The Spartan Scoop
Gates Chili HS E-News | August 2023
New and familiar faces, new roles 🤩
Dear Spartans,
Welcome to the 2023-24 school year and to our first high school e-newsletter! We will be providing updates in this forum once a month to keep students and families informed on all the exciting things happening at the high school. The Spartan Scoop will feature important news and updates from each of our grade levels and other highlights from around the building.
As many of you may already know, High School Principal Ken Hammel has stepped into the role of interim director of physical education, health and athletics. Mr. Hammel served in this role prior to becoming the high school principal. As interim director, he will help maintain our treasured Spartan athletic traditions.
I'm proud to move into the role of interim principal this school year. I also want to take a moment to welcome Ms. Garonia Parchment-Magnussen and Mrs. Laura Braid to the high school leadership team. Mrs. Parchment-Magnussen comes to Gates Chili after serving as an educator in Rochester City Schools for more than two decades. She has taken over for Mr. Pound as the senior class assistant principal.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Braid will serve as the interim assistant principal for the junior class. You may recognize her as a longtime science teacher here at the high school. She has been a Spartan her entire life, having graduated from Gates Chili herself!
I am truly ecstatic for the opportunity to work with the students and families of Gates Chili High School!
Go Spartans!
Thomas Hammel
Interim Principal
Class Updates and Information 🚨
Class of 2024 (Seniors)
Message from the Assistant Principal
We extend a warm welcome to all returning students as well as those joining our school community for the first time. We hope that you are excited and ready to embark on another incredible year at Gates Chili High School! My name is Mrs. Parchment-Magnussen, and I am your new assistant principal and Mrs. Keller will be your new 12th-grade secretary. We cannot wait to get to know everyone, while ensuring a fun and successful year!
Advisor Updates:
Welcome back Seniors! Please check the Class of 2024 Schoology group for all class updates and order forms throughout the year. Email your advisors Mrs. Monaghan and Ms. Platania with any questions.
Mrs. Monaghan: aemonaghan@gateschili.org
Ms. Platania: slplatania@gateschili.org
Class Officers
President: Tyla Jackson
Vice President: Alyssa Kilner
Secretary: Bronwyn Lucyszyn
Treasurer: Lily Sweeney
Upcoming events and deadlines for seniors
Aug 14: Order forms are due for the Homecoming Senior t-shirts
Sept 18-22: Homecoming Week
Sept 19: Senior Parent Night, Library Mezzanine, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Sept 19: Open House, High School, 6:30 p.m.
Sept 22: Senior Sunrise
Sept 27-28: College Fair, High School Main Hallway
Oct 31: Senior Halloween Breakfast
Feb 12-16: Senior Week
Feb 16: Senior/Faculty Basketball Games
May 18: Senior Ball
June 21: Class of 2024 Commencement
Mrs. Garonia Parchent- Magnussen
Grade 12 Assistant Principal
Mrs. Ana Keller
Grade 12 Administrative Assistant
Olaf
Class Mascot
Class of 2025 (Juniors)
Message from the Assistant Principal
Dear Juniors and Families:
I am excited to work with the students and families of Gates Chili HS. As a 20 year teacher and an alumni, I am very proud to continue in my new role. Junior year is an extremely important year as we gear up for college and career decisions. Please reach out with questions and I will look to help in any way. See you all in September!
Advisor Updates:
The junior class advisors are Mrs. Carbone and Mrs. Manges. Their major focus for the year will be continued fundraising as well as junior prom. Information regarding fundraisers and events can be found here throughout the year. Below are their emails:
Mrs. Carbone: secarbone-belknap@gateschili.org
Mrs. Manges: kdmanges@gateschili.org
Class Officers:
President: Laila Godwin
Vice-President: John Coval
Secretary: Keona Craig
Treasurer: Katherine Cuyler
Historian: Olivia Schwalm
Upcoming events and deadlines for juniors
- Sept. 19: Open House, High School (feat. an ice cream truck fundraiser for our class)
- Sept. 22: Homecoming Football Game, Spartan Stadium, 7 p.m. (feat. an ice cream truck fundraiser for our class)
- Sept. 29-Oct. 26: Pasta Fundraiser
- Oct. 7: Chipotle Fundraiser, Henrietta location, 4-8 p.m.
- May 11: Junior Prom
Mrs. Laura Braid
Grade 11 Assistant Principal
Mrs. Charlotte Billotti
Grade 11 Administrative Assistant
Maui and Moana
Class Mascot
Class of 2026 (Sophomores)
Message from the Assistant Principal
Advisor Updates:
- Homecoming T-shirts: Class shirts will be sold from Sept. 5-11. This will allow us to have the shirts completed and passed out before the homecoming pep rally. Please check your email at the end of August/early September for information regarding t-shirt design and cost.
- Junior Prom 2025: We will need to select a venue for the 2025 Junior Prom by the end of October. The Junior Prom has been held at our high school for the past two years. Do we want to continue having the prom at the high school? Do we want to move to a venue off campus? Please contact class officers if you have a suggestion.
- Fundraising: Fundraising is crucial, and we need to raise money to help pay for activities/events that will take place over the next three years. Ideas for this school year include class shirts, Entertainment books, car washes, "pie your favorite teacher", and Niagara Chocolates. If we fail to fundraise, tickets for Junior Prom and Senior Ball increase. Continue to check your email for additional information regarding these fundraising opportunities throughout the year. If you have any fundraising suggestions, please contact your class officers and advisors.
- Pictures: Please send pictures from school events, clubs, sports, etc. to Class Historian Chloe Favasuli at clfavasuli@students.gateschili.org. We will need pictures from elementary school to high school. These pictures will be used in your Senior Class Video.
Mrs. Hartman: exhartman@gateschili.org
Mr. Hartman: rmhartman@gateschili.org
Class Officers:
President: Kate Falk
Vice-President: Ryan Wolfe
Secretary: Alisiana Johnson
Treasurer: Cassaundra Carpenter
Historian: Chloe Favasuli
Upcoming events and deadlines for sophomores
- Check back here in September!
Mr. Kevin Whitmore
Grade 10 Assistant Principal
Mrs. Connie Vacek
Grade 10 Administrative Assistant
Shrek
Class Mascot
Class of 2027 (Freshmen)
Message from the Assistant Principal
Hello class of 2027!
I am looking forward to getting to know you all as individuals and as a class. I encourage you to get involved in activities outside of your academics. The teachers, counselors and my office are available if you have any questions as you transition to the HS.
Advisor Updates
The freshman class advisors are Ms. Gasiorczyk and Ms. Joseph. They will continue their work around fundraising for future events for students junior and senior years. Information regarding fundraisers and events can be found here throughout the year. Below are their emails:
Ms. Gasiorczyk: drgasiorczyk@gateschili.org
Ms. Joseph: knjoseph@gateschili.org
Important details to start the year
Freshman Orientation
Freshman orientation will be held on Aug. 30 from 8-10 a.m. and again from 5-7 p.m. in the Gates Chili Performing Arts Center (GCPAC).
Laptop Distribution
Laptop distribution will take place on the day of Freshman Orientation. Students will need to have all three steps below completed:
- Turned in their laptop from eighth grade
- Paid for any charges owed thus far (text and email shared if charges owed)
- Parent/Guardian signed a new Laptop User Agreement (www.myschoolbucks.com). Visit www.gateschili.org/laptops for more guidance.
Upcoming events and deadlines for freshmen
- Aug. 30: Freshman Orientation, GCPAC, 5-7 p.m.
Mrs. Jennifer Kern
Grade 9 Assistant Principal
Mrs. Linda Lang
Grade 9 Administrative Assistant
Mascot voting after school begins
Counseling Center 🗨️
Freshman Orientation
Freshman orientation will be held on Aug. 30 from 8-10 a.m. and again from 5-7 p.m. in the Gates Chili Performing Arts Center (GCPAC).
Latin Honors
Beginning with the Class of 2025, we will be using the Latin honors system. Please click the link to learn more about the Latin honors System.
College Fairs
The high school will be hosting a number of colleges and universities for our students on Sept. 27-28 during the school day in the main office hallway.
Spartan Spotlights ✨
Spartan Facilities and Maintenance Crew
This month, we are proud to highlight our outstanding facilities and maintenance crew! Their efforts to get the school ready for our students have been tremendous. From waxing the floors and moving furniture to prepping classrooms and maintaining our beautiful facilities, Gates Chili is lucky to have such dedicated folks in our school community.
Thank you for all you do!
Upcoming Events at the High School 📅
- Aug. 14-17: Marching Band Camp, High School, 3:30-8:30 p.m.
- Aug. 29: First day of school for faculty and staff
- Aug. 30: Freshman Orientation
- Sept. 5: First day of school for students
- Sept. 7-8: Picture Days
- Sept. 18-22: Homecoming Spirit Week (stay tuned for details)
- Sept. 22: Gates Chili Homecoming
Stay Connected on Social Media 👍
We're now on Instagram, too!
Stay connected with what's happening at Gates Chili High School by following us on Twitter @GatesChiliHS and now on Instagram @gateschilihs!
Follow us for important reminders, updates and a look at all the amazing things happening at Gates Chili High School.
The Gates Chili Central School District is dedicated to fostering curiosity, growth, and diversity within our school community. The district celebrates and embraces differences and strives to dismantle exclusion, bias, racism, and prejudice of all forms.