Hello, Gator Families! 

It has been a whirlwind of activity here at the swamp! While we certainly enjoyed the unique excitement of our recent ice days, we were so thrilled to welcome our Gators back to the building. We know the last few weeks have been busy with testing; we truly appreciate your patience as we gather the essential data needed to tailor our instruction to each student's individual needs. We have our final day of field testing this Tuesday, which will be our last "closed campus" day until STAAR testing begins in April. Our first Gatorville Club Day this past Friday was a massive hit—the energy in the halls was electric and the students absolutely loved exploring their interests! 

This week upcoming dates & reminders: 

• Tuesday, Feb 3: 4th Grade Field Trip & Final Field Testing Day for 5th Grade (Closed Campus).

• Wednesday, Feb 4: World Read Aloud Day! Students and staff are invited to wear their favorite cozy pajamas.

• Thursday, Feb 5: 5th Grade visit to CTMS.

• Friday, Feb 6: Spring Picture Day! This includes both individual and class photos, so be sure to dress to impress.

Attention 5th Grade Parents: Please join us at CTMS this Wednesday for Middle School Information Night to help prepare your student for their next big adventure! See the details below for times and locations.

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 

Community Engagement for GCISD Emergent Bilingual Families 

In partnership with the Texas Education Agency (TEA), we invite emergent bilingual families to join us on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. for a watch party focused on community engagement for emergent bilingual families. This session will highlight community events that share information or teach skills from a community partner, benefiting parents and families, or emergent bilingual students.

The watch party will take place at the JPS Building, located at 3050 Timberline Dr, Grapevine, TX 76051, Room 002. The event will be conducted via Zoom and will be available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Arabic.

Parents can register to attend by scanning the QR code on the flyer or visiting https://bit.ly/T3Session3.

Evento de Participación Comunitaria para Familias Bilingües Emergentes de GCISD

En colaboración con TEA, le invitamos a unirse a nosotros el miércoles, 28 de enero de 2026, de 12:30 p.m. a 2:00 p.m., para una reunión enfocada en la participación comunitaria de familias bilingües emergentes. Este evento destacará programas de participación comunitaria que brindan oportunidades para que los estudiantes de inglés, sus padres y miembros de la familia participen en diversas actividades y eventos bajo el Título III, Parte A.

La reunión se llevará a cabo en el edificio JPS, ubicado en 3050 Timberline Dr., Grapevine, TX 76051, en el salón 002. El evento se realizará de manera virtual a través de la plataforma Zoom y estará disponible en inglés, español, vietnamita y árabe.

Los padres pueden registrarse para asistir escaneando el código QR en el folleto (flyer) o visitando la página https://bit.ly/T3Session3.    

January Guidance Time - Continuing into February! 

Our character trait for January is Perseverance, so students are learning about pushing ourselves through challenges and obstacles. They explored the difference between a Growth Mindset and a Fixed Mindset and discussed the power of the word "Yet." This week I was visited by the following homerooms: Herrera and Cummings. I missed several scheduled classes due to the snow days and look forward to seeing them in February! 

When your child says they can’t do something, encourage them to add the word yet to the end of their sentence. This simple shift helps them focus on effort, progress, and what they can do as they continue learning and growing. 

Our February trait is Honesty. Students will not come to me for Guidance in February, but will review the character trait with their teachers. They will learn that Honesty means "being truthful in what you say and do." We will still recognize our Honest Great Gators at our February Pep Rally. 

Brief Pause in Lunch Bunches 

If your child is currently enrolled in one of my Lunch Bunch groups, please note that I will need to cancel Lunch Bunches for the first week of February. I know we also missed last week due to the ice storm, so I want to assure you that I do plan to extend our group meetings to make up the missed sessions, continuing until after Spring Break.

I apologize for the inconvenience and truly appreciate your understanding. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Play it Safe 

GCISD offers the “Play it Safe” program for all students in grades PK-5. The GCISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) has previewed and recommended these programs for all GCISD elementary schools. SHAC is a volunteer council comprised of parents and community members that reflect the values of the district and the community. The curriculum and presentations are aligned with district philosophy.

Play it Safe is a child abuse prevention and awareness program that incorporates individual grade level, age-appropriate scripts and movies to teach children how to reduce the risk of sexual and physical abuse. This program is a personal safety program and does not address human sexuality. It teaches them to recognize potentially abusive behavior, provides the tools to respond to threatening situations, and encourages them to report abuse to a trusted adult. 

Glenhope will show Play it Safe presentations during Specials time on Friday, April 10th.  All families must OPT IN or OPT OUT of participating in Play It Safe presentations. Please complete this Opt In/Opt Out form by Friday, April 3rd. 

Click here to learn more about Play it Safe. If you have further questions regarding Play It Safe at this time, you can contact Lauren Canafax at lauren.canafax@gcisd.net or 817-251-5720.

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 encourage self-advocacy, you can also encourage your child to request to speak with me! They can go to ClassLink and search "Counselor." This will bring up a form that they can complete to request a meeting with me. 

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. 

Student and Family Support

As the school counselor, my role is to help ensure all students have what they need to thrive at school. If your child is ever in need of food, clothing, or other basic necessities, please reach out to me. Support is available, and all conversations will remain confidential. 

Looking for Library Volunteers 

I am happy to open up the library for more volunteers! If you'd like to come help in the library, or even from home, please check out the interest form, here: 

GHES Library Volunteer Interest Form

These are the following volunteers we are looking for: 

• Library Assistants: Parents who come in and assist children during check out times, find books for students or help with makerspace needs

• Shelfers: Parents who come in and reshelf books as books come in at all times in the library

• Readers: Reading donated books to see if they are good fit for our approved list (done at the comfort of your home)

• Special Projects: Help the library with some special projects like wrapping books for "mystery books", decorating the library for seasons or special events, help with special projects happening in the school

📚 Library Book Donations 📚

The library is now up for Book Donations. The books need to be in good condition. I will have a cart in the PTA Workroom for parents to put donated books in there. The books will be taken and either used in our library if the book is on the approved list, or we need more copies. If the book is not on the approved list, but fits the criteria, we will see if it can get on the approved list. If we cannot use the book in our library, I will take them to Half Priced Books and use funds for items in the library. 

Are you needing book ideas?

Is your child in a reading slump? Are they not inspired or doesn't have a series or genre that they love? Before you spend money on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Target, connect with me. 

I'd love to meet via email or in person in the library to discuss some good books, series, or what's trending. I can send some books home that you can look through with your child to see if anything inspires them. Or if you want to schedule a time to come to the library, we can walk the shelves and see what your child would like based on their past check outs. 

Email me at megan.arnold@gcisd.net and let's work together to find something for your child. 

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 $40. If you are interested in buying a yearbook, please view the information below:

Steps to Order:

1. Go to:  https://www.balfour.com/texas/colleyville/glenhope-elementary-school

2. Place your order and pay online

3. Books will be delivered and passed out at school in mid-May. 

4. **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

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. 

Volunteer Background Check

Apply Online

GCISD utilizes Raptor Technologies for volunteer applications and signing up for volunteer opportunities. 

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! 

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