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GIPS Monthly Update - July 2023
Back to School Information
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July 19th, 2023
Welcome to GIPS Monthly Update!
This online monthly newsletter features helpful information, notable updates, district stories, and more from Grand Island Public Schools.
July's edition provides "Back to School" information for the 2023-24 school year.
Welcome!
As we all gear up for another school year it is my pleasure to share a welcome to the Grand Island Public Schools.
This district newsletter is intended to provide helpful information to our families and our community. We are excited to continue the critical work of educating our youth. Our families and community partners are a vital part of this process. Your support of, and commitment to our students and staff are greatly appreciated.
Working together we can shape a bright future for our children and for Grand Island.
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year!
#WeAreGIPS,
Matt Fisher
GIPS Interim Superintendent
First Week of School
Here is how the first week of school will look for students across the district:
AUGUST 15
- First day for Kindergarten, 6th Grade, and 9th Grade only
- Early dismissals - 2:00 p.m. for Kindergarten; 2:15 p.m. for 6th & 9th Grades
AUGUST 16
- First day for ALL grades
- Early dismissal - 2:00 p.m. for K- 5
- Full Day for 6 - 12
AUGUST 17
- Full Day - Grades 1 - 12
- No Kindergarten
AUGUST 18
- Full Day - Grades K - 12
- Normal Dismissal
PRE-SCHOOL
- First day is August 16
- Early Dismissal (10:30 a.m. for morning classes; 2:30 p.m. for afternoon class; 2:00 p.m. for full day)
- Home visits are August 11, 14, and 15
New Dismissal Times ('23-'24)
We will have new dismissal times for the 2023-24 school year across the district. All dismissal times are also updated on the district calendars linked HERE and below.
REGULAR DISMISSALS:
- ELEMENTARY - 3:05 p.m. Dismissal
- MIDDLE - 3:45 p.m. Dismissal
- SENIOR HIGH - 3:30 p.m. Dismissal
EARLY DISMISSALS:
- ELEMENTARY - 2:00 p.m. Early Dismissal
- MIDDLE - 2:15 p.m. Early Dismissal
- SENIOR HIGH - 2:15 p.m. Early Dismissal
School Supply Lists
Grades have different lists of recommended items for school supplies. These supplies are not a requirement to attend school.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
HIGH SCHOOL
- GISH students are told by individual teachers what supplies they'll need.
- GISH Activities
If you would like additional support for school supplies — please reach out to your school directly.
Free & Reduced Meals
Free & Reduced Meal Applications are now available!
Due to Federal regulation, meals at GIPS are not free for all students for the 2023-24 school year. However, students who attend the CEP schools listed below will still receive free breakfast and lunch daily.
If you have a student that attends a Non-CEP school and think you may qualify for Free & Reduced Meals, please submit an application. Approved students may eat at no cost or a reduced cost for the 2023-24 school year if an application is approved due to income qualifications or if you have a foster child.
Applications may be found on the GIPS Nutrition Services website linked below:
CEP schools for the 23-24 school year are: Dodge, Howard, Jefferson, Knickrehm, Lincoln, Starr, West Lawn, Wasmer, Seedling Mile, and O'Connor Learning Center per Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Students who attend those schools do not need to submit a Free & Reduced Application.
If you have a student that attends a Non-CEP school and think you may qualify for Free & Reduced Meals, you will want to submit an application.
If you have any questions regarding Free & Reduced Meals — please reach out to GIPS Nutrition Services at 308.385.5900 or email, lmasat@gips.org.
If you would like assistance in filling out your application, you may reach out to your school directly or contact GIPS Nutrition Services.
Follow GIPS Eats on Facebook for more info!
District Calendars
All schools open their doors by no later than 7:30 a.m. each school day. School and district calendars for GIPS may be found at the link below:
Dress Code Policy
"Dress for Success" — Our students deserve to be confident AND prepared.
Below are printable flyers that highlight the GIPS dress code are linked at the bottom of this section. You may also review the full Dress Code Policy HERE.
We implemented the updated "Dress for Success" dress code last year (2022-23). The dress code will remain the same for the upcoming school year (2023-24).
If you have questions about dress code expectations at your school — please reach out to your building directly or send a message through Let's Talk.
Registration
If you have not yet enrolled your child for the 2023-24 school year, you will want to do that as soon as you can. Enrollment may be completed online at the link at the bottom.
Once registration is processed the student will be assigned to a class. If the grade level is beyond capacity, the student will be assigned to another school. Transfer requests will be honored based on availability. New transfer requests will be shared before the end of July.
If you have questions about registration — please reach out to the district office directly through Let's Talk.
Did You Know?...
We have a district podcast!
The GIPS Cast is a conversation-based podcast exploring the world of public education through the lens of Grand Island Public Schools.
Each episode features voices from the district — teachers, staff, administrators, and students. The podcast is a great way to learn more about the district and hear directly from our wonderful people.
You may subscribe to The GIPS Cast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, or your favorite podcast platform.
Every episode is also uploaded on the district website homepage.