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Welcome to the new GC website!

The new district and school websites, powered by ParentSquare’s Smart Sites, feature improved navigation, a streamlined layout consistent across all sites, and a user-friendly design to better serve our entire community. They also seamlessly integrate with ParentSquare, the district’s communication platform.

Although the new website has a redesigned look, most of the website components and menus are the same!

3 days ago

Walt Disney Elementary School

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Academics

Elementary curriculum

During their elementary years, students will gain skills and knowledge in several areas including art, English Language Arts (ELA), health, library, math, music, physical education, science, social-emotional learning (SEL), social studies and technology.

To support our students' academic growth, each grade level participates in "What I Need" (WIN) time. This is a dedicated period during the school day where students will receive instruction to meet their needs. Academic teams meet to review the needs of students. If your student needs more support beyond what is provided during these times, you will be contacted by the school administrator, your student’s teacher or a member of the student support team to let you know how we can work together to support your students.

    • English Language Arts: Students begin developing foundational literacy skills through listening, speaking, and early reading and writing activities. They explore letters, sounds, and basic sentence structures while engaging with stories and informational texts.
    • Math: Focus is on representing and comparing whole numbers with objects and understanding basic geometric concepts like shapes and spatial relationships.
    • Science: Students explore topics like weather, forces, and ecosystems. They investigate natural phenomena, such as how the sun affects Earth and the movement of objects through pushes and pulls.
    • Social Studies: Students study "Self and Others," learning about similarities and differences between individuals, families, and communities. They explore respect, responsibilities, and American symbols and traditions.
    • Art: Students are introduced to materials and techniques while exploring six foundational art units: Landscape, Portrait, Still Life, Non-Objective, Architecture, and Three-Dimensional Art.
    • Music: Emphasis is on developing singing voices, matching pitch, and movement to rhythm. Students begin building a collection of familiar songs and readiness for music literacy.
    • Physical Education: Students are introduced to basic motor skills such as skipping and throwing while learning movement concepts and spatial awareness.
    • Health: Students identify healthy snacks, practice proper handwashing, and learn about personal safety and hygiene.

    • English Language Arts: Students expand their reading and writing skills, building fluency and comprehension. They begin to write short narratives and informational pieces.
    • Math: Focus is on understanding addition and subtraction within 20, place value, and basic measurement concepts.
    • Science: Topics include animal behaviors, sky patterns, and the use of light and sound to communicate. Students investigate natural phenomena and engage in simple engineering challenges.
    • Social Studies: Students explore "My Family and Other Families, Now and Long Ago," learning about cultural diversity, citizenship, and basic economic principles.
    • Art: Students classify their world through art and compare images across settings and cultures, continuing work in the six foundational art units.
    • Music: Students enhance pitch matching and movement skills while beginning to recognize patterns in music and developing literacy readiness.
    • Physical Education: Emphasis is on fitness and motor skill development, with activities such as ball-handling and basic locomotor movements.
    • Health: Students learn about the five food groups, the importance of exercise, and methods for preventing the spread of germs.

    • English Language Arts: Students strengthen their reading comprehension and writing skills through focused units on informational and narrative texts.
    • Math: Focus includes base-10 notation, addition and subtraction fluency, measurement, and an introduction to shapes and their properties.
    • Science: Students study habitats, matter, and Earth's features, engaging in investigations like designing solutions to environmental challenges.
    • Social Studies: Students explore "My Community and Other Communities," learning about urban, suburban, and rural areas, government principles, and resource interdependence.
    • Art: Students explore personal interests through art and experiment with multiple approaches to design problems while continuing the six foundational units.
    • Music: Focus is on advanced rhythm movements, expressive singing, and readiness for music literacy through engaging activities.
    • Physical Education: Students develop fitness and coordination through activities such as striking and transferring weight in movement.
    • Health: Lessons emphasize nutrition, hygiene, and personal safety.

    • English Language Arts: Students delve into more complex texts and focus on writing opinion and research-based pieces. Critical thinking and analysis are emphasized.
    • Math: Students learn multiplication and division strategies, explore fractions, and develop an understanding of area and two-dimensional shapes.
    • Science: Topics include weather, climate, and life cycles. Students examine ecosystems, conduct experiments, and explore inheritance of traits.
    • Social Studies: Students study "Communities of the World," comparing cultures, governments, and economies while discussing human rights and social issues.
    • Art: Students elaborate on artistic expression and begin evaluating artwork while continuing work in the six foundational units.
    • Music: Students develop part-singing, vocal independence, and instrument skills like recorders and xylophones.
    • Physical Education: Students build on foundational locomotor and manipulative skills while enhancing teamwork and sportsmanship.
    • Health: Focus is on emotional health, nutrition, and substance abuse prevention.

    • English Language Arts: Students engage in analyzing texts across genres, refining writing skills, and developing strong research abilities.
    • Math: Focus is on multi-digit multiplication and division, understanding fractions, and classifying geometric figures.
    • Science: Students investigate energy, waves, and New York State's geological history through interactive projects and experiments.
    • Social Studies: Students study "New York State and Local History and Government," examining its geography, history, and civic principles.
    • Art: Students evaluate art within their community and revise their own work, continuing their exploration of the six foundational units.
    • Music: Emphasis is on music literacy, movement, and more advanced instrumental skills.
    • Physical Education: Students participate in team sports and lifelong physical activities such as swimming while refining skills such as balance and spatial awareness.
    • Health: Lessons focus on disease prevention, emotional wellness, and safety.

    • English Language Arts: Students master advanced reading and writing skills, preparing for middle school by engaging in in-depth literary analysis and research projects.
    • Math: Focus includes fraction operations, decimal fluency, and understanding volume and its applications.
    • Science: Students explore ecosystems, properties of matter, and Earth's systems through real-world applications like designing toys and addressing environmental challenges.
    • Social Studies: Students examine the "Western Hemisphere," studying its geography, history, cultures, and economies while making connections to modern issues.
    • Art: Students compare interpretations of artwork and generate their own artistic statements, continuing to refine their skills in the six foundational units.
    • Music: Students prepare for performances and deepen skills in choral and instrumental music.
    • Physical Education: Students enhance fitness and teamwork skills while also having opportunities to participate in intramural sports and swimming programs.
    • Health: Lessons focus on puberty education, substance abuse prevention, and personal safety.

District and NYS assessments

Gates Chili Central School District uses a comprehensive assessment system to support high-quality instruction and ensure all students are progressing toward learning goals. This system includes a variety of assessments—such as formative, summative, diagnostic and progress monitoring tools—administered throughout the year. Together, these assessments provide a well-rounded picture of each student’s growth and achievement.

By collecting and analyzing data on student learning, educators can adjust instruction, provide targeted support, and make informed decisions that help every student succeed. Assessments are not only a tool for measuring progress but also a framework for continuous improvement in teaching and learning.

In addition to district-based assessments, students also participate in state-required testing:

  • Grades 3-8: Students take New York State Assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math each spring. Students in grades 5 and 8 also take a Science assessment. Families will receive more information each spring before testing begins.

Together, these assessments help ensure that all students have the support and opportunities they need to thrive—both in school and beyond.

  • Classroom Formative

    What: Confirms that specific learning has taken place and provides data to inform instruction that follows

    Who: All students or small groups

    When: Ongoing throughout the school year

  • Universal Screening

    What: Identifies students in need of additional assistance in order to meet learning goals

    Who: All students

    When: 3-5 times per school year

  • Diagnostic Screening

    What: Pinpoints specific skill areas of need for individual students

    Who: Students/groups flagged by screening

    When: 2-3 times per school year

  • Progress Monitoring

    What: Evaluates progress toward learning targets per the rates of improvement for the specific skill being targeted by intervention

    Who: Students receiving Tier 2-3 interventions

    When: 1-4 times per month

  • Benchmark/Common Formative

    What: Measures students’ standards proficiency and identify needed instruction

    Who: All students

    When: 2-3 times per school year

  • Summative

    What: Evaluates, certifies, and/or grades learning at the end of a specific period of instruction

    Who: All students

    When: End of year, end of term or end of course

Student progress reports and conferences

Gates Chili progress reports are aligned to New York State Learning Standards. Achievement and effort scales reflect student progress toward state standards.

At the elementary level (grades K-5), progress reports are distributed three times per year via ParentSquare. Progress reports represent only one component of the district's system of assessment. Families in each elementary school community are encouraged to review school newsletters, classroom notes, teacher and school-based websites, and samples of student work to fully understand and support your student's growth as a learner. 

Parent/guardian conferences are held annually around the first-trimester mark (between November and December) so that parents/guardians can discuss how their student is adjusting to school, their academic progress and goals, and how families and teachers can partner to achieve these goals. Families can also request a parent-teacher conference anytime during the school year if they have any questions.