This week we recognized our GSES Teacher of the Year (TOTY) and Support Person of the Year (SPOTY). Congratulations to Ms. Jamie Cofer (TOTY) and Ms. Kelsey Hughes (SPOTY) for their recognition and their dedication to GSES. Our three finalists and our winners are all chosen by the staff. Our finalists are all outstanding staff members and certainly deserving of their respective nominations. Ms. Cofer and Ms. Hughes will now go on to compete in the district level competition. Please join our staff in congratulating them on their recent recognition.

We hope you will make plans to join us for our Back-to-School Night next Tuesday, August 25th. This is an important night for parents to meet with your child's teacher to learn essential information that will help set your child up for success this year. Teachers will share information about class expectations, homework policies, grading, curriculum, testing, family engagement opportunities available this year, clubs, and more. Each teacher will host a session from 6:00 to 6:30 P.M. and repeat the same session from 6:30 to 7:00 P.M. Families may drop in to attend either session. Media Specialist, Mrs. Gassman will also be offering a session during both time slots to help families learn more about our school tech tools like Parent Square and Infinite Campus, and Specials teachers will be available to meet families and share information about their programs. We hope EVERY Panther family will be able to join us!

Does your Gum Springs Elementary 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader love science, solving problems, building, or working as part of a team? If so, they may be interested in joining the 2026–2027 GSES Science Olympiad Team!

If your child would like to try out for the team, please read the information below and complete the interest form by Friday, August 21st.

Science Olympiad is a national organization that inspires a love of science through competition. Students work together in events that include engineering builds, science investigations, laboratory activities, and content-based challenges. Along the way, they develop teamwork, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

The GSES Science Olympiad Team is a competitive team consisting of up to 20 team members. Students selected for the team are expected to attend weekly Tuesday practices and participate in all scheduled competitions. This year's 18 events include Backyard Biologist, Barge Building, Bridge Building, Crime Busters, Data Crunchers, Deep Blue Sea, Disease Detectives, Egg Drop, Grab a Gram, Mystery Architecture, No Bones About It, Paper Rockets, Rock Hounds, Starry Starry Night, Water Rockets, Weather or Not, Gummy Bear Launch, Chopper Challenge.

We look forward to seeing our future scientists in action!

Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders have been busy getting reacquainted with the Media Center! Third graders reviewed library expectations with a fun Kahoot game before checking out their first two books. Fourth graders explored the Media Center through an exciting GooseChase scavenger hunt, discovering new spaces and resources along the way. Fifth graders enjoyed a Reading Café, reconnecting with books and searching for new favorites. ☕📖

We’re excited to welcome our 2nd graders to Media Center Orientation next week! They’ll learn all about the library, practice important Media Center expectations, and get ready for a year filled with great books and new adventures.

This week our new Panthers found out which Claw they are a part of during their time at Gum Springs. Our Claws celebrated their new team members with fun and games during specials on Wednesday. Check out some of the fun below!

Show your Claw pride by purchasing a Claw shirt to wear for Claw spirit days and Claw parades! Visit School Window to order a shirt today. You will need to know your child’s Claw color and homeroom teacher to purchase a shirt. If you have questions about your child’s Claw color, please contact your child’s teacher.

We are so grateful to Bethlehem Church for treating our GSES staff to a delicious lunch from Moonie’s Texas BBQ last week! 😋🍽️

Your generosity was the perfect way to show our teachers and staff a little extra love as we kick off a new school year. We appreciate your continued support of our GSES family and the partnership you share with our school community! 🐾

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

Haven’t ordered yet? There’s still time! Order online now!