GPISD News

The GPISD Board of Trustees will hold its regular November meeting on thursday, November 12, at 7:00 p.m. in the board room of the GPISD Education Center located at 2602 S. Belt Line Road.  Click here to see the agenda.

Time Warner Cable and the History Channel are partnering with Reagan Middle School to present Take a Veteran to School Day on Friday, November 6, 2009, from 10:30a.m. – 11:30a.m.

Take a Veteran to School Day was created to honor veterans and build community partnerships while bringing history to life for students in kindergarten through high school. The program connects veterans with young people in their schools and communities.

In honor of the holiday, Time Warner Cable and the Texas Cable Association have invited Rep. Kirk England to be featured as a special guest at the school’s 5th Annual Veterans Day assembly. The program will feature musical selections along with visual presentations for the more than 50 invited veterans from the Grand Prairie area.

"We know the importance of honoring veterans in our community, and we're happy to participate in Take a Veteran to School Day again this year," said Gary Underwood, VP of communications for Time Warner Cable in North Texas.
 

In the coming weeks, all GPISD middle schools will have a visit to Dubiski Career High School for individual tours and informational meetings as well as parent meetings. The schedule is:

Nov. 2: Adams MS (9:30 to 11:00 a.m.)

Nov. 3: Arnold MS (2:00 to 3:30 p.m.)

Nov. 4:
Jackson MS (9:30 to 11:00 a.m.)
Kennedy MS (2:00 to 3:30 p.m.)

Nov. 5:
Lee MS (9:30 to 11:00 a.m.)
Reagan MS (2:00 to 3:30 p.m.)

Nov. 6:
Truman MS (9:30 to 11:00 a.m.)

Parent Nights (same information at both meetings)
November 10 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
November 12 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
 

On Sunday, October 18, at 2:00 p.m. the GPISD will formally dedicate the new John A. Dubiski Career High School.

Press Release
Dedication Program

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Hispanic Heritage Task Force is hosting the Hispanic Heritage Summit on Saturday, October 10, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Seguin Elementary (Gym and Cafeteria) located at 1450 SE Fourth Street.

The Vision and Goal of this event are:

Vision:
• Through awareness, education and celebration, our hope is to strengthen individual pride and self image and enhance confidence among and between GPISD employees whose heritage is traced back to Latin American countries (Hispanic Heritage) other GPISD employees, and community members.

Goal:
• The goal of the GPISD Hispanic Heritage Summit is to host a “unique and inspiring” event that celebrates the Hispanic culture and honors Hispanic Heritage Month through:

• Educating and increasing awareness of the positive contributions made by the Hispanic community
• Celebrating and sharing the vibrant customs, folklore and traditions of the culture
• Highlighting the achievements of Hispanic men, women and youth (Past-Present-Future)
• Recognizing and honoring individuals in GPISD and the community who have contributed to the rich history of the Hispanic community
• Encouraging cohesiveness and recognizing and valuing the different cultural, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds of the students in GPISD and our community

2-1-1 is a free, easy-to-remember phone number connecting callers with health and human services in the community.

When you dial 2-1-1, you will talk to a trained resource specialist who has access to comprehensive database listings of nearly all health and human services that exists in Texas. This includes but is not limited to: updated H1N1 information, rent and utility assistance, food, emergency shelters, where to get employment help, medical and mental health assistance, help with transportation, and trained suicide intervention counseling. You can also get information on affordable child care, information about caring for an aging relative, or help recovering from a disaster.

Information and referral is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the year.

There's more information on the 2-1-1 Texas web site at https://www.211texas.org/211/.
 

Influenza season has begun earlier than usual this fall in Dallas County. Cases of influenza are on the rise and expected to increase as we move into the influenza, or “flu” season. As expected with influenza increasingly circulating in our community, cases of influenza-like illnesses may be increasingly reported in students and staff.

The Dallas County Deparment of Health and Human Services has asked us to communcate the linked information below regarding increased influenza activity and precautions staff and students can take to guard against the flu.

Dallas County Letter - English
Dallas County Letter - Spanish
 

The GPISD Education Foundation will be hosting its 6th annual Golf “Fore” Children Tournament Friday, October 23, 2009 at Prairie Lakes Golf Club in Grand Prairie.

If you would like to access the President's September 8 address to students, please access the White House web site here.

Due to the swine flu outbreak in late April/early June, the annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration was cancelled and rescheduled for this Saturday, September 12. The event has been renamed “Fiesta Grand Prairie” and will feature all the activities and family fun that we’ve come to expect each year in May.

The city’s largest annual parade will kick off activities at 10:00 a.m., at East Main and N.E. 14th Street, proceeding west on Main to City Hall Plaza, 318 W. Main St. Our own Dr. Bret Jimerson will serve as Grand Marshal.

Free entertainment will be staged from noon to 6 p.m., with more than 25 Grand Prairie ISD performing groups, mariachi bands and solo artists.

“Fiesta Grand Prairie” will also feature arts and crafts booths, informational exhibits, kiddie rides and plenty of Tex-Mex food favorites. For more information call 972-237-8100 or go to www.GrandFunGP.com.