April 12, 2012
Dear Gonzales ISD School and Community Family,
These last weeks are filled with end of year activities that seem to go by in a blur of excitement that will end with the ageless warmth of summer. April and May are busy months as our students are immersed in end of year grade appropriate activities and curriculum, state assessment, employee and student honors, and spring sports. It is a busy time for everyone! Our schools virtually go into "testing" mode as do all the public school districts in Texas. During the month of March thousands of exams were administered leading to April and May, when GISD administers over 6000 highly secure exams with a four hour time limit per exam per student. It is an intense time culminating with the end of May when we will recognize and celebrate the graduation of 142 seniors.
Many recognitions are given during the last months. During April we celebrate the role of the school librarian. School librarians serve as a resource to educators in promoting literacy, the integration of literary instructional programming and research in the classroom. Further, school librarians are role models for creating a love of reading and lifelong learning for all students. This year summer in GISD will welcome children to our libraries. We will have a schedule for you in the coming weeks, but you can anticipate reading activities filled with fun at East Avenue and Gonzales Elementary on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a few hours each morning. Many thanks to our librarians for encouraging a lifelong love for reading.
Additionally, April is National Volunteer Month. Volunteering in public school has many benefits. It provides assistance in the many facets of technical support that promote instruction in the classroom. An example of this type of help would be to operate the copy machine and run off class sets of a practice activity reviewing what has been taught by the teacher. Another example may be to cut out decorations for keeping the classrooms and walls academically appealing and climate fun and friendly for our students. Volunteerism also provides for special support for individual students that may need a mentor or a reading partner to strengthen academic skills in a supportive and "familial" structure. GISD recognizes and extends a "Thank You!" to our volunteers! Volunteers are a big part of the good news in GISD.
More good news this month comes from Aramark! While the district took proactive measures to ensure student safety in light of a report of mold on biscuits; an investigation showed no evidence of mold. Aramark conducted tests on differing samples of the biscuits and the microbiological tests determined that all samples were found free of mold and showed no evidence that any consumption of the product could produce illness. The cause of concern may have been related to normal chemical changes during the cooking process.
Gonzales ISD and Master Gardner program grant from GVEC for the Exploratorium. GISD and the Master Gardners collaborated on a grant submission through GVEC. The GISD and Master Gardener project centered around the Exploratorium located at Fair Street. The Exploratorium will be a fun and active learning space designed to promote academics integrated in a science and math friendly environment.
Don't forget, next month we will hold a May 12th, 2012 election for GISD School Board Trustee position District 7. Please exercise your right to vote. Remember, Our State Legislators have to hear from you, your friends, your neighbors, your relatives, your church family - all people who have an interest in the education of our children and the future of Texas. They have to hear from the voting public how the significant cuts will have far reaching implications to the future of the children we serve and the future of Texas. Our state representatives must make education a priority.
Thank you for your continued participation in your child's education. We are honored to partner with you as we ensure an education that embraces Excellence for All!
Warm regards,
Kimberly A. Strozier, Ed. D.
Gonzales ISD Superintendent of Schools
