District Liaison Update
October 27, 2020 by Dr. Ramona M. Aguilar
News Items
Team Up to #FinishTheVote
Did you know voting is so easy, even a mascot can do it?
The Garland ISD TRE will be at the end of the ballot. It will be labeled as a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election and a tax rate increase due to legal requirements. That language refers to the higher M&O tax rate, but due to the fact that the I&S tax rate will be lower, this will result in an overall property tax rate decrease of nearly five cents.
The TRE will lower the property tax rate and generate an additional $42 million to support district programs. Dr. López can explain how in one minute.
Early voting ends Oct. 30 and Election Day is Nov. 3. For more information, visit our website: garlandisdTRE.com/vote.
November is Family Engagement Month
Throughout November, GISD celebrates parent involvement, family engagement, and the important roles they play in a successful education. Please share your Family Engagement Month activities on social media using the hashtag #GISDFamily and tagging @gisdengagement.
Instructional Model Selection Periods
The Quarter 3 Instructional Model Selection Form will be open Nov. 9-13. If you would like your student to remain in their current instructional model, you do not need to submit a form. For more information, please see our Guidebook.
Virtual Parent University
Join us for our monthly Parent University chats via Facebook Live. Upcoming chats include:
Parent University: Social Emotional Wellness 10/27 (English) and 10/29 (Spanish) at 7:00 p.m.
These sessions will be interpreted in Vietnamese and posted by 10/30.
Can't attend live or don’t have a Facebook account? Visit the Garland ISD FACE Department YouTube Channel and view our recorded chats. Also, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter @gisdengagement.
Ask a Doctor webinars
Join us and Hazel Health as we kick off weekly "Ask a Doctor" sessions, where parents can learn about current health topics and have a safe place to ask questions to the Hazel Health pediatric team. The next session is Planning a COVID-19 Halloween.
Flu shot clinic
Stay healthy by getting your flu shot this fall. The GISD Enrollment Center Clinic is offering two flu-specific clinics on Oct. 28 and Nov. 11. The flu shot is free for uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid, American Indian/Native American or Alaskan Native students. Call 972-494-8538 for an appointment.
Canvas
See the Canvas for Families webpage for weekly updates and resources.
Student Nutrition Services
Garland ISD Student Nutrition Services is excited to be able to offer free meals to all children 18 years of age and younger. The United States Department of Agriculture recently announced an extension of funding that provides this opportunity through at least Dec. 31. Families who have not completed a Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application for the 2020-21 school year should submit one as soon as possible.
All face-to-face learners can now receive daily cafeteria meals at no cost, while remote learners can pick up free curbside meals twice a week. Children younger than school age and any non-GISD students who live in Garland, Rowlett and Sachse can also receive free curbside meals. For distribution locations, times and procedures, please visit our Curbside Meals webpage.
Free COVID-19 Testing for GISD Students, Staff & Families
Ayman Care is offering all Garland ISD students, staff and families free COVID-19 testing at two locations. Appointments are available but not necessary. If possible, please bring a photo ID or a copy of an insurance card. Visit the COVID-19 testing locations webpage for details and additional testing sites.
Use this page to view important COVID-19 updates sent to families.
COVID-19 Cases by Location
GISD is committed to transparency as we communicate during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to keep our families, staff and community informed, the COVID-19 Cases by Location webpage shows the number of lab-confirmed cases for staff and remote and face-to-face learners.
Events & Information
GISD Events
Visit the calendar of events website for a listing of events. All in-person parent events have been canceled. View the Garland ISD Family & Community Engagement Calendar for dates of all virtual campus events.
News and Video:
Check out our one-stop-shop for the latest ConnectED, news stories, videos, photos and tweets. http://www.garlandisd.net/content/newsroom
GRS-TV Videos:
https://www.garlandisd.net/news/gisd-video-gallery
GRS-TV YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjSnCooTRVc8qcIzlH1YgtA
Photo Stories:
https://www.garlandisd.net/content/photo-stories
Anonymous Alerts App:
https://www.anonymousalerts.com/garlandisd/default.aspx
Community Board:
https://apps.garlandisdonline.net/communityboard/index.cfm?page=flyer.publiclist
School Board Committee and Regular Meeting Video Links:
GISD Family and Community Engagement
Email: A889@garlandisd.net
Website: https://www.garlandisd.net/content/family-and-community-engagement-face
Location: 720 Stadium Drive, Garland, TX, USA
Phone: 972-487-4521
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gisdengagement
Twitter: @gisdengagement