GIPS Monthly Update, October 2024
Updates from Grand Island Public Schools
This is parent / teacher conference week. A critical time in the development of winning partnerships for the success of our students. Having our teachers and parents build a strong relationship centered around providing the best possible education for our students is one of the most important keys to overall student success.
Hopefully you will make time to get to your child’s school and meet with teachers sometime this week. Positive results happen when families are able to sit down with teachers and have conversations about what skills children have and where they may need extra support. This is true when things are going well at school and also when a child is struggling. When both families and teachers have a common understanding of what challenges a child faces they can work together to come up with the best solution.
Conferences are set up to provide a convenient time for families and teachers to come together. However, we recognize that the times set may not work for everyone. Consequently, we would encourage those who are unable to attend parent / teacher conferences to set up a time to meet with teachers. I know our teachers want your children to be successful and will be happy to set up a time to meet and share information.
Working together we can make this a great school year for your child!
#WeAreGIPS
Hundreds of Islanders had the opportunity to learn more about how they can help in the community at the annual Grand Island Senior High Student Volunteer Fair.
The event on Sept. 25 was held in the West Gym as an estimated 20 percent of the student body attended. Thirteen community organizations and nonprofits set up at the event, which was organized by GISH and the Grand Island Public Schools GEAR UP team.
“We are incredibly proud of our students and the Grand Island community for uniting to make both our school and city better,” said Amber High, GIPS GEAR UP Grant Coordinator.
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!
Catch the Islanders in action here in Grand Island!
Here are some of the upcoming home varsity events for the next few weeks in October
- Volleyball v Bellevue East, Thursday, October 10, 6:30 p.m. @ GISH West Gym
- Volleyball v Lincoln NE, Tuesday, October 15, 6:30 p.m. @ GISH West Gym
- Football v Bellevue East, Friday, October 18, 7:00 p.m. @ Memorial Stadium (Homecoming)
- Football v Omaha Northwest, Friday, October 25, 7:00 p.m. @ Memorial Stadium
- Unified Bowling Home Tournament, Monday, November 1,
Full activities calendar and ticket links may be found at the buttons below.
Go Islanders!
What Does "Social Emotional Creative Arts (SECA)" Mean?
The SECA (Social-Emotional/Creative Arts) program is designed to bring visual art into the elementary classroom with a direct connection to lessons about problem solving, emotional wellness, and collaboration.
SECA is designed for grades Kindergarten - 5th Grade and follows the Nebraska K-12 Fine Arts Standards. Students are educated in the basics of art, including the development of crucial skills that are applicable across many disciplines.
Students also explore social-emotional learning in tandem with visual arts. The Second Step curriculum is designed to help students understand and manage their emotions. Visual art projects are designed to help further develop these concepts.
We've started year three of the SECA program in our Elementary Schools and we are so pleased to see the countless examples of art and social emotional growth taking place in our schools!
