Dear Parent/Guardian,

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!

In Galena Park ISD, our students and staff have pledged not to have more than three absences or tardies. In order for students to have the best chance at academic success, they must be present and accounted for. Studies have shown when parents make school attendance a priority, you help your child get better grades, develop healthy life habits, avoid dangerous behavior, and have a better chance of graduating from high school.

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.
  

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.

The Galena Park Independent School District has advanced to the design phase of the first four projects of the 2016 voter-approved $290 million bond. The schematic design on the first four campuses to be rebuilt by the bond passed board approval at the December 12, 2016 meeting. Phase 3, design development is currently underway.

• 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