connect2019–20 // Issue II ed

Garland ISD New 2020–21 #GISDWantsYouBack movin' on up calendar approved Garland ISD movin’ on up Choice of School Community helping Boasting a seven-point increase, Garland ISD received a 2018–19 increase over last year. Six campuses even claimed all available accountability score of B+/88. The Education Agency’s distinction designations. period extended develop future impact second-highest rating signifies academic success, postsecondary The district is celebrating its top performing campuses with Giving families the unique opportunity to customize education, Garland ISD is continuing its legacy as a visionary leader in readiness and closing achievement gaps. special assemblies throughout October and November. The Board Garland ISD’s Choice of School program is like none other. Our education. With the help of students, staff and the community, the “To make a seven-point jump is huge,” said Superintendent of Trustees and Dr. López will not only present the school a families can attend any campus in the district, regardless of where district is developing a plan focused on the learners of tomorrow. Ricardo López. “That’s a testament to the excellence that’s celebration banner, but students will present every campus employee they live. In an effort to ensure all families have ample time to GISD partnered with the engage2learn organization to plan this happening in our school system. This is a district that is very diverse. a commemorative pin as well. Follow the hashtag #MadeTheGrade consider and make their choices, as well as receive earlier notifications, ambitious, multilevel process. In June, hundreds of stakeholders About 80% of our students are minority. And out of our whole on social media to keep up with our A/B campus celebrations. we are extending this year’s Choice of School and magnet application provided valuable feedback at Community Input Summit events population, 65% are economically disadvantaged. Our kids may not And, stay tuned for our 2019–20 accountability score. We’re going window. Opening Dec. 9, see the full calendar below. and through an online survey. The district then gathered input have others’ wealth, but they have the same worth. And our results to put the “A” in #GarlandUSA! Complete Choice of School forms and magnet applications from more than 40 focus groups, including everyone from middle show it. Congratulations to the entire Garland ISD team.” A list of GISD’s A/B campuses, as well as those claiming all via Skyward Family Access. New students are also encouraged to school students to city representatives to multiethnic association District campuses were also rated this year, and 100% either available distinction designations, is below. enroll through Skyward during selection periods. For families with ambassadors. This summer’s efforts were great successes, and the work met or exceeded state standards. In fact, 46 schools earned an A Pre-K and kindergarten students, the Choice of School and magnet continued after the start of the 2019–20 school year. or a B. Additionally, 48 campuses claimed at least one distinction To view complete ratings, visit txschools.gov. application window opens March 20. In September, a Design Team created a learning innovation designation. This is 73% of all GISD schools, which marks a 47% We invite you to prepare for Choice of School at the framework over an intense three-day period. The team, consisting #ChooseGarlandISD Expo from 5-8 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Curtis of high schoolers, parents, community members, and district Culwell Center. All 72 of our schools will be under one roof for staff, designed a proposal to help empower lifelong learners in the one night only. Meet campus principals, ask questions, learn about classroom and beyond. The following month, a second Design Team Congrats to Garland ISD’s A and B campuses! program offerings and more. tackled campus environments, discussing and pinpointing what A Campuses B Campuses fosters effective teaching and learning. After two long days, the team Austin MS Spring Creek ES Abbett ES Davis ES Heather Glen ES Lyles MS Rowlett HS South Garland HS Visit garlandisd.net/choice for details. built an assessment rubric to evaluate GISD’s facilities. With official Vial ES Dorsey ES Herfurth ES North Garland HS Sachse HS Steadham ES Beaver ES Armstrong ES campus walks planned through November, there is still more vital Brandenburg MS Walnut Glen ES Back ES Ethridge ES Hickman ES Northlake ES Sewell ES Stephens ES work ahead. We are grateful to be in #GarlandUSA, where our Hillside ES Watson ES Bradfield ES Freeman ES Houston MS Park Crest ES Shorehaven ES Choice of School & magnet application timeline tri-cities come together to help plan the very best for our future. Keeley ES Bullock ES Garland HS Hudson MS Parsons PK Kimberlin ES Cisneros PK Golden Meadows ES Jackson MS Roach ES Nov. Luna ES Daugherty ES Handley ES Lakeview Centennial HS Rowlett ES 13 #ChooseGarlandISD Expo To learn more and keep up with our progress, visit the district 2019 website at garlandisd.net/designprocess.

Campuses earning all available distinction designations Dec. 9 Grades 1–12 Choice of School and magnet • Austin Academy for Excellence • Kimberlin Academy for Excellence • Walnut Glen Academy for Excellence 2019 application opens • Classical Center at Brandenburg • North #GISDWantsYouBack Middle School • Spring Creek Elementary School Garland ISD wants to spread the word that all students, no matter 11 Grades 1–12 magnet application closes the circumstances, are welcome in our district. To help those who face Jan. 24 Grades 1–12 magnet program parent notification difficulties on the path to graduation, we launched a life-changing 2020 27 Grades 1–12 Choice of School closes program called Operation Opportunity. In the spring, several GISD departments collaborated to pull Feb. 3 Grades 1–12 magnet seat acceptance deadline together community resources, special curriculum and special 2020 10 Grades 1–12 Choice of School notification enrollment procedures to set up traditional and non-traditional graduation plans for students who did not return to school. The team then reached out to families in multiple ways, including phone 2 Pre-K/Kinder Choice of School and magnet calls, letters, email and face-to-face contact. In fact, staff members March application opens 21 #ChooseGarlandISD Day from across the entire district worked as Operation Opportunity 2020 door knockers—including our own Superintendent Ricardo López. 23 Pre-K/Kinder magnet application closes After the program’s soft launch, the number of reported dropouts decreased by 36%. 17 Pre-K/Kinder Choice of School closes April GISD truly cares about every single learner. Help us continue 2020 24 Pre-K/Kinder magnet program parent notification impacting lives by letting students know that #GISDWantsYouBack.

If you or someone you know can benefit from Operation May 1 Pre-K/Kinder magnet seat acceptance deadline Opportunity, please contact Student Services at 972-494-8684 2020 18 Pre-K/Kinder Choice of School notification or [email protected].

1 connected 2019–20 // Issue II 2 2 1 Recognized as a 2019 District of Distinction in Visual Arts, November is Family Engagement Month, GISD is one of just 20 districts to and GISD offers several opportunities to get receive this honor from the Texas involved. Join a PTA, register for adult ESL classes, Art Educators Association. volunteer or visit garlandisd.net/parentworkshops to view a calendar of upcoming events.

4 Joining an elite group of less than 1% of seniors nationwide, Payton Blankenship, Mia Caruso, 3 Noemi Guerra, Analise Hogan, THE TOP Zachary Nguyen, Alicia Garland High School senior and Sebastian and Isaac Yu have City of Garland sustainability intern been named National Merit 5 Ximena Coronado won the Scholarship semifinalists. alumnus North Texas Corporate Recycling Matt Cox brought his Broadway Association’s Recycler of the hit back home. Scan the QR Year award. code to read about the first Texas production of Puffs. 7 Flu season is coming… Don’t 6 wait. Vaccinate! GISD is offering 10 several vaccination events with free Congratulations to GISD staff shots for those who qualify. Visit Thank you, VIPs! More than members Jessica Tanguy and garlandisd.net/ShotClinics 1,000 senior citizens are now Robert Navarro for being the for more information. receiving free general admission district’s first-ever recipients of full-ride to all district-hosted athletic and Texas A&M University-Commerce fine arts events. Don’t miss this Master’s Scholarships. opportunity if you’re 65+. Get a VIP pass at the GISD Print Shop. 8 9 GISD is proud to announce it's the Need cash for college? Submit your FAFSA nation's largest school district to be or TASFA application today! For more named a Google for Education information, visit garlandisd.net/cash4college. Reference District—a recognition that All high school GO Centers will also demonstrates excellence and thought be open during school hours for leadership through the innovative use application help. of technology to drive impact and positive learning outcomes.

3 connected 2019–20 // Issue II 4 On the New 2020-21 calendar Musical performances calendar approved teach personal finance Garland ISD has finalized its new calendar Winter Break Dec. 21-Jan. 6, and Spring What do music and money sense have in common? Garland ISD for the 2020–21 school year. Key dates were Break March 15-19. partnered with nonprofit Funding the Future to host financial first determined by a committee and then Comments and questions regarding literacy concerts at all secondary schools this fall. Popular bands DECEMBER submitted to the Board of Trustees for review the school calendar may be directed to GOODING, Carter Hulsey and The Reminders toured the district and approval. Curriculum & Instruction at 972-487-3990. treating students to exclusive shows, as well as tips on credit scores, The 2020–21 school year will begin savings accounts and more. 9 Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, and run through View the complete 2020–21 academic Computer Science Education Week Thursday, May 27, 2021. Other key dates calendar at garlandisd.net/schoolcalendar. Hour of Code include: Thanksgiving Break Nov. 23-27, 19 Early Dismissal (Secondary) “We are proudly working with the Texas Council on Economic Education and GISD to ensure that every secondary student in the district, and ultimately Texas overall, is impacted with critical 20 personal finance and money management skills that set them Early Dismissal (Districtwide) individually, and therefore the community as a whole, up for Third Grading Period Ends success,” said Funding the Future CEO Carolyn Powell. Financial literacy education is not required in the state of Texas, and according to Funding the Future, 76% of millennials lack basic 23–31 financial knowledge. By focusing on the importance of personal

Winter Break money management at a young age, students will learn tools to make Courtesy: Hudson Middle School informed decisions throughout their lives, gaining the discipline and Literacy confidence to see their own dreams as possibilities. GISD is the first JANUARY district in the nation to offer these unique musical performances to For more information, visit fundingthefuturelive.org. for Life all secondary schools, reaching more than 10,000 students. 1–3 More than 2,400 attendees and the tri-cities celebrated Garland ISD’s Winter Break commitment to inspire and transform lives through the power of reading. This fall’s Edgardo Almanza 6–7 first-ever Literacy for Life celebration was Staff Development an overwhelming success. The fun-filled day included appearances from authors Student Holiday and storybook characters, book giveaways, engaging activities, and a ceremony honoring Class of 2011 // #TeamGISD 8 the myON Summer Reading Challenge Fourth Grading Period Begins winners. View a full list of winners at “GISD staff impacted my life bit.ly/LFLWinners19. See the amazing tremendously. They taught me event in action via GRS-TV at 9 youtube.com/garlandisdnews. discipline and helped me get through PTA Reflections highs and lows. I feel the district helped me get to where I am today, 14 and I’m glad it continues to help English & Spanish Spelling Bee others with their futures.”

20 • Attended Daugherty Elementary School, Houston Middle Martin Luther King Jr. Day School and South Garland High School • Owner of Royal Shave Barbershop

5 connected 2019–20 // Issue II 6 Board of Garland Independent School District Trustees Non-Profit Organization ISD P.O. Box 469026 Johnny Beach U.S. POSTAGE PAID President Garland, TX 75046-9026 Garland, TX 75046 Robert Selders Jr. Permit No. 22 Vice President Jamie Miller @ChooseGarland Secretary Linda Griffin Assistant Secretary *****************ECRWSS****************** Larry Glick Member Jed Reed Local Postal Customer Member Wes Johnson Member @gisdnews @gisdnoticias // Superintendent e ConnectEd is published GISD by Communications, printed in-house GISD by Printing Services and distributed to approximately 109,000 households. e details check out our Social icon Rounded squar Only use blue and/or white. For mor Brand Guidelines. Dr. Ricardo López

// Choice of School matters // aroundGISD

Jenny Zachary Maria Jeff Crystal Graves Nguyen Johns Bickerstaff Robins

Parent Senior Lower Elementary Owner Director of Budget Austin & Hillside Garland High School Guide Bickerstaff Insurance & Position Control Academies for “Garland ISD's Choice of Herfurth and Financial Garland ISD Excellence School has been a blessing Elementary School Services, LLC “Garland ISD has a “I love that my kids are for the enrichment of my “The main benefit of “It gave our family the multitude of amazing not limited to schools in educational experience Choice of School in freedom to decide the programs that you cannot our neighborhood or city. because I’m able to take Garland ISD is that best path for each of our find in the charter/private They are able to attend hold of my future. Unlike it allows me to serve three children. Every system. My two Garland the schools that best charter schools, our seven bilingual students from child has a unique set ISD graduates were able challenge their academic high schools offer diverse three different cities and of abilities, and it is to go to the campuses needs and allow them to programs, so I can tailor offer them two great important to give them of their choice, and my study things that inspire my educational experience opportunities—a the best opportunities remaining younger three and motivate them.” in a way that complements dual-language program in to succeed. GISD does will also be afforded my interests.” a Montessori setting. This just that.” the same winning is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.” opportunity for our children.”

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