Campus News 4-18-07

What’s Happening This Week
• GHS, CHHS varsity gymnastics tryouts
Tryouts for the men’s and women’s varsity gymnastics teams at Colleyville Heritage and Grapevine high schools will be 2-4 p.m. April 21 at Sunbelt Gymnastics in Colleyville. Interested young men and women must come dressed to participate and currently be at least a competitive level 5. A parent information meeting will be 7 p.m. April 17 in CHHS room B137. All other students interested in participating in GCISD high school gymnastics can sign up for the junior varsity team – tryouts are not required for the JV team. Information: Coach Krista Byno, 817-305-2039 or krista.byno@gcisd.net.

• GCISD Summer Enrichment
Registration is ongoing for GCISD’s Summer Enrichment program, which begins June 4 for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade. The program, “Explore and Discover Summer,” offers a variety of classes including fine arts, cooking, cultural studies, math and science, social skills, sports/recreation and technology. There are six, one-week campus offered, with both morning and afternoon classes available. Information about GCISD summer programs is available on the district’s website, www.gcisd-k12.org/instruct/sschool_main.html or 817-251-5206.

Upcoming Calendar Items
• Foundation to honor grant recipients
The Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation will honor the 2007 grant recipients at a reception prior to the regular GCISD Board of Trustees meeting April 23 at the Administration Building. The reception starts at 6:15 p.m., with Trustees also recognizing the recipients during the regular meeting at 7 p.m. Information: 817-251-5480.

• GCISD Board of Trustees meeting
The Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Board of Trustees will meet for the regular monthly meeting on April 23 at the GCISD Administration Building, 3051 Ira E. Woods Avenue in Grapevine. Open session begins at 7 p.m. Information: 817-251-5503.

• GCISD Percussion Club hosts master class
A master class on the topic of Brazilian drums will be offered from 4-5:30 p.m. April 26 in the Colleyville Heritage High Band Hall. The GCISD Percussion Club is hosting the class, which features award-winning percussion clinician and educator Dan Neimeyer. All GCISD percussion students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to attend. CHHS Drumline Sectionals for the 2007-2008 contest season will follow from 5:30-7 p.m. Information: http://chhspantherband.org/percussion/gcisd_percussion_club.htm or Robin Hammesfahr, robin.hammesfahr@getthere.com or 817-235-3775.

• GCISD Video Festival Awards
An awards ceremony announcing winners in the 5th Annual GCISD Video Festival will be 6:30 p.m. April 26 at the Metro Cinema in Colleyville. The event is free to the public. For a list of finalists, and to view the winning entries in the logo/poster contest, visit: www.gcisd-k12.org/vidfest. Information: 817-251-5503.

• Bear Creek Elementary Career Day
Students at Bear Creek Elementary will hear about various careers as part of Career Day on April 27. About 115 parents and community volunteers will speak with students at each grade level throughout the day. Information: 817-305-4860.

Awards and Announcements
• GCISD Special Olympian to carry torch
Zak Gardner, a GCISD transition student, has been selected to carry the Special Olympics Torch during the opening ceremonies of the Area 11 Spring Games on April 27 at the University of Texas at Arlington. The Torch Run is a tradition that pairs athletes with area law enforcement officers to relay the Special Olympics Torch around the stadium to celebrate the opening of the area track and field meet. Information: 817-251-5503.

• GHS Band director to receive alumnus award
Steve Andre, director of bands and Fine Arts Department Chair at Grapevine High School, will be honored as the Outstanding Music Alumnus by the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music. Andre will receive the award during the SFA Friends of Music’s annual extravaganza banquet April 27 in Nacogdoches. Information: 817-251-5503.

• GHS debate coach earns national recognition
Jason Sykes, debate coach at Grapevine High School, has received the 19th-annual Acolyte Award, which is presented each year to an outstanding associate director of debate. The award was announced recently during a ceremony at the Heart of Texas Invitational, and is the only national award recognizing the work of associate directors of high school debate programs. The winners become members of a self-selecting group who vote each year to elect the next inductee.

In addition to the Acolyte Award, Sykes also earned status as a Diamond Key Coach with the National Forensic League. Status levels are based on a points system, with 1,500 points needed to earn a first diamond. Sykes will be recognized during the national tournament in June in Kansas.

• GHS journalism team wins headed to state UIL contest
Journalism students at Grapevine High School won first in the journalism team category of the UIL Region I Academic Competition recently, earning them a bid to state competition in May. In addition, individual students won top-10 spots with Cole Ford earning first in Editorial Writing and also earning a spot in the state contest. Merrit Martin placed fifth in Headline Writing and Brigit Holland earned seventh in the Social Studies competition. Information: 817-251-5210.

• Senior scholarships available from Cross Timbers Middle School
Any GCISD graduating seniors who completed the eighth grade at Cross Timbers Middle School are eligible for a scholarship sponsored by the Cross Timbers PTA. Applications are available from the high school counselors and must be returned by April 27. Information: 817-251-5320.

• Senior scholarships available from Bransford Elementary
Any GCISD graduating seniors who attended Bransford Elementary for at least one full academic year are eligible for one of two scholarships sponsored by the Bransford PTA. The scholarships will recognize students with superior achievement in citizenship, leadership and academics. Applications are available from the high school counselors and must be returned by 4 p.m. April 27. Information: 817-305-4930.