Garland ISD news: May 18-22‏

Posted by On May 28, 2015 0 Comment
Reyna receives Eco-Educator Award
 
PaulReynaResponsible for a thriving school garden and orchard, as well as a solar panel station and wind turbine, Schrade Middle School teacher Paul Reyna has gained recognition across Garland ISD for his environmental and conservation efforts. But his future plans are what is attracting attention from the entire North Texas area. WFAA-TV recently named Reyna the sixth-eighth grade Project Green Eco-Educator Award winner.
 
This contest spotlights teachers using innovative ideas to inspire students to impact their environment. Reyna was nominated for his outdoor learning center, which will soon include a water feature.
 
“Hands-on experiences make education more impactful,” he said. “They provide real-world connections that stick with students long after their lessons. The pond I hope to incorporate next year will allow students to harvest their own water samples.”
 
A panel of judges chose Reyna, as well as an elementary and high school recipient, from numerous entries across the metroplex. A viewer’s choice winner was also named. On April 30, WFAA-TV surprised Reyna in his classroom with a plaque and $1,000 check. The station also recognized him on-air May 4.
 
“It was a complete surprise,” Reyna commented. “There are a lot of people out there doing wonderful things, and I am honored to be one of them.”
 
Reyna is not the district’s only teacher to hold the Eco-Educator title. Abbett Elementary School’s Terri Tunnell received this honor last year.
Senior Summit Luncheon honors top Class of 2015 graduates
 
SeniorSummit-2Honoring the district’s top graduates, Garland ISD held its annual Senior Summit Luncheon May 19. The top 10 from each high school, as well as two top seniors from Memorial Pathway Academy, were invited to celebrate with their families and a teacher who most influenced their educational career. Superintendent Bob Morrison kicked off the soiree by commending students for their dedication to academic success.
 
“Leading the Class of 2015 not only reflects on your hard work this year, but every day since you started school,” he said. “We take pride in your accomplishments and look forward to seeing your continued success in the future. It is our pleasure to recognize you and those who helped get you here today—your parents and honored guests.”
 
Following Morrison’s remarks, Board of Trustees President Rick Lambert congratulated the seniors and spoke about GISD’s commitment to providing exceptional education, which can be seen through the bond program’s focus on new technology and school renovations. A video also featured the graduates explaining their plans for the future and the impact of their influential teacher. Linda Chance, deputy superintendent of instruction, closed the ceremony by challenging students to achieve their dreams.
 
GISD graduations will be held June 4-6 at the Curtis Culwell Center.
GISD offers opportunities for summer learning
 
The final school bell of 2014-15 will soon ring, but that does not mean Garland ISD campuses will be closing their doors. In addition to traditional summer school, several will also offer various camps and enrichment programs. Find a list below, along with registration deadlines.
 
  • Athletic camps – Offered by district coaches in multiple sports. Registration deadlines vary.
  • Camp GISD – A day camp for elementary students that will engage participants through science, art, music, theatre, crafts, literature, math and touring Dallas landmarks through field trips. Registration ends May 30.
  • Destination 2016 – An enrichment program for juniors that will assist with college selection, essay writing, scholarship applications and more. Registration ends June 9.
  • GISD Navigators – An enrichment program for middle schoolers that will explore possible career paths through hands-on activities. Registration ends May 30.
  • Path College and Career SAT/ACT – An enrichment program for high schoolers to prepare for college entrance exams. Registration ends June 9.
  • Robotics camp – A day camp for eighth-graders to design, build and participate in a robotics tractor pull. Registration ends May 29.
  • Youth Digital Summer Camps – A day camp where students aged 8-14 will learn to code, design, illustrate, animate, program and develop products using 21st-century tools. Registration ends June 8 and 15.
GISD celebrates retirees
 
RetirementBanquet-2Nearly 100 dedicated Garland ISD employees were honored at the 2014-15 Retirement Banquet April 30 at the Curtis Culwell Center. Celebrating 4,677 years of service to education, colleagues and family members joined retirees and enjoyed a two-hour farewell filled with food, fun and musical entertainment.
 
The dedicatory affair kicked off with dinner followed by a presentation from Garland Retired School Personnel President Nelda Landrum. Each honoree then received a framed certificate and words of appreciation from RetirementBanquetSuperintendent Bob Morrison and Board of Trustees members. Employees who devoted 30 or more years to GISD also received a commemorative crystal clock.
 
The North Garland High School Pandemonium Steel Band brought the event to a lively close, performing familiar songs in the style of calypso. The tropical, upbeat tunes were not only impressive, but they signified a heartfelt, happy sendoff as well.
 
Retirees who celebrated at the festive banquet include:
  • Audra Antwine – 19 years
  • Deborah Baker – 26 years
  • James Baldwin – 12 years
  • Carolyn Bednar – 21 years
  • Alaina Bell – 20 years
  • Kathryn Camille Coleman Berry – 19 years
  • Janice Borland – 36 years
  • Patricia Boswell – 22 years
  • Ricky Brandenburg – 37 years
  • Jolynn Briggs – 28 years
  • Sheila Campbell – 32 years
  • Penny Campbell – 36 years
  • Robert Clare – 22 years
  • William Cummings – 31 years
  • Cynthia Dabney – 17 years
  • Linda DeWitt – 21 years
  • Dora Diaz – 20 years
  • Martha Dildy – 19 years
  • Betty Dixon – 21 years
  • Kyle Dvorak – 27 years
  • Mary Eickman – 19 years
  • John Ellzey – 15 years
  • Suzanne Ferguson – 29 years
  • Deborah Fetzer – 38 years
  • Peggy Fitch – 15 years
  • Nancy Gray – 17 years
  • Dana Greer – 23 years
  • Becky Griffin – 16 years
  • LouAnn Hainline – 19 years
  • Olive Haney – 25 years
  • Alan Hardy – 13 years
  • Christine Hart – 21 years
  • Karen Helms – 24 years
  • Judy Hester – 13 years
  • Brenda Hill – 16 years
  • Liam Hollingsworth – 16 years
  • Adelita Jones – 25 years
  • Mark Keene – 9 years
  • Judy Kocman – 26 years
  • Cathy Lachance – 11 years
  • Melba Lewis – 12 years
  • Brenda Mabry – 35 years
  • Mary Malcolm – 19 years
  • Candace McComb – 24 years
  • Joanna McGuigan – 27 years
  • Andrew McWhorter – 11 years
  • Billy Merriman – 5 years
  • Gloria Meyer – 20 years
  • Eileen Mocarsky – 20 years
  • Vijay Mohindru – 30 years
  • Beth Moore – 27 years
  • Sheri Mosser – 26 years
  • Deborah Murray – 21 years
  • Terrie Nolan – 24 years
  • Peggy O’Leary – 37 years
  • Maria Ojeda – 28 years
  • Eileen Parvin – 29 years
  • Tony Pribble – 35 years
  • Julio Puentes – 35 years
  • Beverly Purdom – 34 years
  • Beverly Raglin – 16 years
  • Connie Reeve – 21 years
  • Carolyn Rephan – 16 years
  • Diana Reynolds – 13 years
  • Cynthia Reza – 8 years
  • Joy Roseberry – 15 years
  • Clyde Schilling – 27 years
  • Lisa Schroeder – 26 years
  • Marjory Scott – 27 years
  • Carolyn Seybert – 21 years
  • John Simmons – 6 years
  • Delaina Sims – 22 years
  • Alan Smith – 23 years
  • Susan Steele – 14 years
  • Karen Sturm – 23 years
  • Connie Tallant – 38 years
  • Karen Turner – 40 years
  • Janice Venuso – 16 years
  • Linda Vrecenar – 7 years
  • Brenda Waugh – 23 years
  • Cindy Weldon – 17 years
  • Bill Wiley – 38 years
  • Debra Wiley – 29 years
  • Daniel Wilkins – 38 years
  • Marilyn Williams – 19 years
  • Wanda Wilson – 30 years
  • Gail Womack – 24 years
  • David Wood – 21 years
  • Linda Yates – 18 years
  • Teena Zihlman – 39 years

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