First Day of School

Walking your child to class on the first day of school is a time-honored tradition. We want all of our families that choose to be able to walk their child to class on Tuesday, Aug. 15th and take pictures before giving their kids a big hug and wishing them a great day! However, we need your help! In order to safely have all visitors in the building, EVERYONE (over the age of 18) will need to Raptor in at our kiosks in the vestibule. In an effort to alleviate long lines on the first morning of school, we are allowing families to print their "First Day of School" visitor badge in advance. You may do this at Meet the Teacher on Thursday, Aug. 10 from 5:00 - 6:30 OR on Monday, Aug. 14 from 8:00-4:00pm. You will simply scan your ID and print the badge, then hold onto it until Tuesday morning. When you arrive on campus Tuesday, please plan to wear your badge on your shirt where it can be visible to all staff and have your photo ID available as you enter the building so we can ensure it matches the badge. We will have plenty of staff at the main foyer entrances to allow all those with a printed badge to enter quickly. We appreciate your support and cooperation as we continue this tradition in a safe manner for all students and staff. 

Independence Day this year will be on Wednesday, Aug. 16th! Families will be able to walk their children to the foyer entrances and send them off into the building independently from there. We will have lots of adults stationed and ready to help escort students to their classrooms. 

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:

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.

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.

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. 

The Sign-up Genius for lunches will begin the week of August 28th. A link will be available next week in the Monday Message. 

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. 

Safety Lockers on Campus

New this year, the Grapevine Police Department has installed two equipment safes in our campus where they are able to store essential tools for a rapid response. The safes do not contain firearms. They are only accessible by Grapevine Police personnel and will remain locked. We just wanted to keep you informed of this new safety measure as the GPD continues to serve and support our schools.

You may see them on campus. We have one located in our teacher workroom and one in the 5th grade vestibule. We know our students may have questions and you are welcome to talk with them about it if you choose. Our response at school if asked by students about the lockers will be, "they contain equipment for the police to help keep us safe." 

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Application 

Starting July 17, 2023, applications opened for the 2023-2024 school year. To apply, please visit www.schoollunchapp.com. You can also download a paper copy from www.gcisd.net or request one from any campus or the Nutrition Services office. 

Completing the application will determine your child's eligibility for free and reduced-price meals, as well as potential eligibility for other benefits. Only one application is required per household. You will be notified by email from the nutrition services department regarding your child's eligibility. 

Our dedicated Nutrition Services staff is excited to provide healthy and balanced meals to students in the upcoming school year. For any inquiries, please call 817-251-5617 or email child.nutrition@gcisd.net. 

Follow us on Facebook

If you are on Facebook, we would love for you to follow our Grapevine Elementary Facebook page if you're not already. We post activities and campus life in addition to helpful reminders. We would love for you to follow our story!