Plenty of exciting news as school year draws to close

Dear Gonzales ISD School and Community Family,

What an exciting and active time of year! The students are busy with end of year activities and academics. This is the time of assessment for all districts in Texas. Our students have begun taking State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exams and End of Course (EOC) is underway in all content areas.

These exams are a part of the accountability system of the State of Texas for public schools. Schools use results for examining performance and acceleration in academics. Additionally the performance on the state exams is important in sequential preparation to meet mandated graduation requirements.

The last months of school are also full of spirited competitions. Our high school theatre arts department excelled at One Act Play competition this week. Their performance, “Quiet in the Land,” (see photo Page 5) was outstanding and not only told a complex story but also centered on the Amish culture and so was a study in social studies and other ways of life.

At the same time, we have two athletes who recently competed at state in power lifting competition. For the girls, Erica Hernandez earned a 6th place medal at state power lifting and Jaime Tellez scored 7th for the boys’ team.

Our tennis team has moved forward with Lucero Luna and Zachary Hernandez winning third place mixed doubles and Alex Finch winning first place singles. They are regional qualifiers at district in Corpus Christi. Great job!

New legislation has had a positive impact on curriculum. Our students now have focused endorsements or pathways of study opportunities as they plan for their future. The endorsements are in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), business and industry, arts and humanities, public service, and multi-disciplinary studies.

Gonzales ISD is fortunate to be able to offer all five endorsement areas. Our counselors will be meeting soon with 8th grade students to introduce the areas of endorsements. The students have completed a career interest inventory.

Counselors will explain the endorsement areas and with the career interest inventory results discuss options for students in their area of interest for a pathway of coursework in high school that will eventually earn them an endorsement at graduation and also help prepare them more intensely for their interest in a future career. Parents will receive an invitation to attend an informational session and to assist in the endorsement area of their individual student’s choice. We are so fortunate to have so much opportunity for electives, vocational coursework and depth of study in varied areas at Gonzales High School.

Additionally, GISD has applied to implement the National Navy Defense Corp of Cadets (NNDCC). The NNDCC is similar to the NJROTC programs of the past. With budget cuts to our military programs, the JROTC programs are on hold until further funding; however, the NNDCC is still able to provide curricular resources and opportunities for students.

Our goal is to begin a program in which students participating not only receive training from the Navy department in citizenship and leadership, but are offered additional coursework such as naval history and oceanography. We anticipate hearing from the Navy soon and are looking forward implementing this great program.

As we move forward in ending this school year, we plan for the next. Along with these opportunities we are always working to improve our services in all areas of the district. You will receive information soon on new arrangements to busing structures for children riding buses. These new standards will require designated drop off locations that are set for the year, either at home, with a babysitter/daycare or at grandparents’ home. Additionally, you will note an hour of deadline to making last minute changes. Of course, we will work through emergency changes individually; however, requiring consistency only provides for improved safety and security of your children. Look forward to a note home soon regarding these implementations beginning with the next school year.

We are so proud of our students and our district! Graduation is right around the corner and scheduled for May 30. It will be here before we know it so we continue to make the best of each and every day that we have together in GISD.

We will continue to work to provide the best for your students and look forward to great things throughout our district as we work toward future needs.