Monday, January 23, 2017

Watts Up in Fourth Grade

I hope everyone had a great week and is ready for the busy week ahead. A few reminders about this week: 
  • STAAR Writing Benchmark- Tuesday 1/24
  • Science Space Science TEKS Check- Wednesday 1/25
  • Talent Show rehearsal- Tuesday 1/24
  • GCISD PTA Council Roundtable Discussion- Thursday 1/26

Headphones/Earbuds

At the beginning of the year, we asked our scholars to bring in a pair of headphones or earbuds to use in class. Over time, a lot of our scholar's headphones have either broken, been lost or taken home and never returned. We use our ipads almost daily and often need headphones to be successful. Please check with your scholar to make sure they have a working pair of headphones/earbuds at school. 
Thank you!


School Board Recognition Month

It's School Board Recognition Month and our scholars were able to take part in thanking them with hand made Thank You cards. GCISD says 'Thank You!' to our All-Star Board Members! Click here to read all about the wonderful school board members who serve GCISD!

Notes From Nurse Kendra

If your child comes home in clothes/shoes from the nurse's clinic, PLEASE wash and send these clothes back as soon as possible. All of our clothes are donated to the clinic and we are currently very low on clothing. These clothes are kept as a courtesy to parents, so they do not have to supply extra clothes for students during the school day.

We could use your help to donate any elastic-waisted pants that are in good condition. If you find some of these while cleaning out closets, we would LOVE your donation!

Also, a scoliosis screening for all 5th graders will be done at school on Thursday 1/26.Please remind female students to wear an undergarment (sport bra or swimsuit top) under their shirt that day.

Donations Needed For Discovery Station - Can You Help?

We are in the process of expanding our MakerSpaces in the library to include another station for our Cannon Cubs to visit as part of this month's Book of the Month Design Challenge and we would LOVE any donations that you are willing to provide!!

For this station of "Discovery through Disassembly"our Cubs will explore by taking apart old electronics. If you can donate any of the following for this station, please drop the items off in the front office this week. Please note that these items will NOT be returned! Thank you so much for your help!!


  • Old computers 
  • Old cell phones
  • Cameras
  • Hair dryers
  • Toasters
  • Please note - no large screen TV's can be accepted

You are invited to attend a Legislative Roundtable Discussion!

WE WANT AND NEED YOUR VOICE! Please join your fellow GCISD PTA members on January 26th for a Legislative Advocacy Roundtable Discussion hosted by the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Council of PTAs.

MEET and TALK with YOUR area legislators and staff and pick up advocacy tips to use throughout the current 85th Texas Legislative Session.

· Thursday, January 26, 2017 from 6:30-8:00pm (childcare not provided)
· Light refreshments provided
· PDEC (Professional Development and Education Center): 5800 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville, TX 76034

We will give a brief overview of our district PTA's top 5 issues for our legislators to address: 1) Reduce STAAR emphasis, 2) Oppose vouchers and ESA programs, 3) Adequate school funding, 4) Pursue a new accountability system that is valid, reliable and balanced and 5) Clarify the role of school districts on cyber-bullying. (Handouts with more information on each issue will be available at the event.)

Pre-registration is not required, but is highly recommended so we can get a headcount and plan appropriately. To register, scroll down to find your school and RSVP at the following site:http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0d45a9a72ca46-legislative.

For questions, please contact your local PTA Legislative Advocacy Chair or President or Doug Noell, GCISD Council of PTAs Legislative Chair

GCISD SPECIAL PROGRAMS EXPO - February 13th

From engineering challenges to advanced academics to language immersion and early childhood education, GCISD offers a world of opportunities for students. Families are invited to learn more about these opportunities at the Special Programs Expo on Monday, February 13 from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. at Cross Timbers Middle School. The expo will feature stations showcasing our STEM programs, ASPIRE Academy and Dual Language programs. Also, at the Expo, families may also learn about the tuition-based Pre-Kindergarten program, iUniversity Prep and Collegiate Academy. In addition to program stations, presentations focusing on the instructional components and benefits of these programs will also be delivered.

To learn more about the programs that will be showcased at the Expo, click here.