fall_2015_connected_online.pdf

Summer 2015First Day of SchoolAugust 24Summer 20152SHS senior isnation’s No. 2wide receiver recruit4The top 10 things youneed to know for Backto School6Looking forMontessori? There’s aGISD school for that

2Sachse HS five-star athletegears up for stellar senior yearAs one of Sachse High School’sstar athletes, incomingsenior Devin Duvernay is used tobeing followed by the spotlight.Considering the 17-year-old hasalready made Sachse history andis one of the nation’s top recruits,it comes as no surprise thatDuvernay is looking forward tomaking the most of his senior year.And that is something the Mustangcommunity is excited to see in2015-16.“Devin is a model student. Forseveral years now, it has been wellknown that he is a very talentedathlete,” said Principal Ray Merrill.“With a great foundation fromhis parents and educators at alllevels, Devin has taken that talentand exceeded the already highexpectations others had of him. Ihope everyone in Mustang Countryis as excited about this yearas I am.”A gifted football andtrack athlete, Duvernaydemonstrated hisexceptional talentby becoming theschool’sfirst UIL State Track Meet Championin May—a satisfying win for thecommitted competitor.“I dedicate about three hours a dayto school athletics,” Duvernay said.“I felt great and relieved when I wongold in the 100-meter dash becauseall the hard work I put in paid off.”Sachse Head Football CoachMark Behrens was not only proudof Duvernay’s UIL performance, butglad that he will be remembered inSachse sports permanently.“It has been a blessing to be able tocoach football in general, but to havean athlete like Devin is somethingthat does not happen every day. Soit has really been special, for sure,”Behrens commented. “We havehad other state champions at otherschools in the district, but he willalways be Sachse’s first. He is whatyou want in a student athlete. Notonly is he a leader in the building, buton the field and track as well.”Duvernay’s athletic prowess isexactly why he is entering his senioryear ranked the nation’s No. 2 footballwide receiver recruit. The hometownsensation has currently racked up45 college offers, and will have evenmore eyes on him this fall season.“It feels great to be ranked No. 2because I know what I bring to thetable. It is a blessing to be able toperform on a high level, and get mytalents noticed,” the humble playerstated.As far as his senior year andfuture are concerned, the toprecruit hopes to achieve big goals.“I plan to just have fun, enjoymyself and have a great senior yearon the field and track as long as I amin the school building,” Duvernayexpressed. “I want to end high schoolgreatly and have a successful collegecareer on and off thefield. I also hope toplay in the NFL, andgo from there.”On the C1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30connected

On a mission to save their campus energy and time, members ofLakeview Centennial High School’sWatt Patrol perform random energy checks throughoutthe school day, leaving tickets ifactive electronics or runninglights are observed invacant classrooms.Efforts like that atmultiple schools acrossthe district have helpedGISD save$2.16millionin energycosts sinceSeptember2013.Breakfastand lunchprices toincreaseElementary andsecondary students willsee an increase in schoolbreakfast and lunch pricesthis year. All breakfasts nowcost $1.50, a difference of 20cents, due to increased cost ofan additional fruit/vegetablemenu offering. Lunches willincrease to $2.70, a difference of5 cents, due to regulations fromthe United States Departmentof Agriculture (USDA).Additionally, high schools willoffer premium lunches for$3.50.Increases affect only thosewho pay full price for meals.Students who receive free orreduced-price benefits willnot see a difference, and maytake advantage of both typesof lunches at high schoolcafeterias.3Farewell toEducation GISDLast month marked the final farewell for Education GISD, a newsletterthat chronicled the accomplishments of Garland ISD students and staffthrough pictures and stories for more than 30 years. This month, thedistrict introduces ConnectEd, a revamped publication with the samepurpose. It boasts a sleeker design and a more easy-to-read format. Newfeatures such as top 10s, photo collages, alumni spotlights and reader’svoices will also become reoccurring staples. Enjoy this inaugural summer2015 issue, and keep an eye out for upcoming fall, winter and springeditions. Have feedback or a submission? Email news@garlandisd.net.summer 2015

4Back-to-SchoolT1GISD uses the Skylerttelephonenotificationsystem toalert parents and employeesof school closings and otherimportant information. Thiscritical communication tool cannotify everyone within a matterof minutes. Contact informationmust be updated to receive Skylertnotifications.2Skyward FamilyAccess allows parentsto see their child’s gradesand attendance, as well asreceive messages from teachers, viewreport cards, request notificationsand set Skylert preferences. Contactcampuses for account information.3Children must haveup-to-dateimmunizationsto attend school. Checkthe list at www.garlandisd.net/healthservices.4Want to getinvolved? Join aGISD PTA.Contact campusesto sign up, or visit www.gisdpta.org.If the red lights are fl ashing, you shouldn’Protect GISD students and save yourself from a hefty fiine. STOP for school buses.connected

op 1055To enroll a newstudent, visit theManuel and Maria ValleStudent Services Centerand bring required documents: proofof residency, certified birth certificate,immunization records, Social Securitycard (if applicable) and recent report card.6GISD offerscomprehensivespecialeducationservices to children frombirth through age 21. For moreinformation, call 972-487-3300 oremail A873@garlandisd.net.t be passing!7If concerns or complaintsarise, GISD encouragesits families to follow thedistrict’s problemsolvingprocess for effectiveconflict resolution. The first step is aparent conference with the involvedparty. A campus administrator thenintervenes on the second level if theconcern remains. Step three involvesone of the district’s Student RelationsAdministrators. Call 972-494-8255 formore information.8Click the “follow us”link on the districtwebsite to sign up forTwitter, or text“Follow @gisdnews” to 40404 andreceive district tweets as messageson your smartphone. More than60 campuses also have their ownaccounts. See a complete list atwww.garlandisd.net/twitter.9To receive bustransportation,students must attenda school within theirdesignated eligibility area and livetwo or more miles from that campus.Transportation areas and routeinformation can be found atwww.garlandisd.net/departments/transportation.andreducedpricemeal10Freeapplicationforms will be printed in bothEnglish and Spanish, and sent to thehomes of GISD families. To apply, anadult household member shouldcomplete the form and return itto their child’s campus. Only oneapplication is needed per household,if it lists all students attending districtschools.summer 2015

6Striving to provide all studentswith a well-rounded educationthat includes school choice, GISDoffers an array of specializedmagnets. Currently, the districtboasts 10 varied programs at16 campuses. The addition ofMontessori in 2016-17 will givefamilies one more option tocustomize their child’s learning.Additionally, the locations ofHerfurth and Luna elementaryschools will extend GISD’sprograms into the Rowlett andSachse areas.Montessori offers individualized,integrated instruction withteachers acting as facilitators. Theclassroom environment containsmultisensory materials ratherthan textbooks, and childrenmove around the room at theirown pace, studying geography,history, language, math, music,science, etc. at the same time.Montessori classes also groupgrade levels together, formingcommunities in which olderchildren spontaneously sharetheir knowledge with youngerpeers.Visit www.garlandisd.net/montessori to learn more.On the C1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30connected7Attendance Awareness MonthLabor Day19Healthy Living Expo15College Day/Night21-25Cybersafety Week

Weaver Elementary Schoollaunches new magnet programGetting a head start on their future, 12 kindergarteners and 20 first-graders will initiate the district’s newestdual language immersion program—the School of Mandarin Chinese Language & Leadership. They will workcollaboratively, utilizing 21st-century technology and project-based learning to solve real-world problems throughoutthe inaugural 2015-16 year. With half of the instructional day taught in Mandarin Chinese, students will also learn theworld’s most widely spoken language.“Worldwide, there are roughly 1 billion Mandarin speakers, compared to a combined 800 million English and Spanishspeakers,” said Principal Jennifer Miley. “Our district leaders recognized that our students need to speak a languageother than English to be competitive in a global market. We cannot wait to showcase our unique program, and areexcited to be one of the first Mandarin Chinese immersion public schools in our area.”To ensure parents across the district have access to this innovative magnet, Back Elementary School is set to launchits School of Mandarin Chinese Language & Leadership in 2016-17.Several newprincipalsand assistantprincipals willgreet students as theyreturn to school thisyear.John-Carlos EstradaClass of 2005“The teachers I had as aGISD student inspired andchallenged me every day inthe classroom. I am forevergrateful to those teachersand mentors who helped merealize I could do anythingI wanted to do—as long as Iworked hard for it.”• Currently KTRE-ABC news anchorand managing editor, as well asStephen F. Austin State Universityjournalism professor• Attended Williams Elementary School,Sam Houston Middle School andGarland High School7Scan the QR code tosee a complete list.alendar1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 315-9HERO Week8-912Fair DayNational Bullying Prevention Month26-30Parent/Teacher Conferences5Red Ribbon WeekGISD Band Festival 143PSAT, NMSQT & ASVAB TestingInternational Fine Arts Festivalsummer 2015

8connected is published by theGISD Communications Department,printed in-house by GISD Printing Servicesand distributed to approximately105,000 households.Board ofTrusteesLarry GlickPresidentScott LunaVice PresidentLinda GriffinSecretaryRick LambertAssistant SecretaryCharles AxeDr. Cindy CastañedaRobert Selders Jr.SuperintendentDr. Bob MorrisonGarland Independent School DistrictP.O. Box 469026Garland, TX 75046-9026*****************E C R W S S ******************Local Postal CustomerNon-Profit OrganizationU.S. POSTAGE PAIDGarland, TX 75046Permit No. 22f i r s t d a y m e m o r i e saroundGISD➊1 Larry Glick, President,GISD Board of Trustees,Rowlett – The first day ofmy senior year, the school’smath team selected meas captain. Yes, we werenerds, but the term was notyet in wide use. We wenton to defeat the top NewYork City high schools, andbe featured in local andnational newspapers.2 Jody Luna, PTAmember, Garland – My fifthbirthday was the day beforethe kindergarten deadline.On the first day, I met the girl➌➋ ➍ ➏ ➑behind me while standing inalphabetical order. We becameinseparable best friends, andare still dear friends today.3 Brenda G. LaMonte,Brendals Bakery, Rowlett – Myfavorite first day memory waswhen my son was able to drivehimself to school. He was soadventurous and independent.I still cried, even though we didnot have to carpool anymore!4 Mitch Bates, Chiefof Police, Garland PoliceDepartment – I was in sixthgrade. I enjoyed returning toschool to see my friends and➎looked forward to playingschool sports–baseball,football and basketball.5 Kim Marsh, Principal,Sewell Elementary School,Sachse – In the sixth gradeI begged my mom to get mea new pair of Yo-Yo shoes.My mom surprised me witha pair that she bought andkept hidden until the big day.6 Veruschka Vasquez,teacher, Walnut GlenAcademy for Excellence,Garland – Last year, for thefirst time instead of drivingalone to work, I was driving➐with my daughter. She wasexcited to start kindergarten atWalnut Glen and I was full ofjoy. I was finally going to workwith my little companion.7 Todd Gottel, Mayor,City of Rowlett – Myfavorite memories are theoptimistic feelings producedby wearing that new firstday-of-schooloutfit, walkingonto campus and seeing allof my old friends, and lookingforward to making new ones!8 Ricky McNeal,President, NAACP GarlandUnit – When I could finally➒use my new Batmanlunchbox I picked out myself.No one else had a lunchbox like it. Then after lunch,we were told we would beintegrating with studentsfrom Southside Elementary.9 Dianne Shaw, teacher,Lyles Middle School,Garland – In junior high, myparents gave me a little moreflexibility. Walking to andfrom school with my friendswas one of the coolest andmost memorable experiencesof my school days.10 Rick Coleman,Fire Chief, Sachse FireDepartment – I was afreshman at Garland HighSchool. No orientationsindicated which cafeteria wasfor freshmen. I flipped a coinin my mind, and wanderedinto one. I saw people whowere much bigger than me,and all the males had facialhair—wrong one!