March 2017

KEEPING YOU CONNECTED...
We are deeply committed to offering excellent educational experiences for our students, and we want to keep you informed of upcoming events, successes and happenings in GPISD.
This is our first month bringing you this newsletter packed with information on recent happenings, upcoming program opportunities, and even some success plans for your students.
In Galena Park ISD, our students are extremely important to us and so are you. Please enjoy this edition of a newsletter especially designed for you.
Thank you for staying connected!
NO MORE THAN 3 FOR ME
As a parent, you can prepare your child for a lifetime of success by making regular school attendance a priority. Here are some ways parents can help:
- Let your child know you think attending school daily is important. Show them you are interested in their school activities, and tell them you want them to do well in school.
- Good attendance habits start at an early age. Make sure your child goes to school regularly and on time. This helps them develop a positive view of school and the importance of attendance.
- Read the school newsletter. Post the school calendar and notes on the refrigerator, or another prominent location, to highlight school activities and important student information.
- Do not provide inappropriate excuses for your child to miss school. Do not let them take time off from school for minor ailments – particularly those which would not prevent you from going to work.
- Set good examples and enforce rules. Speak well of the school and support school staff.
Click on GPISD SCHOOL CALENDAR to view the district calendar
Click on GPISD TESTING CALENDAR to view the testing calendar
The 2017-2018 academic calendar was approved at the February 13th Board of Trustees meeting. Click on the link to review next year's calendar.
CHARACTER EDUCATION THEME - RESPECT
Because students spend so much time in school, our schools offer a critically important opportunity to ensure that all students get the support and help they need to reach their full potential. Studies show schools that embrace character education become places people want to be because they bring out the best in everyone.
In Galena Park ISD, our goal is to produce productive citizens and life-long learners, and character education is one way we are approaching this goal. To be effective, character education must involve everyone—school staff, parents, students and community members. It must be integrated into the curriculum, school culture, and student's everyday lives. When this happens and school communities unite around developing character, we as a community will see amazing results.
The Character Education Theme for this month is RESPECT.
Definition: A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
Please take a moment to talk to your child about this month's character education theme and what it means to them. Administrators and teachers will be highlighting students who exhibit this character during the month of March.
News You Can Use To Keep Your Child & Community Safe
A guide designed to provide parents with answers to common questions about gangs to enable them to recognize and prevent gang involvement.

Click on the link to learn more about what do when your child is the target of cyberbullying.

Let's Celebrate...

GPISD Spelling Bee Winner On February 3, the top competitors from each elementary and middle school gathered together to see who would become the GPISD spelling champion.
After many rounds, Woodland Acres Middle School student, Victoria Tovar, claimed the victory to become the District Spelling Bee winner for the 2016-2017 school year! The runner up was Galena Park Middle School student, Edelene Gomez. Congratulations, Victoria! | GPISD College Bound Bootcamp Galena Park High School hosted another successful College Bound Boot Camp on Saturday, January 28. Approximately 300 students and parents were in attendance! Many took advantage of the free meningitis shots and financial aid assistance and enjoyed several of the 25 possible workshops on topics ranging from scholarships to career choices. Annabella Espinoza, senior at GPHS, won the Representative Ana Hernandez Scholarship worth $500. Many won other great prizes, including gift cards from United Community Credit Union. Thanks to everyone that made this event possible for the students! | Salvador Flores Receives Gold Award At YoungArts CompetitionGalena Park High School senior, Salvador Flores, recently attended the YoungArts competition in Miami where he was awarded the Gold Award in Classical Music Saxophone. The YoungArts program is for emerging artists ages 15-18 from all across the United States. YoungArts winners receive up to $10,000, educational experiences working with renowned mentors, and chances to perform at some of the nation’s leading cultural institutions. Flores was awarded $10,000, and he joins an elite group of YoungArts winners including Kerry Washington, Viola Davis, Josh Groban, Terence Blanchard, and Jenji Kohan. Congratulations, Salvador! |
GPISD Spelling Bee Winner
After many rounds, Woodland Acres Middle School student, Victoria Tovar, claimed the victory to become the District Spelling Bee winner for the 2016-2017 school year! The runner up was Galena Park Middle School student, Edelene Gomez.
Congratulations, Victoria!
GPISD College Bound Bootcamp
Approximately 300 students and parents were in attendance! Many took advantage of the free meningitis shots and financial aid assistance and enjoyed several of the 25 possible workshops on topics ranging from scholarships to career choices.
Annabella Espinoza, senior at GPHS, won the Representative Ana Hernandez Scholarship worth $500. Many won other great prizes, including gift cards from United Community Credit Union. Thanks to everyone that made this event possible for the students!
Salvador Flores Receives Gold Award At YoungArts Competition
Galena Park High School senior, Salvador Flores, recently attended the YoungArts competition in Miami where he was awarded the Gold Award in Classical Music Saxophone.
The YoungArts program is for emerging artists ages 15-18 from all across the United States. YoungArts winners receive up to $10,000, educational experiences working with renowned mentors, and chances to perform at some of the nation’s leading cultural institutions.
Flores was awarded $10,000, and he joins an elite group of YoungArts winners including Kerry Washington, Viola Davis, Josh Groban, Terence Blanchard, and Jenji Kohan.
Congratulations, Salvador!
National Signing Day
Pictured Left to Right: Dr. Joe Coleman, principal; Matthew Stephenson- Texas Southern University; Kieston Roach-Texas State University; Khayman Johnson- West Texas A&M University; Joshua Sifuentes- Grandview College; K’Lavon Chaisson- Louisiana State University; Jaylen Thomas- Sam Houston State University; Eltroy Potts- Tyler Junior College; and Bryant Badie- University of Louisiana- Monroe.

We Love Parent Volunteers
Parental involvement is one of GPISD's greatest strengths. We believe that the education of children requires a partnership with their parents. On any given day, you can find parents volunteering on their child’s home campus. Their involvement and support is exceptional and has truly helped make GPISD the best district in the state of Texas.
If you are interested in becoming a parent volunteer, please contact your child's campus.

Pyburn Elementary's Parent Volunteers Rock!
A MESSAGE FROM THE STUDENT REGISTRATION OFFICE
Click here for student transfer and closed campus information for the 2017–2018 school year
Click here for transfer request enrollment dates
Galena Park ISD is proud to offer enriching camps and activities for your child this summer. Registration Dates: March 1st - 22nd. Space is limited, please register today.
A MESSAGE FROM GALENA PARK ISD'S COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS DEPARTMENT
Click on the link to connect to ACT.org
GPISD Looking Forward to the Future
Click on the link to learn more about phase 3
UPCOMING DISTRICT EVENTS
- March 3 - Go Texan Day
- March 6-9 - TAKS Testing
- March 11- 7th Annual Motorcycle, Car and Truck Show
- March 13-17 - Spring Break - Campuses & District Offices Closed
- March 28 - STAAR Writing Test - Grades 4/7
- March 28 - STAAR Math Test - Grades 5/8
- March 28 - English I EOC Exam
- March 29 - STAAR Reading Test - Grades 5/8
- March 30 - English II EOC Exam
GPISD Multimedia Festival
Thursday, March 2nd, 5-8pm
353 North Castlegory
Houston, TX
Elementary - Awards Ceremony - 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Secondary - Project Viewing - 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Secondary - Awards Ceremony - 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.