Head U Gator News
October 20, 2017
BOO BASH!
GATORS! Get ready… Get set… Go Auction!
The Boo Bash Auction is ONLINE this year with 32Auctions. There is a "buy it now feature" on all open auction items including 5 Glenhope premium parking spots, class baskets and hundreds of local donations! Boo Bash Auction is better than ever with 3 fantastic trips, First Class American Airlines tickets, Sky Ranch summer camp and so much more! The Boo Bash carnival and Auction is Glenhope PTA’s largest fundraiser so make your wish list and start shopping for a great cause!
FFA Open House
Please consider attending our Open Barn to support the students in our district and learn more about what FFA does. Thank you for your consideration! We would love to show off our program!
An Update for GCISD Bus Riders
In June 2017, Governor Abbott signed Senate Bill 693, which requires all buses model year 2018 or newer, to be equipped with three-point seat belts for each passenger. The buses will have 76 seat belts in instances where students can ride three to a row, but can be adapted to seat two per row. While the Bill was signed into law, and the district must comply, there was no additional state funding allocated for this requirement.
In the 2016 Bond, voters approved the purchase of seven new buses. Although seat belts were not included in the original proposal, the buses purchased with bond funds will be equipped with three-point seat belts. These purchases will be spread over a four-year period. The first two buses with seat belts were recently received into the GCISD fleet and will begin service immediately.
Since GCISD is a Robin Hood district and estimates the payment to the State this year will be $44 million, there is no funding to purchase additional buses beyond the seven approved in the 2016 Bond.
Student safety is the number one priority in GCISD and the transportation department practices bus safety on a daily basis with riders. These practices will continue on all buses, regardless of the inclusion of seat belts.
Accountability ratings from the state
Explanation of the 2017 State of Texas Accountability System Performance Index Framework
The Texas Education Agency is charged with assessing public school students on what they
have learned and determining district and school accountability ratings. The 2016-17 ratings are based on a system that uses various indicators to provide detailed information about the performance of a district and each of its campuses. The performance index framework includes the four indexes described below. To receive a rating label of Met Standard, districts and campuses must meet the targets set for Index 1 or 2, as well as meet the targets for Index 3 and Index 4. If not, campuses will receive a rating label of Improvement Required.
Glenhope met expectations for 2017, with 5 distinction designations.
Index 1: Student Achievement - Represents a snapshot of performance of all students
across all subjects, on both general and alternative assessments, at an established
performance standard.
Index 2: Student Progress - Provides an opportunity for districts and campuses to receive
credit for improving student performance independent of student pass or fail status.
Index 3: Closing Performance Gaps - Emphasizes improving academic achievement of the
economically disadvantaged student group and the lowest performing race/ethnicity
student groups at each campus or district.
Index 4: Postsecondary Readiness - Includes measures of high school completion, Diploma
Plans, and State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) performance at the postsecondary readiness standard.
Distinction Designations
(Glenhope earned distinctions in Math, Reading, Science, Postsecondary readiness and top 25% in Student Progress)
Distinction designations recognize outstanding academic achievement in ELA/Reading,
Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, as well as, performance in Student Progress, Closing
Performance Gaps, and Postsecondary Readiness. Campuses that receive an accountability
rating of Met Standard are eligible for the following distinction designations in 2017.
Academic Achievement in a Subject Area: The campus achieved the top quartile (top 25%)
in relation to its campus comparison group on 50% or more (elementary/middle schools) of their eligible measures in the tested subject area.
Top 25% Student Progress: The campus achieved the top quartile (top 25%) of performance
on Index 2: Student Progress in relation to its campus comparison group.
Top 25% Closing Performance Gaps: The campus achieved the top quartile (top 25%) of
performance in relations to its campus comparison group.
Postsecondary Readiness: The elementary or middle school achieved the top quartile (top
25%) of performance on Index 4
Is someone looking for work?!
Now Hiring: Principals, Please include this information in your newsletters or other appropriate communication with families.
Do you know someone ready to join the GCISD Team? Please help spread the word! Great opportunities are available in our auxiliary departments:
· Nutrition Specialists –Part Time with benefits – Work while your students are in school!
· KidzU Extended Care Program Site Aides – Part Time with benefits – Great schedule for local college students!
· Night Custodians
· Bus Drivers & Monitors
· Maintenance Engineers
Apply online at: www.gcisd-k12.org
Reflections
Here’s how:
·Download entry forms and guidelines at http://www.txpta.org/reflections-participation or pick up a copy from the front office
· Submit entries to front office by Thursday, November 2nd
· Contact reflections@glenhopepta.org with questions
Calendar
Saturday, October 21
2-6 BOO BASH and Silent Auction
Monday, October 23
2:55-4:00 Art Club
Tuesday, October 24
3-4:15 Good News Club
Wednesday, October 25
2:55-4:00 choir (3rd and 5th grade only)
Thursday, October 26
2:55-4:00 Mad Science
3-4 Marimba Band
Friday, October 27
Gatorville- week 3