Homecoming Schedule
October 17-21, 2016

Monday, October 17, 2016
College Day (Elementary and Middle/High)

Tuesday, October 18, 2016
PJ Day (Elementary and Middle/High)

Wednesday, October 19, 2016
One Color Day (Elementary)
Day at Disney (Middle/High)
Games Night: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.- Class competitions and Volleyball vs. Football volleyball matches.

Thursday, October 20, 2016
Wacky Tacky Day (Elementary)
Ohana Day- Hawaiian Print (Middle/High)
Tailgate: 6:00 p.m.- Hotdog roast, bonfire and games in the football parking lot.

Friday, October 21, 2016
Blue and Orange Day (Elementary and Middle/High)
Homecoming Assembly- 1:45 p.m.
Parade- 5:00 p.m.- Disney theme
Biology Club Carnival- 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on the Gobles Elementary Playground
Football Game- 7:00 p.m. against Bloomingdale
Homecoming Dance- After the football game until 11:00 p.m.

In Mrs. Chris Quist’s third-grade classroom, students talk quietly in pairs, pour over books and type notes into shared Google documents. It’s Genius Hour, and they get to spend their time researching a topic that they choose. 

“It’s an opportunity for students to be responsible for their own learning,” Quist said. And she’s already seeing benefits from that self-directed learning in her classroom. “They are engaged. They ask questions, they help each other,” she said.
 
Genius Hour is an idea currently used by media mogul Google. The company allows its employees to spend one hour a week mastering new skills or working on any project they choose. The idea in education is similar. The teacher provides a set amount of time for students to work on something they are passionate about it. They do research, and then must create some kind of presentation or end-product to share with the class. 

“It allows them to think outside the traditional structure of school,” Quist said. It is the kind of creative thinking and problem solving she thinks teachers will be moving toward more and more in the future. 

The Genius Hour was brought to Gobles by Mr. Scott Seiler, another third-grade teacher, Quist said. He heard about the project at his first Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) conference last year. Seiler implemented Genius Hour last year and was thrilled with the results. “Students showed very high levels of motivation,” he said. When students hit a roadblock, they would figure out how to get what they needed. They tackled new technology and worked together, he said.  

“Genius Hour gets students to problem solve with known and unknown tools,” Seiler said. “I learned some Google features, too!”

As the entire third grade begins deploying Genius Hour this year, Quist is thankful for the atmosphere of teamwork at the elementary school. Genius Hour is just one example of how teachers work together to bring innovative and exciting initiatives to Gobles. 
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“We have an incredible staff that really works hard to make sure each kid learns,” she said. “I’m thankful for a staff that’s so dedicated to students. Teamwork is crucial and we have it here in Gobles.”

All Gobles Public Schools students and staff will receive a complimentary t-shirt. This order form is for parents and community members who would like to purchase the 2016-2017 Team Gobles shirt.

​Download a form by clicking here. 

The first step in celebrating a legendary teacher is to reflect on your education with the three tenets of a legendary teacher in mind:

• Building relationships
• Engaging deeply with students
• Creating high expectations
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Reflect on your teachers who pushed you. Reflect on your teachers who held you accountable. And, reflect on your teachers who went above and beyond and invested in your personal success. At this point, you have likely identified a number of your teachers over the years who have collectively contributed to your academic success. 

Now, how do you act on your desire to recognize your personal teaching legend?

Active - If your legendary teacher is currently teaching, reach out to them personally. Be sure to cite the specific reason that they are your legend.

Inactive or Retired – Send your tribute to the principal of the school where your legendary teacher influenced you.
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In all of these scenarios, you are encouraged to post your legendary teacher tribute on social media. Be sure to include the all important  #legendaryteacher in your posting.

See our Board of Education Resolution recognizing Legendary Teacher Day here. 

Gobles Public Schools is pleased to welcome eight new teachers this year. Please take a moment and get to know the newest members of Team Gobles!

Caitlin Killeen – 5th Grade Math and English Language Arts
Miss Killeen graduated from Gobles in 2008 and then attended Central Michigan University where she earned her bachelor’s in education. She spent the last two years teaching ELA and Math at Portage North Middle School. She’s looking forward to doing everything she can to help her students become lifelong learners. Outside of school she loves spending time with family, doing outdoor activities, and playing competitive games. She also enjoys reading and is currently reading the Percy Jackson series. “I can't wait to talk about it with my students!” she said.

Hilary Trojniak – 7th Grade Math, 8th Grade Earth Science, and Principles of Engineering
Mrs. Trojniak was raised in the small, beautiful, lakeshore town of Ludington. She now lives outside of Kalamazoo with her husband. After graduating from Grand Valley State University in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Earth Science and Math for Secondary Education, she taught math, science, and engineering in a small school near Lansing for two years, and middle school math in Battle Creek the following year. Mrs. Trojniak has a great passion for family, teaching, having a positive influence in students' lives, and the outdoors. “I am excited and thankful for the places my life is bringing me,” she said.