GFW Public Schools

GFW Elementary will once again have Amity Institute Interns for the 2025-26 school year, and we need some help in hosting an intern from Spain. If you are interested, reach out to Jennifer Thompson at jennifer.thompson@gfwschools.org to learn more and get connected.

Check out the story from the 2024-25 school year to learn more about the Intern program and check out our last intern's thoughts about cold weather and small town living: https://www.gfwschools.org/article/2151972

Are you already fired up to get some back-to-school shopping done? If so, the supply lists are available on the district website! https://www.gfwschools.org/documents/supply-lists/438746

Families in Sibley County can attend MVAC's 3rd Annual Sibley County Backpack Community Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 13 from 2-5:30 p.m. There will be lots of resources for families available! Check out the flyer for full information.

Don't forget about the summer hours for the GFW Community Bus! The bus will be open from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Tuesdays at the following locations depending on the week. 1st Tuesday - Fairfax 2nd Tuesday - Gibbon 3rd Tuesday - Winthrop 4th Tuesday - No Bus Regular hours will return in September

🎶 PARENTS OF INCOMING 6th GRADERS 🎶 This fall, your child will get the exciting opportunity to choose between Band, Choir, or BOTH as part of their 6th grade experience! Just in case the informational handout given in May didn't make it home, here are the details! If your child is interested in joining band, we’d love to help you learn more. Check out the details here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_pNJoC9tzNESHm5IFoJjnzRbRXlSvSK-/view?usp=drive_link Next steps: Fill out this quick Google Form for student information and instrument selection (first and second choice): https://forms.gle/QtHdP7G1o6E6kJPRA Or email Mr. Berg directly at: nicholas.berg@gfwschools.org Not sure what instrument is the right fit? Let the U.S. Army Field Band walk you through all the band instruments in this awesome demo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCTeSjpDsIs I will reach out mid-July with instrument purchase/rental information. I’m so excited to meet our new 6th grade musicians this fall — let’s make some music together! Spread the word to other parents of incoming 6th graders! — Mr. Berg 🎵

Come check out Frozen Kids tonight (Friday, June 20) at 6:30 at GFW High School to see our talented Summer Arts Camp students! There is a $5 admission. This is a great opportunity, don't "let it go!"

Students attending Spanish Summer Camp at GFW Elementary School had a great first day! Mr. Manuel, Dani Jo and Ms. Cecilia helped the students fill their alebrije with glue and colored sand or colored rice. Ms. Maldonado told them the legend of the alebrije (stories that we make up with fictitious animals) and they went out to play with canicas (marbles) and danced to mariachi music.

Check out the latest Standard-Gazette & Messenger for a look at how the GFW Pioneer Express FFA spent their time at the MN State FFA Convention!

Good luck to Annie Wersal who is participating in the MSHSL State Discus competition this afternoon! You've got this!

This is what it looks like when your staff supports each other!

Here are just a few photos from the incredible celebration of the class of 2025. It was an incredible night of encouraging students as they pursue their futures and we are so proud!

The 33 colleges and universities of Minnesota State will waive application fees during “Minnesota State Week,” set for June 23-27, 2025. It’s a great time for your students who haven’t decided what they will do after graduation to explore one or more of the 54 campuses of Minnesota State. More information is available at https://www.minnstate.edu/minnstatewk/

GFW staff were able to celebrate years of service milestones along with our two retirees! A huge congratulations and thank you to the folks below (not all are pictured). 5 YEARS Lindsay Berdan Julie Fischer Pam Roth Brittany Schroeder 10 YEARS Shelby Hartmann Curtis Olson Dave Sellner Amy Ten Eyck 15 Years Dave Busch Rachel Vait 25 YEARS Rich Busse Ryan Jacobson Bob Vrklan Wade Werner RETIREES Carolee Alfred - 33 Years Paul Froemming - 36 Years

Congratulations to Paul Froemming who will be retiring after 36 years of service to GFW! We were honored to celebrate his dedication to our students, schools, and community.

We all know that a school is more than a school. It makes an impact on every person who is part of its history. Before the end of the school year at GFW Elementary School, every student and staff member left their mark. We are thankful for everything so far and are so excited about what comes next!

Today was a bittersweet day at GFW Elementary School! Mr. Werner took a photo and shared some thoughts: For over 80 years, these walls have held the laughter of children, the guidance of teachers, and the spirit of our communities growing together. PE Classes, holiday programs, talent shows, spelling bees, graduations, indoor recess on rainy days, school photos, sporting events, proms, and pep fest. Today, we gathered in this beloved space—not just to say goodbye to a building, but to honor the memories, milestones, and magic made within it. As we step into a new chapter, we carry the heart of this place with us!

We are excited to celebrate the GFW High School Class of 2025 at Graduation on Saturday, May 31!

GFW Students are officially sliding into summer!

GFW Elementary School celebrated all of their hard work at the T-Bird Way End of the Year celebration yesterday!

Congratulations to Carolee Alfred who is retiring after 33 years of service to GFW Public Schools! She had quite the cheering section yesterday.