The Buzz
School Community News
Issue #13
Welcome back!

Gilbert School's fall semester started on
September 8!
For the second week of the school year, students in Cohort A will report for in-person classes on Monday, Sept. 14 and Tuesday, Sept. 15. Cohorts A and B will work remotely on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Cohort C will be online with their teachers on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Students in Cohort B will report for in-person classes on Thursday, Sept. 17, and Friday, Sept. 18.

Wednesday schedule is a 1/2 day schedule. Teachers will receive Professional Development in the afternoon. Click here to see next week's schedule format.

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 take 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!
Students welcomed back at virtual school assembly
Students, teachers, and staff were all excited to be back for a new school year starting on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Opening day this year was the first time in almost six months that The Gilbert School resumed in-school learning programs.
The physical school building was closed in early March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students were all welcomed back to school at a virtual town meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 8 Click here for the full story.
Principal Sojka welcomes students, teachers, and staff back to school
Principal Susan Sojka wants to reassure the school community that, despite the added challenges of this school year, Gilbert is well prepared for all of the challenges.“Everybody is feeling confident,” Principal Sojka said. “Teachers are excited to see their students, and students are excited to see one another.” Click here for the full story.
Teachers learn skills through professional development
Right before the school year started, teachers spent time with professional development training, which included continuing education for teachers to help with their professional practice skills. The professional development was led by Associate Principal Debra Lewis, along with Math Department Head Chris Affie, parents, students, and a few members of the W.L. Gilbert Trust. Click here for the full story
Gilbert Yellowjackets to (safely) play in the fall
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Athletic Director Buckley Morgan said that there will be varsity sports at The Gilbert School this fall semester. “What we have scheduled is boys and girls soccer, varsity cross country, and volleyball,” Athletic Director Morgan said. “However, anything can change tomorrow, or in two weeks, or at any time.” 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 [email protected]
TGS COVID Assessment guide
Main elevator being repaired
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the school building's main elevator is not functioning. It is continuing to be repaired and we are hoping the repair project will be completed soon.

The Gilbert School will be contacting families who have children who are dependant on the elevator to work out virtual teaching arrangements for the beginning of the school year.
Roof repair project update
A roof repair project for the school building is ongoing. Work on the project will now continue on Wednesdays when students are not in the building. The project was originally scheduled to be finished before the new school year, but was delayed due to the storm and power outage in August.
Important informational videos for parents
TGS Supply list for students
School bus routes
Travel advisory
Attention all parents and students and families taking trips outside of Connecticut this summer:

The Gilbert School wants to remind you that if you travel to one of 33 locations on Connecticut's travel advisory list, when you come back to Connecticut you must self-quarantine for 14 days. You have to self-quarantine before the start of school.

Attention Gilbert Alumni! We want to stay in contact with you!
The Gilbert School
200 WIlliams Avenue
Winsted, CT 06098
860-379-8521