The Buzz
School Community Newsletter
Issue #30
Friday, January 15, 2021
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr. 

The Gilbert School will be closed on Monday, January 18 in observance and to honor the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
To The Gilbert School Community: 
First, please enjoy the long weekend and keep yourself safe and healthy. I often include various guidelines on good COVID-19 mitigation practices in my letters and today I will focus on self-quarantine. You are the best person to recognize symptoms in yourself and immediate people you live with in your home environment. You are aware if you have been around someone who has appeared ill. If you feel you are not well or someone around you is demonstrating symptoms, it is best to take caution and self-quarantine and get tested. Please alert our school nurse, Kelli Gilbert gilbertk@gilbertschool.org about your concerns for family and significant others that attend or work at The Gilbert School. Contact your primary care physician about symptoms and limit your movement in the community until you have consulted with your health care professional. After testing, you must wait for results that are hopefully negative to consider resuming activities. It is important you stay in self-quarantine for the recommended time provided by the CDC and CT DPH. Caring for your own health is also caring for the health of everyone else. 

We are all aware that this pandemic will continue and the vaccine rollout is a massive undertaking that will take months. You must continue to practice vigilance, stay away from social gatherings, use good hand hygiene, wear your mask, socially distance yourself and monitor your health. If we do these simple things, we can reduce the infection rate. Stay positive, know that people are working to resolve the problems that exist due to the pandemic, and that includes educators. We have been tasked with a herculean challenge to bring our students, your children, through this global crisis. We are committed to the common good of educating our young people and being there for them. 

I will have an update on our schedule for next week on the Martin Luther King holiday, Monday, January 18, 2021. 

Anthony Serio, Ed.D. Superintendent 
Schedule Tuesday, January 19 - Friday, January 22
Schedule to be determined
COVID-19 Protocols
COVID cases are increasing in the community. Symptoms can start out as being more subtle and can include: congestion, runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, and headache. If your child is experiencing ANY symptom, even if it is mild, they should stay home, do remote learning, and contact the school nurses so they are aware. Additionally, if your child has been exposed to someone with COVID they should not come to school. School nurses are available by calling 860 379-8521,  gilbertk@gilbertschool.org, or webbd@gilbertschool.org.
TGS COVID Assessment Guide
The Gilbert School Celebrates its 125th Anniversary
The Gilbert School was founded "for the improvement of mankind by affording such assistance and means of educating the young as will help them to become good citizens."
–William L. Gilbert, Founder
A Legacy of Marching Bands
The Gilbert School's Marching Band 1989-1990
High School marching bands are essential when it comes to rallying the support from crowds at sports games. They are also highly valued when it comes to a student's music education.
Gilbert's Marching Band at Winsted's Memorial Day Parade in 2019
For decades, Gilberts marching band has joined with bands from other schools and community organizations at town parades in Winsted and towns throughout the state. Parades in town include the Pet Parade and Memorial Day Parades.
Members of the Marching Band in Washington D.C. in 1984
You can find two album recordings from past Gilbert bands on YouTube:
You can find many more photos of these groups at The Gilbert School's Facebook page! Go to facebook.com/TheGilbertSchool
Alumna of the Week
Melissa (Jones) Appleby
Class of 2004
What have you done since you graduated?
"I attended Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, where I majored in History and played on the women's basketball team. After graduating in 2008, I moved to Brooklyn, New York. During that time, I took part in a year of service with AmeriCorps, working as a volunteer coordinator with the nonprofit Girls Inc. of New York City.
 
After working in a few short-term positions, including a field organizer on a congressional campaign in upstate New York and as a project manager with the New York City Department of Education, I returned to Connecticut and attended the University of Connecticut's Department of Public Policy. I received my Masters Degree in Public Administration in 2013. Since then, I have held positions in local government management in Lexington, MA, and Greenwich, CT. I currently work as the deputy town manager in Simsbury where I live with my husband, Leigh, and our 8-month old son Max."

What do you remember from your time at Gilbert?
"All of our traditions such as Homecoming weekend, the Thanksgiving Day football game, our legendary teachers, and their memorable assignments. I loved growing up in a small town and attending a small high school where everyone knew each other and you could feel like you were a part of something special."

What lessons from Gilbert have you applied to the real world?
"Sports were such a huge part of my high school experience. I played on the volleyball and basketball teams, and being a part of those teams taught me so much about hard work, discipline, commitment, and teamwork. Some of my happiest memories from Gilbert are of time spent on and off the court with my teammates." 

What advice would you give to current students at Gilbert?
"Allow yourself to explore as many areas of interest as you can. Through classes, extracurricular activities, and volunteer opportunities, use your time in high school to gain exposure to everything you are passionate about or interested in learning more about. This will help you develop a well-rounded high school experience, and it will prepare you for the next step in your journey after you leave Gilbert."
Faculty Member of the Week
Theresa Funk
Gilbert Graduate, Class of 1990
Paraprofessional at Gilbert Since 2015

Where were you before you worked at Gilbert?:
 
"I was born and raised in Winsted. I attended St. Anthony School and then graduated from Gilbert. I received a dual Associate Degree in Business Administration and Marketing and Retailing from Northwestern Connecticut Community College. At the urging of a professor, I completed a third Associate Degree in Graphic Design/Visual Communications. 
 
I was employed as a display and classified designer for a newspaper. Subsequently, I went to work as a Catalog Production Designer and also designed greeting cards. I was self-employed as a freelancer and ran my own business up until nine years ago when I decided I wanted to work with youth.
 
I went back to school and took classes in education, classroom management, and computer applications. I volunteered at St. Anthony’s until I was hired by the Winchester Public School system as a paraprofessional. I worked in the Elementary schools before coming to Gilbert."
 
What do you like about Gilbert?:
"I like that Gilbert is a small school and you get to know everyone. You can get to know the students and help them to grow not only as a student but as a person.
 
I like that you get to know all of the faculty and staff and work with them as a team to educate these young people and make a positive difference in their lives."

How would you describe Gilbert to strangers?:
"I would describe Gilbert as a small school with a lot of school spirit, and a great sense of community. I love that no matter if you are on a sports team, a club, the Student Council, or whatever you are always welcome. I also love the fact that these teams, clubs, individuals, and the school as a whole give back to the community at large, through food drives, and clothing drives."
Student of the Week
Madison Fritch
Age:
17

Parents:
Marci and Jared Fitch

Favorite classes:
"I like everything about my History classes. I've loved them since I was in sixth grade. Both of my uncles are History teachers, so I just grew up around it."

Favorite extracurricular activities:
"I love playing volleyball. I was the captain of the volleyball team this year. I also like being with my friends and family."

What do you think you will remember the most when it comes to your education at Gilbert?:
"I will remember all of the compassion and all of the great stuff all of the teachers taught me. I will also remember all of the new friends that I made at Gilbert. The school taught me about what I need to know about life."

What are your future plans?:
"I want to go to school for Hospitality. Eventually, I want to own an inn, or maybe work for a hotel chain. I got into Michigan State, and I am still waiting to hear back from the University of Central Florida, and the University of South Carolina."
Evening Fun Times at the Dorm
By Debra LaRoche Walls, Dean of Admissions
David Rutherford setting up a return shot with Alan Wan and Cristina Rutherford looking on.
International students are learning patience staying safe on campus during continued health concerns of the virus. In the evenings, students complete their online classes and enjoy a delicious dinner provided by Gilberts Food Service Director, Ms. Lynn Metcalf. Residential Coordinators and Dean of Admissions, Debra LaRoche Walls, plan nights of activities such as table tennis and Game Night to keep the students entertained.
Alan Wan in a match with Debra LaRoche Walls
Game Night has been enjoyed on Wednesday evenings and can include a myriad of games such as UNO, Monopoly, or a variety of card games. The evenings generally end with ice cream treats before students head back to their dorm rooms to finish any homework or assignments. 
Ben Nguyen in a match with Alan Wan
Another weekly evening activity includes a visit to our local Stop & Shop so students can buy items such as special food choices, toiletries, or other items they may need for the week. The six international students are safely taken care of by Residential Coordinators; Cristina and David Rutherford and Shayne and Samantha Deschamps. 
Coach's Corner
By Buckley Morgan, Athletic Director
Winter Season? It’s Complicated

I have not been too optimistic about our winter season due to the COVID numbers over the past few weeks, but recently it appears to be much more of a possibility. 

Today, I received the approved Winter Sports Plan. I am very optimistic that we will at least have some sports, but I cannot predict how COVID will be in the future. We all are expecting and hoping the numbers will go down.

Winter sports this year will consist of boys and girls basketball, static cheer, and a limited indoor track season. Even though we have an approved plan, we need to understand that everything is dependent on reasonable COVID infection numbers and individual school conditions, which can change often. 

At this time, the alternate season has been canceled. This means that we will not have football, wrestling, or competitive cheer this year. These are all high-risk sports and the plan to try and squeeze them in between winter and spring sports is not possible. Winter sports will go to March 28, while spring sports are scheduled to run from March 29 to June 13. We were very fortunate to get our fall sports in and we will be just as fortunate if we can complete our winter season.  

Basketball tryouts and practice will both start on Tuesday, January 19. Indoor track and cheer students should contact their coach for confirmation of practice dates and times. Basketball practice will be conducted in the gym. Girls and boys have their dedicated gym time every day.

You must be enrolled on Family ID (found on the school website) for any winter sports and you must have a current physical on record at The Gilbert School. Cheer will practice in the auditorium. Indoor track, unfortunately, will have to practice outside as weather permits. Indoor track will not be scheduled for meets at this time because facilities are not currently available. This situation will be reevaluated in March. Meets will be scheduled in March if possible. 

Please remember that all winter sports are conducted with a mask on at all times and maintaining a minimum six-foot distance between each other unless on the court when it may not be practical to keep six feet apart. Rather than going through all the mitigating conditions, I will schedule a virtual meeting with all parents and athletes participating in winter sports. We ask that all parents and athletes who plan on participating in winter sports, be present during this virtual meeting. We will be discussing and clarifying important COVID mitigating strategies during the meeting.

Without this information, student athletes will not be able to participate in winter sports. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 25 at 7 p.m. I will send all parents and registered athletes on Family ID an email invite very soon. Our goal at Gilbert is to have as much normalcy as possible with our sports program, however, as we all know, this is not a normal school year. We are staying as optimistic as possible.

COVID is constantly changing within our local community and with that in mind, changes or cancelations may happen throughout the season. I will say again, that all decisions are based on what is in the best interest of our students, faculty, and community. Most importantly, please make sure your coach has good contact information so you can be informed throughout the season.
Food Service Schedule Update
Pick up is between 11:00 am - 12:00 noon.

Pick up will be at the door entrance to the Cafeteria Kitchen. The door is by the dumpsters in the lower parking lot.

If for any reason you are unable to pick up meals during this time frame, please call the Food Service Director, Ms. Lynn Metcalf, directly at 860-738-9304. We will be happy to set up a time or day that is more convenient for you.

All children ages 18 or younger are eligible for one free breakfast and lunch daily.
Children do not need to be attending this school to receive meals. Gilbert is a food pick up site. We are located at:

The Gilbert School
200 Williams Avenue
Winsted, CT 06098

This program will end on June 30, 2021.

Meals are served Monday – Friday in school.

Pick up days are Monday and Wednesday between the hours of 11:00 am -12:00 pm.

Meals served are breakfast and lunch.

Monday meal pick up will consist of five breakfasts and five lunches for each child. (Being Cohort C or all student distance learning). Pick up for three days will consist of 3 breakfasts and 3 lunches for each child. (Being Cohorts A and B).

Please take advantage of this program while we have it. Whether your child is in school or at home, they are entitled to a breakfast and lunch for the days they are learning at home. If you have any questions about the program please call 860-738-9304.
Correction
According to alumna Sylvia Forster, this picture of Gilbert School Varsity basketball players is from 1966, not 1960 as we identified in last week's Buzz. She wrote to The Buzz that three of the players are Danny Nichols, Joe Godenzi, and Derek Maloney who all graduated in 1966. If anyone knows the identities of the other two players send us an email at this link!
Google Classroom Cheat Sheet
Attention Gilbert Alumni
We Want to Stay in Contact With You!
The Gilbert School
200 WIlliams Avenue
Winsted, CT 06098
860-379-8521