Gainesville ISD
Summer 2021
The Official Magazine of the Gainesville Independent School District Published by
www.Murray-Media.com
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Message FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Dear Gainesville ISD Families, I can’t put into words what this community means to me. First, let me say THANK YOU for your undivided support during my tenure as the Superintendent of Schools. TOGETHER, we have been able to build an educational environment that is centered around student success, but the best is yet to come. During the 2020-2021 school year we were faced with finding a way to keep our faculty, staff and students safe, while also creating an engaging learning environment that was designed to close academic gaps created by the closure of schools in March 2020. We did not know what to expect and the levels of anxiety were exponentially elevated throughout our community. Safety will continue to be our top priority as we continue to explore the expansion of programmatic offerings and opportunities for ALL learners. We have begun looking at the future of our community and school system as a whole. According to a recent demographic report, over the next several years we are projected to grow as a district, which is both exciting yet concerning. With a possible increase in the number of students, we must ensure that our buildings are adequate and suitable for increased enrollment. Therefore, I will be hosting a series of community forums so that I can disseminate information as well as address any/all questions that our families may have. American Industrialist Andrew Carnegie once said that “teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results”. I am excited about what the future has in store for us, and I welcome anyone to join us as we navigate this process. As we focus on the 2021-2022 school year, it is now time to hit the “RESET” button and to begin the process of returning teaching and learning to normal. We will be expanding our 1:1 technology initiative to include our 2nd – 4th grade students at Chalmers as well as increasing the number of devices at Edison. We will also look to build upon the many academic successes from 2020-2021. We will continue to look for new and innovative programs that will better prepare our kids to pursue their career ambitions. We will also welcome back our parents and volunteers to our campuses. Our faculty, staff and students have greatly missed your presence and cannot wait for your return. Our motto “Every Leopard, Every Day” drives all that we do here in GISD. Over the last few years we, as a collective unit, have had many successes, but we still have work to do. Join us as we plan to make the 2021-2022 school year fun, exciting and educationally relevant for our nearly 3,000 students. Our students need us more than ever, and TOGETHER we will be able to provide a learning experience for our students that is second to none.
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
Leslie Crutsinger Director of Communications
James Polk
Athletic Director
Shelton Price Director of Transportation
Brittenie Polk Director of Special Services
Lawanna Wisian Chief of GISD Police
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 4
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Table of
CONTENTS
PUBLISHERS Scott & Kelly Murray EDITORS Jana Melton Bobbi Byrne Leslie Crutsinger CONTRIBUTORS Gainesville ISD Steve Gamel ADVERTISING Leslie Crutsinger lcrutsinger@gainesvilleisd.org PRODUCTION Graphic Designers Caroline Brock Cayla Thompson
C O L L E G I AT E
ACADEMY
Letters
GISD SPOTlight welcomes reader feedback, story suggestions and general comments. Email lcrutsinger@gainesvilleisd.org. All submissions become the sole property of Murray Media Group.
Read More on Page 11
Contact Us Gainesville ISD News
03
Message From The Superintendent
04
Get to Know Gainesville ISD
06
GISD Fiesta Night
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F.L.A.G. Program
08
Congratulations Class of 2021
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Collegiate Academy
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Class of 2021 - Top 10%
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Reading for Success
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AVID Advancement Via Individual Determination
Gainesville High School Powerlifting
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Next Level
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.
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Athletic Facility Improvements
Address: 3513 Yucca Drive, Suite 200 Flower Mound, TX 75028
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GISD Band Marches On
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Gainesville Junior High - Beyond the Classroom
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End-of-Year Celebrations: District Awards
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End-of-Year Celebrations: Retirees
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End-of-Year Celebrations: Service Awards
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Shining Stars Gala
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2021-2022 Online Registration
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 Summer 2021 • Gainesville SPOT SPOTlight light •
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fiesta!
F
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
iesta Night originally started over 10 years ago to highlight Hispanic Heritage month in October. Each year, the event grew in attendance and student participation, and last year an estimated 1,000 parents came to watch their students perform folkloric dances. The event took on a new life this year, when it was moved to May and held off campus at the Gainesville Farmers Market. It was a huge success, and the estimated attendance reached 4,000 people! The event is now a way to celebrate the diversity and unity of our entire community. It is a time to come together to dance, smile, and enjoy the true spirit of Gainesville. “Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.” Mahatma Gandhi In looking at our students in Gainesville ISD, we see a rainbow of students who mesh beautifully in all aspects of their lives and friendships. This is where unity begins: in our schools. “In diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” Maya Angelou Just like in a dance or on a team, it takes all of the participants to collaborate to bring out the best in each of us. Each of our students contribute their talents for the betterment of the group! This happens on the athletic fields as well as in the classroom and in real-world situations. “Keep your language. Love its sounds, its modulation, its rhythm. But try to march together with men of different languages, remote from your own, who wish like you for a more just and human world.” Helder Camara
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Our students at Edison and Chalmers are learning from each other. Our dual language program strives for our students to be bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural.
Our teachers dedicate themselves to developing the whole child by creating opportunities to become productive and responsible students who will each contribute in their own way.
F.L.A.G. PROGRAM FLY | LOWER | GATHER The F.L.A.G. Program is committed to remembering the history of the United States flag, instilling patriotism and pride back into our schools, and never forgetting those who fight daily for our nation and our freedom.
I
n the Fall of 2010, Jim Rodriguez, a retired veteran of the United States Air Force, proposed an idea to teach students the history, etiquette, and proper protocol surrounding the American flag. He enlisted the services of Staff Sergeant Jose Rivera, a United States Army Recruiter, and together they launched the F.L.A.G. Program. To date,
there are more than 55 schools across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arizona who participate in the program. In 2018, Carey Bean, Special Education teacher, volunteered to be a trainer for the F.L.A.G. Program at Chalmers Elementary. Carey took on the annual recruitment of students and the daily implementation of the program. Students in 2nd-4th
grade who wish to join the program first complete an application to ensure they understand the responsibilities and purpose of the program. Once accepted, Carey teaches them proper flag etiquette and the techniques for raising, lowering, and folding of the flag. Students are put into groups and rotate duties on a weekly basis throughout the year. The F.L.A.G. program students are responsible for raising and lowering the American and Texas flag in front of Chalmers each day. Throughout the years, the program has continuously grown, and in a typical year, there are approximately 75 students in the program. We take pride in the patriotism of our staff, students, and the community of Gainesville and will continue to promote this program for years to come! Summer 2021 • Gainesville SPOT SPOTlight light •
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Congratulations Class
2021 of
ONCE A LEOPARD, ALWAYS A LEOPARD!
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GAINESVILLE ISD
Collegiate Academy In Partnership with North Central Texas College
G
ainesville ISD is proud to partner with North Central Texas College to offer a wide variety of dual credit options, including academic and career and technical courses. Dual Credit is an opportunity for 9th - 12th grade students to earn college credit and high school credit simultaneously. To be eligible for dual credit, GHS students must be approved by the high school counselor and must meet TSIA2 college readiness scores as mandated by the state of Texas. Each semester, GHS has approximately 160 students who are enrolled in academic dual credit courses. Students who choose the academic dual credit route have several options for taking college courses, two of which require joining the Collegiate Academy in 9th grade and following a dual credit course plan for all four years. The first option is to earn an Associate of Arts degree by completing 60 college credit hours. The second option is to complete 42 college credit hours to be considered “core complete” and have a block of courses that can be transferred to any public university in Texas. The advantage
SIX GHS GRADUATES ALSO EARNED AN ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE: Daniel Buenos Aires Eduardo Diaz Kaitlyn Beane North Central Texas College
Desiree Stephens Danica West Lily Kemp
of both of these options is that students can enter a university with one-third of their bachelor’s degree complete. The GHS Class of 2021 had 13 students who completed the Collegiate Academy. Six students earned an Associate of Arts degree: Daniel Buenos Aires, Eduardo Diaz, Kaitlyn Beane, Desiree Stephens, Danica West, and Lily Kemp. Seven students are dual credit core complete: Anthony Larraga, Ximena Zapata, Andrea Barcenas, Sofia Collantes, Harmony Rutherford, Tramera Bynum, and Jasper Conner.
SEVEN GHS GRADUATES ARE DUAL CREDIT CORE COMPLETE: Anthony Larraga Ximena Zapata Andrea Barcenas Sofia Collantes Harmony Rutherford Tramera Bynum Jasper Conner
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Class of 2021 Valedictorian
DESIREE STEPHENS Desiree will be attending Texas A&M University where she will major in Biomedical Science. Her career goal is to become a veterinarian. Desiree is the daughter of Candy & Joey Stephens. To the Class of 2021: “It has been a long journey. It wasn’t easy, but I have faith that it will prove to be worth it. I wish everyone the best in their journey and look forward to what the future has in store for each one of us. I’m so happy I got to take this journey with you.” To future GHS graduates: “Work hard and do your best. Your path might not be clear yet, but I know you will achieve your goals. Good luck.”
Salutatorian LILY KEMP
Lily will be attending Texas Woman’s University where she will major in computer science. She hopes to become a pioneer in the field of arts and technology. Lily is the daughter of Shannon and Nathan Kemp. To the Class of 2021: “Growing up with you guys sure was an experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Even for those who came later on – I couldn’t imagine school without you.” To future GHS graduates: “Don’t let your grades define you – whether they’re good or bad – because you are so much more than just a number.”
#3 KAITLYN BEANE Kaitlyn will be attending Murray State College where she will major in Gunsmithing Technology. She hopes to one day run/own a gun shop/gun range. Kaitlyn is the daughter of Becki and Toby Beane. To the Class of 2021: “Just Keep Swimming!” To future GHS graduates: “Education and life, in general, is a huge roller coaster ride; just remember to hold on.”
#4 SOFIA COLLANTES Sofia will be attending the University of Oklahoma where she will major in Finance. She plans to work in the corporate world and eventually start her own business and go into real estate. Sofia is the daughter of Joanne Drew. To the Class of 2021: “I am proud of you all for continuing to move forward. Regardless of all the obstacles, challenges, and ordeals, we did it.” To future GHS graduates: “Do what is right, not what is easy. Be confident in what you do, and do it with glam!” 12
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Top 10% #5 HARMONY RUTHERFORD Harmony will be attending Texas A&M University-Commerce where she will major in Music Education. She hopes to be a Band Director in the future. Harmony is the daughter of Valarie and Russ Rutherford. To the Class of 2021: “Do great things, but have fun doing them!” To future GHS graduates: “Don’t waste time. Love every moment, for they run out quickly.”
#6 JASPER CONNER Jasper will be attending NCTC where he will pursue his Associate of Arts degree. He hopes to do something in game design, writing, or illustration. Jasper is the son of Joe and Jock Conner. To the Class of 2021: “I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of this class. To those people that I have developed such good friendships with, thank you for everything that you have done for me. I hope that all of you find something worthwhile in your next adventures.” To future GHS graduates: “Mental health should take precedence over your academic status during your high school career. Grades are grades, but your emotional state is something way more important. Stay away from those that upset you and try to find a best friend and keep that. Best of luck!”
#7 ALEX STOCKWELL Alex is not planning on attending college right away but plans to sometime in the future. She is the daughter of Sheri and Phillip Stockwell. To the Class of 2021: “Graduates of GHS! Raise your eyes to the skies and observe. It’s up to each of us to prove this is a world worth saving. That our lives... our lives are worth living.” To future GHS graduates: “You can learn everything you ever need to know on YouTube.”
#8 ANDREA BARCENAS Andrea will be attending The University of Oklahoma where she will major in Accounting. She would like to work in accounting management in a big corporation and then later get certified to teach elementary mathematics. Andrea is the daughter of Leticia and Gustavo Barcenas. To the Class of 2021: “Everyone has their own goals. Do not let others influence your decisions.” To future GHS graduates: “Do not take on more than you can handle. It is better to be great at a few things than to be bad at many things.”
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#9 ANTHONY LARRAGA Anthony will be attending UT Austin where he will major in Government. He then plans to go to UT Law School and is interested in law involving immigration, prosecution, or civil rights. He has hopes of eventually running for Congress. Anthony is the son of Diana and Jesus Larraga. To the Class of 2021: “Through all our ups and downs, we finally did it guys. Thank you all for the memories that we have made, and I hope life after this chapter treats us well. Call me if you need a lawyer, because I might be there.” To future GHS graduates: “Don’t be hesitant about doing something out of your comfort zone. Do what you love and that love will drive you to become better. Keep up grades, but don’t let that get in the way of being happy.”
#10 DAYANARA MALDONADO-SALAS Dayanara will be attending the University of North Texas where she will major in Biology. She is the daughter of Jenny Salas and Antonio Maldonado. To the Class of 2021: “Keep working hard, and continue to follow your dreams. Everyone can be destined for amazing things.” To future GHS graduates: “Work hard and never give up. Everyone can reach any goal they have as long as they try.”
#11 EDUARDO DIAZ Eduardo will be attending Michigan State University where he will major in English with a concentration in creative writing. He hopes to do screenwriting for film, TV, and video games. Eduardo also plans on getting certified to teach high school English. Eduardo is the son of Olivia Perez and Oscar Diaz. To the Class of 2021: “It’s ok. Your life isn’t over. It just started.” To future GHS graduates: “Don’t judge your future through the lens of financial availability. There is always going to be money.”
#12 DANICA WEST Danica will be attending Texas Woman’s University where she will major in English. She hopes to be an editor or teacher but is open to other opportunities. Danica is the daughter of Valerie Dawson and Bill West To the Class of 2021: “Good luck!” To future GHS graduates: “Talent Search is a godsend; join as soon as possible. Your teachers aren’t your enemies, so be nice to them. Don’t be shy to use the resources provided to you, and by that I mean that seniors know a lot more than they’re letting on. Ask for help. You’ll need it.”
#13 MELODY RUTHERFORD Melody will be attending the University of Oklahoma where she will major in Theatre with an emphasis in stage management. She plans to work as a stage manager for professional companies and later come back to Texas to teach at the high school level. Melody is the daughter of Valarie and Russ Rutherford. To the Class of 2021: “I wish you guys the best.” To future GHS graduates: “Trust the process and enjoy the journey.”
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#14 DANIEL BUENOS AIRES Daniel will be enlisting in the United States Army where he will be a combat medic. His goal is to become President of the United States, or he will join the medical field or start his own business. Daniel is the son of Maria and Rosalio Buenos Aires. To the Class of 2021: “Chase the bag, shoutout to Quizlet.” To future GHS graduates: “Remember us; hopefully COVID-19 is gone; if you don’t know where to go, start a band or join the Army.”
#15 AGUSTIN ESPINOZA Agustin will be attending Texas A&M-Commerce where he will major in Animal Science. He plans to attend veterinary school and open up a veterinary clinic. Agustin is the son of Concepcion Oropeza. To the Class of 2021: “I’m proud of the accomplishments this class has achieved.” To future GHS graduates: “Enjoy your time in high school because life after seems scary and depressing.”
#16 TRAMERA BYNUM Tramera will be attending Texas Woman’s University where she will major in Graphic Design. Her goal for the future is to work in film, either in advertisement or movie making. Tramera is the daughter of Kristi and Trevor Bynum. To the Class of 2021: “Y’all made it harder than it had to be.” To future GHS graduates: “Grow up sooner rather than later. Everything in life is just a moment so make the most of them.”
#17 SIERRA BOWER Sierra will be attending Missouri State University where she will major in Biology. She plans to obtain a master’s degree and become a physician assistant. Sierra is the daughter of Kimberly and Wade Bower. To the Class of 2021: “Good luck y’all! Do great things!” To future GHS graduates: “Plan ahead! There are so many deadlines and fees during your senior year. Have fun though, and enjoy your last year of high school!”
#18 XANDER HERNANDEZ Xander will be attending the University of Colorado Boulder where she will major in vocal performance and pursue music. Xander is the daughter of Miranda King. To the Class of 2021: “Maturity goes a long way.” To future GHS graduates: “Take it easy. You deserve it.”
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Success READING FOR
R
eading intervention is imperative for students as they build their skills and set the foundation for their education. In 2015, GISD realized the need for this type of intervention and began utilizing the READ 180/System 44 program for students beginning in 3rd grade, and the students are reaping tremendous benefits overall. The program has a variety of services and enhancements based on the students’ grade level and the needs of the individual student.
READ 180 is a blended learning environment that accelerates instruction through a combination of proven and adaptive technology. This model organizes class time to provide balanced literacy that targets the needs of struggling readers. It allows for more individualized instruction through diagnostic evaluations and real-time data specific to the student. A big focus of READ 180 is a growth mindset. Students are constantly self-reflecting and setting new goals for higher academic achievement, gaining new strategies and establishing confidence in their abilities. The student growth while in the program is astounding. Overall, 80% of all students have shown significant gains in closing the learning gap since entering the program; 67% have grown 1-2 grade levels, and 18% have grown 3-4 grade levels. In 2019-2020, 13 students were nominated for a national award based on their outstanding achievement. Although 16
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nominations were not accepted for the 2020-2021 school year, many more students demonstrated achievements worthy of nomination. In a time when COVID made teaching and learning very difficult, these programs allowed our intervention teachers to consistently reach those students with reading difficulties and continue with their individual growth.
A few of the 6th-grade students reflect on what READ 180 has done for them: “Read 180 has helped me improve my reading and is making me a better writer.” - C. Thomas “It has helped me with my reading. It even helped me use complete sentences and understand grammar.” - H. Garrison “Read 180 has helped me read and also it has helped me get ready for the STAAR Test.” - C. Bustos “Read 180 has helped me become a better reader. For example, before Read 180, I would read and never ask questions. But now, I do because I understand what I am reading.” - A. Fernandez “I have noticed an improvement in all his grades, and he is trying harder.” - Ms. Nieto, Parent of a student in Read 180
PROVEN ACHIEVEMENT
AVID lifelong advantage Emily Constantino
A
dvancement Via Individual Determination, or AVID, is a program designed to provide professional learning for students seeking to close opportunity gaps and improve college and career readiness. The program traditionally assists underrepresented students as they apply for scholarships, gain college credits, and enroll in more rigorous classes such as dual credit, Advanced Placement, and Honors classes. Last year, the AVID program was also extended down to students at the junior high to begin preparing these students even earlier. The AVID program is vital for ensuring the students who want to attend college have the skills needed to apply. The college application and admission process can be daunting, and many of our graduates are first generation college students with little previous home knowledge of the necessary steps. Recent GHS graduate Emily Constantino is a first generation college student from a single parent household. “I had no clue how it would be to apply to college, so I needed as much help and support as possible,” Emily said. Every one of the 2021 AVID graduates successfully applied and were accepted into their top two
Alissa Galaviz college choices, and many were accepted into their top three. The four-year AVID program proved to set Emily up for success. She was accepted into OSU, Tarleton, and OU and received nearly $200,000 in scholarships. The scholarships are plentiful for these students based on their demographics combined with grades and test scores. It’s the AVID program which helps them find those scholarships and apply. Many students begin high school not knowing what their plans are going to be for the future. Alissa Galaviz said, “I knew that I had to at least try because none of my family members went to college. I wanted to make my mom and dad proud, and I have been working hard on academics and soccer to get where I am today.” GHS had 97 students enrolled in the program for the 2020-2021 school year, and that number continues to grow. Many of the students stay with AVID for all four years because of the many benefits, and continuing to increase the retention rate is a goal for the AVID program. Each year, the program gets closer to this goal, with 17 students having completed at least their third year
in AVID. Another shorter term goal of the program is to have 100% of all AVID students earn all of the credits attempted each semester. Emily and Alissa have both been in the program all four years of high school, benefitting from learning how to effectively take notes, stay organized with their school work, and stay on top of their grades with weekly grade checks. Another advantage for the AVID students is the tutorial sessions provided to ensure that they can improve grades and their overall college appeal. Emily’s academic scholarships and grades have allowed her to attend Oklahoma State University, where she will major in business and become a real estate agent. Alissa’s hard work on the soccer field and in the classroom earned her an athletic scholarship to Southeastern Community College in Iowa. While playing for the team, she will pursue her education to become an athletic trainer and hopes to eventually come back to Gainesville to be a trainer for the school district. “AVID has helped to prepare me for the next chapter in my life,” Alissa said. Summer 2021 • Gainesville SPOT SPOTlight light •
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GAINESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Powerlifting The GHS powerlifting program wrapped up the most successful season to date, with two State Champion lifters and multiple state medalists on both the boys and girls side.
T
he powerlifting program is led by coaches Kenneth Wilkerson and Justin
if you put in constant effort consistently over time, then good things will happen,”
Bigelow. Both have an extensive personal
Bigelow said. “It’s 100% true that if you
history and passion for lifting.
show up in the weight room you will
“When I came to GHS, the boys
get stronger. They can take it to other
program was in a good place. There
aspects of their life in the classroom or
weren’t a lot of girls, so I focused on
other sports.”
building up the girls program,” Wilkerson
This year there were 13 boys and
said. This year, there were 26 girl lifters
17 girls who qualified for Regionals,
and 29 boy lifters. Another notable
which is a new record for GHS. In fact,
change in the program is that over the
the Leopards had the most boys who
past few years, there have been more
qualified of any school, and the girls
multi-sport athletes. Out of the 55
had the second most of any school in
lifters this year, only three were
the Region. There were not any other
specialized lifters.
schools that had a top 5 finish at state in
“In general, kids expect instant gratification. Powerlifting shows kids that 18
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both boys and girls, making GHS one of the most successful teams in the state.
Success of lifting is starting to pour over into other sports, getting the kids to buy in and come to morning weights. “When they are getting stronger and winning medals, it breeds over into football, track, volleyball, etc. and it multiplies and spreads throughout the program,” Wilkerson said. Returning State Champions Yovanni Juarez and Aaliyah Henry are each vying to win all records at State next year. Becoming a two-time state champion is moving into elite territory, especially on the boys side. Yovanni placed 5th in State as a freshman, in a sport dominated by juniors and seniors, and then advanced to State as a sophomore but the meet was cancelled due to COVID.
S TAT E C H A M P I O N S P OT L I G H T all state records; she currently holds two. She is a multisport athlete, excelling in track, basketball, and volleyball. “Powerlifting helped me with my mindset in other sports,” Aaliyah said. “I know that I just need to keep going and do the best I can.” Aaliyah has a good chance for earning a college scholarship for powerlifting, and she plans to work towards a degree in psychology. She said to others considering lifting, “It’s not as bad as you think,” but also added “but those suits are a different story.”
Aaliyah Henry “I started lifting in 7th grade. Coach Searcy saw the potential in me, and he let me work out with the boys after school,” Aaliyah said. “I was naturally stronger than the other girls.” Aaliyah’s goal as soon as she started lifting was to win state. After winning State as a Junior, she now is working towards breaking
together. It’s a lot more fun than everyone thinks it is.” Yovanni currently holds three state records, and his goal for his Senior year is to also set the record in deadlift. “I need to work on my lower back for that one,” he said. Yovanni plans to earn a powerlifting scholarship for college and go into law enforcement.
Yovanni Juarez Yovanni started Powerlifting as a freshman. He lifted 605 lbs, but with improved technique and form, he is now able to easily lift 705. “The coaches support us and teach us technique,” Yovanni said. “They taught me everything I needed to know.” His favorite part of the team is “just being with friends and being
A RECORD-BREAKING YEAR GIRLS PLACE 4TH at STATE Junior Aaliyah Henry, State Champion; State records in bench (315 lbs) and total weight lifted (1170 lbs) Ashlyn Garrison, 2nd Carolanne Condie, 3rd Emily Constantino, 4th Qualifiers: Mirthsa Zamora and Angel Sainz GIRLS PLACE 2ND at REGIONALS Aaliyah Henry, Regional Champion; Regional records in squat, bench, and total weight lifted; Heavy Platform Best Lifter, Best Bench, and Best Deadlift Emily Constantino, Regional Champion Qualifiers: Mirthsa Zamora, Angel Sainz, Ashlynn Garrison, and Carolanne Condie
BOYS PLACE 3RD at STATE Junior Yovanni Juarez, State Champion; State records in total weight lifted (1665 lbs), squat (690 lbs), and bench (450 lbs) Dwayne Wilson, 2nd place Outstanding Squat (700 lbs) Mason Ford and Jesse Rosales set numerous personal records BOYS WIN REGIONALS Yovanni Juarez, Regional Champion; Regional records in total weight lifted, squat, and bench; Best Bench award for the Light Platforms Jesse Rosales, 1st place Dwayne Wilson, Best Squat award Alexis Huerta, 3rd place Mason Ford, Javier Fraire, and Rafael Chavez - 4th place
Next
Level
The Class of 2021 raised the bar, with 11 GHS athletes committing to compete in a variety of sports at the collegiate level.
FOOTBALL CJ Feagins - Hardin-Simmons University, JD Harrison - Kansas Wesleyan University, Paul “Tre” Lawson III - Houston Baptist University, Kenyon Overstreet Kansas Wesleyan University
BASKETBALL Robyn Hardin Dallas Christian College
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POWERLIFTING Dwayne Wilson Midland University (Nebraska)
SOCCER Alissa Galaviz - Southeastern Community College (Iowa), TRACK/CROSS COUNTRY Jose Monsivais - Hill College, Abraham Saenz - National Park Gustavo Rojas - North Central Texas College (Arkansas), Cesar Garcia - National Park College (Arkansas) College
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ATHLETIC FACILITY
Improvements
T
he competition areas for the GHS athletes have gone through an overhaul the past couple of years. Most recently, the football field turf has been replaced after surpassing the 10-year life expectancy. The complete replacement of the turf and addition of a 20-year cushdrain shock pad will ensure the safety of the football and soccer athletes who compete on the field. Due to flooding during the winter storm event in February, the floor in
the competition gym was destroyed, which resulted in an unplanned complete replacement. The softball and baseball teams also benefit from a fairly new turf installation on the baseball and softball fields, which allows for continued competition during the rainy season as well as the ability to host tournaments. The most notable recent improvement in GHS athletic facilities is the addition of a six-court tennis complex. Since the GHS campus opened in 2008, the tennis
athletes have not had an on-campus court on which to practice. Thankfully, an agreement with NCTC allowed the use of their courts. The growing tennis program now has a beautiful facility in which to practice and host tournaments. All athletes continue to utilize the indoor multipurpose facility and weight room, which was a capital improvement project completed in the Fall of 2017. All of these improvements were paid for with the district’s fund balance. Summer 2021 • Gainesville SPOT SPOTlight light •
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GISD BAND
Marches On
Resiliency, Growth, and Continued Success
O
ne of the many thriving Fine Arts programs at Gainesville ISD is the band program. Five years ago, the program went through a major overhaul, increasing the number of directors at Lee, GJH, and GHS in order to better serve the student needs. With the addition of band directors at every campus, the program has been able to successfully grow in numbers and earn an extensive amount of awards. The program begins instilling basic skills in students at Gainesville Intermediate, where 6th grade students have the option of picking band as one of their electives. Karli Spangler, Intermediate band director, consistently recruits students into the program, which is evident by the typical annual enrollment of 100 students. These students would typically have a concert band competition in which to participate in the spring. However, this
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year they did not have this opportunity due to COVID restrictions. The band was still able to show off their talents at a live streamed Christmas concert and an adjudicated spring performance, at which they received excellent comments from adjudicator Bryan Ferrell. The intermediate band students were also able to compete virtually in the Pilot Point Solo and Ensemble Contest. They recorded their solos and submitted them to be judged.
Students were very successful and won many first division awards. Retention of these band students as they transition to junior high is key. With numerous options for electives, GJH Band Director Jeff Hodges works diligently to maintain high interest in band for the 7th and 8th grade students. Junior high is a pivotal time, as students increase their musical skills and prepare for high school marching band. Just like all other programs, the Junior High bands were also deeply affected by the restrictions due to the pandemic. The socially distanced practices required at the beginning of the year created a significant challenge to the directors as they tried to
see and hear the students well enough to solidify strong fundamentals in posture, breathing, hand position, tone production and playing as an ensemble. However, there were many bright lights this year. In the fall, a record-setting 8 students qualified for the All Region Band. In UIL concert and sight-reading, recordings were submitted in the spring and the band was awarded a Superior Rating. Also, the Symphonic Band earned the highest rating in recent history at the Spring contest. The high school band program is where the Redcoats truly begin to shine. The foundational skills of the previous 3 years set the high school bands up for success. With multiple bands, including the Redcoat marching band, jazz band, and concert band, there are practices and UIL
competitions all year. For these reasons, the pandemic restrictions affected the high school band members the most. The band students and directors started the year off with many challenges due to COVID, which resulted in the marching band having only a small fraction of the rehearsal time that they would normally have to start the season. There were also strict guidelines on rehearsal times, student spacing, and even a delayed starting date for programs to begin working on their fall show. Due to UIL restrictions, the band could not begin putting the competition show on the field until the second game, when typically they begin August 1 and have the entire show on the field by that time. All of these circumstances, in addition to numerous
quarantines, and several band students learning remotely, deeply affected the program. The Redcoats struggled with discouragement due to the many setbacks. Yet, through it all, the Redcoats pulled out their third consecutive first division rating, and an appearance at the UIL Area Marching contest. During the second semester, the students were able to return to the band hall and had a successful spring season. The Redcoats received first division ratings for their stage performance as well as their sight reading performance, giving them their second consecutive UIL Sweepstakes award. After the contest, both the Redcoats and the GJH bands had the honor of working with composer William Owens. Mr. Owens composed a new piece for the High School band entitled “Polar Lights,” and premiered the new piece along with performing other pieces that he wrote with both the Redcoats and the GJH band at their spring concert. Looking into the future, the band program looks stronger and the numbers continue to improve. Due to the strong foundation established the past five years, the band students are destined to continue to thrive as they transition to a new Head Director and GJH Director following the retirement of Rutherford and the out-of-state move for Hodges. Summer 2021 • Gainesville SPOT SPOTlight light •
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GAINESVILLE JUNIOR HIGH S
tudents at Gainesville Junior High are exposed to a variety of extracurricular activities that fit the needs and interests of our student population. These activities broaden student development, strengthen social skills, and tend to boost academic performance while giving students the opportunity to learn and develop abilities beyond the classroom. Although COVID-19 protocols changed how these activities looked, school staff aimed to maintain school spirit and student involvement throughout the 2020-2021 school year.
ATHLETICS
offered during the summer and focuses on
a record-setting eight students who
specific sports as well as overall strength
qualified. UIL concert and sight-reading
GJHS athletic programs during the year.
and conditioning.
recordings were submitted in the spring,
Led by Coach LJ Searcy and Coach Leslie
BAND
and the band was awarded a Superior
Over 280 students participated in
Thomas, young athletes learn goal setting,
During the 2021 school year, the
Rating. Members also participated virtually
self-discipline, problem-solving skills, and
GJHS Band program, led by Band
in the Pilot Point Solo and Ensemble
the value of teamwork, as well as develop
Director Jeff Hodges, overcame
Contest. As the school year closed,
a strong work ethic. GJHS offers football,
many obstacles to find success and
the band was involved in several other
volleyball, basketball, soccer, track, cross
create new standards for the future.
performances, including the Willie Owens
country, tennis, and golf. Competitively,
Being unable to publicly perform, the
guest composer concert, in which the
a highlight of the year was the Henrietta
program instead focused on learning
composer rehearsed and performed his
track meet when all four 7th and 8th
recording techniques and were able to
music with GJHS students. The junior high
grade boys and girls teams placed first.
have several virtual concerts this year.
bands were also able to participate in the
The GJHS Athletic Department also held
These virtual concerts were musically
1st annual Fiesta Day community event
its very first Spring League volleyball,
successful and well-received by the
in May.
basketball, and football for athletes in
community. In the fall, many students
CHOIR & THEATRE
grades 6-8. A similar skills program is
auditioned for All-Region Band with
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GJHS has three choirs under the
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
direction of Sutton Hennessy. During the 2020-2021 school year, students TJ Foss and Joeseph Holmes were selected to be part of the All Region Choir. The Bel Canto Choir recorded a stellar performance for the UIL competition and also performed at the community Fiesta Day. During the fall semester, theatre students, also directed by Sutton Hennessy, rehearsed and prepared for the UIL One Act Play competition. This year’s production of Still Life with Iris included 22 student actors and technicians. The troupe was awarded the Best Techs Award at the competition for outstanding work behind the scenes. All Star Cast was awarded to Virginia Evans and Honorable Mention was earned by TJ Foss, John Mitchell, and Kelsey Vaughn. During the spring semester, over 30 student performers staged Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr.
ART Each year, GISD sponsors a Christmas card contest to give our student artists a chance to show off their talents. Ericka Herrera-Franco’s detailed, COVID-inspired artwork, was first place for GJH and her art graced the inside of the card. In January, Art teacher Melissa Knight featured artist work at the Board meeting. The pieces included Pop Art Candy Labels, Raised Texture Zentangles with chalk, Shoe Drawings, and Eclipses with Tissue Paper inspired by artist Alma Thomas. Also in January, art students welcomed Ms. Anna Wayt, a Senior Artist from UNT, to assist the students with their self-portraits. Anna shared tips, techniques, and insight into self-portraits and drawing facial features. Students appreciated getting the extra assistance and a different perspective on drawing.
ACADEMIC UIL & SPELLING BEES Over 65 students participated in the Academic UIL competition, which was conducted virtually. Junior high teams won first place in Dictionary Skills, Maps, Graphs, and Charts, Mathematics, and Music Memory. Natali Garcia and Ericka Herrera-Franco tied for first place in Dictionary Skills. Ericka Herrera Franco also was first in Editorial Writing, Cora Gardner placed first in Mathematics and Music Memory, Amira Khan was first in Spelling, and Ray Glancy was first in Number Sense. The GISD Spelling Bee was held on January 13, and the top three were junior high students. First place winner was Amira Khan, with Jackson Otts and Natali Garcia rounding out the top three spellers. At the district Spanish Spelling Bee in March, GJHS students Daniel Zuniga Carranza and Jasmine Ponce were both in the top three Spanish spellers. Summer 2021 • Gainesville SPOT SPOTlight light •
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END-OF-YEAR
Celebrations D I S T R I C T AWA R D S
CAMPUS TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
T
hroughout the year, we have celebrated many teachers who excel in the classroom. Every month, a teacher from each campus was named teacher of the month and also nominated for District Teacher of the Month. From those nominations, one elementary and one secondary teacher were selected for District recognition. All teachers who were nominated, whether they received district recognition or not, were then eligible to be named Campus Teacher of the Year by their peers. In April, we surprised the winning teachers with a visit to their classroom so that the students could join in on the celebration.
E d i s o n E l e m e n t a r y : K AT Y P Y L E | C h a l m e r s E l e m e n t a r y : L A U R E N D E N I S O N Le e I n t e r m e d i a t e : K A R L I S PA N G L E R | G a i n e s v i l l e Ju n i o r H i g h : J O N TO R R E S G a i n e s v i l l e H i g h S c h o o l : A L E X U S VA N L A N D I N G H A M 26
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ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR The Campus Teachers of the Year submitted applications to be considered for GISD Teacher of the Year. These applications were reviewed by a district level committee, and the winning teachers were announced at the service awards and end-of-year staff celebration. The 2021 Elementary Teacher of the Year is Mrs. Lauren Denison, a 3rd-grade teacher at Chalmers Elementary. “She is an exceptional teacher, leader, mentor, community member, and parent who will take on whatever comes her way to ensure the needs of others are met, especially the students of GISD.” - Brandon Whiten, Chalmers Principal
A second new award was announced at the staff celebration. The Rookie of the Year award was given to two deserving first-year teachers. The Co-Rookies of the Year are Mrs. Diana De Santiago, an 8th-grade math and Pre-AP Algebra I teacher, and Hector Sagrero, Chalmers PE teacher and GJH coach. Both of these teachers have made a tremendous impact on their students and campuses, shown tremendous growth in the classroom, and have an incredibly bright future in education.
The Secondary Teacher of the Year is Coach Jon Torres, an 8th-grade honors history teacher. “He never skips a beat keeping up with his students’ needs when he is called away for military duty. Although he has only been in the classroom for two years, he has the skills and abilities of a veteran teacher.” - Krista Beal, GJH Principal
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Two new awards were announced this year for the first time. The Employee of the Year is a staff member who is not a classroom teacher but has made a tremendous impact on the the students at GISD this year. The 2020-2021 Employee of the Year is Mrs. Lindsay Dodson, the District Lead Reading Interventionist.
LEOPARD HIGH FIVE AWARD The Leopard High 5 awards were given throughout the year to 275 dedicated faculty and staff. More than 500 total nominations were received from staff members, parents, students, and community members. Once a month, Dr. Stewart visited the campuses to surprise the recipients and give them a high five! Summer 2021 • Gainesville SPOT SPOTlight light •
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End-of-Year
STAFF CELEBRATION RETIREES
T
he 2020-2021 school year marked the end of a career in education for several of our dedicated staff. At the end-of-year awards, we celebrated the retirees for their many years of service to students in GISD and other districts across the state. Together, they have dedicated 158 years to GISD and 324 total years in education. We also honored employees who have reached a milestone in years of service at GISD. Thank you all for your continued dedication!
Kathy Bean, Stacie Hall, Julie Holder, Russ Rutherford, Cathie Ary, Melanie Farr, Dixie Harper Not pictured: Danny Miller, Deborah Coffey, Joe Monden, Vicky Turnham, Randy Seeds, Sherri Baldwin
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At the End-of-Year Celebration, we honored employees who have reached a milestone in years of service at GISD. Thank you all for your continued dedication!
35 YEARS Julie Holder
1 5 Y E A R S O F S E RV I C E Dora Lozano, Janet Johnson, Kay Neu, Mayra Huerta, Stacie Hall, Jennifer Coleman, Amy Allen, Ty Lawson
30 YEARS Kathy Burkhart
1 0 Y E A R S O F S E RV I C E Nancy Castorena, Christa Hawk, Sylvester Bland, Kyle Searcy, Jose Molina, Amber Rains; Not pictured: Deborah Thomas
20 YEARS
5 Y E A R S O F S E RV I C E
Laura Becker, Kimberly Parsons Not pictured: Sue Branch, Lorraine Boeko
Jacqueline Dudenhoeffer, Charlotte Williams, Donna Taylor, L J Searcy, Jason Vanet, Tabetha Trejo, Leslie Crutsinger, Katie Heffron, Irma De Oropeza, Alma De Santiago, Danny Franco, Russ Rutherford, Tammie Kupper, Lori Nixon, Brittenie Polk, Traci Broom, Samantha Calhoun, Ashley Dill, John Ewart, Melanie Farr, Whitney Galubenski Vogl, Jeff Hodges, Loys Hobbs Not pictured: Jacob Gray, Kimberly Gardner, Sheila Smith, Fabiola Lopez Niatasha Klement, Jarred Turbeville, Jennifer Murrah, Blake Crutsinger
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SHINING STARS GALA
T
he Gainesville ISD Education Foundation honored the GHS Class of 2021 Top 10% at the Shining Stars Gala. Each Distinguished Scholar selected one teacher from their years at GISD to honor as their Distinguished Educator at this special event. Each student prepared a letter of gratitude addressed to their selected teacher, which was included in the program and read by the student at the gala. In return, each educator prepared a short video showing their appreciation to the student. In addition to providing the meal for all attendees, the Foundation gifted each scholar a $75 Amazon gift card as a reward for their outstanding academic achievements. In the fall, the Foundation also awards Innovative Teaching Grants to teachers through a competitive application process. To date, more than $300,000 has been awarded by the Foundation to enhance the education of the students at GISD. The Education Foundation board of directors works through the year to generate funds and distribute resources to GISD to enrich, maintain, and expand programs needed to meet the district’s stated mission in excellence. The foundation shares the district’s vision of enhancing the education at GISD. The Education Foundation relies on community and business donations to allow for the continued support to GISD. For more information on the Education Foundation grants awarded or to make a donation, please visit www.gainesvilleisd.org/foundation.
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Distinguished Scholars & Educators Desiree Stephens Lily Kemp Kaitlyn Beane Sofia Collantes Harmony Rutherford Jasper Conner Alex Stockwell Andrea Barcenas Anthony Larraga Dayanara Maldonado Eduardo Diaz Danica West Melody Rutherford Daniel Buenos Aires Agustin Espinoza Tramera Bynum Sierra Bower Xander Hernandez
Traci Broom Christopher Glover Sharlene Bryan Bruce Davis Russ Rutherford Clint Brooks John Fletcher Nichole Wulf Morgan Sims Rachel Strait Karli Spangler Susan Fuller Jeff Hodges Shaun Weaver Jason Vanet Kyle Searcy D’Andre Pringle Kimberly Panagiotakos
BACK TO
SCHOOL 2021
R
egistration for all new and returning GISD students is completed online through the parent portal. Names, addresses, and other personal information for returning students will be filled in automatically, decreasing the time required to complete these required forms. If you have any changes to phone numbers or addresses, please make those updates as you are registering for the new school year. It is imperative that we have correct contact information for each student. To register online, simply go to the GISD website and click on the link to the parent portal or scan the QR code. If you have not created a parent portal account for your student, you will need your child’s parent portal ID to create the account. Contact your
child’s school to get the parent portal ID. Once you are logged in, you will see an orange button on the top left. Click this button to begin registration. If this button is not clickable, then the email address on file at the school does not match your email address in the parent portal. Call your child’s campus, and the office staff can help by correcting your email address.
STAY CONNECTED!
DOWNLOAD OUR MOBILE APP!
Search Gainesville ISD in the app store. Follow our district and campus social media accounts. @gisdleopards District @gainesvilleisd Athletics @GHS_Leopards
District @gainesvilleisd Athletics @leopardathletics GHS @ghsleopards GJH @gainesvillejuniorhigh
GIS @gainesvilleintermediate Chalmers @chalmerselementary Edison @gisdedison Head Start @gainesvilleheadstart
Download the Class Dojo app (k-4th grade) and Remind app Class Dojo (5th-12th grade). Teachers will provide class codes. Remind App IMPORTANT DATES AUGUST 9-12 GHS Schedule Pick Up (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) AUGUST 11 7th Grade Leap Camp (4 - 6 p.m.) AUGUST 12 Meet the Teacher Head Start (3 - 4 p.m.) Edison Elementary (4:30 - 5:30 p.m) Chalmers Elementary (5:30 - 6:30 p.m.) Gainesville Intermediate (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.) AUGUST 16 9th Grade Fish Camp (1-3 p.m.) GJH Meet the Teacher
Parent Meeting & Schedule Pick Up (5 - 5:30 p.m.) Meet The Teacher (5:30 - 7 p.m.) AUGUST 18 First Day of School! C AMPUS START/E ND TIME S GHS (8:10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) GJH (7:50 a.m - 3:45 p.m.) GIS (7:40 a.m - 3:32 p.m.) Chalmers (7:30 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.) Edison (7:25 a.m. - 3:10 p.m.) Head Start (7:15 a.m. - 3:10 p.m.) DAEP (8:10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
S C A N TO VIEW ALL I M P O R TA N T B A C K T O S C H O O L I N F O R M AT I O N I N C L U D I N G :
Parent Portal Registration Bus Transportation Registration School Supplies List Dress Code Student Meal Accounts Summer 2021 • Gainesville SPOT SPOTlight light •
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