GES Families,

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed the past few weeks with your children.  Whether you spent the time traveling, enjoyed being with family and friends, or had extra time to rest and relax, we hope it was everything that your family needed! Our family had a great Christmas at home and quiet New Year's celebration before we packed away the holiday decor. Everyone was excited to get back to school, friends, and a regular routine this week.

As we move into the second semester, I want to thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child’s education. On Wednesday you will see your child's 2nd nine week report card posted in Skyward. I am also pleased to inform you that our mid-year (MOY) iReady Diagnostic testing is complete. On Wednesday you will receive a copy of your child's reports, which detail their results and growth from the beginning of the year (BOY) to the middle of the year.

Over the last two days our staff has engaged in additional training focused on interpreting students' growth and progress. This time allowed us to collaborate and work on designing lessons tailored to provide personalized instruction that supports continuous growth for all our students.

I put together a video reviewing a sample student score report to share more information on iReady growth and hopefully answer questions you may have while reviewing your child's progress. If you have additional questions regarding your child's iReady results, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher.

Thank you again for your partnership in ensuring our students are each achieving their personal best! 

All my best,

Mrs. Hale

One School One Book

We cannot wait to kick-off our annual One School One Book program on Monday, Jan. 13th and reveal our book to students in a morning assembly! (SHHH! It's still a secret!) If you were planning to purchase a copy of the book, The Wild Robot, or borrow from a public library, you will want to have it to begin reading by Jan. 13. The families who requested a school copy will get it on Monday along with the packet of information and trivia slips. We will also be sending home links to listen along to each chapter as our staff reads them if you choose to do that instead. Stay tuned for more next week!

Report Cards Post Wednesday

Report Cards for the 2nd nine weeks will post on Wednesday, Jan. 8th in Skyward. Families can login and check this child's progress and digitally sign-off that they viewed their child's report card. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child's learning from home. 

Change in Specials Schedule for K-2

Our Kindergarten through 2nd grade students will begin following a new specials schedule starting this semester that is similar to our 3rd-5th graders. Previously they have done 24 minutes of PE and 24 minutes of art or music each day. Art and Music rotate weekly by class. In an effort to best meet the needs of our students and limit the number of transitions for students, we are trying something different for the next semester where students will stay in one class for 48 minutes. They will have PE twice a week, music or art twice a week (rotating every other week still) and then Fridays will be a split day on 5-day weeks. 

Winter Weather

District officials will be watching the winter weather carefully and will make determinations about any school closures as quickly as they can keeping in mind the safety of students and staff. Please be alert to your local news stations and ensure your contact information is up to date in Skyward so you are receiving all the district communication being sent out in the event of changes to our calendar based on the weather. 

Save the Date

Officer Weber spent many year as a detective with Grapevine Police Department before becoming a School Resource Officer. He is passionate about Internet Safety for children and has offered to host a round table discussion for families to share information and offer a time for questions. Mark your calendars for Jan. 22 at 6pm if you would like to join us in the GES Learning Commons. 

This discussion time is for adults only. 

He will be partnering with Mrs. Wahpekeche to continue our education for students on internet safety as part of our digital literacy instruction. 

Pre-Kindergarten Lottery Opens January 13

The tuition-based pre-K lottery for the 2024-2025 school year opens January 13, 2025. Give your child the chance to shine with GCISD's exceptional curriculum and dedicated faculty!

January Lunch Sign-up 

Our January lunch sign-up is now available beginning Jan. 8th. As a reminder, we kindly ask that each family reserve only 1 spot per month so that all families have the opportunity to come and eat with their child. We have 6 spots per grade level per day for families. Now that the weather is getting cooler, families may choose to enjoy sitting on the patio at our picnic tables with their child for lunch. 

Please remember to sign-up HERE and bring your valid ID to sign-in to the kiosks when you arrive. If you want to sit outside on the patio, please get a badge from the front office that will let you back into the building after lunch. 

EDP Is Enrolling New Students

EDP is excepting new students for the new year! Sign up today!