Hello, Gator Families, 

Gators, the Countdown is On! 🐊

Hard to believe, but we are just 4 school days away from a much-deserved break! Our Gators have been working incredibly hard, and that finish line is finally in sight.

As the excitement for the break builds, we need your help keeping our momentum going. We’ve asked our students to continue modeling The Gator Way every day—showing respect, responsibility, and kindness—even when those pre-break jitters kick in! We would appreciate it if you could reinforce these same expectations at home.  Let’s finish this stretch on a high note!

We have a very busy and exciting Thursday ahead! Please take note of the following:

• The Fun Run is Back! 🏃‍♂️ Thank you all so much for your patience and flexibility regarding the postponement. As we all know, the weather can be unpredictable, and our top priority is ensuring a safe and dry environment for our runners. The Fun Run has been rescheduled for this Thursday. Get those running shoes ready!

• Open House: Thursday Evening 🏫 Please join us on Thursday night for our school-wide Open House. This is a wonderful opportunity to step into the classrooms and see the "amazing things" your Gators have been achieving this semester. Our students are so proud of their work, and we can’t wait for them to show it off to you.

Thank you for your continued support of our school community. Let’s make these last four days the best ones yet!

Go Gators!

As a reminder, Friday, March 13 is an instructional Planning Day for Teachers, and no school for students. The following week March 16-20 is our🌞Spring Break, and the campus will be closed! 

Fun Run (get your Fast Pass here) 

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 

Team Glenhope’s performance at the Texas Chess Association Region II Championship this past Saturday. Representing 29 Texas counties, the tournament included 138 students from 49 schools across eight sections. Eleven students represented Glenhope in three of those sections, achieving outstanding results.

Our students earned two first-place team finishes and several individual awards:

Elementary U750: 1st Place Team Trophy

The team featured Namish Gupta, Alexander Wollin-Ramirez, Manasvini Mamidibattula, and Anna Shevchuk. Individually, Namish earned the 2nd place trophy, Alexander took 3rd, and Manasvini placed 5th.

Unrated K-3: 1st Place Team Trophy

Archie Lowe, Clayton McMullen, Lowell Dunham, and Ari Aldarkazali secured first place before the final round even began. Archie, Clayton, and Lowell tied for first place overall with four wins each. Following tiebreaker rules, Archie received the 2nd place trophy, Clayton received 4th, and Lowell received 5th. Ari also performed exceptionally well, finishing in 6th place (he was in 1st place before the final round)

Unrated 4-5: 4th Place Team Finish

Bivaaan Shrestha, Rehan Lakhani, and Zayden Virani competed strongly. Despite finishing in 4th place due to not having a full four-person roster, they performed admirably against teams with over eight players.

Congratulations to all the students for their hard work and for making the Gator Nation proud.

Extended Learning Expansion Opportunities

GCISD is exploring expanding the Extended Learning program to offer more services and opportunities for students. Your feedback through our Extended Learning Survey will help us design offerings that truly meet the needs and interests of GCISD families through meaningful enrichment opportunities and flexible learning experiences.

Additionally, GCISD is exploring the development of an enrichment program designed to serve homeschool families in the DFW metroplex. Please help us get the word out by sharing this Community Feedback Form with any families you know whose children do not currently attend a GCISD school. 

🌟 Extended Learning Mini Camps Are Here 🌟

Parents, looking for exciting ways to keep your child engaged this summer? We’ve got you covered! Our Extended Learning Mini Camps offer something for everyone — from building basketball and volleyball skills to exploring science through a STAR WARS™ lens (yes, they’ll even create their own light saber!), diving into hands-on art, becoming a comic strip whiz, or learning the basics of coding.

Give your child a summer full of creativity, movement, innovation, and FUN. Spots fill fast — don’t miss out on the excitement! 🚀✨

Reading Refresh Camp

Reading Refresh Camp is specially designed for students with dyslexia and focuses on maintaining and strengthening literacy skills over the summer. Through structured, research-based instruction in a supportive small-group setting, students will build foundational reading skills, boost confidence, and continue their growth as readers. Our goal is to help every camper feel successful, capable, and excited about learning. 🌟

One Application, 19 Opportunities: GCEF Senior Scholarships are Open

GCISD Class of 2026! We know your "to-do" list is likely miles long right now—between cap and gown orders, final projects, and trying to soak in every last minute of high school. But we have one item that deserves a spot at the very top of your list: The GCEF Student Scholarships.

These awards aren't just for one type of student. Whether you’re heading to a four-year university or pursuing CTE (Career and Technical Education) opportunities, there is a scholarship designed with your goals in mind.

These 19 scholarships vary in dollar amounts, academic interests, and personal goals. No matter your "thing," there’s likely a match for you.

Scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors across the district. For specific requirements on GPA, community service, or area of study, be sure to review the “Eligibility Section” within the application portal.

Pro-Tip: Don’t count yourself out! With 19 different opportunities tied to one form, your chances are better than you think.

The Clock is Ticking ⏰

The deadline to submit your application is March 15. While that might feel like plenty of time, Spring Break has a way of sneaking up on us. Don't leave free money on the table—get your application in early so you can get back to enjoying your senior year.

Application Form

March Guidance Classes

March guidance classes began this week, and this month we are talking all about Respect. Students will learn that respect means seeing value in all people and things. During Guidance lessons, students will talk about what it looks like to respect their belongings, their teachers, themselves, and their friends.

In Kindergarten–1st grade, we focus on the importance of being kind to everyone. In 3rd–5th grade, students discuss what it means to be a respectful friend, including being a good winner and loser, not spreading rumors, and using kind language with others. Our goal is to help students understand how respect helps create a positive and supportive school community.

Last week, I was visited by the following homerooms: Bell, Robertson (5th), Lucero, Lee, Welch, Miten, Cohen, and MacMahon. If your student is in one of those homerooms, ask them what they learned about Respect! 

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.  Thank you to those of you who have already complete

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. 

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. 

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. 

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

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