1. Fine and Performing Arts - Both orchestra and chorus earned Gold with Distinction at NYSSMA; student art was displayed at Concordia College in the O'Silas Gallery and at the annual StArt Regional High School Art Exhibition; our Forensic Speech team sent members to national tournaments; and along with another outstanding year for Sock & Buskin, the PMS production of Elf Jr. was not to be missed.
    
2.  Athletics - All of our teams represented Gilbert well, both on and off the field, ice, court, track, and water. I am pleased to report that once again all 26 of our varsity teams achieved Scholar Athlete status. In addition to the majority of our teams qualifying for sectional play, hockey made it to the Division 2 Championship and rugby made it to the State Championship for the second year in a row. Individually, one diver, one of the members of our indoor track team, and four of our swimmers - one of whom is the state champion in her event! - competed in the state championships. And three members of our rowing team qualified for nationals.
    
3. International Baccalaureate - At PMS, the entire faculty has been trained and each teacher has implemented at least one unit of IB Instruction. We completed the feasibility study of the implementation of IB- MYP in grades 9 and 10 and our application for the candidacy has been approved. Many schools take 3-5 years to complete this process which Gilbert has done in just 12 months. (Have you seen our IB video? Click here to view it.)
    
4. Science and Math - Our high school students were recognized at ISEF and WESEF, and I-SWEEEP,  and all the elementary schools participated in both math and coding nights with students and parents. We also completed the integration of Singapore Math.
    
5. Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Mathematics (STEAM) - Planning is underway and financing is in place through the combination of District funds and a generous Gilbert Education Fund grant, for a MakerSpace in each school. (Hear more about this donation and plans for these spaces as discussed at the May 24th BOE meeting by clicking here and going to agenda item 4.2).
    
6. Social Emotional/Wellness -  We researched the implementation of Mindfulness, a K-12 systematic program, and have made great progress toward implementing experiences designed to foster growth for our students including hosting a district-wide diversity celebration, renewing our commitment to Habits of Mind, and reinforcing protocols and procedures to support our transgender students (View the Wellness Committee report given at the June 14th BOE meeting by clicking here and going to agenda item 4.4). In addition, students with social-emotional needs continue to thrive as a result of the implementation of our Therapeutic Support Programs (TSP) in the elementary, middle, and high schools.
    
7. Sustainability - We managed, through completion, phases I and II of the tree maintenance, pruning, removal, and replanting work, and are now on a maintenance schedule. We also worked with EcoPel to enhance recycling and trash reduction and are now researching the feasibility of a litter-less lunch and off-site composting.
    
8. Fiscal Responsibility - We built a tax-cap compliant budget that preserved programs, staff, and operation efficiencies, and planned for our future through the creation of a capital reserve and by securing a budget neutral bond to gut-renovate the men's and women's locker rooms at PMHS.
    
9.  Safety and Security - As part of our ongoing work in this area, the greeter stations have been approved by NYSED and construction will begin this summer; the entire district has been re-keyed; and we have improved our emergency drill procedures. Additionally, through voluntary testing, we confirmed that our water supply is safe and we worked with the town and villages on pedestrian safety around our schools.
    
10.   Technology - We expanded the Chromebook initiative to grades 7-12 for next year and have developed related learning activities to support the successful integration of these tools by students and staff through the Google Apps for Education platform.

Peter Giarrizzo, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools