The Buzz
School Community News
Issue #22
Friday, November 13, 2020
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Students Create Veterans Day Video |
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Online Breakfast and Lunch Ordering Now Available |
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Dear Parents/Guardians/Students,
Beginning November 2, 2020 you will be able to go online and order breakfast or lunch to be picked up or eaten at school. All you need to do is get onto the online ordering website, set up an account and add your child/children, and you are on your way. Here is how it is done! I took the liberty to go to the website and go thru all of the steps to set up an account, so here is what you need to do:
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Log into Online Ordering at http://onlineordering.linq.com, this brings you to the sign in page.
- Click on Don’t Have an Account? Sign Up Now.
- Once your account is set to go, you will sign on. You will be brought to the Welcome Page.
- Here you will see a box with a plus sign. Under the plus sign you will see Add a Child. Click on Add a Child.
- You will be brought to another popup asking you to Add a Students Information. You will need to click on pick school, scroll down to The Gilbert School and click on it. Once you have chosen the school you need to enter students name, first and last, student’s ID#. Each student was given an ID card at the beginning of the school year with a barcode and their ID# on it. This is all you need for setting up the account. If you only have one student at The Gilbert School you are done with the process, if you have another student to sign up repeat steps 4 and 5.
Also beginning November 2, 2020, each student at lunch time will be given a bagged breakfast to take home for the next morning. This would be a great way for your student/students to choose what they would like to put in their bag to bring home. Click on Breakfast to get to the Breakfast ordering menu, and choose from the breakfast items on the menu for that day.
Thank you for your time,
Lynn Metcalf
Director of Food Services
The Gilbert School
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Covid School Safety Guidelines |
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All students, teachers, and staff must wear a mask when present in the school building!
The Gilbert School requires all students and staff to wear masks. These may be paper, disposable masks or cloth masks. We do not allow masks with external vents, gaitors, or bandanas. If you need assistance with masks, please do not hesitate to contact the school nurses-we are here to help! For more information on mask guidelines click here.
Attention parents: Help us screen for COVID symptoms by taking your child's temperature.
The Gilbert School wants you to help us with screening students for Coronavirus symptoms. Please screen your children before you send them to school! If they display ANY symptoms, please keep them home!
Remote and hybrid learning will be part of this semester. We anticipate there may be some technological glitches. However, we will work on any solutions to any disruption to remote learning. We ask that you please be patient with us as we go through this unusual opening of school!
The Gilbert School fully intends to deliver the best education to our students in this school year!
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The Gilbert School Celebrates its 125th Anniversary |
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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
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Over the years, many of the graduates and students from Gilbert have gone on to serve their country in the military. |
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Profile of Theodore R. Marolda's on the Veterans History Project website |
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Many of these graduates served during both peacetime and wartime, including World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. |
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Profile of Thomas J. Botticelli on Veterans History Project website - while Botticelli is not a Gilbert graduate, he was a member of the W.L. Gilbert Trust for over 30 years |
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In 2018, The Gilbert School started its Veterans History Project. The website compiles stories, and pictures of veterans who graduated from Gilbert, along with interviews conducted by Gilbert school students. The website is available at this link.
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20th Anniversary of Girls Varsity Volleyball
Team's State Championship
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All photos courtesy Mary Ellen Vaccari |
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Twenty years ago, the Gilbert School Yellowjackets Varsity team won the state Class S Volleyball Championships. During that season in 2000, the team also won the Berkshire League Championship with a record of 22 wins and one loss during the season.
“It was one of my favorite times as a coach and one of my favorite memories,” longtime varsity volleyball coach Cindy Fixer said in an interview with The Buzz.
Fixer coached volleyball at Gilbert for 34 years. She said that the team had to overcome several obstacles during their championship season.
“During that season the school was finishing up renovations to the building,” Fixer said. “For the first half of the season, we did not have a gymnasium to practice or play in. We had to use the auxiliary gymnasium at Northwestern Region 7 to practice. We only could use the gym for 90 minutes at a time.”
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Despite all of the obstacles, Fixer said that the team was not deterred at all from playing their best.
“They were a great bunch of girls and they were determined, dedicated, and they worked hard,” Fixer said. They all learned that if they worked hard and put everything and gave everything they could become state champions.” The one loss the team had during their regular season was against Terryville, who they faced at the Class S state championships.
“As the team was playing the game, we were all on the bench, holding and squeezing each other’s hands,” Fixer said about the championship game. “I was nervous because I was like ‘can we get through this and get to the final point?’ When we finally put the match away it was a fantastic feeling. We were all thoroughly excited.”
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Fixer said she has great memories of players, including junior Alicia Vaccari, and seniors Jessica Leifert, Amanda Jassen, and Kristen Lilli.
“It didn’t happen with me alone,” Fixer said. “It was a team effort between coaches and players and we all worked together to the same goal. That made all of the difference in the world.”
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Varsity Soccer Team Wins Big Off The Field Through Community Service Project |
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The boy's varsity soccer team spent all day at NW CT Realty and Tractor Supply on Saturday, Nov. 7 for their yearly community project.
Members of the team spent all day collecting hats, gloves, and socks for The Winsted Open Door Soup Kitchen and the Second Congregational Church Diaper Bank.
The project also raised $350 which will be split by both organizations.
The project was organized by the three captains of the team: Caleb Goodell, Mason Goodell, and Gilbert Flores.
“We all feel great about this project,” Caleb said to The Buzz. “It’s something we have enjoyed doing every single year. We wanted to give back to the community so everyone in town can keep warm during this winter season.”
“It feels great to give back to the community and to the people who do not have as much as we do,” Mason said.
“It feels amazing giving back to people that are in need,” Gilbert added.
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Alumna of the Week
Isabelle Rein
Class of 2016
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What have you done since you graduated?: “I graduated from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania this year with a degree in Geology. I moved to South Dakota in May and I lived out there until October.
In South Dakota, I was a Geo-scientist in Badlands National Park. I was hired to be a type of ranger, but it wasn’t a traditional ranger position. Through a program run by the park, geologists teach geology, engage with visitors, and are a source of information for visitors. This season was a little different because of COVID. Instead of going out and doing geology hikes and tours, like I would have been doing if there wasn't a pandemic, I mainly staffed the visitors center.
I got to spend a lot of time learning about South Dakota, learning about all the great places to go, and learning about the Badlands. It was a good experience.
Even though South Dakota was one of the leading states with COVID cases this summer and early fall, we were very prepared and very safe.
I will be in Connecticut for the foreseeable future. I'm currently applying to graduate schools for the fall of 2021. I will be away again somewhere in the country studying geology.”
Why did you decide to be a geologist?: “During my first summer break from college, I worked at the American Museum of Tort Law in Winsted. I worked on some curriculums for the museum when I was there, and I also gave tours. Once I got back to college, I started as a teaching assistant for classes that I had taken in the geology department. I got to know students and I got a feel for what it was like to engage with students and help them with geology work. That was when I figured out that I love to teach.
I applied the following summer to Acadia National Park where I worked as an education ranger, spending the summer doing programs for children, taking people for geology hikes, and getting people involved outdoors. It's wonderful to work in a park.
Before I graduated, the last summer position I held was in Virginia. I was able to develop a geology curriculum and teach students in a camp setting with lessons each day. It was all hands-on lessons with the students. This set me up with my position with Badlands National Park. When I was working at Badlands, it made me realize how much I missed researching. In my senior year at college, I did my thesis on apatite, a mineral in Iceland. I missed that research aspect of geology. I want to get back into research and get my master's degree, and hopefully after that, my Ph. D.”
What do you remember from your time at Gilbert?: “I remember my teachers a lot. My senior year is the first thing in my mind I think just because that was the most recent year. My most fond memories of Gilbert are about being a member of the marching band.
The marching band was in itself a close community. We all had a great time rehearsing and performing. I tried to do some musical ensembles when I was in college but I never found the same type of sound or community that we had at Gilbert. I was always longing for that same community feeling that I had at Gilbert. When I didn't find it, I preserved it in my mind and decided not to continue studying music in college.”
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What lessons from Gilbert have you applied to the real world?: “I would say growing up and going to school in such a small town, you kind of know everyone. When you grow up with them and go to all the same classes, by the time you get to high school, you have all known each other for 10 years. In college, I realized that I was a small fish in a bigger pond compared to being home in Winsted where everyone is a big fish in a much smaller pond. I think that finding those small communities is very important. I've learned how to speak out in communities where I have worked and lived. During high school, I found myself wishing that I was out of the small town and I was looking for bigger and better things. As I've grown up I've found myself seeking the smaller communities and trying to build them for myself. I miss having those deeper connections that you get when you have known people for a long time. Or when you are in that smaller community with them.”
What advice would you give to current students?: “I would say not to have your life all planned out. I think when I was in high school, I thought I was going to graduate high school, go to college, and do 'x, y, and z.'
When I graduated from Gilbert, I thought I was going to go into neuroscience in college, maybe become a brain doctor and study medicine, including going to medical school.
I realized that I didn't need to know who I was immediately. I grew up in high school and I found myself through the activities that I did, including band, and having my friends and the classes that I liked. You don't need to know exactly who you are because you grow in many ways. You don't need to know everything all at once. One of the best things about graduating high school is that wherever you go from there, whether it's college or whether it's work, you are going to grow in so many ways after high school as well.
There are so many things that change after graduation that you can't plan for. At one point you have to learn how to roll with the punches. You have to realize that you are going to be happy, even if things don't go in the exact way that you planned them to.”
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Teacher of the Week
Lauren Bannon
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Math teacher since 2010 at Gilbert
Educational background: "I got my Bachelor of Arts degree at The State University of New York College (SUNY) in Cortland, and my Master's Degree at the University of St. Joseph's in West Hartford. "
What I like about my job: "I love working with the students and the people that I work with."
Why do you think your subject is important to students?: "Math is something that you need in your life. Whether you think you need it or not, it applies to the real world. Math classes teach students problem-solving skills, in general. Students need to have an open mind when it comes to learning math. A lot of times learning through investigation is a great way to learn math. I always try to incorporate as many real-world examples as possible to make sure students know that it applies to their lives. I also try to make my classes as fun as possible"
What do you like about Gilbert?: "I love the community atmosphere and that it is a small school. So I can get to know most, if not all of the students before they graduate. Some of them I have been able to teach for more than one year, which is nice to have them and see them grow over the years. I enjoy coming to work every day and working with all of my students. I love that I can teach a multitude of different math courses."
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Student of the Week
Tia Mongitore
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Age: 18
Grade: 12
Parents: Tony and Tanya Mongitore
What are your favorite classes?: "I like science and math. I like science because it's always interesting to know how things work. What made me want to go into the medical field was when I took an anatomy and physiology class during my sophomore year. Now I take AP Physics and AP Chemistry classes."
What are your favorite extracurricular activities?: "At the moment I don't do any through the school. But when I am home I like to bake and do woodworking."
What have you learned during your time at Gilbert?: "I have learned that, even if classes are hard, you should never give up. If you are dedicated to something, you can learn new things and it will pay off later on."
What are your future plans?: "I am going into a pre-pharmacy program but I'm not sure which college I'm enrolling in yet. I'm going to become a pharmacist."
How would you describe Gilbert to a stranger?: "Welcoming and positive. The teachers are always there to help you."
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Barkhamsted Reservoir, A Natural Beauty Spot
By Debra LaRoche Walls
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Ben Nguyen at Barkhamsted Reservoir |
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One of the first locations of beauty you think to visit when touring an international student or family is the Barkhamsted Reservoir and the Saville Dam. Add in a palette of fall foliage colors, an amazing weather temperature of 71 degrees on a sunny mid-November day and you have all the fixings of a natural beauty spot. |
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Ben Nguyen, 9th grade international student from Vietnam, was in awe of the tourist spot. Along with the history of the reservoir itself he learned that it was finished in 1940. It is a very well-known picturesque location to people in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut and the contiguous area. |
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The one question Ben had after seeing the vastness of the reservoir was, “Will we be able to ice skate on the ice in the winter?” A return visit to the reservoir in the winter will be just as beautiful with trees covered with a frosting of snow and Ben will have to see if there are any ice skaters. Wink, wink. |
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W.L. Gilbert School Corporation to soon respond to Selectmen’s request to change legislation |
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The W.L. Gilbert School Corporation will soon review and develop a response to the Board of Education's recommendations for legislative language.
The proposed change was developed by Town Attorney Kevin Nelligan.
The letter was sent on November 4 to Senator Craig Miner and Representative Jay Case.
In the letter, the town requests an amendment to State General Statute 10-34.
The letter requests that the statute be amended to require mediation and arbitration in case the WBOE and The Gilbert School in case of a stalemate in attempting to set tuition between both parties.
In a letter to Senator Miner and Representative Case, Corporation Chairman Steven Sedlack wrote that the corporation is opposed to the amendment because it would have negative consequences for not only The Gilbert School and the town, but also other communities where endowed academies exist.
“The Gilbert School has had a 125-year relationship with both the town and the school board,” Sedlack wrote in the letter. “There has been a negotiated contract with the Winchester Board of Education almost continuously since the early 1990s. Much of the time those contracts have included provisions for mediation and arbitration as is being proposed to you now.”
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Coach's Corner
By Athletic Director Buckley Morgan
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By the time you are reading this issue of The Buzz, Gilbert will be on the last day of the regular Fall season. We are all very happy that we got this far into the season. I know our athletes are very appreciative that they were able to play. Football, unfortunately, did not get to play but we are hopeful that they will get to play at some point in the Spring.
On behalf of our coaches, student-athletes, administration, and myself we want to take this last opportunity in the Fall season to thank you, our parents, students, and fans for your support and understanding during these challenging times. Things did not go the way we would have liked them to go but due to your actions on the sidelines, we were able to not only have some fans but modify our indoor requirements midseason and allow some parents to watch their student-athlete play Volleyball.
Post Season will begin this Monday the 16th. Boys and Girls Soccer as well as Volleyball will play a single-elimination round during the week of 16-22 November. The Berkshire League Cross Country Championships are set for the 16th of November at Black Rock State Park. Keep an eye out on the CIAC site or our Gilbert Sports page for updates on playing times and dates. The Postseason spectator policy stays the same as it has been. Parents only, and all must wear masks and practice good social distancing.
Winter sports are just around the corner. Although we have more questions than answers right now, we are hopeful that modifications can be made that allow for student-athletes to play. If you are interested in playing any winter sports you must first signup on Family ID. Go to: https://www.gilbertschool.org/athletics/family-id. Student-athletes also need to have a current physical on file with the school nurse. The Department of Public Health has released its expectations for the Winter season and we are expecting CIAC to release its Winter Sports plan after making modifications to meet the DPH recommendations. The Winter plan may be released on or about the third week of November.
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We are only using the results from the first competition against each BL school for calculating standings going into the postseason. Here is how the standings look with just a few games yet to be played.
Volleyball Standings as of 11/10
Northwestern 8-1
Nonnewaug 7-2
Gilbert 3-6
Terryville 2-7
Housatonic 1-8
Girls Soccer Standings as of 11/12
Housatonic 8-0
Nonnewaug 7-1-1
Thomaston 6-3 (one game to play)
Litchfield 4-2-2 (one game to play)
Northwestern 5-3-1
Shepaug 4-4-1
Terryville 3-5-1
Wamogo 2-6 (one game to play)
Gilbert 1-8
Wolcott Tech 0-8 (one game to play)
Boys Soccer Standings as of 11/12 Four games to play still.
Nonnewaug 8-1
Litchfield 7-1 (Will play Wamogo)
Northwestern 7-1-1
Housatonic 4-4 (Will play Tech)
Shepaug 3-3-3
Wamogo 3-3 (Will play Litchfield)
Thomaston 3-4-2
Gilbert 3-5-1
Wolcott Tech 1-6-1 (Will play Housatonic)
Terryville 0-9-0
Cross Country Standings as of 11/10
No standings at this point. But Gilbert should be #2
Northwestern
Gilbert
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Google Classroom Cheat Sheet |
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TGS COVID Assessment Guide |
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Travel/Holiday Plans
Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. Please remember if you travel:
2. If you choose to travel, please make sure you follow the travel guidelines-test three days before, or three days after arrival back to Connecticut or quarantine for 14 days. Information needs to be completed and faxed to the State of CT.
3. Be smart, really think through and plan your holiday plans. Most of the recent outbreaks are associated with extended family gatherings or friends-specifically, people thinking that they didn't have to mask around extended family and friends.
COVID Testing
If you get a COVID test. you should get a PCR test. This is having about a 2 day turnaround time now. The rapid tests have a high false negative response. If you are testing for travel, you need to submit your test to the State of CT and it must be a PCR test.
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Free Breakfast and Free Lunch to All Students
Beginning September 14, 2020, The Gilbert School Food and Nutrition Services Program began serving FREE LUNCH and FREE BREAKFAST to all of the students at The Gilbert School. The Gilbert School Food and Nutrition Services Program is able to do this for our students on behalf of the USDA extending the SSO Program (Seamless Summer Operations). Click here for the full story.
Gilbert School Food Services Information
The following links include important information about Gilbert's Food Services Program:
Breakfast and Lunch Available for Virtual Learners
Lunches are available for pick up for students who are taking part in remote learning Monday through Friday at the school. Students can also pick up grab and go breakfasts at the school as well. For more information contact Food Service Director Lynn Metcalf at metcalfl@gilbertschool.org
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Questions You Might Have About Holiday Gatherings |
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Why is it important to be cautious over the holidays? I’ll only be around my family members who I trust.
Connecticut has been a national leader in our COVID-19 response efforts. However, as the country heads into winter, flu season, and into holiday gatherings – the risk of spreading COVID-19 has become higher, and even Connecticut is seeing a spike in cases.
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Attention Gilbert Alumni! We Want to Stay in Contact With You!
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The Gilbert School
200 WIlliams Avenue
Winsted, CT 06098
860-379-8521
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