GCISD Spring 2024

GCISD INSIGHT

Spring 2024 Edition

The official magazine of Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District

Vision • Mission • Priorities Vision Mission Priorities

Honor Our Legacy. Equip for the Future. Achieve Excellence.

About the cover

Students at Cannon Elementary School view the April 8 celestial event through their protective solar eclipse glasses.

We promote good citizenship and prepare, motivate, and encourage each student to reach his or her full potential.

Student Achievement and Post-Secondary Preparedness

▶ Academic Growth and Development

▶ College and/or Career and/or Military Readiness

▶ Safety and Well-Being

▶ Student Involvement

Faculty and Staff Recruitment, Retention and Capacity-Building

▶ Recruitment

▶ Employee Retention and Employee Satisfaction

Parents, Families, and Community Satisfaction and Engagement

▶ Parents and Families Satisfaction and Engagement

▶ Community Engagement and Partnerships

▶ Corporate and Business Based Partnerships

Strong Financial Stewardship and Internal System Efficiency

▶ Transparent Financial Stewardship

▶ Effective and Efficient District Operations

▶ Long Range Facility Management Plan

2023-2024 GCISD Board of Trustees

President Shannon Braun, Vice President Mary Humphrey, Secretary Kathy Florence Spradley, Becky St. John, Tammy Nakamura, A.J. Pontillo, Dianna Sager

DR. BRAD SCHNAUTZ

Letter from the Superintendent

GCISD Family,

The 2023-2024 school year is coming to a close, and I always find myself reflecting throughout this time. This school year, we’ve experienced it all – obstacles to overcome, opportunities to learn and grow, and many successes to commemorate. We’ve supported each other through challenges and celebrated each other’s achievements. Each year, I wonder how we will top the last, and because of the remarkable people we have in this district and community, we always seem to do just that.

We began the year as a staff focused on “being the one.” While that was a charge primarily given to our employees, it’s been inspiring to witness our parents, community, and even students take that message to heart as well. Whether it was a community coming together to raise funds for a student in need of a wheelchair-accessible van, students surprising a color blind classmate with glasses that helped him see, or colleagues providing compassion and care for a fellow employee in the midst of losing a loved one – it’s clear that in GCISD, we are committed to “being the one.”

It’s through these various ways that we support our people, that we are also able to realize success on the academic, athletics and fine arts fronts. I’m so proud of all that we’ve accomplished this year, but mostly I’m proud of how we accomplished so much – together. Thank you for being such an integral part of our GCISD community.

As we look ahead to the summer break and beyond, I encourage you to take with you the lessons you have learned, the connections we have made, and the memories we have created. Together, we have proven that we are capable of overcoming any obstacle set before us and achieving great things.

I wish you all a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable summer break. We look forward to welcoming you back in August for another amazing year of learning, growth, and continued success.

Brad Schnautz, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools

A Stellar Student Starts Journey to Tourism Excellence

In GCISD, students have the opportunity to start down their career path by taking courses related to their dream jobs. Classes range from fields in healthcare, engineering, videography, mechanics and hospitality, just to name a few. While many of these pathways begin in high school, Cross Timbers Middle School is giving its students a head start. Principles of Hospitality and Tourism is a class that freshmen usually take at Grapevine High School, but as of the 2023-2024 school year, middle school students like eighth grader Reed Radigan are also taking it.

“I have always had a big interest in the hospitality and tourism field, and when I saw that this class was available, I knew I had to take

By starting the course before high school, he

“I am planning on taking the culinary classes when I get to high school and continuing those until my senior year,” Radigan explained. “Not only can I get my certifications, but I can also gain a broader understanding of the food

Thanks to the additional credit Radigan will have when entering high school, he will be set on a path to finish the culinary courses before a student who starts their journey in ninth grade. He plans to continue taking hospitality classes his senior year, which will open a door to many

Bailey Gross, instructor of the course at CTMS, helps students like Radigan prepare for high school. While they learn things like how to plan trips, food presentation, business elements and the history of the industry, Radigan knows that the soft skills he is learning are preparing him

“Mrs. Gross has high expectations since this is a high school class. You have to keep on track and don’t let assignments fall behind.” He continued, “We learn how to understand a rubric, how to prevent procrastination and how to take

This class has thoroughly prepared Radigan for high school and launched his journey to a career in hospitality and tourism. Now that he has learned more about the industry, he wants to make his mark by becoming a baker or work in a hotel, and the Cross Timbers staff is confident he will make his dreams come true.

To learn more about the Career and Technical Education programs available to students, please visit www.gcisd.net/CTE.

Reed Radigan

An Inspiring Tiger

Juggling life can be a challenging task, but for Avery Axton, she does it with ease and joy. Axton, a fifth grade student at O.C. Taylor Elementary, is heavily involved in extracurricular activities. Axton participates in OCT Student Council, Tiger Time News, Safety Patrol and competitive dance, while also playing the role of the tiger mascot for the school.

When asked about all the activities she’s involved in, Axton said, “I just really like trying different activities and being involved. It’s fun.”

The Safety Patrol program assists students with getting in and out their vehicles during drop-off and pick-up times.

“Getting out of the car can be stressful. It’s nice to have someone there to help,” Axton added.

However, Axton’s presence goes beyond school activities, and she is also heavily involved in fundraisers for community projects.

On Veterans Day, Axton, along with the rest of her school, donated items to service members of the United States Navy who were at basic training. Axton assisted further with the project by creating flyers to promote the fundraiser. She has also created other flyers for OCT community projects, such as one to collect supplies for local animal shelters.

However, she still wanted to do more. Inspired by her mother’s involvement with Meals on Wheels, Axton came up with the idea of having her classmates in Student Council create and send inspirational cards to the senior citizens who receive deliveries from the organization.

Before the idea came to fruition, Axton pitched it to her fellow Student Council members through a PowerPoint presentation. The presentation contained information about Meals on Wheels, who benefits from the program and ideas for the inspirational cards.

“My friends really like the idea. We all had fun making the cards,” Axton reflected.

When the project was finished, the Student Council created around 80 cards, and Axton hopes to hear feedback from Meals on Wheels this summer.

OCT Principal Michael Schilleci said, “Avery’s involvement in extracurricular activities improves our campus through her ability to interact and treat other students in a way that makes them feel valued and encouraged to participate. She is always one of the first students to encourage someone or help someone in need.”

MEET THE BOARD

Secretary Kathy Florence Spradley, Place 4

Why did you want to serve on the GCISD Board of Trustees? I wanted to serve on the Board of Trustees because I simply love GCISD. This district has shaped my family for generations and serving my community is very important to me.

What makes you proud to be part of GCISD? Well, there’s just not enough space here for that answer! To sum it up, I’d say graduation is where all the feelings of pride really culminate. When the students walk across the stage and I think about all that was poured into each of them during their time here, I have an overwhelming sense of pride. I’m proud of them and proud of every staff member who was a part of their journey, and excited for these graduates as they start their next phase in life.

As we plan for the next school year, what are you looking forward to most?

I am most excited for our Career and Technical Education (CTE) department. The involvement of staff, community and business leaders, and administration is such a testament to the investment of this community and how we prioritize opportunities for students. I especially enjoy being a part of helping give feedback to DECA students as they prepare to compete. The staff and CTE Advisory Board are currently making moves that are going to enable growth for Career and Technical Education. They are ready for it, and I am looking forward to being along for the ride!

What were you involved in during your school years, and how did that impact you and your future?

I was a Fabulous Fillie at Grapevine High School. Those years under the direction of the amazing KayLynn Renfro shaped who I am as an adult in more ways than I certainly realized was happening at the time. It taught me discipline, how to work as a team, how to work really hard and then have fun celebrating the success that resulted in that work. It also gave me some of my best friends to this day. “Once a Fillie… ALWAYS a Fillie!”

Trustee A.J. Pontillo, Place 5

Why did you want to serve on the GCISD Board of Trustees? I wanted to give back to the district and the community that meant and means so much to me. I would not be who I am today without the education and experiences I received at GCISD. I truly want to ensure that the next generation, which includes my daughter, receives the best education possible, and that they are better prepared for the future than any previous generation that came before them.

What makes you proud to be part of GCISD?

I am proud of the honor, legacy and tradition of GCISD. This district and the com munity are special. It’s a privilege to be associated with it. I also love the people at GCISD. The entire staff is what makes this the best district.

As we plan for the next school year, what are you looking forward to most?

This past year, the board, in collaboration with the district, has implemented a district scorecard. We are already seeing the fruits of that labor with increased scores, improved academics, transparency and accountability on all levels. There is no ceiling to what can be accomplished. I can’t wait to see how GCISD continues to improve and become better than ever.

What were you involved in during your school years, and how did that impact you and your future?

I played multiple sports (tennis, football, track and basketball) before focusing on basketball. I ended my time at Grapevine High School as team captain and helped lead our team to an in-season tournament championship and back to the playoffs for the first time in quite a few years. I also dabbled, ever so slightly, in a couple GCISD theater productions. I was in Peer Assistance Leadership (PALs) and the National Honor Society, and also had the privilege of being selected for “Who’s Who Among American High School Students.”

Every experience at GCISD, in and outside of the classroom, taught me valuable lessons – how to work, how to deal with disappointment, how to learn, how to grow and improve, and if I wanted something, how to go and get it. Every experience, whether good or bad, made me into who I am, and prepared me for life and how to succeed.

Meet the Leadership Team

Dr. Shiela Shiver

Chief Academic Officer

What inspired you to pursue a career in education and, specifically, a leadership role in GCISD?

Education is the foundation that makes all other careers possible. Becoming a teacher at the beginning of my career was a call to servant leadership by making a difference in the lives of students and being a part of helping them realize their goals and dreams. The opportunity to be a part of a district with such a rich academic history and supportive community was a blessing. I joined GCISD in a leadership role supporting campus principals. Being a principal was a highlight of my career and it brought great joy to serve and support principals.

What book has had a significant impact on you, and why?

“The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything” by Stephen M. R. Covey. This book emphasizes the crucial role trust plays in building strong relationships and achieving organizational success. Schools are about people, and people thrive when they have positive relationships. When educators cultivate a culture of trust among staff, students, parents and stakeholders, a positive school environment is created where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to contribute to the collective mission, resulting in positive outcomes for students.

What aspects of your job as a leader in education do you find most fulfilling?

I am most fulfilled when I can support the growth and development of teachers, principals and other leaders. Collaborating with school leaders to develop and implement initiatives that enhance educational outcomes for all students is deeply rewarding. Ultimately, witnessing the growth and success of our students as they progress through their educational journey is the most fulfilling aspect of being a leader in GCISD.

What has been your most memorable experience throughout your time in GCISD?

There is no way to select one most memorable experience. Collectively, it is the relationships that I have with the people in GCISD – leaders, staff, students and families. The shared experiences with the people make this a special district. I have been fortunate to have more than 13 years of memorable experiences and developed lasting friendships.

Dr. Holly Ray

Chief of Schools

What inspired you to pursue a career in education and, specifically, a leadership role in GCISD?

My journey into education began in my fifth grade classroom, when my teacher, Mrs. Rudnicki, made a lasting impression on me. I was captivated as she read “Where the Red Fern Grows” to our class every day after lunch. Her love for students and literature fueled my aspiration to become a teacher.

While I initially never imagined leaving the classroom, each new opportunity provided me with valuable experiences, shaping me for my current role in GCISD. Still, I am a teacher at heart, and putting kids first remains my priority.

What book has had a significant impact on you, and why?

Among the many influences on my leadership style, the book “Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect” by Will Guidara stands out. Although seemingly about the restaurant industry, this book resonates with my philosophy of going beyond expectations in service and showing grace in my everyday interactions.

What aspects of your job as a leader in education do you find most fulfilling?

One of the most fulfilling parts of my job is empowering others to thrive in their positions so that they can make a positive difference in our students’ lives. Seeing our students flourish as they pursue their interests, and supported wholeheartedly by our teachers, staff, and administrators, brings me immense joy. While we often talk about our students as the leaders of tomorrow, I firmly believe they are leaders in the present, and it is our privilege as educators to empower them as such every single day.

What has been your most memorable experience throughout your time in GCISD?

Though my time in GCISD has been brief, my most memorable moments consistently revolve around students. Whether I’m reading my favorite book to a class, singing along with the choir, joining the fun in P.E., listening to a panel of high school students speak so eloquently about how GCISD has prepared them for their future aspirations, or simply asking students as I visit classrooms, “What are you learning today?” each interaction reaffirms the profound calling and honor of being an educator in GCISD.

Congratulations to Laura Jean Couch and Aaron Geer, who were named Elementary Teacher of the Year and Secondary Teacher of the Year, and to Fran Gott, who was named the Carolyn Frank Paraprofessional of the Year. Their exceptional dedication and outstanding contributions to GCISD are known amongst their colleagues, and their commitment to excellence is an inspiration to all. As District Teachers of the year, Couch and Geer will now represent GCISD at the regional level, with a chance to compete for the 2024-2025 State Teacher of the Year.

Scan the QR code to learn more about the honorees for the 2024-2025 school year.

SCAN HERE

Laura Jean Couch Grapevine Elementary

Aaron Geer Collegiate Academy

Fran Gott Early Childhood Development Center

Education Foundation Helps Students Learn New Skills

At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, Christi Cooper, a second grade teacher at HES, had a great idea. She wanted to buy chess sets to teach her students how to play the game. Chess isn’t just a fun activity. It helps players learn how to focus, problem solve and think ahead. Students would not only be learning how to play a new game, but their new skills would help them in all aspects of school and life.

After coming up with the idea, Cooper needed to find a way to fund the project, and that is where the Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation was able to fulfill the need. Every year, GCEF opens up applications for the Star Teaching Grants for GCISD educators to use for classroom materials and school-wide or district-wide initiatives.

“When I read about the GCEF Grant, I thought this would be the perfect opportu nity to try to get the materials and resources I needed to implement my idea in the classroom,” said Cooper.

While she knew she had to apply for the grant to set her idea in motion, she was initially intimidated, but she took the chance so she could bring her idea to life.

“Applying for a grant can seem intimidating, but it really isn’t. If you have a good idea, go for it!” Cooper continued, “There are a lot of good ideas out there, and we have a great

foundation that wants to share money with us to make the ideas come true.”

After being awarded her grant money, she turned her chess dreams into a reality. She hosted a week-long chess camp after school where her students learned the details of the game of chess.

“Something that matters to me is that my students have great memories of my time with them, and I know that the money from the GCEF grant will do that. I want them to take what they learn in chess camp and build on it by sharing it with their friends and family,” said Cooper.

Cooper was one of 28 grant winners recognized this school year by GCEF, which awarded over $76,000 in Star Teaching Grants.

The next round of Star Grant applications will open at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. Visit www.gcedfoundation.org or visit GCEF on social media to see more details about the next application window.

2023-2024 GCEF Grants

$15,000.00 – GCISD Learning Grant, awarded to Lisa Pedevilla; grant will support professional development and curriculum alignment across the district.

$10,425.00 – BUILD: A K-1 Early Reading Intervention, awarded to Meredith Burns; district-wide initiative for professional development, grades PreK-12

$7,352.00 – Coding, Robotics, 3D Printing, Curricular Connections, Gifted Instruction… Oh My!; awarded to Heather Hagar, Cannon Elementary School

$5,000.00 – Success Through Sensory; awarded to Melissa Solomon, Timberline Elementary School

$5,000.00 – NASA; awarded to Kyleigh Whitsell, Stefani Donaldson, Chloe Roe, Peyton Meyer, 3rd Grade, Cannon Elementary School

$4,200.00 – Enhancing Teacher Modeling with Document Cameras; awarded to Irene Sotelo, Timberline Elementary School

$2,500.00 – Automotive Tool Shop Improvement; awarded to Doug Poteet, Grapevine High School

$2,500.00 – Heart Health; awarded to Bree Moody, Dove Elementary School

$2,500.00 – CA Phoenix Mechs Robotics; awarded to Sarah Roberts, Collegiate Academy

$1,980.00 – “DASH”ing Into the World of Coding; awarded to Amanda Miller, Glen Hope Elementary School

$1,500.00 – Classroom Charging Stations; awarded to Shauna Hunter, Grapevine Middle School

$1,500.00 – Lego League; awarded to Tiffani Giffard, Glen Hope Elementary School

$1,500.00 – Improving Student Learning through Document Cameras; awarded to Alejandra Paniagua, Cannon Elementary School

$1,477.00 – Tools for Success!; awarded to Ashley Mitchell, 5th Grade, Dove Elementary School

$1,450.00 – Infinite Musical Theatre; awarded to Casey Muckley, Colleyville Heritage High School

$1,000.00 – “Hot Shot” Coffee Business; awarded to Diane Elliott, Doug Hood, Angelina Curtis, Grapevine High School

$856.00 – CA Cooking Club; awarded to Kaci Hill, Collegiate Academy

$700.00 – Rise and Shine Coffee Cart; awarded to Maber Martinez, Heritage Middle School

$668.00 – From Facts to Inspiration: Granting Non-Fiction Books for Lifelong Learning; awarded to Leah Robertson,Glen Hope Elementary School

$500.00 – Blitzing to a Higher STAAR Passing Rate: Incorporating Lowman Materials in the English 2 Classroom; Leesa Palmer, Colleyville Heritage High School

$450.00 – Chargers for Students; Lori Payne, Grapevine High School

$380.00 – Bridges Bulldog Juggling Team–Equipment; Linda Lancaster, Bridges

$338.00 – Newline Document Cameras; Angela Norris, Cross Timbers Middle School

$335.00 – Into the Game of Chess; Christi Cooper, 2nd Grade, Heritage Elementary School

$3,000.00 – Colt Grove; awarded to Janellis Ramirez, Karen Boyse, Andy Thomason, Juanita Priesand, Colleyville Middle School/Colleyville Elementary School

$2,000.00 – GCISD Culinary ProStart Team; awarded to Amber Owens, Grapevine High School

Meet Our Principals

Dr. Tina Garrett, Cannon Elementary School

What year did you become the principal of your campus? 2019

What ‘fills your bucket’ while working on your campus?

The innovative and engaging hands-on learning experiences our staff design and implement with our scholars fill my bucket.

What do you hope students learn from you?

I hope Cannon students can use the engineering design process and design thinking skills to solve real-world, authentic problems with empathy and creativity.

What are you most proud of at your campus this year?

There are so many! I’m extremely proud of the creative school-wide STEM learning opportunities which allow our entire Cannon community of stakeholders to foster a love of providing solutions to problems. Two examples of this include our home-to-school STEM Book Challenge Artifacts and our annual STEMapalooza Engineering Fair.

If you could go back and relive one of the days of your career in education, which one would it be and why?

With almost 25 years of serving in public education, this is difficult to answer. I am committed to making every day meaningful for our students and staff. The most impactful day for me is when I see a former student or staff member excited to share their journey, successes and memories of our time together.

Erin Gerdes, Bransford Elementary School

What year did you become the principal of your campus?

2020

What ‘fills your bucket’ while working on your campus?

Our campus community fills my bucket! Every morning, it makes my day to greet students as they enter the door and then see them in the hallways and classrooms throughout the day. Each week, families visit for lunch or campus events. Our PTA and Dad’s Club are so supportive of our students and staff. High Five Fridays are a campus favorite! I am grateful for our partnership and for ensuring we are doing our very BESt for our Texans.

What do you hope students learn from you?

I hope students learn grace from me. I hope they know we are all always learning and growing from our experiences. Adults are learners, too. We make mistakes and then find a solution. I feel a lot of pressure is on children to do the right thing all the time, and often as adults, we forget they are still learning, and so are we.

What are you most proud of at your campus this year?

At Bransford, we continue to share our story of how we use Arts Integration to enhance student learning and make connections. Our piano lab serves all K-5 students. In May, we have two school-wide performances of “Lion King Jr.,” and we added many after-school extracurricular clubs this year. It is fun to celebrate the great things happening at BES!

If you could go back and relive one of the days of your career in education, which one would it be and why?

When I taught third grade at Silver Lake Elementary, we took our students on a walking field trip to Grapefest to experience the roller coasters during our motion and movement unit in science. Several students had never been on a roller coaster before, and I will always remember their smiles and laughter. It was a beautiful day. Not only did we make connections to their learning, but so many memories were made!

Liz Hilcher, Timberline Elementary School

What year did you become the principal of your campus?

2019

What ‘fills your bucket’ while working on your campus?

We have the best students and staff, and they fill my bucket! I am so blessed to greet them every morning and to watch them work hard throughout the day. Timberline is truly a special place to work, learn and play because of the people.

What do you hope students learn from you?

I hope students know that I love them and believe in them. They can do hard things; it is all about effort, grit and perseverance.

What are you most proud of at your campus this year?

I am extremely proud of how our teachers have embraced a new resource for English and Spanish Reading/Language Arts. The teachers have jumped in with both feet, and our students are setting, tracking and exceeding literacy goals because of this dedication and implementation.

If you could go back and relive one of the days of your career in education, which one would it be and why?

I would love to experience my first day as a brand new first grade teacher at Silver Lake Elementary again! The first days are full of excitement and wonder about what’s to come. That day holds a special place in my heart, and it would be incredible to relive it with the experience I now have – to savor every minute.

Dr. David Arencibia, Colleyville Middle School

What year did you become the principal of your campus? 2016

What ‘fills your bucket’ while working on your campus?

What fills my bucket is working with dedicated staff members who pour themselves into the important work they do!

What do you hope students learn from you?

Lead by example and not just your words.

What are you most proud of at your campus this year?

Over the years, I’ve witnessed the detail and dedication put into the behind-the-scenes work that contributes to the success of all our students, staff and school.

If you could go back and relive one of the days of your career in education, which one would it be and why?

I’ve had many remarkable experiences, making it challenging to pick just one. However, if I had to choose, one of my fondest memories was back as a high school teacher and coach. We had an exhilarating day filled with fun classroom lessons and a massive school-wide pep rally. The school was bursting at the seams with a positive culture, and later, I coached in a televised high-profile football game at Texas Stadium (former home of the Dallas Cowboys) between two highly state-ranked teams. The day was a whirlwind of non-stop action, starting at 7 a.m. and lasting until 1 a.m., encompassing a variety of unforgettable moments.

Dr. Jamie Halliburton, Cross Timbers Middle School

What year did you become the principal of your campus? 2020

What ‘fills your bucket’ while working on your campus?

The pack! From our Wolves to our staff and our families, learning and growing with the pack daily fills my bucket.

What do you hope students learn from you?

The Wolf Way! I want students to learn to be kind, respectful and responsible.

What are you most proud of at your campus this year?

Our wolves take pride in exemplifying the Wolf Way. From our Veterans Day program to cheering on one another during our pep rallies, attending each other’s events, and learning and growing each day, our Wolves make me proud every day.

If you could go back and relive one of the days of your career in education, which one would it be and why?

I would relive my first year of teaching. I’ve grown leaps and bounds as an educator and a person since then, and I’d love to give my first class of students at Lou Stubbs Elementary School a redo.

Mandy Alexander, Grapevine Middle School

What year did you become the principal of your campus? 2022

What ‘fills your bucket’ while working on your campus?

Being part of the teaching and learning happening across campus is the most bucket-filling part of serving as principal. I love listening as students share with excitement what they are learning, creating or presenting in their classes.

What do you hope students learn from you?

I hope that our Ponies can see, as I talk with them in the hallways, classrooms, lunchroom, stage and field, that they deserve love, kindness and celebration. We have high expectations at GMS; we win the day the Pony way by being respectful, responsible problem solvers. I want them to always see these traits in me and feel my great pride and joy in being their principal.

What are you most proud of at your campus this year?

I am most proud of our growth at GMS this year – growth in student achievement, growth in parent partnerships, including our new Dad’s Club, and growth in staff leadership teams. Our students have worked diligently toward their individual academic goals, and our parents have been so generous in creating meaningful ways to celebrate our students and staff throughout the year. Our GMS staff is truly incredible, and their expertise and innovative ideas impact every aspect of the work we do for our Pony students and families.

If you could go back and relive one of the days of your career in education, which one would it be and why? There is not a specific day in my career I would want to relive, but so many friends I would like a day to spend time with, thanking them for the example they were and still are to me in my career. I’m so grateful for the many friendships I have made along the way, while serving at different schools and in different roles. Education is a demanding profession full of people who give their heart and soul to build up the next generation. To me, there is no higher calling, and I am proud to have so many colleagues who have inspired me over the last 25 years.

Sheila Shimmick, Heritage Middle School

What year did you become the principal of your campus? 2020

What ‘fills your bucket’ while working on your campus?

The interactions I have each day with the students and staff fill my bucket. They are pretty awesome humans, and I feel lucky to spend my days with them.

What do you hope students learn from you?

Being respectful and seeing the good in others can go a long way. You never know what other people are going through, so always be kind.

What are you most proud of at your campus this year?

We have many new teachers, and they are doing an amazing job with our students and adding to the positive culture at HMS. Our mentor teachers have really stepped up to help and support the new teachers. Our staff as a whole has not missed a beat. They continue to put students first and make a difference in the lives of our students and for each other. We recertified this year as an AVID National Demonstration School because of the hard work of the teachers and students!

If you could go back and relive one of the days of your career in education, which one would it be and why? I loved being a teacher in the classroom. The bonds you have with the students due to the time you spend with them each day are valuable and unforgettable. I think about the students I taught all the time. Some of those former students are now my co-workers! How fun is that?

WeAreGCISD WeAreGCISD WeAreGCISD WeAreGCISD

The Colleyville Heritage girls soccer team finished the season as the UIL 5A state runner-up. This is the fourth time in school history that the Lady Panthers have reached the state tournament. Also, this is the second year in a row that a GCISD high school has made it to the state finals for girls soccer. Last year, the Grapevine High School girls soccer team defeated Frisco High 1-0 in the finals.

GCISD students and staff celebrated the Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024. Everyone wore protective shades donated by the Perot Museum, Buc-ee’s and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Leading up to the Eclipse, CHHS astronomy students studied the path of the eclipse and observed the sun’s corona using professional-grade telescopes, including three Dobsonian telescopes and one hydrogen-alpha solar telescope. These astronomy students also participated in night labs and studied astronomical objects in the universe as required by the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

Dove Elementary School, with the help of the GCISD Technology Department, recently unveiled its new Lü Interactive Playground, a system that can transform any space into an active and immersive P.E. educational environment. The system displays activities on a wall to keep students physically active with calisthenic challenges, yoga relaxation and more. All GCISD elementary schools now have a Lü Interactive Playground or similar version that projects on the floor, depending on wall space, installed in their gym.

Colleyville Heritage High School seniors Archit Thiruvallarai and David Hoff, and junior Sumaira Ullah will compete in the Regeneron International Science Fair, taking place May 11-17 in Los Angeles, California. The event is the world’s largest global science competition for high school students. Thiruvallarai and Hoff advanced with their project “Synthesizing Sustainable Biodiesel through Chemical Alteration of Plant-based Lipids.” Ullah’s project is “The Utilization of Labeo Catla Fish Scales for the Effective Defluorination of Water with Excessive Fluoride Concentrations to Refine Water In Developing Countries.”

Julie Telesca, GCISD’s Director of Nutrition Services, won the Golden Foodservice Director of the Year Award at the 2024 Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence (FAME) Awards. Over the last three years, she maintained financial stability, created a cooking class for students and promoted learning opportunities like “Mathematics Monday” and “Literary Lunch,” which connect the cafeteria to the classroom.

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Grapevine High School’s Mustang Robotics team competed among the top 25 public school teams at the UIL 5A FIRST Tech Challenge State Championship held March 21 in Belton, Texas. Their determination, positive attitude and promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) in their community earned them the 5A UIL Team Spirit Award. The award is presented to the team that best demonstrates good sportsmanship, expression of team identity and gracious professionalism.

Silver Lake Elementary celebrated Experience Design Week with an out-of-this-world theme! Outer space was the influence for this week’s fun learning activities and stellar hallway decorations. Students even experienced the Star Lab in P.E., where they learned about the solar system and constellations.

iUniversity Prep senior Evan Larson, sophomore Aydon Phillips, and junior G race Sng competed as a team at the Lockheed Martin Code Quest computer programming competition earning third place in the U.S. Virtual Competition, Advanced Division. During the competition these three students worked together to solve problems by using JAVA, Python, C#, and/or C++ programming to complete 25 challenging problems created by Lockheed Martin engineers and computer programmers.

Career and Technical Education

The

Timbers Middle School Wolf Time Choir performed

National Anthem at the Dallas Mavericks game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the American Airlines Center, on Saturday, January 13, in front of 19,000 fans. They did a fabulous job and represented the district well!

GCISD

(CTE) Students for Future Farmers of America (FFA) participated in stock show competitions, with five earning Sale, Reserve Grand Champion or Grand Champion honors, considered to be the most notable recognitions.

Lexi Herndon

From Kansas to Texas: Why Ms. Herndon Chose

GCISD to Begin Her Education Career

When Bear Creek Elementary RISE teacher Lexi Herndon began searching where to begin her education career, GCISD wasn’t even on her radar.

“I had something pop-up in my Kansas State University e-mail and I was like oh, a district in Texas.”

But long before the Wichita, Kansas native decided she wanted to be a teacher in GCISD, Herndon’s childhood friend helped her discover a passion for special education.

“One of my childhood close friends had Down syndrome, and so I never really viewed him any differently,” she shared. “I just saw him as a kid who was one of my friends. I remember him always having the biggest smile on his face. I was a very, very shy kid and he was so outgoing, and the smile on his face just made me feel comfortable coming out of my shell. We connected and then our families connected.”

By the time Herndon reached the eighth grade, her career path began to take shape.

“In middle school, I started volunteering in a school setting,” she explained. “I was a teacher’s aide in a life skills classroom. Through my cheer gym, I volunteered with the special needs team.”

Knowing that they were all so alike in so many ways, but also had differences, Herndon saw the importance of embracing those differences.

“These wonderful kids have just impacted my life throughout the years. In high school and college, I just fell in love with the kids and the job more and more.”

GCISD Human Resources Director and fellow KSU alumnus Dave Denning is the person who put the

district on Herndon’s radar. Once they connected, GCISD began to separate from Herndon’s other potential prospects. GCISD stood out to her and she said it just felt “right.”

“Dave Denning was able to connect me to Mary Marion (Special Education Coordinator) and Nicki Cook (Special Education Instructional Coach), who are both phenomenal. I got to meet so many people in the district who I knew had a passion for this job before I even interviewed with Bear Creek. Some of the best districts and the best communities are ones that have a passion for kiddos in special education.

“None of the [other] offers I had felt quite right,” she continued. “I remember interviewing with Bear Creek, and calling my mom after to tell her if they offered me the position that this was it for me!

“I could tell it felt like a community, and just a really strong team that loves their school and loves their kids,” she explained. “I just really wanted to be a part of that family, especially with moving away from Kansas and trying something new. It felt like the right move for me.”

As the school year wraps up, Herndon reflects on her first year at Bear Creek Elementary and recalls the growth she and her students have made.

“From August until now, every student has continued to grow academically, socially and with communication,” Herndon reflected. “I’m very grateful to be a part of GCISD and be a part of Bear Creek. I’m excited for next year, and to continue to grow with Bear Creek, work with the phenomenal staff here and continue to help students be successful.”

Penney Huntzinger

Hooked on Bridges: Why Mrs.Huntzinger

Loves Her Unique Campus

“This is the place where I will retire. I can’t go back to a traditional school anymore.”

When Penney Huntzinger, an English teacher at Bridges Accelerated Learning Center, applied to GCISD 10 years ago, she didn’t know much about her future forever school. Huntzinger interviewed with three schools within the district before finally landing on the campus that she says will be the final stop in her teaching career.

“The human resource person at the time said, ‘I’ve got one more school I want you to interview with. I think you’re gonna feel like it’s a good fit for you.’

And I said, ‘okay, let’s try it.’ I was just amazed that there were no bells. Students could stay and finish assignments until they’re done and then go to another class. There were only about 60 students in the school at that time. I thought, ‘I want to try this. This is just so different from what I’m used to and I just feel like I could be useful here.’ So, the next thing I knew, I took this job. I couldn’t resist it.”

Huntzinger quickly found out that Bridges’ non-traditional school setting would be just one of many reasons why she would grow to love the one-of-a-kind school.

“I have never gotten to know kids the way I get to know them here,” she said. “This is like a teacher’s dream where you can sit down and while you’re helping them with work, you can talk about what’s

going on at home. They seem to just open up a lot of times for you.

“You know, it’s cliche, but if a student feels like you care about them, they’re willing to learn from you,” she continued. “I think we are able to do that a little bit easier here. Also, I’m allowed to tailor these courses, so if they’re not catching something, I can completely flip the assignment for that student.”

Huntzinger also sees a culture of student support; a true family dynamic where everyone is trying to help each other.

“In circle time sometimes we almost have people crying,” she explained. “It’s wonderful when you see somebody in the group saying, ‘don’t worry, we’ve got you here.’”

Huntzinger knows why the Bridges model works so well for students – it’s because of the staff and their passion for Bridges.

“One thing that’s interesting about Bridges that isn’t true in many places anymore is the long term staff,” she said. “We’ve been a staff together for a very long time. When I came in, they hadn’t hired anyone for over 12 years. We have teachers who have been here since Bridges started. Once you’re here, you really do get hooked.”

INSIGHTS

Milo Segreti, Kindergartener at Colleyville Elementary

Q: What is your favorite cafeteria food?

A: “Cheese pizza.”

Q: What do you think first grade will be like?

A: “We’re going to paint rocks and maybe will have a pet hamster. Maybe learn math.”

Q: Who is Dr. Schnautz?

A: “He’s a dentist guy.”

Q: What do you think your teacher does outside of school?

A: “I think she plays the violin.”

Q: What do you think high school will be like?

A: “Probably have a lot longer lunches than kindergarten.”

Q: If you had to give someone advice about kindergarten, what would it be?

A: “You’ll do a lot of stuff when you’re on the 100th day of school. You’ll cut some things out and glue them together.”

Laurel Rotenberry, Second Grader at Grapevine Elementary

Q: What do you enjoy most about school?

A: “That I get to hang out with my friends and get to meet new people.”

Q: What do you enjoy most about second grade?

A: “I enjoy that my teachers are kind and sweet. My favorite subject would be art.”

Q: How was second grade different from first?

A: “I feel like math is a step up. At the end of the year, the second graders learn a little bit about multiplication.”

Q: What do you think your teacher does outside of school?

A: “She probably takes care of her baby that she just had.”

Q: What advice would you give to a first grader coming into second grade?

A: “There’s not a whole lot to expect. It’s similar to first grade, but not a whole bunch similar. Even if you don’t do the best, they’re not going to judge you for that in second grade. You can just be yourself.”

Q: What do you think high school will be like?

A: “Probably similar to college but not as similar. In college, you’re there for at least four years. I’ll probably learn more older things. Like, you can’t teach younger kids everything, because they won’t be able to understand it, they haven’t learned everything. I heard that they don’t have recess and have longer lunches. They might have lockers too.”

McKinley Smart, Fifth Grader at Glenhope Elementary

Q: What’s your favorite cafeteria food?

A: “French pizza. It’s just good.”

Q: What do you enjoy most about school?

A: “Socializing.”

Q: What do you enjoy most about fifth grade?

A: “The teachers, probably. They help me a lot in all subjects like math, English language arts (ELA), social studies and science.”

Q: What do you think high school will be like?

A: “My brother is in high school, and he says, you’re just moving forward, getting ready to go to college and finding out where you are.”

Q: What advice would you give to a fourth grader coming into fifth grade?

A: “Don’t be nervous. It’s less than you expect. I thought it was going to be super hard, but you’re just moving forward a little bit. So, just don’t be nervous.”

Q: What will sixth grade be like?

A: “Crazy. There’s eight different classes and you’ll get to meet lots of new people. I’ll be going to Cross Timbers Middle School.”

GCISD IN THE NEWS

A Year of Great News Coverage!

From helping students understand the astronomical phenomenon of the solar eclipse to a new pharmacy course that is providing high school students real-world experience, GCISD stories attracted media attention in TV, radio, magazine and newspaper outlets on a regular basis throughout the 2023-2024 school year. The story of the Glenhope class that surprised a fellow classmate with colorblind glasses even made national news. Take a look back at the GCISD news stories that garnered TV coverage!

NBC 5

Students learn about the mechanics of an eclipse ahead of the rare celestial event

Fox 4

Ex-US Marine band director visits Colleyville Middle School

CBS News Texas

The teaching garden at Heritage Elementary

NBC 5 Grapevine High School students work in area pharmacies training to become certified pharmacy techs

Fox 4

Local athletes participate in National Signing Day

NBC 5

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD agrees to place School Resource Officers at all campuses

WFAA 8

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD adding SROs to all campuses

Fox 4

GCISD students attempting to break cup stacking world record

NBC 5

Grapevine High School hosts 9/11 tribute climb

Fox 4

Grapevine High School cheerleaders and the student council raise money for Maui victims

News Texas

WFAA 7

These North Texas football and cheer teams are raising money to help student get new wheelchair-accessible van

CBS News Texas

Colleyville Heritage High School’s newly-crowned homecoming king shows how to overcome challenges

CBS News Texas

Colleyville Heritage homecoming king surprised with wheelchair accessible van

Mornings Fifth grade students in North Texas literally changed the way one of their classmates sees

ABC World News Now Fifth grader sees color for the first time

America This Morning

There is goodness in the world: fifth graders save their allowance to help colorblind classmate

KENS 5 San Antonio Fifth grader gets new view of the world thanks to his classmates

KHOU 11 Houston

Colorblind North Texas fifth grader gifted special glasses

CBS

On Your Corner. In Your Corner. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD warns about ‘Saturn’ app

CBS

the world

CBS News Texas

On Your Corner. In Your Corner. Grapevine 8th grader beats cancer twice

NBC 5 Wake Up to Something Good GCISD gets ‘AG Tough’ to support a student battling cancer

NBC 5 Arts integration campus re-purposes old piano for students

CBS News Texas

Vintage piano in Grapevine invigorates elementary school students

STUDENTS BEHIND THE SCENES

While academic rigor is a top priority in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD classrooms, students are also able to obtain real-life, on-the-job experiences through CTE practicums, clubs and internships. The GCISD Communications Internship is a single-semester program that high school students may apply for each semester. During their time as interns, students gain experience in photography, videography, content creation, social media planning, news writing and storyboarding.

In addition, interns build professional portfolios by submitting their writing and photographs to the district website and district publications. The internship program provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain professional experience in marketing, public relations and journalism. Hear what current interns think of the experience and how it has benefited them.

What are some of your favorite memories in the program?

Some of my favorite memories were during Red Rail soccer when we made social media reels for the district about our day-in-the-life of a tech crew worker at these sports events! I also love our monthly meetings when we all brainstorm ideas for future posts and articles.

Mazen Selim, Senior at Colleyville Heritage High School

Why would you recommend this program to others?

I highly recommend that students participate in this internship. This internship is a great stepping stone for your future. Even if you don’t see yourself in a career where this internship would help you, I still recommend it to all students. The internship is good for building a resume, learning different skills, such as how to appeal to certain audiences and how to build up your own personal brand, and getting the chance to have your work shown to a wide audience of students, parents and staff. Ultimately, it’s a good experience both to learn and to build up a portfolio for the future.

Santiago Paniagua, Freshman at Grapevine High School

How has the communications internship positively impacted your life?

The communications team has influenced my life by opening my eyes to a future career. It showed me a possible future career, that if I had not joined, I would have never thought of being a choice. I want to go to college and get a bachelor’s degree in sports broadcasting.

Isabela Paniagua, Junior at Grapevine High School

What do you want parents, students and community members to know about the GCISD communications internship?

I want parents, students and community members to know that this internship is an amazing opportunity if you are interested in this field or trying to decide what field to pursue. Whether you feel the future is in communications or not, the internship can still give you something that will help out.

Parents of GCISD students, let your students know that this internship is open for applications each fall and spring, and encourage them to apply.

Kyla Doyle, Senior at Collegiate Academy

Why did you join the communications internship program?

I joined because I’m passionate about writing and content creation. I also wanted to learn more about photography, which I’m admittedly not as wellversed in. I wanted to see what happened behind the scenes when it came to social media posts for GCISD. Eventually, I want to have a career in journalism or marketing, so I felt like what I would be able to do here would help me pursue either one of those goals.

Danny Hall, Sophomore at iUniversity Prep

What have you learned during your time as an intern?

There are plenty of things that I am beginning to learn about, but one lesson that sticks out is to always be ready before the story happens. A big factor in communications is timeliness, and our goal as interns is to give everyone current stories. If we wait until an event happens to begin writing about it, the story might not get published until days later. However, by then, the event is old news. If we know that an event will happen eventually, we can prepare an outline and begin adding general information beforehand. By the time the event occurs, we can quickly finish and publish the article. This ensures that the news is current and relevant to readers. I also love that this internship allows me to give back to GCISD and highlight all of the positive things happening in our community.

Emery Swank, Senior at iUniversity Prep

Are you ready for an exciting career? Join the Grapevine- Colleyville ISD family! Working in a school district isn’t just for educators. Our employees are the most important resource for providing a quality educational program for the students of this community.

Special Year for Special Olympics

Special Year for Special Olympics Special Year for Special Olympics

In addition to the number of year-round sports and activities already offered through GCISD’s Special Olympics, the 2023-2024 school year has been one of growth with a new sport, bocce ball, and the launch of a booster club.

Initially, adding bocce ball was intended to introduce Special Olympics student athletes to the rules of the game and have them practice so that they can participate in the sport next year with Special Olympics Texas. GCISD adaptive P.E. Coach Trent Edwards, who has also served for 13 years as the main coordinator for Special Olympics, had a brilliant idea.

“We started this year welcoming School Resources Officers to all of our schools, so it gave me the idea that this would be a great opportunity to show them our appreciation by inviting them to participate in a bocce ball tournament with us,” Edwards said.

The response from the police departments was an immediate “yes!”

He then asked GCISD Trustees and they, too, were 100 percent on board to participate. GCISD Special Olympics student athletes and their new tournament competitors met for monthly practices in preparation for the April event.

Since bocce ball equipment is expensive, a booster club was also started, but the organization evolved to serve a more important purpose.

“The vision for the booster club was not a fundraising money organization,” Edwards added, but rather, “a support system for our athletes. It was a way to get the positive aspects of Special Olympics out to the public and to get them involved. That is exactly what it has become.”

He added that the bocce ball practices have become fun, social events.

“We have our student athletes, their parents, trustees, SROs, chiefs of police, community leaders and volunteers, including students who give their time—all just talking, playing bocce ball and having a good time. It’s really inspiring,” Edwards remarked.

The practices have also become a special place for parents of the student athletes.

“It’s a chance to let the athletes, their children, go play a sport while they watch and talk with other parents,” Edwards stated. “We welcome all parents to events and practices. We encourage them to come interact

with other parents while their children interact with community members and make new friends.” Edwards said that a positive, welcoming environment applies to all GCISD Special Olympics events, which include basketball, bowling, swimming, track and field, banquets, ice cream socials and more.

“The purpose of GCISD Special Olympics is to support our student athletes and to help them feel successful, whether it’s being able to walk 10 feet or run two laps, meeting new friends, being out in the community or growing their social skills. It’s about students feeling that they are part of something and that their community supports them.”

What’s next?

Edwards said that he would love to see even more student athletes, families and businesses get involved.

Already, the Career and Technical Education engineering students partnered with GCISD Special Olympics to build a customized ramp with attachments that was used in the bocce ball tournament to assist some of the student athletes in throwing the bocce ball.

“We are having a great year and are working on many great ideas,” Edwards stated. “We want to continue involving more people and even start partnerships with local businesses. There’s no limit to what we can do together.”

To get involved or to learn more, visit gcisdspecialathletics.com.