Campus News 10-30-06

What’s Happening This Week

GCISD student holiday/staff development day
GCISD students will enjoy a one-day holiday Oct. 30 while teachers and staff members participate in professional development activities. Classes will resume as scheduled on Oct. 31.

GHS Fillies host family festival and fund-raiser
The Grapevine High School Fabulous Fillies drill team will host Mustang Madness, a day-long festival and fund-raiser, from 3-11 p.m. Nov. 4 at GHS. The event will include the annual craft fair featuring 100 vendors, a fashion show of clothing from local merchants, a student and faculty talent show, a 3-point hoop contest, and live and silent auctions. Entertainment will be provided by the GHS Fillies, cheerleaders, Jazz Band, Drum line, Gymnastics team, Choir and Theatre department. Plate dinners can be purchased starting at $3.50 and concessions will be available as well. Information or to donate/sponsor: Julie Bird, 817-577-8200 or jbird@finsvcs.com.

Upcoming Calendar Items

Education Foundation campaign kick-off
The Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation will kick off the 2006 annual giving campaign with a breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 8 at The Lancaster Theatre, 300 S. Main St. in Grapevine. Innovated projects funded by the Foundation will be highlighted and lead donors with gifts of $2,500 or more will be introduced. Information or RSVP: Janice Kane, executive director, 817-251-5480 or janice.kane@gcisd.net.

GHS presents ‘A Tribute to Veterans’
Grapevine High presents its annual Veterans Day program on Nov. 9 with activities scheduled throughout the morning. The day kicks off at 8:20 a.m. with a flag raising ceremony in front of the school followed at 8:30 a.m. with a “Red Carpet Walk of Honor.” Breakfast for veterans begins at 9 a.m. with the annual program at 10:15 a.m. This year’s guest speakers will be Frank Turner, who served on the USS Franklin CV-13 during World War II as an aviation machinist mate third class, and James Megellas, who served in the Army Air Corps during WWII as a rifle platoon leader. The program will also feature a special performance by Richard Simms, who entertains troops at the USO at DFW Airport. Following the assembly, students, staff and visitors are invited to the GHS Ecology Center for a special garden memorial dedication. Information: Debbie Cullum, 817-251-3515.

Transition students host fall social
Students in the GCISD Adult Transition class will host a Fall Social from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 9 at Paradise Cove on Lake Grapevine, 3029 Midway Road in Southlake. Entertainment will be provided by a disc jockey and light refreshments will be served. Information or RSVP: Julie Hicks, 817-251-5210 x3121 or Julie.setten-hicks@gcisd.net.

O.C. Taylor presents Veterans Day program
Students at O.C. Taylor Elementary will don their patriotic attire and parade through the school at 8:15 a.m. Nov. 6 to kick off Celebrate Freedom Week. The school’s second Veterans Day program begin at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 10 and will feature performances from the school’s third- and fourth-grade students, the Colleyville Middle School drum line and a U.S. Marine Corps color guard unit. All veterans as well as military personnel currently serving in the armed forces will be recognized. Veterans are invited and encouraged to attend. A reception will follow in the school library. Information: 817-305-4870.

CORRAL set for Friday
Corral, a PTSA-sponsored party after home football games for Grapevine High School students, will host its final gathering on Nov. 10. The event starts immediately after the GHS football game and ends at 12:30 a.m. All GHS students are encouraged to attend and may bring two high school-age guests. The event will be in the Student Activity Center and Gym 1 at GHS. A valid high school ID is required to enter. Admission is $5 per person and includes all food and beverages. For information, visit the GHS website under the link to the PTSA. If you would like to volunteer, contact Cindy Warner at cfseiko@aol.com.

GHS Faculty Reunion Banquet
Past and present GHS faculty members are invited to celebrate the 100th anniversary of GHS at a banquet from 7-11 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Embassy Suites/Outdoor World Hotel in Grapevine. Event will include a sit-down dinner, cash bar and entertainment. Cost is $35 per person payable to GHS Faculty Reunion Banquet. The registration form can be found online at http://www.gcisd-k12.org/images/ghs100_reunion.pdf. Event information: Paula Wilbanks, 817-481-4398 or gigipw@aol.com.

Awards and Announcements

GCISD divers take top spots
GCISD divers earned top-five finishes during the Keller Diving Invitational on Oct. 21. Individual results in the girls meet were: Jordan Morcom, GHS, first; Maggy Boyd, GHS, second; Ashley Hamm, GHS, third; and Amber Hansel, CHHS, fifth. Individual results in the boys meet were: Matt Cardell, CHHS, first; Chase Davis, GHS, third; and Harrison Arth, CHHS, fourth. The diving team is coached by Kevin Wilson.

Parent feedback sought on substance abuse awareness
The GCISD Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (SPAC) is seeking parent feedback concerning substance abuse issues. In order to create a parent substance abuse education plan, the SAPC is surveying parents online. The survey, available on the District’s website at www.gcisd-k12.org through Nov. 16, will gather information about parental attitudes concerning student and parent substance use and the perceived availability and dangers of specific substances. The data will also be compared with student surveys.

GHS debate coach earns top award
Jason Sykes, assistant debate coach at Grapevine High, received the 2006 Acolyte award at the recent St. Mark’s tournament. The Acolyte award is given to the outstanding assistant debate coach in the United States, and is the only award that recognizes the work of the assistant coach. This recognition is a lifetime award and places Sykes among an elite group of debate coaches from across the country.

GHS journalism students recognized for work
Journalism students from Grapevine High won awards for photography, writing and artwork at the Texas Association of Journalism Educators’ Fall Fiesta on Oct. 14-16 in San Antonio. Individual awards went to: Josh Pope, superior rating, open category for digital print, and honorable mentions in the action and architecture categories for digital print; Julie Born, superior rating, action and “Taste of San Antonio” categories for color print; Alex Copeland, superior rating, open category for color print; Nicole Marxen, superior rating, editorial cartoon; and Ashleigh Schmitz, honorable mention, feature writing. In addition, overall staff awards went to staff of the 2006 Mustang yearbook, third, Best of Show for large yearbooks; and the staff of The Manestream student newspaper, honorable mention, Best of Show for large newspapers. More than 800 students from across Texas attended the event.