Happy Sunday, Gator Families!
This week has been an amazing one, from celebrating Veterans Day with our phenomenal choir performing to Human Scrabble for our staff to our Gator Gala!
Our Gator Gala was an absolute success, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible individuals who stepped up to help make it happen. Thank you to our amazing Gala team, Barb Giles and Sam Kinnebrew as chairs, along with Chelsea McDermott and Leanna Ford, and our Auction team, including Allison Pair, Bria Essary, Taylor Hardy, and Courtney Martin. From the planning starting in May, to the hand creation of the New York City decor, the beautiful setup of the room and auction table items, and the coordination with our teachers for the wonderful school experience items, your time, energy, and dedication are what made this night truly special for our Glenhope community! We would also like to express our appreciation to our amazing families who donated tickets for our staff, allowing them to enjoy this gala with our Gator community. So much fun to see the staff attend this event with us!
Lastly, we are thrilled with the overwhelming support for our auction, which raised over $35,000 last night that will go straight back to our Gators this year!
Friday: Pep Rally starting at 7:45am! Gatorville day later that afternoon!
Families, let’s show our amazing teachers and staff how much we are thankful for them this Thanksgiving! We’re looking for volunteers that would like to bring a side or dessert for our Swampsgiving, staff luncheon Nov 21st! Sign up here!
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0A4FACAC29A5FEC61-60512619-swampsgiving
It truly takes a village, and our swamp is one of a kind!
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: Bowen is responsible, respectful, and kind! He makes everyone feel like they are included and always comes to class with a big smile!
1st: I am nominating Connor for exhibiting the character trait of responsibility. He has been working so hard and has been staying focused on his work. He has been caught tidying up messes in the classroom that he didn't make, without being asked. He has been setting a great example in the classroom. I am very proud of all of his hard work!
2nd: Graham is a hard worker, has a positive attitude,and kind to others. We can always count on him to be a model Gator!
3rd: Tucker is an excellent example of responsibility in our classroom. She consistently completes her work on time, stays organized, and takes ownership of her learning. She can always be counted on to do the right thing and set a positive example for others.
4th: Izzy has been working hard during math. She is asking for help, working at home, and doing her very best every day. I am so proud of the growth she has made in 12 weeks!
5th: I have been so incredibly impressed with Quinn's growth in maturity and responsibility. He works carefully and turns in quality work. He does his part in group assignments and will redirect behavior if asked. Proud of you, Quinn!
Mrs. Cummings
This week, we’re excited to spotlight Mrs. Cummings as our EduGator of the Week! With her warm and nurturing personality, she always knows how to cheer everyone on and make learning enjoyable. Her classroom is a space where students feel inspired to explore and have fun while learning. Whether she’s celebrating their achievements or encouraging them through challenges, Mrs. Cummings creates an environment that everyone loves. It's easy to see why both students and staff appreciate her so much—she truly makes a difference every day!
Gator Reporters
Last Tuesday was the Veteran’s Day Program. I’m in choir, and it was a good feeling to be there singing for all of the Veterans in their seats.. All of the veterans gave so much for us, so it felt really good to be giving something back to them. The program went really well, though, and I feel like it was a good experience for all of us, including the people who were in choir, and also the people who weren’t in choir.
-Manasvini M, 5th Grade Gator Reporter
Hi Gator Families! Last week on Halloween, our Gators had an event called storybook character day! Most people dressed up, including the teachers! We had Halloween themed activities in our classes, and we had our pep rally! Each grade's teachers had to pick a theme for storybook character day, and dress up! My teachers dressed up as characters from Dr. Seuss’s books.
I dressed up as an angel and my brother dressed up as… well, nothing. But overall I think that our gators had a super fun day!!! We also had our GatorVille clubs at the end of the day. Well, that’s it for me! Have a Gatoriffic rest of your day!
-Olivia C., 5th Grade Gator Reporter
Classroom Highlights
Multiplication Quilts in Ms. Robey's 3rd grade class!
Leaf Investigation Station in 4th ASPIRE with Mrs. Spence!
Outside reading with 2nd Grade!
November 11th, Giving Tree Begins
November 21st, Pep Rally from 7:45-8:15 & Gatorville Clubs in afternoon
November 24-28, THANKSGIVING BREAK~
December 2nd, Fall Gallery Walk
December 5th, Campus Spelling Bee at 8am
December 6th, Breakfast with Santa (8-10am)
December 6th, GHES MAVS Game! (7:30pm)
December 9th, CEC Meeting 3:15pm
December 17, Holiday Parties (afternoon)
December 18th, Early Release
Food Assistance or Other Needs
As the school counselor, one of my most important roles is to help ensure that every student has what they need to learn and thrive. If your family is ever experiencing financial challenges or needs support with food, school supplies, or other basic resources, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I am here to help, and all conversations will remain confidential.
November Guidance Time
November Guidance lessons continued this week! If your student is in the following homeroom, ask them about their guidance time: Walker, Barnard, MacMahon, Robertson (both 1st and 5th), Day, and Bell. We talked about the importance of Gratitude, learned a strategy called "Pumpkin Breathing" (aka Figure 8 Breathing), and talked about how we can show gratitude to others. 3rd - 5th grade participated in a Gratitude Challenge, and all students created a star to add to our Gator Gratitude Galaxy. Check out our Gratitude Galaxy in the front hallway next time you're on campus! I'll be adding new stars every day in November!
The Glenhope Giving Tree
The Giving Tree is now in our front office, and you are invited to visit it and take an ornament. Each ornament represents an opportunity to help a Glenhope family this holiday season. Some ornaments will list a child’s holiday wishlist, while others will request a grocery gift card to support family meals.
Families selecting a child’s wishlist ornament are encouraged to plan for a gift budget of approximately $250. We ask this to ensure all children within a family are receiving approximately the same amount, and to ensure that each child receives something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. You're welcome to partner with another family to fulfill a wishlist together! If the requested wishlist amount isn’t feasible but you still want to participate, choosing a grocery gift card ornament is a wonderful way to contribute and make a meaningful difference.
Every donation directly benefits a family within our Glenhope community. Each participating family will receive gifts for all children as well as grocery gift cards.
Ornaments will be available on the Giving Tree in the front office starting November 11th. When you select a wishlist ornament, you will be asked to sign that you are taking the ornament so that we can keep track of who is purchasing items. You will receive an envelope with the child's wishlist and a large bag. Please return all purchased items, in the provided bag, to the front office by December 10th. The bag should be labeled according to the instructions you receive in the envelope.
Please email lauren.canafax@gcisd.net with any questions. Thank you for helping us make the season brighter for our Glenhope families!
None of this would be possible without the help of our amazing PTA volunteers! Thank you to Jennifer Caldwell and Meredith Dolan for taking on this huge project and making it possible to help so many families! They will be creating the ornaments and organizing the gifts and gift cards so that they are ready to send home with families. If you have questions for them, you can reach Jennifer at jennifer.caldwell05@gmail.com or Meredith at mere.dolan@gmail.com
Check-Ins and Lunch Bunches
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. I have at least one Lunch Bunch for each grade level. The current lunch bunches will meet until the end of November. In December, a new group will begin meeting. If you think your child could benefit from joining Lunch Bunch in December, please complete this form.
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.
Wow!!! We have already gotten so close to our goal - and it's only November! Way to go Gators! We want to keep those books in our kids hands. We will have a new goal for this school year. Students will be coming up with a goal for our school this week!
Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late is still our top circulating book, but Smile by Raina Telgemeier is coming up as a close second!
🍂📚 November Reading Logs 📚 🍂
November Reading Logs are out! Come pick them up in the library on the check out counter at any time. Fill in the reading log to spin the wheel this month. Remember, the reading logs count for silent reading time, reading in the car, library books, books in your reading bag from your teacher or any book (audio and e-books count, too!).
Remember, a child who reads 20 minutes a day will be exposed to 1.8 million words per year!
🍴📖 3rd Grade Book Club 📖🍴
Third Grade - we meet this week! Be sure you have read up to Chapter 8. We will read Chapter 9 on Friday. Check out the discussion questions on the Book Club site I made below.
Be on the lookout for when it's your grades turn to join in on our Library Fun!
Mrs. Arnold's website for Third Grade Reading Club:
Glenhope Yearbook
Yearbook Sales are LIVE! I will put a handout in your box today to go home today or Monday. If you want to put a blurb in your newsletter, you can copy and paste below:
Get your Glenhope yearbook TODAY! Yearbooks are on sale for $35 until January 1st. If you are interested in buying a yearbook, please view the information below:
Steps to Order:
Place your order and pay online
Books will be delivered and passed out at school in mid-May.
**Please note: no cash or checks will be accepted at school for yearbooks. You must order your book online.**
Parent Collection of Pictures:
Glenhope would love to collect pictures from parents for the Yearbook. We know that we don't always capture ALL the moments, so would love some help.
If you'd like to send a picture in for the yearbook, please do so here. If you want to send more than 3 at a time - please email them to megan.arnold@gcisd.net.
We're excited to see your photos! Please share pictures of Glenhope students and staff in action - not family photos - so we can highlight our school community in the yearbook.
Thank you for your help in capturing this school year!
https://forms.gle/KntysCwKBC3vZPPg8
Board Game Donations
Thank you for the board game donations. Kids have loved playing games after they check out books. It's so great seeing the kids actively playing and talking without using technology.
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
Free and Reduced-Priced Meal Applications Are Still Accepted
Every dollar counts and if you qualify for free and reduced meals for your child, there is still time to complete an application. Applications are available at www.schoollunchapp.com and can be completed at any time during the school year. The sooner the application is completed and if you qualify, the sooner your child can begin to receive meals at the free or reduced price.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Click here to see Glenhope Peachjar flyers!
Click here to view and claim from the Lost & Found at Glenhope!
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!
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.
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.
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/