GILLIAM COLLEGIATE ACADEMY
STUDENT & PARENT
Principal’s Message
Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,
Welcome to the start of an exciting new academic year at Gilliam Collegiate Academy! I hope you all enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating summer break. As we open our doors for another year of learning, growth, and achievement, I am thrilled to share our enthusiasm and commitment to excellence.
Our theme for this Year, “Leveling Up: Excellence is Our Standard,” encapsulates our collective goal to elevate our academic, personal, and community achievements It’s Gilliam Collegiate Academy’s 16th Year! During the school’s inception, we had a slogan that still rings true today: “The Best is Yet to Come”!
To our students, you are at the heart of everything we do. Your passion, curiosity, and drive inspire us daily. This Year, we challenge you to embrace new opportunities, set higher goals, and push beyond your comfort zones. Remember, excellence is not a destination but a continuous journey. With perseverance and hard work, you can achieve greatness
To our parents and guardians, your support and involvement are invaluable We are partners in your child’s education and growth, and together, we will create an environment that nurtures their potential We encourage you to stay engaged, communicate openly with our staff, and participate in school activities. Your commitment makes a significant difference in the success of our students and the school community.
As we embark on this journey to “Level Up” together, let’s remember that our collective efforts will pave the way for a brighter future The challenges we face will be met with resilience, innovation, and a steadfast belief that we can always strive for better At GCA, we are not just setting goals; we are “Leveling Up” and ensuring that excellence is our standard
Thank you for your continued trust and partnership Here’s to a year filled with new achievements, unforgettable experiences, and the unwavering belief that the best is truly yet to come.
Warm regards,
Principal Gilliam Collegiate Academy
Gayle Ferguson
Principal
Vision & Mission
Vision
The vision of Kathlyn J. Gilliam Collegiate Academy is to graduate scholars with the necessary skills to obtain a high school diploma and an Associate's Degree, while preparing them to compete in the global market.
Mission
The mission of Kathlyn J. Gilliam Collegiate Academy is to prepare scholars for their academic and personal best through rigorous coursework, civic responsibility, and high expectations, in order to excel in an ever changing global market.
Campus Schedule
Gilliam Collegiate Academy operates on a block schedule Students will attend 4 classes a day in addition to an Advisory class.
MORNING SCHEDULE
Students must be in dress code wearing proper uniform before entering the building
7:35 Students enter the building through the front and gallery doors. Students out of dress code will not be allowed past metal detectors Dress code violations will be addressed after 8 a m
7:55 Students are released to their 1st /5th-period class. All students outside should enter the building.
8:00 1st/5th period classes begin 8:01 Students are tardy.
LUNCH - 11:40 am 12:25 pm
CLOSED CAMPUS Students may not leave campus for lunch or any time during the school day Students may not have food delivered (Door Dash, UberEATS, etc)
Parents may drop off lunch for their child ONLY No birthdays or other celebrations with cake, food or beverages during lunch
TUTORING & ACADEMIC SUPPORT BEFORE SCHOOL TUTORING
7:30 7:50 a m Monday through Thursday
Students must have a tutoring pass from a teacher
LUNCH AND LEARN
11:35 a.m. 12:15 p.m. Students who are not on track in high school and/or college classes may be required to attend Lunch & Learn
Transition schedule
1ST /5TH 8:00 - 9:30
2ND /6TH 9:35- 11:05
ADVISORY 11:10 - 11:35 11:40- 12:25
LUNCH
3RD/ 7TH 12:30 - 1:55
4TH/8TH 2:00 - 3:30
A Days— Mondays & Wednesdays
B Days—Tuesdays & Thursdays Fridays—Rotating A/B
Bus Schedule
All posted times for bus stops are approximate as there are several variables which may contribute to arrival times such as weather, traffic and other unexpected factors. Students should arrive at their assigned bus stop at least 5-10 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time.
CVC Shuttle Bus Schedule
THE BUS WILL DROP YOU AND PICK YOU UP IN THE SAME SPACE UNLESS THE
Policies & Procedures
Dress Code
Bottoms – Pants, Shorts, Skirts, or Dresses must be “finger‐tip length” with arms hanging in normal position. No sweat pants . No Athletic Shorts.
NO SAGGING!
Tops—All shirts MUST have sleeves and cover the entire torso. No Tops with spaghetti straps or tank tops that do not meet the 3-finger rule.
Hoodies – Hoodies will not be allowed.
Shoes—Closed-toe shoes: Athletic shoes are recommended.
Caps, hats, hoods, rollers, curlers, bandanas, hair nets, plastic hair bags, bonnets, sweat bands, skull caps, or other similar grooming items can not be worn in the school.
Students out of dress code will be allowed to call for a change of attire and will sit in the office until their dress has been corrected.
ALLOWED:JEANS,SLACKS,KNEELENGTH SKIRTSANDSHORTS. NOLEGGINGS,JEGGINGS,JOGGERS,SWEATS, RIPPEDJEANS, ABSOLUTELY
Policies & Procedures
ID Badge
STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO WEAR ID BADGES. The ID badge is for the safety and security of your children. It is a way to identify who should/should not be on our campus at all times.
Students are expected always to wear school-issued ID badges.
Students will receive their first ID badge for free. A lost ID badge must be replaced. Replacement badges are $5.00.
Student ID badges must be worn on lanyards around the neck.
Student ID badges must be visible, with pictures facing forward
Students are not allowed to tamper or alter ID badges or photos
Students who forget their ID badges are required to get a temporary ID sticker for $1 00 before school
Building access
BEFORE SCHOOL ACCESS
From 7:35 7:55 a m Students must report to the Cafeteria or may wait in the hallway between rooms 102 and 103 ONLY. Students may not be in the hallways OR classrooms on the 1st floor, 2nd floor, or any stairwells. Students will not be allowed to enter prior to 7:35 a m During inclement weather, students may wait inside the front entry
AFTER SCHOOL ACCESS
Students have access to instructional support from 3:35 5:00 pm Students remaining in the building after school MUST be studying, completing homework, researching, receiving tutoring, or participating in extracurricular activities. They will not be permitted to loiter anywhere in the building unsupervised
Door Policy
Students are expected to remain in the classroom during instructional time to maximize their learning opportunities
Ask these questions of YOURSELF before you go
Do I have permission to leave?
Do I have a written pass to leave or a pass for my tardy arrival?
Am I leaving after the first 15 minutes of class?
Is it essential to leave at this moment to miss my instructional learning? (what’s my grade in this class?)
Am I doing better today in this class than I did last time?
Why Is This Important?
Your Safety is OUR PRIORITY!
Gilliam Collegiate Academy
Beverage Container Policies & Procedures
Bottles, cans, cups or other receptacles purposed to contain water or any other beverage must be empty. Beverages that have been opened or that have a broken seal will not be permitted Students may fill empty containers with water and ice from cafeteria or beverage from vending machine during breakfast and/or lunch service.
Cafeteria Procedures
Students may not leave campus during the instructional day for any reason. Students may not leave campus for lunch.
Students may not order any food to be delivered during the lunch period or any other time in the school day.
Find a seat before receiving your lunch; No book bags allowed in lunch line Vending machines are available during lunch periods until 12:25 p.m.
Once you have finish eating, clear your table and throw all trash away.
Line-hopping, or cutting in line will not be permitted; You are responsible for your lunch tray and trash; dispose of your trash in the proper receptacle
Report to 3rd/7th per class immediately after being dismissed from lunch. Students may go outside or to the gym.
Students may not loiter in any hallways or staircases during lunch
Electronic Device Policies
Cell Phone Policy
Cell phone use is allowed in the cafeteria and outside during breakfast and lunch. Cell phones are not allowed in the hallways at any time In addition, cell phones will be set on silent in the building at all times
1 The first time a cell phone is confiscated, parents/guardians will be contacted and student may pick it up with no fee assessed
2. The second time a cell phone is confiscated, an administrative fee of $5 will be charged before the device can be returned Parents/guardians will be notified that the student’s device has been confiscated for the second time
3. If a cell phone is confiscated a third time, an administrative fee of $10 will be charged before the device can be returned
4. If a cell phone is confiscated a fourth time, an administrative fee of $15 will be charged before the device can be returned. Any device not claimed by September 1 following the end of the school year will be disposed of according to FNCE(LEGAL)
5. Students refusing to give the device to school personnel will be subject to Level I disciplinary actions as explained in DISD Student Code of Conduct (pg. 29).
Headphone & Earbud Policy
Headphone/earbud use is allowed in the cafeteria and outside during breakfast and lunch only. For SAFETY purposes, students will only have one ear covered Headphones/earbuds are not permitted in the hallways at any time Headphones/earbuds shall remain off during instructional time unless approved by the teacher or administrator DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
1st offense: Students can pick up in the office at the end of the day after confiscation 2nd offense: Pick up in the office at the end of the day on Friday after confiscation 3rd and subsequent offenses: Parent/guardian must pick up at the end of the school year
Note: Students who refuse to forfeit their device will be subject to an automatic parent contact and conference
Note: students who bring these items to school do so at their own discretion and are responsible for the security of those items. DallasISD is not responsible for these items should they be lost or stolen.
Laptop Policy
Students should bring their district issued Laptop and charger to school every day. Students should make a practice of charging their devices at home prior to arriving at school.
TECHNOLOGY ISSUES:
Technology Issues include: device damage, inability to Log In, lockdown browser, exam access or scheduling testing for a college class see Mrs Peebles
LAW:
Stay Present &
Stay Connected
ATTENDANCE POLICY
ATTENDANCE FOR CREDIT “90% RULE”
According to Texas State law, each student must be in attendance 90 percent of the days/time the class is offered.
ABSENCES THAT COUNT:
E – Excused Absence
U – Unexcused Absence
O – Out-of-School Suspension
WARNING LETTER:
When students accumulate 3 absences in a class period in a semester
VIOLATION:
Students must complete Principal’s plan for ATTENDANCE FOR CREDIT after Students who accumulating 5 absences per class in a semester
WHAT TO DO:
Attend Attendance for Credit
Thursdays - 3:40 pm 5:40 pm
Saturdays 9 a.m. 1 p.m. September 7, October 5, November 2, and December 7
CONTACT PERSON: Ms. Preston, Assistant Principal tapreston@dallasisd org (972) 749-2513
COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE “TRUANCY”
LAW:
The Texas State Compulsory Attendance Law, Section 25.085, requires all enrolled students to attend school on time, all day, every day school is in session
ABSENCES THAT COUNT:
U – Unexcused Absence
WARNING LETTER:
When a student has been absent without an excuse three times for any part of the day in a four-week period.
VIOLATION:
Student goes to COURT!
Students who violate the law may receive a referral for court proceedings against the parent, guardian and/or student to enforce the law
WHAT TO DO: Submit an Excuse Note for EVERY absence
An acceptable excuse note may be submitted to the attendance office in room 116 or sent as an attachment via email to LTrejo@dallasisd org
EXCUSE NOTE MUST INCLUDE:
Student Name, ID number, Date of absence, Reason for absence
Parent/guardian signature
Visit https://bit.ly/DISDNOTE to download a blank excuse/absence note (optional)
CONTACT PERSON: Mr. Trejo, Data Controller ltrejo@dallasisd org 972-925-1407
Academic Information Center
High School College
Every GRADING CYCLE is important!! 9 weeks in each cycle
Semester Grades are CREDITS!
POWERSCHOOL
· Class Schedule
· Grades
· Attendance
Every GRADING CYCLE is important!! 16 weeks in each cycle
Grades will only show on report card at the end of the semester!
TRUST MUST BE EARNED, VERIFY GRADES AND WORK!
ECONNECT
· Class Schedule
· Advising Report (Transcript information)
· Program of Study
· TSI Scores Testing
· GPA – Grade Point Average
· Academic Standing
· Academic Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal
· Progress reports and Final Grades viewed here
· Tuition
· Professors assign work here
· Work is turned in here
· College books can be accessed here
High School & Associate Degree Graduation Requirements
Multidisciplinary Studies Endorsement (B) 4x4 or ( C ) Dual Credit Red courses are dual credit—college courses
English I (EOC/STAAR)
English II (EOC/STAAR)
MATH
4
4
4
4
LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH (LOTE) TWO LEVELS SAME LANGUAGE
Fine Arts
Physical
Education (PE
Health
Electives
2
1 1
ENGL 1301*/ ENGL 1302*
SPCH 1311*/ SPCH 1321*
Algebra I (EOC/STAAR)
Geometry
Algebra II
Statistics
Independent Study Math or 4th Year Math MATH 1332
Biology (EOC/STAAR)
Chemistry
Physics
4th Year Science
BIOL 1406*/1408* or BIOL 1407*/1409*
AP Human Geography
World History
HIST 1301*/ HIST 1302* U.S. History (EOC/ STAAR)
GOVT 2305* Government (.5)
ECON 2301* Economics (.5)
Spanish I
Spanish II
Art I or Art II
MUSI 1306*
PHED 1164
PHED 1304 0.5 7
Various high school and Dual Credit courses:
EDUC 1300; COSC 1301; BCIS 1405; PSYC 2301*; HUMA 1301*; GOVT 2305*
* - Students must PASS ELAR TSIA to take college course
