We are excited to welcome back all students and families to a 2023-2024 school year that promises to be full of great memories and Raider Pride! Please refer to the list below for important information that will help you the entire school year.

Open House: Join us from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, September 5, for opportunities to meet district staff, drop off district paperwork, and learn about new offerings at GMU. Additionally, MS/HS students can access and set up lockers, and elementary students can drop off personal items to their classrooms. Students and their parents/guardians who attend Open House are invited to enjoy a free picnic-style boxed dinner starting at 5 p.m. in the cafeteria. Dinners will be served while supplies last (first-come, first-served).

First Day of School: The 2023-2024 school year officially opens for students at 7:50 a.m. Thursday, September 7. Students will be dismissed at 3 p.m. A late bus will be offered at 4 p.m. for those staying for extra-curricular activities.

ParentSquare: GMU will continue to use ParentSquare as its primary means of digital communication with parents/guardians. If you are not registered for a ParentSquare account, please call Mrs. Carey at 607-783-2207, ext. 103, to set one up.

SchoolTool: GMU will continue to use SchoolTool as its primary student information system for schedules, report cards, attendance, etc. If you are not registered for a SchoolTool account, please check your email (including your junk folder) for an invitation, or call Eric Voorhees at 607-783-2207, ext. 126.

Student Schedules: All student schedules are available in SchoolTool. Please login to the parent and/or student portal to access student schedules or elementary homeroom assignments. Students with scheduling concerns should call Ms. Roberts, our new middle/high school counselor, at 607-783-2207, ext. 143. Hard copies of schedules will be available with homeroom teachers during our Open House on September 5.

School Email Accounts: GMU students must use their district-issued email accounts for all school-related emails this school year. Students will get directions for accessing all school accounts when they receive their computers.

School Supplies: GMU will provide school supplies for all students during the 2023-2024 school year, thanks to our partnership with SchoolStore.com. Proceeds from last year’s SchoolStore.com fundraiser covered the cost of this year’s school supplies for all GMU students. We thank all the GMU families and friends who earned “free money” for the district through SchoolStore.com purchases. Although pens, pencils and notebooks will be provided, those who prefer to purchase their own organizational and school supplies are welcome to do so.

District Devices: GMU will loan district-issued 14-inch laptops to GMU students in grades 4-12. All student backpacks must be large enough to carry a laptop. Students in grades 7-12 are responsible for keeping their laptop charged each day and in good working condition. Students in grades 4-6 may take their laptops home at the teacher’s discretion. Please encourage your students to be good stewards of district property. This means only using the device for school purposes, keeping all food and drink away from the device, carrying their device with two hands, and carefully closing the top of the laptop to preserve the screen and keyboard, etc.

School Meals: GMU was again awarded the Community Eligibility Program federal grant, meaning all GMU students are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch on school days at no cost to their families during the entire 2023-2024 school year. Snacks and milk outside of lunch must be purchased by students directly. Al a carte items may be purchased with cash or via money loaded onto your child’s myschoolbucks.com account. Charging is not available.

District Transportation: Parents/guardians must designate their child’s single pickup/drop-off location with the District. Daily changes to this pickup/drop-off location can only be made by the parent/guardian from the designated location as we cannot accept bus changes again this year. If your child(ren) will be picked up from school, please send a written note to school or email [email protected] by 1 p.m. on the day of the pickup.

Parent Transport, Pickup/Drop-Off: To ensure your student is on time for school, parents/guardians should drop them off between 7:50 and 8:00 a.m. at the designated Parent Drop-Off Location near the Arts wing entrance (look for posted signs). Students will not be allowed to enter the building before 7:50 a.m. and can be picked up at the same location at 2:55 p.m., but no later than 3:05 p.m.

Healthy Kids Extended Day Program: Before and after school daycare options are available for all school-aged GMU students through the Healthy Kids Extended Day program. For more information and pre-registration details, please visit https://www.healthykidsprograms.com/ online.

We’re looking forward to a wonderful year with your child(ren). Parents/guardians are an integral part of their child(ren)’s success, so we encourage you to attend our Open House and to stay involved in their education throughout the school year. Offices are open and staff is available to answer questions or concerns. As always, your ongoing support is deeply appreciated!

Sincerely,

Heather Wilcox, GMU Principal

Kevin Walsh, GMU Assistant Principal

P.S. Remember to show your school spirit with official GMU gear from our online apparel stores. Our District receives a portion of every GMU-related sale from Shupperd's Tack Shop and SpiritShop. Just click the links to get started!