The official magazine of Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District
About the cover
Francesca Campopiano, a kindergarten student at Heritage Elementary School, smiling on the first day of school as she hugs a loved one goodbye.
89th Session
Legislative
Priorities
Aligned with Texas School Coalition and Fund Schools First
• Increase the per-student basic allotment and index for inflation
• Allow districts to keep 100% of voter-approved funds
• Lessen the burden of recapture and ensure accountability for those funds
• Shift to enrollment-based funding rather than attendance-based
Fully Fund State Mandates
• Required armed peace officers and other security measures
• Full-day pre-kindergarten
• Cover costs of future mandates
• Shift special education funding model from classroom placement to cost of services
• Provide flexibility to districts to apply funding to unique needs
Improve Teacher Recruitment & Retention
• Increase teacher compensation
• Support programs to incentivize entering the profession
• Increase Teacher Retirement System (TRS) pension to provide a sustainable retirement program
Reform State Accountability System
• Minimize the impact of STAAR as the primary factor of ratings
• Modify online testing requirements and allow for accommodations
Letter From the Superintendent
As we close out a successful first semester of the 2024-2025 school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible achievements we’ve accomplished together and look ahead to the opportunities before us.
Since we began school in August, GCISD has celebrated 19 National Merit Semifinalists, 25 National Merit Commended Scholars, three students achieving a perfect score on the ACT, postseason action in tennis, football and volleyball, and state qualifiers in band and cross country. Our district remains among the top of the Niche rankings, with GCISD landing the #2 spot in the Best School Districts in the DFW area and #4 in Texas. We are also home to one of only 356 schools in the entire nation to be named a National Blue Ribbon School with GCISD Collegiate Academy at Tarrant County College Northeast earning this designation in 2024. These are just a few of the many impressive achievements of our students and staff, and we are excited to continue to build on this success throughout the year.
I also want to thank each of you for your unwavering support of our schools, especially through the passage of the VoterApproved Tax Ratification Election (VATRE). This victory is more than just about securing essential funding for our district – it’s a testament to the trust you place in our district leadership and the support for our staff to do the work necessary to provide the best possible educational experience for our students.
Your belief in the future of our children helps ensure that we can continue offering robust programs, innovative learning opportunities, and the kind of support that empowers every student to succeed.
As we celebrate these successes, we must also prepare for the challenges ahead. The 89th legislative session is fast approaching, and now more than ever, we need to come together as a community to advocate for public school funding. The future of public education depends on voices like yours, pushing for equitable resources and policies that prioritize the needs of our students and educators.
Over the next few months, we will work to engage lawmakers and stakeholders, and I encourage you to stay informed and involved in these critical conversations. Together, we can ensure that the progress we’ve made is not only sustained but strengthened, setting a course for continued success in the years to come.
Thank you for your dedication to our schools and for making GCISD a district where we honor our legacy, equip for the future, and achieve excellence. Our work is making a difference!
Sincerely,
Brad Schnautz, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
GCISD Family,
BOARD SPOTLIGHT BOARD SPOTLIGHT
President Shannon Braun, Place 1
Why did you want to serve on the GCISD Board of Trustees? I wanted to run for and serve on the GCISD Board of Trustees because I am driven by success. I had noticed a decline in our student outcomes and wanted to be able to offer fresh eyes and perspective – a perspective that brought forth solutions when my own children attended GCISD. Sometimes that’s all that’s needed to solve a problem – fresh eyes. The job of trustee is very different from what I thought it would be, but it is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.
What is your connection to GCISD and what does this community mean to you?
I moved to Colleyville from Albuquerque, New Mexico, in seventh grade. I was involved in athletics and played volleyball, basketball, golf and softball. I lived for lunch and athletics! I met my husband at Colleyville Middle School, and we started dating in our sophomore year of high school. We got married after college and my husband served in the Navy before we came back home to Colleyville. This is where we made our life and raised our two children. I now have a granddaughter and grandson who live around the corner from me and my youngest son lives close by as well. I have lifelong friendships and the support of an amazing community that I get to call HOME. The investments we’ve made in our community through PTA involvement, our church and our children’s athletics are a big reason why we stay. We were able to provide our children with opportunities, and I walked alongside them enjoying every step of the way. Now I want to keep that going!
What are some initiatives or projects you are particularly passionate about supporting within the district?
My passion is outcomes, and I’ve been excited to put my skill set to work in the district with the implementation of the Balanced Scorecard. I am motivated by goals, objectives and the big picture. I have a future-focused vision, and I know how to break things down into bite-size pieces so that it’s achievable and attainable. Seeing such huge progress over the past three and a half years is truly remarkable. It is a testament to the people who work here in GCISD and their passion for their jobs. It is a small-town feel in a big city. My primary focus this year is meeting students’ needs right where they are and growing them from there so that they have options and opportunities beyond high school. As a taxpayer who no longer has kids in school, I want excellence in our schools in the outcomes we produce as well as not overtaxing or overspending.
What’s a memorable moment from your own school experience that still stands out to you?
I remember getting a tour of CMS when we moved here in 1982. I thought it was so big, and yes, it looks very much the same! I wanted to get plugged in, but cheerleader tryouts had already happened, so I tried out to be the mascot. I was the Colt my eighth-grade year at CMS. GCISD is an unbelievable place to live and to grow up. I still run into and have high school relationships that are priceless. I have coaches and teachers that I keep up with and see on occasion around town. This is a place you don’t leave. We didn’t have Colleyville Heritage High School when I graduated in 1989, but I remember when we voted to have two high schools. Our community wanted to allow kids as many options in school and allow more kids opportunities to participate in activities. Our community has overcome many challenges in our hundred-plus years of history, and we are thriving and attracting the best families, which equates to the best community! My focus is on results that honor the legacy of GCISD.
Trustee Tammy Nakamura, Place 3
Why did you want to serve on the GCISD Board of Trustees?
I chose to serve on the school board to advocate for our students, teachers, staff and our community. I am committed to ensuring that we maintain fiscal responsibility by keeping taxes conservative while still providing our children with a top-notch education. It’s important to me that we strike the right balance between financial stewardship and delivering the resources needed to help every student thrive academically and personally. It’s also important to me to be a voice for our students and to make decisions that prioritize their well-being and education.
What is your connection to GCISD and what does this community mean to you?
We moved here in 1999 to put our children in a public school system. As a proud member of this incredible community and a school board member, I have a strong desire to contribute to its continued success. This community embodies a spirit of collaboration, support and excellence that sets it apart and I want to ensure we maintain that standard for future generations. I am committed to preserving what makes GCISD so special. It is a place where our children can receive an outstanding education and where families and neighbors support one another. This community means everything to me, and I want to see it continue to thrive.
What are some initiatives or projects you are particularly passionate about supporting within the district?
I am particularly passionate about our special education population and our students with unique abilities. I helped start the GCISD Special Athletics Booster Club, and I have continued to support it from its inception to today. This initiative has been close to my heart because I believe strongly in ensuring that every student, regardless of their learning needs, has access to the resources and support they deserve. In addition to this, I am deeply committed to initiatives that focus on preparing all of our students to be well-equipped for the challenges of the modern world. Whether through academic rigor, life skills development or character education, I believe we must strive to give every child the tools they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. My goal is to see every student graduate not only with a diploma but with the confidence and capabilities to excel in whatever path they choose.
What’s a memorable moment from your own school experience that still stands out to you?
I am originally from Louisville, Kentucky, and 125 of us graduated together. Everyone knew each other well and we supported one another both in and out of the classroom. We took going to school seriously (as seriously as anyone does at 18 years old), but we had a lot of fun along the way. The balance of hard work and laughter is something I still cherish today. It taught me the importance of strong relationships and enjoying the journey while staying focused on your goals. There was never a dull moment in my high school days!
Bryce Holmes
As an arts integration school, Bransford Elementary aims to inspire young minds in their pursuits of music, writing and art creation, and that is exactly what they did with former student Bryce Holmes.
Holmes was introduced to acting, singing, dancing and writing productions during his time at Bransford, and he immediately knew he wanted to pursue his fine arts dreams. After being in school productions like “The Little Mermaid Jr,” “Willy Wonka,” “The Prince and the Pauper,” “Once Upon a Wolf” and “Charlotte’s Web,” and by working with his theater teacher to book an agent, Holmes's career started to take off.
Hear more from Bryce about his journey on the big stage and in GCISD:
You started school at Bransford Elementary. How did this impact your decision to go into the arts full time?
Everything started at Bransford. After doing all these plays and musicals at my school, it really got me thinking I would enjoy acting more. I started to think about it more and more, and when I would create a new warm-up idea, I would tell my teacher, and she would always incorporate it into our next lesson. They really didn’t put my dreams aside. They incorporated it into our learning.
It sounds like you loved BES. How did you and your family decide to move to iUniversity Prep?
After I started to get all the auditions and go to jobs, I needed a school that was more flexible with my learning. iUniversity Prep offered flexible learning opportunities and it was still part of the GCISD system.
What would you say to someone who isn’t familiar with what iUniversity Prep is and what it offers?
The first thing I would say is in four words: nice, funny, reachable and respectful. I love the way that my teachers are always so easy to reach. One thing about them is whenever you need help, you don’t have to raise your hand. They just help you in the chat while you’re doing all of your assignments.
Tell us what you are working on right now.
After finishing my national television series debut as Jacob in the Paramount+ “Western Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” I joined “MJ the Musical” on its first national tour in January 2024. The audition process started in June 2023, and since then, I prepped for the audition, got the role of Little Marlin on tour and started touring. It’s been crazy with tour life and online school, but my teachers are very helpful.
What are your future career goals?
For theater and musicals, my dream role is to be in “Back to the Future: The Musical” as Marty McFly or in the ensemble, and I want to be in “Hamilton.” My educational goal is to be an orthodontist while still pursuing performing arts. I would love to be an actor, singer and dancer while also being an orthodontist.
Colleyville resident Bryce Holmes is off to a brilliant and busy start as a young entertainer. Among Bryce’s honors are being named an All-Star at the Junior Theater Foundation international competition, Best Promising Vocalist, Best Supporting Actor and receiving the Presidential Award with The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, as well as earning the Theater Award at Bransford Elementary from second through fifth grade. His stage work includes roles with Oh Look Performing Arts Center, Starling Performing Arts Center, the Junior Theater Foundation and The Black Academy of Arts and Letters in Dallas, Texas.
You can follow Bryce’s journey at mjthemusical.com and on Instagram @bryceaholmes.
Colleyville Heritage High School Band reached the UIL 5A State Marching Band Competition after placing third out of 27 bands at the UIL 5A Area F Competition. Grapevine High School’s band placed sixth and just missed advancing to State by one spot, since the top five bands moved forward. Congratulations to both bands on an incredible season.
Over 230 students from GCISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program partnered with over 65 community volunteers and district leaders for two days of mock interviews. This experience is just one of several ways GCISD prepares students with the skills necessary for post-secondary success, whether they are entering the workforce, college or military.
This school year, Grapevine High School’s cheerleaders are celebrating their 100-year anniversary. Over the past century, GHS cheer has won national championships in the American Cheerleaders Association and National Cheerleaders Association as well as a UIL State Championship. The program has also produced cheerleaders who continued at the collegiate level.
In 2007, GCISD opened its Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) for district employees. Among the students present on opening day were Maddox Moreno and twins Paige and Reese Sporrer, all less than a year old at the time. Now, 17 years later, as seniors at Colleyville Heritage High School, Maddox, Paige and Reese are possibly among the students who have spent the most time in GCISD, having started in the district as infants.
Approximately 70 Glenhope Elementary School students participated in a worldwide online Hour of Chess tournament. These brilliant minds, part of the school’s parent-organized after-school chess club, showcased their skills in strategy and logical thinking during this exciting event.
The Grapevine High School Drumline, Cheer and Belles welcomed guests at the opening of the Grapevine Sam’s Club location. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Sam’s Club also presented a check to GCISD for $5,000.
AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a school-wide college and career readiness system and elective course. Heritage Middle School, an AVID National Demonstration School, hosted a special celebration to promote the college experience on AVID Day, held August 30.
Both men and women cross country teams from Colleyville Heritage High School and Grapevine High School reached the UIL 5A State Championship meet. Leading up to the race, the GHS men’s team won the UIL Regional I Championship, while the women’s team placed fourth. Both CHHS men’s and women’s teams finished as regional runners-up. Congratulations to these runners on a great season.
In partnership with the North Central Texas Council of Governments, Cannon Elementary School's Dads Club organized an amazing Walk and Roll to School Day on October 9 to emphasize the importance of safety while traveling to school. The event started with a festive gathering at the Grapevine Botanical Garden, followed by everyone riding and walking to school together. A number of fun learning activities continued throughout the day, including a helmet fitting station, a walking obstacle course to practice being situationally aware of one’s surroundings, a downhill skateboard course to practice balance and a station where students pledged to be safe.
Colleyville Elementary School’s fourth and fifth graders held a student council election guided by counselor Katie Segretti and learning liaison Ashley Francis. Candidates gave campaign speeches, and every student received a voter registration card and “I Voted” sticker after submitting their ballot. It was an excellent way for students to experience the entire voting process firsthand and learn about civic responsibility.
Bear Creek Elementary School had a heartwarming surprise on Friday, October 18. Army Specialist Johnathan Dash, who had been away training for seven months and is the uncle to a BCES pre-K student, surprised his family during dismissal. Thank you to BCES for making this a special welcome home filled with cheers and tears of happiness, and thank you Specialist Dash for your service.
GCISD hosted its annual convocation event at Chicken N PickleGrapevine. This event is an annual celebration that serves as the back-to-school kickoff for all GCISD staff. Thank you to the incredible community sponsors and organizations for their sponsorships and giveaway donations to make Convocation a success.
Principal Spotlight Principal Spotlight
Dr. Jessica Jones, Bridges and VISTA
What year did you become the principal of your campus?
2020
What is your why?
First and foremost, this is my life’s purpose. I choose this job every day because I have the opportunity to serve students and help them through what can be a challenging time in most teens’ lives.
What is one of your favorite traditions on campus?
One of my favorite traditions at Bridges is our formal graduation ceremony at the end of the year! I love celebrating our students and seeing how much they have grown, from starting at Bridges to accomplishing a significant milestone. What do you hope your students learn by the time they graduate from your school?
By the time my students graduate from Bridges, I hope they have learned that there are people who care about them, and they have the opportunity every day to focus on what they can control to achieve their goals.
If you could go back and relive one of the days of your career in education, which one would it be and why?
I can’t think of a specific moment, but my most memorable days are the ones I get to be with students. I love getting to be their support system, not only through their struggles but in their celebrations as well.
Derek Cain, Colleyville Heritage High School
What year did you become the principal of your campus?
2023
What is your why?
My kids! I want to help create a school that is good enough for them.
What is one of your favorite traditions on campus?
I love the homecoming parade, followed by the community pep rally and fireworks!
What do you hope your students learn by the time they graduate from your school?
I hope our students learn to work hard. Hard work is transferable to any college degree they might pursue, career they might obtain and any other goal they might wish to achieve. If students learn to work hard, nothing can stop them!
If you could go back and relive one of the days of your career in education, which one would it be and why?
I started as a middle school football coach. I was responsible for teaching football to 150 seventh grade boys. I mistakenly assumed these athletes had a basic understanding of football. I assumed they knew how to wear a uniform, understood the rules and had background knowledge. We suffered as a team because of my assumptions. Over the years, I have learned that you need to meet people where they are. We don’t all have the same background, but we can all learn and be better than we were the previous day. Growth looks different for each individual. Embracing their success is a part of learning to lead.
Lauren Jackson, Collegiate Academy
What year did you become the principal of your campus?
2024
What is your why?
My desire is to make a significant, authentic impact in my community. This belief guides me both personally and professionally as I aim to connect with people deeply and foster lasting change.
What is one of your favorite traditions on campus?
My favorite student tradition is a new one that we started in February: We celebrate the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) completion during our pathways classes in the hallways as students hang their TSIA badge on their graduating class bulletin board. The TSIA badge symbolizes so many hours of hard work and discipline from our Phoenixes, and I’m honored to get to witness this small but powerful moment of achievement.
What do you hope your students learn by the time they graduate from your school?
Practically, I hope students leave Collegiate Academy not only prepared to attend college but to confidently and successfully complete their bachelor’s degree or a certification for a technical program. However, most importantly, my hope is that our Phoenixes leave empowered with a realization of their true potential.
If you could go back and relive one of the days of your career in education, which one would it be and why? It would be my last year to teach physics as we were working on our Rube Goldberg project. This end-of-year project incorporated all of the content that we learned throughout the school year, and it was so much fun! It allowed students to work as a team, practically view the world through the lens of energy, momentum and kinematics, and have a blast doing it!
Dr. Alex Fingers, Grapevine High School
What year did you become the principal of your campus? 2020
What is your why?
Education is such a powerful gift; if truly harnessed and realized, it can change one’s life trajectory for the better. My K-12 experience was amazing, with so many educators pouring into me, challenging and encouraging me to discover and hone my talents and chase my dreams. I love that I’ve been blessed to be in a position that allows me to pay it forward for so many students over the past 21 years in this noble profession.
What is one of your favorite traditions on campus?
When you are at a campus that has existed for 118 years and is rife with so many rich traditions, it’s hard to name just one. However, I’ll name the first two that come to mind at this time – our Veterans Day program and our Homecoming festivities. We roll out the red carpet for our country’s finest, the women and men who have graciously sacrificed all for their love of our nation. There is no greater calling than service to one’s country. I also enjoy how we celebrate and welcome our alumni home during Homecoming Week, starting with our parade in downtown Grapevine on Wednesday, the Homecoming Tea for our alumni on Friday and we end with our dance on Saturday night.
What do you hope your students learn by the time they graduate from your school?
I hope they are prepared to take on the next phase of life’s challenges, maintain a growth mindset and relentlessly pursue the knowledge and skills necessary for success in their chosen field. I hope they learn from failures and setbacks that they might experience, as that will stretch them to grow in ways they might not otherwise have. Finally, maintain great relationships with their faith, families, friends and loved ones, as they’ll one day realize that no dollar amount is an equivalent substitute for the happiness those will bring.
If you could go back and relive one of the days of your career in education, which one would it be and why?
My first day as a classroom teacher was in 2004. There is no feeling like that of being a teacher, and you never forget your first day on the job. The connections you make with kids in that space, the eagerness (and naivety) you possess as a first-year teacher and the enthusiasm of the start of a new school year are just magical experiences you never forget. If I could relive one day in my career in education, it would be my first day on the job in 2004.
Desiree Weiche, iUniversity Prep
What year did you become the principal of your campus? 2023
What is your why?
To serve others so that they can be empowered and supported to be their best selves.
What is one of your favorite traditions on campus?
The Owl Expo that we host at the end of the year has always been one of my favorite events. Students come in person and join us virtually from all over the state to be celebrated for their academic achievements throughout the year.
What do you hope your students learn by the time they graduate from your school?
That is hard to narrow down to just one thing, but I would say I hope they learn their self-worth. I would love for every student to leave knowing that they matter and that whatever future they pursue after high school, they will make a difference.
If you could go back and relive one of the days of your career in education, which one would it be and why? There are a lot of great moments that come to mind, but truthfully, I wish I could bottle up and replay all those little moments that we have with students that seem small at the time but have a big impact on their future. I would relive the conversations with a student at a coffee shop when they finally have that light bulb moment. I would relive the conversation with a student that got them re-engaged in their school when they thought all was hopeless. I would relive that moment I greeted a student for the first time, welcoming them to a school event after knowing that they were here because of extreme social anxiety. I would want to see that student light up again when they sat down to play a game with another student. It is really the little moments that we take for granted that make the biggest impact.
LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT
Dr. Kalee McMullen
Executive Director of Instructional Leadership
Tell us about your career journey and how you arrived at your current leadership role in GCISD.
I have always loved working with students and being part of the educational setting. Prior to entering the field of education, I worked for a municipality overseeing youth and community programs. Although I loved that role, I had a desire to have a more direct role in the educational journey for students. I began my educational career at Arlington ISD, where I taught English and coached softball and girls wrestling. I have been fortunate to work for incredible leaders throughout my career who encouraged me and invested in my growth to prepare me for leadership roles. Throughout my career in leadership, I have served as an assistant principal at both the middle school and high school level, and as a middle school principal and a 5A high school principal. My current role includes the support and development of our 20 amazing GCISD principals and I love it!
What motivates and drives you in your work on a daily basis?
Student success! It is energizing to see students learn, grow and thrive in the educational setting. It is motivating to see the work of our teachers and campus leaders on a daily basis to serve and support the varied needs of our students. From visiting a pre-K classroom on an elementary campus to a GCISD Collegiate Academy classroom, it is all motivating and inspiring to see the work happening across the district.
Can you highlight a project or initiative you’re particularly proud of leading?
Principal meetings are my favorite days. Our principal team meets twice each month to collaborate, learn and plan together. I am proud to work with such a talented and dedicated group of professionals. Although I create the agendas, the real excitement is seeing the collaboration occur between principals when they share ideas, celebrate successes and troubleshoot struggles together.
If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice during your school years, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to get out of my comfort zone and try new things, especially in high school. I was a student who tended to “play to my strengths,” which kept me in a relatively narrow selection of courses and activities. I would encourage my younger self to take a couple of courses or join a club to grow my interests and experiences.
Nicole Lyons
Executive Director of Communications
Tell us about your career journey and how you arrived at your current leadership role in GCISD. Growing up as the child of public school educators, I felt a strong connection to the impact of education, but wasn’t inclined to become a teacher myself. Instead, I pursued a degree in public relations, landing my first job in communications at a community college. This allowed me to merge my passions for education and communications. I further honed my skills in media relations, feature writing and communications strategy while working at a graduate school and education foundation, ultimately finding my “home” in K-12 public schools. In 2022, I was thrilled to take on the role of leading the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Communications Department.
What motivates and drives you in your work on a daily basis?
Everyone has a story and the stories of public education are especially powerful. The stories of achieving success, showing kindness and making a meaningful impact in the lives of our students and the broader community are happening every single day in every single school. I’m motivated by the opportunity to shine a light on student achievements, big and small, and celebrate the dedication and commitment of our teachers and staff.
Can you highlight a project or initiative you’re particularly proud of leading?
Last year, a primary focus was positive media coverage. At the beginning of the school year, we set a goal to double positive TV coverage. After the research, planning and implementation of our strategic action steps, our positive TV coverage more than tripled in the 2023-2024 school year, with many stories being shared on multiple networks – and that didn’t include newspaper, radio, magazine or online news outlets! It’s an honor to tell the incredible stories happening in public schools, and specifically in GCISD.
If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice during your school years, what would it be?
Find your people. No matter what you are doing, it will be the people with whom you surround yourself who can make it the most amazing experience or the worst time of your life. Supportive and genuine friends and mentors will encourage you to be your best, help you through challenges and celebrate your successes. Embrace true friendships, build connections and appreciate the impact those relationships have, because it’s those connections that truly make the experience meaningful.
Together for Tomorrow
“Together for Tomorrow” is the guiding theme for GCISD in the 2024-2025 school year. The phrase was introduced to all staff at Convocation this summer, where Superintendent Dr. Schnautz reminded the GCISD family that our journey is a collective one, where the path to a better tomorrow is paved through the contributions of each member of the team.
To capture this vision from the student perspective, we asked a representative from each middle school to share what “Together for Tomorrow” means to them.
Laney Hopkins
6th Grader at Colleyville Middle School
“It means you’re together as a team and you can go wherever you need to because you’re with somebody else. If you’re on a team, then you’re probably more likely to complete a task better.”
Ivana Pineda
7th Grader at Cross TImbers Middle School
“It’s people encouraging us to stay together so we can have success in life so you can have a better job and a better future.”
Asher Roach
8th Grader at Heritage Middle School
“Together for tomorrow means to me that we all need to work together and lean on each other as a community to create a prosperous future that benefits us all.”
Zoey McCray
8th Grader at Grapevine Middle School
“Together for tomorrow means our community working together today for a better tomorrow. Picture this – a place where classmates and families thrive and make it a daily duty to uplift one another and prepare for tomorrow. We will never back down from challenges or obstacles. When we turn conflicts into learning opportunities while appreciating teamwork and working towards making our world a better place.”
Sailing into a Successful Year
Starting a new school year is the perfect time to create new traditions and think of ideas to excite a school community for the year ahead, and that is exactly what Dove Elementary did. They took a fresh approach that helped them dive into the 2024-2025 school year with a splash! The school introduced an inspiring theme, “Sailing into Success: Navigating Knowledge and Beyond,” which set a positive course for students, staff and families alike.
With Dove Elementary’s close proximity to Grapevine Lake, the nautical theme naturally connects with the local environment. More importantly, it provides a fun, unifying way for everyone to rally around shared goals. The theme was kicked off with a schoolwide pep rally where Principal Heather Landrum and her team explained how “Sailing into Success” would guide their journey together.
“We wanted our students to see themselves as captains of their own ships this year,” said Landrum. “As captains, they each need an anchor, which represents the knowledge they already have and the new knowledge they’ll gain. They also need a compass, which is their goal, pointing them in the right direction. Their map is the collection of steps they’ll take, showing how every little thing they do moves them closer to their ‘treasure,’ or the ‘X marks the spot.’ Lastly, we talked about having crewmates, because no one is on this journey alone,” added Landrum.
The theme introduced language that is simple, yet powerful, allowing students of all grades to understand and engage with these ideas. To bring the theme to life, the school created paper sailboats where everyone wrote down their goals for the year, which helped students get excited about their classmates’ goals and their own.
Third grader Eva Imlach expressed her enthusiasm for the theme. “My goal is to get better at math and reading each time,” she said. “My ‘X marks the spot’ is when I understand everything and get it all right!”
Walking through the halls, you can feel the energy around the theme. From decorated classrooms to grade-level goals hung on a treasure map, the nautical theme is woven into every corner of the school. Second grade teacher Christine Dunker collaborated with Landrum and other staff members to create visually striking decorations, even repurposing old sails to enhance the school’s atmosphere.
“The theme is a great common thread for all of our grades,” Dunker noted. “While the decorations are fun, it’s the motivation behind the theme that makes a difference. It encourages teamwork, which is essential for everyone.”
She added, “We want smooth sailing, but even when the journey gets tough, we work together to figure out how to reset our course.”
By transforming abstract concepts like goals and growth into tangible, kid-friendly symbols, Dove Elementary has created an environment where even the youngest students can understand and strive toward shared success. From pre-K to fifth grade, everyone is on board, navigating their way toward an extraordinary year.
GCISD Voters Approve VATRE; Generate $6 Million in Revenue for District
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD’s community once again showed its support for students, teachers and schools by approving the school district’s Voter-Approved Tax Ratification Election (VATRE), listed as Proposition A on the November 5 ballot. The measure passed with 57.9% of voters in favor.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you to our community for your ongoing support of our district,” said Superintendent Dr. Brad Schnautz. “This community is special. I’m incredibly honored to serve alongside our dedicated employees, proud of our talented students, and grateful to the fellow parents here, where we know all of our kids are receiving an amazing education. We look forward to continuing to provide a path of success for every student.”
The passing of this proposition will provide approximately $6 million in much-needed funding for school district operations, including instruction, staff, extracurricular activities, transportation, maintenance and other daily operating expenses, excluding projects included in the recent bond. Bonds are paid for by a separate Interest & Sinking (I&S) fund, which is debt service. More details are available at www.gcisd.net/VATRE.
With approval of the VATRE, GCISD’s maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate will be $0.7369 per $100 appraised property valuation. This rate includes three “golden pennies.” One hundred percent of the tax funds collected through these additional three pennies will stay within GCISD and not be subject to recapture, otherwise known as “Robin Hood.”
In August, the Board of Trustees approved a decrease of $0.0093 on the interest and sinking (I&S) rate, now at $0.1864, and a total tax rate of $0.9233. With this reduction by the Board and the approval of the VATRE, the total tax rate is still $0.0014 less than the previous year. Over the last five years, the overall tax rate in GCISD has been reduced by 37.98 cents, which is now the lowest it has been in more than 25 years and remains one of the lowest in the region.
“Thank you to our entire community for recognizing the importance of GCISD schools and the contributions of every stakeholder that help us provide our students a high quality education,” said Board President Shannon Braun. “This shared commitment allows GCISD to thrive as a results-driven destination of distinction.”
Proposition A was placed on the ballot in response to the state legislature not increasing per-student funding since 2019, despite soaring inflation, additional state mandates that are not fully funded and continuing recapture, which school districts like GCISD are required to send to the state each year.
Approximately 41,485 GCISD residents voted on the district’s Proposition A.
As the 89th Legislative session convenes on January 14, 2025, GCISD’s Board and Leadership stand ready to convey the district’s needs to legislators and the impact that their lack of action has on schools and their communities. Specifically, GCISD’s priorities focus on increasing public school funding, fully funding state mandates, funding programs based on costs rather than classroom placement, improving teacher recruitment and retention, and reforms to the state accountability system.
Stay informed about this important topic through GCISD communications and the district’s website.
ELEMENTARY STUDENTS LEARN PROPER
WAY TO FOLD U.S.
FLAG
Folding the U.S. Flag at the end of each day has become a special learning opportunity at Grapevine Elementary School, thanks to the school’s custodian Debbie Williams and School Resource Officer Richard Weber.
Each day, two fifth grade students join Williams and Weber when the flag is lowered at the end of school and the students fold the flag, according to the 13-fold procedure, which is commonly used during a military funeral or patriotic ceremonies.
Williams came up with the idea on a Friday after a grandfather, who is a veteran and was picking up his grandchildren, stood in salute as the flag was being lowered and then showed her how to fold the flag. On Monday, she went to SRO Weber, asked if he knew how to fold the flag and if he could show her, which he gladly did. The experience brought back a fond memory of when she was in elementary school since it was tradition for students to help lower the flag. Williams then asked Principal Nancy Hale if it would be possible to involve students to show them how to fold the flag and she said ‘yes.’
“I loved the idea,” Hale said. “I thought it was another way to teach students more about civic duty and responsibility, as well as the meaning of the flag, and it is a great partnership with our SRO and custodian. It shows the meaning of community.”
Each Friday, the students who folded the flag that week teach the students for the upcoming week the folding technique.
Williams, whose son-in-law has been in the Army for 18 years, said that to her the flag symbolizes that “We’re doing something right in this world. I just want to make sure we take pride in doing it.”
CAMPUS CONTRIBUTIONS: STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
GCISD students excel not only in the classroom but are also involved in campus activities that expand their learning horizons. From clubs like DECA, debate, robotics and FFA, students have the chance to explore topics they are interested in pursuing outside the traditional curriculum.
One way high school students in grades 9-12 can be more involved is through the GCISD Communications Internship. This single-semester program application window opens before each semester, with the fall and spring highlighting different aspects of school communications. During the fall semester, interns learn about sports broadcasting, photography, videography, content creation, game production and more. The spring semester covers content writing, photography, videography, news writing and other areas of public relations.
Dawson Baker, a freshman at iUniversity Prep, says he is having a blast during his first semester in the program.
“I decided to apply for the internship because I have worked in the audio/visual industry for five years, and I thought it would be a good way to learn more about the stuff that I love doing,” Baker said.
While he originally thought that in-game sponsorships would be read randomly, he learned that football games are very planned and follow a script. He has also found that the internship has made him feel more involved in the GCISD community.
“At iUniversity Prep, we don’t have a football team or anything like that, so getting to cheer on the GCISD teams with other people is a lot of fun,” said Baker.
The opportunities to learn about communications and news don’t stop at the high school level. Elementary campuses have their very own student-run school broadcast, and one was even featured on CBS News Texas during the fall semester.
Like many GCISD schools with newscasts, these student-produced shows provide an engaging way to learn new skills and explore potential career paths. At Bransford Elementary, the student news team meets in the morning and produces their segment for the whole school to watch.
Led by BES theater teacher Jennie Culpepper, she says that “the news is a production that is by kids and for kids.”
The students prepare the show 20 minutes before the start of the school day. During this time, they plan their jokes to share as part of the broadcast, look at the weather and write their special reports. While they are having fun, they understand the importance of the news.
“Doing the news is a good way to give people around you the information they need, and it’s something I might want to do later,” said KBEST weather reporter Cade Estes.
The KBEST team loves being on the air, and it makes them feel like they are leaders at the school. Saylor McMahan, a BES morning show anchor, has a great time recording the show, and her favorite thing is that “our morning show makes kids smile more.”
While these students are just now entering the world of journalism, Ms. Culpepper knows that some of these students could have a bright future on the news.
GCISD AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Maia Abed, a senior at Grapevine High School and 2025 National Merit Semifinalist, was one of 12 top high school science students from across the world selected to participate in the 2024 Summer Science Program at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
Colleyville Elementary School was named a 2024 Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence (BRSE) Lighthouse School. This five-year designation is based on the BRSE national assessment process, which recognizes schools meeting criteria in nine performance areas of high achievement.
GCISD and several campuses received top honors in the Niche 2025 Best Schools and District rankings released. The district was named #2 in the Best School Districts in the DFW Area and #4 in Texas. GCISD was also #14 in Best Places to Teach and garnered the 19th spot in the Districts with Best Teachers in Texas. iUniversity Prep claimed a top spot as #1 in Texas and #2 in America on Niche’s 2025 Best Public Online High Schools ranking.
GCISD Collegiate Academy was one of 356 schools in the country and one of 31 in Texas to earn the 2024 National Blue Ribbon School distinction. This prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.
Colleyville Heritage High School senior Suliane Davis was named to the Under Armour All-America Volleyball Team. Only 26 of the nation’s most elite high school volleyball players are selected for the game. Davis is a top-ranked Texas volleyball player who was part of the school’s 2022 UIL 5A State Championship team that also made the 2023 UIL 5A State Semifinals.
Special Services Coordinator Mary Marion and Transition Specialist Don Gilley were honored as community partners at the Faces of Goodwill Gala Awards. This honor is a part of the diamond anniversary celebration by Goodwill North Central Texas, recognizing the individuals and organizations that have helped create lives of independence and build a stronger local community.
Thirty-seven GCISD students from the Class of 2024 earned the College Board’s Advanced Placement® (AP®) Capstone Diploma. AP Capstone is a College Board diploma program that is based on two year-long advanced placement (AP) courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. To earn the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP exams of their choosing. This outstanding achievement is acknowledged on any AP score report that is sent to colleges after the award has been conferred.
Colleyville Heritage High School physics and AVID teacher Stephanie Ovalle was one of ten recipients of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football 2024 Community Leader Award presented by Community Coffee.
Colleyville Heritage High School’s Derek Yang and Grapevine High School’s Conor McGall and Piyush Mallick have earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT. Yang hopes to continue his education in healthcare at the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University or Rice University, and pursue a healthcare career. McGall plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin, Duke University, or the University of Chicago in hopes of obtaining a degree in biochemistry to pursue a career in academic research. This is McGall’s second perfect score on a college entrance exam, also achieving a 1600 on the SAT. Mallick wishes to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Stanford University to obtain a degree in computer sciences.
GCISD recognized 19 members of the Class of 2025 who were named National Merit Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Over 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.
First
Second
Third
Derek Yang Conor McGall Piyush Mallick
row (left to right): Maia Abed, Marcus Bamber, Abigail Brown, Georgia Henderson, Vinay Katta, Daniela Kim
row (left to right): Joey Kim, Janice Lee, Colin Liedel, Jantine Lucas, Conor McGall, Claire Meyer
row (left to right): Arjun Raghav, Noah Smith, Grace Sng, Asmaa Sulthar, Cameron Ta, Jonathan Wang, Derek Yang
