GCISD Parent Satisfaction and Engagement Survey Launches December 2 

We are excited to announce that our very first Parent Satisfaction and Engagement Survey will be conducted December 2-12! As part of GCISD’s commitment to continuous improvement, this survey aligns with our Balanced Scorecard performance objective of parents and families satisfaction and engagement. This is your opportunity to share your insights that will guide our efforts in creating a stronger school community. The survey should take no more than 5-10 minutes to complete.

The data from this survey will directly inform our goal-setting and strategic planning, helping us to better understand areas where we can grow. By gathering this feedback, we aim to strengthen our support for students, families, and staff alike. 

On Monday, December 2, the survey invite link for each individual student will be sent to the primary contact on file in Skyward and will come from the name “GCISD,” but the email address will be noreply@qemailserver.com. If you don’t see the survey email by the morning of December 3, please check your spam or junk folders. If it’s still missing, feel free to contact us at info@gcisd.net,  and we’ll ensure it reaches you.

If another parent or guardian besides the primary contact on file would also like to complete the survey independently, please email info@gcisd.net with their full name and the name(s) of your GCISD student(s).

We value your feedback and appreciate the time you’ll take to help us grow. Your insights play an essential role in building a brighter future for all of our students, and we are grateful for your partnership.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at info@gcisd.net. 

Thank you for helping us shape the future of GCISD!

Kiln update:  We learned this week that we have to do about $2000 worth of upgrades to the electrical wiring in the room where the kiln will be housed before it can be installed.  We've processed the invoice and hope that work will get done ASAP so we can have the kiln installed early in the spring semester.

Counseling CanaFACTS

Glenhope Giving Tree 

Our Glenhope Giving Tree is in full swing! As of 8:15 am on November 22nd, we have eight children remaining on the tree and MANY gift cards remaining. There are still plenty of options for families who are interested in providing to another Glenhope family this holiday season! Because we have so many wonderfully giving families who want the opportunity to help, please only take one gift ornament per family.You may take as many gift card ornaments as you would like!  Students will not be allowed to touch the tree, so a parent is required to come in to the school to pick an ornament. You will be asked to sign for your ornament so that we can ensure all ornaments are accounted for. 

If you have already taken an ornament, please be sure to return your items in the provided bag by December 9th. If you did not take a bag with your ornament, you are welcome to grab one from the front office at any time during school hours. Your items should be able to fit in the provided bag so that all children are receiving approximately the same amount of items. However, if there is a larger item on your child's list that will not fit in a bag, that is okay! Just keep in mind that we do not want to buy much more that will fit in the bag so that siblings have an even amount of gifts. Reach out if you have specific questions! 

The Giving Tree would not be possible without the help of our amazing volunteers, who decorate the tree and organize the gifts! If you have questions about gifts for your angel, please reach out to our lead volunteer, Jenny Thomas, jennythomas84@yahoo.com or to Lauren Canafax, lauren.canafax@gcisd.net. 

If your family misses out on getting an ornament, or if you are hoping to help beyond one ornament, please consider donating toys to the Grace Christmas Cottage or to the Grace Food Pantry. Grace works closely with many families in the GCISD community! 

December's Character Trait is COOPERATION 

When students come to guidance after the break, we will learn that cooperation is "working together to reach shared goals." We will discuss teamwork and what makes a great team, like encouraging others, doing our part, and respectfully disagreeing. We'll then play a fun game where students must work as a team to achieve a goal. Ask them if they have played the Balloon Game and have them tell you how they had to work as a team to achieve a goal! 

Great Gators

Each month, teachers are on the lookout for students who are a shining example of that month's character trait. Teachers pick one student from each homeroom to recieve the Great Gator award for the month. At the end of each month, we hold a schoolwide pep rally where all of our Great Gators are recognized for being examples of that month's character trait. Great Gators receive a certificate and an invitation to join us for a Great Gator party. You will receive a phone call or email from your child's teacher if your child is going to receive a Great Gator. Our next pep rally will be held on December 6th, and we will celebrate our Gators who exemplified November's character trait: Gratitude! 

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

       ATTENDANCE INFORMATION

We want to remind you about the 90% attendance rule in Texas. According to state law, students must maintain at least 90% attendance in order to receive credit for their courses. This means that students cannot exceed 18 full or partial day absences throughout the school year.

If your child has to miss school due to a doctor’s appointment or any other reason, please remember to send a doctor’s note to Ms. Tanya within 5 days of the absence. These partial day absences will be coded as doctor appointments and will not count toward the total number of absences.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us support your child's education!

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

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