Dear Gates Chili School Community,

Spring is in full swing at Gates Chili, and with it comes a season of excitement, creativity, and community connection. From student artwork and musical performances to athletic achievements and hands-on learning, our Spartans continue to shine in and out of the classroom.

This month’s newsletter highlights just a few of the many ways our students and staff are making an impact—from designing habitats on Mars and creating “Compassion Critters” to dazzling audiences with a practically perfect performance of Mary Poppins. Behind the scenes, staff came together for professional learning during our Superintendent’s Conference Day, reaffirming our commitment to continuous growth and collaboration.

April also brings important updates for families, including changes to the end-of-year calendar and ongoing budget development. Be sure to mark your calendars for our third annual Elementary Staff Volleyball Tournament, spring concerts, and the upcoming Budget Vote and BOE Election.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. I look forward to all that’s ahead as we move through the final stretch of the school year—together.

Go Spartans!

Christopher J. Dailey

Superintendent of Schools 

This past weekend, the Girl’s Flag Football team got to scrimmage in an exciting location: the Bills Field House!

The Gates Chili school community is made up of more than 3,700 students and 900+ staff members! Get ready to peek into the world of our Spartans in our e-newsletter segment: Ask the Spartans!  

This month, meet Tessa B. and Rihab M., two fifth-grade students in Mr. Fitzgerald’s class at Paul Road Elementary School. These outstanding Panthers caught our eye with their savvy business skills and big hearts. Tessa and Rihab ran a bracelet-selling business/fundraiser and donated the proceeds (almost $650) to Ronald McDonald House Charities, whose mission is to provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families and promote healing when children need healthcare. 

We caught up with these outstanding students to talk about the experience.  

How did you get started with the bracelet fundraiser? 

Tessa: A couple years ago there was another group that started a fundraiser, and we thought it would be a good idea to make one of our own this year. We wanted to find a way to help children in the hospital, so we wanted to make bracelets for them and use it to make money to donate to help them out.

Rihab: We started to sell them around our neighborhoods and at the beach separately. Then we got together and asked the school if we could sell our bracelets there too.  

When did you start fundraising at Paul Road? 

Tessa: In December [2024], around Christmas time. We felt bad that there were children who had to spend the holidays in the hospital, so that’s when we started thinking of ways to cheer them up. 

You were able to raise so much in only four months with your bracelet sales. How does that feel? 

Rihab: We never knew that we would raise this much. When we received our first hundred-dollar bill, we were so happy! We didn’t expect to make hundreds of dollars.  

How did you determine pricing for your bracelets? 

Tessa: We charged $2, but we found that a lot of students would be multiple for their friends. Because they were doing such a nice thing, we would sometimes offer deals where we might throw in a free bracelet because they were showing kindness.  

Rihab: Yes, and sometimes we ran special buy on get one free deals. We created posters to advertise too.  

When did you sell the bracelets in school? 

Rihab: In the morning before classes started, we would set up a table and our bracelet stand near the front of the building and catch students on their way to breakfast.

Tessa: Sometimes we would ask to get dropped off early because it was a really good spot, but usually we set up once we got off the bus.  

When did you set aside time to make the bracelets? 

Tessa: Sometimes during lunch, we would go to Mrs. Doty’s office and make them all together. We would also call each other up or face-timed to plan designs and ideas together.  

Rihab: We used recess time and worked on them at home a lot too.  

Do you feel like your bracelet fundraiser made an impact on your school community? 

Tessa: Yeah! Anytime I’m in the hallways, everybody says hi to me, and a lot of the younger students know who we are. 

Rihab: Yeah, one student told me he felt like he was talking to a celebrity!  

Tessa: One of our goals when we started was to try and inspire other kids to start their own fundraiser and encourage them to do more acts of kindness.  

We are so proud to have such amazing students in our district, like Tessa and Rihab! Stay tuned for our upcoming budget print newsletter for more on this incredible story. 

Please take note of the following changes: 

• The last day of school for high school students (grades 9-12) will be Monday, June 16. Exams will continue through June 25. 
• The last day of school for middle school students (grades 6-8) will be Monday, June 23. In addition, please note that Friday, June 20 and Monday, June 23 will both be half days for middle school students. 
• The last day of school for elementary school students (grades UPK-5) will be Tuesday, June 24. In addition, please note that Monday, June 23 and Tuesday, June 24 will both be half days for elementary school students.

In the event of an emergency closing, this schedule may be adjusted again. Thank you. 

Gates Chili is once again “leading the charge” in sustainable student transportation. The district recently began receiving 10 additional electric school buses, gradually expanding its existing fleet of five. Among the new arrivals is a major milestone: the first electric school bus in New York State equipped with a wheelchair lift.

“This investment reflects our continued commitment to innovation, sustainability and equity,” said Superintendent Christopher Dailey. “Each new electric bus represents progress for our students, our environment and our future.”

In preparation for this growth, the district has also expanded its charging infrastructure. There are now eight electric vehicle charging stations at the Transportation Center—allowing up to 14 buses to charge at once. Two more chargers are expected in the coming months.

Each electric bus is zero-emission and can travel more than 100 miles per charge. The quieter ride has become a welcome feature for many students.

“Electric buses are incredibly quiet, which allows for a calmer, less stressful ride, especially for students with sensory sensitivities,” said Director of Transportation Matt Helmbold. “This is about offering an inclusive transportation experience that meets the needs of all students.”

The purchase of the new buses was made possible thanks to a combination of grants, including support from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Gates Chili made history in 2022 when it became the first upstate district to debut electric school buses. With this latest expansion, the district remains a state leader in clean, student-centered transportation.

Meanwhile, the district is still accepting petitions for Board of Education candidates. Three (3) seats on the Gates Chili Board of Education are open for election this year with terms from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2028. 

District residents interested in running for the Board of Education must be nominated by petition. Interested individuals may pick up a petition from the district clerk, Condenessa Brown, at the Gates Chili District Office, 1 Spartan Way (door 73), Rochester, NY. The petition must be signed by 25 qualified voters of the Gates Chili Central School District and submitted, with other required paperwork, to the District Clerk by Monday, April 21, 2025 at 5 p.m. 

The Annual Budget Vote and Board Election will take place on Tuesday, May 20 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Spartan Field House at Gates Chili High School. 

As part of our ongoing capital project work, several new doors have been added to the high school. As a result, two commonly used entrances have been renumbered:

• The Gates Chili Performing Arts Center (GCPAC) entrance is now door 60 (formerly door 50)
• The Gates Chili Professional Learning Center (GCPLC) entrance is now door 47 (formerly door 40)

For a map of our main campus with highlighted key points of interest and door numbers, visit gateschili.org/Map.

In addition, construction at the middle school has caused a temporary shift in the traffic pattern on the main campus. While affected families have been contacted directly, all visitors to campus should be aware that Lot J (near the middle school cafeteria and tennis courts) is now closed to traffic.

Join us for the third annual Gates Chili Volleyball Tournament, where elementary staff will go head-to-head in a night of friendly competition and school spirit.  

The action starts at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 10 in the Spartan Field House at Gates Chili High School.  

Admission is just $1 with a canned food donation for the Gates Chili Food Pantry, or $5 without. Monetary proceeds will go to the Gates Chili Education Foundation. Concessions will be available—come hungry for fun! 

National Arab American Heritage Month

School Library Month

World Autism Month  

April 1: MS Art Show, 5:30-7 p.m., GCMS 

April 3: MS Talent Show, 7 p.m., GCPAC

April 8: MS Grade-Level Team Structure Q&A Session, 5:30-6:30 p.m., GCMS Library 

April 8: BOE Meeting, 6:30 p.m., GCPLC 

April 9 to May 16: NYS 3-8 Assessment Window
April 10: Elementary Staff Volleyball Tournament, 5:30 p.m., Spartan Field House 

April 10: MS Grade-Level Team Structure Q&A Session, 5:30-6:30 p.m., GCMS Library 

April 14-18: Spring Recess – No School for Students and 10-Month Staff 

April 18: Good Friday – District Closed 

April 22: BOE Meeting, 6:30 p.m., GCPLC 

April 23: HS Band Spring Concert, 7:30 p.m., GCPAC 

April 25: #GCPride Day 

April 29: HS Grade 8 to 9 Transition Night, 6:30-8 p.m., GCPAC 

Always be sure to check the district website for the
most up-to-date dates, times and locations for all events. 

Gates Chili is seeking qualified candidates for the following positions. Click the button below to apply or share the opportunity with someone you know!

Job ID 984: School Psychologist Intern (2024-25 school year) 

Job ID 1069: Teacher Aide for the 2024-25 school year 

Job ID 1070: Substitute Support Staff 

Job ID 1071: Substitute Teacher* 

Job ID 1168: Assistant Principal

Job ID 1169: Principal 

Job ID 789: Lifeguard 

Job ID 1065: Cleaner for the 2024-25 school year 

Job ID 1066: Food Service Helper for the 2024-25 school year 

Job ID 1067: Bus Attendant for the 2024-25 school year 

Job ID 1068: Bus Driver for the 2024-25 school year 

Job ID 1137: Security Worker 

Job ID 1173: Secretary 

Job ID 1174: School Aide – Attendance 

Job ID 1175: CPSE Chairperson (TOSA) 2025-26 School Year

Job ID 1194: School Aide – Attendance 

*The Gates Chili Board of Education approved new,