Geneseo CUSD #228 - Where the future grows.

Congratulations to the Northside Students of the Month for December. These students have been fantastic leaders and role models. We will be celebrating with a Student of the Month breakfast on Friday, January 9th. Keep up the great work, we are proud of you!!!

Snow and frigid temperatures were no match for our GMS 7th grade boys basketball teams as they brought the heat; hosting their annual tournament at the GFAC today. It was an AMAZING day of hoops by our LEAFS players, coaches, parents, and staff!!! A special thank you to the GHS athletic trainer and custodial team for their support to make the event successful.

Geneseo Middle School social work, life skills, and counseling teammates hosted a sensory-friendly "Jingle Jam" Dance that brought together general education and special education students in a celebration of inclusion. From creating artwork and holiday decorations, to preparing treats, everyone came together to help make the Jingle Jam a memorable experience that will likely become an annual tradition. Lots of FUN, FOOD, and DANCING for everyone involved! Way to go Mrs. Woulf and Mrs. Hogue!!!

The GHS Student Council recently hosted a charity Boys Volleyball Game—Toy Drive. They collected new toys to benefit Foster Hope’s Annual Shopping for Siblings event. Thank you to all who participated, attended and donated, your generosity is greatly appreciated.

The Penguin Patch Holiday Shop is open December 9 and December 10 in the Millikin cafeteria from 4:00-7:00. This is a fun and festive shopping experience where children can pick out holiday gifts for family and friends. There are items available for purchase as low as $0.50. Thank you to Mrs. Shehorn and the Millikin PTA for leading this wonderful opportunity.

This past weekend GMS hosted the 8th Annual Eric Dietrich Memorial Boys Basketball Shootout. This event honors Eric, a student leader at GMS who passed away before his 8th grade year in 2018. This year the event raised $5,500 in raffles and donations for the Make-A-Wish Foundation! We're so thankful for this incredible outpouring of support and giving by the GMS and Geneseo Communities. We're also thankful for Joyce and Shane Dietrich, Eric's parents, for all they do to organize and put on this amazing fundraising event each year.

It's that time of year already, time for sleigh rides, hot coco, delicious cookies, and the family favorite, Holiday Concerts! GMS 7th and 8th grade bands and choirs warmed up the season with a phenomenal performance in front of a packed house. Tis the Season!

The GFAC was packed today for the 8th Annual Eric Dietrich Memorial Shootout. 8th grade boys basketball took on schools from around the region, while the Dietrich family raised money for the Make a Wish Foundation. Thank you to all those that made this day possible! #BeLEAF

Snow & cold didn't slow down GMS students or staff after the break this week. 8th grade students were crushing their wellness goals in PE, 6th grade students learned about how their fundraising efforts will help them travel to Medieval Times at the end of the school year, GMS Ag club students got to meet an Illinois State FFA officer - Reporter Ethan Bremmer, and 6th graders had their Ancient Greek "Athenian Democracy" simulation. Stay warm, safe, and hyped for the BIG December "6-7" weekend!!!

Geneseo CUSD #228 and the Geneseo Police Department are excited to partner once again for our annual toy and gift drive! We’re collecting toys to help make the holidays brighter for youth in grades K–12. Learn more about the drive dates and drop-off locations: https://www.geneseoschools.org/page/coming-up-athletics-and-extracurriculars

We have been embracing the snow at Millikin this week! If you could use assistance acquiring winter gear for your child, please don't hesitate to reach out to your school's social worker.

We’re grateful today and every day to be in such an incredible community. Wishing our students, families, and staff a warm and restful Thanksgiving!

With a break on the horizon, GMS students have been busy with the following: - 7th grade ELA students in their Socratic seminars sharing their research about child labor - 6th grade ELA Ingenuity students taking down the chain they engineered and decorated the hallway with - 6th grade ELA students playing Clue as they wrap up their "Westing Game" novel unit - 8th grade FACS students preparing their masterpieces for their cake decorating contest - GMS counselors presenting information about the elective courses 8th grade students will learn about - 6th grade ELA Ingenuity students programming sphere robots - A last hurrah for the "MACHINE SHED" at last weekend's playoff game GMS students and staff wish you all a FANTASTIC FRIDAY and hope everyone has a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING break next week!!!

8th graders experienced their first taste of high school today as they met with teachers and students from GHS from elective classes. In the next two months they will already be selecting classes for their freshman year. It goes fast!

We love ending the week with 4th grade reading buddies coming into Kindergarten classes. They do a great job modeling learning behavior!

Lifeskills students had a wonderful field trip to Autistic and Loved. What an outstanding place for any student to visit. Our students had a blast and can't wait to go back again. What a great day of excitement and joy. Thank you Autistic and Loved for your hospitality.

GMS students and staff have been learning, understanding, and growing recently. Students in Mrs. Strohm's 8th grade Family and Consumer Science classes visited preschool students at Northside to cap off their child development unit. 6th grade students in Mrs. George's ELA Ingenuity classes tested their boat designs. And 7th grade students in ELA classes with Mrs. Haars discussed the risks of teens "following their dreams" during their Socratic seminars.

GMS celebrates and appreciates our Veterans. This week students created Veteran Stars to honor family and friends who served in our Armed Forces, met with Veterans for Q&A, analyzed political cartoons, wrote thank you cards, and more. We thank you Veterans, for your service!

GHS Parents & GHS Students: We're thrilled to share that we’re heading to Costa Rica in Summer 2027, and we’d love for your student to join us!

This is an incredible opportunity for students to explore new places, experience different cultures, and gain lifelong skills like independence and confidence. All the details, including what we’ll see and do, hands-on learning activities, academic opportunities, estimated departure dates, trip costs, and how to secure a spot will be shared at an informational meeting on December 7. Learn more and RSVP for the meeting: https://www.geneseoschools.org/page/coming-up-athletics-and-extracurriculars