Good luck to our basketball teams tonight!

Graphic created by Yearbook student, Peighton T.
2 months ago, ERICA WALSH
Graphic with a basketball in the background that says: Giles Creek Middle School - Game Day. January 20, 2026 at 4 PM. 8th grade is home agains Elkhorn North Ridge. 7th grade is away at Elkhorn North Ridge.

Gretna Public Schools educators participated in a districtwide Professional Development Day featuring breakout sessions on instruction, technology, wellness, and leadership, concluding with a keynote by Stephen Mackey on school culture and educator impact. Read more at https://www.gpsne.org/article/2642761 #BeGretnaGreat

2 months ago, Gretna Public School District
Superintendent Travis Lightle and Former Board Member David Gulizia speaking to GPS staff about negotiations
Four GPS Administration staff sitting in classroom waiting for teachers to attend their breakout session during GPS PD Day
teachers in front of classroom acting out different words and phrases
GPS staff on PD day spinning clay
GPS staff sitting in classroom learning for PD day
GPS staff on PD day learning coaching techniques
Speaker Stephen Mackey talking to GPS staff about what makes you different?
GPS staff sitting in a classroom learning on PD day
Mike Sortino speaking to GPS staff at PD day
Our next session of winter sports are up and running! Good luck to the GCMS Girls Basketball Teams and the GCMS Boys Wrestlers!
3 months ago, AMY TASICH
A group of boys sit in a circle on a wrestling mat, watching two male wrestlers in the center. A coach is instructing.
Girls are practicing basketball in a gym.
Girls are practicing basketball in a gym.
7th grade students worked with Ms. Walsh in their Science classes on stop motion animation. 4th hour even had both sections in the library at the same time!
3 months ago, AMY TASICH
Students sit at tables looking at a TV projecting the videos. In the background another class is following along with a different TV projecting the same video.
Students sit at tables looking at a TV projecting the videos. In the background another class is following along with a different TV projecting the same video.
Congrats to the cast and crew of our production of Annie last night! Everyone did great!
4 months ago, AMY TASICH
There are a group of student actors on a stage. There is a man sitting in front of the stage playing the music.
There are a group of student actors on a stage. There is a man sitting in front of the stage playing the music.
There are a group of student actors on a stage. . There is a man sitting in front of the stage playing the music.
There are a group of student actors on a stage. Some are seated, some are standing, and one is in a wheelchair. There is a man sitting in front of the stage playing the music.
6th grade students in Ms. Stenger's Science class worked to see who could build the tallest free standing snowman with the given supplies.
4 months ago, AMY TASICH
A group of 4 students are smiling at the camera. They are standing at their desks and have a blue paper tower in the middle.
A group of 4 students are smiling at the camera. They are standing at their desks and have a blue paper tower in the middle.
A student stands on a chair next to a group of desks and other students. They are measuring their paper tower.
A student stands on a chair next to a group of desks and other students. They are measuring their paper tower.
Students in a classroom are gathered around desks. They have paper and measuring sticks out to try to build a tower.

Attention: We Are Hiring School Bus Drivers!

Our school district is looking for caring, dependable individuals to help transport our students safely to and from school each day.

If you enjoy working with children and want a meaningful role in your community, we’d love to have you on our team! Apply at www.gpsne.org

4 months ago, Gretna Public School District
Gretna Public Schools logo with photo of school bus "We Are Hiring - Drivers Part-Time 20+ Hrs per week CDL & Non CDL 19.60-29.40 Per Hour High Quality Vehicles Vehicle Technology Paid Training PTO & Sick Leave Apply at GPSNE.ORG
6th grade had a Battle of the Books! Kids formed teams, read the books, and then battled it out during lunch. Also, special thanks to the Gretna Public Schools Foundation-their classroom grant purchased new titles for the competition!
4 months ago, AMY TASICH
Five girls stand with each other smiling at the camera. They are in a classroom.
Five girls huddle at the back of a table. They are eating their lunch and discussing an answer. One is writing on a marker board.
Three boys are standing by a table. The one in the middle has a marker board. They have lunch trays and food in front of them.
Five girls sit around a table with their lunch trays. They are writing on a small marker board.
Four male students stand by a table with lunch trays and food on it. They are looking up and one is holding a small marker board.
Dr. Kendra Schneider Named New Director of Special Education
Gretna, NE – December 9, 2025

Gretna Public Schools is thrilled to announce Dr. Kendra Schneider as the new Director of Special Education, effective July 1, 2026, following Paul Duin’s retirement. Dr. Schneider has served as Assistant Director since 2021, leading program supervision, compliance, and professional learning initiatives.

“I’m extremely excited to serve as the Director of Special Education for Gretna Public Schools,” Dr. Schneider said. “Paul Duin has been an incredible mentor, and I’m honored to build upon the strong foundation and high-quality programs established by him and Deb Siemers, the previous Director of Special Education. I look forward to working alongside our talented special education team, collaborating with families, and ensuring every student receives the support they need. Gretna Public Schools’ commitment to excellence in special education is evident, and I’m eager to contribute to our continued growth and success.”

Superintendent Travis Lightle added, “We are excited to announce Dr. Schneider as our new Director of Special Education. Her leadership over the last five years has led to positive changes in our district, and our department’s retention rate remains the envy of the state because of it. Dr. Schneider’s experience and genuine dedication to Gretna Public Schools make her the ideal person to continue advancing our programs.”

Dr. Schneider brings more than 20 years of experience in special education and also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She holds a Doctorate and two Master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska and is actively involved in statewide initiatives advancing special education.
4 months ago, Gretna Public School District
photo of Kendra Schneider and text reading New Director of Special Education
Good luck to our basketball teams!

Graphic created by Yearbook student, Kennadi B.
4 months ago, ERICA WALSH
Graphic with text at the top stating: Game Day, Tuesday, December 9th at 4:00PM.to the right is a picture of a basketball player dribbling with his back to the camera. Below the text is the GCMS logo and the Elkhorn Middle School log. Below that is smaller text that says 7th grade: Home game @ Giles Creek, 8th grade: Away game @ Elkhorn Middle.
Our Social Studies department head, Mr. Hasty, traveled to Capitol Hill last week for the 105th NCSS Annual Conference. We’re proud to have him representing GCMS and bringing back ideas to strengthen our team.
4 months ago, RON GROSS
Mr. Hasty at Capitol Hill
Mr. Hasty in DC
Mr. Hasty with Carl Azuz
It's been a fun and wonderful 10 weeks for the members of Sign Club. This past Monday we celebrated our last meeting with a Popcorn Party and Sign Bingo. We also had a competition to create encouraging posters, using ASL, that will be posted around the school. Thanks to all who submitted their artwork! There are some very creative students in our club. Students voted for their top three favorites. The winners received a small prize and had their creation laminated and printed in poster size, which are now hanging up around our school. Congratulations!
Mrs. Oliva is grateful for all the students who came willing to learn and she is looking forward to sponsoring Sign Club again next year.
4 months ago, AMY TASICH
Students sit at desks in a U-shape playing bingo.
Students sit at desks in a U-shape playing bingo.
Three female students hold up posters for sign language club.
A group of 10 female student stand in front of a black bulletin board. It reads "All Are Welcome" in sign language. They are signing.
A group of five student sit at desks playing bingo.
Pizza day in FCS!
4 months ago, AMY TASICH
Two male students stand in front of an oven that has an unbaked pizza on it. They are smiling at the camera and the one on the left has his thumbs up.
Two male students stand in front of an oven that has an unbaked pizza on it. They are smiling at the camera.
Some of the 8th grade AEP students today took some time to hang out in the gym and the weight room!
4 months ago, AMY TASICH
Five male students are in a weight room. One boy with a blue shirt is giving another boy (in a red shirt) a high five.
Two male students are in a gymnasium. They are tossing the ball back and forth.
Kindness Club decorated Kindness Cookies this week!
4 months ago, AMY TASICH
Two female students stand by a round table with cookies and frosting on it. They are holding a cookie and a jar of frosting and are smiling at the camera.
Five female students sit at a round table. All of them are smiling at the camera. They have cookies in front of them and bowls of frosting and are starting to decorate them.
Taco Tuesday in FCS at Giles Creek!
4 months ago, AMY TASICH
A female student sits at a table with a hard shell taco in her hand. She is smiling at the camera.
A male student stands at a table and adds sour cream to a soft shell taco.
Four female students are at a circular table holding plates and adding lettuce to their tacos.
Two male students stand in a kitchen setting and hold plates of tacos.
A group of 4 female students stand in a kitchen and hold plates of tacos to the camera.
A male student sits at a table and is holding a taco up to the camera.
Two female students sit at a table with tacos on a plate between them.
Good luck to our basketball teams!
4 months ago, ERICA WALSH
Graphic with text stating: Basketball game. There is a Giles Creek logo and a Bennington South Middle School logo below it and then more text stating: Giles Creek vs. Bennington South on Tuesday, December 2nd at 4PM. 8th grade at GCMS and 7th grade at BSMS.
We are wrapping up our gratitude series by saying a huge thank you to all of you—the students and families we serve at GCMS! Thank you for all you do. Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
4 months ago, ERICA WALSH
Graphic with clipart of fall leaves and berries on the sides. In the middle is text stating: Happy Thanksgiving from the GCMS Staff with the GCMS logo below it.
Today, we want to recognize our hard-working Photography Club students! Thank you for reflecting on your gratitude, taking such wonderful pictures, and creating these heart-warming posts all month long!
4 months ago, ERICA WALSH
Background photo of fall leaves. On top of that is a polaroid-style frame with a photo of four photography club students inside of it. Students in the picture are holding up their photography club staff badges. Below the image is text stating: Photography Club.
Huge congrats to GCMS 8th grader, Emma Sanfilippo, on earning a spot in the NCDA Singing Youth of Nebraska Honor Choir!
4 months ago, ERICA WALSH
Photo of 8th grade student, Emma Sanfilippo, who was selected for honor choir. The photo shows her from the shoulders up with her hair in a ponytail.