Dear Families & GCMS, 

As the holiday season approaches, our campus is filled with a special kind of warmth—the warmth that comes from learning together, supporting one another, and celebrating the many moments that make our school such a joyful place to be.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our parents and families for your continued partnership, trust, and encouragement. Your involvement, kindness, and unwavering support make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students every single day. We are truly grateful to share this journey with you.

To our incredible staff: thank you for your dedication, compassion, and hard work. Your commitment to our students goes far beyond the classroom. Through your creativity, patience, and care, you help shape not only strong learners, but kind and confident individuals. Our successes are a direct reflection of your efforts, and we are deeply appreciative of all that you do.

As we look ahead to the holidays, may this season bring you moments of peace, joy, and togetherness. We hope you find time to rest, reflect, and celebrate with those you hold dear. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for a bright new year.

From all of us at Guadalupe Centers Middle School, thank you for being such an important part of our school family.

With warm holiday wishes,

Luis Posada
Principal

Mil Gracias

Actions Taken:

Automated text (in English and Spanish) letting parents know the student is absent and to please call.  Include that students will be withdrawn once students reach 10 total absences. 

Texts will be tracked in the Infinite Campus Contact Log.

Actions Taken:

The Attendance clerk/secretary calls to find out if there are extenuating circumstances to schedule an in-person or over the phone/Zoom meeting with a FACE coordinator or Social Worker to conduct the Listening Interview. 

If needed, the Social Worker will schedule a meeting to create a plan of support to improve attendance. 

A Dated Letter of Concern will be sent via IC, reminding parents of the policy and letting them know that students will be dropped if they reach 10 absences.

Actions Taken:

When a student reaches 8 absences, the FACE coordinator or Social Worker will give the parent a courtesy call to alert them that students will be withdrawn from school if they reach the 10 absences in a semester. Offer additional support.

Students will be withdrawn after 10 cumulative days unless extenuating circumstances have been communicated to the school. After a student is withdrawn, they will have 5 days for records to be requested. If records are not requested, the school may need to make a report.

A withdrawal letter will be sent to parents via certified mail and uploaded in Infinite Campus.

Students who are dismissed/unenrolled during the final semester of the academic school year will lose their enrollment spot for the following school year.

*For High School Students: The student will not receive credit for any courses in which  they have more than 10 absences in a semester or less than 90% total attendance

Parents may appeal the decision if they have new documentation that may be relevant in reversing this decision. (Appeal Form)

👕 Students must be in uniform: navy blue, red, or white shirts with khaki or black pants.

🕗 School starts at 8:30 AM – don’t be late!

📱 Stay connected! Make sure you’re signed up for Talking Points and Infinite Campus.

Early Release Days

 January 28th, February 25th, March 12th, April 22nd, and May 13th.

Our PTO brings together parents, teachers, and staff to support our students and school community. We organize events, fundraisers, and volunteer opportunities that enrich student learning and strengthen school spirit. Everyone is welcome to join and make a positive impact at GCMS!

Looking for a fun and safe place for your kids after school? The Guadalupe Centers Rec Center offers tutoring, activities, snacks, recreation, and more! Drop-in hours are Monday–Friday, 3–6 PM.

Have questions? Call 816-876-4992.
A great space for students to learn, grow, and thrive!

 Discounted Haircuts for Guadalupe Staff & Students!

Give yourself a fresh new look this holiday season! Check out the flyer for days and times. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can book an appointment to save your spot.

Bonus: They’ll be available all winter break too! Don’t miss out on this festive treat!

We’re excited to share that all students who have been, or will be, selected as Student of the Month this school year will receive a T-shirt to celebrate their achievement!

Students may wear their Student of the Month T-shirt on Fridays to show their school pride. Thank you for your continued support in recognizing our students’ hard work and accomplishments!

Fall Book of the Break Challenge

We are incredibly proud of our Aztecs! Over 50 students participated in our Fall Book of the Break challenge, reading nearly 4,000 minutes over the break. This is a wonderful example of keeping learning and exploration alive outside the classroom.

All participating students earned a free dress-down day, and our top readers received AMC Theatres gift cards. One outstanding reader even earned a brand-new pair of headphones.

Thank you to all our students for showing that Aztecs are readers anytime, anywhere. Keep up the fantastic work, and keep turning those pages!

Blanket Donation Helps Keep Students Warm

We are grateful to Ms. Wynne’s cousin for generously donating a collection of blankets to our school. This thoughtful gift is helping to ensure our students stay warm and comfortable throughout the colder months.

Thank you to Ms. Wynne’s cousin for supporting our Aztec community and making a difference in the lives of our students.

 GCMS Staff Holiday Cheer at GCI!

Our amazing GCMS staff got into the holiday spirit at GCI! We had so much fun taking pictures with Santa Claus  and sharing our Christmas wishes. It was full of laughter, festive vibes, and holiday magic! 

Downtown KC Library Field Trip

The Downtown Kansas City Library always enjoys hosting Guadalupe students on their annual reward trips. This year, a group of 25 students who have shown exceptional enthusiasm for reading were selected to visit the Central Library in downtown KC.

During the trip, students enjoyed hot cocoa at Mildred’s, received a fascinating guided tour of the library led by a children and teen librarian, and had the opportunity to check out books to enjoy over Thanksgiving Break. The day concluded with a screening of Inside Out 2 in the library’s theater, which was formerly a bank vault.

One of the highlights of the tour was exploring the library archives detailing the history of Guadalupe Centers. A special shout-out goes to a curious 6th grader who asked a question that library staff had never received before—about the glass panel on the vault door. The staff are now investigating the mystery, and the 6th grade class will receive full credit if there’s an update!

We hope this rewarding experience continues to inspire a love of reading and storytelling in our students.

GCMS Staff Holiday Celebration

Our GCMS staff came together to celebrate the holiday season at our festive Holiday Party! We enjoyed a fun Secret Santa exchange, plenty of smiles and laughter, and cozy holiday vibes in Mrs. Lowstetter’s classroom, complete with warm hot chocolate. It was a joyful way to wrap up the semester and share appreciation for our amazing team!

Spirit Week Kicks Off with Winter Character Day!

Our school’s Spirit Week began today with Winter Character Day, and both students and staff brought the holiday cheer! From colorful, festive, and fun winter character outfits to creative accessories, the school is buzzing with holiday spirit.

Snow Survival Day
We celebrated Snow Survival Day, and our students did not disappoint! Kids came to school dressed in their coziest stay-at-home outfits—pajamas, slippers, blankets, and all things comfy. The day was filled with festive winter vibes and lots of school spirit as we continue counting down to winter break.

December & Half-Birthday Celebrations 

We are excited to celebrate our staff members with December birthdays as well as those enjoying their half-birthdays in June! 
Thank you for all you do for our school community each day. We hope this season brings you joy, celebration, and a little extra recognition. Please join us in wishing our staff members a very happy birthday—or half-birthday!

Ms. Ahmad

Mrs. Tobar

Mrs. Marroquin

Mr. Posada

Ms. Lowe

Mr. O'Sullivan

Mr. Holmes

Ugly Sweater Day at GCMS was a hit!

Students and staff came dressed in their most festive and fun ugly sweaters, bringing lots of holiday spirit to campus. From bright colors to creative designs, the sweaters did not disappoint! 

November Students of the Month – GCMS

We are proud to recognize our November Students of the Month for their outstanding behavior, academic effort, and Aztec pride. These students stand out for their responsibility, respect, and positive attitude both in and out of the classroom. Their dedication and commitment help strengthen our school community and set a great example for others.

Congratulations to our November Students of the Month. Thank you for representing GCMS with pride.

8th Graders at the High School

GCMS 8th graders recently visited our high school to get a firsthand look at what the next chapter will bring. During the visit, students learned about high school expectations, academics, activities, and the responsibilities that come with being a high school student.

This experience helped our students feel more confident and prepared as they begin planning for the transition to high school. Thank you to our high school staff and students for welcoming our Aztecs and helping make this a meaningful and informative visit.

Cooking Club Hot Dog Competition!

The Cooking Club had a sizzling time with their recent Hot Dog Competition! Students showcased their skills, creativity, and speed, making it an exciting event for everyone.

Congratulations to Jayvion, our winner, who took home a $20 QuikTrip gift card!

A big shoutout to all Cooking Club members for participating and making the competition such a success. We love seeing students learn, compete, and have fun!

Plaid & Flannel Day 
Lumberjack vibes took over campus as students and staff dressed in their best plaid and flannel. Check out the photos to see all the cozy style and school spirit on display! 

Candy Cane Day

Spirit Week continued with Candy Cane Day, filling the school with red-and-white style and festive cheer. Students and staff participated by wearing candy cane–inspired outfits, creating a fun and spirited atmosphere throughout the day. It was a great way to celebrate the season while showing school pride and spreading holiday joy.

Winter Movie Night Brings Cozy Cheer to GCMS 

Our campus was filled with warmth, joy, and holiday spirit during our Winter Movie Night!  Students gathered to enjoy a fun and cozy evening complete with a movie, hot chocolate, snacks, and sweet conchas—the perfect way to celebrate the season and unwind together.

The excitement continued with raffle prizes, bringing smiles and cheers throughout the night. Most of all, it was wonderful to see students laughing, connecting, and creating special memories in such a welcoming, festive atmosphere.

Thank you to our students, staff, and everyone who helped make this event such a success. Events like these remind us how special the GCMS community truly is. We look forward to more moments of togetherness as we head into the winter season! 

The Winter Staff Cart Spread Holiday Cheer!
Our Winter Staff Cart brought festive warmth to our amazing staff with tasty donuts, steaming hot coffee, and rich chocolate. To make it even merrier, a speaker filled the air with holiday music! Thank you for all your hard work—you make everyday brighter!

GCMS BAND OUTING — INSPIRATION & HOLIDAY CHEER! 

Our GCMS Band recently enjoyed a memorable after-school outing that combined learning, inspiration, and festive fun!

The evening began with a special dinner attended by local business professionals, community leaders, and lawyers. Our students had the unique opportunity to ask meaningful questions about high school experiences, career paths, and lessons learned along the way. Conversations were thoughtful, engaging, and full of real-world insights—giving our students inspiration and guidance for their own futures.

After dinner, the band headed to the Kansas City Repertory Theatre for a delightful performance, complete with hot chocolate and cookies. It was the perfect cozy and festive way to end an evening full of learning, music, and holiday spirit.

We are incredibly proud of our GCMS Band students for representing our school with curiosity, professionalism, and cheer. This outing was a wonderful example of how learning extends beyond the classroom!

GCMS Winter Concert Recap

The GCMS Winter Concert was a festive success! Our students showcased their musical talents through a variety of seasonal and winter-inspired selections, spreading joy and holiday cheer throughout the evening.

Thank you to our music teachers for their dedication, our students for their hard work, and our families for their continued support. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the season and the talent of our GCMS Aztecs.

1/7: GCMS vs. Frontier @ 5pm

1/10: GCMS vs. KIPP @ 9am

1/14: GCMS vs. Paseo @ 5pm

1/17: GCMS vs. ACP @ 11am

1/22: GCMS vs. Crossroads @ 4:15pm

1/24: GCMS vs. FLA @ 9am

1/31: GCMS vs. Lafayette @ 11am 

2/2: KC Metro First Round

2/4: Second Round TBD

2/7: Final Four/Championship TBD

1/7: GCMS vs. Frontier @ 6pm

1/10: GCMS vs. KIPP @ 10am

1/14: GCMS vs. Paseo @ 6pm

1/15: GCMS vs. St. Vincents @ 6pm 

1/17: GCMS vs. ACP @ 12pm

1/24: GCMS vs. FLA @ 10am

           GCMS vs. Hogan @ 12pm

1/31: GCMS vs. Lafayette @ 12pm

2/2: KC Metro First Round

2/4: Second Round TBD

2/7: Final Four/Championship TBD

December 3rd, 2025

Our girls’ basketball team brought home an impressive win against Tolbert, demonstrating outstanding teamwork and energy on the court.

The boys’ team also played a strong game, showing heart, hustle, and excellent sportsmanship from start to finish.

Our cheerleading squad deserves recognition as well—their spirit, dedication, and nonstop energy kept the crowd motivated throughout the games.

We are so proud of all our athletes. Keep up the great work!

December 11th, 2025

Our GCMS girls basketball team continues to shine with an impressive victory over Crossroads — 30–10! Another exciting win for our Lady Aztecs!

The team showed incredible heart, teamwork, and determination from start to finish. We are so proud of their effort, sportsmanship, and growing confidence this season. 

Go Aztecs!! 

December 6th, 2025

What an incredible start to the season! Our students showed determination and skill at their first meet ever.

3rd Place Finishers:

Romeo A.

Oldrin Z.

Marcelo R.

1st Place Champion:

Alex G. — outstanding performance!

We are so proud of all our wrestlers for their hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship. Keep up the great work, team!

December 12th, 2025

Our wrestling team is showing incredible dedication and skill this season! With every match, our wrestlers demonstrate hard work, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Their commitment to improvement both on and off the mat is inspiring, and we are proud of the determination they bring to every practice and competition. Keep up the great work—our team is making a name for themselves and representing our school with pride!

We’re excited for all that’s ahead this school year. Thank you for being a part of our school community. Don’t forget to follow us on our Facebook page and check our website for updates!