New to Jackson County? Register by July 15 to ensure your student(s) are ready for the first day of school on July 30! Register online by visiting our enrollment page or visit Central Registration in-person by visiting 1600 Winder Highway, Jefferson, GA 30549. Central Registration hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday thru Thursday! Please note, the office will be closed Monday, July 6 in observance of Independence Day.
We have almost made it to the end of another school year! Our students and staff have worked hard this year to ensure our students have had a productive, challenging, and engaging school experience. Early returns on our Georgia Milestones data show great growth in student achievement, indicating strong tier one, standards-based gains across grade levels. While there is always room for improvement, we have been trending in the right direction over the last two years. We are always proud of our students and staff and these results demonstrate their hard work and investment in school improvement. Thank you GSES staff for your diligence and sacrifice to ensure our kiddos are prepared for the next step in their education. We also want to thank you for your support as parents. Our success as a school is directly tied to your involvement in your child's education. We are fortunate to have such an active community that prioritizes education.
As we close out the year, I want to thank you for allowing me to lead this staff and our kiddos. Each day brings about new challenges, but because we have such a great team, we are able to meet these challenges head on. As I mentioned before, we also have a great community. Our Partners in Education, our School Council, and our PTO make it possible to support student and staff recognitions. They make it possible for Fun Run, Holiday Shop, Glo Night, our sensory garden, and so much more. These groups assist in providing feedback to inform the decision-making process to support student and school improvement. A HUGE shout out to them for our success as well.
In a few weeks we will share our successes for the year in a summer newsletter, so stay tuned for that as well as other important information regarding the upcoming school year. I hope everyone enjoys a break from the daily grind and takes a moment to reflect on the growth and the successes of the last school year. Thank you again for supporting our students and staff and we look forward to working with you in the new school year.
All the best,
Joshua Todd, GSES Principal
GSES Awards Days
We are excited to recognize our students' many accomplishments at this year's Awards Day celebrations! Please read the following information carefully if you plan to attend an Awards Program and pass it along to any other family members who may be coming as well.
Arrival: All entry and exit for Awards programs will be through the gym at the back of the school building. We have ceremonies happening back-to-back, so please do not plan to arrive more than 15 minutes early.
Parking: Guests may park in the front, side, or back of the building. No parking in the back of the building for programs starting after 11:30 A.M. due to bus arrival times.
Check-outs: We will do check-outs in the gym after Awards ceremonies for anyone who would like their child to leave early. Anyone checking a student out will need to sign out and show your photo I.D. for verification, so please remember to bring it with you to the program.
We look forward to seeing you as we celebrate our students!
~GSES Admin
News & Updates
Reminders
After School Program: As we prepare for the 2025–2026 school year, the Jackson County School System is excited to announce that pre-registration is now open for all seven JCSS elementary school After School Programs. These programs provide a safe, engaging, and convenient childcare option for families with elementary-aged students. Services are offered from the end of the school day until 6:00 p.m. each weekday, at a cost of $50 per child, per week. To pre-register, please visit www.jacksonschoolsga.org/afterschool. *Please note: Pre-registration does not guarantee placement in the program. After School Directors will share more detailed information closer to the end of the current school year.
May 20th: Chick-Fil-A Spirit Day (Braselton location)
May 21st:LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
Planning ahead for the school year? Check out the school calendar on our website to plan for upcoming events in the next few months!
Medication Pickup
All medications inside of our school clinics must be picked up no later than 3 p.m. on the last day of the school year, Wednesday, May 21. All student medication, to include daily medication, over-the-counter and emergency medication will be properly disposed if not picked up by the deadline.
Go Gizmos, Go!
Help our Gizmos team get to Nationals in Worcester, Massachusetts this summer! The Gizmos team is hosting a raffle for a basket full of fun items. Purchase tickets NOW! The winner will be announced on May 21st.
The Gizmos are also seeking donations of any amount from our friends, family, and businesses to help them get to Massachusetts this summer. Donations can be made online using the link below.
Share this amazing opportunity with anyone and everyone! Let's show our support for our Gum Springs Gizmos!
We are challenging JCSS students to read as many books as they can throughout the summer. Keep track of all summer reading on your JCSS Summer Reading Game Board and return it at the beginning of next school year! Also, visit your local public library branch to join their summer reading program through Beanstack! Summer Reading Game Boards will be going home with report cards and awards. Be on the lookout!
Summer Camp Opportunities
Summer Camps
The Jackson County School System is once again offering a robust list of summer camp opportunities.
Tackle football and sideline cheer registration begins Monday, April 7th. Register online through the Jackson County Parks and Rec Department. Deadline to register is June 6th!
And check out all the other opportunities through Jackson County Rec Department!
School Spotlights
Field Day Fun!
We had an unforgettable Field Day filled with sunshine, smiles, and spirited teamwork! From relay races to tug-of-war, our students gave it their all and had a blast. We've captured some of the best moments—be sure to check out the Field Day photos linked below to see all the fun in action! THANK YOU to Coach Richardson and Coach Whitlock for planning a fun-filled Field Day!
This week, we welcomed the graduating seniors from JCHS back to where it all began—Gum Springs! The halls were filled with cheers, high-fives, and a few happy tears as our former students took their Senior Walk in their caps and gowns. Our current students watched with excitement and inspiration, seeing firsthand what hard work and perseverance can lead to.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Once a Panther, always a Panther—we’re so proud of you!
We have a winner… ORANGE CLAW! CONGRATULATIONS Orange Claw on being named our 2025 Claw of the Year! Their dedication, teamwork, and determination paid off — collecting the most tickets all year long! They won by just 79 tickets — talk about a close race! To celebrate, Orange Claw enjoyed a festive Claw Parade, the hanging of their official sign, and a super fun bounce house party during specials! Way to go, Orange Claw! You earned it!
Gus’s PAWS Stars are shining bright! These incredible kids are true leaders at school — always making great choices and setting the example for their peers. Today, we celebrated their hard work and positive attitudes with some delicious Kona Ice treats! Way to go, PAWS Stars! Keep being amazing!
Gum Springs Elementary is looking to partner with businesses to build our Partners in Education program. One way we offer this is through our GSES LED Sign Sponsorship. Attached is the form to complete. If you have any questions, please reach out to Hannah Freyre at Hannah.freyre@jcss.us
GSES PTO is a nonprofit 501(c)3 located within Gum Springs Elementary School in Jefferson, GA. We are seeking business sponsors for the 2024-2025 school year. Sponsorship displays and social media blast will run August 1st - May 21st. Using the link below, you will find our different sponsorship levels. Since we are a 501(c)3, these donations are a tax write-off, and a receipt will be provided. Jackson County and Jefferson are BIG on community, and we share that common goal! We would love your support for our children!
