GIPS Monthly Update - January 2025

Welcome to GIPS Monthly Update!

This online monthly newsletter features helpful information, notable updates, district stories, and more from Grand Island Public Schools.

I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome back all our families for the spring semester at Grand Island Public Schools! We hope you had a wonderful Christmas break filled with joy and time spent with loved ones.

As we begin the new year, we're excited to welcome students back to our classrooms and continue the important work of educating our youth. We look forward to a successful and growth filled semester ahead.

As I have had the chance to be in our school buildings during the past week I have had numerous people share how pleased they are with how prepared students have been for coming back to school. Students have resumed routines and picked right up where they left off in the learning process. Thank you to our families for all that you have done to help your children be ready to transition back into the school routine.

Working together we can assure a bright future for all our students!

#WeAreGIPS

Families are now able to update Emergency Contact information for their GIPS students in ParentVUE both online and through the mobile app. Previously, this process was facilitated directly through School Secretaries. Now, Families will be able to make more real-time updates.

HOW TO UPDATE THE EMERGENCY CONTACT FOR YOUR STUDENT:

• Login to ParentVUE (desktop or mobile app)
• Select your student from the list of your children
• Select 'Student Info'
• Click 'Edit Information'
• Scroll down to the 'Emergency Contacts' listed
• Make any changes needed to any fields

We need at least one emergency contact that is not a guardian for each child. This person needs to be someone that could help us locate the guardian in case of an emergency. This person does not have to live in Grand Island.

If you have questions, reach out to your school Secretary.

You may also find ParentVUE resources on our district website by clicking the button below.

"There is intentionality behind all of our activities."

How do students learn to learn? For a few hundred students at GIPS, it starts with Pre-School.

Amber O'Hara, Howard Elementary, and Beki Piel, Starr Elementary, are two of the Pre-School Teachers at GIPS. Both educators join the GIPS Cast to share about the fun taking place in their classrooms but, more importantly, how they empower 4 year old students to be ready for Kindergarten.

What you’ll hear in the conversation is a window into the science of teaching that goes into helping a child learn how to learn. From spelling their name, to cutting with scissors, to recognizing shapes, to breaking down syllables, and so much more.

Because in order to be successful [and have fun] in school, students need to know how to learn.

Listen to the podcast episode HERE.

Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Lantz will be the district leader of Early Childhood Education and the O’Connor Learning Center starting this summer. We are excited to have Mrs. Lantz joining us at GIPS to continue our trajectory of making positive impacts in the lives of students, families, and staff.

This news comes on the heels of Mrs. Julie Schnitzler, current GIPS Early Childhood Education Coordinator, sharing that she will be retiring at the end of the school year.

Mrs. Schnitzler served as Principal at Howard Elementary for 15 years and then the leader of Early Childhood Education for GIPS for the last two years. Throughout her tenure leading Howard & Early Childhood Education she remained consistent in leading with empathy and championing opportunities for students.

Read the full article HERE.

Another class of Islander History Makers will be honored.

A brunch honoring the Inductees took place Saturday, January 11th at 10:00 a.m. at Balz Banquet and Reception Hall at 213 N. Sycamore St., Grand Island.

Congratulations to the Grand Island Senior High Athletic Hall Fame Class of 2025:

• Johnna (Jeffries) Austin - Female Athlete
• Kash Kalkowski - Male Athlete
• Bill Root - Coach
• 2008 Boys State Championship Baseball Team
• Larry Rutar - Contributor

Read the full article HERE.

GIPS is pleased to welcome 13 student teachers to our schools this semester!

You will see these smiling faces in Elementary, Middle, and High School classrooms throughout the district. By spending time in classrooms, learning from veteran teachers, and gaining experience inspiring students, these future educators are all set to complete their student teaching requirements before earning their degree.

Join us in welcoming these outstanding future educators to GIPS!

Early childhood education and Kindergarten lay the foundation for student learning, preparing them for the future. In an ever-changing world, positive supports play an important role in student success— especially in Kindergarten.

Chelsi Christensen, Kindergarten teacher at Knickrehm Elementary, uses many positive support strategies in order to set her students up for success.

One of her main positive support strategies? Connection.

Read the full article HERE.

GISH Days are here!

During school, eighth graders will be able to explore our campus, ask questions, and get a taste of high school life.

• Barr Tours GISH: January 14
• Westridge Tours GISH: January 21
• Walnut Tours GISH: January 27

We're ready to welcome our future Islanders!

Staff impact everything Grand Island Public Schools does to support students and families for success, and the district and board of education recognize the great importance of our teaching staff.

The Grand Island Education Association (GIEA) and GIPS reached a negotiated agreement for the 2025-2026 school year and are aligned on supporting teachers who will in turn support our students. The agreement was approved by the GIPS Board of Education after reconvening from the Executive Session at December’s Board meeting.

The changes in next year’s agreement focused on increasing the base pay, along with adjustments to improve staff leave.

Read the full article HERE.

The Islanders are helping to lead the way for career technical education (CTE) in Nebraska and the nation.

Max Mendez, a junior at Grand Island Senior High, and Alex Kemnitz, an engineering and robotics teacher at GISH, both serve on the state leadership team for SkillsUSA.

A student in the GISH Academy of Medical Sciences, Mendez serves as Nebraska SkillsUSA state parliamentarian. During business meetings, his job is to ensure the SkillsUSA team remains on task and accomplishes its set goals. The leadership team is also responsible for planning the SkillsUSA conferences and training.

Kemnitz serves as the SkillsUSA Nebraska State Officer Advisor and is a member of SkillsUSA Nebraska Board of Directors.

Read the full article HERE.

Breakfast and lunch meals will be available to all students at no cost at all of our schools for the 2024-25 school year!

Due to current needs and qualifications, GIPS has qualified for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) across the district. CEP provides an alternative, state-supported funding source in order to provide meals at no cost to every student at Grand Island Public Schools.

Find school meal menus on the Nutrition Services website HERE.

The menus are able to be translated in over 100 languages and may be downloaded or easily captured through a screenshot on your mobile device.

Follow GIPS Eats on Facebook for more info!

• ELEMENTARY - Doors open by no later than 7:30 a.m.
• MIDDLE SCHOOL - Doors open by no later than 7:45 a.m.
• GISH - Doors open by no later than 7:30 a.m.

School and district calendars for GIPS may be found at the link below:

Major Saver cards are like magic tickets that provide discounts at your favorite local spots, including steakhouses like Texas T-Bone, sweet treats at Dairy Queen, Eileen's Cookies, and Daily Dose Coffee. You can also save on fuel at Hy-Vee Fast Fresh!

Additionally, every card sold directly supports participating Grand Island elementary schools: Dodge, Engleman, Lincoln, Shoemaker, Stolley Park, Wasmer, and West Lawn.

Getting involved is easy! You can pick up a card from a student at a participating school starting January 9th, or you can order one online from the GIPS Foundation.

We are 10,000 families, stories, and voices. In teaching hearts as well as minds, we — students, staff, and families — are changing the world together.

Throughout the 2024-25 school year, we will be featuring student and staff voices from across our district.

You're invited to explore our "We Are GIPS" landing page each week for the latest video from our wonderful people.

www.GIPS.org/WeAreGIPS

Catch the Islanders in action here in Grand Island!

Here are some of the upcoming home varsity events for January.

• Boys Basketball v Gretna East - Friday, January 17th at 7:15 p.m. @ GISH West Gym
• Boys & Girls Bowling Invitational - Saturday, January 18th, at 11:00 a.m. @ Westside Lanes
• GISH Show Choir Premiere Concert - Sunday, January 19th, at 6:30 p.m. @ GISH Auditorium
• Boys & Girls Swimming v Gretna - Tuesday, January 21st, at 4:30 p.m. @ G-I YMCA
• Boys Basketball v Lincoln SE - Thursday, January 23rd, at 7:00 p.m. @ GISH West Gym
• Boys & Girls Swimming v Millard North - Tuesday, January 28th, at 4:30 p.m. @ G-I YMCA
• Boys & Girls Swimming v Kearney - Tuesday, February 4th, at 4:30 p.m. @ G-I YMCA

Full activities calendar and ticket links may be found at the buttons below.

Go Islanders!

School safety takes a village.

From staff members, administrators, students, and, yes, even families — we can partner together to help ensure all who enter our buildings are safe. Part of our school safety efforts includes drop-off and pick-up times at the beginning and end of the day.

Watch the videos below to learn our school drop-off and pick-up safety expectations!

• ParentVUE Guide
• GIPS Nutrition Services
• Bus Routes
• Cell Phone Expectations & Dress Code
• Nurse Health Forms
• Kindergarten Ready
• GIPS Handbook
• School Drop-Off & Pick-Up Safety: ENGLISH | SPANISH
• Welcome Center
• Families in Transition
• School Boundary Maps