Campus News 5-21-07

What’s Happening This Week
• GCISD Board of Trustees meeting
The Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Board of Trustees will meet for the regular monthly meeting on May 21 at the GCISD Administration Building, 3051 Ira E. Woods Avenue in Grapevine. Open session begins at 7 p.m. Information: 817-251-5503.

• Bridges Graduation
The Bridges Learning Center Graduation Celebration will be 7 p.m. May 22 at the Colleyville Community Center. Students who have completed their course requirements through the district’s accelerated alternative education program will be recognized. Information: 817-251-5526.

• GCISD Night at the Ballpark
This year’s Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Night at the Ballpark is May 22. Game time is 7:05 p.m. and the Rangers will take on the Minnesota Twins at the Ballpark in Arlington. GCISD students who have completed 100 hours of reading from April 24-May 5 are eligible to redeem complimentary tickets to the game. GCISD employees, students and families can purchase additional tickets at discounted rates. Pre-game ceremonies will include on-field recognition of Grapevine High School seniors receiving scholarships given by the Rangers in memory of GHS Varsity Baseball player Chris Gavora. The District’s Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year also will be recognized and the GHS Choir will be performing the National Anthem. Information: 817-251-5503.

• Private/Non-Profit School meeting
An informational meeting regarding services that may be available to students attending private schools or home schools is scheduled for 4 p.m. May 23 at the GCISD Administration Building. Services provided are in accordance with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Schools that receive services must comply with all requisite federal policies and procedures. A description of services and eligibility will be provided during the meeting. Information: John Doughney, 817-251-5513.

• Last day of school
The last day of school for GCISD students is May 24. Students will have early release times beginning May 22; check your campus or the GCISD website for specific release times and dates. The last day of school for teachers is May 25. Information: www.gcisd-k12.org.

• Academic recognition banquet
The Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation will host the 2007 Academic Recognition Banquet on May 24 at the Hilton DFW Lakes in Grapevine. The banquet will honor the top 20 graduating seniors from both Colleyville Heritage and Grapevine high schools, as well as those teachers who have had a significant positive influence on these students. The GCISD campus and district Teachers of the Year also will be recognized, as will Mark Howe, the 2007 recipient of the Distinguished Friend of Education Award. Reception begins at 6:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $65 for adults and $40 for students. Information: 817-251-5480.

• GCISD Class of 2007 Graduation
Commencement ceremonies for GCISD’s Class of 2007 are scheduled for May 26 at the Dallas Convention Center. Colleyville Heritage graduation exercises will begin at 10 a.m. and Grapevine High graduation ceremonies will begin at 2 p.m. Information: 817-251-5503.

• Driver’s Education registration ongoing
Registration for GCISD’s summer Driver’s Education class is underway. The session runs 6-8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays from June 4-28 and classes are filled on a first-come basis. Separate driving times are available. All classes will be at Grapevine Middle School. Cost is $315 for GCISD students and $365 for out-of-district students plus a $15 non-refundable registration fee for all students. Information: 817-251-5525.

• Registration underway for evening education classes
Registration is underway for Session V of GCISD’s TARGET evening classes for high school credit. Basic courses are offered to allow students to catch up on credits, advance in order to graduate early or open a section of their normal schedule to take another course of their choice. Session V begins June 4 and classes are held at Bridges Accelerated Learning Center, 736 E. Northwest Highway, Grapevine.

Registration forms and payment will be accepted from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. May 30 at the Office of Continuing Education, 736 E. Northwest Highway in Grapevine. Late registration is 8:30 a.m.-noon May 31 and will include a $15 fee. Cost for the one-semester class is $200 for GCISD students and $250 for out-of-district students. A $10 non-refundable registration fee will be charged per student. Information: 817-251-5525.

Upcoming Calendar Items
• GCISD holiday/summer hours
GCISD offices and campuses will be closed May 28 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Summer hours begin May 29 and continue through Aug. 10. Summer hours are 7:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday. District offices will be closed on Fridays.

• GCISD Summer Enrichment
GCISD’s Summer Enrichment program begins June 4 for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade. The program, “Explore and Discover Summer,” offers a variety of classes including fine arts, cooking, cultural studies, math and science, social skills, sports/recreation and technology. There are six, one-week classes offered, with both morning and afternoon classes available. Information about GCISD summer programs is available on the district’s website, www.gcisd-k12.org/instruct/sschool_main.html or 817-251-5206.

• GCISD employees to bring children to work
GCISD’s Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is scheduled for June 7. This program is promoted annually nationwide by the Ms. Foundation for Women and provides an opportunity for districts to extend plans for career investigation activities. For information about the program, visit www.tea.state.tx.us/taa/sds020807.html.

• GCISD registration for 2007-2008
Registration for GCISD campuses begins in July. Dates, times and other pertinent back-to-school information for specific campuses is available on the district’s web site, www.gcisd-k12.org/pr/backtoschool.htm. The first day of school is Aug. 27.

Awards and Announcements
• GHS athletes take third in regionals, claim district title
Grapevine High tennis players Emily Underwood and Haley Holt placed third in the Region 1-5A tournament, capping a successful year for the GHS tennis program. The JV team was crowned district champions after first-place finishes by the boys and girls teams. Individual awards include: Jenna McCready, district champion for girls singles in division I; Shelby Welborn and Ashley Warren, district champions for girls doubles in division I; Tyler Franklin, district champion for boys singles in division II; Jason Atwell and Hayden Hardeman, district champions for boys doubles in division II; Peyton Dizzine, district champion for girls singles in division II; and Anna Wagner and James Taylor, district champions for mixed doubles in division II. They are coached by Angel Martinez.

• Wal-Mart recognizes Silver Lake Elementary educator
Jamie Nutt, a fifth-grade teacher at Silver Lake Elementary, has been selected as the Grapevine Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year. Nutt, who specialized in science, was nominated by one of her students, Thaiza Patron, who says she chose Nutt because she “always takes time out of her personal life to make sure her class has fun and to give us new experiences each day.” As part of her honor, Nutt received a $100 gift card to Wal-Mart and her school received a check for $1,000.

• CHHS student defends title in state UIL contest
Sean O’Connor, a senior at Colleyville Heritage High School, recently placed first in the UIL State Academic Championships for Prose Interpretation. This is the second consecutive year O’Connor has won this highly competitive event. Sean is coached by Jenny Phagan. Also at the state competition, the UIL Spelling and Vocabulary team placed second overall. Team members are Sowmya Somaneth, Dhruvi Patel, Roze Pirvany and Sana Zekri. They are coached by Ben Metcalf.

• GHS forensics students prepare for national conference
Students Tonya Beglari, Mike Gajewsky and Casey Williams will represent Grapevine High School in June at the National Forensic League national competition. Beglari and Gajewsky will compete in policy debate and Williams will compete in humorous interpretation. In addition, Leslie Berntsen and Joanna Smith recently competed in Student Congress during the National Tournament of Champions, with Smith earning a spot in the semi-finals among the top 24 legislators. The GHS forensics teams are coached by Jane Boyd.

• Timberline PTA presents friend, membership awards
The Timberline Elementary PTA recently honored individuals for outstanding contributions of time and effort to students. Three TES supporters received the PTA “Friend of Children” Award for their service to children. They are: Ann Carson of Fort Worth, Jane Doclar of Grapevine and TES nurse Kitty Martin of Grapevine. Marie Kohrmann and Dr. Rob Thornell, TES principal, received the Lifetime Membership award. This is the highest honor a PTA chapter can present to a member.