The National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures below freezing when an Arctic cold front arrives Thursday afternoon. These temperatures are expected to remain below freezing through mid-day Saturday.

The City of Galveston will open a warming center at the McGuire Dent Recreation Center, located at 2222 28th Street, on Thursday, Dec. 22, beginning at 6 p.m.

The McGuire Dent Recreation Center, which has a back-up generator, will serve as a warming center for those who do not have access to heat or in the event of a power outage. The fitness center will otherwise be closed and gym and exercise classes canceled beginning Thursday afternoon. The warming center will remain open through Saturday at noon as necessary. If utilizing the warming center, please bring light snacks for your household as food will not be available.

For more information, visit the City of Galveston's website.

Holly has been with GISD for 14 years. When asked about the favorite part of her job, Holly responded, "I heard someone explain it this way and feel they said it perfectly: 'Kids learn differently. Helping kids understand that they can learn and finding different approaches that help each of them learn based on their own learning style isn't always easy. But I love knowing that a child has both learned the skill or topic—and learned how to learn.'"

The following comments were included within Holly's nomination:

"Mrs. Neumann's communication and organizational skills with students, administrators, and parents has given her program direction and garnered support from all of those she comes in contact with. She faces adversity with tact and grace.

"She makes everyone around her just a little bit better. She makes them a little bit more successful. She encourages them to try a little harder and achieve a little bit more."

Congratulations, Holly!

Thank you to all who helped make this a magical Christmas for GISD students in need!

The Magnet Schools of the Mid-South awards competition is designed to recognize schools at the regional level that exhibit inclusion of diversity, program sustainability, thematic implementation, innovative activities, community engagement, effective marketing, and professional development. Oppe Elementary Magnet Campus of Coastal Studies was awarded the Magnet Schools of the Mid-South “Excellence in Longevity” award.

Additionally, GISD's presence at the conference was strong as multiple district representatives contributed the following presentations:

“How to Scream Your Theme Through Cross-Curricular Writing Instruction”

Presenters: Desiree Monges, District Magnet Support Specialist and Molly Allmond, District Magnet Project Coordinator

“Exploring Motivation through Mindfulness”

Presenters: Claudia Del Valle, Morgan Elementary Magnet School of Health, Medical Science & Engineering Campus Magnet Coordinator; Kimberly Upchurch, Counselor; Sara Giambelluca, Principal; Nakia Bellow, Literacy Coach; Melissa Morton, 3rd grade teacher; Cherie Spencer, GISD SEL Coordinator

“The Power of Community Partnerships and Moving Learning Out of the Classroom and Into the Real World”

Presenters: Jennifer Hart, GISD District Magnet Community Liaison and Christina Stark, Crenshaw Environmental Science Magnet Campus Magnet Coordinator

“Setting Sail on Sustainability Through a Coastal Magnet Cruise”

Presenters: Sarah Hopkins, Oppe Elementary Magnet Campus of Coastal Studies Campus Magnet Coordinator; Cynthia McConnell and Sarah Concha, 4th grade teachers

Jan 8: Rosenberg Strings with the GSO

Jan 14: Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - MLK Day Parade

The parade will start at 29th and Church and end at 28th and Ave Q (Menard Park)

"Our Family Literacy Night on Wednesday was a great success! We had 115+ students and 190+ family members join us for a night of music, dancing, theatre, games, art, books, hotdogs and more! We were so happy to get to spend the evening with our Weis families. Thank you to all the staff and volunteers that helped make this night a success! We look forward to seeing all of our families at our next family night in March!"

The Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge Competition recognizes exceptional and innovative science educators, to recognize outstanding K–12 school programs for their exemplary approaches to science lab instruction utilizing limited school and laboratory resources, and raise awareness and exposure of the outstanding work being done in the science education field.

According to Neblett, the supplies will be put toward manipulatives and models in the high school's life science classes.

Congratulations!