Our district office team had a great time dressing up as book characters to celebrate literacy with our schools! We participated in the Literacy Parades at both BES and TES. Thank you to everyone that participated to make this special for our students. READ MORE >
Congratulations to Trenton High School’s first place winner at the 92nd Annual FFA Convention, Alizabeth Morehouse! Alizabeth earned first place in the area of Food Products and Processing Systems, Division 5. Thank you to Mrs. Ashley Thoron, FFA Sponsor and Agritechnogy/Biotechnology Instructor, for your dedication to student achievement. READ MORE >
This morning, this GCSD office is joining Bell High School in wearing blue to show our support for the Stomp Out Bullying initiative. October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. #BlueUp READ MORE >
The Gilchrist County School District's county office all wore blue today to symbolize our commitment to stomping out bullying in our schools! Bullying within any setting is a serious concern, but our schools are working hard to ensure that students feel safe on a daily basis. Watch for tips and information on bullying this month, as we join in the #BlueUp bullying... READ MORE >
𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓒𝓪𝓷 𝓓𝓸 𝓽𝓸 𝓢𝓽𝓸𝓶𝓹 𝓞𝓾𝓽 𝓑𝓾𝓵𝓵𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝐁𝐞 𝐀 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐨 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐈𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 When someone is down they need a friend. Be there for the person who is being bullied. Be a buddy on school grounds, get together after school, include them in activities, Walk home with them, sit with them on the bus. Being an understanding and supportive friend means so much. Show... READ MORE >
Calling all dads and father figures! You are invited to come join us for Dads Take Your Child to School Day on September 25, 2019! Ask us how you can be involved. #FLdadsatschool READ MORE >
Congratulations to the following students recognized by the Gilchrist County School District for earning a perfect score on a Spring 2019 State Assessment (pictured left to right): Vicki Lin, Makylei Miller, Madilyn Whittington, Jackie Franks, and Addison Allaire. READ MORE >
Two of our Engineering students have been working for the Florida Department of Transportation through a Work-Based Experience program similar to Co-Operative Education or OJT. Kieley Duke of THS and Morgan Wright of BHS were selected for employment with the FDOT after an extensive application and interview process. The Gilchrist County School District's career... READ MORE >
Thank you to Captain Sheryl Brown of the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office for coming out to deliver constitution booklets for all of our 5th graders at Trenton Elementary and Bell Elementary! These booklets were donated by Mr. Jose Rincon through the Constitution Project, founded by Mr. Joseph Cofield. We appreciate the support! READ MORE >
Parents and Students, please access this link for a copy of the 2019-20 student handbook, including the student code of conduct and school procedures. Each student will receive a hard copy of this handbook as well. Please be aware of all expectations, and let us know about any questions. 2019-20 Student Handbook READ MORE >
The Extended Day programs at Trenton Elementary and Bell Elementary now have live links to allow you to pay your after-school fee if you have submitted an application and your child will be attending the program this year. Please use these links to make payment. Payments are $35/week, must be made in advance, and must be made in two week increments. Questions... READ MORE >
Our 2019-20 School Supply Lists are now available! See below or view in our Documents folder. READ MORE >
The GCSD is happy to announce that we will be offering a parent fee-based extended day program at both Trenton Elementary and Bell Elementary. This program will operate much the same way as the existing 21st CCLC program, which is ending on July 25th due to the ending of the grant funding. Parents will be expected to pay $35/week per child (no daily rates),... READ MORE >
Two Trenton Middle School students represented Florida in the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) National Championship in Orlando on June 18, 2019. Trenton Middle School students Vicki Lin and Hailey Griffis won the right to represent Florida by earning a perfect score, with the fastest time, in their respective MOS certifications, Microsoft Excel (2013) and... READ MORE >
Our Summer Feeding Program will provide breakfast and lunch to any student 18 or younger for FREE! This program runs Monday through Thursday each week over the summer, ending July 26th. Breakfast starts being served at 8am, and lunch begins at 11:30am. Bring your child to Bell Elementary, Trenton Elementary, or one of our mobile locations to participate! READ MORE >
Congratulations to Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) State Champions Hailey Griffis and Vicki Lin! Because of exceptionally high scores, Hailey was selected as Florida's Champion for MOS in Word 2013 and Vicki was selected as Florida's Champion for MOS in Excel 2013. As state champions, both of these ladies have been invited to compete in the 2019 Microsoft... READ MORE >
Gilchrist County to Honor the School Lunch Heroes Serving Healthy Meals Celebrating School Lunch Hero Day on May 3, 2019 Between preparing healthy food, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies, and offering service with a smile, Gilchrist County School District nutrition professionals have a lot on their plate. To... READ MORE >
Our community and schools would like to thank the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office for coming to Gilchrist County to protect and serve during the absence of our own GCSO team. Students from the TES and BES 21st Century after-school program made ‘thank you’ cards and letters and presented them to Sheriff Bobby Schultz, who plans to hand deliver to Sheriff Dennis... READ MORE >
At THS, Character Ambassadors, Interact Club students, and Environmental Club students presented a tree today to the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office in honor of our fallen heroes, Sergeant Ramirez and Deputy Lindsey. Sheriff Bobby Schultz and School Resource Officer Mike Rome are pictured with the students. The plaque reads, “A hero remembered never really dies.” READ MORE >
The calendar for the upcoming school year has been Board approved and is available on our website and is linked below. Based on your feedback, the school district has adopted a two-year calendar cycle, so you now have access to both of the upcoming school years! Please access the calendars here or in the Documents folder of the website: 2019-20 School... READ MORE >
As you know, we are raising funds and awareness during the month of April in support of the families of our two fallen heroes, Sergeant Noel Ramirez and Deputy Taylor Lindsey. We are selling blue ribbons at each front office and at the district office for $1. However, we will accept donations of any amount. For your convenience, you can donate electronically... READ MORE >
Our annual Parent Night for parents of 8th graders was held on March 26, and was a great success! Students had previously received information on all of the career-tech programs that we offer, and visited the programs on both campuses. This night was designed to allow parents the opportunity to receive information on those same programs, meet teachers, and ask... READ MORE >
Trenton High School's Biotechnology program was featured in Representative Neal Dunn's weekly news! Congressman Dunn says: "This week, I met with Ashley Thoron, an Agriculture Instructor in Gilchrist County. Ashley was in DC on behalf of the Florida Association of Agricultural Educators. We spoke about the importance of career education in high schools. Ashley... READ MORE >
It has been a great Literacy Week! Schools celebrated by engaging students with books and authors through a variety of fun activities. Students dressed up with themes, schools had door decorating contests, and students did some buddy reading. What a great experience! READ MORE >
We are celebrating Literacy Week! This week, our schools are increasing awareness of the importance of reading by having door decorating contests, discussing fun facts about literacy, learning about authors, and more. Did you know that 17% of the world’s adult population is not able to read or write? Together, we can change that! We challenge you to read with your... READ MORE >
It is official! The Gilchrist County School District has met the criteria for educational quality established by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission. Congratulations, and thank you to all of our supportive stakeholders, including teachers, parents, students, staff, administrators, and community members! READ MORE >
Each year, the Florida Department of Education surveys parents of children with an individual educational plan (IEP) to determine how well your child's school is partnering with you and promoting your involvement in your child's education. All states must collect data as a part of their State Performance Plan, as required under the Individuals with Disabilities... READ MORE >
As we are nearing the end of National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, please take this opportunity to start becoming familiar with the CTE programs that we offer. These programs are high-skill, high-wage, and offer valuable third party industry certifications for students. Industry certifications are nationally-recognized credentials that aid with... READ MORE >
Please access this link for important information on flu prevention and school settings. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/index.htm READ MORE >
Today’s Walk-a-Thon was a great success! Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Education Foundation to raise money for scholarships. Team Gilchrist! READ MORE >
UF CARD is offering a free parent training program to parents of children 12 years of age and younger with autism spectrum disorder or a related disability. This parent training program consists of 6 sessions designed to reduce disruptive behaviors. To be eligible participants must be: parent/caregiver of a child with ASD or a related disability 12 years of... READ MORE >
Graduation Rates for the 2017-2018 School Year were released on December 19, 2018. According to the Florida Department of Education, “Florida’s high school graduation rate increased by 3.8 percentage points over the last year and has increased significantly during the past fourteen years.” Graduation rates are released annually in December for the prior... READ MORE >
Students in the Engineering program have been working hard to finish up hands-on projects that act as a part of their final exam for the class. These projects include opportunities for critical thinking, problem solving, and team collaboration. READ MORE >
Congratulations to the retirees recognized at today's Board meeting. Pictured are George Kreinbihl (Teacher) and Karen Latham (Bus Driver). Not pictured are Glenda Hagan, Darlene Thomas, and Beth Tondreault. We appreciate your service! READ MORE >
From our family to yours, Superintendent Rob Rankin and the Gilchrist County School District would like to wish you the Merriest Christmas and the Happiest New Year! READ MORE >
The 2018 District-Level Spelling Bee was held on December 4th at Bell High School. The winner, from 5th grade at BES, was Neju Rashid. Congratulations! Also, a special congratulations to the runner-up from 8th grade at BHS, Lilly Thigpen. All of the participants did a great job, and we are so proud of the work that went into being prepared for this event. ... READ MORE >
Trenton High School agriculture program students recently received a lesson in branding from a real cowboy! This was a valuable experience for students interested in an agriculturally-related career path. We appreciate this opportunity; thank you to all involved. READ MORE >
Congratulations to Bell Elementary School for retaining their designation as a School of Excellence from the State Board of Education! In order to be eligible for this distinction, a school has to have received an A or B in the three most recent schools years and has to be ranked at the 80th percentile or higher for a school of their type for at least two of the... READ MORE >
We wanted to provide you with some feedback that we received from the visiting accreditation renewal team. They are impressed with our district as a whole. "The Gilchrist district functions as a family whose members are respectful of one another, unified around the goal of student success, and living the role of an organization that cares." We want to thank... READ MORE >
Every five years, the district goes through a process to earn SACS accreditation by demonstrating implementation of an evidence-based set of standards that are indicative of a quality school district. This week, you may have seen our accreditation team visiting your schools. We invited this team of professionals to visit in order to identify ways in which we can... READ MORE >
November is Family Engagement Month! The purpose is to highlight the roles parents have in their child’s education. Parents, grandparents, guardians, and extended families are encouraged to be involved in their children’s education throughout the year. Throughout this month, we will be intermittently sharing information on how you, as the parent, can be engaged... READ MORE >
October is Bullying Prevention Month! Wear a blue shirt on Tuesday, October 30th to help raise awareness of bullying issues. #BlueUp with us and share your photos! This week, we will be sharing some information and tips regarding bullying for students. For example, here are some tips for how to handle a bully. READ MORE >
Congratulations to our new National Champion, Lauren Roberts! Lauren went to FFA Nationals and became the 2018 FFA Winner for Prepared Public Speaking. In addition, after becoming national finalists, Lauren earned 1st place for her AgriScience Fair research project, and Gracie Langford and Alizabeth Morehouse earned 2nd place for their research projects. We are... READ MORE >
All four schools have earned the silver level award for Excellence in Nutrition and Physical Activity through the Healthier U.S. Schools Challenge for Smarter Lunchrooms. Only 937 schools across the nation have earned the silver level distinction, and we are proud of all four of our school lunchrooms for earning this level of recognition. The Healthier U.S.... READ MORE >
Trenton Elementary School is celebrating #DadsAtSchool Day today! What a fun way for dads to be involved in their child's education. Thank you to all of the dads who came out this morning to celebrate and be there for your child. READ MORE >
What's going on in our classrooms? In Mrs. Welbers' classroom, students are participating in small groups and centers with a variety of tactile experiences to gain first grade skills. Thank you for sharing, Mrs. Welbers! READ MORE >
Every year, Bell Elementary School holds a luncheon for Grandparents' Day that gives an opportunity for students to make memories with their grandparents at school. This is a much-anticipated event every year, and this year was no different. The luncheon was held on Friday, September 7th, and was attended by grandparents, great-grandparents, and even substitute... READ MORE >
Career and Technical Education programs are in full swing in Gilchrist County! All of our program students are busy learning through hands-on, project-based activities that integrate academics with career-specific skills. Students are doing independent and collaborative work to enhance their ability to master rigorous standards through application of their... READ MORE >
It's time for this year's 9th graders to receive laptops! As a part of our technology goals, we ensure that every high school student has a laptop for home and school use. If your child is currently in 9th grade, mark your calendars now and make plans to attend this Laptop Night on Thursday. You will learn about our Digital Classroom Plan, the history of improving... READ MORE >
First Day of School Slideshow - 2018 READ MORE >
GCSD welcomed new teachers today by providing a New Teacher Orientation. We are excited to have them on our GCSD Team! Douglas Beard (BHS), Amy Fletcher (BES), Marsha Marchant (TES), Sonja McClellan (BHS), Madison Mower (THS), Crystal Rodriguez (BES), Katherine Russell (THS), Breanna Parnell (TES). They are already hard at work preparing for the start of school... READ MORE >
Student Handbooks are available! Please check out this resource to better understand school procedures, code of conduct, discipline/behavior policies, academic information, attendance regulations, parental rights, and more! Student Handbook READ MORE >
Mark your calendars! The 2018 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday is August 3-5. During this sales tax holiday period, Florida law directs that no sales tax will be collected on purchases of:- Clothing, footwear, and certain accessories under $60- Certain school supplies under $15Scan the QR code for a list of qualifying items. READ MORE >
It’s time to put our 2018-19 Open House schedule on your calendars. Be sure to attend and get information for the new school year! READ MORE >
School supply lists are available now! Each school list is linked below, but these lists are also available in your GCSD app under the DOCUMENTS folder. In addition, we will be making these available on Facebook. TES BES TMS BMSTHS READ MORE >
Attention Gilchrist County Teachers! As we are gearing up for accreditation renewal, we would love to hear from you. Your responses on this short inventory will help us to be better prepared. Our goal is for your voice to be heard, and we will be reporting the percentage of respondents. Thank you in advance for this summertime favor! Teacher Inventory READ MORE >
The Florida Department of Education released District and School Grades today. We are pleased to announce that the Gilchrist County School District is an “A” school district, and we are ranked 3rd out of 67 districts for the second year in a row. Congratulations to the students of the Gilchrist County School District. Your learning made the... READ MORE >
The 21st CCLC summer program is keeping things cool this summer by holding some really neat and fun science activities. At TES, the summer program was visited by The Science Man. Students were able to see first hand super cool science concepts, like states of matter, fun chemical reactions, and more! READ MORE >
Applications will soon be available for the state's new Reading Scholarship program, which provides $500 scholarships for 3rd-5th grade public school students who scored a 1 or 2 on the ELA section of the FSA in the prior year. English Language Learners will receive priority. Scholarships will be able to be used for tutoring, summer education programs or... READ MORE >
Remember that the 2018-19 school calendar is now available! The calendar can be downloaded HERE, and a preview is available below. Continue to check back on our website and app for other important updates, such as supply lists. READ MORE >
High School Graduation Ceremonies: We are watching the weather closely as we approach the upcoming graduation ceremonies. Every effort will be made to hold the ceremonies on the football fields even if there is a chance of a slight rain. Please prepare accordingly. In the event of inclement weather, the Bell High School Graduation Ceremony will be moved to the... READ MORE >
We are planning and writing federal projects for the 2018-19 school year! Check our website for info, and let us know if you have any questions, input, or feedback regarding the following federal projects:IDEA, Part BIDEA, PreschoolTitle I, Part ATitle I, Part CTitle II, Part ATitle IV, SSAETitle IV 21st CCLCTitle V, RLISPerkins, SecondaryPerkins, Rural and... READ MORE >
In our busy lives, dinner is often the only time when families can connect. Research shows children that eat regular meals with their family have:• Better academic performance• Higher self-esteem• Greater sense of resilience• Lower risk of substance abuse• Lower risk of teen pregnancy• Lower risk of depression• Lower likelihood of developing eating disorders• Lower... READ MORE >
It's National Teacher Appreciation Week! Help us to continue celebrating our teachers and the hard work that they do on an everyday basis! Our teachers are the cornerstone of what we do. Please take a moment to thank your child's teacher for the impact that he or she makes.Teachers, ABC news shared that these benefits are available to you this week:Adobe Get... READ MORE >
April 11th was #LoveMySchoolDay! Here at the Gilchrist County School District, we have many reasons to love our schools. From our staff to our students, from great programs to great friends, GCSD schools have it all. Each school has posted on Facebook and our Live Feed today with photos and comments about why we love our schools so much. One common theme was... READ MORE >
High School Students: Remember that documenting community service hours is very important! This form must be completed and submitted to your guidance counselor as evidence of any volunteer hours. Community service hours are required for eligibility of certain scholarships. For example, the highest Bright Futures scholarship requires 100 community service hours.... READ MORE >
Congratulations to the Gilchrist County School District’s High Impact Teachers: Bell Elementary -Sandra CarawanHeather ClassErin Sanders Trenton Elementary - Jill Carhart Melinda Robinson Wendy Polk Bell Middle/High - Lee Barrow A recent analysis of student performance on statewide standardized assessments conducted by the Florida... READ MORE >
Last night's 8th Grade Parent Night was a great success! The event was held at the THS auditorium, and was meant for all 8th graders and parents from Bell and Trenton. High school registration information was provided, and parents were able to learn about Career and Technical Education opportunities available to 9th graders. As a reminder to parents, CTE program... READ MORE >
2-1-1 is a free service provided by United Way that connects area residents to critical health and social service resources when they need help the most. From help with a household bill, food assistance, or counseling for suicide prevention, United Way's 2-1-1 help line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This service is available via phone, text, or... READ MORE >
Superintendent Rankin held a Safety Workshop with the Gilchrist County School Board and included Gilchrist County Sheriff, Bobby Schultz. Information was shared about safety procedures the school district has in place, as well as safety reviews that occurred in conjunction with the Gilchrist County Sheriff Department since the Parkland school shooting. Next steps... READ MORE >
We are officially in the last quarter of school! This is the time of year that students may begin to start thinking about summer and minds wander from school. Let's work together to help students stay on track the rest of the year. An article by Alexandra Mayzler provided these tips for keeping students motivated as the school year enters the final quarter: READ MORE >
FSA Writing is this week! Be sure that you are aware of the FSA Writing test days for your child's grade level. Your child should have a good breakfast and be at school on time. We are excited to show what we can do! Monday: Grade 6, 7Tuesday: Grade 4, 5, 8Wednesday: Grade 9Thursday: Grade 10Friday: Make-Ups READ MORE >
As we end CTE Month, we want to encourage you to continue to become familiar with the career and technical education programs that we offer. One such program is the Agritechnology program that is offered at both THS and BHS. This program includes a sequence of three courses. The first course counts as Honors credit. Students are able to become industry... READ MORE >
Superintendent Rob Rankin and Sheriff Bobby Schultz have had several meetings since the tragic shooting in Broward County. We want to assure you that we hold the safety of our students as our top priority. We have a plan in place and practice it with the staff and students to make sure they know what to do if we have an intruder on one of our campuses. We have... READ MORE >
We are nearing the end of CTE Month! Please continue to become acquainted with the programs that we offer. For example, the Academy of Criminal Justice featured here is offered at Bell High School. This academy offers two programs - Criminal Justice and 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator. Students are able to participate in both programs and earn industry... READ MORE >
As we continue CTE Month, we are sharing information about all of the great career and technical education programs that we offer. Featured here is the Applied Engineering Technology program that is offered at both THS and BHS. This program involves a sequence of three courses with an optional fourth course that all count as Honors credit. Students are able to... READ MORE >
In continuation of CTE Month, please take a look at the Construction program that we offer at Trenton High School. This program allows students to become certified in Carpentry Level 1 through the National Center for Construction and Education Research (NCCER). Students take Building Construction Technology 1, 2, and 3. The third course in the sequence of... READ MORE >
As we continue to celebrate CTE Month, check out our Health Academy at Bell High School! This program offers tracks in Allied Health Assisting, Nursing, Emergency Medical Responding, and Electrocardiograph Aide. Students have the opportunity to exit as a licensed CNA, EMR, or EKG Technician. Many students choose to complete multiple tracks. In addition to these... READ MORE >
It’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month! Celebrate with us by becoming familiar with the programs we offer. Expect to see posts about each of our programs this month. First up, the Agriculture Biotechnology program at THS! The Agriculture Biotechnology program is designed to expose students to current biotechnology applications, genetic principles,... READ MORE >
Schools in Gilchrist County are continuing to celebrate Literacy Week. Each school is participating in activities to encourage the love of reading, such as Book-a-Thons, book tastings, book exchanges, and Date with a Book. Adopt a Class activities are happening, and students are reading through the week to contribute to Florida’s “Million Minutes of Reading”... READ MORE >
Each year, the Florida Department of Education surveys parents of children with an individual educational plan (IEP) to determine how well your child's school is partnering with you and promoting your involvement in your child's education. All states must collect data as a part of their State Performance Plan, as required under the Individuals with Disabilities... READ MORE >
Today’s Walk-a-Thon raised $20,000 for the Gilchrist County Education Foundation. The Foundation has several events each year geared toward fund-raising to support scholarships for Gilchrist County seniors. Our community really came together to support this great cause! Thank you to all who participated. READ MORE >
Recently, the Gilchrist County School District announced that our schools earned the highest graduation rate in the state once again! This exciting news was made even more special when Superintendent Rob Rankin received this letter from Senator Bill Nelson congratulating the school system on this great accomplishment. This is only possible when students, teachers,... READ MORE >
January 25, 2018 This is a message to all Parents, from the Florida Department of Health and The Gilchrist County School District. Please be aware that Flu illness has sharply increased in Florida and in Gilchrist County over the last two weeks. Flu is easily spread from person to person. It can cause severe illness is certain people, especially the very... READ MORE >
The launch of Gilchrist County School District's new app has been a success! Within one day of launch, the app has already been downloaded over 225 times! The GCSD app can be used on any smartphone or tablet. It is available for download in the App Store or Google Play. In order to get this new app, all you have to do is search for "GCSD" where you normally... READ MORE >
Nobody cares for their teachers and staff like the Gilchrist County School District! The Annual Health Fair that took place today was a great way to encourage healthy habits. There were opportunities to have skin evaluations, blood pressure tests, cholesterol readings, glucose assessments, pulse read outs, free massages, and much more! Thank you to all of the... READ MORE >
Mark your calendars now for the February 3rd Gilchrist County Walk-a-Thon! Registration is at 9. Start looking for sponsors now. READ MORE >
Superintendent Rob Rankin and the Gilchrist County School Board members were recognized today at the 72nd Annual Joint Conference and Board of Directors meeting. We are proud to announce that all five school board members were awarded the ‘Certified Board Member’ credential. This distinct honor is achieved by completing a (96) hour training program... READ MORE >
We are proud to announce that Bell Elementary School has been designated as a School of Excellence by the state Department of Education. To earn this designation, a school must have received a grade of A or B for the most recent three years AND had to rank at the 80th percentile or higher for their school type for at least two of the last three years.... READ MORE >
The United Way of North Central Florida has facilitated the donation of a large amount of school supplies from Publix. These school supplies will benefit our most needy families through the district, and are greatly appreciated. Thank you to these partners for the ongoing support of our community! READ MORE >
Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Gilchrist County really stood out at a recent statewide association meeting, with two of our very own being recognized with a state award. At last week’s FACTE conference (Florida’s Association for Career and Technical Education), an awards ceremony was held to honor special persons within the career tech community. ... READ MORE >
Students were recognized by the Gilchrist County School Board at the Sept 26th Board Meeting for receiving a Perfect Score on one of their Spring 2017 State Assessments. The following students were recognized: Sawyer Downing, Evelyn Frazier, Susannah Gray, and John Spigelmyer. READ MORE >