GES families,

As Tarrant County has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases, so too has our campus over the past few weeks since returning from Christmas break. We have seen several student and staff cases, and also had many students in quarantine from close contacts outside of our campus. We have continued to see that our precautions at school are helping to reduce to the spread when they are followed. Our students and staff continue to use the 3Ws as guidance: wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.

Thank you to all our families who have been understanding with the current quarantine policies. We understand that the 10-day quarantine is difficult for families and working parents, but we are required to follow the Tarrant County guidelines. At this time, a negative test does not decrease the quarantine time period. When a student or staff member tests positive, we must contact trace based on 48 hours prior to symptoms beginning or the positive test. Any students/staff within 6 ft. of that individual for more than 15 minutes must be quarantined. Our teachers keep diligent records and seating charts during every period of the school day, which are referenced when contact tracing is required. We make every attempt to keep the seating charts similar from homeroom classes to specials and lunch, as to not create additional close contacts. However, during this time we do continue to pull small groups and follow best practices for education. Unfortunately, it's sometimes unavoidable to not have any contacts while in the building.

As a reminder, please keep your child home from school if they OR anyone in your household is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. We encourage students getting tested before they return to campus if anyone in your household is sick or tests positive. This will help prevent us having to do additional contact tracing should they contract the virus. Again, we appreciate your support in keeping us all safe during this time.

Sincerely,

Nancy Hale

GES Teachers are Magical

During our month of gratitude, please take a moment to thank a teacher who has gone above and beyond for your family. You can recognize them on our GES Teachers are Magical form. We will link it each week in this Monday Message and then share out the great things our "cast members" are doing during our monthly faculty meetings and weekly staff newsletters.

Power of Yet Virtual Assembly

GES hosted NED’s Mindset Mission on FRIDAY, JANUARY 22ND. A world-class performer took our students on an interactive educational journey filled with storytelling, illusions, yo-yo tricks and humor. NED’s message and memorable friends inspired students, promote academic achievement, and support our school goals.

Never give up * Encourage others * Do your best®

Our school received this program at no-cost because another school community has paid-it-forward to us. Now it’s our turn—you can help by purchasing a NED-messaged yo-yo and accessories. A yo-yo is both a mindset tool and tangible reminder of NED’s message. While learning to yo, children will make mistakes, try again, and improve. Read more at www.MindsetMission.com/yoyos.

A hard-copy order form came home last week and is also included HERE. If your Star(s) would like to purchase a yo-yo or accessory, this order form with the total payment (cash or check only) can be submitted to his or her homeroom teacher between 1/26-2/1. Purchased item(s) and a receipt and/or change will be placed in the teacher mailbox within the same or next school day. Students will not retrieve the items directly from the counseling office.

If your child is learning remotely and you would like to submit an order form, hard copies are available in the vestibule and is attached above. You can place the order form and payment in the vestibule at the school entrance and make the office aware it is there. Mrs. Horn will contact you when your purchase with receipt is placed in the vestibule for your pick-up.

I am here and ready to help! At any time this year, whether learning remotely or in-person, please click the I want to talk with Mrs. Horn form to request a visit. This form is also be included in grade level newsletters and Seesaws, and stays housed in my email signature, on the GES Counseling district website, and as many locations as possible.

STEM and Dual Language Lottery

The personalized programs application window for the 2021-2022 school year will open on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Online applications will be accepted through Friday, February 12, 2021. The lottery will be conducted on Monday, February 22, 2021.

Students who are already in STEM or Dual Language do NOT need to apply, even at transition years.

For more information and to complete an online application on or after Tuesday, January 19, click here.

GCISD Virtual Multicultural Fair

GCISD is proud to be a part of a culturally diverse community. Our families come from various cultural backgrounds and speak numerous languages.

This May, the GCISD Diversity Advisory Council will be hosting a GCISD Virtual Multicultural Fair and we need YOU! We are looking for volunteers to showcase their own country, culture, or heritage.

Here are some ideas of ways to get involved: Create a slideshow about the country or culture you represent. You could also show examples of toys, books, arts and crafts and so much more! Or you could demonstrate how a particular musical instrument or an unusual kitchen tool works. It would be fun to show us how to play a certain popular game. How about a simple cooking demonstration of a famous dish or a demonstration of a cultural art technique, a dance step or a popular sport? The choice is yours!

If you're interested in participating as an individual or family, please fill out and submit this form by January 29.

Student Spring Survey

Growing our students’ social-emotional skills is an important goal in GCISD. We strive to create global citizens who are skilled problem solvers, effective communicators, self-regulated learners and collaborative workers through our Portrait of a Graduate. In order to identify areas of strength, needs, and support, students will be completing an online survey similar to the survey they participated in during the fall semester. This survey aligns with Goal 2 of LEAD 2.0: designing learning environments that support social and emotional well-being and Goal 3: creating a culture that fosters learning environments that reflect student voice and promote student engagement.

The data we get back will help inform our educational practices and will help us continue to identify opportunities for growth and development across the District.

Beginning on Monday, January 25 through Friday, February 5, students will have the opportunity to complete the online survey during a designated class time. For students who are engaging in remote learning, an activity is currently in SeeSaw with instructions for participation.

The survey for students in third through twelfth-grade will ask a series of questions on the following topics: grades, classes, performance in school, behavior, student voice, and learning. Students in sixth through twelfth-grade will be asked an additional set of questions related to diversity. Students in pre-kindergarten through second grade will be assessed on teacher perception of grit, self-management, social awareness, self-efficacy and learning strategies. The information collected will be used by the teacher and campus leaders to provide necessary support for all students.

If you have any questions regarding this survey, please contact our campus counselor, Mrs. Horn @ angela.horn@gcisd.net.

COVID-19 Prevalence Study

Join the DFW COVID-19 Prevalence Study to help researchers better understand how common COVID-19 is in Dallas and Tarrant counties. By volunteering, you will help guide decisions being made in our communities to keep you and your family safe and healthy. The study is being conducted by UT Southwestern and Texas Health Resources.

To participate in the study, visit www.utswmed.org/covidstudy and complete a brief survey.

• Some people will then be asked to complete a brief survey and offered free COVID-19 testing and a $20 gift card.

• Others will be asked to complete a 10-minute survey about their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every 50th person who submits a completed survey will receive a $20 gift card.

GCISD Language Assessment Center Online Courses for Adults

In partnership with the Grapevine Community Outreach Center, the GCISD Language Assessment Center will begin offering online courses for adults. These free courses will be self-paced and will provide skills in English as a Second Language and Adult Basic Literacy, as well as GED support. The flyers can be viewed and shared here in English and Spanish.

Pre-AP Label Change

Next school year, the College Board will be requiring school districts to pay a fee if they use the Pre-AP label for any of their courses. This fee is an annual fee that is per course, per campus. GCISD along with many neighboring districts, have decided not to purchase the use of the Pre-AP label in an effort to remain fiscally responsible.

Beginning in the 2021-22 school year, GCISD will be implementing the title change to “Advanced” for all courses formerly known as Pre-AP. This change will be reflected in the 2021-22 Course Selection Guide set to release in January of 2021. As an example, Pre-AP World History will now be labeled as World History Advanced.

GCISD will use AP's guidelines to ensure the rigor of both middle school and high school courses. Classes now labeled “Advanced” will remain the same weight as the PreAP courses they are replacing. GCISD will continue to work with the College Board through our AP offerings.

Technology Assistance

GCISD Technology Resources is committed to serving students and staff, especially during the District's remote learning instruction. Please keep in mind these very helpful resources:

ClassLink - GCISD's single sign-on portal for students and staff. ClassLink allows users to sign in once and have access to all of their accounts at the click of a button.

Help Desk - Students and staff can submit help requests to GCISD's Help Desk at any time. If you need your student's password reset, or are having trouble accessing ClassLink, please call 817-251-5629 during our extended help desk hours. For all other issues with student devices, please fill out a help ticket at help.gcisdstudents.net.

Outdoor WiFi Access - As a reminder, wireless network access is available outside of many GCISD campuses for use by students, parents and staff. Click here for locations, maps and instructions on how to connect.

Volunteers are significantly limited at this time, but there may be opportunities later in the year. Go ahead and apply now so you're ready when the time comes.

In order to volunteer at GES, or around GCISD, all volunteers must:

1. read the Volunteer Handbook (this replaces the previous face to face volunteer trainings held on campus)

2. watch the appropriate video included in the handbook

3. electronically sign the verification Google form for each campus you plan to volunteer

4. complete the volunteer background check. A link is included in the handbook.

The following link takes you to the online Volunteer Handbook and background check: https://www.gcisd.net/cms/one.aspx?pageId=195550

When you are ready to volunteer at GES, feel free to call the front office at 817-251-5735 to verify that both of the required steps have been recorded as completed. We appreciate your support as you complete these steps and volunteer to work with our GES students.

Parents and loved ones are not able to come up for lunch at this time. We are currently limiting visitors in our building.

Lunch Times

• PreK: 10:15 - 10:45

• Kindergarten: 10:45 - 11:15

• 1st Grade: 11:15 - 11:45

• 2nd Grade: 11:45 - 12:15

• 3rd Grade: 12:15- 12:45

• 4th Grade: 12:45 - 1:15

• 5th Grade: 1:15 - 1:45