No-school Day Planned for Gibraltar Teacher Training

The Gibraltar school board this week approved not having classes for elementary-school students on Jan. 10, 2023, to allow for a lengthy training day for their teachers. On Monday, board members asked administrators to contact the YMCA, local child care facilities and families to notify them as soon as possible. 

Board member Karen Nordahl did not oppose granting the training day for elementary-school teachers on the Orton-Gillingham Approach to teaching literacy, but she noted that in many families, high school students watch over elementary-age siblings after school until parents come home from work.

Gibraltar Elementary Principal Lauren Ward said she requested the day without classes so that teachers can focus on the Orton-Gillingham structure. Ward said she will inform parents and guardians in detail about the training day in a newsletter on Dec. 1.

Also, the Gibraltar school board will discuss several calendar-related items during its Dec. 12, 6 pm, meeting, including Superintendent Brett Stousland’s proposal to send materials, computers and assignments home with students in advance to allow for virtual learning on days with forecasted weather-related cancellations.