Gator Connect

Nov 2-8th

Principal Message & News

Happy Sunday, Gator Families!

As a reminder, Monday, November 3 is a Staff Professional Development Day - No School for Students!

What a fantastic and busy week we’ve had with our favorite alligators! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to our success. From the PTA delivering delicious alligator cookies to our staff, to the Dads Club showering us with generous gift cards, and the amazing support from parents at the Pep Rally featuring our mini MP cheerleaders and football players—your involvement truly made a difference. A special shoutout to the PTA for bringing Glenhope the coolest BMX show!

It truly takes a village, and our swamp is one of a kind!

We had our SPELLING BEE PRETEST in 2nd-5th Grade. We had 38 3rd-5th Gators qualify to advance to our Campus Spelling Bee in December. Please have your Gator check their email as the participants who are advancing received an email from Mrs. Ilic and need to accept their spot. Let Mrs. Ilic know if you have any questions.

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

Glenhope LOVES our DADS CLUB!!!

Gator Way Winners of the Week

Kinder: Nathan consistently makes choices that show kindness, respect, and responsibility. He is an excellent role model and sets a wonderful example for his peers. Nathan always demonstrates the Gator Way.

1st: Tommy shows kindness by always including and listening to others.

He shows kindness to his teacher and friends by setting a good example and following instructions. I am so proud of him and all his hard work! Keep up the great work Tommy!

2nd: Charlotte has been working SO hard! She is growing every day and doing a great job keeping up with her independent work and iReady lessons! I am so proud of her hard work and responsibility.

3rd: Ace always show up to school ready to learn! He completes all his work, follows the CHAMPS and has a positive attitude.

4th: Luke asks for help when needed and is on top of his assignments. If he is going to be gone, he asks for work ahead of time. He is very polite and works well with others in groups!

5th: Robert is an exceptional student whose respectful demeanor defines his classroom presence. He consistently displays courtesy to his teachers by listening intently and always addresses both adults and peers with a polite and thoughtful tone. Whether he's raising his hand to speak or encouraging a classmate, Robert models a deep appreciation for proper classroom etiquette. His quiet but powerful actions foster a positive and harmonious learning environment for everyone around him.

Edugator of the Week

Ms. Bell

Ms. Bell is a huge reason why Glenhope is so great! She's got endless patience, works incredibly hard, and you can always count on her. She thinks outside the box, coming up with awesome lessons that are the perfect fit for whatever her students need. She's a rockstar!

Important Information

Grade Level Newsletters

Important Dates

November 3rd, Staff Professional Development- No School for Students
November 11th, Veterans Day Performance
November 12th, GT/ASPIRE Parent Info Night at PDEC
November 14th, PTA Meeting/Classroom Walks (8-9 am), PTA Gala Night
November 24-28, THANKSGIVING BREAK~
December 6th, Breakfast with Santa (8-10am)
December 6th, GHES MAVS Game! (7:30pm)
- Buy Tickets here!

White and Red Modern Company Annual Meeting Flyer.pdf

Nutrition Services' Annual Thanksgiving Feast on November 6

Get ready for a mouthwatering celebration of gratitude and togetherness! It’s that time of the year again, and we are thrilled to announce our Annual Thanksgiving Meal on Thursday, November 6, where we’ll be serving up a delectable spread that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy!

On the menu:

🦃 Sliced Turkey – Succulent, tender, and perfectly roasted to golden perfection.

🥔 Mashed Potatoes & Gravy – Creamy, velvety mashed potatoes smothered in rich, flavorful gravy.

🌽 Cornbread Dressing – A savory masterpiece of herbs, spices, and cornbread baked to perfection.

🌱 Green Beans – Seasoned and buttery.

🍞 Fresh Baked Rolls – Soft, warm rolls fresh from the oven.

🍏 Warm Cinnamon Apples – Sweet, spiced comfort in every bite.

🥧 Sugar Cookie – A sweet ending to your festive feast.

✨ We hope you’ll join us for this special meal on Thursday, November 6, during lunch!

This institution is an equal opportunity provider

Counseling CanaFACTS with Mrs. Canafax

Red Ribbon Week Recap

We had such a fun week! Thank you for encouraging your children to participate. I know it adds a burden to plan different outfits each day, but simple acts like all wearing similar clothing can help build community. It was an added bonus to connect each day's theme with simple messages about making healthy choices. We hope this also sparked some important conversations at home!

The Glenhope Giving Tree begins November 10th!

Beginning November 10th, Glenhope families are invited to take part in our annual Glenhope Giving Tree, a special tradition that brings our community together in the spirit of generosity and support. Our tree in the front office will be decorated with ornaments, each representing 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 10th. 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

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: Gratitude

I will see each homeroom class once in November, and during that time we will focus on Gratitude. Students will learn that Gratitude means "choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives." We will discuss how practicing gratitude can make us happier and help us build stronger friendships. We will also discuss how we can show gratitude to others and will put that into action by writing a note or drawing a picture to show thanks to a Glenhope staff member.

Students will also decorate a star to represent something they are grateful for, and the stars will be displayed in our Gator Gratitude Galaxy in the front hallway by the vestibule. Check it out the next time you're on campus!

Lunch Bunches Update

We continued practicing conversation skills this week while playing games. Our 3rd-5th graders also tried a new game and worked together to learn how to play. It was an excellent practice in patience and perseverance! It is fun to watch the students build friendships together and to see those friendships carry over into other parts of the day.

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.

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.

Library Lowdown with Mrs. Arnold

🍴📖 2nd Grade Lunch Book Club 📖 🍴

This week will be our last week to meet. We are finishing up Dragon Masters: The Rise of the Earth Dragon. Students designed their own dragon and talked about what powers they had. This week they will be getting a Dragon Stone to celebrate completing a chapter book. Way to go 2nd Graders!

We are excited to begin our Lunch Bunch Book Clubs at Glenhope, 3rd grade, a permission slip went home last week. Fill it out to join our book club!

Be on the lookout for when it's your grades turn to join in on our Library Fun!

🎃📚 October Reading Logs 📚 🎃

October 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!).

Kindergarten - color a pumpkin everytime you read a book or have a book read to you

First and Second - color a pumpkin every 10 minutes you read

Third - Fifth - color a candy or bad every 15 minutes you read

Remember, a child who reads 20 minutes a day will be exposed to 1.8 million words per year!

Glenhope Yearbook

This week a Cover Contest will be sent home. Want your art work in the yearbook? We'd love to see it! Be sure to check out the theme and when the deadline is.

Have a great picture for the yearbook? Please send it to megan.arnold@gcisd.net We'd love for it to be included!

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.

Glenhope PTA

Join PTA

Volunteer

Sponsor

Make Your Gator’s Birthday Extra Special!

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

Volunteers Needed

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

Check out our Campus Calendar for important events!

Click here to see Glenhope Peachjar flyers!

Lost & Found

Click here to view and claim from the Lost & Found at Glenhope!

Parent Referral Window for GT/ASPIRE Testing 5th-11th Grade

Parents of students in grades 5–11 may submit referrals for GT or ASPIRE testing in Skyward from October 14–November 3.

Step-by-step directions for completing a referral in Skyward are available on the GCISD Advanced Academics website.

Volunteer Background Check

Apply Online

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.

Cafeteria Visitors

Welcoming Lunch Visitors

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!

Congratulations to your student on completing the i-Ready Diagnostic!

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!

Senate Bill 12 Requirements and Updates

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.

iReady Beginning of Year Testing

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.

School Supply List

FINAL 25-26 Elementary School Supply List.pdf

2025-2026 District Calendar

25-26_Instructional_Calendar (1).pdf

GCISD Committees

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

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

Glenhope Elementary

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/

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