Back to School 2019
Galena Park I.S.D. Parent Newsletter
KEEPING YOU CONNECTED...
Summer is quickly coming to an end, and another exciting school year is just around the corner! We hope your family enjoys the remainder of your summer break and look forward to a fun and exciting school year!
The Galena Park Independent School District values our students and parents. You are an essential piece to our puzzle and we are looking forward to serving you.
As a District, we will share reminders, updates, and successes monthly in an effort to keep you connected.
As a reminder, the First Day of School is Wednesday, August 21!
FREE BREAKFAST and LUNCH: Every day, every student!
We are pleased to inform you the Galena Park Independent School District will be implementing a new option available to schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) during the 2019-2020 school year.
Participating schools in the CEP provide healthy breakfasts and lunches each day at no charge for ALL students enrolled in the CEP schools. Parents with students at eligible schools will not have to complete an application for school meals.
2019-2020 Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Schools in Galena Park I.S.D.:
- All elementary campuses
- All middle school campuses
- Galena Park High School
- North Shore 9th Grade Center
- North Shore 10th Grade Center
- North Shore Senior High School
- Zotz Education Center
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact the Student Nutrition Services Department at 832-386-1211.
A message from GPISD Student Nutrition...
Galena Park I.S.D. Student Nutrition Department would like to introduce you to SchoolCafé. SchoolCafé works very similar to PayPams, the online payment system you are accustomed to using for meal accounts. Galena Park I.S.D. continues to be a C.E.P. (all students eat both breakfast and lunch for free) district for the 2019-2020 school year. The SchoolCafé payment system is part of our upgraded software system allowing you to make payments, view your child’s meal history and receive account alerts.
Any remaining funds in your child's PayPams account at the end of the 2018-19 school year have been transferred to their SchoolCafe account.
Click the picture below for instruction on how to register for SchoolCafe: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kQdYmKU9RwyHC_Lfc_OJqgbpQOvXNMbi/view?usp=sharing
IMPORTANT DRESS CODE INFORMATION
**Please note the backpack and over-sized bag regulations and restrictions.**
District Immunization Day
Give your children their best shot at a healthy start!
Galena Park I.S.D. and Harris Health System are hosting the Annual District Immunization Day on August 17, 2019!
Join us for FREE immunizations, preventative health information and children's activities.
For more information, please call the Galena Park I.S.D. Department of Educational Support at 832-386-1033.
Saturday, Aug 17, 2019, 09:00 AM
353 Castlegory Road, Houston, TX, USA
Safe and Secure Environments are a Top Priority in Galena Park I.S.D.!
Maintaining safe and secure environments for our students and staff is Galena Park I.S.D.'s top priority. Below is a snapshot of some of the procedures we will continue following to ensure the security of our campuses and facilities.
Secure Vestibule/Electronic Access Control
- All elementary schools have secure vestibules. The vestibule controls are also in place at all secondary campuses, where possible.
- Entry access doors have been limited at each of our campuses and facilities in order to more securely monitor the coming and going of students, staff and visitors.
- Every campus uses electronic card access to secure doors and monitor entry. Doors can be remotely locked and unlocked.
- All visitors are required to show an official ID and sign in at the front office to access any Galena Park I.S.D. campus.
Enforcement of Standard Safety Procedures
Please expect a rigorous enforcement of standard procedures, such as dress code, backpack regulations & restrictions, student badges and visitor sign-in requirements at all District campuses and facilities. While some may consider these enforcements inconvenient or unnecessary, each procedure contributes to the overall safety and security of our students and staff.
- GPISD has also implemented enhanced security procedures at the GPISD Stadium and other district facilities.
Precinct 2 & 3 Deputies
Galena Park I.S.D. has partnered with Precincts 2 & 3 for 23 years and this valued partnership will continue for the 2019-2020 school year.
- All secondary school campuses have at least one on-duty deputy at all times. We also have deputies patrolling and checking in with the elementary campuses on a daily basis.
Video Surveillance
Galena Park I.S.D. utilizes over 2,100 video cameras across all campuses & facilities to enhance our safety procedures. More than 100 cameras were added this summer to provide additional coverage.
- All campus common areas, access points and school perimeters are monitored and footage recorded.
Emergency Protocols, Procedures & Practices
- All Galena Park I.S.D. campuses are required to conduct emergency protocol drills at the beginning of each semester (bad weather, evacuation/reverse evacuation, lockout, lockdown and shelter-in-place).
- In addition to these drills, each campus participates in two “tabletop” drills each year. The tabletop drills ensure campus administrators and leadership teams are trained and prepared for any type of crisis situation which may arise.
- “Intrusion Drills” are conducted at all campuses and district facilities to test physical vulnerabilities, security procedures and enforcement.
Community Involvement/Crimestoppers Partnership
The school community is one of the most valuable resources for administrators in maintaining safe and secure environments.
- As always, we ask you, “If you see something, say something.” Students, parents and community members are encouraged to report any suspicious or concerning pictures, conversations or actions to campus staff immediately.
- Reporting can also be done through several other channels:
- District email (communications@galenaparkisd.com)
- Facebook Messenger
- Crimestoppers (713-222-TIPS).
- Galena Park I.S.D. mobile app (Tip Line)
- District phone line (832-386-1000)
Galena Park I.S.D. is committed to providing safe and secure environments where our students can experience what school is meant to be, a place to learn and grow academically, socially and emotionally. We ask for your cooperation and support as we work together to ensure another great year for our students.
Stay Connected with GPISD
Galena Park I.S.D. will provide regular communication with parents/guardians throughout the school year. We will communicate using the following methods:
- District website (www.galenaparkisd.com)
- District mobile app (Galena Park ISD)
- Facebook (@GPISD)
- Twitter (@GalenaParkISD)
- Monthly parent newsletters (Parent Connect)
- District magazine (GPS)
- Local Newspaper (North Channel Star)
- Automated emails/text messages (Blackboard ParentLink)
District/Campus incident notifications with:
- Automated emails/text messages (Our goal is to provide this message by the end of the same school day, if possible).
School Closing Notifications or Emergency/Urgent Parent Notifications with:
- Automated calls will be made to all phone numbers on file
- Automated emails/text messages will be sent to all addresses/phone numbers on file
- Facebook/Twitter
- District website
- Local media outlets (for school closing information) will be contacted
School Closing notifications will be made as quickly as possible after the decision is made to close schools. We would always prefer this to occur the evening before, but in the event a decision is made the morning of, our goal is to start the automated callout system and post notifications by 5:00 am.
Blackboard ParentLInk- Automated Message System
Galena Park I.S.D. utilizes Blackboard ParentLink to send automated messages to parents and guardians. This system is used for emergency messages, as well as general information that should be of interest to parents. Our database is updated daily from our student management system, and the phone numbers and email addresses given during enrollment or returning student verification are used. We strive to comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and promptly remove incorrect numbers when we are notified.
Parents are able to manage which numbers and email addresses receive information or opt out of receiving messages by logging into our Blackboard portal, Blackboard ParentLink. You will need your child’s student ID number for Skyward in order to access the system. Links for the Blackboard portal can be found on the district’s website / Communications Department.
Galena Park I.S.D. ParentLink users can opt out of:
- Phone calls: Call the Blackboard Phone Hotline at "855-502-STOP (855-502-7867)".
- Text (SMS) messages: Reply STOP to any Blackboard system text or to "60680" for non-emergency messages. Reply STOP to "54968" to opt out of emergency messages.
- Emails: Click the unsubscribe link from any email they receive.
Galena Park I.S.D. ParentLink users can opt back into:
- Phone calls: Call the Blackboard Phone Hotline at "855-502-STOP (855-502-7867)" from the phone line that has been opted out.
- Text (SMS) messages: Reply START to "60680" from the phone line that has been opted out for non-emergency messages. Reply START to "54968" for emergency messages.
Updating your BlackBoard ParentLink Information
Are you receiving text messages, emails or calls from GPISD in the wrong language or not receiving any messages/calls?
If you are having any of these issues, the information we have on file for your child(ren) may be out of date!
You will need to provide the following information to update your ParentLink Portal:
- Your child's name
- Your child's campus
- Your child's date of birth
- Your name
- The updated phone number and email address
To update your information, you can contact the Communications Department several different ways:
1. Email us at communications@galenaparkisd.com
2. Call 832-386-1505
BACK 2 SCHOOL
TIPS, TRICKS & GENTLE SCHOLARLY ADVICE
- Clean out your child’s closet and donate clothes that don’t fit.
- Start getting up early a week or two before school starts.
- Visit the school with your child during "Meet the Teacher"/orientation.
- Post a central calendar to keep track of family events and activities.
- Lay out clothes, pack lunches, and organize backpacks each night before a school day.
- Encourage children to use both shoulder straps on a backpack, or consider a rolling backpack.
- Designate a quiet place for studying and rules for what time homework needs to start.
- Go through backpacks together as soon as your child gets home.
- Delegate chores ahead of time to keep the house running smoothly.
The Mission of Galena Park I.S.D.
Email: communications@galenaparkisd.com
Website: galenaparkisd.com
Location: 14705 Woodforest Blvd, Houston, TX, United States
Phone: 832-386-1000
Facebook: facebook.com/GalenaParkISD
Twitter: @GalenaParkISD