STAR News
February 26 - March 2
Open House
As you prepare for Open House, please do not create products that are only for that evening. This is not an expectation. Parents want to see authentic work and be in your classroom to experience what it feels like!!! Your students will be so excited to share their work and show off the evidence of their learning that is on your walls!
If you want some ideas, have the students share their writing journals or electronic portfolios, share photos of your class in a slide show, or showcase a recent science experiment. You could also re-create an experience that you implemented in your classrooms!
If you have questions please stop by and talk with Emma or me! We do not want to load extra work on you in preparation for this event! It is meant to be a time when you and your students share work samples and celebrate all of the amazing learning that is happening in your classrooms.
Teacher Learning
Reflections from the poverty simulation
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1wIIeboMJMuuzwn9HSiZjB9hsH2LOU2CxLjXp0DY9caE/edit#slide=id.p3
Pre-K Offerings for Next Year
In the 2018-2019 school year, GCISD will offer a tuition-based pre-k program at Bransford Elementary, Colleyville Elementary, O.C. Taylor Elementary, Grapevine Elementary, Heritage Elementary and Bear Creek Elementary. There will be limited availability at Timberline and Silver Lake Elementary for a blended program that includes English and Spanish (an option if you are considering Dual Language in Kindergarten).
The district will offer a 10% discount to current employees for the campus based pre-k program. Before and after school care will also be available in our KidzU program for employees with children enrolled in pre-k at no additional cost. The total cost of the program will be $5,650 including a $100 registration fee and $150 supply fee both due in the spring to reserve the seat. The first monthly payment of $540 will be due July 30.
GCISD employees will have priority placement on the requested campus for their pre-k student. Simply fill out this Google Form to provide us with information we need at this time. Forms must be complete by March 9. Additional registration information will be collected once the class placement is confirmed.
Math Telescoping Exams - Important Dates
Math Telescoping Exams
Testing opportunities for telescoping in math for the 2018-2019 school year are available in the spring and summer for GCISD students who are completing Grades K - 7.
The Math Telescoping Information Packet will be available on the district website under the For Parents and Students Directory by selecting the link for Acceleration Exams, Math Telescoping, Grades K - 7.
Parents will find information about the requirements to qualify for Math Telescoping and instructions about the TWO STEP Online Registration Process. There will be links to print the Information Packet, begin the TWO STEP Online Registration Process to register for the spring exams, view the TEKS on the TEA website, and download Study Guides for the exams purchased from UT-Austin. The online registration form will go live on February 22nd for the April 21st test administration.
The exam dates and registration deadlines for each exam date are listed below:
Spring Exam Date: Saturday, April 21, 2018 9:00 am Colleyville Middle
Online Registration Opens – Spring Exam Date: February 22, 2018
Online Registration Deadline – Spring Exam Date: March 8, 2018
The online registration form will become unavailable on March 9, 2018
Exam Fee Payment Deadline – Spring Exam Date: March 9, 2018
Summer Exam Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2018 9:00 AM Colleyville Middle
Online Registration Opens – Summer Exam Date: May 3, 2018
Online Registration Closes – Summer Exam Date: May 23, 2018
The online registration form will become unavailable on May 24, 2018
Exam Fee Payment Deadline – Summer Exam Date: May 24, 2018
Teacher of the Year Nominations - The link is below!
Please make your nominations by Wednesday, February 28th at 3:00.
We will publish nominees on March 1st and will be voting for two days. (March 1 - 2).
Please put these days on your calendar!!!
We will need all teachers and staff available for the following days:
- August 6/7 - New hire training
- August 8th - Campus welcome - Everyone
- August 9th - District learning institute
- August 13 - 16 will be campus based professional development
- August 15 - Convocation
- August 17 - Non contract day for teachers (your choice if you are at school preparing)
STAR Club Future Dates
Second semester:
March 2nd
March 9th
VALOR - Time is running out
VALOR: Please share the following information with your teachers:
Applications for VALOR (Vanguard Association of Learning, Observation, and Reflection) will be coming out in February. VALOR is a group of innovative teachers that commit to reading, learning, observing, and reflecting together. If accepted you will have the opportunity to visit classrooms all over the district as well as be observed by your peers based on group and personal goals and receive individualized feedback from an instructional coach. Following is specific information on the application process:
Applications (google form) will go out February 12 in an email from Dr. Newell and due by Feb. 26 at 5 pm. The VALOR team will score based on a rubric and on input from campus principals
A group will be selected to move on to the interview portion and if you make it, you will be contacted by a VALOR team member to set up a time for the interview at your campus either during your conference or after school
You will be contacted by Dr. Newell with the final decision
We hope to invite about 24-28 people to our next class of VALOR
For more information, please visit our web page, ask a former VALOR teacher, or contact Melanie Gonzales (melanie.gonzales@gcisd.net).
“It takes courage to be introspective about your craft as a teacher.” - Dr. Suzanne Newell
Your journey begins with one step. Consider applying to be a part of the vanguard and taking that first step and finding that courage!
Silver Lake Elementary
Email: shannon.cole@gcisd.net
Website: http://www.gcisd-k12.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=17379
Location: 1301 N Dooley St, Grapevine, TX, United States
Phone: 817-251-5750
Twitter: @iamsjcole