Galena Unit School District #120

Thank you to the Dubuque Arts Council for bringing Roger Day and his program "Marsh Mud Madness" to GEMS today. Students had fun with the interactive songs about animals, habitats, ecosystems and more!

Coming soon! https://youtu.be/qo4L6PCif7I This week, we opened bids for the GHS construction project and the board will be officially accepting bids to get started on the project at the beginning of March. Please see an overall timeline of the beginning of the project: February 6-bids opened February 18- board approval and contracts signed March 3-Upper GHS parking lot fenced off March 10 asbestos abatement in gym and smaller items March 24-28 (Spring break)- demolition of gym The purpose of this communication is to offer any items to the community for sale. Here are the items available: https://galenaunitsdil.sites.thrillshare.com/page/items-for-sale In full transparency, there is no way to know if the 1957 gym floor will be damaged as we cut and pull it up, if the signs will come cleanly off the wall, etc. Any reserved items would have to be removed and hauled away by you. Most importantly, the window between asbestos abatement and demolition is very short so you would have to get the reserved items out the week of March 3rd and there are no exceptions to this so that we can move forward on the construction schedule. Anything you request is not guaranteed until I reach out directly to confirm with you. We will likely have multiple opportunities to get rid of things we no longer need as we make this transition so there will be more opportunities. Tim Vincent Superintendent Galena Unit School District

Due to the winter storm warning for tomorrow, Galena Unit School District will be having a virtual learning day on Wednesday, February 12th. Stay safe!

Due to dangerous wind chills and Extreme Cold Warning through noon tomorrow, January 21, Galena Schools will have a traditional cancellation--no virtual learning. All school practices and extracurricular events are still on as scheduled as it will warm up significantly throughout the day. Stay warm and Safe! Tim Vincent, Superintendent

Pirate Pantry OPEN Wednesday December 18th 5-6:30. Stock up for your Holiday meals! Enter at the rear of the old Primary School. Contact Heidi O'Shea 815-246-2295 for questions or for an appointment at an alternate time.

Please take a few minutes to participate in the City of Galena’s comprehensive planning process. Scan the QR code below or visit cityofgalena.org and click on the ‘Comprehensive Plan’ link to take part in an online survey and online mapping exercise.

GEMS had an exciting morning of team building activities! Thank you to Mrs. Lange and Mrs. Nack for organizing these fun events and to our staff and volunteers who helped!

ATTN: Galena and Jo Daviess County Residents! 📣 Take the Resident Sentiment Survey to share your views on tourism, and you might just win a $1,000 Galena Country Getaway. Deadline is TODAY—don’t miss out! Click here to take survey: https://bit.ly/40ScY9l

Congratulations to Mrs. Stumpf who is in our GEMS Staff Spotlight this week!

Share your thoughts on tourism in #GalenaCountry! Your feedback helps shape a balanced, community-centered approach to tourism. As a thank-you, you’ll be entered to win a $1,000 Galena Country Getaway. Survey closes Nov. 26—take a few minutes to make a big impact! Click here to take survey: https://bit.ly/40ScY9l

Galena and Jo Daviess County residents, your opinion matters! Help shape the future of tourism in our community by taking the Resident Sentiment Survey. Plus, you could win a $1,000 Galena Country Getaway! Survey closes Nov. 26—don’t miss out! Click here to take survey: https://bit.ly/40ScY9l

Come support the Pirate sendoff Saturday morning!

Galena Community, Staff, and Pirate Families- On behalf of the Galena School District, we would like to express our deepest gratitude for your support in approving the recent high school referendum. As you may know, the unofficial election results show that voters have approved the Galena High School referendum 1352 votes (65.09%) to 721 votes (34.91%). Thank you for trusting our school district and for taking the time to participate in yesterday's election. The voter turnout nearly doubled the percentage of the county and the primaries across the state. We understand that this decision was not made lightly, and we are humbled by the overwhelming support that we have received from the Galena community. Your generosity and commitment to our schools have demonstrated your understanding of the importance of education and the future of Galena High School. The much-needed improvements will create safe and more functional learning spaces at our high school and extend the useful life of existing facilities. Using referendum and District funds, the school will benefit from security and safety upgrades, accessibility improvements, renovations, and a classroom addition that will connect the recently-completed GEMS building with the future GHS building. We appreciate the community’s investment, and we understand our responsibility to use these funds wisely. We will continue to work diligently to ensure that every dollar is spent in the best interest of our students and our community. Thank you for all that you do - and have always done - to support the students of the Galena School District. Sincerely, Galena School District Board of Education and Tim Vincent, Superintendent https://youtu.be/xV0vjlY6YjU

Pirate Familes and Staff- All Galena students and staff will be on a 2 hour delay due to forecasted freezing rain tomorrow morning and morning Pre-K is canceled. The normal bus times and all start times are pushed back 2 hours. I'm sorry for the inconvenience but we want to keep our student drivers and busses safe in the morning; also to give families time for arrangements. Take your time in the morning tomorrow! Tim Vincent Superintendent Galena Unit School District #120

Good evening Staff and Families- Due to expected ice, snow, and rain tomorrow morning Galena students will be e-learning on Tuesday, January 23. Please look for an email from teachers and principals about procedures, which will be similar to previous weather events. As of now, extracurricular games and practices are on as scheduled but you will hear by noon if anything is canceled in the afternoon or evening. Stay safe! Tim Vincent Superintendent Galena Unit School District #120

The Galena School District and the Galena Education Foundation have partnered to provide the community an opportunity to nominate successful Galena Alumni for the Pirate Pride Award. The mission of the Pirate Pride Award is to recognize graduates who have impacted society in a positive manner through their outstanding accomplishments and contributions. Recognition for graduates (out of school a minimum of 10 years) is based on their contributions, accomplishments, and impact in life after graduation through any of the following areas: Community, State, National or World Impact Professional Careers Military Service Humanitarian Contributions Leadership Positions/Actions Intercollegiate Accomplishments Lifetime Achievements Contributions and accomplishments to the school district More information about the criteria and process may be found in the document below. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ervVWSdyF27-ysF-okd5Ja2fqGyhQRMdg18Ay9p6Mdk/edit To nominate a deserving candidate electronically for this award, please complete the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1hupJe9WWNmMa1lqB9w5PwOy3gvz5QxNojjUBqa_u6fM/edit Please consider nominating deserving alumni!

We are thrilled to announce that we were named the Non-Profit Business of the Year at the Galena Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner last night! Thank you to everyone who makes Galena Unit School District #120 such a special place.

Galena School District Students and Staff will be e-learning tomorrow, Tuesday January 16th, due to frigid and dangerous weather conditions. Wind chills will be -33 in the morning and not safe for students to be waiting for busses. Stay safe and warm!

Due to forecasted weather conditions, Galena School District will be e-learning tomorrow, January 12th for the scheduled half day of student attendance. All district buildings will be closed all day tomorrow. Enjoy your long weekend and see you Tuesday. Be safe!

The kindergarten class took a trolley ride through town to learn about the Galena community. The ride was the culminating activity of their research projects and the kids were excited to see everything they have been researching. Thank you to the Galena Trolley Depot!