Dear Parents and Students of GCMS High School.
I want to thank you in advance for your cooperation and support as we work through an unexpected and untimely adventure.
The High School will be forced to repair our main water supply which we have discovered is badly leaking somewhere under our building. This water supply is a 4’ main line and is the original 1954 line that was installed when the building was constructed. This repair will require that ALL water be shut off to the building which will in turn requires that we shut down our boiler system (heat for the building) as well. This maintenance process will begin Monday, February 10. However, we are not sure at what point the water and boiler shutdown will occur. We will be completely at the mercy of what the construction crew will find once they begin digging both outside and inside of our building. Once we are informed from the construction crew that the water will be shut off, we will then implement our relocation plan. Our plan is to relocate our students and staff to the Gibson City Bible Church (GCBC) for whatever time is necessary to complete the repairs. This relocation could be anywhere from 1 to 5 days. I promise you that we are taking every step necessary to ensure that the safety of our students and staff is a priority and that we will continue with their academic progress to the best of our ability. While we understand this is inconvenient at best, we are prepared to tackle this problem head on and I know we will be successful in working through this as long as we work together.
Necessary details of relocation:
Student supplies – Students will be informed from their teachers what supplies they will need to bring with them to the GCBC. Books, paper, pens/pencils, calculators, etc
Transportation – All bussing will continue as scheduled. Busses will drop off and pick up from the Gibson City Bible Church. Students who drive will be allowed to still drive and park at the GCBC. Students who walk to school should still walk to the HS. We will have shuttle busses located at the HS to shuttle students to and from the HS to the GCBC. Students who arrive late to school (walkers) will be shuttled to the GCBC as soon as is possible. Students who can be dropped off or who drive should go directly to the GCBC.
CNA/Band/Chorus/PE –CNA students will be having class at the GAH. Mrs. Bowen will inform students of this location during their class. Band and Chorus students will be bussed during their regular class periods to the GCMS Middle School. Classes will continue as scheduled once they arrive at the Middle School. PE classes have rearranged their curriculum and will be bowling each day they are relocated. This is only a rearrangement of days and will not require any additional funds on the part of the student or the school.
Lunches – GCMS will bring all lunches to the GCBC. The only change to the menu will be that there is NO SALAD BAR. Seniors with privileges will still be allowed to leave for lunch if they choose.
Communication – All phone calls will still be accepted at the High School at our regular number of 784-4292. Our office staff will be on site at the HS and will communicate with staff at the GCBC. All absences should still be reported to our HS as usual. We will not have internet capabilities from the GCBC. LUMEN and Email communication during this time will not be available during the day. Some staff members might be able to respond to emails from their personal phones or home computers. There is no guarantees that email communication or grade updates in LUMEN will occur in a timely manner during the relocation period.
Medications – Students who require medication will have their medications transported by our staff to the GCBC and will be administered as scheduled.
Extracurricular Activities – IF we have relocated, all events (Boys Basketball and Scholastic Bowl) will be relocated to the Gibson City Middle School Gym and Library. Practices will also be relocated to different locations. Please look for additional communication regarding these activities.
While we are unaware of ALL of the intricacies of this relocation, we are doing everything we can to ensure that this is as smooth as possible for all involved. I appreciate your continued support and cooperation of GCMS High School during this time. If you have any questions, please contact me at 217-784-4292.
Thank you,
Chris Garard
Principal GCMS High School