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January 17, 2025
January 17, 2025
Baby Pictures Needed
Baby Pictures Needed
We have a Valentines Party Activity called "Guess That Baby" where students will get to see baby pictures of their classmates and they try to guess who it is. We need your help by sending in a cute digital baby picture. Pictures where your child is between the ages of 6 months-2 years work great. We will display the baby pictures in a slideshow during our Valentines Party on February 13th. Please email the picture to your child's homeroom teacher by Friday, February 7th. Thank you in advance for your help!
Interim Testing
Interim Testing
Beginning next week, interim testing will begin (practice STAAR). Please be sure that your child has had a good night's sleep, has a snack, has headphones, and a charged device when they come to school along with their charger (just in case). The dates of testing are below:
Wednesday 1/22 - Reading/Language Arts Interim Assessment
Tuesday 1/28 - Math Interim Assessment
**CTMS Hrenko, Bereuter, & Barnard Telescoping Parents: Please be sure and follow the dates mentioned in the email sent earlier this week regarding which days your child will not have math at CTMS this month**
Snacks and Mints Needed
Snacks and Mints Needed
Classroom teachers are limited in what snacks they can provide here at school to students. Due to the various allergies on campus, teachers can have Veggie Straws or Skinny Pop (both regular flavor) as classroom snacks.
Most students bring their own snacks daily, but occasionally some forget, which is why we like to have some on hand. As you can imagine, we can tend to run out of snacks if we have a week where lots of kiddos have forgotten to bring a snack. We would appreciate anyone who is able to send in snack-sized bags of Veggie Straws (sea salt) or Skinny Pop. You can also purchase them from our wish lists and have them sent directly to the school. Thank you in advance!
Also- we are almost out of mints. Thank you for all of your donations thus far- they have been greatly, and quickly, appreciated! Items are on Dr. Ballard's Amazon Wish List.
Math Telescoping Information
Math Telescoping Information
Parents interested in telescoping information in the spring or summer can find the district dates at this site.
Ball Point Pens Needed for ELAR
Ball Point Pens Needed for ELAR
We have exhausted the supply of pens generously purchased last semester. If you can help us keep journaling with the preferred writing Instrument, we would greatly appreciate it!! These are on Dr. Ballard's Amazon Wish List.
Yearbook Artwork
This year, the yearbook theme is “Gators Glow.” Draw Spike (our mascot) among glow sticks or surrounded by neon lights. Create a "dance party" scene that features silhouettes of students with glowing accessories or use abstract shapes and lines that look like they are glowing, with gradients transitioning between colors. Consider incorporating geometric patterns that resemble neon signs and lights. Make sure your picture is drawn on 8 ½ x 11” white paper, you may use color. You can add backgrounds, but no tiny details. Please put your name and teacher’s name on the back. Your picture is due by January 31st to your homeroom teacher. Feel free to fill out the information below and attach to the back of your picture, but it is not required (you can simply write your information on the back of your illustration).
Note: One piece of art per class will go into the yearbook. Students in each class will vote on the artwork they would like to have illustrated on their homeroom’s yearbook page.
Obstacles Make Us Stronger
Obstacles Make Us Stronger
January-February are tough months. We are coming off of winter vacation, the weather keeps us trapped indoors more often (yay inside recess), we have mid-year assessments, and the next long break is a bit away. We are working hard to keep students encouraged, motivated, and engaged. We do this because your kids are worth fighting for. They deserve all we've got to give. Just as we believe in them, we hope they believe in their own potential and will fight for it, no matter what obstacle they may face.
Curriculum Next Week
Curriculum Next Week
Language Arts:
Reading Interim Test- Wed, Jan 22
ECR Pre-Assessment- Thur, Jan 23-Fri, Jan 24
4th Math:
Movie Marathon Division Project
Multiplication & Division Unit Review
Multiplication & Division Assessment (Friday)
Science:
Seasons: I can collect and analyze data to identify sequences and predict patterns of change in seasons. (This Week)
Patterns of the Moon: I can collect and analyze data to identify sequences and predict patterns of change in the observable appearance of the Moon from Earth. (Next Week)
Social Studies:
Colonization of Texas
Pioneer Life Demonstration Friday afternoon
Lead With GCISD
Lead With GCISD
The GCISD Instructional Calendar for the 2025-2026 school year was approved by the Board of Trustees at its January 13 Regular Meeting. GCISD’s first day of school will be Wednesday, August 13, 2025.
A few holidays and important dates on the calendar include:
District holidays are on September 1, 2025, October 13, 2025, January 19, 2026, April 3, 2026, and May 25, 2026
Five professional development days (no school for students) are scheduled for September 22, 2025, November 3, 2025, January 5-6, 2026, and February 16, 2026
Thanksgiving Break runs November 24-28, 2025
Winter Break runs December 19, 2025 - January 2, 2026
Spring Break runs March 16-20, 2026
The calendar includes flexible minutes, which allows for two days for instructional planning (no school for students) on October 10, 2025, and March 13, 2026 (New this year)
The last day of school is on Thursday, May 21, 2026
In addition, the school day will be 10 minutes longer next year for students. To read more, please click the link below:
https://www.gcisd.net/article/1965244
Charging Chromebooks
Charging Chromebooks
Please help us by reminding students to charge their Chromebooks each night. It is very important that their Chromebooks come to school fully charged each morning. We use these for classwork daily as well as taking tests. When Chromebooks are not charged, it becomes a disruption to student learning for the day. We appreciate your help with this!
It would also be helpful if students brought their charger with them to school to help when Chromebook batteries run low in the afternoon.
GT Corner
GT Corner
Have you ever heard of Dabrowski's overexcitabilities? We have worked this year to help students identify their own overexcitabilities and the pros/cons that go along with them. As teachers, we have even been able to identify our overexcitabilities! Read more about the overexcitabilities here:
https://www.verywellfamily.com/dabrowskis-overexcitabilities-in-gifted-children-1449118
They Say It's Your Birthday...
They Say It's Your Birthday...
Penny- January 13th
Aubrey- January 13th
Asfiya- January 15th
Zayden- January 16th
Quinn- January 16th
Theo- January 17th
Noel- January 26th
Adanu- January 29th
EVENTS/ IMPORTANT DATES
EVENTS/ IMPORTANT DATES
Jan. 20th ~ MLK Holiday / No School
Jan. 22nd - Reading Interim Assessment
Jan. 28th - Math Interim Assessment
Jan. 29th ~ College Spirit Day
Feb. 4th ~ Picture Day
Feb. 7th ~ Spirit Day / PEP Rally
Feb.10th ~ Valentine Exchange items & boxes due
Feb 13th ~ Valentine's Day Party @ 12:30
Feb. 14th ~ Bad Weather Make-Up Day/No School
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