GCISD will be closed on Monday, Jan. 21, for Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. The day is set aside to honor the birthday (Jan. 15) of Martin Luther King, Jr., black civil rights leader, minister, advocate of non-violence and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

Students also will get a second day off on Tuesday, Jan. 22, as staff members participate in a designated planning/work day. Students return to school on Wednesday, Jan. 23, the beginning of the second semester for 2007-08.

The next school holiday will be on Monday, Feb. 8, in observance of Presidents Day.

The finishing touches are being made at the GCISD/JPS school-based health center in preparation for the clinic's grand opening and dedication this week. GCISD is excited to partner with the Tarrant County Hospital District/John Peter Smith Health Network to offer a school-based health clinic for GCISD families. After a minor delay due to computer issues, the clinic is set to open at 1 p.m. Tuesday to begin providing general health care services to GCISD students and their siblings up to age 18.

A dedication event and reception is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at the clinic, and the community is invited to come see what an exciting benefit this is for our families.

The clinic is housed in the District's former Instructional Support Center, next to Timberline Elementary in Grapevine. It will be run by medical personnel from JPS and will provide services such as treatment of minor illnesses and injuries, routine lab work, immunizations, school physicals and general checkups.

Clinic hours of operation are 8 a.m.-Noon and 1-5 p.m. weekdays, with the exception of school holidays and the week of July 4. Call for same-day appointments.

GCISD middle and high schools will dismiss students early this week following final exams and the close of the fall semester. Middle school students will be released at 11:20 a.m. Thursday and Friday while high school students will be released at 10:30 a.m. Friday only.

GCISD has a variety of exciting events and activities happening every week at campuses throughout the District. From PTA meetings and school programs to District celebrations and student achievements, you're sure to find something in Around the District.

Does your child suffer from sleep problems? If so, according to University of Cologne (Germany) research (originally published in the journal SLEEP), he or she is more likely to have trouble falling asleep than staying asleep.

Here are some tips to help your children sleep better from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine:

• Follow a consistent bedtime routine. Set aside 10 to 30 minutes to get your child ready to go to sleep.
• Establish a relaxing setting at bed time.
• Interact with your child at bed time. Don't let the television, computer or video games take your place.
• Keep your children from TV programs, movies and video games which are not appropriate for their age.
• Do not let your child fall asleep while being held, rocked, fed a bottle or while nursing.
• At bed time, do not allow your child to have foods or drinks which contain caffeine. Try not to give him or her any medicine which has a stimulant at bed time.