Early College High School

🐉🔥 READ THE EMBER! | ECHS Newsletter ❤️💛

Stay Connected. Stay Informed. Stay Dragon Strong!

The September–October 2026 edition of The Ember, the official newsletter of GCCS Early College High School, is here!

We invite our students, families, staff, and community members to catch up on the latest happenings at ECHS as we continue to celebrate learning, growth, and our Dragon community.

📖 Read the newsletter here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tOG1XhtO0--0zMOJka8rimTTn11iRW-z/view?usp=drive_link

📱 You can also scan the QR code on the flyer to access the newsletter.

🔥 Once a Dragon, Always a Dragon! 🐉

❤️ **HELP US HONOR OUR HEROES!** ❤️

The **Los Alamitos Middle School Student Council** is proud to support the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Field of Flags Donation Drive!

We are asking our wonderful GCCS families, friends, and community members to come together and help us honor the brave men and women who have served our country.

Every contribution is an opportunity to show our gratitude, recognize the sacrifices of our veterans, and remind them that their service will never be forgotten.

🚨 **WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! DONATE TODAY! ** 🚨

❤️ **YOUR DONATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE!** ❤️

**CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO MAKE YOUR ONLINE DONATION:**

🔗 https://support.dav.org/participant/Los-Alamitos-MS

⬆️**DONATIONS ARE ONLINE ONLY!**

Let's come together as a community, stand behind our veterans, and show them how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice!

❤️🤍💙 **HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED. REMEMBERING THEIR SACRIFICES. SUPPORTING OUR HEROES.**

#LosAlamitosMiddleSchool #StudentCouncil #DAVFieldOfFlags #SupportOurVeterans #ThankYouForYourService

📢 ATTENTION GCCS PARENTS, GUARDIANS & TEACHERS! Your participation makes a difference! Grants Cibola County Schools is asking families and teachers to complete the Federal Impact Aid Survey to help secure important federal funding that directly supports our students and schools. 💡 Why does it matter? Impact Aid funding helps support: 📚 Academic Programs 👩‍🎓 Student Support Services 🚌 Transportation 💻 Technology & Resources 🏃 Student Activities 📅 Important Dates: November 12, 2026: Surveys will be handed out. November 13, 2026: Completed surveys must be returned. 👩‍🏫 TEACHERS: Please encourage students to return their completed forms by the deadline. 👨‍👩‍👧 PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Please complete the survey forms and send them back with your students. Every completed survey helps GCCS receive funding that benefits ALL students! 📞 Questions? Contact Nolan P. Valdo at 505-285-2769. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in helping Grants Cibola County Schools provide the best possible opportunities for our students! ❤️💛💙 GCCS — Higher Expectations!

🏴‍☠️ GRANTS, IT’S TIME TO SHOW YOUR PIRATE PRIDE! 🏴‍☠️ The Grants Pirates are up for the KRQE Friday Night Football Spirit Stick – Week 12, and we need our community to help us bring it home! Let’s show everyone what Pirate pride looks like! We’re calling on all our students, families, alumni, staff, and supporters to take a moment and cast your vote. 🗳️ TWO EASY WAYS TO VOTE: 📱 Scan the QR code below! 💻 Vote online here: https://www.krqe.com/sports/friday-night-football/spirit-stick/spirit-stick-2026-week-12/#/gallery Share this post, spread the word, and encourage your friends and family to vote, too! Let’s pack the vote and show New Mexico what it means to be a Grants Pirate! ❤️🖤 GO PIRATES!

💻 PROTECT YOUR STUDENT'S DISTRICT COMPUTER! 🛡️ Grants-Cibola County Schools families, protect your student's district-issued computer with affordable device coverage! For just $40, coverage is available NOW! This is a great way to help protect your student's device and provide added peace of mind throughout the school year. ✅ Affordable protection ✅ Coverage available now ✅ Easy online signup 🌐 Sign up today! https://schooldevicecoverage.com/signup Don't wait until an accident happens! Protect your student's district computer today! #GCCS #GrantsCibolaCountySchools #DeviceProtection #GCCSFamilies

🏴‍☠️ PIRATE FANS, TAKE NOTE! 🏈 The road to the State Championship begins NOW! Join us in supporting our Grants Pirates as they take on Belen in the 2026 Nusenda Credit Union 4A Football State Playoffs – First Round! 📍 Grants @ Belen 📅 Friday, November 6, 2026 ⏰ Kickoff: 7:00 PM 🎟️ IMPORTANT TICKET INFORMATION! Tickets must be purchased ONLINE through GoFan. This is the ONLY way to purchase tickets for this game. 👉 Purchase your tickets here: https://gofan.co/event/7021417?schoolId=NM8093 🚨 NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE STADIUM! Please purchase your tickets in advance to avoid missing the action! Let's show our Pirate pride and cheer our team on to victory! ❤️🖤🏴‍☠️ ONCE A PIRATE, ALWAYS A PIRATE!

🧩✨ NMSU GRANTS CUBING WORKSHOP — ANYONE CAN JOIN! ✨🧩

Have you ever wanted to learn how to solve a Rubik’s Cube? Now is your chance! 🎉

Join NMSU Grants for a fun, hands-on 3-Day Cubing Workshop where instructors will guide you step by step in learning how to solve your very first cube! 🧠🎲

📅 November 18–20, 2026
⏰ 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
📍 NMSU Grants — Martinez Hall, Room 101

✅ Cubes and instruction sheets provided
✅ Snacks and refreshments included
✅ Open to anyone interested in learning!

⚠️ Limited seats available! Scan the QR code on the flyer to apply and reserve your spot.

📩 Questions? Contact: sscgrants@nmsu.edu
📞 (505) 287-6691

Challenge yourself, learn a new skill, and have fun along the way! 🧩💛

#NMSUGrants #CubingWorkshop #RubiksCube #LearnSomethingNew #AnyoneCanJoin

🐉🎓 Seniors and families: Registration is open for FAFSA Support Nights!

Join us for help creating FSA IDs, completing the FAFSA, understanding financial aid timelines, and planning for scholarships.

📅 Tuesday, November 3, 2026
🕠 5:30–7:00 PM

📅 Thursday, November 5, 2026 — Make-Up Session
🕠 5:30–7:00 PM

💻 What to bring:
• Student and parent Social Security numbers, if applicable
• FSA ID login information, if already created
• A laptop or Chromebook
• Your college financial aid questions

✅ Register here: https://forms.gle/tJXnXbnbejLp6pHR7

Take the next step toward your college goals. We encourage all seniors and their families to attend! ❤️💛

GCCS Grab & Go Lunches – Monday, October 26, 2026 Grants Cibola County Schools will provide Grab & Go lunches for students tomorrow, Monday, October 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pick-Up Locations: - Grants High School - Laguna-Acoma High School - Mesa View Elementary School - Milan Elementary School - Acoma Department of Education - San Rafael Elementary School - Bluewater Elementary School Convenient Vehicle Pick-Up: GCCS Student Nutrition staff will deliver lunches directly to your vehicle at GCCS locations. There is no need to exit your vehicle or enter the GCCS buildings. All GCCS students are encouraged to stop by a designated location, pick up a meal, and take advantage of this service.

GCCS Announces School Closure for Monday, October 26

Grants Cibola County Schools will be closed to students on Monday, October 26, due to the extreme weather conditions and significant rainfall the district has experienced over the past three days, along with the Governor’s declared state of emergency.

Out of an abundance of caution, the district is taking this step to prioritize the safety of our students, staff, and families. Concerns include compromised road conditions in our rural communities, potential utility disruptions, and continued safety risks throughout Cibola County.

Employee Reporting Expectations

All GCCS employees are expected to report to their assigned duty stations at their regularly scheduled times. However, employee safety remains a priority. If you are unable to travel safely due to road conditions or other weather-related hazards, please notify your immediate supervisor as soon as possible.

Student Meal Availability

GCCS will provide grab-and-go lunches at a designated school site within the district. The specific location and distribution times will be announced soon. Meals will be available for pickup only; no on-site dining will be provided.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of our families, employees, and community as we navigate these challenging weather conditions. The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families remain our highest priority.

Please continue to monitor official GCCS communication channels for updates and additional information.

🎃🍂 YOU’RE INVITED, GCCS FAMILIES! 🍂🎃 The Acoma Department of Education is excited to invite all Grants Cibola County Schools (GCCS) families to join us for a fun-filled Pumpkin Patch! 🧡 📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026 ⏰ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 📍 Pueblo of Acoma Community Center 🎃 FREE PUMPKINS! 🎃 Bring the family and enjoy a fantastic day of fall fun featuring: 🍁 Over 400 pumpkins 🎪 Vendors 🏰 Jump houses 🎨 Face painting 💉 Flu shots ℹ️ Information booths There’s something for everyone to enjoy! Bring your family, celebrate the season, and make wonderful fall memories with our community. 🧡🤎 We look forward to seeing our GCCS families there! 🍂🎃 #AcomaDepartmentOfEducation #GCCSFamilies #PumpkinPatch #FallFun #CommunityEngagement #GrantsCibolaCountySchools

💙💛 Happy National Principals Month! 💛💙 October is National Principals Month, and Grants Cibola County Schools is proud to celebrate our amazing principals and assistant principals! 🎉👏 Our school leaders play an essential role in creating positive learning environments, supporting our teachers and staff, inspiring our students, and building strong school communities. Their dedication, leadership, and commitment make a lasting difference in the lives of the students and families we serve. Today, we recognize and thank each of our outstanding leaders for the countless ways they go above and beyond every day. Your hard work, compassion, and leadership do not go unnoticed! 🌟 Thank you for your leadership and all you do for our students and staff! We appreciate you today and every day! Please join us in celebrating and showing appreciation for our incredible school leaders! 💙💛 #NationalPrincipalsMonth #ThankAPrincipal #GrantsCibolaCountySchools #SchoolLeadership #TogetherWeThrive

School Closure Notice – Today

All schools in Cibola County will be closed today due to flooding and unsafe road conditions. Many secondary roads are closed, while others remain muddy and hazardous. These conditions prevent some students and staff from safely reaching school and pose significant safety concerns for our school buses and families transporting students.

The safety of our students, families, and staff is our top priority. Thank you for your understanding. Please stay safe!

SCHOOL DISTRICT WEATHER NOTICE
Two-Hour Delayed Start – Friday, October 23, 2026

Out of an abundance of caution and due to anticipated weather conditions, the district will implement a two-hour delayed start for Friday, October 23, 2026.

All school bus routes will operate on a two-hour delay, consistent with the adjusted school start times.

The district will continue to monitor weather conditions and assess road conditions throughout the early morning hours, with particular attention to the safety and accessibility of our rural roads and bus routes. We will provide an update by 7:00 a.m. Friday regarding the status of school operations.

The safety of our students, staff, and families remains our highest priority. We appreciate your patience, understanding, and cooperation as we evaluate conditions and make decisions in the best interest of our school community.

Please monitor official district communication channels for further updates.

Thank you for your continued support, and please stay safe.

Community Weather Update: Tornado Watch

Out of an abundance of caution, and in response to a National Weather Service report of a tornado watch, we want to keep our families and community informed.

At this time, schools will remain on their regular schedule, and we will not be releasing students early. Parents and guardians who wish to pick up their students may do so at their discretion.

We will continue to closely monitor weather conditions and guidance from local weather authorities. Should conditions change or additional action become necessary, we will communicate updates to families and the community as promptly as possible.

The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

🏴‍☠️ GRANTS PIRATES POWERLIFTING IS LOOKING FOR ASSISTANT COACHES! 💪🔴⚫ Do you have a passion for strength, teamwork, and helping student-athletes reach their full potential? The Grants Pirates Powerlifting program is looking for dedicated Assistant Boys/Girls Powerlifting Coaches to join our team! 🏋️ What We're Looking For: ✅ Dedicated and willing to support offseason practices ❤️ Caring and passionate about our athletes and the sport 📅 Available Monday–Thursday, 3:45–5:30 PM 🎓 Able to obtain NMAA coaching certification Be part of a program that builds strength, character, discipline, and champions both on and off the platform! 📩 Interested? Contact Joshua Pacheco at Joshua.pacheco@gccs.k12.nm.us 📝 Ready to apply? Visit: https://www.gccs.k12.nm.us/page/quick-look-at-open-positions/ 🔥 Consistency Creates Champions! Let's build the future of Grants Pirates Powerlifting together! 🏴‍☠️💪 #GrantsPirates #PiratePowerlifting #CoachesWanted #StrongerTogether #ConsistencyCreatesChampions

📢 **LOCATION UPDATE: Indian Parent Advisory Committee (IPAC) Meeting**

Grants Cibola County Schools would like to inform families that the **IPAC Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2026, has been relocated to a different building.**

📅 **Date:** Wednesday, October 21, 2026
🕕 **Time:** 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 **NEW LOCATION:** Pueblo of Acoma Community Development Complex (Alvin Lewis Sr. Building)
📌 **Address:** 35 Pinsbaari Drive, Acoma Pueblo, NM 87034

💻 **This is a hybrid meeting!** Attend in person or join via Zoom by scanning the QR code on the flyer.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your flexibility and understanding. We look forward to seeing you there!

📞 Questions? Contact Nolan Valdo at **505-285-2769**.

#GrantsCibolaCountySchools #IPAC #ParentAdvisoryCommittee

📢 INDIAN PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (IPAC) MEETING Grants Cibola County Schools invites families to attend the upcoming Indian Parent Advisory Committee (IPAC) Meeting! We encourage parents and community members to join us and participate in this important opportunity to connect and share input. 📅 Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM 📍 Location: Pueblo of Acoma Tribal Auditorium 33B Pinsbaari Dr., Acoma Pueblo, NM 87034 💻 HYBRID MEETING: Attend in person or join via Zoom by scanning the QR code on the flyer. 📞 Questions? Please contact Nolan Valdo at 505-285-2769. We look forward to seeing you there! Thank you for your continued involvement and support of our students and families. 🧡 #GCCS #IndianParentAdvisoryCommittee #IPAC #FamilyEngagement #HigherExpectationsForEveryone