Grapevine Elementary
Monday Message
Dear GES Families,
This year our school theme was “WILD About Engagement!” By continuing to set individual goals and working hard to achieve them, our students stayed engaged in their reading and math. We saw great success with our students from our beginning of the year data to the end of year data. All students should have brought home score reports from their end of year assessments.
We want to keep the momentum going over the summer! We encourage you to visit the local public libraries to help you locate books on your child’s independent reading level. Please reference the GCISD Summer Engagement resources for ideas throughout the summer. You can also read at the park, in the car, on an airplane, at the pool, while visiting family, and more! Additionally, you can read books with your child or even listen to audiobooks with them! For math, consider ways to practice fluency and facts such as counting, skip counting, playing games with cards, dice, etc. The more you engage your child in reading and math, the greater the student they will become. Children also learn so many social skills from playing games and taking turns.
Additionally, we have also sent home a similar summer reading letter with all students that has their current independent reading level. Studies show that students who do not continue reading over the summer can lose up to 2 months reading performance, which can take months of instructional time to regain in the new school year. We hope you will continue to engage with your child in reading this summer to prevent the “summer slide” and ensure success as they move to the next grade level. As an additional layer of engagement, all GES Star students returning in August for the 24-25 school year will have the opportunity to visit the Book Vending Machine if they maintain or exceed their current level over the summer, as indicated during beginning of the year assessments.
We hope you will take on this challenge with us over the summer to STOP the summer slide! Share your summer reading with us on our GES Facebook page or on X using #GESshineon.
See you in August for Meet the Teacher on Monday, August 12, 2024!
All our best,
Your GES Family
Campus News and Announcements
Early Dismissal Thursday
We will be dismissing on Thursday, May 23rd at 11:45am for the last day of school! Please ensure you pick your child up on time.
Bag Lunches for Thursday
Thursday we have a half-day of school. If your child will need to purchase a bag lunch from the school cafeteria to eat before they go home, please complete this FORM. Students will eat in their classrooms. They may also choose to bring a lunch from home or eat after dismissal at 11:45am.
Report Cards Post Wednesday
Final report cards for the year will post on Wednesday, May 22 in your child's Skyward account. Thank you for your continued support and participation in checking your child's grades.
Success Ceremonies & Celebrations
PreK - May 22 8:00 - 9:30am
Kinder - May 20 9:30 - 1:00pm
1st Grade - May 20 8:00 - 9:30am
2nd Grade - May 21 8:00 - 9:30am
3rd Grade - May 21 10:00 - 11:30am
4th Grade - May 22 9:45am - 11:15am
5th Grade - May 22 6:30pm
Success Ceremonies
We hope you all will be able to join us for your child's Success Ceremony! This is a long-standing GES tradition. It is a special time for students in each grade level to share what they are most proud of learning that school year. Prior to the ceremonies, all GES students will reflect on their growth with their teachers; and then, the students will decide something they are most proud of learning to be shared at the ceremony.
Below are the times for all Success Ceremonies and celebrations. We will open the doors 30 minutes before each grade level ceremony and have a place for families to wait in the cafeteria prior to opening classrooms.
5th Grade Graduation
Our 5th grade Graduation Ceremony will be held the evening of May 22nd at 6:30pm. Doors will open at 6:15pm.
Fast Passes are not required for this event because it is after school hours.
Yearbooks
Our Yearbooks will be delivered this week to homeroom classes. Students will have the opportunity throughout the week to sign them with their classmates. On Thursday during specials classes, there will be a grade level signing opportunity. For this reason, you might not see the yearbooks come home until Thursday or we ask that you keep them in your child's backpack for the remainder of the week.
Many thanks to our PTA Yearbook Coordinator, Amanda Jernigan, who did an WILDLY wonderful job putting together the yearbook! She has held this position for several years and we are so grateful for all the time, effort, and energy she has given over the years to our campus.
Wildly Amazing Student Wednesdays
Each Wednesday in May, to wrap up our WILD year, we will be celebrating our WILD Wednesdays by catching students who are exhibiting our GES Family Values! Through a generous donation from Kids Heart Challenge, we were able to obtain lanyards for each students and many different animal key chains. Students will be working each Wednesday to earn a different animal based on their safe, kind, helpful, and respectful choices. Students can choose to keep and wear their lanyards all month long, just on Wednesdays, or attach the keychains to their backpack. We hope this is a little extra motivation and engagement with our GES Guidelines for Success as we wrap up a wonderfully WILD year!
May 22 - Have a Roaring Good Time at Recess by Being Safe
Field Day Thank You
We want to thank Coach Basil, our specials team, all the teachers and staff, as well as our volunteers and families for a fabulous Field Day on Friday! We had to pivot at the last minute due to the cancelation in the use of the small pool and our PTA came through in a huge way to provide water stations with less than 24 hours before the event. Coach Basil worked on updating the schedule and maps with the new activities and we had many volunteers step up to help make this time a blast for the students! We are so thankful for everyone's support!
Campus Excellence Committee
Each GCISD campus has a Campus Excellence Committee (CEC). Each year, this committee will establish and review the campus educational goals, objectives, and progress made within the Campus Improvement Plan while ensuring alignment with the vision, mission and District Improvement Plan. This committee is composed of representation from campus teachers, staff, parents, and business owners in the community.
If you are interested in serving on the GES CEC, please email Mrs. Hale. Having a full committee composed of all of the various stakeholders listed above is important.
This year, the (CAMPUS) CEC met on the following dates:
Oct. 17, 2023
Jan. 16, 2024
April 16, 2024
A variety of topics were discussed including the following:
State Accountability/STAAR performance from the 2022-2023 school year: The State of Texas did not release A-F ratings, but we reviewed our data from the Spring 2023 STAAR tests. Highlights include 5th grade reading with a 10% increase in Meets level performance and 4th grade math with a 8% increase in Meets level performance. Our campus focus for this year was egagement and ensuring all students made a full years growth in reading and math. We implemented Kagan Cooperative Learning structures, teambuilding, and classbuilding in all classrooms.
Regular evaluation of campus progress towards the Campus Improvement Plan goals and strategies.
Standards Based Report Cards (SBRCs) on January 16. We discussed the purpose of report cards, the differences between SBRCs and traditional numeric report cards, and campus input on this topic. This information was received by the Mrs. Hale and brought to GCISD Principal Meetings and the District Excellence Committee for consideration.
STAAR Scores
Families Can Access Test Scores on Scheduled Dates
Results for the STAAR, STAAR Alternate 2, TELPAS and TELPAS Alternate tests are expected to be available on the dates listed below:
Tuesday, May 14 - TELPAS Alternate Score Release for Listening/Speaking and Reading/Writing for grades K-2 Emergent Bilingual
Friday, June 7- STAAR End of Course English I, English II, Biology, Algebra I, U.S. History Score Release
Wednesday, June 12 - TELPAS Score Release for Listening/Speaking and Reading/Writing for grades K-12 Emergent Bilingual
Friday, June 14 - STAAR grades 3-8 Reading/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies Score Release
Thursday, June 20 - STAAR Alternate 2 grades 3-8 and End of Course Score Release
Friday, August 2 - June STAAR End of Course Score Release
Families can access their children’s results through Skyward Family Portal on the release dates. Instructions on how to access scores in Skyward are here. If for any reason, your child’s results are not in Skyward, they can be accessed through the Texas Education Agency’s Family Portal, which will require an access code. Instructions on how to obtain the access code for your child can be found here. To learn more about the exams and what grade levels or students take the respective tests, visit TEA’s website.
GES Summer Withdrawal Form
We are asking any families who know they are NOT returning to GES for the 2024-2025 school year to please complete the following GES Summer Withdrawal FORM. This does not include students moving on to middle school.
PTA Announcements
A Message from the PTA President
Dear GES Families,
Thank you so much for the opportunity to be your PTA President this past year. I have immensely enjoyed spending time at the school with the students, parents, teachers, administrators, and the entire GES Staff.
I am very proud of our team of PTA leaders this year, and we have exceeded the expectations and goals we set. From the fall carnival, to holiday parties, to the Fun Run, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to every PTA member and volunteer. I wish everyone a wonderful summer break, and I'm looking forward to a fantastic year with Anna Rotenberry as your next PTA President.
Sincerely,
Meghan Decker
GES PTA President
2024 GES PTA Award Recipients
Please join us in congratulating our 2024 PTA Award Winners:
GES PTA Legacy Award Winner - Darla Helms
Texas PTA Honorary Lifetime Member Award Winners - Meghan Decker and Joy Fowler
Friend of Children Award Winners - Chase Carpenter, Kelli Carpenter, Zainab Ellis, Samantha Gray, Jamie Horn, Valerie Przyojski, Officer Richard Weber
GES PTA Scholarship Recipients - Landry Ashmore and Mason March
24 - 25 School Packs Available for Pre-Order
Our 2024 - 2025 School Supply Sale is now open. If you order a school supply pack it will be available for pick up in the gym during Meet the Teacher in August. Thanks to Keri Rardon for organizing this year's sale! Please note GES PTA will not be ordering any extra packs.
Ordering link: https://www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks
School code: GRA044 (3 letters/3 numbers)
GCISD News
Beat the Filter Challenge
May 29-30, 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Cost: $20
Location: GCISD campus location - TBD
Tech-savvy students, get ready for a thrilling two-day challenge to outwit the district's internet filter! Picture yourself in a room filled with filtering engineers and ethical hackers, observing your every move and cheering you on as you navigate the digital labyrinth.
Prizes, awards, and letters of recommendation await the winners, opening doors to future opportunities. It's a safe and educational event, open to grades 6-12. Limited spots available, so act fast with your district-issued device! Get ready for an unforgettable adventure where you'll learn, compete, and discover your digital prowess!
This challenge is designed to be a safe and educational experience. You'll get to flex your hacking muscles without any risk of violating district policies or landing yourself in hot water. Spaces are limited, so act fast! This event is open to students in grades 6-12, and you'll need to bring your district-issued device to participate. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure, where you'll learn, compete, and most importantly, have an absolute blast! Who knows, you might just discover your true calling as a digital mastermind!
Questions? Contact technology@gcisd.net
Repeated Information
Returning Student Registration & Devices
Any student who hasn't completed Returning Student Registration by Friday, May 17th will be asked to return their student device and charger before the summer. This will ensure that we have all technology should a family not return to GES in the fall.
To register a returning student click here.
Families who are awaiting a transfer request should register for the campus they are currently zoned for. Transfer requests will be processed at a later date. To view attendance zones, visit our School Maps Online.
Thank You
Thank you for the amazing outpouring of love and support during Teacher Appreciation Week! We loved all the beautiful decorations, treats, gifts, notes, cards, time, and hugs that were showered upon us throughout the week. HUGE thank you to our Staff Appreciation Chair, Jamie Horn, and her committee with our GES PTA who organized a WILDLY amazing week!
Registration for 2024-2025
Returning student registration is open! While parents are able to register up until the first day of school, parents are encouraged to register by Friday, May 17 to help the district gather enrollment numbers as early as possible for planning purposes.
To register a returning student click here. Prior to completing online registration, students enrolling in pre-kindergarten must have completed a separate online application, which may be found here.
Families who are awaiting a transfer request should register for the campus they are currently zoned for. Transfer requests will be processed at a later date. To view attendance zones, visit our School Maps Online.
New student registration is also open and can be completed here. Students new to the district (including those entering kindergarten) must provide proof of residency, birth certificate, social security number, immunization record, emergency contact numbers and a report card from the previous school unless enrolling in kindergarten.
Families needing assistance with registration for the 2024-2025 school year should contact our campus registrar, Candice Patton, candice.patton@gcisd.net. Families who need additional assistance or have specific questions or concerns may also call the front office at 817-251-5735.
For more information, visit GCISD’s 2024-2025 registration page.
Summer Enrichment
GCISD is offering Summer Enrichment Courses. See the flyer or click HERE for more information and course offerings.
Spend Your Summer With EDP!
Enroll now to give your child a summer they will never forget! Weekly registrations available. Registration link is here.
GCISD Bond Approved by Voters
Thank you to the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD community for approving the school district’s $150,000,000 bond referendum. Unofficial results of the election show:
Proposition A passed with 61.83% of voters in favor and 38.17% against.
Proposition B passed with 62.91% of voters in favor and 37.09% against.
Proposition C passed with 60.18% of voters in favor and 39.82% against.
The passing of this bond will provide funding to address safety and security, aging facilities, update technology infrastructure, and make improvements to the swim center. A detailed list of projects is available at GCISD.net/Bond.
Click here to read more information about the May 4 election.
Save the Date - Meet the Teacher Aug. 2024
We hope you will save the Date for Meet the Teacher in the fall! We know everyone is busy planning summer vacations. We will welcome our students back and announce teachers for the 2024 school year on Monday, Aug. 12th. The first day of school will be Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024.
Save the Date - Kindergarten Star Camp
We invite all of our incoming Kindergarten students to attend Kindergarten Star Camp on Aug. 1, 2024. This is a time for students to get to see the kindergarten classrooms, familiarize themselves with the building, and get to know the teachers. Additionally, we have a parent information session for families to learn about GES Kindergarten! We will send more detailed information to all families registered for kindergarten in late July.
Save the Date - PreK Mingle
Do you know an incoming GES PreK student? Please help us spread the word about their PreK Mingle to meet their teachers and get to know more about the program prior to Meet the Teacher. We will send more detailed information to all families registered for kindergarten in late July to sign-up for a timeslot during the window.
Class Pictures Available
If you would like to order a class picture from your child's year, you can go to the Glamourcraft website using our school code below. All orders will be shipped to your home.
Must be ordered online at our website HERE.
ALL ORDERS WILL BE SHIPPED TO THE HOME.
Click the link above & enter the following code.
SCHOOL CODE IS :
gvine24grps
Lunch Visitors
Lunch Visitors
Lunch guests will sign-in through our secure vestibule with a valid ID, stop by the front office to check-in and receive a visitor badge, and then meet their GES star at the entrance to the cafeteria. Families will have the option to sit outside in the picnic table area for lunch or in our cafeteria at an empty table near the windows. Parents are welcome to bring in outside food when having their lunch with their child. We ask that you please be courteous to the rest of the community and limit lunch visits with your child to no more than one per month so that all families have the opportunity to visit. We appreciate your cooperation.
Each family needs only 1 slot reserved. For example, Mom, Dad, and sister may all come eat lunch with Nancy. Only Mom needs to be registered as 1 visitor to reserve 1 picnic table together. When it asks for quantity of visitors, please select just 1. Lunch visitors may only eat with their child or student. You may not invite friends to sit with you when coming for lunch.
You can sign-up for May 1-22 HERE.
PreK: 10:45 - 11:15
Kinder: 11:45 - 12:15
1st: 11:30 - 12:00
2nd: 11:00 - 11:30
3rd: 12:05 - 12:35
4th: 12:55 - 1:25
5th: 12:25 - 12:55
Volunteering
Volunteering
We LOVE our volunteers at GES! This year we are encouraging all families who plan to come to campus and interact with students to go ahead and complete the background check. Volunteers must complete this EACH YEAR beginning in August! It can take 1-2 weeks for your background check to clear. If you plan to be a guest reader, volunteer at a class party, chaperone a field trip, volunteer with PTA, open car doors with our Dad's Club, etc. you will need a completed Background Check!
The following link takes you to the online Volunteer Handbook and background check: https://www.gcisd.net/o/gcisd/page/volunteer-background-check
In order to volunteer at GES, or around GCISD, all volunteers must:
read the Volunteer Handbook (this replaces the previous face to face volunteer trainings held on campus)
watch the appropriate video included in the handbook
electronically sign the verification Google form for each campus you plan to volunteer
complete the volunteer background check. A link is included in the handbook.
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.