SPECIAL EDITION: Word from Wisely, Mar 23, 2026

Hello Owl Families,

Welcome Back!

I hope you had a wonderful Spring Break!  This is a special edition Word From Wisely to remind you about the Spring Mid-Semester Deadline. 

🗓️Spring Mid-Semester Deadline is TODAY, March 23, 2026

Reminders:

• The mid-semester deadline will be March 23, 2026, at 11:59 pm.

• All work assigned from January 13 through March 11 will be due by the specified deadline.

• There will be NO lessons assigned on March 12, 13, or 23 to ensure students have a clear understanding of what is required by the deadline and what is not.

• New lessons for the 2nd part of the semester will start on March 24, 2026.

Tips for Success:

• Check your Wise Owls Tool to see your overall progress and grades.

• If you have no missing assignments, your grades are 70 or higher, and you are meeting your grade goals, then you are good!

• If you are missing assignments, scoring below a 70, or have not met your goals - you have until 11:59 pm, March 23, 2026 to work on your assignments.

• Reach out to your teachers if you need anything.

• Reminder: Teachers will have time to grade items submitted after the deadline, you do not need to ask them to grade your work right away.

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out.

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

Word from Wisely, Mar 13, 2026

Hello Owl Families,

🌸 Spring Break Reminder! 🌸

Spring Break is here! iUniversity Prep will be closed March 16–20, and classes will resume on Monday, March 23. Teachers will not be available during this time, but will return communication on March 23, 2026.

Please keep in mind that March 23rd is also the mid-semester deadline. This means that any assignments from January 13th to March 11th must be completed by March 23rd. To help you focus on finishing strong, no new assignments will be assigned between March 12th and the deadline, giving you time to catch up or finalize any work that is still incomplete.

Use this time wisely so you can start the second half of the semester on track!

🗓️Spring Mid-Semester Deadline Date

Reminders:

• The mid-semester deadline will be March 23, 2026, at 11:59 pm.

• All work assigned from January 13 through March 11 will be due by the specified deadline.

• There will be NO lessons assigned on March 12, 13, or 23 to ensure students have a clear understanding of what is required by the deadline and what is not. This will also give them 4 school days to focus on any missing assignments without new assignments being added.

• Spring Break is from March 16 through March 20, giving students an additional week to catch up, if needed.

• New lessons for the 2nd part of the semester will start on March 24, 2026.

Tips for Success:

• Check your Wise Owl Tool to see your overall progress and grades.

• If you have no missing assignments, your grades are 70 or higher, and you are meeting your grade goals, then you are good!

• If you are missing assignments, scoring below a 70, or have not met your goals - you should use Spring Break to catch up. 

• Letters will be sent Friday evening to any students not passing as of March 12th at 10:00 am. If you received a letter, please make sure that you are using the break to catch up.

  • Make sure all missing assignments are turned in.

  • Look at your grades, review feedback and complete any retakes.

• Monday, March 23, 2026 is also a work day for students to finish up any items that they might need teacher support on.

• When we return, teachers will have time to grade anything you have turned in over the break.

📚✨ 2025–2026 Yearbooks Are Now on Sale! ✨📚

It’s time to order your 2025–2026 yearbook! Don’t miss out on capturing all the memories from this school year. 

Be sure to complete your custom pages by May 18, 2026, so your book is extra special!

Order yours today! 

👉 https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1014115677421572 

✨STAAR Dates

STAAR testing letters with dates, locations, and arrival time have been sent out. The email came from Danielle.McKee@gcisd.net. The letter included a form for you to complete confirming your student's attendance to their exams. Please make sure to complete this form.

As a reminder, students must attend all state testing in order to remain eligible for iUniversity Prep. We are looking forward to seeing all our students in person at testing! 

📝 Returning Student Registration – March 30

Returning students will complete registration in their homerooms on Monday, March 30, starting at 8:30 AM. Counselors will be available to help, and recordings of the session will be shared—so no stress if you can’t attend live!

Rising 9-12th graders, you and your parents will receive an email from Mrs. Wilks between March 25-28 with important information about class recommendations for next year. This is in preparation for the opening of registration on March 30.

Families and students can start reviewing the course catalog now and thinking about next year’s course levels. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your counselors for guidance—they’re happy to help!

The iUP PTA is looking for Board Members for the 26-27 school year!

• VP Programs

• VP Fundraising

• VP Hospitality

• Treasurer

• Communications

• Parliamentarian

• Council Delegate (gcisd area)

Contact the iUP PTA if interested! iuniversitypreppta@gmail.com 

📣 New Student Applications Open 2/17!

Applications for the 2026–2027 school year open on February 17!

If you have siblings ready to join, make sure to submit their applications. Tell your friends it’s time to apply to the best virtual school in Texas! 💻✨ 

📌 Good news for current families: Returning students do not need to reapply. Registration for returning students will open on March 30th. 

Interested new families can visit our website to view upcoming Information Session dates and learn more about our school community.

🗓️ Important Dates to Know

🌴 Spring Break: March 16–20

⏰ Mid-Semester Deadline: March 23

📝Returning Student Registration Opens: March 30

📊STAAR/EOC testing: Window is April 6 - May 1; dates will vary depending on the test and location. 

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out.

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

Archived Words From Wisely

Word from Wisely, Mar 2, 2026

Hello Owl Families,

Spring break is just around the corner, and there’s so much happening at iUP before we get there! From fun fundraisers to exciting events and important registration reminders, here’s everything you need to know to stay in the loop.  

It is iUP's College, Career & Military Readiness Week

Hosted by Wisely's Parliament - a week with lots of fun events to get you thinking about your future after graduating iUP! Below is the schedule of events and links to the live lesson rooms where each is located. Please reach out to Ms. Holt with any questions or for more information!

• iUP Parent Panel - come hear from 15 iUP parents about their careers and ask them questions! 

Tuesday at 1:00 pm in Ms. Holt’s LL room: https://iuniversityprep.adobeconnect.com/michelleholt/

• iUP Alumni Panel - come hear from over 10 iUP alumni about their experiences in College, their careers, and how iUP has shaped their lives! 

Wednesday at 3:40 pm in Ms. Holts LL room: https://iuniversityprep.adobeconnect.com/michelleholt/

• Club Career Fair - various iUP clubs and organizations will be presenting about related career fields.

Thursday at 1:00 pm in Ms. Holt’s LL room: https://iuniversityprep.adobeconnect.com/michelleholt/

• Staying Organized in High School - stick around after the Career Fair for tips and tricks from current high school students about how they stay organized, especially during their college search process!

Thursday at 2:00 pm in Ms. Holt’s LL room: https://iuniversityprep.adobeconnect.com/michelleholt/

• Pieces to Your College Puzzle - join iUP’s counselors to go through the process of finding and applying for colleges and scholarships!

Friday at 10 am in Mrs. Wilks’ LL room: https://iuniversityprep.adobeconnect.com/barbarawilks/ (room password: wisely2026) 

🗓️Spring Mid-Semester Deadline Date

Owls, now is the time to start planning for the Mid-Semester deadline. If you are currently on pace and passing, keep up the hard work! If you are behind or not meeting your goal grades, now is the time to create a plan to support you in meeting the upcoming deadline. Your homeroom and content teachers are ready to help you.

• Mid mid-semester deadline will be March 23, 2026, at 11:59 pm.

• All work assigned from January 13 through March 11 will be due by the specified deadline.

• There will be NO lessons assigned on March 12, 13, or 23 to ensure students have a clear understanding of what is required by the deadline and what is not. This will also give them 4 school days to focus on any missing assignments without new assignments being added.

• Spring Break is from March 16 through March 20, giving students an additional week to catch up, if needed.

• New lessons for the 2nd part of the semester will start on March 24, 2026.

📝 Snapshot Letters

Snapshot letters were sent last week for grades 5 through 10 and part of 11. There was an issue with yahoo email accounts. These emails should have been pushed through. We will be sending the rest of the letters today for 11th and 12th graders. The information will be from last week’s Snapshot.

We encourage all families to log in to their Canvas parent account to view the most up to date grades and/or sit next to your student to review their gradebooks.

📝 Wise Owls Tool Down

The Wise Owls tool is currently not functioning due to some district updates. We are working on the issue and expect this to be corrected soon. Please navigate to your course gradebooks and/or use your course card view to see an overview of missing, upcoming, and current grade averages.

📣 District System Maintenance - Important!

Each night beginning Wednesday, February 25th 2026 to March 13, 2026 the district will be performing system maintenance on our systems starting at 9:00pm and ending at 2:00am central time. You may experience brief outages accessing district resources such as Skyward and Classlink during this time. Night Owls - please be prepared to work around these times if you can’t access your work.

📢 ATTENTION ALL 6TH GRADERS! UPDATED DATE CHANGE!! 📢

We are moving up the English and Math STAAR prep day! Please see the NEW date below.

🗓 6th Grade STAAR Review Session
📅 April 2nd - NEW DATE
⏰ 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Mr. Baker’s Live Lesson Room

Join us in Mr. Baker’s LL room for a fun and engaging review of English and Math STAAR concepts. We’ll have interactive games, friendly competition, and plenty of practice to help you feel confident and ready!

🎉 Help Make Prom Unforgettable!

The Jr./Sr. Prom Committee needs your support to make this year’s prom the best ever! Prom is entirely student-funded, and every contribution helps turn big plans into an unforgettable night.

You can help by:

• Purchasing items from the prom wishlist

• Sending a donation

• Signing up as a chaperone: Interest Form

• Juniors and Seniors: Don’t forget to purchase your prom tickets! 

Thank you for helping our students create a magical night! ✨

📚✨ 2025–2026 Yearbooks Are Now on Sale! ✨📚

It’s time to order your 2025–2026 yearbook! Don’t miss out on capturing all the memories from this school year. 

Be sure to complete your custom pages by May 18, 2026, so your book is extra special!

Order yours today! 

👉 https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1014115677421572 

✨STAAR Dates

Preliminary STAAR testing letters were sent out in November. The email came from Danielle.McKee@gcisd.net and was titled “ iUniversity Prep tentative STAAR testing dates-student name.” We will send out the confirmed information this month. Be on the lookout for a new email from Mrs. McKee. 

As a reminder, students must attend all state testing in order to remain eligible for iUniversity Prep. We are looking forward to seeing all our students in person at testing! 

📝 Returning Student Registration – March 30

Returning students will complete registration in their homerooms on Monday, March 30, starting at 8:30 AM. Counselors will be available to help, and recordings of the session will be shared—so no stress if you can’t attend live!

Families and students can start reviewing the course catalog now and thinking about next year’s course levels. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your counselors for guidance—they’re happy to help!

📣 New Student Applications Open 2/17!

Applications for the 2026–2027 school year open on February 17!

If you have siblings ready to join, make sure to submit their applications. Tell your friends it’s time to apply to the best virtual school in Texas! 💻✨ 

📌 Good news for current families: Returning students do not need to reapply. Registration for returning students will open on March 30th. 

Interested new families can visit our website to view upcoming Information Session dates and learn more about our school community.

🔐 Adobe Connect Security Update: Student Login Required

To create a more secure learning environment, GCISD has partnered with Adobe Connect to move all students to individual student accounts for live lessons. Students must log in using their Adobe Connect credentials to access live lessons and recordings. Guest access is no longer available.

What families need to know:

📧 Login Information
Students and parents were emailed Adobe Connect login credentials and instructions from Mrs. Weiche. If you did not receive this email or need it resent, please contact your student’s homeroom teacher.

📅Need Support?

• If you are having trouble logging in or viewing recordings, reach out to your homeroom teacher or Mrs. Weiche for support.

Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to strengthen the safety and security of our virtual learning environment.

🗓️ Important Dates to Know

🌴 Spring Break: March 16–20

⏰ Mid-Semester Deadline: March 23

📝Returning Student Registration Opens: March 30

📊STAAR/EOC testing: Window is April 6 - May 1,dates will vary depending on test and location. 

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out.

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

Word from Wisely, Feb 16, 2026

Hello Owl Families,

I hope you enjoyed the long weekend and found a little extra time to slow down. An extra day off in the middle of the semester always feels like a gift, and I hope it gave everyone a chance to reset before we dive back in!

📣 New Student Applications Open 2/17!

Applications for the 2026–2027 school year open on February 17!

If you have siblings ready to join, make sure to get their application in. Tell your friends it’s time to apply to the best virtual school in Texas! 💻✨ 

📌 Good news for current families: Returning students do not need to reapply. 

Interested new families can visit our website to view upcoming Information Session dates and learn more about our school community.

📅 Snapshot – February 23

Our next Snapshot is coming up on February 23 at 4:00 PM. 

Students who maintain Academic Good Standing by passing all of their courses at every snapshot during the semester will earn a spot on our Dean’s List of Excellence. These students will receive a certificate and be recognized. Seniors who make the Dean’s List for both fall and spring semesters will also be recognized at graduation with a special cord.

Students who are not passing all classes will receive a progress letter from the iUPrep office. These letters provide helpful information and guidance to create a plan for achieving Academic Good Standing by the next snapshot. 

How to Prepare:

• Check your WiseOwls tool to confirm your current standing.

• If you are passing all courses, keep up the hard work!

• If any assignments are missing, make a plan to catch up this week.

• If you are failing a course, review teacher feedback, schedule tutorials, or complete 2nd attempts to raise your grade.

Remember, your teachers and homeroom are here to help. If you’re unsure where to start, reach out — we want to see every student succeed!

🔐 Adobe Connect Security Update: Student Login Required

To create a more secure learning environment, GCISD has partnered with Adobe Connect to move all students to individual student accounts for live lessons. Students must log in using their Adobe Connect credentials to access live lessons and recordings. Guest access is no longer available.

What families need to know:

📧 Login Information
Students and parents were emailed Adobe Connect login credentials and instructions from Mrs. Weiche. If you did not receive this email or need it resent, please contact your student’s homeroom teacher.

📅Need Support?

• If you are having trouble logging in or viewing recordings reach out to your homeroom teacher or Mrs. Weiche for support.

Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to strengthen the safety and security of our virtual learning environment.

Repeated Information below this line: 

🗓️Spring Mid-Semester Deadline Date Changes

Based on feedback from our school community, the campus administration and leadership have adjusted the Spring Mid-Semester Deadline to better support planning and student success. Here are the changes: 

• Mid mid-semester deadline will be March 23, 2026, at 11:59 pm.

• All work assigned from January 13 through March 11 will be due by the specified deadline.

• There will be NO lessons assigned on March 12, 13, or March 23 to provide students with a clear understanding of what is required for the deadline and what is not. This will also give them 4 school days to focus on any missing assignments without new assignments being added.

• Spring Break is from March 16 through March 20, giving students an additional week to catch up, if needed.

• New lessons for the 2nd part of the semester will start on March 24, 2026.

We are very excited about these changes and the clarity they will provide students and families on what to focus on to meet the mid-semester deadline. Thank you for your feedback from the first semester and for continuing to work with us to make this the best possible experience for our students and families.

💯Report Cards and Transcripts

Report Cards have been posted and can be viewed in Skyward

Transcripts will be posted no later than Jan. 23, 2026

Click here to see instructions on viewing Report Cards and Transcripts

📢 ATTENTION ALL 6TH GRADERS! 📢

Get ready to level up your STAAR prep!

🗓 6th Grade STAAR Review Session
📅 April 10
⏰ 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Mr. Baker’s Live Lesson Room

Join us in Mr. Baker’s LL room for a fun and engaging review of English and Math STAAR concepts. We’ll have interactive games, friendly competition, and plenty of practice to help you feel confident and ready!

🗓️ Important Dates to Know

📸 Snapshot: February 23

🌴 Spring Break: March 16–20

⏰ Mid-Semester Deadline: March 23

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out.

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

Word from Wisely, Jan 30, 2026

Hello Owl Families,

As we thaw out from this week’s freezing temperatures (and finally feel our fingers again), we’re settling back into our rhythm at iUP! Thank you for your flexibility during the cold snap and for continuing to partner with us as we support our Owls’ success—rain, shine, or ice! ❄️🦉

📅 Snapshot & Recognition Schedule

We have updated our Snapshot and Dean’s List schedule for the spring based on feedback and adjustments made during 1st semester. Please see below for the most updated information.  

We will have a snapshot this coming Monday, February 2, at 4:00 pm. This will not count towards the Dean's List, but we will send out progress letters to students who are not passing all courses. We encourage you to use this information to make plans for catching up before our Dean’s List Snapshot on Feb. 24

• February 2 – Progress Letter Only | 4:00 PM

• February 23 – Dean’s List | 4:00 PM

• March 23 – Mid-Semester Deadline (Dean’s List) | 4:00 PM

• April 13 – Progress Letter Only | 4:00 PM

• May 4 – Dean’s List | 4:00 PM

• May 22–May 26 (Tuesday after Memorial Weekend) – Dean’s List + End-of-Year Reports | 8:00 AM

🎓 Advanced Academics Info Session

Please join the iUP Counseling Team on Monday, February 2, at 6:00 PM in Mrs. Wilks’ Live Lesson room for a presentation on Advanced Academics.

During this session, students and families will learn about:

• Advanced, AP, and Dual Credit courses

• How these classes impact GPA and CCMR

• How course choices align with college and future goals

🔗 Join the session:
https://iuniversityprep.adobeconnect.com/barbarawilks/
🔑 Password: wisely2026

💖 Join iUP PTA at Kendra Scott!

Join us for a Kendra Gives Back event supporting University Prep PTA! When you shop, 20% of your purchase will be donated back to our PTA.

📍 Kendra Scott – Southlake
324 Grand Ave E, Southlake, TX 76092
🗓 February 4, 2026
⏰ 5:00–7:00 PM

✨ Can’t make it in person? Shop online!
Use code GIVEBACK-KHCFV to support University Prep PTA online from February 4–5.

Every purchase makes a difference. Thank you for supporting our school community!

🔐 Adobe Connect Upgrade in Security Reminder!

• Starting Monday, Feb. 2, guest access will no longer be an option for logging in.

  • All students will need to use their login credentials to log into their virtual classes.

  • Students can reach out to their teacher or Mrs. Weiche for support if they forget their password or have any trouble logging in.

✏️SAT DAY FOR JUNIORS:

iUniversity Prep 11th grade students can participate in the SAT School Day on March 11, 2026, through GCISD. This is open to any junior who has not previously attended SAT School Day. The test will be held at the PDEC, 5800 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, TX 76034. GCISD will cover the cost of the exam if you test on this day with the district. GCISD does not pay for students testing at other locations. Register with us for the SAT School Day. (https://forms.gle/LXp6By8DmwV42C59A). Registration is due by February 5, 2026, for SAT School Day.

📣CALLING ALL 10th - 12th Graders:

Ready for Life after iUP? Now is the time to start thinking about CCMR (College, Career, or Military Readiness. We are offering TSIA2 testing for students to help them earn their CCMR point and demonstrate readiness for College-level Math and English. We recommend taking TSIA2 during your 10th- or 11th-grade school year. You can choose the option that works for you: Test with us virtually or via ProctorU, so it fits your schedule.

Next TSIA2 opportunity: Feb. 25 at 8:45 AM (virtual)

Ready to reserve your spot? Sign up today!

TSIA2 is the Accuplacer test that Texas colleges use to determine if you are ready for College-level English and Math. Passing these tests is required for Dual Credit and will save you time and money later on. Have questions or need help registering? Please contact Mrs. Alaniz at jessica.alaniz@gcisd.net and she will assist you. We’re here to help you move confidently toward your next chapter.

⭐2026-2027 New Student Enrollment!

Know someone who could benefit from iUniversity Prep?
New student enrollment for the upcoming school year opens on February 17, 2025! Share our website for details on information session dates and how to apply for the 2026-2027 school year. We look forward to welcoming new students to our iUniversity Prep community!
*Current students do not need to reapply.

🗓️Spring Mid-Semester Deadline Date Changes

Based on feedback from our school community, the campus administration and leadership have adjusted the Spring Mid-Semester Deadline to better support planning and student success. Here are the changes: 

• The mid-semester deadline will be March 23, 2026, at 11:59 pm.

• All work assigned from January 13 through March 11 will be due by the specified deadline.

• There will be NO lessons assigned on March 12, 13, or March 23 to provide students with a clear understanding of what is required for the deadline and what is not. This will also give them four school days to focus on any missing assignments without new assignments being added.

• Spring Break is from March 16 through March 20, giving students an additional week to catch up, if needed.

• New lessons for the second part of the semester will start on March 24, 2026.

We are very excited about these changes and the clarity they will provide students and families on what to focus on to meet the mid-semester deadline. Thank you for your feedback from the first semester and for continuing to work with us to make this the best possible experience for our students and families.

💯Report Cards and Transcripts

Report cards and transcripts have been posted and can be viewed in Skyward

Click here to see instructions on viewing Report Cards and Transcripts.

🗓️ Important Dates to Know

📸 Snapshot: February 23

🌴 Spring Break: March 16–20

⏰ Mid-Semester Deadline: March 23

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out.

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

Word from Wisely, Jan 25, 2026

Hello Owl Families,

We hope Semester 2 is off to a wonderful start. It looks like winter weather is finally making its way to Texas. I hope you all stay warm and safe. Below are several important updates and upcoming dates to help you plan for the weeks ahead.

❄️Weather Plan for iUPrep

iUniversity Prep will be business as usual this week. If your family experiences a power or internet outage, please let your homeroom teacher know as soon as you are able. Our staff will work with you to create a plan for catching up once services are restored.

We will be monitoring widespread power or internet outages and will communicate any necessary adjustments or plans if needed. Your safety is always our top priority.

Stay warm, Owls!

🔐 Adobe Connect Upgrade in Security Reminder!

We are excited to announce that we have partnered with Adobe Connect to create a more secure learning environment for our students by creating student accounts. This change will require students to log in with their account credentials. Please see details below:

• Adobe Connect Credentials

  • Students and parents have been emailed their Adobe Connect Login information along with instructions on logging in as a registered user instead of a guest. This email will come from Mrs. Weiche. If you have not received this, please reach out to your homeroom teacher.

• Week of Jan. 26th - Jan. 30th

  • For homeroom on Jan. 26th, students will practice by logging in to Adobe Connect as registered users using their login credentials.

  • Throughout the week, students will log in to live lessons as registered users.  Guest access will still be available to ensure students can attend class and not miss any instruction if they are struggling with logging in with credentials.

  • If your student is unable to log in as a registered user this week, please have them reach out to their homeroom teacher or Mrs. Weiche for support.

• Week of Feb. 2nd and moving forward

  • Guest access will no longer be an option for logging in. All students will need to use their login credentials to log into their virtual classes.

  • Students can reach out to their teacher or Mrs. Weiche for support if they forget their password.

📝 Course Registration Update for Families

The Counselor Registration Webinar originally scheduled for Monday, February 23, has been changed. Returning student registration will now take place during students’ homeroom meeting on Monday, March 30, 2026.

To support families, counselors will host a live Q&A session on Monday, March 30 at 6:00 PM in Mrs. Barbara Wilks’ Adobe Connect room:
🔗 https://iuniversityprep.adobeconnect.com/barbarawilks/
🔐 Password: wisely2026

Counselors will also be available during several grade-level homeroom meetings that morning to help students with the registration process.

Additionally, letters will be sent to all rising high school students and their families from Mrs. Wilks outlining the core classes students should register for.

If you have questions, we encourage you to join the evening Q&A session or reach out to your counselor for support.

🗓️Spring Mid-Semester Deadline Date Changes

Based on feedback from our school community, campus administration and leadership have made adjustments to the Spring Mid-Semester Deadline to better support planning and student success. Here are the changes: 

• Mid mid-semester deadline will be March 23, 2026, at 11:59 pm.

• All work assigned from January 13 through March 11 will be due by the specified deadline.

• There will be NO lessons assigned from March 12, 13, or March 23 in order to provide students with a clear understanding of what is required for the deadline and what is not. This will also provide them with 4 school days to focus on any missing assignments without new assignments added.

• Spring Break is from March 16 through March 20, providing students with an additional week to catch up if needed.

• New lessons for the 2nd part of the semester will start on March 24, 2026.

We are very excited about these changes and the clarity they will provide students and families on what to focus on to meet the mid-semester deadline. Thank you for your feedback from the first semester and for continuing to work with us to make this the best possible experience for our students and families.

💯Report Cards and Transcripts

Report Cards have been posted and can be viewed in Skyward

Transcripts will be posted no later than Jan. 23, 2026

Click here to see instructions on viewing Report Cards and Transcripts

🗓️ Important Dates to Know

📸 Snapshot: February 2

📸 Snapshot: February 23

🌴 Spring Break: March 16–20

⏰ Mid-Semester Deadline: March 23

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out.

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

Word from Wisely, Jan 12, 2026

Hello Owl Families,

We did it! We finished up the first semester! Way to go Owls!  Our teachers will be working Monday to wrap up first semester grades and prepare for the start of 2nd semester.  As we continue to TAKE FLIGHT this year, get ready for a few exciting changes coming your way to make 2nd semester an even smoother ride!  

Second Semester will begin on January 13, 2026

Live Lessons will occur this week as scheduled! Teachers are excited to see you back in their virtual classrooms.

Make sure you read your teacher’s welcome letters for any update and check your schedule if you are starting a new semester course.

We can't wait to see back online completing your work and attending live lessons! 

🗓️Spring Mid-Semester Deadline Date Changes

Based on feedback from our school community, campus administration and leadership have made adjustments to the Spring Mid-Semester Deadline to better support planning and student success. Here are the changes: 

• Mid mid-semester deadline will be March 23, 2026, at 11:59 pm.

• All work assigned from January 13 through March 11 will be due by the specified deadline.

• There will be NO lessons assigned from March 12, 13, or March 23 in order to provide students with a clear understanding of what is required for the deadline and what is not. This will also provide them with 4 school days to focus on any missing assignments without new assignments added.

• Spring Break is from March 16 through March 20, providing students with an additional week to catch up if needed.

• New lessons for the 2nd part of the semester will start on March 24, 2026.

We are very excited about these changes and the clarity they will provide students and families on what to focus on to meet the mid-semester deadline. Thank you for your feedback from the first semester and for continuing to work with us to make this the best possible experience for our students and families.

🔐 Adobe Connect Upgrade in Security

We are excited to announce that we have partnered with Adobe Connect to create a more secure learning environment for our students by creating student accounts. While we have always strived to create a safe and secure learning environment through our community agreements, room passwords, and strong relationships with our students, this additional measure will further enhance the security of our rooms.

Additionally, this change will enable us to track attendance, engagement, and student achievement, providing our teachers with more tools to support student learning. It will also allow Adobe Connect to provide more targeted tech support to our families.

This change will require students to log in with their account credentials. We piloted this change with our amazing 5th graders, and they have done a GREAT job adapting. Way to go, 5th graders! Below is the outlined details and timeline for this change.

• Weeks of Jan. 13th - Jan. 23rd

  • Teachers will remind students of the upcoming change in every live lesson.

  • Students and parents will be emailed their Adobe Connect Login information along with instructions on how to log in as a registered user instead of a guest. This email will come from Mrs. Weiche.

• Week of Jan. 26th - Jan. 30th

  • For homeroom on Jan. 26th, students will practice by logging into Adobe Connect as a registered user using their login credentials.

  • Throughout the week, students will log in to live lessons as registered users.  Guest access will still be available to ensure students can attend class and not miss any instruction.

  • If your student is not able to log in this week as a registered user, please have them reach out to their homeroom teacher or Mrs. Weiche for support.

• Week of Feb. 2nd and moving forward

  • Guest access will be removed as an option for logging in. All students will need to use their login credentials to log into their virtual classes.

  • Students can reach out to their teacher or Mrs. Weiche for support if they forget their password.

💯Report Cards and Transcripts

Report Cards have been posted and can be viewed in Skyward

Transcripts will be posted Jan. 23, 2026

Click here to see instructions on viewing Report Cards and Transcripts

📚 Advanced Academics Webinar

Join the iUP Counseling team for a webinar on advanced academics. Learn about advanced, AP, and dual credit classes and how they factor into GPA, CCMR, and your college goals. The meeting is open to students and parents in grades 8 through 11.  The sessions will be held in Mrs. Wilks's live lesson room and will be recorded for future reference.

When: Friday, January 16, at 10 am or Monday, Feb. 2, @ 6 pm

Hosted by Mrs. Wilks: https://iuniversityprep.adobeconnect.com/barbarawilks/

Password: wisely2026

📝 RLA Field Testing for 7th and 8th Graders

7th and 8th-grade Families: There is an upcoming TEA Field Test for 7th and 8th-grade RLA. Our school was selected to host the TEA Field Test on Monday, February 2nd, in Colleyville. This session helps the state develop future assessments and gives your students valuable practice in a testing environment. It’s graded on a Pass/Fail participation basis only.

Action Required:

● Check your email for a message from Kira Dehnel.

● Complete the Google Form linked in her email by January 13th to confirm your attendance.

🌍 Foreign Access Requests

Will your student be working on schoolwork outside of the country? Please notify your homeroom teacher in advance of travel so we can ensure you do not get locked out of Canvas.

Our security systems may flag foreign access requests as suspicious, so we need to assign special permissions to your account to allow you to maintain access. It takes a minimum of two days for access to be granted, so please plan ahead and communicate with your homeroom teacher early.

📊ESSA Update

iUniversity Prep is sharing this information about the district and your child’s campus with you as part of its obligations under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA). Federal Report Cards for the state, the district, and each of the district’s campuses are now available on the district’s website at this link and also on the Texas Education Agency’s website. If you have difficulty accessing the information from the website, hard copies of the reports are available at the district or campus office.  If you have questions about the information, please contact Principal Weiche.

🗓️ Important Dates to Know

🚫 No School: January 9–12

📅 First Day of 2nd Semester: January 13

🚫 No School: January 19

🚫 No School: February 16

📸 Snapshot: February 23

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out.

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

Word from Wisely, Dec 18, 2025

Hello Owl Families,

As we head into Winter Break, we hope your family enjoys a restful and joyful time together. Whether you’re traveling, relaxing at home, or having fun celebrating the holidays, we wish you a safe and refreshing break. Please review the important information below as we close out the semester.

❄️ Winter Break

iUniversity Prep and GCISD will be closed from December 22nd to January 2nd. We will return on January 5th to finish our semester. Canvas will remain open for students to work on catching up, using 2nd attempts, or reviewing material. 

The semester will close on January 8th at 11:59 PM. All assignments must be completed by the specified deadline. Your teachers will be available for tutorials to help you finish the semester out strong!

Semester 2 will begin on January 13th.

📸 Snapshot Reminder

Please remember that our final Snapshot of the semester will take place on Monday, January 5th at 8:00 AM sharp. In order to qualify for the Dean’s list, you must be passing all courses by 1/5 at 8:00 AM. You can read more about snapshots here. 

🌍 Foreign Access Requests

Will your student be working on school outside of the country? Please notify your homeroom teacher in advance of travel so we can ensure you do not get locked out of Canvas.

Our security systems may flag foreign access requests as suspicious, so we need to assign special permissions to your account to allow you to maintain access. It takes a minimum of two days for access to be granted, so please make sure you plan ahead and communicate with your homeroom teacher early.

🚶 Walk Across Texas with Wisely – Celebration & Reminders

As we wrap up Walk Across Texas with Wisely, we want to share a few exciting updates and reminders that our PTA will also be celebrating on social media. Please remind your owls to enter any remaining activity minutes. Our WAT with Wisely Friends and Family Edition wrap‑up day is Thursday, December 18th.

Our Friends and Family teams have logged almost 8,500 miles — roughly the equivalent of traveling across the continental United States three times! Way to go, and thank you to everyone who participated and encouraged teams along the way.

Top Walk Across Texas with Wisely – Friends and Family Teams

1. Ctrl + Alt + Elite

2. Stephenville Steppers

3. IUP – Designs on Distance

4. IUP – Wisely HQ

5. Gumbeaux

6. SchwartzFam

As for our Owls (students)- as a group so far you have logged 34,748.12 miles!  Wow- OWLS! This is incredible! Your walk doesn’t end until January so you have a few more days to input your miles.

🗓️ Important Dates to Know

 📚 Last Day Work Assigned: December 18
📣 Snapshot Day: January 5th at 8:00 am sharp. (🎉NOTE: If you are on pace and passing at this snapshot, you should be done with your semester!!)
❄️ Winter Break: December 22–January 2
🖥️ Open Office Week (No Live Lessons): January 5–8
📅 Last Day of Semester: January 8 @ 11:59 PM
🚫 No School: January 9–12
📅 First Day of 2nd Semester: January 13

🧑‍🎄iUniversity Prep & Wisely Wishing you Happiest Holidays! Card brought to you by our amazing Owl Artists from all grade levels.

 (See Below) 

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out.

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

Word from Wisely, Dec 5, 2025

Hello Owl Families,

📣 Snapshot/Dean’s List Update
We’re moving the Snapshot/Dean’s List date from December 19 to January 5 at 8:00 AM. This change is meant to help, giving you the full break and a little extra time to meet the Dean’s List requirements.

Students who are passing all courses by January 5 at 8:00 AM and have met all snapshots will qualify for the Dean’s List.  Reminder: All remaining coursework must be completed by the close of the semester, January 8, at 11:59 p.m.

❄️ Winterfest is coming! ❄️

Get ready for one of our favorite iUP traditions! Winterfest will take place on Friday, December 12, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Join other Owls in your area for an afternoon of fun and festive vibes.

Here’s where we’ll be celebrating across Texas:

• DFW: Harvest Hall – 815 S Main St, Grapevine, TX 76051

• Austin: Fareground Food Hall – 111 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701

• Houston: The Post – 401 Franklin St, Houston, TX 77201

• San Antonio: Bottling Department Food Hall at The Pearl – 312 Pearl Pkwy Building 6, San Antonio, TX 78215

🌟 Click Here to RSVP! 🌟

Counselor Webinar Series
Learn about advanced, AP, and dual credit courses—and how they impact GPA, CCMR, and your college goals.
• Fri, Jan 16, 2026 @ 10 AM
• Mon, Feb 2, 2026 @ 6 PM

Registration Sessions
Get ready for next year! Reserve your spot and choose your classes.
• Mon, Feb 23, 2026 @ 10 AM or 6 PM

🎓 8th Grade – 4-Year Plan Recording

Missed the session? You can watch the full recording here: https://iuniversityprep.adobeconnect.com/plnzne0sbrso/

All sessions will be held in Mrs. Wilks’s LL Room:
https://iuniversityprep.adobeconnect.com/barbarawilks/
Password: wisely2026

Repeated Information:

🎉Junior & Senior Prom Tickets

iUniversity Prep’s 2026 prom will happen on March 28, 2026, from 6:30-10:30 pm at Texas Star Conference Centre in Euless, TX. Ticket prices are each $65. Tickets are open only to iUniversity Prep juniors and seniors, and their guests. iUniversity Prep students are allowed to purchase a ticket for one guest, aged 14-19. Each guest will be required to complete a permission slip form. Forms will be sent out at a later date. CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets.

🗓️ Important Dates to Know

🦃 Thanksgiving Break: November 24–28
📚 Last Day Work Assigned: December 18
❄️ Winter Break: December 22–January 2
🖥️ Open Office Week (No Live Lessons): January 5–8

 📣 Snapshot Day: January 5 (🎉NOTE: If you are on pace and passing at this snapshot, you should be done with your semester!!)
📅 Last Day of Semester: January 8 @ 11:59 PM
🚫 No School: January 9–12
📅 First Day of 2nd Semester: January 13

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out.

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

Word from Wisely, Nov 21, 2025

Hello Owl Families,

As we head into Thanksgiving Break, we want to pause and express our gratitude for you. Our students, families, and staff make iUniversity Prep such a special place. We appreciate the heart, effort, and connection you bring to our community every day. We hope you enjoy a restful, joy-filled break with the people who matter most. Here are a few announcements as we head into our week off: 

🦃Thanksgiving Break Monday, November 24th - Friday, November 28th:

 iUniversity Prep will be closed during this break, but Canvas will remain open.  Students who wish to catch up or work ahead are welcome to do so during the break.

🐝 iUP’s First Annual Spelling Bee! 

iUniversity is excited to announce that we will be hosting our first-ever spelling bee! Open to students in grades 6-8, our bee will take place virtually on January 16th at 10:00 a.m. Interested students must sign up by December 1st. Spelling word lists will be emailed out on December 2nd. Questions? Email Mrs. Rork at amy.rork@gcisd.net.

🎄 Grapevine Parade of Lights | December 4

iUniversity Prep is joining the Parade of Lights for the very first time, and our students are creating a magical float to light up Main Street!

Donations Needed:
• Christmas lights, Christmas trees or small decorative trees, green, white, silver, purple or orange garland, and other festive décor
• Medium to large pieces of scrap plywood or foam board
• 5 rectangular hay bales

Drop-off: Bring items to iUP HQ, 4344 A Heritage Ave, Grapevine, TX 76051 during business hours.
Returns: If you’d like items back, please label them clearly with your student’s name and grade. We’ll do our best to return everything, but with many hands decorating—and the fact that this is a moving float—we can’t guarantee the condition of items.
We’ll be meeting at our Grapevine office on December 4th from 9:00 to 3:00 to build and decorate our float. If you’d like to help decorate our float and/or ride on the iUP float during the parade, please fill out this form. Parents will also need to complete a permission form before students can participate. Questions? Email Nicole.Griffin@gcisd.net.

Repeated Information:

🎓 CCMR & iUP Student Expectations

Parents and students in grades 9–12 are encouraged to watch the recording to learn more about College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) and what is expected of iUP students. Stay informed and help your student stay on track for success!

SENIORS! If you have not met CCMR, please read your email from your counselor about CCMR. This email will outline your options for earning CCMR prior to graduation. As a reminder, all seniors who have not met the CCMR requirements prior to the second semester will be automatically enrolled in Texas College Bridge in the spring.

🎨 Meetup at the Museum

Mr. Cram, Ms. Rye, and Ms. Alsobrook invite all students to join them for a Meetup at the Museum! This special field trip will take place on Thursday, December 4, from 11:50 AM to 1:20 PM at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, TX. This is a great opportunity to explore incredible artwork, connect with classmates and teachers, and experience one of Texas’s premier art museums. Admission is free! If you would like to attend, please complete the sign-up form by November 20.

Questions? Contact Mr. Cram at Christopher.Cram@GCISD.net.

🎉Junior & Senior Prom Tickets

iUniversity Prep’s 2026 prom will happen on March 28, 2026, from 6:30-10:30 pm at Texas Star Conference Centre in Euless, TX. Ticket prices are each $65. Tickets are open only to iUniversity Prep juniors and seniors, and their guests. iUniversity Prep students are allowed to purchase a ticket for one guest, aged 14-19. Each guest will be required to complete a permission slip form. Forms will be sent out at a later date. CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets.

🗓️ Important Dates to Know

🦃 Thanksgiving Break: November 24–28
📚 Last Day Work Assigned: December 18
📣 Snapshot Day: December 19 (🎉NOTE: If you are on pace and passing at this snapshot, you should be done with your semester!!)
❄️ Winter Break: December 22–January 2
🖥️ Open Office Week (No Live Lessons): January 5–8
📅 Last Day of Semester: January 8 @ 11:59 PM
🚫 No School: January 9–12
📅 First Day of 2nd Semester: January 13

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out.

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

Word from Wisely, Nov 11, 2025

Hello Owl Families,

🎉The cold weather has arrived! I love a good reason to enjoy a hot cup of coffee while sitting by the fireplace with a good book in hand. While it might not be time to crank on our fireplaces just yet, it is certainly on its way - along with 🦃 Thanksgiving Break and ❄️Winter Break not too far behind. Please see below for important dates to remember and other important announcements.

📣 Student Success Snapshot on Monday, November 17

Our next Student Success Snapshot is on November 17. Students who are passing all classes will be entered into a drawing for iUPrep swag. Those not passing all classes will receive a progress letter with steps to get back on track. Students who stay in Academic Good Standing at every snapshot will earn a place on the Dean’s List of Excellence and be recognized at the Owl Expo. Check your Wiseowls tool to ensure you are passing all classes, and reach out to your homeroom or content teachers for help. You’ve got this, Owls!

🎓 Advanced Placement Exams

The deadline to register for AP exams is November 14, without a late fee.  After Nov.14, a $40 fee will be applied..

We encourage all students enrolled in AP courses to take their exams. Scoring well can often earn college credit and help you save on tuition. A score of 3 or higher will also earn you your CCMR point.

• CLICK HERE for instructions on registering for your AP exams.

• Please reach out to your AP instructor with any questions you may have.

📅 Preliminary STAAR Dates

Preliminary STAAR testing letters have been sent out! Please check the primary email we have on file for this letter. This letter contains the preliminary test dates and test cities. Official locations will be sent in March. 

A Google Form is included in each letter. Please complete this form if you need to request a change (e.g., carpool, siblings, vacation, or site assignment). Changes cannot be guaranteed due to TEA testing windows, but we will review all requests.

Questions? Contact our office or email Mrs. McKee at Danielle.McKee@gcisd.net.

🎓 CCMR & iUP Student Expectations

Parents and students in grades 9–12 are encouraged to watch the recording to learn more about College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) and what is expected of iUP students. Stay informed and help your student stay on track for success!

SENIORS! If you have not met CCMR, please be on the lookout for an email from your counselor this week. This email will include your options on how to earn CCMR prior to graduation. As a reminder, all seniors that have not met CCMR prior to 2nd semester will be automatically enrolled in Texas College Bridge in spring.

🎄 Grapevine Parade of Lights | December 4

iUniversity Prep is joining the Parade of Lights for the first time, and our students are creating a magical float to light up Main Street!

Donations needed:

• Christmas lights, small trees, and festive décor

• 4 rectangular hay bales

• A small generator (to borrow)

Drop-off: Please bring items to iUP HQ, 4344 A Heritage Ave, Grapevine, TX 76051 during business hours.

Returns: If you’d like items back, label them securely with your student’s name and grade. We’ll do our best to return them, but since many students and volunteers will be decorating, and this will be a moving float, we can’t guarantee their condition.

Questions? Email Nicole.Griffin@gcisd.net.

Thank you for helping our Owls shine bright in their first Parade of Lights! 💜🧡

🎨 Meetup at the Museum

Mr. Cram, Ms. Rye, and Ms. Alsobrook invite all students to join them for a Meetup at the Museum! This special field trip will take place on Thursday, December 4, from 11:50 AM to 1:20 PM at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, TX.

This is a great opportunity to explore incredible artwork, connect with classmates and teachers, and experience one of Texas’s premier art museums. Admission is free!

If you would like to attend, please complete the sign-up form linked here by November 20.

Questions? Contact Mr. Cram at Christopher.Cram@GCISD.net.

🎉Junior & Senior Prom Tickets

iUniversity Prep’s 2026 prom will happen on March 28, 2026, from 6:30-10:30 pm at Texas Star Conference Centre in Euless, TX. Ticket prices are each $65. Tickets are open only to iUniversity Prep juniors and seniors, and their guests. iUniversity Prep students are allowed to purchase a ticket for one guest, aged 14-19. Each guest will be required to complete a permission slip form. Forms will be sent out at a later date. CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets.

✏️PSAT Results:

Starting on November 6, students who participated in PSAT can access their scores on the BigFuture® School mobile app.

Helping Your Students Access Their Scores - If your student provided a mobile number during exam setup, they can easily view their scores on their phone with BigFuture School. The mobile app is part of the SAT® Suite and provides secure access.

As always, students age 13 and older can use a personal College Board student account to view additional insights online.

The attachments are guides to assist students and families in understanding their PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 8/9 scores.

🗓️ Important Dates to Know

📣 Snapshot Day: November 17
🦃 Thanksgiving Break: November 24–28
📚 Last Day Work Assigned: December 18
📣 Snapshot Day: December 19 (🎉NOTE: If you are on pace and passing at this snapshot, you should be done with your semester!!)
❄️ Winter Break: December 22–January 2
🖥️ Open Office Week (No Live Lessons): January 5–8
📅 Last Day of Semester: January 8 @ 11:59 PM
🚫 No School: January 9–12
📅 First Day of 2nd Semester: January 13

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out.

#FlightReady #TakeFlight #SoaringWithiUPrep

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

Word from Wisely, Nov 4, 2025

Hello Owl Families,

We are beginning the countdown to the end of the semester! Only 3 school weeks until Thanksgiving break, 6 school weeks until winter break, and 7 school weeks until the end of the semester.

Additionally, we have several important updates and reminders for families, including Student Success Snapshots, AP exam information, STAAR testing details, prom ticket information, and PSAT results. Keep reading for details and important deadlines to help your student stay on track.

📣 Student Success Snapshot on Monday, November 17

Our next Student Success Snapshot is on November 17. Students who are passing all classes will be entered into a drawing for iUPrep swag. Those not passing all classes will receive a progress letter with steps to get back on track. Students who stay in Academic Good Standing at every snapshot will earn a place on the Dean’s List of Excellence and be recognized at the Owl Expo. Check your Wiseowls tool to ensure you are passing all classes, and reach out to your homeroom or content teachers for help. You’ve got this, Owls!

🎓 Advanced Placement Exams

The deadline to register for AP exams is November 14.

We encourage all students enrolled in AP courses to take their exams. Scoring well can often earn college credit and help you save on tuition. A score of 3 or higher will also earn you your CCMR point.

• CLICK HERE for instructions on registering for your AP exams.

• Please reach out to your AP instructor with any questions you may have.

📅 Preliminary STAAR Dates

Preliminary STAAR testing letters are being sent out! Most site areas should have received theirs. Please check the primary email we have on file for this letter. Austin, GCISD, and Houston sites will receive emails this week with their location information.

A Google Form is included in each letter. Please complete this form if you need to request a change (e.g., carpool, siblings, vacation, or site assignment). Changes cannot be guaranteed due to TEA testing windows, but we will review all requests.

Questions? Contact our office!

🎓 CCMR & iUP Student Expectations

Parents and students in grades 9–12 are encouraged to watch the recording to learn more about College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) and what is expected of iUP students. Stay informed and help your student stay on track for success!

🎉Junior & Senior Prom Tickets

iUniversity Prep’s 2026 prom will happen on March 28, 2026, from 6:30-10:30 pm at Texas Star Conference Centre in Euless, TX. Ticket prices are each $65. Tickets are open only to iUniversity Prep juniors and seniors, and their guests. iUniversity Prep students are allowed to purchase a ticket for one guest, aged 14-19. Each guest will be required to complete a permission slip form. Forms will be sent out at a later date. CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets.

✏️PSAT Results:

PSAT results will be available to students and families in the portal on November 6th. Make sure you can log in to your College Board account to view your scores.

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out.

#FlightReady #TakeFlight #SoaringWithiUPrep

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

Word from Wisely, Oct 24, 2025

Hello Owl Families,

Thank you again for your patience as we navigated through our digital snow day.  I am so proud of how our owls jumped right back in on Tuesday and worked hard to meet our Mid-Semester Deadline.

🪩 In-Person Celebration: Homecoming at Chicken N Pickle!

Tonight is the night! It has been a great week celebrating our Annual Homecoming and tonight we will wrap things up with our big in person event. In anticipation of rain, we have moved everything indoors. Families, we encourage you to stay informed with the weather and make decisions that are best for you and your family with travel.

Join us for our 2nd Annual Homecoming Celebration with games, crafts, and fun for all iUP students and families!

📅 Date & Time: Friday, October 24 | 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Location: Chicken N Pickle, Grapevine
✨ Highlight: From 6:00–8:00 PM, high school students are invited to the Homecoming Dance portion of the evening.
🍴 Food and drinks will be available for individual purchase.

👉 RSVP Here!

💝 Homecoming Mum Making

In-Person Option
Stop by the Mum Making Station at our Homecoming Celebration!
✨ Basic supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring your own to personalize your creation.

🧑‍💻Join the Homecoming Fun—Virtually! 🎉

Can’t make it in person? No problem! Families are invited to join the celebration through our iUP Live Lesson room: https://iuniversityprep.adobeconnect.com/iuniversityprep/

🪩6:30–7:00 PM: High school students can join the iUP LL to dance with us during the Homecoming Dance!
🦉7:00–7:30 PM: Everyone is welcome to hop into the iUP LL room to see the rest of our Homecoming celebration fun!

🎨 National PTA Reflections® Program

• Do you love to create? The National PTA Reflections Program invites students to explore their talents in dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. This year’s theme is “I Belong.”

• The program is open to all Texas students who meet eligibility requirements, including PTA membership. Students may submit original works of art in one or more categories. Multiple entries are permitted, but each entry must have its own form. All entries must include a title and an artist statement (10–100 words) explaining how the piece connects to the theme.

📅 All entries are due Monday, October 27th. Submit your work using this link. Questions? Email us at iupreppptaprograms@gmail.com 

🎉 Red Ribbon Week Oct 27 - Oct 31: Life is a Puzzle, Solve it Drug Free

Celebrate Red Ribbon and a Drug free life with dress up days next week! 

Monday 10/27: Say NO to Drugs in Every Era! - Dress as your favorite decade to show making good choices is always in style
Tuesday 10/28: Twins Tuesday - Find your twin and dress alike
Wednesday 10/29: Don’t Let Drugs Steal the Show - Dress like a Celebrity and Shine
Thursday 10/30: Stay WISE and Say NO to Drugs! - Wear your iUP merch to show off your #WiselyPride
Friday 10/31: Say “BOO” to Drugs! - Wear a spooky, but school appropriate, costume or all white.

Submit all your photos here! 

✅Unofficial Snapshot on Monday, Oct 27: 

• We will run reports on Monday, Oct 27th, and will send letters to students not passing; however, this report will NOT count towards our official Dean's List. Our next official Snapshot will be on Nov 17th. Please use this time to make a plan to be passing all your courses by that date.

• As we move past the Mid-Semester Deadline, please remember that your grade is cumulative and continues to average throughout the semester. Every future assignment plays a part in your final grade, so be sure to complete your upcoming work carefully and reach out to your teacher between attempts if you need help understanding the material before your final try.

• Even though submissions for earlier assignments are now closed, all lesson slides and modules remain available for you to review. If you missed any content, take time to go through those lessons so you’re prepared for upcoming topics and assessments.

• If you were locked out of an assessment, you will need to look over the related lesson materials before you move forward. This will help you strengthen your understanding and improve your performance on future assessments.

• If you have any questions about how to raise your average or what to focus on next, your teachers are here to help! Don’t hesitate to reach out for personalized guidance and support.

✏️PSAT Results:

PSAT results will be available to students and families in the portal on November 6th. Make sure you can log in to your College Board account to view your scores.

✏️Advanced Placement Exams:

We encourage all students who are enrolled in AP courses to take their AP exams. Scoring well on an AP exam can often earn students college credit, saving a significant amount on tuition. Earning a 3 or higher will also earn you your CCMR point.

• CLICK HERE for instructions on registering for your AP exams.

• Reach out to your AP instructor for any questions.

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out.

#FlightReady #TakeFlight #SoaringWithiUPrep

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

UPDATE Due to Digital Snow Day on Oct. 20th (Monday)

All courses have been updated to align with our plan outlined below. If your student has any specific questions about an assignment, please encourage them to reach out to their teacher.

Below is the updated information about the Dean's List and Mid-Semester Deadline:

1) Updated Mid-Semester Deadline: Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025 @ 11:59 pm. All work due on or before Oct 3rd will need to be completed by this time. This includes any retakes or second attempts.

2) Snapshot: We will run reports on Monday, Oct 27th, and will send letters to students not passing; however, this report will NOT count towards our official Dean's List. We have made this change to give students plenty of time to recover before our next Snapshot on Nov. 17th.

3) Assessments due Monday, Oct 20th have been excused or rescheduled. If the assessment is excused, students will still need to review the material in the lesson, but can mark it complete without taking the assessment. If you have any questions about a specific assignment, please reach out to your teacher.

Thank you again for your patience as we worked through this unforeseen outage. We truly have the best students and families! Go Owls!

Best,

Mrs. Weiche

Please see below for regular announcements.

🦉Homecoming Week is Upon Us!:

Get ready for a week full of school spirit, virtual fun, and community connection from October 20–24!
Check out the full schedule on the Virtual Vine; we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

🪩 In-Person Celebration: Homecoming at Chicken N Pickle!

Join us for our 2nd Annual Homecoming Celebration with games, crafts, and fun for all iUP students and families!

📅 Date & Time: Friday, October 24 | 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Location: Chicken N Pickle, Grapevine
✨ Highlight: From 6:00–8:00 PM, high school students are invited to the Homecoming Dance portion of the evening.
🍴 Food and drinks will be available for individual purchase.

👉 RSVP Here!

💝 Homecoming Mum Making

Show off your school spirit with your very own Homecoming mum or garter!

Virtual DIY Session
📅 October 21 | 12:00 PM
💻 Join Mrs. Alsobrook here: https://iuniversityprep.adobeconnect.com/lauriealsobrook/
🎨 Bring your own supplies and learn how to create a custom mum!

In-Person Option
Stop by the Mum Making Station at our Homecoming Celebration!
✨ Basic supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring your own to personalize your creation.

💐 Want to donate materials? Our amazing PTA has created an Amazon Wishlist for mum-making supplies!

🎉 Spirit Days: Show Your Owl Pride!

Monday 10/20: “Soar into the Story” — Dress as your favorite book or movie character!
Tuesday 10/21: “Wisely’s Wonderful Athletes” — Represent your favorite sports team!
Wednesday 10/22: “Whooooo’s the Wackiest Owl” — Go all out for Wacky Wednesday!
Thursday 10/23: “Night Owls” — Comfy PJs all day!
Friday 10/24: “Soar with Owl Pride” — Show your iUP spirit and wear your school swag!

PSAT Results:

PSAT results will be available to students and families in the portal on November 6th. Make sure you can log in to your College Board account to view your scores.

✏️Advanced Placement Exams: 

We encourage all students who are enrolled in AP courses to take their AP exams. Scoring well on an AP exam can often earn students college credit, saving a significant amount on tuition. Earning a 3 or higher will also earn you your CCMR point.

• CLICK HERE for instructions on registering for your AP exams.

• Reach out to your AP instructor for any questions.

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out.

#FlightReady #TakeFlight #SoaringWithiUPrep

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

October 9, 2025

Hello Owl Families,

🍂October is here! It’s one of our favorite months here at iUP. Cooler weather, fall colors, and pumpkin spice! What more could you ask for? I know…how about a big celebration at our Annual Homecoming! Mark your calendars for October 24th! We can’t wait to see you there! More details below.

🗓️Speaking of saving the date: Our Mid-Semester Deadline is October 20th, and TODAY, October 6th, is the perfect day to check your WiseOwls tool to see if you are ready to meet that deadline.

• Parents and students, take some time today to sit together and discuss your grades.

• Students, navigate to your WiseOwls tool in Canvas.  You can find this on the toolbar in Canvas on the left-hand side.

• If you show any missing assignments or grades that are below passing or your household goals, now is a good time to make a plan.

• Please note: Any assignments due on or before October 3rd will be locked on October 20th at 11:59 p.m.  If you have outstanding missing work, it will remain a 1% in the gradebook. You will also not have access to complete retakes or corrections.  Use the next two weeks to plan #wisely.

• If you are on pace, passing all your courses, and meeting your grade goals, then BIG KUDOS to you.  Keep up the hard work so that you are also ready for our Snapshot on October 20th.

• In order to qualify for the Snapshot on October 20th, you will also need to be passing all your courses by 5 pm.

• Learn more about Snapshots and the Mid-Semester deadline.

🎉Homecoming Week: Get ready for a week full of school spirit and virtual activities from October 20 to 24! Schedule to come!

🪩In-Person Celebration: 

• Come celebrate our 2nd Annual Homecoming Event with games, crafts, and plenty of fun for all iUP students and families. Please RSVP Here!

• Date & Time: Friday, October 24, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Location: Chicken N Pickle, Grapevine

• Special Highlight: From 6:00–8:00 PM, high school students are invited to the Homecoming Dance portion of the evening.
  *Please note: Food and beverages will be available for purchase individually by families.

💝Homecoming Mum Making: 

• Virtual DIY Meeting: October 21st, 12 PM Purchase your own supplies and learn how to make your own mum! Mrs. Alsobrook’s live lesson room: https://iuniversityprep.adobeconnect.com/lauriealsobrook/

• In-Person Mum Making: Visit the Mum Making station at our Homecoming Celebration. Supplies for a basic mum or garter will be available. However, you’re welcome to bring your own supplies to add to it and give it a personal flair.

• Our wonderful PTA has created an Amazon wishlist if you would like to donate supplies: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1L062BY1NHR4E?type=wishlist

🎨 National PTA Reflections® Program

• Do you love to create? The National PTA Reflections Program invites students to explore their talents in dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. This year’s theme is “I Belong.”

• The program is open to all Texas students who meet eligibility requirements, including PTA membership. Students may submit original works of art in one or more categories. Multiple entries are permitted, but each entry must have its own form. All entries must include a title and an artist statement (10–100 words) explaining how the piece connects to the theme.

📅 All entries are due Monday, October 27th. Submit your work using this link. Questions? Email us at iupreppptaprograms@gmail.com 

🦉iHOOT”s monthly Newsletter: Check out the Owl Post’s most recent publication, posted on September 29, 2025.

🧠PSAT/SAT Testing Update: Registration for the PSAT and SAT is now closed.

• If you successfully registered for either test, please check your inbox for an important email from kira.dehnel@gcisd.net dated October 6, 2025. This email contains all the specific details regarding your testing date, time, and location.

• We look forward to seeing you next week and wish you the best of luck! Performing well on SAT can earn your CCMR point along with proving your readiness for College level courses.

• If you are testing outside of GCISD, use our code 442958 to get your results sent back to us. 

✏️Advanced Placement Students: We encourage all students that are enrolled in AP courses to take their AP exams. Scoring well on an AP exam can often earn students college credit, saving a significant amount on tuition. Earning a 3 or higher will also earn your CCMR point.

• CLICK HERE for instruction on registering for your AP exams.

• Reach out to your AP instructor for any questions.

🎪State Fair of Texas Tickets/Discounts:

• Grades 5-8:  State Fair of Texas student tickets are now available in the OWL office. Tickets are for free student admission M-F only for Pre K-8th grade. You can see information on the state fair by visiting: https://bigtex.com  

  • You can pick them up in the office at 4344A Heritage Ave, Grapevine, TX 76051 between the hours of 8:30-3:30.

• Grades 9-12: State Fair of Texas offers a special discount code for all 9th-12th graders M-Th only. You can view info on www.bigtex.com

  • Purchase at BIGTEX.com/5HS and use promo code 2025EDU

🎓Seniors! It is time to order your Cap and Gown. The deadline for students to order a cap without extra cost is the end of January.

• Please go to this site: https://www.balfour.com/shop/cap-gown-a0243762a0000?smi=134141 (The picture looks blue, but it is really a purple cap and gown.)

• You can also order other regalia like class rings and announcements.

🎉Monday, October 13th, is a Student/Teacher holiday. Take this time to relax and enjoy your long weekend! No assignments will be due or Live Lessons scheduled on this day so everyone can recharge. However, if you'd like to continue progressing, you can work at your own pace in Canvas. It is a great day to play catch up especially if you do not have all work completed through October 3rd.

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out.

#FlightReady #TakeFlight #SoaringWithiUPrep

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

SPECIAL EDITION: Snapshot, TEKS Checks, and Mid-semester Deadline reminders.

Dear iUniversity Prep Owls,

Our next Student Success Snapshot is Monday, September 29. Reports will be pulled at 5:00 pm. Snapshots are progress checks that let us celebrate students who are passing all of their classes and provide extra support to those who need it.  It is an iUPrep expectation that all students are passing all classes at snapshots in order to maintain academic good standing.

✨ What happens on a Snapshot date?

• Passing all classes: Students are entered into our swag drawing and stay on track for the Dean’s List of Excellence.

• Not yet passing all classes: Families receive a progress letter with helpful steps to support improvement. Homeroom and content teachers will partner with you to make a plan for success.

⏰ Looking Ahead

Snapshot Dates for 1st Semester

• Sept 8

• Sept 29

• Oct 20** (Mid-Semester)
  Nov 17

• Dec 19

Dean’s List of Excellence
Students in good standing at every snapshot during a semester will earn this recognition. Seniors who achieve the Dean’s List both semesters will receive a graduation cord.

💡 How Families Can Support

• Check Wiseowls: See your student’s progress.
  Celebrate Success: Passing all courses? Keep it up!

• Make a Plan: Behind in a class? Use teacher feedback, schedule tutorials, and do second attempts.

• Stay Connected: Homeroom teachers are your partners—reach out for help any time.

Quick Reminders: 

✅TEKS checks scheduled for Friday, September 26th for STAAR/EOC courses.  Check out more information on Virtual Vine. 

✅Upcoming Midsemester Deadline October 20th

At iUniversity Prep, we believe in grace, growth, and great learning experiences. This new system is all about helping students build consistency, reflect on progress, and find success without last-minute cramming.

This year, we’ve made a change to help our students thrive: instead of just two major deadlines a year, we’ll now have four deadlines—two per semester.

Why the shift? Because learning is a journey, and we want to give our students more checkpoints, more space, and more support. These mid-semester deadlines are not about adding pressure; they’re about creating balance, opportunities to reset, and guardrails to keep everyone on track.

📅 First Semester Deadlines

• Mid-Semester: October 20

  • All work assigned through October 3 is due. Any assignments that are not completed will receive a zero.
    
    

• Semester End: January 8

  • Final new assignments given by December 18.

  • All remaining assignments are due by January 8 at 11:59 pm.
    
    

We’ve built in generous buffers, so students have room to catch up, plan ahead, or take a breather. Many students will barely notice these milestones if they’re already on pace. For those who feel anxious about deadlines, please know: this structure is designed to support, not stress.

Thank you for trusting us with your students. Here’s to a year full of milestones, meaningful growth, and Wisely-approved wins!

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out. 

#IntentionallyYou #IntentionallyTheBest

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

REPEATED INFOMRATION:

Dear iUniversity Prep Owls,

🛍️ iUniversity Prep Swag Shop is Open!

The iUPrep Swag Shop is back! Don’t miss your chance to snag fresh gear and show off your Owl pride. Place your order by September 21st to get in on the fun!  Homecoming Shirts are also still available, but the order form closes on September 19th. 

📝 TEKS Checks Coming Up
TEKS checks will be administered in the coming weeks in all STAAR-tested subjects. These checks are an important way for your teachers to see how well you are learning the material. Please do your best and avoid using notes or outside help so your results give a clear picture of your progress.  Learn more about TEKS Checks here.

Parents and learning coaches, please remind your students about the importance of showing their authentic knowledge so teachers know how to best support their learning.

• Set aside enough time to complete the short assessment at one time.

• Close all resources - only use your brain.

• Take your time and do your best.

• Don’t stress if you don’t get them all right.  The purpose of the TEKS Check is to see what you know and still need to learn.  Your teacher will provide you with instructions on how to learn the material you missed and earn credit back.

🎨 National PTA Reflections® Program
Do you love to create? The National PTA Reflections Program invites students to explore their talents in dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. This year’s theme is “I Belong.”

The program is open to all Texas students who meet eligibility requirements, including PTA membership. Students may submit original works of art in one or more categories. Multiple entries are permitted, but each entry must have its own form. All entries must include a title and an artist statement (10–100 words) explaining how the piece connects to the theme.

📅 All entries are due Monday, October 27th. Submit your work using this link. Questions? Email us at iupreppptaprograms@gmail.com 

Repeated Information

SB 12 & Permission Forms: As part of the recently passed SB 12, schools are now required to obtain parent/guardian consent for certain services. Families must indicate their preference in Skyward for the following areas. Each area will have a form to opt in or out of services.

1. Clubs and Organizations

2. Counseling Services

3. Medical Care

• If you have not completed your forms, please log in to Skyward to complete the forms with your preferences as soon as possible as they are already passed due.

• You will need to log in from your Parent Account.  If you have forgotten your password or username, please click forgot password and follow the steps.

• To navigate to them, parents should choose the "Forms" option on the left-hand menu.

• If you are out of the country, Skyward will not work for you. Click here for paper forms. Please email these to danielle.mckee@gcisd.net.  Please only complete paper forms if you are unable to access Skyward due to being out of the country.

🎉 2nd Annual Homecoming – Save the Date!
It’s almost time to celebrate, Owls! 🦉 Mark your calendars for our 2nd Annual Homecoming on October 24th at Chicken N Pickle in Grapevine.

• 5–8 PM: Open to all iUPrep students

• 6–8 PM: High school–only dance on the rooftop 🎶✨

👕 Don’t forget your HoCo shirt! Available in 3 colors and a variety of sizes, but the order form closes on September 19th,  so order yours today and get ready to show your school spirit!

PSAT and SAT are coming up soon. We offer PSAT 8/9, PSAT, and SAT testing at our GCISD testing location only. We highly recommend that you consider testing with us in Grapevine.  However, if you are unable to test at our location, you will need to reach out to your local district to ask about testing.

• 8th graders qualify for the PSAT 8/9.

  • Click here (https://forms.gle/yWj7Vx3JiXUeYt1u6) to register. 

  • The hard deadline to register is 10/1/25. 

• 9th-11th graders qualify for the PSAT.

  • Click here (https://forms.gle/FvUbG7sKyNwS1DAQA) to register. 

  • The hard deadline to register is 10/1/25. 

  • 11th graders - this is your opportunity to engage in the National Merit Scholarship Program (https://www.nationalmerit.org). 

    •  Click the link to read more about this honor. 

• 12th graders who did not participate in the SAT School Day last year qualify for the SAT.

  • Click here (https://forms.gle/NuKmQWqsSqQGTUZL9) to register. 

  • The hard deadline to register is 10/1/25. 

Registration information should be in your inbox from homeroom, or it will be there soon. 

Please read that message for full details that are grade-level specific.

🎓 Fast Track Your Future: The Texas First Program
We are excited to share the Texas First Program, a prestigious opportunity that lets top Texas students graduate early with a Distinguished Level of Achievement and earn a scholarship for college.

Eligible students may receive up to two semesters of tuition support at any Texas public college, university, or technical school. Requirements include Texas residency, FAFSA completion, at least 22 credits with a 3.0 GPA or higher, and additional academic benchmarks.

This is a use it or lose it scholarship that must be used the year after you graduate. Talk to Mrs. Wilks today to see if the Texas First Program is the right path for you! barbara.wilks@gcisd.net . You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board website. 

Follow us on all our social media platforms: These platforms and Word From Wisely are a great way to stay in the know on everything iUP. 

• Website

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Twitter/X

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out. 

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

Dear iUniversity Prep Owls,

The school year is in full swing, and we are so excited to see you finding your rhythm in classes, connecting with teachers, and diving into all that iUPrep has to offer.  Now is the perfect time to get involved. From Snapshot success and Back to School Bash, to ordering your swag and gearing up for Homecoming, there are so many ways to show your Owl pride. Stay engaged, reach out for support when you need it, and let’s keep building an amazing year together!

🛍️ iUniversity Prep Swag Shop is Open!

The iUPrep Swag Shop is back! Don’t miss your chance to snag fresh gear and show off your Owl pride. Place your order by September 21st to get in on the fun!  Homecoming Shirts are also still available, but the order form closes on September 19th. 

📸 Snapshot on September 8th!
We will run our first Snapshot this Monday, September 8th at 5:00 pm.  The expectation for Academic Good Standing is that all students are passing all their courses at the time of the Snapshot.  The best way to ensure you are passing all courses is to ensure that you are on pace in all your courses.

 Students in Academic Good Standing (passing all courses) will be entered into a drawing for iUPrep swag, with winners chosen from each grade level. Students that are not passing will receive a progress letter with resources to help them create a plan for success.

Remember: your homeroom and content teachers are here to support you every step of the way. Keep working hard, check your WiseOwls tool, and reach out if you need help. Students who stay in good standing at every snapshot will earn a spot on the Dean’s List of Excellence. You can read more about snapshots on the virtual vine. 

🎉 Back to School Bash – September 12th!
Owls, it’s time to celebrate! 🦉 Join us for our Back to School Bash on Friday, September 12th, happening in four cities across Texas. This is your chance to hang out with classmates, connect with teachers, and meet other iUPrep families in your area. Let us know you are coming and RSVP HERE!

📍 Locations & Times

• Grapevine: Chicken N Pickle | 1–3 PM

• Houston: Chicken N Pickle | 1–3 PM

• San Antonio: Chicken N Pickle | 1–3 PM

• Austin: Bouldin Acres – Baker Lane | 3–5 PM

Upcoming Parent Help Sessions: Have questions about being the best Learning Coach for your student? We have answers! Join us for virtual Parent Information Sessions.

Tuesday, Sept 16th at 6:00 pm and Wednesday, Sept 17th at 1:00 pm

Middle School hosted in our iUPrep LL: https://iuniversityprep.adobeconnect.com/iuniversityprep/

High School hosted in Mrs. Griffin’s LL: https://iuniversityprep.adobeconnect.com/nicolegriffin 

🎉 2nd Annual Homecoming – Save the Date!
It’s almost time to celebrate, Owls! 🦉 Mark your calendars for our 2nd Annual Homecoming on October 24th at Chicken N Pickle in Grapevine.

• 5–8 PM: Open to all iUPrep students

• 6–8 PM: High school–only dance on the rooftop 🎶✨

👕 Don’t forget your HoCo shirt! Available in 3 colors and a variety of sizes, but the order form closes on September 19th,  so order yours today and get ready to show your school spirit!

📊 iReady Results Are Coming!
If your student is enrolled in a STAAR-tested reading or math course, they recently took the iReady Diagnostic. This adaptive assessment highlights each student’s strengths and areas for growth, helping us provide the best support possible.

🎥 Want to learn more? Check out this quick video!
📩 Teachers will also be sending details on how to view your student’s iReady results soon.

Repeated Information:

SB 12 & Permission Forms: As part of the recently passed SB 12, schools are now required to obtain parent/guardian consent for certain services. Families must indicate their preference in Skyward for the following areas:

1. Clubs and Organizations: To participate in any school clubs or organizations, a completed consent form in Skyward is required. Students without a completed form will not be able to participate in clubs after September 1st.

2. Counseling Services: Parent/guardian permission is required before a student can receive academic or emotional counseling through the school.

3. Medical Care: When students are with us in person at a GCISD location (for example, during STAAR testing), we need parent/guardian consent in order to provide first aid medical care. Families may either approve or decline medical attention for their student(s) through the Skyward form.

• If you are out of the country, Skyward will not work for you. Click here for paper forms. Please email these to danielle.mckee@gcisd.net.  Please only complete paper forms if you are unable to access Skyward due to being out of the country.

Grade Level Google Chats: We’re excited to offer a grade-level Google Chat for our students to collaborate, share ideas, and stay connected.

Please click the form that corresponds to your student's grade level. Review the guidelines carefully to ensure a safe and positive experience for everyone. Then please make the OPT IN or OPT OUT choice for your student.

5th- Form Link

6th-Form Link

7th- Form Link

8th- Form Link

9th- Form Link

10th- Form Link

11th- Form Link

12th- Form Link

**if you have multiple students attending iUniversity Prep, please complete the form for each student**

PSAT and SAT are coming up soon. We offer PSAT 8/9, PSAT, and SAT testing at our GCISD testing location only. We highly recommend that you consider testing with us in Grapevine.  However, if you are unable to test at our location, you will need to reach out to your local district to ask about testing.

• 8th graders qualify for the PSAT 8/9.

  • Click here (https://forms.gle/yWj7Vx3JiXUeYt1u6) to register. 

  • The hard deadline to register is 10/1/25. 

• 9th-11th graders qualify for the PSAT.

  • Click here (https://forms.gle/FvUbG7sKyNwS1DAQA) to register. 

  • The hard deadline to register is 10/1/25. 

  • 11th graders - this is your opportunity to engage in the National Merit Scholarship Program (https://www.nationalmerit.org). 

    •  Click the link to read more about this honor. 

• 12th graders who did not participate in the SAT School Day last year qualify for the SAT.

  • Click here (https://forms.gle/NuKmQWqsSqQGTUZL9) to register. 

  • The hard deadline to register is 10/1/25. 

Registration information should be in your inbox from homeroom, or it will be there soon. 

Please read that message for full details that are grade-level specific.

🎓 Virtual College Visits Begin Soon! 🎓

We are excited to kick off virtual college visits with recruiters from institutions across the country! Each session is about 30 minutes: the first half will be a presentation from the recruiter, followed by time for Q&A. These visits are for grades 9-12. 

👉 Students, please sign in with your GCISD account to complete the RSVP form.
Come prepared with questions and take advantage of this great opportunity to explore your options after high school!

📅 Upcoming Sessions (all at 12:30 PM unless noted):

• What To Look For In A College – Wed. Sept. 3

• University of Arizona – Thurs. Sept. 4 (arizona.edu)

• New Mexico Military Institute – Tues. Sept. 9 (nmmi.edu)

• University of Dallas – Thurs. Sept. 11 (udallas.edu)

• University of Alaska Fairbanks – Mon. Sept. 15 (uaf.edu)

• Samford University – Tues. Sept. 23 (samford.edu)

• Suffolk University – Wed. Sept. 24 (suffolk.edu)

• West Point (U.S. Military Academy) – Thurs. Sept. 25 (westpoint.edu)

• Texas State University – Mon. Sept. 29 (txst.edu)

• Texas A&M University – College Station – Tues. Sept. 30 (admissions.tamu.edu)

A complete list of virtual visits throughout the school year can be found in the RSVP form. 

❓ Questions? Email Mrs. Barbara Wilks at barbara.wilks@gcisd.net.

EVENTS: Between clubs and meet ups, there are lots of opportunities for our students to get involved. Keep in the loop on all iUPrep Events.

Check out Virtual Vine for all regular announcements.

Follow us on all our social media platforms: These platforms and Word From Wisely are a great way to stay in the know on everything iUP. 

• Website

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Twitter/X

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out. 

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

Special Edition:

Dear iUniversity Prep Owls,

This special edition of Word From Wisely is to remind you to please complete all SB 12 & Skyward Consent Forms.  

As part of the recently passed SB 12, schools are now required to obtain parent/guardian consent for certain services. Families must indicate their preference in Skyward for the following areas:

1. Clubs and Organizations: To participate in any school clubs or organizations, a completed consent form in Skyward is required. Students without a completed form will not be able to participate in clubs after September 1st.

2. Counseling Services: Parent/guardian permission is required before a student can receive academic or emotional counseling through the school.

3. Medical Care: When students are with us in person at a GCISD location (for example, during STAAR testing), we need parent/guardian consent in order to provide first aid medical care. Families may either approve or decline medical attention for their student(s) through the Skyward form.

Log in to the Parent Skyward Account to complete the forms.

• Please log in to Skyward to complete the forms with your preferences before September 1st.

• You will need to log in from your Parent Account.  If you have forgotten your password or username, please click forgot password and follow the steps.

• To navigate to them, parents should choose the "Forms" option on the left-hand menu.

• If you are out of the country, Skyward will not work for you. Click here for paper forms. Please email these to danielle.mckee@gcisd.net.  Please only complete paper forms if you are unable to access Skyward due to being out of the country.

• If you have already completed the forms, please disregard this message.

Additional Important Announcements:

No School on Monday, September 1, 2025: Owls, we hope you enjoy your Labor Day weekend!  We will see you back online on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

PSAT and SAT are coming up soon.

• 8th graders qualify for the PSAT 8/9.

• 9th-11th graders qualify for the PSAT.

• 12th graders who did not participate in the SAT School Day last year qualify for the SAT.

• Registration information is going out soon through homeroom today or early next week. Sign up to become a Canvas Observer to be copied on Canvas messages. 

• More details will be provided in the next Word From Wisely.

------------

Regular Announcements:

Dear iUniversity Prep Owls,

We’re soaring into the school year with tons of exciting opportunities just for YOU! From club previews and snapshots to college visits and Back to School Bashes, there are so many ways to connect, get involved, and show off your Owl spirit. Let’s make this an amazing year together!

Club Preview Week is Here! This week is all about exploring the amazing clubs and organizations at iUP! Clubs are a fantastic way for students to connect with peers, explore new interests, and make the most of their iUP experience. Throughout the week, students will have the chance to check out different clubs, learn what each one is about, and find the ones that spark their curiosity. Whether it’s academic, creative, or just for fun, there’s something for everyone!

📅 You can view the full calendar of club meetings here. We encourage every student to preview a few clubs, ask questions, and get involved.

Joining a club is one of the best ways to build friendships and feel connected at iUP!

SB 12 & Skyward Consent Forms: As part of the recently passed SB 12, schools are now required to obtain parent/guardian consent for certain services. Families must indicate their preference in Skyward for the following areas:

1. Clubs and Organizations: To participate in any school clubs or organizations, a completed consent form in Skyward is required. Students without a completed form will not be able to participate in clubs after September 1st.

2. Counseling Services: Parent/guardian permission is required before a student can receive academic or emotional counseling through the school.

3. Medical Care: When students are with us in person at a GCISD location (for example, during STAAR testing), we need parent/guardian consent in order to provide first aid medical care. Families may either approve or decline medical attention for their student(s) through the Skyward form.

Parent Forms are now LIVE in Skyward. To navigate to them, parents should choose the "Forms" option on the left-hand menu. Please log in to Skyward to complete the forms with your preferences before September 1st. You will need to log in from your Parent Account.  If you have forgotten your password or username, please click forgot password and follow the steps.

📸 Student Success Snapshot – September 8

Our first Student Success Snapshot of the year is coming up on Monday, September 8! Snapshots help us celebrate student progress and provide extra support where it’s needed. Here’s what you need to know:

Academic Good Standing: Students who are passing all of their courses will be entered into a drawing to win iUPrep swag! Winners will be drawn from each grade level.

Progress Letters: Students who are not passing all classes will receive a progress letter from the iUPrep office. This letter is meant to guide families and students in developing a plan to reach Academic Good Standing by the next snapshot. Homeroom and content teachers are here to help make that plan a success.

🦉 Homeroom Support:  As always, your homeroom Teacher is your first point of support. Keep them in the loop on your progress so they can help you stay on track.

🏆 Dean’s List of Excellence: Students who maintain Academic Good Standing at every snapshot this semester will be recognized on the Dean’s List of Excellence. They will receive a certificate and be honored at the end-of-year Owl Expo. Seniors who earn this distinction for both fall and spring semesters will also receive a special graduation cord.

✅ How to Prepare

• Check your WiseOwls tool to see where you stand.
  If you’re passing all courses—keep up the great work!

• If you’re missing assignments, make a plan to catch up this week.

• If you’re struggling in a course, review teacher feedback, set up tutorials, or complete second attempts to raise your grade.

Not sure where to start? Reach out to your content teacher or homeroom teacher!

Grade Level Google Chats: We’re excited to offer a grade-level Google Chat for our students to collaborate, share ideas, and stay connected.

Please click the form that corresponds to your student's grade level. Review the guidelines carefully to ensure a safe and positive experience for everyone. Then please make the OPT IN or OPT OUT choice for your student.

5th- Form Link

6th- Form Link

7th- Form Link

8th- Form Link

9th- Form Link

10th- Form Link

11th- Form Link

12th- Form Link

**if you have multiple students attending iUniversity Prep, please complete the form for each student**

🎓 Virtual College Visits Begin Soon! 🎓

We are excited to kick off virtual college visits with recruiters from institutions across the country! Each session is about 30 minutes: the first half will be a presentation from the recruiter, followed by time for Q&A. These visits are for grades 9-12. 

👉 Students, please sign in with your GCISD account to complete the RSVP form.
Come prepared with questions and take advantage of this great opportunity to explore your options after high school!

📅 Upcoming Sessions (all at 12:30 PM unless noted):

• What To Look For In A College – Wed. Sept. 3

• University of Arizona – Thurs. Sept. 4 (arizona.edu)

• New Mexico Military Institute – Tues. Sept. 9 (nmmi.edu)

• University of Dallas – Thurs. Sept. 11 (udallas.edu)

• University of Alaska Fairbanks – Mon. Sept. 15 (uaf.edu)

• Samford University – Tues. Sept. 23 (samford.edu)

• Suffolk University – Wed. Sept. 24 (suffolk.edu)

• West Point (U.S. Military Academy) – Thurs. Sept. 25 (westpoint.edu)

• Texas State University – Mon. Sept. 29 (txst.edu)

• Texas A&M University – College Station – Tues. Sept. 30 (admissions.tamu.edu)

A complete list of virtual visits throughout the school year can be found in the RSVP form. 

❓ Questions? Email Mrs. Barbara Wilks at barbara.wilks@gcisd.net.

Back to School Bash: We’re kicking off the school year with Back to School Bashes across the state, and we can’t wait to see you in person! These events are a great chance to connect with iUP families and staff, meet new friends, and start the year off strong.

📅 Friday, September 12
Choose the location that works best for you and your family:

• DFW – Chicken N Pickle, Grapevine (1–3 PM)

• Austin – Bouldin Acres, Baker Lane (3–5 PM)

• Houston – Chicken N Pickle, Webster (1–3 PM)

• San Antonio – Chicken N Pickle (1–3 PM)

Please take a moment to fill out the RSVP form and let us know which Bash you’ll be attending. We’re so excited to celebrate the start of the year together!

Join iUP PTA: Joining the iUniversity Prep PTA is a great way for families to support students, stay connected, and make a real difference in our school community. As a member, you’ll have a voice in school decisions, help provide programs and resources that enrich every child’s education, and have the opportunity to volunteer your time and talents in meaningful ways. PTA membership also helps you stay informed about events, initiatives, and opportunities to connect with other families, educators, and staff. By joining, you’re investing in your child’s success, strengthening our school community, and helping make iUP an even better place to learn and grow. Click here to join and learn more. 

Follow us on all our social media platforms: These platforms and Word From Wisely are a great way to stay in the know on everything iUP. 

• Website

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Twitter

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out. 

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

Dear iUniversity Prep Owls,

🎉 Congratulations on an amazing start to the new year!  Wisely and I have had a wonderful time popping into Flight School and visiting with you all. If we haven’t visited your class yet, be on the lookout for us in Homeroom on Mondays! 

This coming week, you will start your content lessons and follow your live lesson schedule. We also have Meet the Teacher all week long during your teachers’ open office hours; they would love for you to pop in! We will also be hosting a face-to-face Meet the Teacher on Friday! Your teachers are incredibly excited to meet you! 

As always, if you have any questions or need anything, follow the 5-minute rule. We are here to support, so just reach out!

Thank you for a great start, and let’s continue to #TakeFlight into an amazing school year!

✅ Start of Classes Checklist:

With classes starting this week, ensure that you and your Owl are set for success!

1. Read your welcome communications from your teachers.

2. Ensure you know when your live lessons are.

3. Learning Coaches, have a daily meeting with your student each day this week. Ensure that they are completing their assignments each day.

4. Students, complete your work in Canvas daily. Remember the 5-minute rule: If you are stuck on something for more than 5 minutes, it’s time to reach out for help. You can find all of your teacher’s cell phone numbers here on the virtual vine. 

5. Communicate with your Homeroom teacher. Your homeroom teacher is here to support you as you take flight into this new school year. Do not hesitate to reach out to them with any questions that come up.

6. Newbies: Be patient with yourself. You are learning a whole new way to do school and that can take a little time. Reach out for help and trust you will get the hang of things soon. 

🔬 5th Grade Science, 6th Grade Science, Biology, and Chemistry students must purchase a Science Kit. Please order this ASAP to ensure they are shipped to you in time to start your hands-on labs. CLICK HERE to find your kit.

Free and Reduced Lunch: While we don’t serve lunch here at iUP, if you qualify, it is still important to sign up! There are many other benefits associated with the free and reduced application, such as waived fees for SAT, ACT, and AP exams, discounts on college applications, discounts on summer school classes, other school activities, and much more. CLICK HERE for more information.

🛩️ #TakeFlight in Style: 

• #TakeFlight with us in style this year with our new shirt! Order yours before August 29.

• Homecoming Shirts are now available to order! Order yours before September 19. #HOCO 2025 is going to be OWLsome!

• Stay tuned for our new SWAG coming out after Labor Day!

🗓️ Mid-Semester Deadlines:

As we continue to grow and refine our virtual learning model, we’re introducing a thoughtful shift to our academic calendar: We’ll now operate on four deadlines each year—two per semester—instead of two per school year. There are buffers worked into the deadlines to allow for flexibility and life’s unexpected moments. You can read more about mid-semester deadlines here on the Virtual Vine. We remain committed to serving all of our students and providing flexibility. 

🧑‍🏫 Meet the Teacher:

Your teachers are excited to meet you! We will offer both virtual and in-person opportunities.

• August 22, 6-8 PM: In-person Meet the Teacher at Colleyville Heritage High School, located at 5401 Heritage Avenue, Colleyville, TX 76034. Click here for the parking and entrance map. 

  • Learn more about how to get involved at our club and student organization booths!

  • Join the PTA while you are there and get FREE Rita’s Italian Ice with your membership! PTA will also be hosting its first General Meeting at 5:30 PM.

• The week of August 18: Teachers will be in their live lesson rooms during open office hours to meet with students and their families. To find your teacher’s open office hours, look at their “Your Professor” page in Canvas or on the Virtual Vine.

🦉 Owl Pals for Grades 6-12:

Your Owl Pal is Almost Here!
If you’re a new student who signed up for an Owl Pal, your student mentor will start reaching out next Wednesday to welcome you and help you get settled into iUP life.

While you wait, make the most of your connection with your homeroom teacher. They’re your first stop for questions, guidance, and encouragement, and they’re excited to get to know you! Your homeroom teacher is here to help you navigate courses, learn the ropes, and cheer you on as you #TakeFlight at iUP!

5th graders- we do Owl Pals a little bit differently for this grade.  Lean into your homeroom teacher and be on the lookout for Owl Pals to support you in your grade-level chat.

Follow us on all our social media platforms: These platforms and Word From Wisely are a great way to stay in the know on everything iUP. 

• Website

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Twitter

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out. 

#IntentionallyYou #IntentionallyTheBest

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team

Dear iUniversity Prep Owls,

Happy First Day of School Owls!  We are so excited to get the 2025-2026 school year started. It's time to fly. This year, our school theme is #TakeFlight!  

This theme is all about the journey we are on together. For students, it is about growth, finding new ways to soar, and preparing for the future. For our staff, it is about how we guide students towards being flight-ready for their best possible future. We are excited to partner with each of you to #TakeFlight and soar to success this year. If you want to #TakeFlight with us in style this year, check out our new shirt! Order yours before August 29th. 

New Students: Thank you for #ChoosingWisely! You have much to learn, but we are here to help you all along the way. Lean on your homeroom teacher and peers to guide you on this flight. If you would like to sign up for an Owl Pal to support you throughout your year, click here.

Returning Students: We are so glad you are back! We are excited to see you be leaders on our campus and to help our newbies.  

We are so excited to get started! The first week of school is all about getting ready for a great start. We will see you in your homeroom live lesson at 10:00 am Wed - Fri this week. If you have any qyestions, let us know. The whole iUP team is here to support you and help you get settled in.

Let’s #TakeFlight into a great year! 

Announcements

Welcome Letters and Schedules: 

Welcome letters with student schedules will begin to be sent out at the end of this week. We send these out in batches, so please be on the lookout for yours. We appreciate your patience as we work to get everyone's schedules out!

Flight School & Back-to-School Orientation:

The first day of school is August 13. This is the first day of our Flight School Orientation. This is a three-day orientation designed to help you prepare for the new school year.

• August 13, 14, and 15: Students will meet with their homeroom teachers at 10 AM each day in the live lesson room. Homeroom teachers will send out communication to your email address with directions and details.

• Canvas Orientation: You will also be working through our updated Canvas orientation course throughout these three days.

Live Lessons and assigned coursework will begin on August 18. Students cannot start their coursework until their orientation course is complete in Canvas. 

Supply Lists:

The updated supply lists for the new school year are now available on the Virtual Vine. Please note that students in grades 5th and 6th grade science, as well as those in Biology and Chemistry, will need to order a science kit. You can order your kit at this link: https://gcisdschools.revtrak.net/iuprep/iuprep-supply-kits/#/list 

Homeroom Teacher Calls:

Your homeroom teacher is in the process of reaching out to schedule an introductory call. Please prioritize meeting with them so they can help you get set up for a fantastic first day. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and make sure you're ready to go!

Mid-Semester Deadlines:

As we continue to grow and refine our virtual learning model, we’re introducing a thoughtful shift to our academic calendar: We’ll now operate on four deadlines each year—two per semester—instead of two per school year. There are buffers worked into the deadlines to allow for flexibility and life’s unexpected moments. You can read more about mid-semester deadlines here on the Virtual Vine. We remain committed to serving all of our students and providing flexibility. 

Meet the Teacher:

Your teachers are excited to meet you! We will offer both virtual and in-person opportunities.

• August 22, 6-8 PM: In-person Meet the Teacher at Colleyville Heritage High School.

• The week of August 18: Teachers will be in their live lesson rooms during open office hours to meet with students and their families.

Follow us on all our social media platforms: These platforms and Word From Wisely are a great way to stay in the know on everything iUP. 

• Website

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Twitter

As always, Owls, if you need ANYTHING, reach out. 

#IntentionallyYou #IntentionallyTheBest

Be GREAT!

Be the BEST!

Be OWLsome!

~Principal Weiche and the iUP Leadership Team