The Wolf Howl
Week of August 7-11, 2017
Welcome to the Pack!
Kristin Donovan de Iturrino (ASPIRE Science)
Asha Brown (7th ELAR)
Sterling Bristow (8th ASPIRE Math)
Kari Flory (Choir)
Moises Flores (Counselor)
Courtney Robertson (Theatre)
Kameron Jones- Balsley (6th ASPIRE Humanities)
Daniela Barbaro (6th Science)
Laura Campbell (7th ELAR)
Tori Yates (RISE)
Jacquelyn Meyer (8th ELAR)
Johanna Preston (7th Science)
Greg Gruendyke (PE/ Boys Coach/ Athletic Coordinator)
Lindsey Billman (ASPIRE 8th Humanities)
Gigi Gonzalez (Dual Language/ Dance Sponsor)
Angela Kaker (Librarian)
Sarah Upshaw (Prin. Human Services/ Yearbook/ PALS)
David Chamberlain (Campus Technologist)
Help Needed- Student Registration- Monday, August 7th (7:30- 11 am) & (1:00- 6 pm)
Welcome Back Meeting- August 8th (Library) 8:00 am- 12:00 pm
August 9th- GCISD Learning Institute @ CHHS (Park and Ride Bus from CTMS) - 8:00- 4:00
What: K-12 Instructional Staff Learning Institute
Time: 8:30 a.m.- 4:05 p.m.
Location: CHHS
Who: All instructional staff (including athletic coaches)
Transportation: Meet around 7:30 am at CTMS to load buses and arrive at CHHS no later than 8:15 am. Buses will leave for campuses shortly after the last session ends at 4:05 pm.
Food: There will be a donut food truck for those who want breakfast. Several food trucks will be at CHHS for lunch. A coffee/tea food truck will be there most of the afternoon. You may decide you want to bring your lunch instead of waiting in long lines. Your lunchtime is flexible. Most sessions will release at noon, so keep that in mind.
Note: sessions may overlap. It is not expected that you cram pack your entire day. Time to meet and collaborate has been built in.
Wolf Camp- August 10th (9 am - Noon)
Below is the schedule FYI
8:45 – 9:00 am – Sign in, music playing head to the SAC
9:05 – 9:15 am – Welcome in SAC overview of the day, introductions of counselors & principals
9:15 – 9:20 am – Passing Period to Rotation 1
9:20 - 9:40 am - Rotation 1
9:40 - 9:45 am - passing
9:45 - 10:05 am- Rotation 2
10:05 - 10:10 am- passing
10:10 - 10:30 am- Rotation 3
10:30 - 10:35 am - passing
10:35 - 10:55 am- Rotation 4
10:55 - 11:00 am- passing
11:00 - 11:20 am- Rotation 5
11:20 - 11:45 am- walk schedule
11:45 - 12:00 pm - end all together in black gym (SAC) for a cheer chant and goodbye.
Open Enrollment Employee Benefits - July 17-August 17
If you have any questions regarding your benefits or the upcoming August enrollment, please contact the GCISD Payroll/Benefits staff at 817-251-5577 or our dedicated FBS Account Executive, Becky Done at 817-995-1058. We are happy to assist you!
OPEN ENROLLMENT IS FROM JULY 17-AUGUST 17, 2017. You must log on to THE benefits HUB at www.gcisdbenefits.com to elect or waive benefits from the convenience of your own home or from any computer. Should you need to speak with an enrollment counselor, please call the Financial Benefits Services Enrollment Call Center between the hours of 8-5pm at 469-385-4685. Bilingual counselors are also available.
Aetna will remain the carrier for TRS ActiveCare Medical Plans with three plans available: ActiveCare 1 HD, ActiveCare Select, and ActiveCare 2. Scott & White Health Plan will also remain the carrier for the HMO. For comprehensive plan information, you can visit www.trsactivecareaetna.com. This website allows you to find a network doctor or medical facility, print temporary ID cards, find plan information and much more.
Enrollment in August is MANDATORY. The US Government mandates that we secure medical elections/declination information from every employee. Your cooperation concerning this matter is appreciated.
To speak with an enrollment counselor in person, please go to the GCISD Administration Building Tejas Conference Room July 31-August 2 from 8:00 am-4:30 pm and August 3 1:00 pm-4:30pm.
Flex Requirements (Due by October 9th)
Dyslexia Simulations
As part of the superintendent's goal to help GCISD staff build an understanding of what dyslexia is and bring an awareness of what students with dyslexia may experience on a daily basis we will be holding dyslexia simulations again this year.
This is a required training for all new staff and for staff that haven't attended the simulation in the past. We will be offering 3 dyslexia simulations at the Learning Institute on 8/9 at 8:30, 10:30 and 1:00. We are aware that some staff may have a full schedule on 8/9 so we are offering 3 additional dyslexia simulations as listed below.
August 24 3:30-5:00
http://eduphoria.gcisd.net/wshop/default.aspx?cid=4349
August 29 4:30- 6:00
http://eduphoria.gcisd.net/wshop/default.aspx?cid=4350
August 31 4:30-6:00
http://eduphoria.gcisd.net/wshop/default.aspx?cid=4351
New staff members and those that haven't attended the dyslexia simulation in the past register through one of the links above if you will not be attending the dyslexia simulation on 8/9. Please contact Amy Montemayor amy.montemayor@gcisd.net if you have any questions.
Housekeeping
- Don't forget to do your Flex hours. Due 10/9/17
- It's open enrollment for your employee benefits. Closes 8/17/17
- Welcome back breakfast/ meeting begins at 8:00 am in the library
- Be sure that you have completed your G/T updates or initial training
- Returning Wolves, please let's help our new department members understand the nuisances like Flex time and other GCISD traditions that they may be unfamiliar with
Memes of the Week
Linda McFadyen
Linda McFadyen
Ilia Kaku
Inspirational Quote of the Week
Wolf Howls
Alex gives a Campus Vision Howl to Lisa Grimes for her support in our Campus Excellence Committee breakdown. We are going to achieve so much by us all taking a stake in our campus wide success!
Alex gives a "Cool off the hot phones Howl" to Stephanie Chance & Anna for coming back to ringing phones and 100s of voice messages from the summer. It didn't take them long to get back in the groove of their invaluable work!
The Science department gives a loud, excited Wolf howl for our two new teachers coming on board- Daniela and Johanna! It's going to be a great year!!
Alex gives a "Welcoming Howl" to all of our new staff members- Kristin, Asha, Sterling, Kari, Moises, Courtney, Kameron, Daniela, Laura, Jacquelyn, Johanna, Greg, Lindsey, Gigi, Angela, Sarah, and David. Also, we want to congratulate Tori for her promotion to RISE teacher!
Alex gives a "Thankful Howl" to Angela and Brendon. Having them back on campus last week meant the world to me! They hit the ground running and are working so hard to have a great start of the year. So I guess I'll go ahead and start with them this time :)
Celebrations
Melissa Carpenter - 6/7
Heath McKay- 6/15
Chris Hrenko- 7/2
Oriana Gonzalez- 7/6
Chris Laney- 7/15
Paul Najera- 7/15
Camille Matthews- 7/23
Jason Diehl- 7/25
Anna Whitaker- 8/1
Nate Dunn- 8/5
Stephanie Chance- 8/7
Upcoming Events
8/7- Student Registration 7:30-11 & 1-6; New Hire Orientation @ PDEC
8/8- Teachers return - Welcome Back Teacher Retreat 8-12 in library (breakfast provided)
8/9- GCISD Learning Institute 8-4. Board bus at 7:30 from CTMS to CHHS.
8/10- Wolf Camp 9-12; Laptop pickup for new students 12-1; Student Registration 1-4 (Teacher Work Day)
8/11- Teachers are off, Admin & Paras report :(
About Us
Email: alex.fingers@gcisd.net
Location: 2301 Pool Road, Grapevine, TX 76051
Phone: 817-251-5320