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 sixth edition of Monday Update, you will find:

1. Superintendent's Message
2. Virtual Graduation Information
3. Valedictorian & Salutatorian Announcement
4. Nominate a Teacher
5. Lone Finalist for Superintendent
6. Tips for Practicing Self Care
7. Community Needs Assessment
8. North Shore Senior High Student Council Awards
9. Galena Park High School Art Winners
10. Pre-Kindergarten Round-Up
11. Student Transfer Request
12. GPISD Support Line

13. Counseling Information
    

14. April Schedule for Meal Pick Up
15. Technical Support
16. Word of the Day
    

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

April 27, 2020

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

I hope this newsletter finds you and your loved ones in the best of health, continuing to practice social distancing protocols, and following the Stay Home, Work Safe order if you possibly can. Although it is difficult to imagine not returning to our school buildings this school year, I am comforted to know that our students and staff will remain as protected as possible against the COVID-19 virus during the school closure, and I am proud to say that school continues, through distance learning and Curbside Meal service. School, after all, is not only the buildings we gather in, but also the relationships we build with our students and families, and the education and opportunities we provide.

Big congratulations are in order for Dr. John C. Moore! The GPISD Board of Trustees has named Dr. Moore as the lone finalist in the District's superintendent search. As you know, I am retiring at the end of June, and I am very pleased to leave GPISD in the extremely capable hands of Dr. Moore. Congratulations, Dr. Moore!

As the days of staying home turn into weeks, it is important to keep your (and your loved ones') spirits positive and motivated. Step outside and feel the sun shining on you, if the weather allows. Take a walk, mow the grass, wave at your neighbors--anything that provides a break from looking at the same four walls all day, every day. Times like these can sometimes be difficult, but please smile, spread kindness and positivity, and if you need help, please, please, please reach out for it.

As always, I thank each and every one of you for your support of Galena Park I.S.D. Please stay safe in every way you can. I look forward to seeing you all as soon as it is safe to do so.

Be blessed,

Angi Williams, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Galena Park I.S.D will be participating in #TeachersCan, a Texas-wide effort led by Texas Association of School Administration (TASA) Corporate Partner, Raise Your Hand Texas, to thank teachers and elevate the profession.

This week, we are asking you to spread the word about #TeachersCan and nominate teachers by visiting www.TeachersCan.org. Teachers will be entered into a drawing for Teacher Appreciation Week prizes and gift cards from Texas companies including HEB, Valero and Kendra Scott.

On Tuesday, April 21, 2020, Galena Park I.S.D. Board of Trustees announced Dr. John C. Moore as the lone finalist in the District’s superintendent search.

“I am thrilled and honored to be selected as the lone finalist for superintendent of Galena Park I.S.D., and I look forward to continuing the great work started by Dr. Angi Williams. My objective is, and has always been, to become a superintendent in Galena Park I.S.D. who inspires students, staff and the community to grow beyond what anyone believes is achievable. Dr. Williams has led this District extremely well for the past nine years, and is a well-respected educational leader throughout Texas and the nation,” remarked Dr. Moore.

Dr. Moore began his educational career as a teacher in Calcasieu Parish School, Sulphur, Louisiana in 1990. In 1991, he moved to Houston, Texas and became a teacher at W.C. Cunningham Middle School. During his tenure in Galena Park I.S.D. he has spent 29 years as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and associate superintendent, all in Galena Park I.S.D.

Dr. Moore earned his undergraduate and Master of Education degrees from McNeese University in Lake Charles, LA; and a Doctor of Education degree from Lamar University.

“Dr. Moore is well-prepared for this role and the Board supports him wholeheartedly. We are appreciative of the work Dr. Williams has done for the District for the past 35 years and we look forward to Dr. Moore continuing to move this great District in a positive direction,” said Board President, Ramon Garza.

After a state-mandated 21-day waiting period, the Board of Trustees will meet again to vote on the selection of Dr. Moore as Superintendent of Schools. After he is formally named to the position, he will succeed Dr. Williams, who has served as Superintendent since 2011, and is retiring after a forty-year career in education.

As the days of the Stay Home, Work Safe order have become weeks; it has become more and more necessary to practice self-care to maintain a positive mood and mindset. For the next several weeks, we will share some pointers to help you maintain your mental health. Consider the following:

• Stick to a schedule. The abrupt, total loss of rhythm in our days left many of us feeling adrift. Consider a schedule for weekdays and one for weekends – hour by hour each day. Alternate high-intensity activities with rests or diversions.

• Shorten the duration of tasks. We have less energy in general, and the focus we used to have for self-discipline is now directed at survival—sanitizing and safe living. So let yourself do things in smaller doses when that’s helpful.

• Express gratitude, which creates a healthy mind and boosts immune response. Consider journaling about gratitude every evening. Try to focus your first morning thoughts on one thing you’re grateful for.
  

Please help non-profit, philanthropic, and educational organizations better understand the economic and social impacts of COVID-19 on our community, by completing a Community Needs Assessment Survey. The Kinder Institute’s Houston Education Research Consortium at Rice University is conducting the analysis of the survey. We encourage you to complete the survey.

Click on the link below to complete the survey:

https://www.gulfcoastcovidsurvey.org/

The North Shore Senior High School Student Council was recognized as 2020 National Gold Council of Excellence by the National Student Council!

This award is given to Student Councils who have an exemplary record of leadership, service, and activities that serve to improve the school and community.

Congratulations!

The North Shore Senior High School Student Council has earned recognition as a Texas Association of Student Councils (TASC) Sweepstakes Council, the highest honor a TASC council can achieve. As of April 19, 2020, only 263 student councils in Texas have this recognition for 2019 – 2020.

Congratulations to the NSSHS Student Council!

Congratulations to Galena Park High School for having an incredible showing at State Visual Arts Scholastic Event (V.A.S.E.) this year. Out of five entries, four won State and will be receiving medals! Please click the button to view the winning submissions.

Congratulations to the winners and their teachers:

Student: Brittany Morales - Teacher: Diana Resendez

Student: Giovanna Morales - Teacher: Tony Hurtado

Student: Liam Moreno - Teacher: Wesley Frey

Student: Daniel Salazar - Teacher: Wesley Frey

Congratulations, GPHS!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the early registration process we planned for new prekindergarten and kindergarten students has been postponed until further notice. However, in order to continue planning and preparing for our new students in the 2020-2021 school year, we need your assistance. Please complete the pre-identification form below to let us know if you will be registering your child for prekindergarten or kindergarten.

Limited Open Enrollment (LOE) - Allows children who do not live within Galena Park ISD's boundaries to apply for enrollment in Galena Park ISD schools (except closed campuses).

Special Request - A parent of a Galena Park ISD student may submit a Special Request Transfer for their child/children to transfer from a zoned campus to a campus of their choice (except closed campuses). Special request transfers will only be considered during a designated time period for academic, safety and special program reasons.

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!

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.

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.