Galena Park I.S.D. Monday Update

Dear Galena Park I.S.D. Parents and Guardians,

For the remainder of the school closure, we will be providing a 'Monday Update' to recap and keep you up to date with the latest information. We hope you will take the time to read over this newsletter carefully.

In the tenth edition of Monday Update, you will find:

1. Superintendent's Message
2. Virtual Graduation
3. P-EBT Information
4. Kindergarten Registration
5. Student Item Collection Dates
6. Chromebook Return and Restitution Information
7. The Texas Education Agency Offers Free Tool to Parents to Diagnose How Much Their Students Learned This Year and To Help Educators Plan for the “COVID Slide”
8. Participate in the 2020 Census
9. Bulletin Board Information

We would like to thank everyone for their cooperation and patience during this time.

May 26, 2020

I hope each of you enjoyed a healthy, safe and relaxing Memorial Holiday weekend with your loved ones. I'm sure you are aware that this Thursday is our last day of school for the 2019-2020 school year, and this year has been an experience none of us could have ever predicted or expected! I am very proud of our staff and students for the way each has stepped up and worked hard to finish the school year successfully.

We have long had a saying in Galena Park I.S.D.: "Whatever It Takes!," and our COVID-19 school closure has certainly forced all of us, adult and student alike, to do just that. The lesson I hope everyone learns from this experience is this: sometimes life doesn't go the way we hope, or plan, but that's okay; we will figure out what must be done to have the most successful outcomes possible, and we will work hard to achieve those outcomes. We will not be defeated.

From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for your constant support of Galena Park I.S.D., and please remember to feed your minds, bodies, and spirits constantly. We are not complete without any of these three, and it is up to us to ensure that each is properly and abundantly fed. Each member of our beloved community remains in my prayers daily.

Many blessings to you and your loved ones,

Angi Williams, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Parent or Guardian,

We understand the challenging circumstances you are experiencing and wanted you to know your household is eligible to receive Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits to buy food from any retailer that accepts the Texas Lone Star Card.

P-EBT is a one-time benefit of up to $285 and will be issued on an EBT card to assist families during this unanticipated school closure.

Children up to 21 years old who are certified for free or reduced-price meals at school in Texas during the 2019-20 school year and all children who attend a school that offers free meals to all students (Community Eligibility Provision or Provision 2) are eligible to receive P-EBT benefits.

Families who received SNAP benefits for the month of March 2020 and have children 5-18 years old as of May 17, 2020, do not need to apply for those children. These families received P-EBT benefits on their current Lone Star Card by May 22. No further action is required of you.

Families with children up to 21 years old who are certified to receive free or reduced-price meals during the 2019-20 school year need to apply for P-EBT. (This includes families who received SNAP benefits for the month of March 2020 and have children under 5 and between 19 and 21.) These families will need to apply for P-EBT benefits online. Eligible families will receive a school email with a link to the P-EBT application the first week of June. You will have until June 30, 2020 to complete the application. Once approved, a P-EBT card will be mailed to your household.

Please refer to the “How to Apply for P-EBT” handout for more information about the application process and what information you will need to provide.

You will have one year, from the date the benefits were issued, to use your P-EBT food benefits. P-EBT benefits are non-transferrable.

We trust this benefit will prove helpful. For more information, please visit hhs.texas.gov/PEBT. A P-EBT call center will be available in June when the application is available. The phone number will be included in the information we send you with the application link.

Sincerely,

Angi Williams, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Parents of new-to-district Kindergarten students may now register online for the 2020-2021 school year. This registration opportunity is for students entering Kindergarten for the 2020-2021 school year who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2020. Online registration is scheduled for May 26 - June 5. While Galena Park I.S.D. campuses are temporarily closed, all documentation must be uploaded into the online application.

*If your student attended Pre-Kindergarten in GPISD for the 2019-2020 school year, the student will automatically be registered for Kindergarten for 2020-2021.

The following documents are required for registration:

o Birth Certificate - Child’s Proof of Age and Proof of Identity

o Social Security Card

o Parent/Guardian’s drivers license or passport for identification purposes

(If you are not the legal guardian, please contact Student Admissions)

o Immunization records - must be signed or stamped by the physician or his/her designee or public health personnel

o Proof of residency – utility bill (water, gas or electric) or current lease

(If you do not have proof of residency in your name or a current lease, please contact Student Admissions)

**If you do not have proof of residency or are not the legal guardian of the child, please contact Student Admissions at 832-386-1511 or student_admissions@galenaparkisd.com.**

Chromebooks which were checked out for student use need to be returned to the campus

where the Chromebook was checked out, according to the schedule noted below:

June 1st, 9AM - 11AM and 4PM - 6PM

Galena Park Elementary

Jacinto City Elementary (return at Galena Park Elementary)

MacArthur Elementary

Pyburn Elementary

Woodland Acres Elementary

Cobb Sixth Grade Campus

North Shore Senior High School

Zotz Education Center

June 2nd, 9AM - 11AM and 4PM - 6PM

Cimarron Elementary

Cloverleaf Elementary

Green Valley Elementary

Havard Elementary

Normandy Crossing Elementary

Cunningham Middle School

North Shore 10th Grade Center

Early College High School (return at Zotz Education Center)

Galena Park Middle School

Woodland Acres Middle School

June 3rd, 9AM - 11AM and 4PM - 6PM

North Shore Elementary

Purple Sage Elementary

Sam Houston Elementary

Tice Elementary

Williamson Elementary

North Shore Middle School

North Shore 9th Grade Center

Galena Park High School

Chromebook Restitution Requirements:

• Minor damages: missing keys, scratched screen, damaged port: $25.00
• Missing charger: $25.00
• Cracked screen: $50.00
• Completely damaged, stolen or lost: $100.00

To further support student learning and an understanding of student progress even as students are educated from home for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year, TEA has launched free, optional end-of-year (EOY) assessments that parents can choose to administer. This optional test does not take the place of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), which Governor Greg Abbott cancelled this year due to COVID-19.

The optional EOY assessment gives parents and educators access to a powerful tool that shows what their students have learned and where they can improve their knowledge and understanding of key subject matter heading into the 2020-21 academic year.

Educators across Texas have voiced concerns that their students may not be making as much academic progress as they should because of the disruption caused by COVID-19. Researchers have noted that in some cases students could see significant academic declines, dubbing it a potential “COVID Slide.” This free diagnostic tool will highlight the student progress that has been made, while also bringing to light any gaps that may have emerged during this atypical school year. The results of this optional testing will provide valuable data that informs further instructional support school systems can provide this summer and into the coming school year. It is very important to note that TEA is not requiring these EOY assessments and will not collect testing data for any accountability purposes.

Parents can register their student for the optional EOY assessments beginning today, May 12. The registration period will run through June 5, 2020. Parents will be able to administer the tests at home through June 12. The optional EOY assessments will be available online and in a printable PDF format. Students can access the online tests at home using a web browser.

The optional EOY assessments cover the same grades, subjects, and courses as STAAR. However, writing assessments will not include a writing prompt and will be multiple-choice only; EOY assessments for Algebra II and English III will not be offered. Parents with questions about the optional EOY assessments can visit the EOY Assessment FAQs for more information. For instructions on the test registration process, please see details below.

Test Registration Information for Parents and Students

Parents—or students themselves—can go here and login now. Registration for the optional EOY assessments will be available from May 12 through June 5, 2020. A parent registration form and supporting materials are now posted on TEA’s website: Optional End-of-Year Assessments.

If a parent registers his or her child to test, Pearson will work directly with the parent to provide testing credentials and materials.

Let's talk about the 2020 Census!

The census is an enumeration, or an actual count, of the people in the United States to ensure fair representation.

Did you know the Census has only nine questions? The survey takes only 5-10 minutes to complete. It's easy!

You can do your part for the 2020 Census by completing the survey.

District officials have been working diligently to celebrate the Class of 2020 with traditional graduation ceremonies. If it is safe to gather, based on local, state, and/or national guidelines, traditional graduation ceremonies for the CTE Early College High School, Galena Park High School, and North Shore Senior High School will be held at NRG Stadium on August 2, 2020.

Please note: Subject to change, based on local, state, or national guidelines and/or governmental orders in effect.

Curbside breakfasts and lunches will be distributed only three days per week, with multiple meals being provided at each distribution.

Meals will be distributed at the same sites, but only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

Do you have any school-related questions you would like to have answered? Please call 832-386-1300, and leave your name, your child's name and school, a phone number where you can be reached, and a brief description of your question so we can have the correct person contact you within 24 hours. Please note, this is an automated line.

Thank you!

The GPISD Technology Department will provide support to students Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

The Technical Support offered is to assist students with accessing District resources; the support is not provided as technical support for personal hardware.

Please email your questions to: techsupport@galenaparkisd.com or call 832-386-1400.

A robust vocabulary improves all areas of communication -- listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Click on this link to view our GPISD Vocabulary Learning Opportunities.

The mission of Galena Park I.S.D. is to prepare students to become productive citizens and lifelong learners.

Email: communications@galenaparkisd.com
Website: Galenaparkisd.com
Location: 14705 Woodforest Blvd, Houston, TX, United States
Phone: 832-386-1000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GPISD/
Twitter: @GalenaParkISD

The Galena Park Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boys Scouts and other designated youth groups.