GCISD News 5-29-07

What’s Happening This Week
• GCISD schools, stadium closed for summer
Thirteen schools and Mustang-Panther Stadium are closed to the public beginning May 25 so that renovations and additions included in the 2005 Bond program may be expedited. These facilities will remain closed through Aug. 20. During this time, no campus staff will be working in the buildings. Existing campus phone numbers will remain in operation and campus staff will be checking voice mail messages regularly. Visit www.gcisd-k12.org/pr/news0607/summerclosings.htm for a list of affected campuses and additional details.

• GCISD summer hours
GCISD summer hours begin May 29 and continue through Aug. 10. Summer hours are 7:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday. District offices will be closed on Fridays.

• Driver’s Education registration ongoing
Registration for GCISD’s summer Driver’s Education class is underway. The session runs 6-8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays from June 4-28 and classes are filled on a first-come basis. Separate driving times are available. All classes will be at Grapevine Middle School. Cost is $315 for GCISD students and $365 for out-of-district students plus a $15 non-refundable registration fee for all students. Information: 817-251-5525.

• Registration underway for evening education classes
Registration is underway for Session V of GCISD’s TARGET evening classes for high school credit. Basic courses are offered to allow students to catch up on credits, advance in order to graduate early or open a section of their normal schedule to take another course of their choice. Session V begins June 4 and classes are held at Bridges Accelerated Learning Center, 736 E. Northwest Highway, Grapevine.

Registration forms and payment will be accepted from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. May 30 at the Office of Continuing Education, 736 E. Northwest Highway in Grapevine. Late registration is 8:30 a.m.-noon May 31 and will include a $15 fee. Cost for the one-semester class is $200 for GCISD students and $250 for out-of-district students. A $10 non-refundable registration fee will be charged per student. Information: 817-251-5525.

Upcoming Calendar Items
• GCISD Summer Enrichment
GCISD’s Summer Enrichment program 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 classes 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.

• GCISD employees to bring children to work
GCISD’s Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is scheduled for June 7. This program is promoted annually nationwide by the Ms. Foundation for Women and provides an opportunity for districts to extend plans for career investigation activities. For information about the program, visit www.tea.state.tx.us/taa/sds020807.html.

• GCISD registration for 2007-2008
Registration for GCISD campuses begins in July. Dates, times and other pertinent back-to-school information for specific campuses is available on the district’s web site, www.gcisd-k12.org/pr/backtoschool.htm. The first day of school is Aug. 27.

Awards and Announcements
• High schools earn highest ranks in Tarrant County
Colleyville Heritage and Grapevine high schools earned the top two highest rankings of high schools in Tarrant County in Newsweek magazine’s list of the country’s top 1,200 high schools for 2007. CHHS ranked #97 and Grapevine ranked #146. The Newsweek rankings recognize schools that do the best job of preparing students for college. The rankings are based on the number of Advanced Placement (AP) tests taken by students at each school. Last year, CHHS made the list at #119 and GHS ranked #145.

• Colleyville Elementary team makes mark in DI Global contest
The Busy Bees team of Colleyville Elementary placed tenth out of 60-plus teams this past weekend in the Card-DI-ology challenge during the Destination ImagiNation Global Finals in Knoxville, Tenn. CES students competed against an estimated 8,000 students representing more than 10 countries and provinces including Turkey, Brazil, Poland, China, Mexico and Guatemala. The CES Busy Bees are: Jessica Bonner, Monique Byars, Jacob Hethcock, Haneen Khan, Raneem Qasim, Matthew Winters and Michael Winters. The team manager is Donn Hethcock.

In addition, four DI teams competed at the state tournament and were recognized by the GCISD Council of PTAs in April. The state teams represented Bransford Elementary, Colleyville Elementary, O.C. Taylor Elementary and Grapevine High School.

• CHHS teacher named best in North Texas
Colleyville Heritage High School theatre director Jennifer Phagan has received the prestigious Bayard H. Friedman Hero Award, which recognizes her as the most outstanding drama teacher in North Texas. The award is part of the Score A Goal In the Classroom School Incentive Program and includes the use of a HUMMER vehicle for a week. Information: 817-251-5503.

• CHHS theatre students earn Buckley awards
Sydney Casey and Colleen Harris, both seniors at Colleyville Heritage High School, were recognized as part of Casa Mañana’s 2007 Betty Lynn Buckley Awards. Casey received the award for best costume design for budget level 2 and Harris brought home honors for best lighting design for budget level 1. This year, the musical theater productions of both CHHS and Grapevine High earned a total of 10 Buckley nominations.