Gainesville ISD Spotlight Winter 2021

Gainesville ISD

Winter 2021

The Official Magazine of the Gainesville Independent School District Published by

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Message FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Greetings GISD Family, It is with great pride that we present to you the 3rd edition of the GISD “Spotlight” magazine, highlighting the various programmatic offerings, academic accomplishments, and the great work that is happening here in GISD. We have made great progress over the last few years, but we still have lots of work to do.

Since my arrival in July 2018, I have always communicated how “special” our city of Gainesville is to me. As the Superintendent of Schools, it has presented me with the opportunity to be heavily involved in ALL of our schools, but also within our community.

Being a part of organizations such as Kiwanis Club, Cooke County United Way, and Volunteers in Service to Others has confirmed my belief that Gainesville, Texas is a place unlike anywhere I have ever called “home”. I feel blessed to be part of a growing community and a school district that believes in keeping kids first.

An example of this collective caring was exemplified during our 18-month strategic planning process. During this process, a facilitator met with community members, GISD faculty/staff, students, and business owners to collect their thoughts and desires for GISD in the future, which resulted in the development of our GISD Strategic Plan entitled “VISION 2026”. Within this document, we focus on four key priorities: academics, recruitment and retention, connectedness and equity, and goals to help reach each priority. These goals and priorities will help guide the work which we will engage in for the next five years. We look forward to working with our district stakeholders as we now execute this long-range roadmap to success.

Today’s classrooms and educational programs look very different from what many of us may have experienced as school-aged children. Varying educational experiences, ranging from distance learning, 1:1 technology initiatives, industry-level certifications, and internship opportunities, are designed to fit the diverse needs and interests of our GISD learners. These opportunities would not be possible without our community’s support and our partners who allow us to extend the classroom to the workplace.

Education is the great EQUALIZER. In GISD, we strive to ensure that students and staff develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for immediate and future success, through the cooperative effort of the school, home, and community. Winston Churchill once said, “Success is not final; failure is not fatal; It is the courage to continue that counts”. It is our goal to re-establish ourselves as a destination district, and with the continued efforts of our faculty, staff, and students there is no doubt that we will achieve this celebratory milestone. The success of each student is a shared responsibility of our Gainesville community. Thank you for supporting a bright future for our students and our community, and please continue being part of planning and creating that future.

LEARNERS today, LEADERS tomorrow, LEOPARDS FOREVER.

Sincerely,

DesMontes Stewart, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools

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Gainesville ISD GET TO KNOW

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Corey Hardin President

Phil Neelley Vice President

Marvin Royal Secretary

Nathan Dempsey

Brad Cox

Latecia Hendricks

Dan Doss

DISTRICT LEADERSHIP

Dr. DesMontes Stewart Superintendent

LaCreasha Stille Assistant Superintendent

Jennifer Coleman

Director of Technology

Paula Moore

Director of Human Resources & Federal Programs

Joe Warren

Director of Maintenance & Operations

Alyce Greer

Director of Finance

James Polk

Athletic Director

Brittenie Polk Director of Special Services

Antonio Daniels Leslie Crutsinger Lawanna Wisian Director of Fine Arts & Bands

Director of Communications

Chief of GISD Police

CAMPUS LEADERSHIP

David Glancy GHS Principal 4

Krista Beal GJH Principal

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Claudia Brito Intermediate Principal

Brandon Whiten Pablo De Santiago Chalmers Principal Edison Principal

April Waggoner Head Start Principal

Table of

CONTENTS

PUBLISHERS Scott & Kelly Murray EDITORS Jana Melton Bobbi Byrne Leslie Crutsinger Caylie Howard CONTRIBUTORS Gainesville ISD ADVERTISING Les​lie Crutsinger lcrutsinger@gainesvilleisd.org PRODUCTION Graphic Designer Arynn Tomson Letters

Gainesville ISD holds record-breaking food drive Read More on Page 20

Gainesville ISD News 3 Message From The Superintendent

19

Music Returns to Chalmers

4 Get to Know Gainesville ISD

20

Record-Breaking Food Drive

6

Vision 2026: Strategic Plan

21

Key Club

8

Education Foundation Prize Patrol

22

GISD Athletics

10

Christmas Card Contest Winners

24

High School Band- Always in Season

11

College Board Honors

12

Counselor Connection

26

Gainesville FFA

13

Communities in Schools/Technology

27

Career Pathways

14

Teacher Spotlight

28

Musical Theatre

15

Ready, Set, Teach!

29

Exchange Student Q&A

16

A Salute to our Veterans

30

Healthy Kids Make Better Learners

18

The Choir Sings!

31

We Value Our Faculty & Staff!

LEOPARD PRIDE! We are proud to showcase our district to our community, parents, and beyond! This edition of the Gainesville ISD Leopard SPOTlight is a semi-annual publication celebrating our students, staff, and GISD family. Help us celebrate our amazing students! All future editions of Gainesville ISD SPOTlight will feature advertising opportunities for local businesses.

Contact us about options for your business!

lcrutsinger@gainesvilleisd.org • 940.668.3625

GISD SPOTlight welcomes reader feedback, story suggestions and general comments. Email lcrutsinger@gainesvilleisd.org.

All submissions become the sole property of Murray Media Group.

Contact Us Editorial and advertising inquiries call 972.899.3637 or email your photos, stories, student spotlights and suggestions to artwork@murray-media.com for your chance to be featured.

Address: 3513 Yucca Drive, Suite 200 Flower Mound, TX 75028

Published by Murray Media Group.

Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher or the Gainesville Independent School District. GISD Spotlight is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine.

Advertisers and its agencies assume all liability for advertising content. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission in writing from the publisher. © 2021 Murray Media Group. www.Murray-Media.com Winter 2021 • Gainesville SPOT SPOTlight light •

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VISION 2026 T

GISD LAUNCHES STRATEGIC PLAN

he planning process for the strategic plan began in the spring of 2020 and provided an opportunity to engage the GISD faculty, students, staff, and business community in conversations centered around creating an educational environment that prepares our students to be successful in an ever-changing world. The plan will guide the work in the district for the next five years.

The plan builds on our strengths, addresses our gaps, and focuses on our role in this extraordinarily challenging and unique time in our society and will serve as our road map, centered around our mission, vision, and values. This process was all-inclusive and aims to build upon the work of previous initiatives and the desires of the Gainesville faculty, staff, students, and community. Our primary focus will remain the same: to provide opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for immediate and future success for all students, PK-12, through a cooperative effort of the school, home, and community.

To build upon and reinforce our past achievements as well as our future areas of focus, we have identified four essential areas of effort for our strategic plan. We strongly believe that these identified areas of focus will pay huge dividends for us in GISD, both inside and outside of the classroom.

GISD is positioned to achieve a higher level of academic excellence as a system that brings together innovative education and unlimited student opportunity. Throughout the next five years of VISION 2026, we will continue to push onward and upward.

We will promote innovation, collaboration, and discovery across each pathway of study. And we will continue our targeted investments in programs that provide every student with the skills needed to be successful in whatever their career endeavors may be. This is our commitment. EVERY LEOPARD, EVERY DAY!

PRIORITIES Academics Academics are about every student meeting individual growth goals and accountability. Our passion for the success of our students motivates us to do what is needed to accomplish our goals by providing support for all.

Recruitment and Retention Our staff are our most valuable asset. We work hard to retain talented staff while recruiting year-round for new talent. Everything we do is an opportunity to recruit or retain new GISD family members.

Connectedness Connectedness in GISD means that students are engaged, parents are participating in school and at home, and there is frequent collaboration between the district and our community partners. It is through parental engagement and community involvement that the student is academically, socially and emotionally connected.

Equity We acknowledge that access to opportunities and success is not – and has not been – the same for all community members and that achieving equity begins by building this awareness in others.

We also strive to uncover the causes of those imbalances, remove barriers, and advance equitable opportunities and outcomes for all.

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OUR VISION

CORE BELIEFS

Reaching every student every day to be learners and leaders.

EQUITY

We believe access to a world class education in Gainesville is a right for all not a privilege for a few. We will never allow race, economic status or our own systems to be barriers to the education all students deserve.

EXCELLENCE We believe in challenging ourselves and the bar we have created for academic, social, and emotional success in Gainesville.

We will always raise the bar by believing that excellence is in our reach but not quite in our hands.

DIVERSITY We believe that a diverse student and staff population enriches the learning environment. We value the unique identity of every adult and student in GISD and will actively seek diversity in all that we do.

OUR MISSION

We ensure students and staff develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for immediate and future success, through a cooperative effort of school, home and community.

INNOVATION We believe we are preparing students for a future we cannot predict. We must empower students with the tools, leadership, and facilities to drive innovation in thought and action.

PARTNERSHIP We believe strong partnerships are critical to achieving our vision. Partnerships provide innovative ideas and expertise that benefit our staff, students, families, and community.

SAFE AND COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT We are committed to creating a learning environment that is safe, secure and comfortable, both physically and emotionally for all students.

GLOBAL COMMUNICATOR

PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE

Gainesville Independent School District is committed to providing all students with the knowledge, experiences and opportunities necessary for them to develop the competencies required for success in school, in the workforce, and in life.

CONFIDENT LEADER GISD graduates will develop a strong work ethic and leave our district grounded in a purpose enabling them to lead, embrace challenges and persevere to achieve their goals.

GISD graduates will be prepared to navigate a complex, ever-changing global society and economy via effective communication grounded in global thinking, digital literacy, and the understanding that communication includes verbal and non-verbal modes that are unique across cultures.

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVER GISD graduates will develop creative minds that solve real-world problems that we are unable to predict in an ever-changing society.

CRITICAL THINKER GISD graduates will develop critical thinking and curiosity about the world to foster life-long learning for themselves and service to others.

EMPATHETIC COLLABORATOR GISD graduates will leave the district with a foundation for effective collaboration grounded in empathy and a desire to understand differing viewpoints and learn from others’ experiences and cultures.

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THANK YOU

GISD Education Foundation!

T

he Gainesville ISD Education for improved learning, graphic novels for classroom will receive light covers for Foundation Board prize patrol the library, and art supplies were also the fluorescent lights in the classroom. circulated the GISD campuses spreading awarded. Music class is new to Chalmers This will minimize stimulation for the holiday cheer and surprising the this year and the music room will receive students as well as help them learn about 2021-2022 Innovative Teaching Grant 25-floor drums. the different scenes on the light covers. recipients. There were 24 grants awarded Gainesville Intermediate was awarded The agriculture program will receive lab for a combined total of $33,014.61. one grant in the amount of $1,600 for supplies to introduce elementary students “The grants awarded by the GISD c-pen readers and scanners. These are to the program.

Foundation provide additional tools to support both ESL students as well The GISD Education Foundation has opportunities for our faculty/staff to as students with reading difficulties awarded $418,318.47 in Innovative extend lessons provided in the classroom or dyslexia.

Teaching grants to the district since as well as offer innovative learning Gainesville Junior High was awarded 2004. Tamara Grimes Sieger, President experiences for our students,” said Dr. $6,684.91 for four grants. Software for of the Education Foundation said the DesMontes Stewart, Superintendent of the We Video communications program foundation awards teaching grants that Schools. “We are very grateful to have for the audio-visual classes will allow are experiential or have a potential lasting such a dedicated and committed group of students to edit videos on Chromebooks impact on the education of students. volunteers who support our faculty, staff, previously purchased by the foundation.

“Board members review the applications and students.”

Other grants include music software and and carefully consider each application Edison Elementary received six grants instruments for the special education and the impact on students long-term,” totaling $8,293.92. Grants included field class as well as novels for the students.

Sieger said. “The board strives to provide trips to the Frank educators additional Buck Zoo for pre-k resources and and a field trip to hands-on experiences “T he grants awarded by the GISD Foundation the dairy farm for to help children reach kindergarten. All their full potential.” provide additional opportunities for our faculty & students at Edison will The Education staff to extend lessons provided in the classroom also get to attend an Foundation board educational concert of directors works as well as offer innovative learning experiences

by Stephen Fite. throughout the year for our students. We are ver y grateful to have such Educational pop to generate funds and its, flexible seating distribute resources a dedicated and committed group of volunteers options, and a to GISD to enrich, who support our faculty, staff, and students.” program to introduce maintain and expand students to the game programs needed to of chess were meet the district’s also awarded. stated mission in Chalmers Elementary was awarded 10 Dissection equipment, lab frogs, and rats excellence. The Foundation relies on grants totaling $13,747.75. Second grade will be purchased for eighth-grade community and business donations to will get to enjoy a field trip to Sharkarosa science students. allow for continued support to GISD. For Wildlife Ranch, third grade will enjoy a trip At Gainesville High School, three more information on the grants or to make to Frank Buck Zoo and supplies to dissect grants were awarded totaling $2,688.03. a donation, please visit www.gainesvilleisd. owl pellets, and fourth grade will get Culinary students will benefit from an ice org/foundation. to take a field trip to Sea Life Aquarium cream freezer and equipment to make and Legoland. Flexible seating options other sweet treats. The special education 8

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6th Annual Christmas Card Contest T

his fall, students from all grade levels were invited to participate in the 6th Annual District Christmas Card Art Contest. Under the guidance of the art teachers, hundreds of students entered art into the contest. The art was reviewed at the campus level, and the top designs from each campus were then judged by a district level committee.

One student at each campus was determined the winner for that campus and all five winning card designs were used to create the 2021 GISD Christmas card. GHS Senior Katherine McNally won first place overall and her art was used to create the cover of the card.

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Gainesville Intermediate 6th grade student Amiah Padron placed second and her art is on the inside cover.

Additional winning campus art designs displayed on the back of the card were created by Ericka HerreraFranco (8th grade), Danna Rascon (4th grade), and Sofia Ramirez (1st grade).

Thank you to all of our talented GISD students who participated in the contest. We are proud to share the artistic talent of our students with our community!

College Board National Recognition Program Scholars G

ainesville High School students were among 32,000 students from across the country to earn academic honors from the College Board’s National Recognition Programs.

These National Recognition Programs grant underrepresented students with academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications and connect students with universities across the country, helping them stand out during the admissions process. Colleges and scholarship programs use these honors to identify students from underrepresented groups through College Board’s Student Search Service.

All eight of these students were named National Rural and Small Town Scholars and most were also recognized in another area.

Adrian Olvera - Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar Ana Rodriguez- Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar and Indigenous Program Scholar

Desmond Pouncil - African American Recognition Program Scholar Emanuel Vargas -Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar Gabriel Martinez - Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar Ignacio Blas - National Rural and Small Town Scholar Jon Isaac - Indigenous Recognition Program Scholar Merlin Giles - African American Recognition Program Scholar These students earned this recognition by excelling on their PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or AP Exams and in their classrooms.

Students who may be eligible have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have excelled on the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10, or earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP Exams; and are African American or Black, Hispanic American or Latin, Indigenous, and/ or attend school in a rural area or small town. Eligible students are invited to apply during their sophomore or junior year and are awarded at the beginning of the next school year.

Front Row: Adrian Olvera, Ignacio Blas, Ana Rodriguez, Emanuel Vargas, Jon Isaac Back Row: Desmond Pouncil, Merlin Giles, Gabriel Martinez Winter 2021 • Gainesville SPOT SPOTlight light •

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Counselor Connection W

ithin a school some jobs are easy to explain: teacher, librarian, principal; but what about a counselor? Who are they and what do they do?

School Counselors are educators trained in child and adolescent development, learning strategies, self-management, and social skills. In order to become a school counselor an individual must have a master's degree in counseling and development and pass state certification exams.

and provide strategies that empower teachers to encourage and promote social and emotional learning within the classroom.

Our counselors help to facilitate not only social emotional learning but also ensure schedules are complete and students are guided to coursework that will ensure they meet the requirements to graduate.

GISD is privileged to have ten counselors working with and for our students throughout the district. Nicole Rich, Jill Brown, and Valarie Griffin are at Gainesville High School. Katie Denney and Clark Bawcom are at Gainesville Junior High School. Kara Coberley is the counselor at Gainesville Intermediate. Shannon Johnson is at Chalmers Elementary and Jill Linnell is at Edison. Tori Godi works at both Chalmers and Edison. Robin Hobbs is the counselor at DAEP and Kim Parsons is the Special Services counselor.

In order to serve the students once they step outside of the walls of their respective campuses, our counselors reach out into the community to help meet those needs. The counselors work with VISTO each year to help get food into the hands that need it most. VISTO provides weekly backpacks of food, and the counselors coordinate with VISTO to make sure no one goes hungry. Our counselors also join with the Gainesville Fire Department for an annual food drive, which puts food back into the homes of many of our students as well.

At any given time, you will see the GISD Counselors working directly or indirectly with students. Our counselors provide direct services by offering individual or small group counseling and classroom guidance lessons. Guidance lessons are driven by the needs of each campus.

A kindergarten class may need guidance on tattling; our Intermediate students may need lessons on self-esteem.

Another community outreach program is the Boys & Girls Club of Cooke County’s littlest angel program which is held every holiday season. The counselors assist by referring families to the organization, which allows every family to have a Merry Christmas!

Indirectly, counselors provide consultation with parents, teachers, and other educators to support student achievement. School counselors participate in student support team meetings to consult with teachers and administrators

Nicole Rich helps a GHS student with her NCTC degree audit to ensure she is enrolling in the appropriate dual credit classes for her degree.

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Our counselors will seek out any community resource necessary to bring success to our students.

At any time, a family can contact one of our district counselors and they can provide referrals for students and families for additional assistance.

Jill Linnell provides classroom guidance at Edison Elementary.

comes to

Communities In Schools of North Texas

D

Gainesville Intermediate

id you know that GISD has added new support services for our Intermediate students? GISD listened to the needs of our families and has contracted with Communities In Schools of North Texas to bring Yoana Gonzalez into our district full-time.

The mission of Communities In Schools of North Texas (CISNT) is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and to achieve in life. CISNT provides wraparound services during the school day to address students’ physical, socialemotional, and academic needs, ensuring that they have the tools to succeed in their education. Services are provided in one-to-one, small group, and schoolwide settings.

Yoana works with students on things such as self-actualization and habits for positive self-care. One of the 6th-grade girls’ groups is currently working on self-esteem and self-image by identifying and challenging negative beliefs and replacing them with positive self-talk.

“This week, we created works of art that bring us moments of joy and talked about how to find these moments of happiness throughout each day,” Gonzalez said. “We had our girls choose things or phrases that brought them joy, and then encouraged them to display their works of art so that they could see it every day as a reminder.”

Other small groups work together to build valuable life and social skills, such as anti-bullying, self-confidence, emotion recognition, and friendship building skills.

Yoana said she is “excited to have joined the Leopard family here at Gainesville Intermediate to help ensure that all kids have the resources that they need to thrive!”

Engaging Students with Digital Learning

B

eginning in March of 2020, Gainesville ISD implemented a Digital 1:1 Student Device Program for Grades 2 through 12. The purpose of the program is to provide each student with a device to facilitate digital access to the curriculum and other instructional online resources.

Whether it be access to online textbooks, digital curriculum, streaming content, or interactive and collaborative online resources, students are provided a district-managed device that gives students the opportunity to engage in those types of individualized lessons. Additional WiFi access was installed at each school to accommodate the high volume of devices simultaneously connecting to the network.

Students are provided a district-managed device, giving them the opportunity to engage in individualized lessons, whether it be access to online textbooks, digital curriculum, streaming content, or interactive and collaborative online resources. These panels replaced SMART Boards that required a connection to a computer, a projector, and a separate speaker system. The new panels consolidate all of those components.

The touchscreen panels can also directly connect to the internet, as well as mirror any type of device, including the updated 13-megapixel document cameras that were replaced in all classrooms this school year.

Gainesville ISD strives to provide classroom technology and resources at all grade levels that not only allow students to view instructional content but to interact with it to create a more dynamic and innovative learning environment.

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Teacher

Spotlight Jon Torres

8th grade US History teacher Why do I teach? I teach because I love history and I enjoy working with kids. The day-to-day challenges in the classroom actually make me want to come to work. I love my students because they are hilarious, and they work hard for me. For some of my top students, I don’t let them celebrate anything below a 95, and while they may be angry teenagers with me at times, they’ve always finished the year thanking me for being hard on them.

Secondary Teacher of the Year 2020-2021

I also really enjoy working with our young athletes. This year I had the pleasure of coaching the JH Cross Country team. We won the district championship and we celebrated, but our team motto is “stay humble”. It was awesome to see a group of young men work hard, win, and remain grounded and ready for their next season.

What inspires you? I am most inspired by my own previous teachers and coaches. I respect how good they were at explaining things and mentoring me. I think a lot of our young boys just need a good mentor to show them the ropes in athletics and life.

Lauren Denison 3rd grade teacher

Why do I teach? Teaching allows me to be over the top enthusiastic, to dance and sing when the mood strikes (you can sing directions to anything with a good tune), to play like a kid, and to laugh at silly things. Teaching also allows me to be the protector for so many people at a time in their lives when they need as many cheering fans as possible. Being a good teacher is not just the dedication and hard work of one individual. Instead, it is a community of students, peers, and family members embracing that teacher, inspiring them to reach their full potential so that they can in turn pass all that love, support, and knowledge on to their students.

Why do I love my students? Every year, I find joy in learning the individual personalities of each of my students. From there, I can connect learning for them in a way that they will really understand. My students make me laugh and keep me young. My days are never boring or redundant. Now that I have been teaching for 18 years, I am getting to see what great people my former students are becoming. I hope that I helped them along that journey and the lessons they learned have stayed with them.

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Elementary Teacher of the Year 2020-2021

I

Ready, Set,Teach!

n September, GHS students Valeria, Aneesa, Markeesha, Desiree, and Landon began visiting Edison three days per week and are gaining hands-on experience in the first grade classrooms.

This program, also called ‘Ready, Set, Teach’ allows students interested in a future in education to work in small groups with younger students, focusing on reading and phonics. Both the first grade and high school students are already reaping the benefits of the program.

“This program is beneficial for both sides of the student/teachers relationship. Both will leave a forever impact on each other,” said GHS teacher Lexi Hughes.

“I am so proud of the student teachers this year. They have exceeded my

expectations in the classroom.”

GHS first began offering the Education and Training pathway in the 2018-2019 school year. At the time, the courses offered were Principles of Education and Human Growth and Development. Last year, Instructional Practices was added to the program, which is considered an advanced level course and is taken subsequently in the pathway. Due to COVID precautions, this is the first semester the Ready, Set, Teach program has been able to take off fully.

To prepare for their classroom experience, the RST students work to get activities together to support literacy for the young readers. Four of the students teach in English classes and one RST student teaches in the bilingual classes, each working with three students in a small group setting.

“Desiree inspires my first graders to learn

through interactive activities. They love her time in our room working on learning objectives,” said Jamie Hogg-Bates, first grade teacher.

Throughout the year, they have created games and activities to help engage the students in a variety of ways. “My students love Landon. They consider it a great reward to be able to work in his group and play the fun games he has prepared”, said Whitney Carden, first grade teacher. The small group work has greatly improved the young readers’ connectedness and dedication to learning.

“My students love Markeesha! She always comes prepared, uses engaging activities to help fill in learning gaps, and is positive and friendly with her students.

I have seen these students accelerate in their reading skills, and I know Markeesha has contributed to that growth,” said first grade teacher Jennifer Martin.

The student teachers have become celebrities at Edison, getting smiles and waves in the hallways. We truly hope they return one day as teachers!

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A Salute to our

Veterans O

n Thursday, November 11, Gainesville Junior High hosted the first annual GJHS Veterans Day Program to honor retired veterans, active duty service members, and their families. Not only were veterans honored, but students were exposed to opportunities in the military they may choose to pursue after graduation. The event was conceived and organized

by Coach Jon Torres, a GJHS US History teacher, who is also currently serving as First Lieutenant in the Texas Army National Guard. For the last three of his six years in active duty, Torres has simultaneously upheld both teaching and military roles without hesitation.

Guests of Honor were Gainesville Mayor Tommy Moore (US Air Force/Air National Guard-6 years), GISD School Board President Corey Hardin (US Army-4 years), GJHS Texas History teacher Kevin Bentley (US Air Force-15 years), Joseph Denney (US Navy-4 years), and Major Roger Woodruff (US Marine Corps22 years).

After serving 15 years, Mr. Bentley decided to change his career to teaching. “I traded in guarding nuclear weapons and guarding the President to mentor and help our newest resources,” Bentley said. “You are our future and our future leaders.”

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Many student groups were directly involved in making the program a success. The guests of honor were escorted by the GJHS Student Ambassadors, Mrs. Melissa Knight’s Art students decorated the GISD Auditorium foyer with patriotic work, and members of the F.L.A.G. program respectfully presented the flags. The event included a variety of performances by the GJHS Choirs, under the direction of Mr. Sutton Hennessy, including the National Anthem and the traditional hymns of each branch of the armed services.

Mr. Hardin’s words of advice for the students were to thank a Veteran by volunteering. “Do your part and volunteer,” he said.

“It is our responsibility to leave this earth better than when we got here. That is our obligation.”

Prior to the program on Veterans Day, students were provided with classroom instruction on the history and meaning of the holiday and how it compares to Memorial Day. They were exposed to traditions associated with the day such as the annual ceremony that takes place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery with the U.S. President. Classroom instruction also included learning about the six branches of the military including their history.

“The week leading up to Veterans Day was a great introduction for our students to post-high school opportunities in the military,” said Katie Denney, GJHS Counselor.

Student learning was enhanced during the program as each guest veteran spoke to the assembled crowd about the branch in which they served and their time in the service.

They shared moving recollections of how they came to enlist, details about their training experiences, and stories of their time on duty including the many places to which they traveled. They also shared how their time in the military prepared them for a better life after the service.

Kevin Bentley US Air Force- 15 years

As part of the Seabees battalion, Joseph Denney explained how he was in the Navy and never stepped foot on a ship. “We did all the construction for Navy projects,” he said. “After hurricane Katrina, we rebuilt schools and ship ports”. One note that Denney reiterated was that the kind of men and women you meet in the military “will be your friends for life.”

“I know that many of the students in the room were moved just as I was,” said Paula Moore, GISD Administrator. “And just maybe, they will know and understand just a few of the sacrifices made for them to live and grow up in this amazing country.”

Major Roger Woodruff US Marine Corps- 22 years

Principal Krista Beal closed the program with some memories of growing up in a military family and asked that we not only recognize the sacrifices of our veterans, but also the sacrifices their families make.

“We are so grateful to Coach Torres for initiating this event,” said Mrs. Beal. “It has been wonderful to see our student body come together to celebrate the service of adults in their lives and others in the community.”

The event was a tremendous success and was felt by many. It is sure to be the first of many Veterans Day celebrations at GJHS.

Tommy Moore US Air Force/Air National Guard- 6 years

Corey Hardin US Army- 4 years

Jon Torres, Texas Army National Guard

Joseph Denney US Navy- 4 years

The Choir

A

s g ! n i S

t GISD, we are proud to now offer music at every campus, which grows our students’ musical interest and talent, preparing them for potential participation in the choir at the junior high and high school levels.

The GJH and GHS choirs have started off the year with a multitude of successes. At the junior high level, ten choir students made All-Region: Michael Flores, Axel Dooley, Jayce Jackson, Kaden Duncan, Brady Burgess, Marcos Moran, Jan Gonzalez, Gabryel Reed, Hazel Becerra, and Jaida Rayson. They worked hard and continued to practice outside of the classroom, showing their dedication and ultimately their success.

“I am more than proud of them and their work,” said Sutton Hennessy, GJH Choir Director. “I hope we can not only continue this trend of greatness but continue to strive for more in our program.”

The Gainesville High School Leopard Chorale, under the direction of Joanna Ceja, is also having an incredibly successful year. The first level of competition was the Region contest, in

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which 10 GHS students competed and an astonishing six of those students qualified for All-Region: Hayley Colwell, Drake Landrum, Desmond Pouncil, Jayelynn Graham, Samantha Holmes, and TJ Foss.

“My students achieved more than they ever have this year because of their drive and dedication,” said Joanna Ceja, GHS Choir Director. “They are passionate about music and love to collaborate with others. They apply feedback well, and most importantly, they believe that sounding beautiful is fun! I am also proud of how many compliments I get from other adults and teachers about my student’s behavior. Other teachers from other districts have approached me to tell me how kind, respectful, and funny my kids are. I believe that spreading positive vibrations is what being a musician is all about, and my GHS Choir kids embody that.”

The contests continued and out of those six, Hayley, Drake, Desmond, and TJ then advanced to the Area auditions, which were held in November. The celebrations continue as Hayley, Drake, and Desmond each made the All-Area choir and are one step closer to the audition for the All-State Choir!

M usic

l m a h e C r o s t s n r u t e r

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t has been an exciting year for music at Chalmers Elementary! This year, Chalmers reinstated the music program into the specials rotation and all students are exposed to music. Last year, music was added to the Edison campus, and we are happy to have it back at Chalmers this year. It has been a joy to see the students’ passion for music grow, especially for the 3rd and 4th graders who have not had music prior to this year. In Mrs. Seydler’s music classroom, the students have been learning about rhythm and melody, playing classroom instruments, and listening to different genres of music.

“The goal is to enhance our students’ learning and cultivate a love and passion for music at a young age, all while making music fun and approachable for the students!” Seydler said.

At the beginning of the year, Chalmers held an audition for a show choir. More than 130 students auditioned in front of a panel of teachers and 35 were selected. The focus of this group is specifically singing. During rehearsals, they practice singing techniques and practice music that will be performed. The first performance of the year took place in honor of Veterans Day. The students learned American folk songs and songs that honor the sacrifices made by our US Military. These students have been working very hard to grow their musical talents and make our Chalmers family proud!

We have so much more planned for music this year at Chalmers Elementary. All students in our school will be invited to perform in different musicals in the spring, with each grade performing on separate nights. At the end of the year, we will bring back the talent show! Our students and teachers will be able to show off their many talents and skills. In class, the students will be learning more about rhythmic patterns, improvising, and creating new sounds. In the second semester, we will focus on appreciating and performing music of different cultures. The students love learning about music and we can’t wait to show off all we can do here in Gainesville ISD!

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Edison & Chalmers

Record-Breaking Food Drive E

very November, GISD participates in the annual Thanksgiving food drive for VISTO. VISTO is a valuable asset to Cooke County, providing food, financial assistance, and education to families who need it most.

This year, our Edison and Chalmers students, families, and staff collected items for the food pantry as well as the Backpack Buddy program. They knocked it out of the park and set new campus and district records!

One of the many services they offer that directly benefits our GISD students is the Backpack Buddy program, which provides backpacks full of delicious, nutritionally dense mini-meals to children in Cooke County. The goal of the program is to deliver two days worth of meals to children who have been identified by school officials as being “at risk” for hunger. In 2020, VISTO provided meals to 674 children in 15 different Cooke County schools!

Edison collected 27,030 items (weighing 8,550 lbs!) and Chalmers collected 10,100 items (5,648 pounds!) of food.

In total, GISD elementary campuses collected 37,130 items weighing 14,198 pounds!

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Thank you to the Gainesville Fire Department for loading up all the food and delivering it to VISTO.

Key Club Building character through service and leadership

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ince its beginning in 1925, Key Club International has supported the transformation of high school students as they graduate and become the world's next class of leaders. Key Club is a student-led service organization that has chapters all over the world. An extension of the Kiwanis organization, the core values of Key Club are leadership, character building, caring, and inclusiveness.

The GHS Key Club has been serving the community since 2011. There are currently around 40 active members and the club continues to grow each year. Key Club teaches the importance of taking a leadership role within the community and helping the community be the best it can be.

“There are actually Gainesville Kiwanis members who were in Key Club when they attended GHS. I think that in itself speaks volumes,” said Leslie Nichols, Kiwanis Club member. “The benefits of being a part of something bigger than themselves shows the students that paying it forward in a small or large way can make a huge difference.”

The Key Club sponsor, Natalie Dollar, works diligently with the Gainesville Kiwanis Club to help grow these young leaders and

ensure they are actively involved in a variety of service events in the community.

“I enjoy being in Key Club because it allows me to serve my hometown. For me, service is helping in any way you can to give back to your community,” said Sophomore Key Club member Johany Marin.

Most recently, the Key Club held a car wash fundraiser for Abigail’s Arms, a local shelter for victims of domestic violence. After multiple rescheduled events because of rain, they finally kept to their plan and held the fundraiser in the pouring rain and were still able to raise $600. Moved by their actions, the Kiwanis Club matched their efforts and donated an additional $400 to Abigail’s Arms.

Additional service projects include delivering meals once a month through the DASH program, supervising the kids area during Spring Fling, and providing extra hands at Depot Day. To be a Key Club member, all you have to do is show up!

Anybody can be a member of Key Club; there are no academic requirements, you don’t have to be the “best” student to be a good servant. We ask that members participate in a minimum of three activities and three meetings each year.

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Michelle “Cici” Fernandez signed a letter of intent to continue her soccer career at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Cici has been a standout on the Lady Leopards soccer team every year, and we look forward to cheering her on her senior year. As a Lady Leopard, CiCi was named First Team All District the past three years. The Lady Leopards soccer team was Big Red Champion in 2020 and Bi-District Champions in 2019.

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High School Band Always in Season

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he Gainesville High School band consists of many components. The most visible component of the band program is the Redcoat Marching Band. Within the Redcoat Marching Band, there is the Colorguard, the Pit Percussion (side-line), the Battery Percussion (Drum-line), and the Woodwinds and Brass Sections.

Let’s March In addition to the ten football games, this fall the Redcoat Marching Band had 20 performances, including the 1st annual Redcoat Showcase, eight pep rallies at three different campuses, 3 parades, and 4 contests, just to name a few.

At the Golden Triangle Classic, the Redcoats placed first in Class A, which was a remarkable achievement for the students for several reasons. The contest was preceded by a late return from a football game in Mineral Wells Friday night followed by the Medal of Honor parade on Saturday, which was the same day of the contest. Not only did the band earn first place, but they scored higher than two bands that they have never been able to outscore, including one school that has repeatedly won first place.

The Percussion splits and goes into solos and ensembles from December to February while performing their own concert and being placed into concert bands. Prior to the stage performances, the woodwinds and brass also perform in individual and small group settings during the solo and ensemble season.

Concert Season Begins Marching Band trains the band for the concert season due to the rigor and discipline needed through the process of higher learning of artistry and aesthetics in music. During the concert season, the winds and percussion students perform the hardest music that they will ever play, which usually consists of marches from the 19th and 20th centuries, band symphonies, and contemporary music by modern composers. Also during concert season, there are more sectionals, more rehearsals, and more time spent in individual lessons preparing for solos, ensembles, or band music.

Each band member is being built to be tough and durable on the field, but we are also building artistic musicians and students who are academically disciplined, who will in time achieve remarkable feats of their own someday. These students will become the leaders they are meant to become and make our world better for tomorrow.

To close out the marching “Band alone is not the only season, the Redcoats earned a Superior Rating at UIL for component that builds leaders. It’s the 6th consecutive year. The Redcoat band has not only about the quality of the person, the been building its membership person that they become, and the but also developing into a band that can handle more difficult band community that keeps these artistry. As a program, they are “As I take a characteristic inventory looking to enhance the level of future leaders on course.” of each student in the band, I see play from each of our members durability, integrity, and a work ethic as they attempt to climb higher that is second to none,” said Tony each year upon the thousands Daniels, Director of Fine Arts and of shoulders of Redcoats who came before.

Bands. “Band alone is not the only component that builds leaders.

Outside of the marching season, the Colorguard competes as It’s about the quality of the person, the person that they become, a Winterguard group from December to April. For Winterguard, and the band community that keeps these future leaders the routines are the most difficult and challenging because the on course.” shows presented are indoors. Without the variable of changing Daniels says he feels fortunate to know these students. “I work weather, students can spin a rifle or flag and toss it six to seven hard for them as they do for me. I too am a Redcoat, and they are revolutions in the air and catch them, which is the equivalent of worth it.” tossing the equipment 20 feet in the air.

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GAINESVILLE FFA Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve

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FA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. As a member of the Gainesville FFA, our students are able to discover their talents through hands-on experiences, giving them the tools to achieve real-world success. Members are not just future farmers, they are future chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers, and premier professionals in many career fields.

Currently, the Gainesville chapter has over 200 FFA members, which is dependent on enrollment in Ag CTE courses. Junior FFA is open to GISD students in grades 3-8. The Gainesville FFA Chapter promotes this development through agriculture activities year-round.

Each fall, FFA members compete on Leadership Development Event (LDE) teams. In November, 13 Gainesville students competed at the District 5 FFA LDE Contest on six different teams. The Public Relations team of Natalie Putnam, Katelyn Murphy, and Kyra Richardson, earned second place and advanced to the Area contest and Isabel Rojas placed first in Spanish Creed Speaking. The Public Relations team placed second at the Area contest and advanced to the State Semi-finals round for the first time in GISD history.

In the spring, Career Development Event teams develop career skills in various fields of the Ag industry through contests such as Veterinary Medicine, Poultry Evaluation, and Floriculture.

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Some of these students have gone on to earn industry certifications as Level 1 Floral Designers or Certified Veterinary Assistants because of the knowledge developed in these events.

The Gainesville FFA livestock team spends the majority of the school year raising and caring for their livestock projects, including cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, and rabbits. In the spring of 2021, members exhibited animals at the Cooke County Junior Livestock Show (CCJLS) and Houston Livestock Show. At the Cooke County Junior Premium Auction, Gainesville FFA members earned over $19,000 in premium awards. Two members of Gainesville FFA also received CCJLS scholarships.

At the Houston Livestock Show, Katelyn Murphy received first place with her Hereford heifer and Marian Motomochi qualified for the Houston market lamb auction with her Southdown lamb.

Currently, our members are busy preparing for the 2022 show season.

The Gainesville chapter also competes in the Agricultural Mechanics contest at the CCJLS, building wood and metal projects for exhibition. In the past two years, Gainesville FFA has won both Grand and Reserve Grand Champion woodshop projects at the show and went on to earn an industry certification with the American Welding Society.

Auto Mechanic PATHWAY

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hen Mr. Zach Terry began teaching at GHS in 1990, the auto mechanics program had a mere three students and has since grown to well over 100 students.

The day-to-day work of the auto mechanics classes includes working on their own cars (oil, brakes, transmission) and doing various welding projects for the school. As with all of our CTE courses, the Auto Tech classes are preparing these students for the workforce. Any credentials that the students can obtain prior to graduation ease the transition to their future careers. GHS is proud to offer the OSHA 30-hour general industry certification, NC3 certifications in torque applications, digital volt ohm meters, and battery starting and charging. These certifications are critical to obtaining jobs in the field and give our students the upper hand when applying for jobs.

It is not uncommon for students to

complete the Automotive pathway of Auto Basics, Auto 2, and Advanced Auto and pursue post-secondary education at schools such as UTI or Lincoln Technical.

There are currently five GHS graduates at UTI and two graduated this past summer.

Four years ago, Terry was approached and asked to help with an extensive project when a personal investor brought in a 1946 fire engine, which had been in service in Gainesville until 1982.

The restoration of the truck has been continuous since 2018, and students have been deeply involved with the complete overhaul of the engine, transmission, and other mechanical aspects of the truck including the brakes, wheels, and pump. Once complete, the truck will be on permanent loan to the City of Gainesville to be used for public events, and forever will have a special meaning to the Gainesville High School students who took part in the project over the years.

Law Enforcement PATHWAY A

s a District of Innovation (DOI), GISD has the flexibility to hire experts in the field who can best meet the needs of the students. These teachers may not yet have a teaching certificate, but have the required experience to be able to provide the content knowledge our students need to enter an increasingly innovative world.

In the Fall of 2017, the law enforcement pathway was launched when Michael Hill, a retired sergeant from the Houston Police Department, returned home to Gainesville after 26 years of service and was hired as a teacher at GHS under the DOI. Now in its fifth year, the program consists of four different courses. Principles of Law Enforcement, a freshman class, introduces the students to the history of law enforcement, basic constitutional rights, and the Texas Penal code. Law Enforcement 1, for second-year students, goes into greater detail, expanding on the concepts introduced in the first

year. Third-year students are introduced to criminal investigations, where they use the knowledge and skills learned in previous years to investigate and solve crimes. In Law Enforcement II, the fourth-year students build on the knowledge learned in previous years to re-examine major cases in history as well as current investigations. They also develop more advanced skills such as DWI field sobriety tests, DNA blood sample collection, and other types of investigative skills.

Students that complete the four-year program get the honor of wearing the distinctive blue and black braided cords on the graduation gowns. The law enforcement pathway prepares students for jobs in many career fields from local corrections officers up to Federal law enforcement officers, lawyers, judges and just being a knowledgeable citizen.

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Musical Theatre WHERE THE WORLDS OF THEATRE AND CHOIR COLLIDE IN HARMONY

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rom an audience viewpoint, the shows put on by the Gainesville High School Theatre Department look effortless, but what happens behind the scenes is quite the opposite. Nevertheless, with theatre director Morgan Sims and choir director Joanna Ceja, there’s nothing this group of students can’t accomplish.

The students in this program have a wonderful opportunity to get a taste of what real world theatre is like. They learn all the necessary skills needed to make a good show; how to make costumes, props, and sets, as well as improve their singing, dancing, and acting skills. The program provides hands-on training to ensure that every student leaves with a new perspective of theatre to enhance their talents.

“Theatre is a place where I can be my truest self without judgement,” said seniors Haylee Lopez and Debora Castillo. “You get to learn new experiences, make connections with people you never thought you’d talk to, and find out so much about yourself, all while performing an extremely expressive form of art. We love everything about theatre.”

In the Fall, the GHS Theatre Department put on a production of James and the Giant Peach, the Musical. The show is about an orphan child named James that goes on a crazy journey on a giant peach with a group of lifesize bugs, trying to escape from his terrible aunts, Spiker and Sponge. As silly and goofy as this Roald Dahl childrens show sounds, it was a difficult show to pull off. The tight harmonies and killer choreography kept both the audience and the actors on their toes!

Article contributed by Desmond Pouncil, GHS Senior Thespian

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The students spent countless hours at rehearsals during and outside of school, resulting in a successful, crowd pleasing show. In addition to multiple community performances, the troupe performed shows specifically for the 1st-6th graders of GISD. “It was a super fun and memorable show, definitely one for the books,” said Adriana Galano, the actress behind the role of the Spider.

Theatre is a lot more difficult than most people think, and musical theatre takes it up a level. There is so much physical and emotional work that goes into putting on a musical; choreography, refreshing vocal rehearsals, blocking and staging, lights and sound, costumes and props, building the set.

Everything goes hand in hand and each job has a specific person in charge of it. Students learn not only how to do all these tasks, but how to work as a team and be a dependable piece of the puzzle.

One of the most beautiful aspects of theatre are the bonds that are created. Through the preparation of every show, students are able to make connections with each other, which is a big part of how theatre works. Both on and off the stage, we become emotionally invested in the people around us. Everyone depends on one another to not only pull their weight of the show but also help bring up the people around them. With that, you get a company that turns into a family, which is a big part of why high school theatre is so special.

Meet Tetiana

An exchange of culture, education, and family

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very so often, we are lucky enough to have a foreign exchange student join us at Gainesville High School.

Tetiana Shevchenko, a junior student from a small village in Ukraine, is spending the 2021-2022 academic year experiencing Texas, the community of Gainesville, and student life at GHS. Tetiana is participating in the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program, which is a competitive, merit-based scholarship program funded by the U.S. Department of State. Martin and Marlene Phillips, and their daughter Avery, are generously sharing their home with Tetiana and are helping her fully experience American life in our small Texas town.

Towards the end of the first semester, Dr. Stewart sat down with Tetiana to gain insight into her experience so far as a student at GHS. Tell us about our host family.

They are really great people and I feel a part of this family. I’m really glad to have a smaller sister, Avery, who is 8. She is the cutest thing in this world and she is really nice and I love her so much.

What did you expect to gain from your foreign exchange experience?

I wanted to know as much as I can and try as many new things as I can. To live in another country is like living a new life. I also wanted to develop myself and become more independent. I would like to go back and solve some problems and to improve my town in Ukraine and living in the USA will help me get new ideas.

What is your favorite class? What about your hardest?

Forensic science is my favorite. But I also love Human Geography. It’s the most fun because there is a lot of time to talk and discover topics and issues all around the world. English is the hardest. In English class, there are so many words that I have no idea what they mean.

What is your favorite American food?

Barbecue ribs are the most delicious food. It’s difficult for me to find what I really like because the food in America is really diverse. I don’t really like spicy food and a lot of the food I tried is spicy and I don’t care for it.

Are you involved in any extracurricular activities?

I’m playing tennis, which is my dream. In my school in Ukraine, there weren't tennis courts. I’m also doing debate and speaking to develop my English. It’s one of my goals for my experience here.

What advice would you give to students who may consider immersing themselves in a foreign exchange experience?

Don’t be scared. Speak with people and don’t spend a lot of time by yourself. Spend time with new people, try new things, and don’t be scared to ask for help.

How has your experience been at Gainesville ISD? I really love the people, the teachers, and the students.

Everyone is so nice to me and I’m really enjoying my time here.

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Healthy Kids Make Better Learners School nurses are a valuable asset to GISD

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ISD is proud to be able to employ a full-time Registered Nurse at every campus. Nurses are a valuable asset to our schools, now more than ever. Registered nurses are able to support our students, staff, and families due to their extensive medical knowledge and experience. Our six nurses provide more than 157 years of nursing experience to our district.

Nurses collaborate with the campus staff to ensure a healthy school environment that meets the needs of those students with identified health conditions. In addition, they provide direct care utilizing professional assessment skills, the nursing process, and established school health protocols.

“I am grateful for the amazing teachers and staff who I work with to help the children learn and continue to stay healthy,” said Britni Dulock, Chalmers nurse. “I look forward to continuing to give our GISD children the best care they deserve as their school nurse.”

A large part of the school nurse’s role is the initiation and maintenance of accurate student health records, including immunization records, medication administration records, and individual student treatment records, as well as daily administration of medication to students. They also carry out mandatory screening programs and submit required reports to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Our school nurses provide health education classes to students such as hand washing, dental hygiene, hygiene, puberty, abstinence, and vaping. The nurses are not only an asset to the students and

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parents, but to our staff who receive training on CPR/AED/first aid, seizure information, and EpiPen training.

However, the role of school nurses took a drastic turn when COVID-19 disrupted the world and our schools. The immediate need was the development of our district COVID protocols and making changes as needed to follow CDC and TEA recommendations. Our nurses were charged with additional duties including screening, contact tracing, and maintaining the quarantine logs of our students and staff due to positive cases or exposures. After a COVID diagnosis in the home, our nurses contacted parents numerous times for follow-up information and education, checking on other siblings in the house, reviewing return dates, and checking for any newly diagnosed members in the home during quarantine.

Traci Skinner, the nurse at Gainesville Intermediate, is the lead nurse for the District. “One of the biggest challenges was trying to maintain not only our daily office clinic, but managing an isolation room, and a COVID testing site for staff/students,” Skinner said. “The ‘normal’ routine we were used to was non-existent.” The nurses relied on each other to complete tracing logs, make parent phone calls, cover the testing room, and assist with state-mandated screenings.

Our GISD nurses are here to help at any time. If you have questions or any concerns about the health of your child, please feel free to contact Lisa Lawson (GHS), Bonnie Cox (GJH), Traci Skinner (Intermediate), Britni Dulock (Chalmers), Mindy Hutchins (Edison), and Twyla Molsbee (Head Start).

Every Leopard, Every Day We value our faculty and staff here at GISD!

Staff Recognition Each month, campus administration celebrates one teacher and one employee of the month for their campus. These individuals are in turn nominated for the District Employee/Teacher of the Month. A committee reviews the nominations and selects one employee, one elementary teacher, and one secondary teacher for district recognition.

All of the teachers nominated are then eligible to be considered for campus and district teacher of the year!

In order to give more opportunities to celebrate our awesome staff, we began awarding “Leopard High Fives”. These awards are given throughout the year to dedicated faculty and staff who go above and beyond for GISD. These nominees model our core beliefs: Equity, Excellence, Diversity, Innovation, Partnership, Safe and Comfortable Environment. Nominations are accepted from fellow staff members, parents, students, and community members. There is no set limit on how many awards can be given, but typically each month there are roughly 50 smiling faces receiving a high five from Dr. Stewart. Although not as “official” as an employee or teacher of the month, these awards have become very meaningful to those receiving as well as those who are able to take part in the nomination process.

Employee Incentives Gainesville ISD has been awarded funding from the Texas Education Agency to prevent, prepare for, and respond to needs identified as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund provides GISD the opportunity to address needs such as learning loss of students, social emotional needs of students and staff, and the health and safety needs of our students, staff, and visitors to our campuses.

GISD has opted to allocate a small amount, roughly 8.9% of the total allotted funding, to retention and retainment stipends to assist in maintaining staffing within GISD. These stipends are available to employees in several ways.

Retention stipends will be paid in increments to those staff who were employed with the district for the entirety of the 2020-2021 school years. These stipends will be paid out at the end of each semester, beginning December 2021, for four semesters, as long as the eligible employee is still employed with the district.

Additional incentives are being paid to staff who maintain perfect attendance. Due to the shortage of substitutes, and the overall importance of having a consistent presence of teachers and staff on campus, all staff who maintain perfect attendance for a six-week period are eligible to win a cash prize and even a 75-inch TV! Every six weeks, the names of all eligible staff are entered into a random drawing, and approximately 80 staff are awarded a cash prize and three employees are awarded a TV. At GISD, we truly believe in Every Leopard, Every Day! We value our students and our staff every day!

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