Galveston ISD is currently exploring a 4-day instructional week with a little longer school day to increase student and teacher growth.

To assist with this process, you are invited to anonymously complete the survey found at this link. This survey will be available through Friday, Feb. 3. Thank you for your participation.

As the last day of January is upon us, we’d like to wrap up School Board Recognition Month by saying one last thank you to GISD’s Board of Trustees! We know board service includes many hours behind the scenes, as well as a lot of thought, consideration, and care toward our students and staff members. Thank you for all that you do!

To learn more about our district’s board members, click here: https://bit.ly/3kMBxBg

Public schools have existed on Galveston Island since 1884. In those 139 years, many notable individuals have walked the halls of Galveston schools, including the 18 individuals highlighted below. These outstanding Ball High School and Central High School graduates have distinctly distinguished themselves as role models within their profession or in their communities and comprise the inaugural class of inductees that will be memorialized in the Galveston Public Schools Hall of Honor. The individuals below were honored during an official induction ceremony hosted by Mario's Seawall Italian Restaurant earlier this month.

To learn more about the inductees and this great honor, click here.

Congratulations to Kristin Hardeman, robotics instructor at Central Middle School, for being selected as GISD's E3 Employee of the month for January 2023!

Kristin, originally from Arlington, Texas, has been with GISD for 2 years. When asked about the favorite part of her job, Kristin responded, "I love being a mentor and supporter to my students, and watching them learn and grow. I love interacting with them, I love learning from them, and I love helping them understand the content. I especially love watching my robotics teams brainstorm and problem solve and getting excited about what they accomplished."

The following comments were included within Kristin's nomination:

"She goes above and beyond logging countless hours for her students and the robotics program. This is her first year as a robotics teacher, the first year Central has students competing at the high school level and we have two of the three teams advancing to regionals under her direction. She is a wonderful person and teacher that creates positive relationships with her students. She is a huge asset to the campus and students. We are extremely proud and lucky to have her on the Central Bearcat Team."

Congratulations, Kristin!

Want to keep up with all things related to the renovation of Kermit Courville Stadium? Take a look at a brand new Facebook page that was created solely for that purpose.

The page will document the stadium’s progress while providing historical facts about the stadium along the way. Click here to follow the page for updates, history, fun facts, and more.

The Johnny Mitchell Boys & Girls Club, located only two blocks from Ball High School, would like for all GISD parents to be aware of the affordable and beneficial after school activities that are available to GISD students. Please see the flyers below for more information. Program costs are $10 per school year with sponsorship opportunities available.

Tuesday, Jan. 31: Tornettes/Tors vs Texas City Basketball

Saturday, Feb. 4: Band UIL Solo and Ensemble, Clear Lake High School - All Day

Tuesday, Feb. 7: Tornettes Purple Reign Basketball

Mardi Gras (Band and Tornettes)
Friday, Feb. 10 – George Mitchell Parade

Parade Time/Location: 7-8 pm, Downtown

Saturday, Feb. 11 – Mystic Krewe of Aquarius and Krewe of Gambrinus Parades (2 Parades)
Parade Time/Location:

Krewe of Aquarius 12-1:30 pm, Kroger to Cruise Terminal

Krewe of Gambrinus 6-7:30 pm, Kroger to Cruise Terminal

Friday, Feb. 17 – Krewe of Babalu

Parade Time/Location: 8-9 p.m., Downtown Parade

Saturday, Feb. 18 – Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade

Parade Time/Location: 6:30-8 p.m., Seawall to Downtown

Sunday, Feb. 19 – Yaga’s Kids Parade

Parade Time/Location: 12-1 p.m. , Downtown

Tuesday, Feb. 21 – Fat Tuesday Parade: Mystic Krewe of Aquarius

Parade Time/Location: 6:30-8 p.m., Downtown

Thursday, Feb 23 - Black History Program at Morgan Elementary - 5:30 p.m.

"We know every child is a natural born writer if we just provide them the opportunity. Thank you Mr. Salgado for allowing your students at Burnet Elementary Stream Magnet to work on their Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) strategies and feel empowered when writing!"

"Our Garden Community day was a success! Our dedicated volunteers were able to get old beds torn down, dirt moved, and new ones in place for our students to begin planting. Thank you Galveston ISD Texas ACE, and Galveston's Own Farmers Market, and our garden club leader Nichole Duepner!"

Morgan Elementary and GISD's Office of Special Programs would like to recognize Morgan kindergarten student Justin Boss, Jr. for his thoughtfulness toward his fellow students.

When Justin’s 6th birthday arrived right after Christmas, he and his mom, Catalina, decided to ask all of his birthday guests to bring gifts that could be donated to students in GISD's Discovery Club. Justin and his mom also donated gifts and volunteered for the Kelley’s Angels Project in December. Thank you, Justin, for your generosity!

The Parker Pelicans had a blast during their recent after school dance. Visit the school's Facebook page to take a look!

"Our middle schoolers were recently visited by the Ball High JROTC for an introduction to an amazing opportunity in high school. Students learned about the honor guard, air rifle team, physical fitness team and orienteering team. We were especially proud to have former Bulldog, Travis, represented!"

"This week, through Powerful Learning Innovators, all 5th graders visited the Railroad Museum and learned about the Orphan Trains."

"These students were awarded finalist ribbons for their work in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo art contest. They have worked extremely hard and we are so very proud of them!"

"Congratulations to all CMS students for placing in the 2nd Annual District Wide Stem Fair. So many great projects! Special thanks to all Science teachers, staff and to the parents for their support, hard work and dedication to our Bearcats."

"Thanks United Way of Galveston and Vision Galveston for your hospitality and helping these students learn just how connected our community is and how to get involved." Click on the video below for a closer look!

To access the current year’s application, click here: https://bit.ly/3j93UsT
To access the 2023-2024 application, click here: https://bit.ly/3wv2lZw

(Application must be completed by a parent or guardian for any student new to Ball High School to participate in one of the communities this semester, or for any student who will attend during the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.)

About the Communities: Ball High is home to four different, small learning communities, funded by the federal Magnet School Assistance Program. Each community focuses on career focus areas. These communities will allow students to obtain endorsements from the Texas Education Agency, such as Public Service, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), Business & Industry, Arts & Humanities. The communities are: Biomedical Engineering & the Medical Profession, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Media Arts and Digital Technology.

For more information about Ball High School’s four communities, click here: http://bit.ly/3XJ6yF6. Email notifications regarding the communities will be distributed March 10.

This fun and meaningful event is a Ball High School Tor Store project that will benefit special education and business students. Help us spread the word!

Talk about the ultimate extension of the classroom! Mr. Dudas’ A-Team worked with the crew from the musical group " The Four Tops" setting up the stage for the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting and gala hosted at the Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort recently. Thank you to Gina Spagnola and Jill Chapman with the chamber for providing this wonderful opportunity for our students!

Students in Mr. Kelso's class received a tour at Galveston's Episcopal Cemetery from author and historian Kathleen Maca.

The photos shows students standing at the gravesite of George Ball, the high school's namesake.