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Gum Springs Elementary School

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Panther Post: October 5th

Posted Date: 10/05/25 (02:00 PM)


Panther Post 2025-2026

October 5, 2025

50th Day of School- Wednesday, October 8th
Congratulations Purple Claw!
Congratulations to our Claw of the Month winners for September--PURPLE CLAW! (Back-to-Back champions is not a common occurrence, so this is quite the accomplishment!) Purple Claw earned 1,172 of the 5,654 tickets awarded to students in the month of September. We LOVED seeing that our students earned almost 6,000 positive behavior tickets last month! We are looking forward to celebrating Purple Claw again on our next Claw Spirit Day Wednesday, October 8.

We are also excited about celebrating the 50th Day of School on Wednesday, October 8. All students will participate in special 1950s-themed activities for their Claw Celebration rotations during specials, and some classes also have 1950s-themed learning experiences planned as well. Any students who are interested are welcome to wear their 1950s attire as well. (Technically, October 8th is the 49th day of school, but the day before Fall Break is an awesome occasion to celebrate, so we're practicing our rounding skills and celebrating a day early! 😎)

Whether your child chooses to dress 1950s-style or comes decked out in his/her Claw Color, we'll have a great day of fun and learning as we get ready for Fall Break next Wednesday!

News & Updates

Breakfast & Lunch Menu
Fall Break October 9-14

Next Week at Gum Springs

  • October 6th: Gizmos practice until 4:30
  • October 6th: Cooking Club & K-Kids; pickup at 4:00pm
  • October 7th: Tech Club (4th & 5th grade); pickup at 4:00pm
  • October 8th: 50th Day of School!
  • October 8th: Claw of the Month Parade!
  • October 9th-14th: Fall Break- No 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!
 
Raptor Safe App

Raptor Safe

We are thrilled to announce all JCSS schools are adopting the Raptor Safe mobile application as part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing school safety, while streamlining visitor management check-in at our schools. The Raptor Safe app builds upon existing visitor procedures, offering a more convenient and secure check-in process for visitors. Learn more by visiting www.jacksonschoolsga.org/raptorsafe.
 
2025-2026 Yearbooks on sale!
Scarecrow Scrambler 5K

Yearbooks on Sale NOW!

25-26 GSES Yearbooks are sale now! Order before October 31st and receive a 10% discount. Any orders placed before April 1st are eligible for 2 FREE custom pages in your child's yearbook.

Got questions? Contact Ms. Simmons (jsimmons@jcss.us).

Scarecrow Scrambler

Attention Gum Springs Families!

The Jackson County Kiwanis (sponsors of our K-Kids club) are hosting a 5k on October 25, 2025. The race will start and end at the Jefferson Civic Center. The theme of the 5K is the Scarecrow Scrambler (Wizard of OZ costumes are encouraged, but not required). Below is a map of the race route and a link is included to register! This is a fun event for the whole family! Hope to see y’all there! 

 
Atlanta Falcons and JCSS

Go Falcons!

The Jackson County School System Foundation is excited to announce a new partnership with the Atlanta Falcons! The JCSS Foundation will be taking part in Jackson County School System Day with the Falcons when they host divisional rival Carolina on Nov. 16. Five dollars of every ticket sold will be awarded back to the JCSS Foundation! Purchase tickets online by visiting www.gofevo.com/event/jacksoncounty30.
Athens Rock Lobsters JCSS Nights

JCSS Night at Athens Rock Lobsters

Mark your calendars! The Athens Rock Lobsters are hosting 4 JCSS Foundation nights! A portion of every ticket sold will be donated back to the Foundation to support staff grants and student scholarships! Tickets are on sale now!

Jaxco Youth Wrestling Club

Specials Spotlights

3rd grade Media Arts

Media Arts

During Media Arts with Ms. Kelly, 3rd graders have been using Google My Maps to locate and describe various Native American groups within North America. Google My Maps is a free, web-based tool for creating personalized, custom maps. Users can add points on a map, draw routes, and incorporate images, videos, and descriptions to highlight points of interest, organize projects, or plan trips. Students are using what they are learning in class to visualize where American Indians groups lived long ago on a modern day map.

Save the Octopus challenge!

STEM Specials

In STEM Specials, 4th graders have been challenged to "Save the Octopus!" Teams must investigate, imagine, plan, create, and test a device that uses at least 2 simple machines to move a LEGO octopus out of its habitat.

Helpful Tech Tips

School Window

School Window

School Window is our new JCSS payment platform for field trips, spirit wear, clubs dues, etc. Families are not required to make a user login for School Window. However, families can create a login to save payment information if they desire. Please review the Family Guide linked below for more information about School Window.

*School Window is not available as an app.
School Window Family Guide

Partners in Ed

Business Spotlight- Newell Orthodontics
Birthday Shout Outs
Birthday Shoutout Form

GSES LED Sign Sponsorship

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
LED Sign Sponsorship Form
Staff Snack Cart Sponsorship

Thank you to our Partners in Ed!

Patriot Heating & Air, Slater Carts, Jefferson Animal Hospital, Legacy
Putt Athens, SFC, Matrix Mitigation, Traditions Golf & Country Club
Barberitos, Bistro to Go, Legacy, Sugar Hill Outdoors
HOwell Orthodontics, Traditions Dental, Sweet Maple Pediatric Dentistry, Jefferson Dental Care, Newell Orthodontics, North Georgia Pediatric Dentistry
Chick-Fil-A, Legacy Karate, Lazy Grass
Pasta Masters, C&C Garage Door and Opener, Town of Braselton

PTO at GSES

Thank you to our PTO Business Sponsors
 
2025-2026 GSES Staff
Gum Springs ES

Gum Springs Elementary

600 Gum Springs Church Road
Jefferson, GA 30549
706-654-5580