The Mustang Minute

As we move into the final week of October we have a lot to celebrate at Grapevine High School. This week we ended with a volleyball and cross country district championship, a tennis area championship and this week our student play, Shrek, will begin. Friday, we had over 150 blood donors for our blood drive. Saturday was a special day as the Lady Mustang basketball team celebrated 100 years of lady Mustang basketball at GHS. It was great listening to stories and meeting alumni of this program.

Please see our TEA accountability ratings below. Attached you will find letters that explain the various ratings and distinction descriptions. If you have any questions please let us know.

Please remember that this week is our annual Red Ribbon week (see the calendar below for theme days).

Counselors visited freshmen English classes the last few weeks to check on smooth transitions. Curriculum addressed how to access important information such as how to view grades in Skyward and plan for high school and college in Career Cruising. Ask your freshman to login to Career Cruising and show you around. http://public.careercruising.com/en/

Our Student Advocate and counselors will be continuing visits to science classes to share important information about the state mandated suicide prevention program. To proactively address these issues, GCISD offers depression awareness and suicide prevention training as part of the SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program.

Don’t miss GCISD’s annual College & Career Night! It will be held Tuesday, October 27th, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Colleyville Heritage High School. All students are encouraged to come browse the more than 100 universities, speak directly with university admissions representatives, and have the opportunity to ask your questions in a casual, one-on-one environment. We hope to see you and your student there.

Please go to http://www.gotocollegefairs.com/ to preregister.

For additional information check out our: Counseling Newsletter.

In Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, we strive to prepare students for their post graduation plans. To help students with their college planning, we want to make you aware of some upcoming changes to the SAT and PSAT college readiness exam.

This spring, the College Board announced it would be redesigning the SAT beginning in the 2015-2016 school year and our counseling department began planning for these changes and informing teachers and administrators of what to expect so that every child is well equipped for the redesigned exams. Some of the redesigned changes include:

• No penalties for guessing. On previous SAT exams, students would receive points for correct answers but would be penalized for wrong answers. This made students hesitant to guess on questions on which they were not certain for fear of losing points.
• The number of answer choices for multiple-choice questions has been reduced from five to four.
• There will be two math sections and a calculator may only be used for one of the sections.
• Finally, the SAT essay will be optional (for an additional charge) and those writing the essay will be asked to be analytical, rather than persuasive.

Starting in March 2016, students can take the redesigned SAT; however, the changes will go into effect for the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) this fall. In order to better prepare students for the PSAT/SAT, the College Board has formed a partnership with Khan Academy to offer free, online, official practice exams. For more information, please visit Khan Academy SAT.

If you have any questions about the redesigned PSAT/SAT, visit the district’s college entrance and readiness exams website or contact your student’s counselor.

Juniors need to start getting documented service hours if they plan to join National Honor Society in the spring of their junior year. Your son or daughter can donate their time to any non-profit organization that is not school-related. Nonprofit groups you can consider are: GRACE, Grapevine Public Library, Baylor Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross, National Charity League, Grapevine Historic Society, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, nursing homes, etc… They should also begin trying to gain leadership hours that can be documented. Leadership Examples: shift leader or trainer at their job, holding an office or chairing a committee in a club or at church, mosque or temple, serving as captain of a team and editor on the newspaper staff. NHS applications are due by noon on January 21st in room 114 or 112. Two seminars will be held about “How to Fill out the NHS Application” on January 7th at 4:00 pm in room 114 and on January 8th at 8:00 am in room 114. Please encourage your son or daughter to attend one of these seminars. NHS application forms can be found on the NHS page via the Activities tab on the GHS website. Students must have a 4.25 GPA to apply.

Goblin Day is scheduled for October 29th. This is a long standing tradition at GHS where students can wear costumes, and clubs and organizations set up booths and sell items. It occurs at the beginning of the school day in conjunction with the pep rally. We ask that student costumes be in dress code with the exception of hats, hair color and make up. Masks and look alike weapons are prohibited. Students will report to their first period class where we will conduct a dress code check. Once the dress code check is complete, students will be released to the gym for the pep rally.

Students, please use the following link to apply for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

For more information, visit http://spirit.prudential.com.

Online yearbook sales are now open! Please visit www.smart-pay.com and follow the instructions to purchase your 2016 Mustang Yearbook. The cost is $75, payable by credit card, debit card or check.

Last year Mrs. Fuller's PAP Art II class participated in the From the Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Program. The students were required to research pollution in our oceans and create artwork as a result of their research in order to create public awareness. Entries are accepted worldwide. I'm happy to announce that two of my students, Joussy Trujillo and Amatullah Akbari, won the Bronze award!

Here is the link to their video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNMuikHNkpM

GOLFING FOR HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

GHS Mustangs Seek to Raise Money Through Booster Club Golf Tournament

GRAPEVINE, Texas (Oct. 21, 2015) – The Grapevine High School baseball program is steeped in tradition. For as far back as anyone can remember, the booster club has hosted an annual fundraiser golf tournament to help offset expenses for the baseball program. This year, the annual Tenth Man Club Fall Golf Tournament will be held at Sky Creek Ranch Golf Club in Keller at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4. Sponsors interested in backing the tournament and players registering for the event can find information at www.ghsmustangbaseball.com, under the events tab.

The golf tournament will take place at Sky Creek Ranch at 600 Promontory Drive in Keller. Sky Creek is an award-winning championship golf course designed by renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Check in starts at 10 a.m., shotgun start for the four player scramble is at 12 p.m., and dinner and awards follow immediately after the tournament. Tickets are $100 per player (put on a team at check in) or $400 for a foursome. The price includes green fees and carts, unlimited range balls, box lunch, dinner buffet, awards and prizes. The fee also includes a playback round of golf with purchase of another greens fee.

Key to the success of the tournament is sponsorships. There are a number of ways businesses can sponsor the tournament, including hole ($100), dinner ($250), team ($500) and tournament sponsors ($1250). Chik-fil-A – Grapevine and Classic Chevrolet are long time sponsors of the tournament.

Over the past 15 years, the booster club tournament has raised approximately $250,000. All money raised and contributed is used to support the GHS baseball program. Booster club efforts help pay for recurring expenses such as maintaining the fields, repairing fence, replacing jerseys and buying equipment as well as larger improvements such as the addition of the indoor hitting facility. Over the coming years, the booster club hopes to raise money for a new and/or improved concessions building, which houses the snack bar, restrooms, storage and press box.

The Tenth Man Booster Club has been raising money for the program for decades. As head coach, Steve Hutcherson leads the club. Coach Hutch joined GHS in 2014. Greg Stevens is serving his second year as the president. Booster club members Cary May, Lisa Flamm, Brad Scott and Tim Waterworth are coordinating the event.

The GHS Mustang baseball program is split up into four teams: Varsity, Junior Varsity - Red, Junior Varsity - Blue and Freshman. The program’s mission is for players to compete at the highest level while exhibiting discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, an unparalleled work ethic and respect for the game. Players will display integrity, character and leadership qualities on the field, in the classroom and in the community. Our relentless pursuit of greatness will foster our growing legacy and honor our winning tradition.

http://www.ghsmustangbaseball.org/golf_tournament.aspx

Hosted by: GHS Advanced Academic Booster Club (GHS AABC)

Monday, November 2nd

6:30-7:30 pm

GHS Library

The GHS Advanced Academic Booster Club invites all grade level students and their parents to this event. The program will be presented by two leading firms in the area of college admission and test prep, C2 Education and Guru Academic Advising. This will be a valuable session for anyone considering college admission.

The seminar will include:

--What your student can do now to prepare for the admissions process.

--What colleges are looking for.

--How to make the most of your college visit.

--How the SAT has changed and how to do well on it.

--SAT/ACT scores needed for admission and/or scholarship consideration.

--Lesser known but highly important tips for the admission process.

The National Speech and Debate Association has named its top 100 schools in the nation for the 2014-15 academic year. Grapevine High School ranked 96 out of more than 3200 schools nationwide. "These students and coaches have demonstrated outstanding participation and achievements in speech and debate activities," stated Executive Director J. Scott Wunn. "We are please to honor them for their hard work and dedication, and wish them continued success in the coming season."

You are encouraged to submit your completed college applications, as deadlines are fast approaching. SAT/ACT scores are not required for initiating the application process. You can submit your test scores once you receive the results. If you have any questions or need help with applications or financial assistance, please stop by the GO Center. They are glad to help you!

The theme this year is “Let Your Imagination Fly”. Entry forms are available in the GHS front office. Student can also go to the www.txpta.org to access forms and general participation rules. The deadline for entries will be Tuesday, November 3, 2015.

The Grapevine Parade of Lights will be held Thursday, December 3rd. Please use the following link if you would like to register a group for the parade.

http://business.grapevinechamber.org/Events/details/grapevine-parade-of-lights-171308

In an effort to invite community members to see our district at work, the Board of Trustees are taking some monthly Board meetings on the road! On Monday, October 26, the GCISD Board of Trustees will host its regular meeting at Grapevine Middle School, located at 301 Pony Parkway. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria. We hope to see you there!

GCISD has formed a Facility Innovation and Readiness Stakeholder Team (FIRST) to study and prioritize ways to create the best possible learning environment for GCISD students. This facility planning team comprised of parents, community constituents, and campus and district staff will be brought together to consider the district’s financial position and strategic plan as it relates to programs for students, facilities, infrastructure, technology, security, etc. The membership structure of the FIRST is available under the tab marked TEAM. GCISD has not called a bond election but is researching the possibility of a May 2016 referendum through this process.

This website has been created to inform our community. Frequently asked questions will be updated throughout the process. This site also is a place for community members to submit questions and share thoughts through use of the Let’s Talk button.

GCISD FIRST will keep the district’s mission and goals at the forefront of their discussions, working collectively, Building Excellent Schools Together.

Monday, October 26 (B Day)

Red Ribbon Week (PJS)

Extended Day 7-8:00 am

Marching Band at UIL 5A Standridge Stadium, Carrollton (Rescheduled)

Cross Country Regionals: Lubbock

GCISD Board Meeting @ GMS

Tuesday, October 27 (A Day)

Red Ribbon Week (Sports Gear)

Extended Day 4-5:00 pm

JV & 9th Volleyball vs. Polytechnic 5:30 pm

Varsity Volleyball vs. Polytechnic 6:30 pm

GCISD College & Career Night @ CHHS 6:00pm

Wednesday, October 28 (B Day)

Red Ribbon Week (Tacky Tourist)

Extended Day 4-5:00 pm

Fr Football Blue vs. Birdville 5:00 pm

JV Football Blue @ Irving Nimitz 5:00 pm

Fr Football Red vs. Birdville 7:00 pm

JV Football Red @ Birdville 7:00 pm

Thursday, October 29 (A Day)

Red Ribbon (GOBLIN DAY)

Extended Day 4-5:00 pm

Varsity Football vs. Birdville 7:00 pm (Senior Night)

Friday, October 30 (B Day)

Red Ribbon (Patriotic Day)

Tennis Regionals (Wichita Falls)

Debate @ UNT

Shrek the Musical 7:00pm

Saturday, October 31

Tennis Regionals (Wichita Falls)

Debate @ UNT

Shrek the Musical 7:00pm

Girls Basketball Scrimmage @ Plano West

Sunday, November 1

Shrek the Musical 2:00pm

Location: 3223 Mustang Drive, Grapevine, TX, United States
Phone: 817-251-5210
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Grapevine-High-School-350928254989164/timeline/