GIPS Monthly Update - May 2024
Focus & Resources for the 2023-24 School Year
As we roll through these final days of the 2023-24 school year I want to express gratitude on the part of the GIPS district to all of our families for sharing your children with us.
The most precious gifts we have in our lives are our children and we know that every family wants the very best for them. Thank you for entrusting us with their care and education during the past nine months. This is a responsibility we take very seriously.
During this past year we have seen some pretty phenomenal growth in the children we work with. This growth shows up in test scores, in social interactions, in behavior referrals and hundreds of other ways that are used to judge growth.
I had the chance to visit a 1st grade classroom the other day and asked the teacher if the students were ready to move on to 2nd grade. She affirmed that they were, then went on to explain that she had just hosted some of the current Kindergarten students who would be in her 1st grade class next year. This experience had clearly illustrated for her how much her students had grown throughout the year.
I’ve had the chance to have a number of conversations with seniors prior to graduation, and they made me feel good about their readiness to go take on life beyond high school. I got the same sense of readiness as I talked with 5th grade students who will be moving on to middle school next year. Having students well prepared for that next step in their lives is what we all want for these young people.
Children truly are a blessing. Make sure you take time to enjoy the extra time you have with them during the next few months. We know that most of our students will be rejoining us next fall and we look forward to having them back.
Have an awesome summer!
#WeAreGIPS
Registration is now open for GIPS Summer Programs!
All students have the opportunity to take part in summer activities at Grand Island Public Schools.
GIPS summer programming, sports camps, and extra learning opportunities are for different ages and grade levels including:
- Power Camp
- Elementary Free Art Camp
- Elementary Free Sports Camp
- Middle School Summer Academies
- Middle School Robotics Camp
- GISH AP/Honors Free Boot Camp
- And More!
Learn more information at: gips.org/summer!
Registration is now open for GISH Islander Summer K-12 Athletic Camps!
The Islanders will be hosting camps for Elementary, Middle, and High School students throughout the summer for the following sports:
- Softball
- Girls Basketball
- Girls Soccer
- Volleyball
- Cheerleading
- Football
- Baseball
- Boys Basketball
- Boys Soccer
Click the buttons below for flyers with dates and registration details.
You may also register at: gips.org/summer.
Over 530 Seniors Honored at GISH Graduation
In front of a standing room only crowd at the Heartland Events Center, 536 Seniors earned their diplomas and walked across the stage as Grand Island Senior High hosted its 2024 Graduation Ceremony on Sunday, May 12th.
Read the article and watch the full ceremony HERE.
Congrats to the GISH Boys & Girls Track & Field Teams for bringing home 11 combined medals from State Track!
Congrats to Saybel Raez Almaguer for winning the Grand Island 6th Grade "Mayor for a Day" Essay Contest!
Staffing Update for 2024-25
"As we move through our days of the school year, I wanted to share an update regarding our staffing for 2024-25.
I’d love to be able to say we have all our positions staffed and everyone will be able to be exactly where they want to be. Unfortunately, while we still have much to be optimistic about, we will need some staff to do some shuffling.
Throughout our collaboration with district leaders and school Principals, we have been focused on two commitments:
- Ensuring each classroom is equipped with a high-quality, credentialed educator.
- Attempting to maintain consistent class sizes districtwide.
... We will continue to recruit across the country, lean into our teacher growth programs, and seek to be innovative in attracting new and veteran teaching talent to GIPS. As a part of those efforts, I also want to leave you with one important charge:
I truly believe the best recruiters are our staff and our community."
Read Mr. Fisher's full update HERE.
Wemhoff Named Principal for Seedling Mile Elementary
Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) is pleased to welcome Mrs. Kelli Wemhoff to the district!
Mrs. Wemhoff will be serving as the Principal of Seedling Mile Elementary. We are excited to have her join the district and to step into a strong leadership opportunity at Seedling Mile.
Mrs. Wemhoff is a familiar face to the Grand Island community and brings a wealth of public school experience to GIPS. She grew up in Grand Island and has been serving at Northwest Public Schools for the past twelve years. As both a first and second grade teacher at 1-R School, Mrs. Wemhoff also coached volleyball and track, as well as helped lead the high school FCA.
Mrs. Wemhoff has had multiple opportunities to serve on district leadership and school improvement teams to support teachers and students through curriculum changes and the continuous school improvement process.
Read the full announcement HERE.
GIPS Accepts Bid from YWCA to Sell the Wyandotte Building
The future of the “Old Starr” building is in good hands. The Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) Board of Education unanimously voted, after an executive session, to accept the bid from YWCA Grand Island on the building currently known as the Wyandotte Learning Center.
Originally built in 1975 as the original Starr Elementary School, the 30,000 square foot building has enjoyed a rich history of learning and teaching. Hit hard by the 1980 tornado, the school was rebuilt and has served in an educational function until Summer of 2024.
In March of 2024, GIPS announced its intention to sell the Wyandotte Learning Center building, the property, and the two modular facilities housed on the property.
Read the full update HERE.
Seven GISH Students Sign to Registered Apprenticeships in 8th Year of Program
Career & Technical Education (CTE) was front and center once again for Grand Island Senior High (GISH) last week. For the eighth straight year, Juniors in the GISH Academy of Technical Sciences signed-on for Registered Apprenticeships at local businesses.
Covering an array of technical opportunities, the 2024 class of seven GISH Registered Apprenticeship signees will be gaining work-based experiences in diesel mechanics and manufacturing. Being the first Nebraska High School to launch Registered Apprenticeship opportunities for students, seeing the program thrive eight years later is a source of pride for GISH Administration and CTE Teachers.
Congratulations to the 2024 Grand Island Senior High Registered Apprenticeship Signees:
- Theo Merchant - AGI
- Jorge Mendoza - Chief Buildings
- Isaac Ramon - Chief Fabrication
- Christopher Hernandez - Holiday Express
- Derek Palma - Overhead Door
- Eliseo Cardoza - Overhead Door
- Moses Mendoza Verdugo - Overhead Door
Read the full article HERE.
Newell Elementary Reopens Playground
Smiles were all-around for a grand occasion at Newell Elementary school! The students have been looking forward to this moment for eight months — or 1,600 recesses — and today their patience was rewarded.
On a brisk sunny morning, Newell Elementary unveiled its brand new playground to a full crowd of excited students and staff.
Read the full article HERE.
GIPS Provides Free Summer Meals?
Summer food services for children begins June 3rd, 2024!
Free for children ages 1 - 18 years old, families may enjoy a free breakfast or lunch at a few school sites across the district. Adults may purchase a meal for $5.00.
Meals will be available at the following sites:
- Dodge Elementary (breakfast + lunch)
- Howard Elementary (breakfast + lunch)
- Lincoln Elementary (lunch)
- Shoemaker Elementary (breakfast + lunch)
- Barr Middle School (breakfast + lunch)
- Walnut Middle School (breakfast + lunch)
- GISH & CPI (breakfast)
Full information may be found at: www.GIPS.org/summer
Download the FREE Summer Meals flyers at the buttons below!
