cash PLEASE! 

Practice Day 2:   Friday, January 31st. 3:00 - 4:30 pm

Talent Show:       Saturday, February 1st.  6 - 8 pm 

Location:       Merrimack High School Cafeteria 38 McElwain St.

Tickets:       Tickets: $5 each with a max of $25 per family. Sold at the door. 

Volunteers Still Needed! Updated Donations and Volunteer List: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0848ACAA22A2F8C43-54457245-talent

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Danielle Johnson, Event Coordinator at johnsond@gccs-nh.org.

February 3rd-7th National School Counseling Week Color Days: Celebrate National School Counseling Week by proudly wearing the colors of CHOOSE LOVE:

• Monday: Wear GOLD for courage.
• Tuesday: Wear ORANGE for gratitude.
• Wednesday: Wear BLUE for forgiveness and/or 100th Day of School gear.
• Thursday: Wear GREEN for compassion.
• Friday: Wear RED for self-love.
• 
  

February 7th from 5:30-7:30pm Let’s Glow Crazy Family Dance: FREE ENTRY FAMILY DANCE! Bring the ENTIRE family! Concessions for sale: Pizza -Snacks- Drinks!  50/50 raffle. ​​

We need your help with dance donations and volunteers! Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0848ACAA22A2F8C43-54612761-lets

Upcoming: Parents’ Night Out February 15th. More info coming.

Hope you can be part of these amazing events!

Onward and upward,
Jenn Blanchette
Director, Gate City Charter School for the Arts

Hello Gate City Community!

I hope you are having a marvelous Monday! As we pause to recognize the life, sacrifices, and leadership of Martin Luther King Jr., we are poignantly reminded of both the power of our words and the capacity for positive change they possess. Just as King believed that words and actions of love and truth could ultimately prevail over evil and hate, I believe our words carry with them the  potential to affect the course of individual lives, our own as well as those of others, families, communities, and even the world. We cannot know where the ripple effect of our words ends. We are, however, in control of those words and whether or not they carry currents of kindness or waves of malice. In an unrelenting age of “information”, we, along with our students, are often caught in an impulsive and unforgiving undertow of destructive, untrue, and brutal language, often presented under the guise of humor. 

Perhaps if we all took today, in honor of MLK Jr. and our better selves, to remember the power of our words and to share the lessons of that power with our students, we might emerge, personally and as a community, with an increased commitment to have our words act as ripples of inspiration and uplift felt endlessly in the world. 

Events & Information:

i-Ready: i-Ready “window” begins Tuesday, January 21st.. i-Ready is an online diagnostic program in math and English  that will help your student’s teacher(s) determine your student’s needs, personalize their learning, and monitor progress throughout the school year. At Gate City our students participate in i-Ready three times during the year. Next week will mark the start of the second round of the diagnostic. Class diagnostic schedules will vary depending on grade level, academic schedules, and technology distribution. The diagnostic will ideally be completed in a two-week period.You can learn more about i-Ready by visiting here: https://i-readycentral.com/familycenter/what-is-i-ready/

Families, please help your students show us what they know by ensuring that they

• Are well-rested 
• Bring water and plenty of healthy snacks to school 
• Understand that this assessment is designed to give students challenging questions that they are expected to get incorrect
• That all we ask is that they do their best and that will always be enough!

Talent Show Information and Needs: CALLING THE TECH-INCLINED! We need a tech savvy music SUPERHERO to “cut” the digital music provided for our acts. The superhero cape is optional, but I would be happy to provide one. Please reach out ASAP to Danielle Johnson at johnsond@gccs-nh.org if you are willing to help!

Donations: Our talent show is successful because of YOU! Please sign up to donate an item HERE: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0848ACAA22A2F8C43-54457245-talent

Dates and Times:

Practice Day 1:   Friday, January 24th. 3:00 - 4:30 pm  

Practice Day 2:   Friday, January 31st. 3:00 - 4:30 pm

Talent Show:       Saturday, February 1st.  6 - 8 pm 

If you have any questions, concerns, or scheduling conflicts, please feel free to reach out to Danielle Johnson, Event Coordinator at johnsond@gccs-nh.org.

Community-Staff Organization Meeting January 23rd at 3:15pm: Join us for our first independent CSO (Gate City’s version of the PTO) meeting after dismissal. Meet community members and learn about ways to get involved in our Community-Staff Organization. Volunteer. Make connections. Share your brilliant ideas! 

Need to join virtually? We have you covered! Join HERE: 

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ffq-vinu-vzi

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 224-513-0211‬ PIN: ‪782 933 053‬#

Missing the MAGIC? Meeting times will rotate for convenience. Look for our meeting recap! 

January 30th 9am Donuts with the Director: Come learn more about two FANTASTIC new programs that will help you support and enrich your child’s education. Gate City recently purchased Zearn and Flocabulary as a way to offer remediation and extension for our students in fun and engaging ways. These platforms can be used at home and are a great way for families to be involved. Come explore and play and even complete sample activities! And, as always, bring your amazing ideas for and questions about anything Gate City!

I will close with my favorite MLK Jr. quote: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that," Strength to Love, 1963. May your week be filled with light. And, if you cannot find the light, try to be the light. Light will, after all, attract light. 

Thank you all for being so much of the light in my life.

Onward and upward,

Jenn Blanchette

Director, GCCSA

Dear Gate City Charter School Families,

At Gate City Charter School for the Arts, we are more than a school—we are a vibrant community and a family forged by the choice you have made to trust us with your child’s education. At this time of year we look ahead with hope for the future as we share Gate City with new families interested in learning more about our community. Your voice plays a vital role in shaping the future of our school. By sharing your positive experiences with prospective families, you help us build bridges that strengthen our community and ensure we continue to grow together. 

*It’s SNOW GEAR TIME!* Send in those snow pants, boots, gloves and hats! Extra socks for wet feet are also often helpful!

EVENTS:

TODAY! January 13th 3-4:30pm, Talent Show Auditions: 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!! Tell some jokes; perform some magic; perform acrobatics.The possibilities are endless! 

Completion of this form will be REQUIRED for acts/students to audition: https://forms.gle/bQ6FmZpzpayo3pCN6 

“Auditions” will be held TODAY, Monday, January 13th. While we are not excluding anyone from performing a talent, this will help organize the show, as well as ensure all talents are school appropriate. We may decide to combine talents if there are many repeats. For example, if 3 students choose to sing the same song, we may ask that they sing together, or choose a different song if they wish to remain solo. Please prepare your child for this possibility. Acts should be between 1 and 4 minutes long. 

Audition Day:      Monday, January 13th. 3:00 - 4:30 pm    

Practice Day 1:   Friday, January 24th. 3:00 - 4:30 pm  

Practice Day 2:   Friday, January 31st. 3:00 - 4:30 pm

Talent Show:       Saturday, February 1st.  6 - 8 pm 

If you have any questions, concerns, or scheduling conflicts, please feel free to reach out to Danielle Johnson, Event Coordinator at johnsond@gccs-nh.org.

January 14th 5pm Gate City Enrollment Information Session: 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? Our second Information Session for students considering enrollment for the remainder of this year or the 2025-26 school year will be tomorrow, Tuesday, January 14th at 5pm! Attendees will take a tour, learn more about the school, and have the opportunity to ask questions! Know someone interested? Have them email our Enrollment Coordinator, Paige Duval, at info@gccs-nh.org. Share the link with those you think will love Gate City like we do: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45A5A82DA0F5C52-49921189-october#/

January 17th 5:30-7:30pm, Middle School Dance Grades 6-8

January 20th NO SCHOOL MLK Day

January 23th at 3:15pm Community-Staff Organization Meeting: Join us for our first independent CSO (Gate City’s version of the PTO) meeting after dismissal. Meet community members and learn about ways to get involved in our Community-Staff Organization. Volunteer. Make connections. Share your brilliant ideas!

January 30th 9am Donuts with the Director: Come learn more about two FANTASTIC new programs that will help you support and enrich your child’s education. Gate City recently purchased Zearn and Flocabulary as a way to offer remediation and extension for our students in fun and engaging ways. These platforms can be used at home and are a great way for families to be involved. Come explore and play and even complete sample activities! And, as always, bring your amazing ideas for and questions about anything Gate City!

Again, we appreciate you spreading the good word about GCCSA. After all, YOU ARE AWESOME, so your people must be amazing people! 

Hope your week is filled with kindness, grace, and art!

Onward and upward,

Jenn Blanchette

Director GCCSA

Dear Gate City Families,

As we step into the promise of a new year, I am reminded of the words of Rainer Maria Rilke: “And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.” Each day ahead holds the potential for growth, creativity, and connection, and together, we have the opportunity to create something truly extraordinary in the lives of our students and our community.

At Gate City Charter School for the Arts, we are inspired by the passion and dedication of our families, students, and staff. As we continue on our journey, I look forward to the moments of discovery, joy, and collaboration that lie ahead in 2025.

NOTES & REQUESTS:

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. I know middle schoolers especially can be stubborn. I have mine pack them “just in case” and “just in case” comes almost daily.

ATTENDANCE & 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. 

Equally as important is that healthy students are attending school. Every day absent from school is a missed opportunity for learning. Plus, we really do miss your students when they aren’t here. Excessive absences do require us to notify both the district and the state. Please let us know if you are struggling with your child’s attendance. We are here to help.

REQUESTS FOR NEXT YEAR’S 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.

DONATIONS NEEDED:

Please consider donating as there is a significant need for 

• Cases of Water
• White Copier Paper

EVENTS:

January 14th 5pm, Gate City Enrollment Information Session: 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? Our second Information Session for students considering enrollment for the remainder of this year or the 2025-26 school year will be next Wednesday, January 14th at 5pm! Attendees will take a tour, learn more about the school, and have the opportunity to ask questions! Know someone interested? Have them email Paige Duval at info@gccs-nh.org. Share the RSVP link with those you think will love Gate City like we do: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45A5A82DA0F5C52-49921189-october#/

January 17th 5:30-7:30pm, Middle School Dance Grades 6-8

January 13th 3-4:30pm, Talent Show Auditions: 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!! Tell some jokes; perform some magic; perform acrobatics.The possibilities are endless! 

Completion of this form will be REQUIRED for acts/students to audition: https://forms.gle/bQ6FmZpzpayo3pCN6 

“Auditions” will be held on Monday, January 13th. While we are not excluding anyone from performing a talent, this will help organize the show, as well as ensure all talents are school appropriate. We may decide to combine talents if there are many repeats. For example, if 3 students choose to sing the same song, we may ask that they sing together, or choose a different song if they wish to remain solo. Please prepare your child for this possibility. Acts should be between 1 and 4 minutes long. 

Audition Day:      Monday, January 13th. 3:00 - 4:30 pm    

Practice Day 1:   Friday, January 24th. 3:00 - 4:30 pm  

Practice Day 2:   Friday, January 31st. 3:00 - 4:30 pm

Talent Show:       Saturday, February 1st.  6 - 8 pm 

If you have any questions, concerns, or scheduling conflicts, please feel free to reach out to Danielle Johnson, Event Coordinator at johnsond@gccs-nh.org

Thank you for your trust, partnership, and unwavering belief in the value of what we are creating together. Here’s to a year filled with discovery, joy, and the vibrant spirit of individual expression that makes our school a truly special place.

Onward and upward!

Jenn Blanchette

Director, GCCSA