Message From The Director

 Dear South Metro GNETS Families,

As we enter the holiday season, I want to take a moment to celebrate the many accomplishments we’ve achieved together during the 2025–2026 school year. This has been a time of growth, innovation, and strengthened partnerships—each contributing to the success of our students. We are especially excited about our expanded collaborations with our Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in Clayton and Henry Counties, which have enhanced instructional support and alignment across programs. Our students are engaging in supplemental academic tools such as Amira and other platforms that promote continuous academic growth. Teachers are also collaborating with colleagues in traditional school settings to ensure instruction remains consistent with district expectations and reflects best practices in education.

Beyond academics, our commitment to the whole child remains strong. We continue to offer
robust therapeutic services—including Art, Music, Equine, and Talk therapies—while our social workers provide individualized and group support sessions that nurture social and emotional development. Our recent implementation of LiftEd as our primary behavior data collection tool has further strengthened the reliability and effectiveness of our behavioral supports, allowing us to make more precise, data-informed decisions that benefit our students.

As we celebrate this season of reflection and gratitude, I want to thank our families, staff, and community partners for their continued dedication. Together, we are creating supportive, enriching environments where every student can learn, grow, and thrive.

Warm wishes for a joyful and restorative holiday season,

Derrick Gilchrist
Director, South Metro GNETS