Monday Message
News from Mrs. Hilcher- Principal of Grapevine Elementary
Week of May 14 - 18
CLOSED CAMPUS DUE TO STAAR TESTING
This week, our third, fourth, and fifth-grade students will be taking the STAAR exam on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday. The state mandates that we have a closed campus on those days. This means you will not be allowed to come to volunteer or eat lunch with your child on these days. Thanks for understanding and for your help in creating a calm and quiet testing environment for our Stars!
- May 14- 3rd grade and 4th-grade math & 5th-grade telescopers taking 6th math STAAR
- May 15- 3rd grade and 4th-grade reading STAAR
- May 16- 5th-grade science STAAR
Special PTA Meeting Thursday
Please join us for a very special PTA Awards Presentation on Thursday, May 17th at 6:30 pm in the GES Cafeteria. It’s our last meeting of the year and is Member Appreciation Night! We also will be recognizing our PTA Award Recipients for the Friends of Children Awards and the Lifetime Member Award, as well as recognizing our Student Scholarship Winners. Please come and help us celebrate the people who dedicate so much to our children & our community. Our Dads' Club will be grilling hamburgers and hotdogs. Dessert will also be served. Make plans to join us!
Mustang Panther Stadium Update
As we wrap up another great school year in GCISD, we are already looking ahead to next fall and the re-opening of Mustang-Panther Stadium. I am sure that most of you have observed the progress on the facility while driving down Highway 26, but I am also sure that many of you have asked the question, “will this be ready by August?”
This year, Texas had a significant amount of rain, compounded with high winds, which has unfortunately delayed the completion date for the project. We have been working diligently with our football coaches and their respective opponents to make any necessary adjustments to the schedule. As a result, we have made the following changes:
Week One:
August 30: Grapevine v. Azle at Dragon Stadium
August 31: Colleyville Heritage v. North Forney at Dragon Stadium
Week Two:
September 7: Grapevine v. Abilene Cooper at Apogee Stadium (UNT)
September 7: Colleyville Heritage v. Carroll at Dragon Stadium
Week Three:
September 13: Colleyville Heritage v. Trinity at Pennington Field
September 13: Grapevine v. Northwest at Northwest Stadium
Week Four:
September 21: Bye week for both teams
At this time, the first planned home game for the 2018 season is the Colleyville Heritage homecoming game against Newman Smith High School on September 28.
We understand that this is not ideal for our families, fans and especially our players; however, the weather and its impact on construction is beyond our control. We have worked with neighboring districts to have great places for our students to perform and I am confident that our students, fans, and community will show up and support our teams during these first few weeks of the season.
Thank you for your understanding and patience during the stadium construction. It will all be worth it when we are enjoying the performances from our students at the new Mustang-Panther Stadium!
Dr. Robin Ryan
GCISD Superintendent of Schools
David's Law Parent and Community Night
Fast Passes for End of Year Ceremonies
We look forward to sharing in your child's celebration of completing the 17-18 school year. Our grade level success ceremonies will be held in the cafeteria at 8:30 AM. The exceptions are our fifth-grade graduation ceremony which will start at 9:45 AM and our PreK success ceremony which will start at 2:00 pm. If you know you will be attending, and you'd like to avoid a long line checking in through the front office, please consider requesting a Fast Pass.
You are eligible for a Fast Pass IF you have been to campus during the 2017-2018 school year AND scanned your license through the Raptor System. Fast Passes will be available for pick-up in the foyer starting at 8:00 am on the day of your child's ceremony. Please provide both your FIRST and LAST name and your birthday the way it appears on your Driver's License. Be sure to sign up for the correct grade level as they are all listed below!
- Pre-K Success Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 23. Fast Passes may be picked up beginning at 1:30 pm. Fast Pass requests can be made HERE until May 18th.
- Kindergarten Success Ceremony will be held on Monday, May 21. Fast Pass requests can be made HERE until May 18th.
- First Grade Success Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 22. Fast Pass requests can be made HERE until May 18th.
- Second Grade Success Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 23. Fast Pass requests can be made HERE until May 18th.
- Third Grade Success Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 29. Fast Pass requests can be made HERE until May 24th.
- Fourth Grade Success Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 30. Fast Pass requests can be made HERE until May 24th.
- Fifth Grade Graduation will be held on Thursday, May 31 at 9:45 AM. Fast Passes may be picked up beginning at 9:15 AM. Fast Pass requests can be made HERE until May 24th.
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Night at Globe Life Park on June 5
The Texas Rangers and Grapevine-Colleyville ISD are thrilled to present Grapevine-Colleyville ISD night at globe life park. Enjoy an evening of Rangers baseball with fellow Grapevine-Colleyville families. A portion of each ticket sold will go back to Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation. Discounted tickets are available for all Grapevine-Colleyville ISD employees, friends, and families through this exclusive offer. See ticket order form attached to this email.
TEXRail Safety Videos
With the new TEXRail coming to the area, we would like for all parents to share these safety videos with your student(s).
Upcoming Dates
Monday, May 14 - 3rd & 4th Grade Math STAAR (CLOSED campus)
Tuesday, May 15 - 3rd & 4th Grade Reading STAAR (CLOSED campus); Campus Excellence Committee (3:15-5:00PM)
Wednesday, May 16 - 5th Grade Science STAAR (CLOSED campus)
Friday, May 18 Choir rehearsal for Hawaiian Falls (2:55-3:55PM)
Monday, May 21 Kindergarten Success Ceremony (8:30AM)
Tuesday, May 22 First grade Success Ceremony (8:30AM); Choir to Hawaiian Falls (9AM - 5PM)
Wednesday, May 23 Second grade Success Ceremony (8:30AM); Pre-K Success Ceremony (2PM)
Thursday, May 24 GES Field Day; GES Volunteer Appreciation in Learning Commons
Friday, May 25 NO SCHOOL - Bad Weather Make Up Day
Monday, May 28 NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day Holiday
Tuesday, May 29 Third grade Success Ceremony (8:30AM)
Wednesday, May 30 Fourth grade Success Ceremony (8:30AM)
Thursday, May 31 Last day of school; Fifth grade graduation (9:45AM); Early dismissal (11:45AM)
Monday, July 23 Returning Student Registration will open on Skyward
Grade Level Newsletters
- Pre- K - PreK News
- Kinder - Kinder Kapers
- 1st - First Grade Newsletter
- 2nd - Second Grade News
- 3rd - The 3rd Grade Buzz
- 4th - GES 4th Grade Newsletter
- 5th - Fifth Grade News
PTA Information
PTA Updates
We cannot believe that summer is just around the corner and the 2017-2018 school year is coming to an end! It has been an incredible year for the GES PTA with so many highlights like increased membership, a hugely successful carnival, and auction, and lots of fun events! We have each and every one of you to thank for our success!
We still have many volunteer opportunities available for this year, as well as going into next year!
Field Day is coming up and we use lots of parent helpers to assist the PE teachers with the fun activities. It’s always such a fun day for parents and kids!! You must have your background check/campus questions complete to volunteer!
Sign up for Field Day Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a4daeaf2aabff2-field3
Urgent Need for GES STAR Bank!
Did you know the GES Star Bank is one of our longest running PTA Programs? It has been going on for 24 years and is currently in danger of having to shut down. This program must have a parent sponsor to over see it! Our wonderful volunteer, Angel Sanchez, will be moving up to middle school next year when her youngest child starts 6th grade. Thank you Angel for all you have done for this program!
The GES Star Bank is a 4th & 5th-grade student-staffed “Bank” that provides an opportunity for all students, Pre-K - 5th grade, to open their own bank account, make deposits and withdrawals, once per month. GES Star Bank is seeking 1 or 2 parent volunteers that want to help coordinate the monthly bank days for our school and work with our partners at Colonial Savings Bank. Bank hours are 7:15 – 7:40 AM once a month. In addition to a coordinator, GES Star Bank is seeking parents to help run the bank with our students during the once a month bank hours. No experience with GES Star Bank required and training will be provided. To keep the tradition going with this great PTA program, volunteers are needed! Please submit your contact information to gesstarspta@gmail.com.
2018-2019 PTA Board and Committee Openings
GES PTA has several opportunities to be involved in supporting our students,
teachers and campus. If interested in serving on one of these committees or learning
more, please submit inquiries to gesstarspta@gmail.com.
· Book Fair Committee (Supports our librarian by helping with Fall & Spring Book Fair events in the Learning Commons)
· Environmental Committee (Promotes environmental awareness during Earth Week activities and supports the World of Wonder (WOW) learning garden)
· Red Ribbon Week Committee (October)
· Dads' Club
· Staff Appreciation Committee
· Talent Show Committee
· Yearbook Committee
· Fall Carnival Committee
· Fall Auction Committee
· GES Star Bank Committee
· Diversity Committee
PTA Special Committees
· Bylaw Review Committee (Feb/March)
· Capital Improvement Committee (March/April)
· 2019-2020 Nomination Committee (March/April)
· GES Scholarship Awards (Jan./Feb.- Committee reviews applications for graduating seniors that attended GES)
· Volunteer Awards Committee (Feb/March)
· Financial Review Committee (May)
Please consider serving on one of these committees. Committee members do not have to hold a Board Position, and many are for a single time frame only. Gather up a couple of friends, or meet a few new ones, for some added fun while you help our school with these essential roles!
PTA Social Media Refresh
Follow each page here: GES PTA Facebook, GES PTA Instagram, GES PTA Twitter
School Supply Packs On Sale Now!
Grapevine Elementary PTA is again offering convenient one-stop-shopping for your child’s 2018-2019 school supplies through our vendor EPI. Each grade supply list, K through 5th, is teacher-approved and custom packed for your student! We have made every effort to contain costs to provide this optional, cost-effective school supply option. All you have to do is order online!
LAST DAY TO ORDER IS JUNE 24!
Online Orders Only
To try and go green, Grapevine Elementary is offering secure online ordering only.
1. Go to www.educationalproducts.com/shoppacks
2. Enter school id GRA044
3. Follow the directions or steps to complete your order
4. Please remember to order your child’s grade for NEXT school year!
Packs will be in your child’s classroom on Meet the Teacher Night in August.
Pricing:
- Kindergarten - $28.95
- First Grade - $45.35
- Second Grade - $35.64
- Third Grade - $37.80
- Fourth Grade - $42.72
- Fifth Grade - $42.17
GCISD Information
Personalized Programs Application System Re-Opens May 7
On Monday, May 7, at 8:00 a.m. the personalized programs application system will re-open. Interested parents can fill out an application by clicking on the online application system link at this website. Applications will be placed in available seats or on waitlists for personalized programs. There are seats available in Kindergarten dual language programs for students whose home language is English. There are also seats available in our high school STEM program for grade 9 or grade 10. All other programs will have a waitlist to which applications will be added in the order they are received.
Math Telescoping Testing Registration Now Open
On Thursday, May 3, at 9:00 a.m. registration for the June 20th administration of math telescoping tests opened. The registration window will remain open through midnight on May 23, 2018. Parents must complete a two-step registration process by going online from this webpage to register their child and then printing their online confirmation to attach to their fee payment. Payment is due by 4:00 p.m. on May 24, 2018. Payments may be mailed or hand-delivered to the Administration Building but MUST arrive by the deadline in order to be accepted. No exceptions.
Volunteer Requirements
In order to volunteer at GES, or around GCISD, all volunteers must:
- read the Volunteer Handbook (this replaces the previous face to face volunteer training held on campus)
- watch the appropriate video included in the handbook
- electronically sign the verification Google form for each campus you plan to volunteer
- complete the volunteer background check. A link is included in the handbook.
The following link takes you to the online Volunteer Handbook and background check: http://www.gcisd.net/cms/one.aspx?portalId=96313&pageId=195550
When you are ready to volunteer at GES, feel free to call the front office at 817-251-5735 to verify that both of the required steps have been recorded as completed. We appreciate your support as you complete these steps and volunteer to work with our GES students.
GES Lunch Times for 17-18
Kindergarten - 10:20-10:50 AM
1st grade - 10:50-11:20 AM
2nd grade - 11:50-12:20 PM
3rd grade - 11:20-11:50 AM
4th grade - 12:10-12:40 PM
5th grade - 12:35-1:05 PM
Follow Our Story
Follow the excitement on Twitter and Facebook:
- On Twitter follow:
Principal Mrs. Hilcher: @GESHilcher
Assistant Principal Mrs. Hale: @GESHale
Grapevine Elementary: @GESStars
Your favorite teacher: @GES[lastname]
All GES classrooms by checking our #GESshineon
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrapevineElementary