May 18th, 2012
Dear Gonzales ISD School and Community Family,
"Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain" –Author Unknown. As much as the rain is a blessing, we are hoping for clear skies to conduct our traditional GHS Graduation scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 25th, 2012, at Apache Field. In the event of rain, our rainy day plans are to conduct the ceremony in the new gym at GHS. Please check the GISD website for updates next week.
It has been a joy this month to watch all the students receive their awards for the hard work and many accomplishments. Congratulations to our seniors! Scholarship night showed tremendous generosity from a community that supports education! Thank you! Over $200,000.00 was received last evening by deserving young people. Our seniors are anticipating their next adventure after high school. Approximately sixty graduates will be focused on attending college, a university, or a vocational study program. More than half of our graduates are going immediately into the workforce. GHS supports college or career ready plans. Our collaboration with Victoria College offers Dual Credit Coursework in four core curriculum areas serving approximately 10-20% of juniors and seniors who simultaneously earn college credits in various content areas. Additionally, GHS serves college preparation through Advance Placement courses. GHS also supports career/college preparedness through vocational offerings including career pathways in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Arts/Audio Video and Communication, HVAC, Plumbing and Construction Technology, Health Sciences, Business Management, Information Technology, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and Marketing. We are continuing plans for expanding career and technology education each year.
Additionally, we are planning for the future of facilities as we work to complete our current construction projects including Phase III of the QSCB funded expansion of existing facilities. If you recall, the final stage was postponed due to funding cuts of $1 million dollars that came forth last year. We are so fortunate to have the ability to move forward. The bus lane expansion at East Avenue is well underway. Additionally, we are moving forward regarding the cafeteria expansion with the bulk of that work taking place over the summer months. Further, you will see the canopy and walkway work coming to fruition at Gonzales Elementary and future renovations at North Avenue Intermediate. As we complete Phase III of construction projects we are looking ahead at future district needs. Our district's student population is growing. We are gaining approximately 5% in enrollment annually. That increase supports the need for more classroom space. As we make projections and plans for long term future growth; we prepare to meet short term capacity with classroom portables. You may anticipate temporary structures at some campuses for the short term. Along with construction, long range planning and end of school activities we are working on the budget process anticipating the next year forecast financially. This is the second year of the biennium; therefore, we know there will be reductions. As we plan financially for budget cuts, we appreciate the work of our partners in education. We thank the many of you who give your time and other contributions that enhance programs for students and staff. Thank you to the GISD Education Foundation, now going strong, for the efforts in building a strong and valuable resource base for GISD staff, teachers and students. Education takes a team! Thank you for your part in making our team strong.
Graduates, we commend you on your accomplishments and will be here if you need assistance on your educational or career endeavors. Remember that happiness is unique to you and success is yours to pursue and achieve. I wish you many blessing on following the path that leads to your happiness. Again, I will quote Norman Vincent Peale, "Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop the picture... Do not build up obstacles in your imagination." We are so proud of your accomplishments! We wish you the best in the next stage of your life's journey. Many blessings and Good Luck Seniors, 2012! It is truly an honor to have had the pleasure of working with you and all of GISD this year. To the parents of GHS graduates, we appreciate your partnership as your child gained their education in this great district.
Our school year has been an exciting one filled with enriching learning activities and co-curricular events. Our successes this school year are due to the achievements of our staff, students, parents and community. We have much to be proud of in GISD. I wish you a safe and restful summer. Relax and take care of yourselves, your families and your friends. Remember to read every day as we continue on our vision of Excellence for All!
Warm regards,
Kimberly A. Strozier, Ed. D. ,
Gonzales ISD Superintendent of Schools
