August 29, 2003
GCISD SAT scores surpass state and nation; district scores tie for highest results ever
2002-2003 SAT scores at GCISD remained at an impressive 1,084 composite total—the same as for 2001-2002. Verbal scores rose 3 points from a year ago to 540 while math scores declined by 3 points to 544. These scores are considerably higher than the state scores of 500 for math and 493 for verbal, as well as the national scores of 519 for math and 507 for verbal. A perfect score on each section of the SAT is 800.

A total of 830 GCISD students took the test this year, compared with 759 in 2002 and 663 in 2001. Nearly 57 percent of graduating seniors across Texas took the SAT this year.

John Doughney, director of Assessment and Curriculum, said “As we look at the data over time, it is gratifying to see that as the number of students taking the SAT increases, so does our overall performance. A three-year trend shows our overall score up 28 points.”

"When we analyze the 2002-2003 SAT results—as well as the ACT scores released earlier this month that reported the highest ever average earned by GCISD students—it is clear we are on the right path of academic achievement,” said Doughney. “Our community has high expectations for the level of academic achievement attained by our graduates, and these scores clearly demonstrate that our students are prepared for the challenges of higher education.”

• Photographer Amanda Sacco, a junior, was named Most Versatile Photographer, winning first place awards for Best Use of Composition and in the Open Category, as well second place in the Open Category. She also took third in the People category.
• Photographer Stefani Ware, a senior, won first place in the People category.
• Senior Lauren Ware, editor of the school newspaper The Manestream, won for Best Feature Layout. Juniors Tyler Bauer and Andrew Hadd won awards for Outstanding Writing.
• Beginning newspaper students Molly Palmison, Elizabeth Barbee and Cameron Spivey won the Outstanding Beginning Staff award. Pamison received an award for Excellence in Feature Writing and Spivey received a Certificate of Excellence in Layout and Design.
• The Mustang staff won an award of Excellence in Yearbook for student life section design. Student life editor is junior Casey McCarthy.

Julia Copeland teaches journalism at Grapevine High School.

Grapevine High
Grapevine High School will host Senior Parent Night on Thursday August 28th in the GHS library at 7:00 p.m. Parents of 12th grade students will have the opportunity to discuss the college admission process with GHS counselors. Financial aide, scholarships, and admission requirements are key topics on the agenda. The meeting will last approximately 45 minutes and the counselors will be available after the meeting to answer questions. All parents of 12th grade students are invited to the free event. Please contact Renee Love, GHS Counselor, at 817/251-5243 for more information.

GCISD Swim Center offers lessons

The fall schedule has been set for swimming lessons at the GCISD Swim Center. Cost is $60 per session with a $5 out-of-district fee for anyone not living in the district.

Group 1 - Sept. 22, 24, 29, Oct. 1,6, 8, 15 - Monday and Wednesday
Group II - Sept. 23, 25, 30, Oct. 2, 7, 9, 14 - Tuesday and Thursday
Group III - Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1 - Saturday

Class times are Monday and Thursday, 5:30-6:10 p.m. or 6:15-6:55 p.m.; or Saturday, 10-10:40 a.m. or 10:45-11:25 a.m.

Registration forms are available at the GCISD Swim Center, 2305 Pool Road, Grapevine, 817/251-5353.

Continuing ed program schedules driver's ed and TARGET classes

Fall classes dates have been set for GCISD's driver's education classes and TARGET Evening Education classes.

Driver's Education is available for all students who are at least 15 years old. Eleven sessions are held throughout the year, with classes rotating between Grapevine and Colleyville Heritage high schools. The class requires 32 hours of classroom instruction, seven hours of driving observation and seven hours of actual driving. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Classroom instruction for afternoon classes is Monday-Friday for 16 days (32 hours). Classroom instruction for morning classes is Monday-Friday for 32 days (32 hours).

Classes available are:

F101A - Aug 27-Sept. 28, 4-6 p.m., GHS (no class Sept. 1)
F101B - Sept. 2-Oct. 16, 7-8 a.m., GHS
F101C - Sept. 25-Oct. 17, 4-6 p.m., CHHS
F101D - Oct. 30-Nov. 20, 4-6 p.m., GHS

Cost for students who attend GCISD schools is $285; for students of other districts, the cost is $299. There is a $15 registration fee for all and students may register at either high school office or at the Office of Continuing Education, Bridges Learning Center, 736 E. Northwest Highway, Grapevine. For additional information, please call 817/251-5526.

TARGET Evening Education is a comprehensive educational alternative offering students an excellent opportunity to catch up on credits, advance in order to graduate early or open a section of their normal schedule to take another course of their choice. Basic high school courses including English, mathematics, science, social studies, keyboarding and health are offered to allow students the opportunity to earn up to one full credit per session. Five sessions are held throughout the school year. All TARGET classes are one-semester classes, with 1/2 credit the maximum credit earned per class.

For Fall, English and math classes are held on Mondays and Tuesdays, 4:30-8:30 p.m. Social studies and science classes are held on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4:30-8:30 p.m. Classes meet for four hours each evening at the Bridges Accelerated Learning Center, 736 E. Northwest Highway, Grapevine.

• Session 1 - Sept. 2-Oct. 14
  Registration - Aug. 18-29, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Late Registration - Sept. 2, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Session 2 - Oct. 27-Dec. 11
  Registration - Oct. 14-24, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Late Registration - Oc. 27, 8 a.m. -4:30 p.m

Cost is $200 per class for GCISD students and $250 per class for students from other districts. A $10 non-refundable registration fee will be charged per student, per session. Students may register at the Bridges Accelerated Learning Center, 736 E. Northwest Highway, Grapevine at the above times. For more information, call 817/251-5525.

Special Education meetings set to gather information from public

The Texas Education Agency and Education Service Centers are holding public meetings in the Fall of 2003 to gather input on Special Education in Texas. All interested parties are welcome to attend. During the meeting, public input will be requested only on the following specific topic areas:

• Accessibility & Quality of Information (e.g. the provision of, access to, and quality of State information resources such as the ARD guide, Procedural Safeguards, TEA website, etc.)
• Technical Assistance (e.g. assistance received through TEA, Education Service Centers, etc.)
• Accessiblity & Quality of Trainings (e.g. trainings held jointly with parents and educators, etc.)
• Results for Students with Disabilities (e.g. concerns regarding overalll results for students, access to the general education curriculum, etc.)

The area meeting will be held on Tuesday Sept 16 6-9:30 p.m. at the Region 10 Education Service Center, Spring Valley Site, 400 East Spring Valley, Richardson, TX 75083, 972/348-1536.

ACT scores at GCISD continue on an upward trend, with the district's 2003 composite average reported at 22.4, the highest average ever earned by GCISD students. Average scores for both Colleyville Heritage High and Grapevine High were 22.4. These scores are considerably higher than the state composite average, which is 20.1, as well as the national composite average, which is 20.8.

Following national and statewide trends, the number of students at GCISD taking the ACT increased by 12 percent, with 280 students taking the test, compared to last year's 249 test-takers.

John Doughney, director of Assessment and Curriculum, said that test scores normally drop as the number of students taking the test increases. However, GCISD scores rose, even as the number of students taking the test increased.

"We continue to move forward, as our scores show slight increases each year," said Doughney. "In contrast, when we see state and national scores remaining the same or declining over the last five years, it's apparent that we are making strides in the right direction. Our community has high expectations of the level of academic achievement attained by our graduates, and these scores clearly demonstrate that our students are prepared for the challenges of higher education."

In 2003, 73,145 Texas high school graduates took the ACT, up from 67,842 in 2002. Nearly 1.2 million students took the ACT nationally, an all-time record number. The ACT tests students in four subject areas: English, reading, mathematics and science. An optional writing test will be added to the exam in the 2004-05 school year. The ACT is required or preferred by more colleges and universities than any other college entrance exam. Scored on a scale of 1-36, with 36 being the highest possible score, the ACT is administered in all 50 states.

In preparation for a combined campus-based staff development day for the middle schools, GCISD middle school principals attended a three-day workshop in Round Rock on professional learning communities. The principals attended the conference as part of their research of implementation of best practices for effective schools.

Hosts of the workshop in Round Rock included educational leaders Dr. Richard Dufour, superintendent of Adlai Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, and Dr. Bob Eaker, executive vice-president and provost at Middle Tennessee State University and former fellow with the National Center for Effective Schools Research and Development. Dr. Eaker and Dr. DuFour were instrumental in the design of strategies, principles, and framework of Professional Learning Communities.

The district staff development conference on Aug. 13, entitled "Middle School Matters," drew over 200 GCISD middle school teachers to CTMS, providing them with the opportunity to learn more about collaborative interaction with others and time to work with curriculum coordinators coordinators on disaggregating data to identify instructional targets to increase student achievement.

Shown here, left to right: Dr. Jennifer Killian, Heritage Middle; Becky Prentice, Colleyville Middle; Sandy Snow, GCISD's director of Staff Development; Tim Hughes, Grapevine Middle; and Linda Tidmore, Cross Timbers Middle, with Dr. Bob Eaker, center, executive vice-president and provost at Middle Tennessee State University;

Shown here, left to right: Tim Hughes, Grapevine Middle; Linda Tidmore, Cross Timbers Middle; Dr. Jennifer Killian, Heritage Middle; Sandy Snow, GCISD's director of Staff Development; and Becky Prentice, Colleyville Middle; with Dr. Rick DuFour, superintendent of Adlai Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois.

Colleyville Heritage High School PTSA was recently awarded the Outstanding Parent Involvement award at the Texas PTA General Session Awards Ceremony in Austin.

The CHHS PTSA parents who envisioned the Friday night student socials known as FRIENDS created a unique program that actually serves the needs of students and parents. Students get fun-filled after-football-game celebrations that include music, dancing, food, foosball or air hockey games. They can unwind in a cafeteria that’s been transformed by volunteers into a homey place, complete with couches, beanbag chairs and wide-screen TVs. Parents get a supervised and substance-free evening out for their children, all for less than the cost of a gourmet coffee drink. Attendance averages over 300 students at FRIENDS events.

“We were very pleased to receive recognition for this program at the 90th annual convention this summer," stated Lorraine Compo, CHHS PTSA President. "This is just another terrific example of parents working to create great programs that benefit the school." Campo went on to acknowledge the work of Sharon Baron, CHHS parent, who was responsible for the Friends concept.

 August 11, 2003

GCISD held its 2003 Convocation on Monday, August 11. Under the roof of Colleyville Heritage’s gym all GCISD employees gathered for the once a year event.   
by Kelly Kosikowski Click on photos to enlarge

Dr. Singer was the primary speaker as he went over the districts expectations, a new Character Education program and a new Honor Code. Students from the KidzU program, an extended care program, sang and performed for everyone. The CHHS drama students also did a performance promoting a “Wisdom Program.” The presentation involved everyone in the gym and stressed the importance of courage, friendship, diversity and attitude.  Dr. Singer also recognized GCISD employees for individual accomplishments.

Susan Green

Sherri Steward-Ganz, Grapevine High School science teacher, was named Outstanding High School Teacher at the 2003 Disney American Teacher

Representatives from Habitat for Humanity were present to receive a check for $7, 263. GCISD has donated a total of $37, 434 to Habitat. Maria Caldera and two of her children were also present. Maria is now the proud owner of the Habitat House that was built with the funds that GCISD raised. “Thanks to everyone that volunteered themselves for our home,” said Maria.

epresentatives from Habitat for Humanity were present.

Maria Caldera and two of her children.

Sherri Steward-Ganz, a Grapevine High School science teacher, also made a motivating speech. Steward-Ganz was named Outstanding High School Teacher at the 2003 Disney American Teacher Awards on July 22 in Anaheim, CA.

Steward-Ganz, along with 31 other teachers considered to be the country's best, were selected as Disney American Teacher honorees from more than 185,000 nominees. The Walt Disney Company awarded every honoree $10,000, with their schools receiving $5,000. In addition, Steward-Ganz, as well as the Outstanding Elementary School Teacher and the Outstanding Middle School Teacher, each will receive a total of $25,000, with an additional $5,000 being given to their respective schools.

Steward-Ganz will be appearing on the "The Wayne Brady Show" during a special back to school week series Sept. 1-5.

Steward-Ganz, who has taught at Grapevine High for approximately 20 years, was selected for her creativity in teaching, including the development of the GHS Ecology Center, the schools' EcoBuddies program and the annual Veteran's Day Celebration. With a long list of recognitions and achievements, including Time magazine's "Earth Teacher of the Year," she has worked with experts around the globe, from Jane Goodall in Africa to Alan Alda and the PBS Scientific American Frontiers team in the Galapagos Islands.  

Since 1980 Disney's American Teacher Awards have saluted 450 exemplary teachers in K-12 grades for innovative teaching methods that actively engage students in learning. 

• Operating Budget
  $123.5 million, which includes approximately $35.1 million for GCISD's distribution of tax revenue, better known as "Robin Hood" payments)
• Per Pupil Expenditure
  $7,259 (excluding Chapter 41 and TIF)
  (General Operating & Debt Svc.)
• Total Tax Rate
  $1.66 per $100 valuation of homes
  • Maintenance & Operations
    $1.44 per $100 in value
  • Interest & Sinking (Debt Svc.)
    $.218 per $100 in value
• Source of Funds
  • Local 93.75%
  • State 6.19%
  • Federal 0.6%
• Average 2002 Taxable Value of Residences - $199,886
• Taxes Due on Average Residence - $3,317.69

Steward-Ganz, along with 31 other teachers considered to be the country's best, were selected in the spring as Disney American Teacher honorees from more than 185,000 nominees. The Walt Disney Company awarded every honoree $10,000, with their schools receiving $5,000.  Steward-Ganz, the Outstanding Elementary School Teacher and the Outstanding Middle School Teacher, each will receive a total of $25,000, with an additional $5,000 being given to their respective schools. During the award festivities, Wayne Brady announced that he will feature some of the honorees on "The Wayne Brady Show" during a special back-to- school week series Sept. 1-5.

Steward-Ganz, who has taught at Grapevine High for approximately 20 years, was selected for her creativity in teaching, including the development of the GHS Ecology Center, the school's EcoBuddies program and the annual Veterans' Day Celebration. With a long list of recognitions and achievements, including Time magazine's "Earth Teacher of the Year," she has worked with experts around the globe, from Jane Goodall in Africa to Alan Alda and the PBS Scientific American Frontiers team in the Galapagos Islands.

All honorees and their guests participated in a four-day extravaganza at the Disneyland Resort, which culminated in the Awards Gala. During the week teachers attended unique professional development programs that focus on innovative approaches to teaching, learning and leadership; participated in exclusive VIP events/parties; were honored by Mickey Mouse at a ceremony at Disneyland Park; appeared in a parade down Main Street; and received a new glamorous look from "costume designer to the stars" Ret Turner. Since 1980 Disney's American Teacher Awards have saluted 450 exemplary teachers in K-12 grades for innovative teaching methods that actively engage students in learning.

High School:
The Sciences - Biology, Environmental Science, Advanced Ecology

 Sherri Steward-Ganz
Grapevine High School
Grapevine, Texas

"Sharing my passion for adventure, my love of the natural sciences, and my experiences in the field are the cornerstone of my teaching. Long ago, I decided to take Thoreau's advice and I encourage every student to do the same: 'If you have built your castles in the air … that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.'"

"Sherri's professional life inspires in us all the courage to dream and the will to make great things happen for students -- and thus our nation, our world, and our collective future."

Over the past 25 years, Sherri and her band of enthusiastic scientists have refined the art of project-based learning. While studying global water quality, they decided to stamp out cholera at a small school in Africa by building a water well. Studying biodiversity and primate behavior, Sherri and her students teamed up with Dr. Jane Goodall to build a sanctuary for endangered primates in Africa. She encouraged her students to help her reclaim a 4-acre toxic waste dump adjacent to Grapevine High School-and created an outdoor science laboratory, which was featured in "Time" magazine. As "Scientific American Frontiers" Teacher Ambassador to the Galapagos Islands, Sherri recently joined PBS and host Alan Alda to create a "Cyber Field Trip," broadcast live to teachers and students around the world.

"She has devoted her entire life to making the world a better place, especially for children. If I can affect just one person in the way she has affected my life, I will have made a great accomplishment."

Other Highlights:

• "Time" magazine "Earth Teacher of the Year"
• National Science Teachers Association/CIBA's Exemplary Science Teaching Award
• Presidential Award for Excellence in Science & Mathematics; Texas
• Texas Environmental Excellence Award
• The Jane Goodall Award for Environmental Education & Conservation
• The Tandy Prize for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Education
• Established and received E.P.A. Presidential Citation for "EcoBuddies," a mentor program in which seniors mentor elementary, handicapped, and special education students in science
• Built a community-wide Veteran's Memorial Garden at Grapevine High School
• Texas House of Representatives' Volunteer of the Year.
• Conducted Field Research in Africa, Borneo, U.S. Virgin Islands, Baja Peninsula, Galapagos Islands
• "Girls Are Learning Science (GALS) Club" at GHS
• Summit climb on Kilimanjaro, 1998

Green, a teacher in GCISD for four years, is now one of three Texas secondary school mathematics teachers eligible to receive a state Presidential award, the nation's highest honor for U.S. mathematics and science teachers in grades K-12. The awards program is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House.

Susan Green, a middle school mathematics teacher at Colleyville Middle School in Colleyville, has been selected as a Texas state finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Green, a teacher in GCISD for four years, is now one of three Texas secondary school mathematics teachers eligible to receive a state Presidential award, the nation’s highest honor for U.S. mathematics and science teachers in grades K-12. The awards program is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House.

“These teachers are national role models for educators to emulate; for students to admire; and for parents, administrators, and communities to nurture,” notes Rita Colwell, NSF director. PAEMST Awardees have been to show to devote more time to professional development, to incorporate innovative approaches into their classroom teaching, and to be more likely to use computers and other technology in their classrooms.

As a state finalist, Green will be recognized by the Texas State Board of Education and a community of her peers at the 2003 Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teaching (CAMT) in Houston mid-July.

Each year, a national panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators recommends up to 108 teachers to receive Presidential Awards-one math teacher and one science teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, and the schools operated in the United States and overseas by the Department of Defense Education Agency. Teachers who are selected as Presidential Awardees receive a $10,000 award, a Presidential citation, and a trip to Washington, D.C. for a series of recognition events, information exchange programs, and an awards ceremony.

Delegates are selected by their high schools and/or sponsoring agencies based on their desire to participate in the program. The Anytown experience helps students of diverse cultural, racial, religious and economic backgrounds develop respect and awareness for each other, as well as friendships.

Through discussion groups, workshops, activities and sharing time, youth who participate in Anytown are given information and tools to help them be better prepared to enter diverse educational, work and living environments and not only succeed, but excel and take on leadership roles.

Two Grapevine Middle School students have been selected to travel to the Austin area as participants in Education in Action's Lone Star Leadership Academy, July 28-August 1.

Andrew Davis, son of Richard and Cynthia Davis, and Ashley Adams, daughter of Kirk and Tami Adams, were selected for the Academy based on their outstanding academic success and demonstrated leadership potential. Lone Star Leadership Academy provides outstanding 6th and 7th graders with a unique opportunity to learn about the Spirit of Texas and what it truly means to be from the Lone Star State. Lone Star Leadership Academy calls fro participants to become active citizens and leaders in their communities.

Both were recommended by their Texas History teacher Larissa Mazurane for individual achievements, as well. Andrew earned the Citizen of the Year Award and participates in tennis, band and jazz band. Ashley earned the position of the Top Ten 7th Grade Students at GMS, participated in UIL Math, the PALS program and the talent show.

Joining a delegation of outstanding students from the state of Texas, Ashley and Andrew will develop leadership skills while learning about the great state of Texas and its leaders. They will learn about future career and internship opportunities and visit historically, politically and geographically significant sites, including the Austin offices of their State Representative Vicki Truitt, District 98, and State Senator Jane Nelson, District 12. Other sites include the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, LBJ Library, State Cemetary, Governor's Mansion, State Capitol, Supreme Court and McKinney Roughs Environmental Learning Center. Additional activities will include an evening around the campfire with a cowboy storyteller, ice cream social, IMAX Theater, bat watching, guided rafting trip, Lone Star Riverboat Cruise and farewell program.

Participants have fun meeting students from area schools, while adding to their resume of academic achievements, developing leadership skills and bringing home a wealth of information to supplement and share with their classmates.
For more information, call 817/285-8961 or visit www.eiatx.org.

GHS Cheerleader Mustang Carwash is scheduled for Saturday, July 26, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.at Wal-Mart in Southlake, 200 N. Kimball Avenue. Donations will be accepted. The Mustang Cheerleaders will be earning money to attend National Competition during the 2003-04 school year. Call 817/428-1645 for more information.