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GCSS November 2025 Newsletter

Posted Date: 11/03/25 (4:26 PM)
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eagle eye news

November 2025

A Message from the Principal

Hello Gilpin Eagles!

As we move into November, I am grateful for the opportunity to partner with parents and the community in supporting student success and well-being. Something that has been on my mind lately is the need for us as parents (myself included) to continue to be vigilant with our kids' screen time and access to the internet. In the book, "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness" by Dr. Jonathan Haidt, he recommends that parents and educators take the following steps to protect our kids:

  1. No smartphones before high school
  2. No social media before the age of 16
  3. No smartphones in schools
  4. More free play

One things that struck me is when he said we are now "overprotecting our kids outdoors and under protecting our kids online." Read more about how parents can support their kids here: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/take-action/parent

At GCSS, we do have a cell phone policy that includes no cell phones being used during class time. Students still have cell phones in the building and may use them during lunch. One way we could all work together to better protect our kids and set them up for greater success and well-being, would be to consider how we might adopt the four norms outlined above. I hope you will consider looking into this issue further and making some changes at home if necessary. I know that I have begun to be stricter with my own kids around screen time and what they are able to access online. Another point I would add is that kids should not have access to technology in their bedroom at night when they are supposed to be sleeping. Check out this resource - The 5 Core Healthy Screen Habits for some additional tools to help establish healthy habits.
Quote on a gradient background: 'We are overprotecting our children in the real world while under protecting them online.'
Quote about child safety and the virtual world on a blue background.
Sara Reich
Principal
Gilpin County Secondary School

Upcoming Important Dates

November 5 - Late Start, classes begin at 9am
November 11 - Veterans Day Assembly at 9:15am
November 13 - Middle School Dance, 6;30-8:30pm
November 14 - Friday School, 8-11am
November 19 - Late Start, classes begin at 9am
November 19 - ASVAB testing for 11th and 12th graders
November 26-27 - Thanksgiving Break, No School
December 4-5 - MS Musical - "Beauty and the Beast" at 6:30pm
December 12 - Friday School, 8-11am
December 17 - Semester Exams
December 17 - Secondary Music Concert, 6:30pm
December 18 - Semester Exams, Early Dismissal at 1pm
December 19 - January 5 - No School, Winter Break
A school lunch menu for November 2025 lists breakfast and lunch options.
 

Snowdodgers

Promotional poster for Gilpin Snowdodgers, featuring a skier and trip dates.
 

Middle School Dance

A winter-themed poster announces a Winter Wonderland Dance Party.
 

Interact Club Supplies Drive

A poster announces a supplies drive by the Interact Club, ending December 1, 2025.

Counselor's Corner

Jeffco Career Expo

The 10th and 11th Graders attended the Jeffco Career Expo on October 15th. There were over 89 Interactive, hands-on exhibits! They had an opportunity to explore and learn about career pathways in engineering, aviation, criminal justice, health sciences, business, information technology, architecture, construction, and more! Most of the students found it informative and enjoyable.
A young person operates a small excavator with an adult observing nearby.
A group of young people walk outdoors on a sunny day, possibly at an event.
A group of young people stand together, smiling, at an outdoor event.

Homecoming 2025

Pep Rally

Cheerleaders perform a routine in a gymnasium, with one person atop a pyramid.
Cheerleaders in black and gold uniforms practice in a gymnasium.
A group of students stand in a gymnasium for the homecoming pep rally.
Two people hold up a sign with a message and drawings in a gymnasium.
A crowd cheers at a basketball game, with cheerleaders in the foreground.

Homecoming Parade

Two riders on horseback parade down a street, one carrying an American flag.
Two people ride an ATV on a street, near a brick building.
A red dirt bike sits on a cracked asphalt road, near a red truck.
People ride in the back of a red pickup truck, holding a colorful banner.
Two people sit in the bed of a truck decorated with blue ribbon, possibly for a parade.
A red truck carries a group of people down a road lined with trees.
A person sits in a buggy with American flags attached, parked on a cracked asphalt road.
A white car pulls a trailer decorated with flags and balloons for a parade.
A white truck with a banner that says 'Life is a highway, enjoy the ride' drives down a street.
A group of young people ride on a decorated trailer with 'Cars' theme balloons and decorations.
A group of students march down a street, holding a banner.
Two girls pose in an eagle costume on a paved surface, smiling at the camera.
Four people in orange cone costumes march down a street, holding a banner.

Homecoming Game

Photo credit: Gretchen Osteboe and Catrina Amaya
Cheerleaders stand with an American flag on a football field at night.
Football players in helmets and uniforms compete on a green field.
A football player in a black and gold uniform runs with the ball on a green field.
A football player in an Eagles uniform runs with the ball, another player is on the ground.

Homecoming Court

Amelia Bushey, Jack Oliver, Suzie Schoell, Justin Kennedy, Alice Carlson, Ezekiel Bloom, Adele Fisher, and Ben Bushey. Photo Credit: Catrina Amaya
A group of people stand on a football field, some wearing crowns and sashes.

Homecoming King & Queen

Adele Fisher and Ben Bushey represent the seniors as homecoming king and queen.
Photo Credit: Catrina Amaya
A football player and a young woman raise their hands on a green field at night.

Homecoming Dance

Photo Credit: Kailee Starkey
Two people are lifted in the air in a gymnasium, with others watching.
Two people perform a dance move on a gymnasium floor, with others watching.
Four young women in formal dresses pose together, smiling for the camera.
Four young women pose together, smiling and looking at the camera.
A group of people dance and celebrate at a party, lit by colorful lights.
A group of young people dance and enjoy themselves at a school dance.
A large group of young people pose together, dressed in formal attire.

Students of the Month

A blue and gold 'Student of the Month' award featuring an eagle and graduation cap.

Congratulations to our October Students of the Month!

The October focus for the Student of the Month was Persistence. Both of these students show exemplary persistence each and every day.

In November, our focus will be on gratitude.
A young woman holds a 'Student of the Month' certificate, smiling at the camera.
A smiling girl holds a 'Student of the Month' certificate, standing in front of a wall mural.

HS Student of the Month: Guitar Saowan

Guitar is new to our school this year and demonstrates this month’s focus of persistence. Guitar sets high standards for herself and puts in the extra effort to reach those standards. She works at her own pace instead of rushing to finish. When the work is hard, instead of giving up, Guitar seeks out extra support during advisory or her off periods for both classroom assignments and test prep that she works on independently in her free time. When Guitar is not busy with her school work, she volunteers her time in a lower Montessori classroom.

MS Student of the Month: Isabella Cordova

Isabella works hard in everything she does. She is a model for what persistence looks like in the classroom. If she doesn't understand something, she keeps working at it, asking great questions along the way, until she figures it out. She should be so proud of her hard work and "stick-to-itiveness!"
Image promoting 'persistence' as the October Student of the Month focus.

Teaching and Learning

Chemistry

Students in Ms. Newman's Chemistry class react to compounds to form new ones and then name the ionic compounds they form.
A student smiles while wearing safety goggles in a science lab, surrounded by equipment.
A student in safety glasses works with beakers and liquids in a science lab.
Students in safety goggles conduct a science experiment in a lab setting.
 

Middle and High School Band Perform

Students in the middle and high school band performed an excellent ensemble led by Ms. Ebers for parents and guests on October 15, 2025.
A school band performs on stage, led by a conductor.
A school band performs on stage, with a conductor leading the musicians.

Athletics

Fall sports wrapped up their season on Saturday with HS Football traveling to Boulder to play Justice and HS Volleyball traveling to Strasburg for a tournament. HS Football defeated Justice 42-0 bringing their season to a 7-2 record. The Eagles Football team finished #24 in the State in 8-man football and #2 in the 8-A Central League.

HS Volleyball finished their season with a 7-16 record. The Lady Eagles had a couple of notable wins in the month of October including upsetting Skyview Academy (#33) and Front Range Christian (#43) on Homecoming. Congratulations to our Fall Athletics Season Seniors on a great season!

Winter sports are in full swing with a busy week of games for middle school basketball. They have plenty of games to catch in the next couple of weeks. Be sure to come out to support them! High school winter sports begin official practice on November 17, but there are plenty of open gym opportunities to start getting in shape!

Please reach out to Katura Atherton with any questions regarding Athletics. katherton@gilpin.k12.co.us

Go Eagles!

Senior Football players get ready for Senior Night and the game on 10/25.
Photo Credit: Coach Ball
A football team in white and black uniforms stands on a grassy field.

Gilpin Cheer

HS Cheer get the crowd cheering at the game against Justice on 9/26/25. Lilly Lintner, Hayley Hardman, and Ava Supplee represent the Gilpin Eagles with school spirit and pride. Way to go, Lady Eagles!
Photo Credit: Dave Gibson
Cheerleaders in black and white uniforms cheer with pom-poms at a sporting event.
 
A blue and gold emblem for 'Student Athlete of the Month' featuring sports equipment and an eagle.

Congratulations to our October Student Athletes of the Month

Student Athletes are an important part of our school community. They lead our school both on and off the field/court. This month we have winners from our HS Cheer team and our MS Volleyball team. Great job representing the Gilpin Eagles, Leo and Hanna!
A young woman smiles, holding an 'Athlete of the Month' certificate.

HS Student Athlete of the Month Elise Vincent - HS Volleyball

Elise has been the most consistent player not only on our team but also in the league this season. For performance, she leads the league in kills, is 7th in hitting percentage, leads the team in aces, is one of our two setters (a position she volunteered to take on even though she hasn't done it since middle school), and is our most consistent passer in serve receive. Besides her playing, she also is the most active voice on the court and in the huddle. She plays an active role as a player/coach for both the varsity and the JV. She has grown into one of the best players in our league.
A young girl smiles, holding an 'Athlete of the Month' certificate.

MS Student Athlete of the Month: Catalina Rodriguez - MS Volleyball

Catalina earned the teammate award at our 2025 volleyball banquet for her constant positivity and communication style. She always comes to practice with a smile on her face. She is also trying middle school basketball for the first time which goes to show her willingness to try something new. Catalina learns quickly and she improved tremendously during our short season. It is awesome to have such a coachable player be involved in any sport.
 

Booster Club

booster club
The Booster Club is always looking for volunteers. Learn more by visiting their website here.

Halloween 2025

We had our 2nd annual Halloween Costume Contest at the end of the day on Thursday, October 30th. A great time was had by all! The categories for the student costume contest were : Funniest, Spookiest, Most Original, and Best Duo or Group.

Teachers also participated in a costume contest with the categories of funniest costume and best Duo or Group costumes. Bonus points were given if the costumes related to what they teach.
Two people in costume pose on a stage, one holding a plush toy.
A person in a Ghostface costume holds a 'Spookiest Costume' award.
A young person smiles, holding a 'Most Original Costume' certificate.
A child in a brown costume holds a 'Funniest Costume' certificate, smiling.
Four people in costumes pose for a photo, holding a 'Best Duo/Group Costume' award.
Four people in costumes pose for a photo, likely at a school event.
Four people in costumes pose in a hallway, ready for an event.
A person in a Cookie Monster costume stands near a drum set with a person dressed as Jack Skellington.
A group of people in costumes pose for a photo indoors.
 
Three people in costumes pose for a photo in a hallway.
Two people in costumes pose for a photo, one holding a tambourine.
A person dressed as a football coach, holding a clipboard with game notes.
Four people pose in costumes, including a banana and a Barbie box.
A group of people in costumes stand on a stage, possibly for a play or performance.
Three people dressed in costumes stand on a stage, smiling and holding props.

Community Partners

Poster for a Teen Night Takeover event with activities like swimming and dodgeball.
Flyer promoting an Escape Room event at Colorado Mills Mall for teens.
Poster for the Image Summit, a conference for Colorado youth, featuring a colorful gear design.

Secondary Office Info

call / email
Secondary Office Phone Number: (303) 582-3444, ext. 5054

Catrina Amaya - AM Administrative Assistant, 8a-12p, camaya@gilpin.k12.co.us 
Katura Atherton - PM Administrative Assistant and Athletic Trainer, 12p-4p, katherton@gilpin.k12.co.us 

Attendance
For attendance reporting (excusing an absence, late arrival or leaving school early) please reach out to Catrina and/or Katura in the Secondary Office.

Absences should be excused as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours from the day of the absence.

Leaving Early / Arriving Late
Parents/Guardians must call to excuse a student who is leaving during the school day for an excused appointment or illness. Students must sign in/out in the Secondary Office whenever leaving early or arriving late.