Gilmer ISD News Gilmer Independent School District Newsletter Summer 2018, 4th edition

Congratulations Gilmer High School Class of 2018!!

As the 2017—18 school year comes to a close, the graduating Class of 2018 prepares to launch into their future. Just as this class began Kindergarten 13 years ago with bright eyes and an eagerness for the future, they are now preparing for life after high school with those same bright eyes and with the same eagerness to see what the future will hold. The graduation ceremony was held at Jeff Traylor Stadium at Gilmer High School on Friday, June 1, at 8:00 p.m. This year’s Top 10% graduates are: McKenzie Castro; Logan Parish; Cameron Gipson; Elizabeth Hamilton; Madison Vestal; Mason Haught; Kaylee Fyffe; Mylah Childress; Bri- anna Parker; Camden Bowles; Cassidy Helms; Bladen Richardson; Lukas Allen; Cameron Maberry; Hannah Bradshaw; Jacob Dean. GHS Announces Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Gilmer High School’s Class of 2018 announced its top graduating seniors. McKenzie Castro, daughter of Daniel and Monica Castro, will be this year’s Gilmer High School graduating class Valedictorian. Since her enrollment at Gilmer High School, McKenzie has been an active member of the Gilmer High School FFA Program where she has competed in numerous speaking and judging events, holding chapter officer ti- tles, as well as being a member of the GHS squad, National Honor Society, Student Council, and Class Officer . In addition to her service and activity while being a student at GHS, she was recently announced as one of 40 national finalists for the U.S. Army Pro Football Hall of Fame Award. After graduating from GHS, McKenzie plans to attend The University of Texas at Austin in the fall and major in Biology and Health and Society. She plans to pursue a career as a Pediatric Oncologist . GHS Class of 2018 Valedic- torian McKenzie Castro Logan Parish, the daughter of Todd and Sheri Parish, was an- nounced Salutatorian of this year’s graduating class. While at GHS, Logan has partici- GHS Class of 2018 Salutatorian Logan Parish pated in numerous activities such as being an officer in the Gilmer High School FFA pro- gram and participating with the cross country and high school track teams, where she participated at both the regional and state levels. After graduation, Logan plans to attend LeTourneau University in the fall and major in Biology. She plans to pursue a ca- reer as a Physical Therapist for special needs individuals. GISD News GISD Students Compete in Spring UIL Meets

GISD students had a lot to celebrate this semester by competing in UIL competitions that were held in Gilmer as well as other school districts. Student from all four Gilmer campus- es competed and placed in various UIL events such as Prose/Poetry, Storytelling, Spelling, Maps, Graphs, and Charts, Ready Writing, Number Sense, and many others. Pictured be- low are students from each campus and grade level that participated and represented GISD at UIL events. Many of these students were able to qualify and compete at Regional contests. GHS Makes History

Gilmer High School made history this year by sending two teams to state competition for the first time.

Gilmer FFA’s Farm Business Man- agement team, which included Cameron Gipson, Jake Moses, Mason Haught, and Lukus Allen, pictured above, won 1st in their event.

GHS Powerlifters, pictured below, were also successful. Shannie Jones, won 5th; Jose Sanchez, won 1st; and Marshae Davis, won 3rd. Congratulations to these stu- dents and the sponsors of these two teams.

Students Inducted into Honor Societies for 2018—19

Students at Gilmer Elementary, Bruce Junior High, and Gilmer High School were inducted into the National Honor Society for their grade level. Students qualified for induction based on their overall GPA, teacher recommendations, and committee approval. Students inducted must maintain high grades as well as perform community service hours . Pictured below are students from each campus (Elementary, Junior High, and High School) who were inducted. GISD News GISD Teachers of the Year Attend GLOBE Banquet

The Greater Longview Organization of Business and Education Banquet is held each year to honor top students as well as each district’s Teacher of the Year. Representing GISD at the GLOBE Banquet were 2017 Teachers of the Year, Amber Watson and Trish Kaunitz. Mrs. Watson has 24 years of teaching experience with the last 14 being at Gilmer Elementary. When asked about teaching, Mrs. Watson says, “The most rewarding aspect of teaching is seeing relationships being formed.” Relationships that extend past the Kindergarten class- room and into adulthood. She considers it a great honor when students invite her to attend their graduation ceremonies, weddings, and then invite her into their classrooms GISD 2017 Elementary Teacher of when they begin their own teaching career. She says, “These are the things that make the Year Amber Watson with teaching rewarding and fulfilling.” 2017 GHS graduate Monderian Bryant Trish Kaunitz, English Language Arts teacher at GHS, was named Secondary Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Kaunitz is completing her 17th year at GHS. When asked about teaching, Mrs. Kaunitz says that she loves “being able to explore writing and literature with her students as a community of learners. We bond. We write. We share.” Being able to see students gain an insight or learning that will transcend high school or college and lead them into thinking that they will use for the rest of their lives is rewarding. She says that her goal for her students each year is to not only see them grow academically, but to let them know that they are loved, they have a voice, and what they say is valid and important.

Both teachers look forward to their summer break but will be preparing each day for the GISD 2017 Secondary Teacher of upcoming school year. the Year Trish Kaunitz GISD Passes Bond for New High School, Re-elects Two Trustees

GISD passed a 35.25 million dollar bond proposition to build a new high school in the election on May 5. The bond calls for the construction, acquisition, and equipment of a new high school, including a career and technology education building and the dem- olition of the existing high school to provide high school parking facilities. Planning and bidding time for the new high school will take 6—9 months with an anticipated construction time of 18 months. In other business, GISD re-elected two school board trus- tees, Diedra Camp and Kenny Southwell. Both returning trustees will serve a three year term.

GISD Offers Parents Opportunities for Involvement

Throughout the school year, GISD campuses offer parents multiple opportunities to attend functions held during the year. These functions include Donuts with Dad, Muffins with Mom, Family Night, as well as opportunities to attend Parent Engagement Activities such as serving on District/Campus Committees, Campus Open House events, and Home visit opportunities. If you missed these opportunities this year, please be sure to attend next year’s events. Pictured right are Rusty and Taylor Fennell (top) at Donuts with Dad, and Mindy and Laney Hamilton (bottom) at Muffins with Mom. Summer Calendar of Events

15: Tween/Teen Movie Event 16: Movie & Popcorn JUNE 2:00 p.m. JULY 2:00 p.m. 6: Lady Buckeye Camp Upshur County Library 2: Movie & Popcorn Upshur County Library

12:00 p.m.—2:00 p.m. 18— July 20 : Summer Youth Program 2:00 p.m. 19: Storytime

GHS—Softball Field; Incoming 7—9 Gr. Mon.—Fri. ; 8:00 a.m.—noon Upshur County Library 10:00 a.m. & 4:15 p.m.

7: Lady Buckeye Softball Camp Yamboree Exhibit Bldg. 3: Tween/Teen Event Upshur County Library

12:00 p.m.—2:30 p.m. 18—21: VBS Fantasy Map Making 26: Storytime

GHS—Softball Field: Incoming 4-6 Gr. 6:00 pm. 3: Yamboree Fire Work Show 10:00 a.m. & 4:15 p.m.

6—8: Buckeye Camp First Baptist Church Gilmer 8:00 p.m. Upshur County Library

Incoming 3rd—9th gr: $60 18—20: Buckeye Football Camp Jeff Traylor Stadium—GHS

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Incoming 5th—9th gr: $50 5: Storytime AUGUST

GHS—Matt Camp Complex 5:30 p. m.—8:30 p.m. 10:00 a.m. & 4:15 p.m. 8 –9 GISD Open Enrollment

6—8:Lady Buckeye Camp Jeff Traylor Stadium—GHS Upshur County Library 8:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

Incoming 1st—9th gr: $45 18: Movie & Popcorn 6: Tween/Teen Event Gilmer Elementary Campus

9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. Movie & Popcorn 8: Back to School Immunization Clinic

Gilmer High School Gym. Upshur County Library 2:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

8: Lady Buckeye Softball Camp 19 : Tween/Teen Event Upshur County Library Gilmer Elementary School

12:00 p.m.—2:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 9—11: East Texas Passing Academy 11: GHS Meet The Buckeyes

GHS— Softball Field; Incoming 1st—3rd Gr. Cardboard Fort Challenge Incoming 7th—12th gr: $125.00 6:00 p.m.

8: Family Movie Night on The Square Upshur County Library 5:30 p.m.—8:30 p.m. Jeff Traylor Stadium—GHS

8:30 p.m. 20: Brett Roberts Bubbles GHS—Jeff Traylor Stadium 22 GISD Meet the Teacher

Downtown Gilmer 2:00 p.m. 9: Movie & Popcorn 10:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m.

10—13: VBS New Beginnings Baptist Church Upshur County Library 2:00 p.m. GISD Campuses

6:30 p.m.—8:30 p.m. 21 : Storytime Upshur County Library 27: 1st Day of Instruction 2018—19

11—13 : Buckeye Basketball Camp 10:00 a.m. & 4:15 p.m. 10: Tween/Teen Event Welcome Back to School!!

8:00 a.m.—Noon Upshur County Library Fantasy Map Making

Gilmer High School Gym. 22: Tween/Teen Movie Event 2:00 p.m.

11—13: Camp 2:00 p.m. Upshur County Library

Incoming 3rd—8th gr: $45 Upshur County Library 11: Miss Aimee’s Balloons

8:00 a.m. —12:00 p.m. 25: Movie & Popcorn 2:00 p.m.

GHS Tennis Courts 2:00 p.m. Upshur County Library

11: Movie & Popcorn Upshur County Library 12: Storytime

2:00 p.m. 26: Tween/Teen Event 10:00 a.m. & 4:15 p.m.

Upshur County Library CD Scratch Art Upshur County Library

12: Tween/Teen event 2:00 p.m. 13: Tween/Teen Movie Event

Cardboard Fort Challenge Upshur County Library 2:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m. 27:Ventrilquist & Puppeteer Upshur County Library

Upshur County Library 2:00 p.m. 16—18: Lady Buckeye Camp 13: “Wildlife on the move” Upshur County Library incoming 7th—9th gr: $35 2:00 p.m. 28: Storytime 9:30 a.m. —11:30 a.m. Upshur County Library 10:00 a.m. & 4:15 p.m. Gilmer High School Gym. 14: Storytime Upshur County Library 16—20 : VBS First United 10:00 a.m. & 4:15 p.m. 29: Tween/Teen Event Methodist Church

Upshur County Library Movie & Popcorn 8:00 a.m.—Noon

2:00 p.m. Upshur County Library GISD News 2018-2019 PreK–6th Grade Calendar GISD News

2018-2019 7th–12th Grade Calendar