Happy Sunday, Gator Families!
I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing long weekend. We are excited to welcome students back and look forward to another amazing week of learning and growth here at school. This week is especially exciting for our 5th graders, who will be heading to Sky Ranch for their annual trip. While we'll certainly miss them on campus, we know they are in for an unforgettable experience filled with fun, adventure, and exciting challenges. We wish them safe travels and a fantastic time!
Please note this important scheduling reminder for the upcoming week:
Monday- No School for Students/Staff
Tuesday- PTA Chicken N Pickle Spirit Night
Wednesday-Friday- 5th Grade at Sky Ranch
Saturday- Fall Fest (2-6pm)
Let's show some appreciation for our staff! If you are feeling grateful for anyone on our staff and would like to pass that message along, please share it here. We will share it in our weekly staff newsletter!
Do you have a question I can help answer, or feedback to make Glenhope even better! Please complete the form!
-Alishia Ilic
GHES Principal
Gator Way Winners of the Week
Kinder: Risha consistently makes choices that show kindness, respect, and responsibility and sets a wonderful example for others.
1st: While Finley consistently exhibits all 3 Gator Way characteristics, she sets an example for others through responsibility. She is always prepared for class and is on time. She participates often and LOVES to learn new things and challenge herself. I am grateful for her Gator Greatness!!
2nd: Oliver is a wonderful student who always comes to class ready to learn. He follows the school rules, takes care of himself, his classwork, and is a role model for others. I can always count on him to be responsible in all that he does.
3rd: Avery is a fantastic gator! She exemplifies the Gator Way in all she does. She is an amazing listener to her peers and teachers. She is a leader in the class by always working hard and turning in quality work using her best effort. Her smile and positive attitude make a big impact on our class.
4th: Sloane consistently shows the Gator Way and goes out of her way to include others, offer help without being asked, and treat everyone with care and respect. Keep up the great work!
5th: Shepherd is quick to help his classmates whenever they find themselves stuck or struggling. He likes to ensure everyone's ideas and opinions are heard, considered, and not disregarded or shrugged off. He has even helped classmates find lost things to help them not feel frustrated or upset. Shepherd has been an incredible role model to all of our Gators for what kindness looks like!
News from our Gator Reporters...
From the desk of Beckett J., Gator Reporter
Dear Gator Parents,
There have been a lot of new happenings at Glenhope this year like Gatorville Clubs! These clubs were presented to us by our teachers and we got to pick our top three choices. Every pep rally Friday, we have Gatorville clubs to make the day even more fun. The club that I picked was Media, which was taught by Miss Carter. Did you know she used to be a meteorologist? She even brought in some people from CBS - News 11 crew to talk to us. Some other clubs my classmates chose are Disc Golf, walking club, fitness, and 3D printing. When my friends came inside from Disc Golf they said they had so much fun!
Thank you for reading! Jack D., Gator Reporter
Gator Reporters are 5th grade students who have signed up to bring our Parent Newsletters the news and happenings in our school. Each week we will feature a different Gator Reporter writing about various events or things in our school. This is all student led but they have the opportunity to work with Mrs. Arnold to gather ideas and edit their article.
Important Information
October 10th, No school for students (Teacher Instructional Planning Day)
October 13th, No school for students or teachers
October 14th, Chicken N Pickle Spirit Night (6-8pm)
October 15-17, Sky Ranch for 5th Graders
October 18th, Fall Fest (2pm-6pm)
October 20th, Cliburn in the Classroom for 2nd-4th Grade
October 22nd, Unity Day - Wear Orange
October 27th-31st, Red Ribbon Week
October 31st, Pep Rally, K-2 Character Parade, and Club Day
Last call to pre-purchase Fall Fest wristbands! Sales end MONDAY, OCTOBER 13TH! All pre-purchased wristbands will be sent home with your child later this week. If you have more than one child at the school, they will be sent home together with your youngest child. 5th graders that do not have younger siblings can pick their wristbands up at Fall Fest. Wristbands will also be for sale at Fall Fest!
We still need adult volunteers! Please consider signing up for a shift to make Fall Fest run as smoothly as possible! Please see the sign up genius below.
We still need cake and treats donations for our famous cake walk! Please use the sign up genius below to sign up to bring a sweet treat. All goodies will be picked up directly from your car at drop off Friday morning... no need to even get out of your car!
Click here to view and claim from the Lost & Found at Glenhope!
GCISD utilizes Raptor Technologies for volunteer applications and signing up for volunteer opportunities.
Review the 2025-2026 Student Code of Conduct, Parent Handbook
GCISD is having a successful start to the school year! Please help us keep that momentum going by taking a moment to review with your students the 2025-2026 Student Code of Conduct and 2025-2026 Student Parent-Handbook, which includes dress code and updates from the 89th Legislative Session.
Every October, GCISD goes all out for National School Lunch Week (NSLW)—and this year, we’re bringing the flavor and the fun to our Elementary and Middle School campuses from October 14–17!
This year’s theme? A taste around the world! 🌎🍴
Our menu is packed with student favorites, Texas-grown goodies, and some delicious international flair. Get ready for…
✨ Texas-made Taco Pizza
🌯 Savory Beef Gyros
🔥 Zesty Korean Meatballs
🥨 Bavarian Pretzel with Cheese
Students and staff love these tasty traditions, and Nutrition Services is thrilled to serve up the fun once again. Don’t miss out—mark your calendar and join us for lunch October 14–17!
📚🔥 Bonus Fun Alert: Literary Lunch is Coming! 🔥📚
On October 15, all elementary campuses will celebrate Literary Lunch, where stories and snacks collide in the best way!
This year’s featured book? The fan-favorite: Dragons Love Tacos! 🌮🐉
To celebrate, we’re serving up a twist on tacos—yep, Taco Pizza is on the menu!
But wait—there’s more!
🎁 One lucky student from each grade who grabs a plate lunch will be randomly chosen to win their own copy of Dragons Love Tacos!
📖 Plus, we’re donating a complimentary copy to every elementary school library so everyone can get in on the fun.
So come hungry and ready to celebrate—because at GCISD, lunch is more than just a meal—it’s an adventure!
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Parent Referral Window for GT/ASPIRE Testing 5th-11th Grade
Step-by-step directions for completing a referral in Skyward are available on the GCISD Advanced Academics website.
1st Graders all smiles during their September/October Guidance Lesson
KinderGators wearing Boots and Blue to Stomp out Bullying!
Mrs. McNamara and Mrs. Griffard rocking boots and blue!
3rd Graders Wearing Blue to Show they Stand Up against Bullying!
Unity Day! Glenhope students are encouraged to wear orange on Wednesday, October 22nd for a visible message that we are united as a commUNITY that stands against bullying.
Bullying Prevention and Awareness
October is Bullying Prevention Month, so we focus on bullying prevention and how/when to report bullying during September/October guidance time. Parents and teachers play a huge role in helping to prevent bullying. Please check out the CharacterStrong Bullying Prevention webpage, which has a helpful video explaining what bullying truly is and why it is taken so seriously. The webpage also has guidance on what to do if your child or student may be experiencing bullying, how to handle cyberbullying, and a list of proactive strategies for promoting well-being and resilience.
Mark Your Calendars and Check your Closets... Red Ribbon Week is October 27-31!
Red Ribbon Week is a nation-wide drug prevention campaign. You can learn more here. This year's National Red Ribbon Week Theme is "Life is a Puzzle: Solve it Drug Free." Every choice we make fits into a bigger picture, like a puzzle coming together. We want our Gators to make healthy choices to build a stronger, brighter future!
During Red Ribbon Week, students and staff are invited to dress up according to each day's theme. Shoutout to our amazing Student Council for helping come up with this year's themes! We will have a brief message about the theme on the morning announcements each morning. Parents are encouraged to talk to their kids about the message focus each day to reinforce the messages students are hearing at school. As a parent, you can go into more detail with your child. Our school messages will be very brief and are intended to spark thought and encourage conversation at home.
Monday, October 27: Rockin' our Way Toward a Bright Future!
Dress-Up Theme: Wear 50s style clothes (This is also to celebrate our 50th day of school!)
Morning Message Focus: Introduction to Red Ribbon Week.
Tuesday, October 28: Snuggle Up to Healthy Choices!
Dress-Up Theme: Wear pajamas or your favorite comfy lounging clothes
Morning Message Focus: Taking care of yourself is an important piece of life's puzzle!
Wednesday, October 29: Mix it Up with Healthy Choices!
Dress-Up Theme: Wear mismatched or backwards clothing
Morning Message Focus: Be yourself and do what is right, even when it may seem uncool or not match the actions of others!
Thursday, October 30: Healthy Habits make Winning Choices!
Dress-Up Theme: Wear a jersey or team apparel
Morning Message Focus: Teamwork is an important piece in our life's puzzle. It's important to cooperate with others and learn from others! Students will enjoy a BMX Bike Show, courtesy of our amazing PTA!
Friday, October 31: Strong Characters Make Strong Choices!
Dress-Up Theme: Dress like a storybook character! ** No masks or weapon-style props**
Morning Message Focus: Fill your own life story with healthy habits and create your own happy ending!
Guidance Lessons
September/October Guidance lessons continued last week, and I had so much fun working with students in the following homeroom classes: Ms. Amy, Ms. Carter, and Mrs. Barnard. If your student is in one of those classes, ask them to talk to you about the following:
Who is the school counselor, and when/how can you see her?
What is Empathy? (Understanding and connecting to other people's feelings)
What is Responsibility? (Taking action and understanding the impact of our choices)
What is Bullying? (When someone hurts your body and/or heart on purpose and it happens repeatedly. Grades 3-5 also discussed how true bullying involves an imbalance of power).
Because we resumed Guidance classes in mid-September, our lessons for September and October are combined. I will see students again in November for their next monthly guidance lesson, where we will focus on Gratitude!
Lunch Bunch
My Lunch Bunches for October/November are full. I look forward to starting a new group in December! If you think your child could benefit from joining a Lunch Bunch later this school year, please complete this form.
This week, our Lunch Bunches got to know one another but also practiced our empathetic listening skills. We took turns talking and practiced expressing interest and asking follow-up questions. Each group was so fun!
Check-Ins
If your child is ever in need of a check-in or if you have any concerns to discuss, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at lauren.canafax@gcisd.net
If you would like to learn more about the role of a GCISD school counselor, click here. You are always welcome to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
📈 September Library Stats 📉
Books Read in September: 3,338
Books Read in 2025 - 2026: 5,260
This year's goal is for our Gators to read 10,000 books this year!
September's Top Grade Level:
3rd Grade with over 760 check outs
September Top Book to be Checked Out:
Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late and Smile
September Top Library Reader: Kiyan Surani
Congratulations to Kiyan for being our Top Library Reader this month. He had a total of 31 check outs. That's a lot of reading. Kiyan says his favorite types of books to read are humor books and his absolute favorite book is My Weird School. Way to go Kiyan!
📚 Book Fair 📚
Thank you all for your support of our library and our school. Together, we purchased $13,000 in books and able to use a portion of that to purchase new books for the library. I have already conducted an interest survey to find out what books our students want to have more of in the library!
It was such a fun week filled with excitement, bargaining, scouring for money, and math.
A HUGE shout out to all the volunteers. It was a fast, crazy time in the library and I could not have pulled it off without you.
🍴📖 2nd Grade Lunch Bunch Book Club 📖 🍴
This week we will begin our Lunch Bunch Book Club with 2nd grade. We will be reading Dragon Masters: The Rise of the Earth together during lunch once a week in October. They will also be reading some at home and coming to lunch to have discussions and activities based on the book. We are excited to begin our Lunch Bunch Book Clubs.
Be on the lookout for when it's your grades turn to join in on our Library Fun!
Board Game Donations
I'd love to have an area in the library where students can play some board games. If your Gators have outgrown a board game that has all the pieces to it, the library would love to have them.
Thank you to the families who have brought some in already.
Fall Fest Volunteers - We are so excited for our Fall Festival and cannot wait to enjoy this time with our Gator Families! In order to make this day a success, we need your help. Please consider donating a bit of you or your teens time! Student volunteers must be in 5th grade or above. Any questions, please reach out to fallfestvolunteers@glenhopepta.org Thank You!. Sign up here: Fall Fest Volunteer Signups
Start a sweet tradition your family will cherish forever — order a digital birthday sign on the Glenhope marquee for just $15! Imagine looking back one day at those proud birthday pictures in front of the school… It’s a memory you’ll want when your Gator grows up.
We are now accepting birthdays starting August 1 through the school year
Order at least 2 weeks in advance
Order here: https://glenhopeelempta.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/311414569
We love our volunteers and appreciate any amount of time you are able to give.
Workbox Wednesday - Every Wednesday, we have a group of volunteers who meet after drop off to help the teachers get little projects done. Join our 2025-26 GroupMe and all the details will be posted each week - https://groupme.com/join_group/108841952/PT8iBVog
Chicken Tenders - A PTA-sponsored initiative to provide student enrichment to learn, take care of and love on our Gator chickens! There are opportunities throughout the year where your family can sign up to take care of them. Sign up here: Fall Schedule - 2025
Click here to see Glenhope Peachjar flyers!
We're so excited to welcome cafeteria visitors! Please see some friendly reminders below to ensure we can continue our routine.
To make your visit enjoyable, we've set aside special visitor tables near the back where you can sit with your own children.
Friends will need to remain with their class at their designated table.
Follow the same rules as we do at the school, such as staying seated at the table, no electronics, and no back and forth between the class table and parent table.
During the last five minutes of each lunch period, we go to level 0 and cleanup. This helps signal that it's time to start cleaning up and helps create a calm environment as students finish their meals.
Discuss special treats and snacks with your child in regards to when they can buy these from the cafeteria. We have had to remind numerous students to not get ice cream every day before eating their food or they ask if they can get ice cream every day. We encourage them to ask at home what day is best for them to get an ice cream or special snack!
We can't wait to see you!
i-Ready letters were sent with your child's results. Please see this letter to access reports digitally.
Frequently Asked Questions regarding i-Ready My Path
Now that we have finished our beginning of the year i-Ready Diagnostic testing, our students are starting their personalized instruction in their My Path. We have put together additional information in the form of a My Path FAQ to support families as we partner with you to help all of our students reach their growth goals this year.
Friendly Reminder of School Hours:
7:20 am: Doors Open
7:30 am: Warning Bell Rings
7:35 am: School Day Begins
3:05 pm: Dismissal
Please walk in your child if you arrive at 7:36 or after. They will be counted tardy if they arrive after the bell., I suggest adjusting your drop-off time by about 10 minutes. Our data shows that the arrival line is significantly shorter between 7:15 and 7:25 a.m., which could help you avoid the rush of people getting in line last.
If you need more pick up passes, please email rebecca.garrett@gcisd.net with your request and current number and child's name!
ACTION REQUIRED: Families should review the information below and log into their student’s Skyward account to complete the pop-up permission forms.
Senate Bill 12, passed during the 89th Legislative session, requires school districts to obtain parent permission for student club participation as well as health services and school-based counseling and support services. It also contains requirements for sharing instructional plans and the prohibition of assisting with social transitioning. The new laws go into effect for the 2025-2026 school year. Families should review the information below and log into their student’s Skyward account to complete the pop-up permission forms.
Student Club Participation
SB 12 requires that parents give written consent before a student may participate in a student club authorized or sponsored by the school. School districts may not authorize or sponsor a student club based on sexual orientation or gender identity. All clubs authorized or sponsored by GCISD will be in accordance with all applicable laws and policies.
If a parent does not give general permission, they will be contacted about each individual club or activity for which their student expresses interest in attending. A paper permission form will be sent home and must be completed and returned to the school prior to the student being permitted to attend or participate in any club meetings.
Health Services
SB 12 requires that staff must have parent consent before providing a student with any care, unless it is a life-threatening emergency. This includes:
Assessment of minor injuries and providing basic first aid (like a scraped knee)
Assessment and management of common health issues and illnesses
Checking vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and pulse oximetry
Monitoring chronic conditions and implementing care plans as appropriate
Provide general health teaching to students on topics such as hygiene, illness prevention, and healthy habits
Proving state mandated screenings
Administration of epinephrine delivery system for anaphylactic reaction or an opioid antagonist, such as Narcan or naloxone, in accordance with TEC and GCISD Board Policy
Application of topical preparations such as Aloe Vera gel, first aid spray, Benadryl cream, etc.
Additionally, you will find a full list of detailed services provided by GCISD campus nurses within the form in Skyward.
School-Based Counseling Services and Support Services
SB 12 requires that parents give permission prior to student participation in school-based counseling and support services. This includes setting academic goals and creating academic plans, guidance lessons, developing social well-being, and access to our character education curriculum, known as Character Strong.
What Support May Include:
Setting academic goals and creating academic plans
Developing social well-being
Checking in about emotions, challenges, or concerns
Learning coping strategies and managing stress
Addressing school-related issues (e.g., attendance, test anxiety, behavior, peer conflict)
Building friendship and conflict-resolution skills
Guidance lessons utilizing the Character Strong program
Participating in short-term individual or group sessions on school-related topics*
*Parents/guardians will be notified and asked for additional consent if individual or group counseling is recommended.
School Counseling Does Not Include:
Therapy or long-term mental health counseling
Assistance with social transitioning
Sharing Instructional Plans
SB 12 requires that teachers share an instructional plan or course syllabus with parents at the start of each semester. Teachers will email parents directly using email addresses provided in Skyward.
Prohibition of Assisting with Social Transitioning
SB 12 prohibits school district employees from assisting students with social transitioning, which includes helping them change their name, pronouns, or other expressions of gender identity that differ from their biological sex at birth.
Any applicable GCISD policies will be amended to be in alignment with state law.
The i-Ready diagnostic is a powerful tool that helps us understand each student's specific academic needs in math and reading. These assessments are not a test to study for; they simply give us a starting point for the year. This information is crucial for our teachers as they plan differentiated instruction to help every child succeed.
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade will be taking these assessments on their devices, and we have approximately three to complete them. Please make sure your child brings their fully charged device (iPad or Chromebook) and a pair of headphones to school every day starting Monday, August 18. Having a charged device and headphones is essential for a smooth testing process.
Please read this letter, which explains more about i-Ready and its purpose.
GCISD has a variety of committees that provide District leaders with valuable feedback while offering opportunities for employees, parents, and community members to become more involved and make a positive impact on the education of GCISD students.
To Apply, click here!
Important Information from Nutrition Services
Important Information from Nutrition Services
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 website here.
More information including menu item nutritional information and allergens may be viewed through the nutrition services website or by downloading the Meal Viewer app through the apple or android store.
In accordance with program guidelines, the Free and Reduced application will be available online as part of skyward registration. The free and reduced application should be filled out electronically at https://www.nlappscloud.com/. For those parents that still would like to complete a paper application, they may download an application on the website or stop by the Nutrition Services office at 5800 Colleyville Blvd.
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 5 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 offered an alternative meal that will be charged to the student’s account.
If you have questions about the Nutrition Services program, please call ext. 5618 or email child.nutrition@gcisd.net.
Meal Prices
Pk-8 Breakfast - $1.85
High School Breakfast - $2.05
Reduced Breakfast* - $0.00
Adult/Guest Breakfast - $3.25
Elem. Lunch - $3.10
Middle Lunch - $3.30
High School Lunch - $4.00
Reduced Lunch* - $0.40, after Sept. 1, No cost
Adult/Guest Lunch - $4.75
*(Reduced priced at GHS, CHHS, Bridges is $0.30 breakfast, $0.40 lunch)
This institution is an equal opportunity provider
Email: alishia.ilic@gcisd.net
Website: https://ghes.gcisd.net/
Location: 6600 Glenhope Cir N, Colleyville, TX 76034
Phone: 817-251-5720
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlenhopeGators/