November 2019
GPISD Parent Newsletter
Keeping You Connected...
Dear Parent/Guardian,
In Galena Park I.S.D., we have so much to be thankful for. We serve over 22,000 students every day and we are tremendously thankful for the opportunity to touch so many lives. This season of Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect and think of the many reasons there are to be grateful. Thank you for sharing your most prized possession(s) with us-- your child(ren)! We value our students and parents and we know you are an essential piece to our puzzle.
As a District, we will continue to share reminders, updates, and successes monthly to keep you connected.
Thank you for taking the time to stay connected!
A message from the Superintendent
Dear Galena Park I.S.D. Parents and Guardians,
Recently, schools across the State and Nation have seen a spike in incidents involving students vaping using e-cigarettes (with and without contraband). The purpose of this letter is to provide you with information regarding this issue, offer resources to assist you if you feel your child is involved in this kind of behavior, as well as alert you to consequences your child may receive if they are engaged in vaping on school/district property. This is a serious issue due to the negative health effects vaping can have on our students.
Many of you may not know what vaping is, or its harmful effects. Vaping is the act of inhaling a vapor produced by an electronic vaporizer or similar device. The vapor can contain nicotine or other substances (some of which are illegal). The liquids that are vaporized are available in many different flavors. Vaporizers/e-cigarettes come in different sizes and may be easy to conceal. Like cigarettes, stores cannot sell vaping items to anyone under the age of twenty-one (unless the purchaser is at least eighteen years of age and provides a valid military identification card). I am concerned students and/or parents and guardians may not be aware of the harmful effects of vaping, or that vaping substances may be illegal.
Should you wish to access resources to learn more about the harmful effects of vaping, please visit www.galenaparkisd.com/antivape.
I’d also like to remind students and parents vaping is prohibited by the Galena Park I.S.D. Student Code of Conduct, and violations will result in appropriate disciplinary consequences. As noted on pages 6-7, “Students shall not possess or use …Tobacco products; cigarettes; e-cigarettes; and any component, part, or accessory for an e-cigarette device.”
I hope this letter is informative and you share my concerns about these potentially harmful issues with your child(ren). The district’s goal is to partner with parents to support our students in making good decisions. We encourage you to have a conversation with your child(ren) about these topics or feel free to contact your child’s campus administrators for assistance.
Thank you for your continued support of Galena Park I.S.D.
Respectfully,
Angi M. Williams, Ed.D.
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
As we prepare to take a short break from school for the Thanksgiving holiday, we want to express our gratitude to everyone who makes it possible for our students to come to school every day, on time, and ready to learn. We would like to thank our students and families for making daily attendance a priority, our wonderful teachers who pour their energy into making each classroom an exciting place to learn! All of our support staff and community volunteers who provide the extra hands and attention our children need. We appreciate each one of you so much!
The Thanksgiving break will begin on Monday, November 25th and school will resume on Monday, December 2nd. We especially appreciate everyone’s efforts to avoid taking extra days off before and/or after the holiday break. Just a few missed days here and there, even if they’re excused absences, can add up to lost learning time and leave your child behind in school. This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school! Thank you for making your child’s attendance a priority, and we look forward to seeing you after the Thanksgiving break.
Remember, students who Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow. Don’t let absences add up.
We Are More Than One Score
October Board Meeting Recognitions
- North Shore Rotary Club for being a strong supporter of Galena Park I.S.D.;
- Vanessa Squirrell as the new Director for School Culture;
- Jalyriah Stanton, North Shore Senior High; Nicole Zavala, Woodland Acres Middle School; Maria Cortes, Galena Park High School; Rodrigo Gutierrez, Galena Park Middle School; Gabriella Salazar, Galena Park Elementary; Jesus Perez, Cunningham Middle School; and Olivia Washington, Havard Elementary for serving as anchors and reporters in the 2019 State of the District production;
- Galena Park I.S.D. Principals in honor of National Principals Month; and
- Galena Park I.S.D. Student Nutrition Department and Campus Cafeteria Managers in honor of National School Lunch Week.
Galena Park High School Crowns 2019 Homecoming Queen and King
On Friday night, October 25, Galena Park High School held their homecoming game against Goose Creek Memorial High School. The Yellow Jackets beat the Patriots, 26-18.
During halftime, Karla Reyes and Eddie Rodriguez were announced as the 2019 Homecoming Queen and King. Reyes is a trumpet player in the Band of Gold and speech captain for the debate team. Upon graduation, she plans to earn her nursing degree at Stephen F. Austin University. Rodriguez is a member of the Band of Gold and the theatre arts program. After high school, he plans to attend the Academy of Art University to pursue a degree in music composition.
Congratulations, Karla and Eddie!
Thanksgiving Break: November 25-29, 2019
Board of Trustees Meeting
Monday, Nov 4, 2019, 06:00 PM
Galena Park I.S.D. Administration Building- Board Room
GPCC PTA
Tuesday, Nov 12, 2019, 10:00 AM
Sam Houston Elementary School
Elementary Geography Bee
Tuesday, Nov 19, 2019, 08:30 AM
Zotz Education Center
Secondary Geography Bee
Wednesday, Nov 20, 2019, 09:00 AM
Zotz Education Center
Community Collaborative for Proactive Parenting Meeting
Thursday, Nov 21, 2019, 06:30 PM
Zotz Education Center
The Mission of Galena Park I.S.D.
Email: communications@galenaparkisd.com
Website: Galenaparkisd.com
Location: 14705 Woodforest Blvd, Houston, TX, United States
Phone: 832-386-1000
Facebook: facebook.com/GalenaParkISD
Twitter: @GalenaParkISD