August 30, 2024

Need to get to your Teacher Newsletter?  Follow these steps!

1.  Select the drop down arrow next to "Grade Levels"

2. Select the drop down arrow next to your grade level

3. Select the drop down arrow by your team of teachers

4. Select the "Date" that corresponds to the week

Glenhope roundtable

In response to concerns we heard last year about programs on our campus, we are beginning at Glenhope roundtable committee to discuss and plan for ways we can improve.  If you'd like to be part of this committee that will meet about 7 times this year, please let me know through an email to wynette.griffin@gcisd.net

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who prayed or searched for our missing student on Wednesday.  A thank you also to those of you who have emailed your support to our staff afterwards.  We are blessed by a caring community and that was evident on Wednesday!

Dismissal is at 3:00!

Over the first days of school, we've had a number of children who have been picked up very late after school (some have been almost an hour late). Please make every effort to be on time for pickup or arrange with someone to be a backup for you.  We don't have staff scheduled to supervise students after school,

Monday is a holiday!  No school Monday.

Electronic device policy

In August, the GCISD board passed a new policy that requires all electronic devices (including watches) to be out of sight and not on the student's person during the day.  We are reminding students daily, so we aren't enforcing consequences yet. However, in a few weeks if students don't begin putting them away you may have to come get them at the end of the day.

GCISD Receives High Marks in Efficiency Audit Required for VATRE

At its August 12 meeting, the GCISD Board of Trustees was presented results of an Efficiency Audit, which is required by the Texas Education Code prior to a school district conducting a voter-approved tax ratification election (VATRE). 

The audit analyzed GCISD's academic, financial and operational performance in comparison to similar districts. Auditors highlighted that GCISD received an "A" in the state’s accountability ratings, an "A" in the state’s financial ratings, and demonstrated an average daily attendance higher than both peer districts and the state average. 

According to the auditors, “When all of the data was pulled together for the report, we concluded that, with respect to all of the eight peer districts, GCISD efficiently uses its resources and would be good stewards of increased tax revenue as a result of this M&O tax rate increase, but that would be for voters to decide in November.”

Read the full story here and learn more about the VATRE at www.GCISD.net/VATRE.

Glenhope Dad’s Club: 2024 - 2025

We are excited to have many of our Dads returning and we look forward to meeting the new Dads that are interested in joining the club.  Each year we have a number of events that you can participate in.

Main Events

• Car Morning Drop off (daily)

• Watchdogs (weekly – contact Coach Maupin – sponsor)

• October Tailgator (replacing Sock Hop)

• Fall Golf Fundraiser (this will be a pre planning to the Spring Tournament)

• December Parade of Lights / Float – this will be multiple meetings to get our float ready

• April Spring Golf Tournament

• Volunteer and participate with PTA when needed

 We look forward to an incredible year.  Follow the link to join our Group Me chat.   https://groupme.com/join_group/88594405/Suo7s0ih

Room Parent Information

Being a Room Parent is one of the many great ways to help support your child's teacher and class! This year we plan to have one Room Parent per class.

What does being a room parent entail?

• Attend Room Parent volunteer meeting on September 4th

• Help the coordinate grade level Fall Festival auction baskets

• Send out communication to parents in the class about upcoming events

• Solicit parent volunteers for class parties (Winter and Valentine's)

• Attend class parties to oversee party set up, running of party activities / games, and party clean up

• Teacher Birthdays - Communicate the teacher's birthday to class and coordinate volunteers to bring in coffee and lunch for the teacher on that day.

• Recognize your teacher during Staff Appreciation Week in May

• Assist the teacher with any other activities related to the class. (Examples could be preparing STAAR snacks, decorating for open house, etc.)

If this you are interested in being a Room Parent, please complete this google form:

https://forms.gle/LeZum12TZgvRJMiU7

If you have any questions, email Jenina Roberts at roomparents@glenhopepta.org

Visit GCISD’s VATRE Information Page

GCISD has launched a webpage at www.GCISD.net/VATRE to provide the GCISD community with information about the upcoming voter-approved tax rate election (VATRE) that will be on the November 5 ballot. Voting dates and explanations about the VATRE, why the board has called the election, how it would impact GCISD’s tax rate, and how this election differs from the bond are available. This page will  include details of informational meetings as soon as plans are finalized. The district will also continue to share information through the district’s regular communication channels. Stay informed by visiting www.GCISD.net/VATRE.

Counseling CanaFACTS

"Welcome to the Swamp" Lunches for New Students

I have had so much fun eating lunch with new students this week! Unfortunately, I was unavailable to eat with a couple groups due to unforeseen circumstances. I have rescheduled those lunches for the following days: 

• New 3rd Graders: Tuesday, September 3

• Mrs. VanOss's New 1st Graders: Thursday, September 5

I will meet them during their normal lunch time and we'll walk to my room together where we'll have a fun lunch! If possible, please have your student bring their lunch that day so that we can maximize our time together. 

Guidance Curriculum 

I will begin delivering our schoolwide guidance curriculum next week. I am so excited to talk to all Gators about this month's character trait: Empathy! If you would like to learn more about our school's guidance curriculum or the role of a school counselor, please visit our GCISD Elementary Counseling Website. 

Repeated information

Procedure for Students with Unpaid Meal Charges

Parents/Guardians shall monitor their student’s school meal account to ensure that they always have a positive balance. In the event that a student does not have a positive balance, the student may charge up to five meals to their account. Only reimbursable meals may be charged. A la carte items may not be charged. Communication about a negative meal balance will be sent to parents/guardians via email/text. Students who have exceeded the 5 charged meal limit, will be offed an alternative meal that will be charged to the student’s account.

If you have questions about the Nutrition Services program, please call ext. 5615 or email julie.telesca@gcisd.net. 

• Pre-k-8 Breakfast - $1.65; Reduced Breakfast - $0.00 (this school year only)

     Elem. Lunch - $2.90

• Reduced Lunch - $0.40

• Adult/Guest Lunch - $4.50

2024-2025 Back-to-School Attendance Updates

Important attendance information: Attendance matters! Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s learning and educational experiences. Parents and students are encouraged to avoid unnecessary absences. Two important state laws govern attendance. In efforts to promote student attendance and learning, please note the following reminders and updates to GCISD attendance requirements. 

Laws Governing School Attendance: 

Compulsory Attendance (AKA Truancy) 

Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten 

Students enrolled in prekindergarten or kindergarten are required to attend school and are subject to the compulsory attendance requirements as long as they remain enrolled at a campus.

Ages 6–18 

State law requires that a student who is at least six years of age, or who is younger than six years of age and has previously been enrolled in first grade, and who has not yet reached their 19th birthday, shall attend school, as well as any applicable accelerated instruction program, extended-year program, or tutorial session, unless the student is otherwise excused from attendance or legally exempt. Students/families who do not meet compulsory attendance will be referred to the GCISD Attendance Review Board and/or referred to Tarrant County Court for truancy. If a student fails to attend school without excuse on three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period but does not fail to attend school for the time described below, the district shall initiate truancy prevention measures on the student. 

Attendance for Credit or Final Grade (AKA 90% Rule) 

To receive credit or a final grade in a class, a student in kindergarten–grade 12 must attend at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered. With the exception of absences due to serious or life-threatening illness or related treatment, all absences, whether excused or unexcused, must be considered in determining whether a student has attended the required percentage of days. Students who are in danger of losing credit or promotion will be contacted by the campuses with plans for opportunities to regain lost instructional time. 

Official Attendance-Taking Time 

Official attendance is taken every day at 10:00 a.m. Attendance is taken at 8:55 a.m. at Collegiate Academy and 12 p.m. for Bridges. 

Documentation after an Absence 

Up to eight days per year (four per semester) may be excused by a parent note for missed attendance beyond medical, approved excused, and statutorily exemptions. Vacations taken during the school year will be coded as unexcused absences. All absences whether excused or unexcused count toward the 90% rule. 

A parent must provide an explanation for any absence upon the student’s arrival or return to school. The student must submit a note signed by the parent. The campus may accept a phone call from the parent, but reserves the right to require a written note. A note signed by the student will not be accepted unless the student is age 18 or older or is an emancipated minor under state law. The campus will document in its attendance records whether the absence is excused or unexcused.

School Menus Online

Welcome back! Nutrition Services is excited about the upcoming school year. School Menus, the district charge policy, menu item pricing and more can be found on the department's school menus web page. 

More information, including menu item nutritional information and allergens, may be viewed through the Nutrition Services web page or by downloading the MealViewer app available for download through the Apple Store or Google Play. 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider