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September 20, 2024
September 20, 2024
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Our current total is:
$7,216. The kiln is in process!
We would also like to provide subs for our teachers to be able to have time for planning. With our current total we can provide one half day of planning for each teacher.
Greenback giving campaign
Greenback giving campaign
We are in our annual Greenback campaign, where you are able to donate to our school to help supplement our budget. Our first purchase with Greenback funds this year will be a new, larger kiln for our art program. The cost of the kiln and installation will be about $5000.
If you want to pay by credit card or electronically, please go to this link: Greenback link
If your company does matching charitable donations, please let us know and we will follow up on applying for those matching funds, also.
In addition to the kiln, these funds are used for additional items for our classrooms as well as other expenses we can't pay for with our district provided budget. We'd also like to give our teachers a half day of vertical planning time, which will cost about $2000 for each of them to have one half day.
Before You Head to the Polls: Learn About GCISD’s Tax Rate History
The Voter-Approved Tax Ratification Election (VATRE) on the November 5 ballot will ask Grapevine-Colleyville ISD voters to consider ratifying the overall tax rate of $0.9233, generating nearly $6 million in funding for school district operations.
Did you know that GCISD’s overall tax rate is 47.3 cents less than it was in 2018, which equates to $90 million of taxpayer relief? This is the lowest overall tax rate in GCISD in more than 25 years.
Since 2018, the GCISD Board of Trustees has lowered the Interest & Sinking tax rate from $0.3567 to $0.1864. The Maintenance & Operations tax rate has also decreased due to statewide compression from $1.04 to $0.7369. With the passage of the VATRE, the new overall tax rate would be $0.9233, resulting in a $0.0014 lower overall tax rate from 2023.
Learn more about why a VATRE is on the ballot, how it would impact GCISD’s tax rate and what it will fund at www.GCISD.net/VATRE.
Safety issues this week:
Students should not walk on the retaining wall that borders property at the end of Glenhope Circle South. Those are private property. Students should stay on the sidewalk.
A student was almost hit on Thursday afternoon when a van was speeding down Glenhope Circle South. If you are driving on the Circle, you need to go very slowly when pick up and dismissal is going on.
The parking lot that is closest to the cafeteria is for staff parking, handicapped, auction purchased spots and volunteer Dads who are helping with drop off. Please don't pull in there to drop off your child. It increases the possibility that someone could get hurt since students are walking or biking through there regularly.
Safe Storage of Firearms
Texas law now requires school districts to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. The following resources will help you learn about options for, as well as how to talk to your child and others about, the safe storage of firearms.
In 2021, 4,613 Texans experienced gun-related deaths. The Texas Department of State Health Services (SHS) reports that 55% of Texas firearms deaths in 2020 were suicides and that 59% of all suicides in Texas were by firearms. Suicide attempts involving firearms have a 90% fatality rate. Restricting access to guns is critical in reducing acts of violence, whether as self-harm or towards others. Acts of mass violence and interpersonal violence often end in suicide.
It is unlawful to store, transport, or abandon an unsecured firearm in a place where children are likely to be and can obtain access to the firearm. Under Texas Penal Code 46.13, a person commits the offense of making a firearm accessible to a child if the child gains access to a readily dischargeable firearm, and the person with criminal negligence:
Failed to secure the firearm; or
Left the firearm in a place to which the person knew or should have known the child would gain access
The penalty for allowing a child access to a firearm can range from a Class C misdemeanor (punishable by a $500 fine) to a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by a $4000 fine, a year in jail, or a combination of the two).
Texas exempts the purchase of firearm safety equipment from Texas Sales and Use Tax.
Remember, a gun should be stored unloaded in a safe or locked container, with ammunition stored elsewhere. You can learn more and find additional resources from the Texas Department of Public Safety at https://safegunstoragetexas.com.
Safe gun storage is critical to preventing suicide, unintentional shootings, and other tragedies.
GCISD Receives High Marks in Efficiency Audit Required for 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: 24 - 25
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
Bring the family and join us at our GHES Dad's Club TailGator on October 4th! (This event will take place in the back of the school.)
Three Facts About the VATRE
Three Facts About the VATRE
GCISD registered voters will be asked to consider adding three cents to the Maintenance & Operations tax rate through a voter-approved tax ratification election on the November 5 ballot. Here are three quick facts:
Even with the VATRE, GCISD’s total tax rate will be lower - Even with the three additional pennies from the passage of the VATRE, the GCISD total overall tax rate (M&O plus I&S) will be lowered by $0.0014.
Funds are not subject to recapture - Tax funds collected through these additional three pennies would stay within GCISD and not be subject to recapture, meaning that 100 percent of these funds would remain in the district.
The three-cent increase to the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate would generate approximately $6 million - These funds would be for school district operations, which includes instruction, staff, transportation, maintenance, extracurricular activities and other daily operating expenses, excluding projects included in the recent bond. Bonds are paid for by a separate Interest & Sinking (I&S) fund, which is debt service.
Learn more at www.GCISD.net/VATRE.
Room Parent Information
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
Counseling CanaFACTS
Counseling CanaFACTS
All Glenhope students have now visited with me for our first guidance lesson of the year, which was about empathy. Students' second visit in September will be focused on reviewing empathy and then doing what we call "Mindfulness." During Mindfulness this month, students will learn or review a technique to use when they are feeling stressed or upset. This month, K-1 will practice Rainbow Breathing and 2-5 will practice Box Breathing. They then have time to quietly play with the relaxing toys in the guidance office, such as kinetic sand, fidgets, and coloring pages.
Beginning in October, I plan to pull some students for small groups focused on subjects such as conflict resolution, executive functioning, and social skills. Teachers have already begun thinking about which students may be good candidates for these groups. If you believe your student may be a good candidate for some extra time with the counselor in a small group setting, please reach out to me. A student will only be pulled for an ongoing small group with written parental consent.
GCISD Counselors use the CharacterStrong Purposefull People curriculum for guidance lessons. Purposefull People has put together newsletters to go with each character trait we will focus on this year. To view the Purposefull People newsletter for September, please click here.
If you would like to learn more about the role of a school counselor, please visit our GCISD Counseling website. Reach out to Lauren Canafax (lauren.canafax@gcisd.net) if your student needs a check-in or if you have any questions/concerns.
Repeated information
Procedure for Students with Unpaid Meal Charges
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
Help out Glenhope PTA when you shop at Tom Thumb!
2024-2025 Back-to-School Attendance Updates
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.
Please email Nurse Liz (elizabeth.giblin@gcisd.net) and Tanya Hill (tanya.hill@gcisd.net) whenever your child will be out sick.
School Menus Online
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.
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