Dateline: GCISD - Friday,  November 17, 2001 11:21 AM

EA Awards Board, District an ‘Exceeds Expectations’ Award for Teacher Salaries

The Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Board of Trustees was recognized on Monday by the United Educators Association with an “Exceeds Expectations” award for teacher salaries. The UEA recently released its annual comparison of local teacher salaries. UEA’s salary comparison takes pay information from all districts in the Western Metroplex and ranks them at five-year intervals. The comparison was expanded this year to include salary information from other major, urban school districts in the state.

UEA annually gives five awards to districts in this comparison. The awards are for best overall salaries, most improved, and exceeds expectations.  This year, GCISD ties for 8th out of 29 districts for beginning teachers with bachelor’s degrees. At five years’ experience, GCISD ranks 13th, and at 10 years, it ranks 7th. Ranking for additional years is as follows:  6th, 15 years; 2nd, 20 years; 3rd at 25 years, and 14th at 30 years.

Karen Kuykendall, fourth grade teacher at Silver Lake Elementary and president of the Grapevine-Colleyville UEA, told trustees at a Board meeting on Nov. 12 that the award was being given to the Board and District because of dedication to employees. She said: “When other Robin Hood districts such as Highland Park ISD are asking their PTAs to raise over $900,000 for a teacher raise next year, GCISD Administration and you as a Board showed true leadership and developed a budget that gave a minimum of a 4 percent raise to all employees. This was done with a  thoughtful review of the budget and cost cutting measures. Not only were these great raises given, no increase in taxes was needed to pay for them.”

Kuykendall continued: “You as a Board and the Administration of this district should be commended on the dedication you have to the employees.  We are thankful for the commitment you have shown in making the district the best in the area in regard to salaries.”

Three GCISD teachers were honored on Nov. 10, at the Texas Academy of Math and Science (TAMS) teacher appreciation dinner at the University of North Texas. Jennifer Golden of CHHS was nominated by Cristina Vinado, Bettie Gimbert of HMS was nominated by Alison Myers and Ruthanne Bloyd of CTMS was nominated by Daniel Zitrick.Teachers were invited to the dinner by TAMS students who felt the teacher had made a significant impact on their lives and academic career. The dinner was highlighted by the students' introduction of their teachers and their reflections on how that teacher had affected their lives.

Ms. Bloyd attended the event and received a mug from TAMS with her name and the name of her former student and a framed certificate of appreciation from TAMS. This 2001-2002 TAMS class has over 200 students from across the United States. Teachers came from across the Metroplex, Houston, San Antonio, other cities across the state of Texas and from as far away as Illinois.

They are now on display at the school. A panel of judges selected the works that will advance to the Council level of judging in this nationwide contest.

In the Intermediate Age Division (Grades 3-5), the following places were awarded:

These works will be submitted and judged at the GCISD Council of PTA’s in December. Good luck to all of our representatives from Bransford!

Cannon Elementary - Calendar of Events

Spirit Day - Friday, Nov. 30th 

Cannon Choir will sing at the Texas Tornado game on Saturday, Dec. 1st.

A panel of professional judges selected fifteen entries as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. These Reflections entries will advance to the PTA Council level to compete against entries from other elementary schools in GCISD. Congratulations to Anjum Hadwani, Lucas Kacir, and Haley Folkes for placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in K-2 Visual Arts. In the same category in grades 3 – 5 the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners were Anam Hadwani, Alicia Hadwani and Courtney Goldstein.

In Photography Nia Lambert placed 1st in the K-2 category while Sarah Rososky, Courtney Goldstein, and Forrest Barouch took the prizes in 3rd-5th category. The Literature 1st place was given t o Abby Seifried in the K-2 category. Alexa Caprielian, Ashley DiMarzo and Alicia Hadwani took the honors in the 3rd – 5th category. Bobby Glaser won 1st place in music for his original cello entry.

The National PTA Reflections Program is more than 28 years old. Ten million-plus students have participated in the program since it was created.

The National PTA, founded in 1897, encourages its more than 6.5 million members to be involved in key child education and welfare issues. The organization serves as an advocate for children and families in schools, the community and before government agencies.

Grapevine Middle School Social Studies teacher Debby Hoskins has announced that the National Geographic Society Geography Bee will be held at Grapevine Middle on Wednesday, Nov. 28, beginning at 8:15 a.m. The competition is open to all grades levels, and will be held in the Lecture Hall on campus. Ten finalists will be selected from each grade with a qualifying test, and the Grapevine Middle School winner will advance to the next level of competition.

Doug Terrell of the West Texas Search and Rescue Organization will visit Grapevine Middle School on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 10:30 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. in the small gym. Terrell will bring his dog "Mack, and will share his experiences with Mack during their rescue efforts at "Ground Zero" in New York City from September 19th to September 26th. Terrell is currently working with several local fire departments on training a "fire dog" who will help detect the cause of fires. Terrell's visit was arranged by Grapevine Middle School teacher Mr. Roger Woerner.

This past weekend the Colleyville Heritage Panther Drumline placed 1st overall, (grand champion), and was awarded the outstanding tenor line trophy in the Lone Star Drumline Competition at Goldsmith Stadium in Lewisville.  This is considered the state championship for drumlines and had over 50 schools from all across the Texas.

The Grapevine High School Boys Cross Country team finishing the season as the State Runner up in 4A after an outstanding performance at the 2001 State Championships on Saturday, Nov. 10 at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.

All proceeds from the concert go directly to the national Students for a Free Tibet to build schools for Tibetan children, distribute information, and help make an end to the dire situation. Come support a great cause and listen to some amazing bands.