Garland ISD news: May 26-29
GISD welcomes new Trustee
Welcoming a new member to its Board of Trustees, Garland ISD swore in Robert Selders Jr. May 26. He won the Place 6 election this month with a campaign focused on student health.
Robert Selders Jr.
“I believe that healthy children lead to healthier communities, which benefits everybody. I am really excited about serving Garland, Rowlett and Sachse in this way,” he said.
Selders owns 3Q Fitness – CrossFit Garland, serving the community for more than five years. Prior to this career, he worked as an electrical engineer. Selders holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Southern University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, respectively. He also holds a master’s in exercise science from California University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, Selders is a certified fitness trainer, strength and conditioning specialist and performance enhancement specialist.
He prepared for his role on GISD’s board by serving as a parent co-chair of GISD’s School Healthy Advisory Council and Camp GISD health and fitness session instructor. He also graduated from Leadership Garland Class 31.
Selders is married with three children who attend district schools. Visit www.robertseldersforgarlandisd.com for more information.
Two district students named Dell Scholars
Two Garland ISD seniors will soon be on their way to college with a generous helping hand in tow. Garland High School student Tiye Moore and North Garland High School student Uriel Granados were both named 2015 Dell Scholars, a title that comes with a $20,000 scholarship, a laptop and ongoing educational support.
Uriel Granados
Tiye Moore
After submitting multiple short essays detailing their background, drive and goals, Granados and Moore were among 14 district students named Dell Scholar semifinalists earlier this spring. The duo then endured weeks of anticipation, finding out they were two of just 300 students nationwide to earn the valuable honor in April.
“When I found out I was a semifinalist, I was just so surprised. I was shocked,” Granados said. “When I was named a Dell Scholar, I was still in shock. I have not gotten any other scholarships, and this one is pretty big compared to the other ones I have applied for, so this is a huge surprise.”
Granados may have been surprised, but his Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) teacher Mechelle Edwards knew he was capable of snagging the designation.
“I am glad he is a recipient because it not only showed him that his hard work is not in vain, it also gave his classmates confidence in the fact that it could also be them,” Edwards commented. “Uriel is a sweet kid who works independently. He has taken more of a leadership position amongst his friends, and he is a good role model to students like himself.”
As Garland High’s first-ever Dell Scholar, Moore is also a shining example for her peers.
“At first I thought, ‘Do you know how many people can apply for this?’ It felt impossible,” she said. “But seeing that I won made me feel like things are really possible. You can do a lot of things if you are determined—and I really do have the determination.”
GHS AVID teacher Melissa McDonald seconds that statement, adding that Moore is not only a determined individual, but a supportive student as well.
“Tiye is so hard working. She is always very, very professional and so helpful with everyone around her. She is an awesome kid to have in class,” McDonald explained. “I was so proud of her when I found out she was named a Dell Scholar. I hope she sees that she is going to be rewarded for all these things that she has done. There are so many kids who do everything right, and the good things in life do not happen for them because of their circumstances. I just hope this honor keeps everything going for her in the future.”
Moore is hoping to become the first college graduate in her family, while Granados is making history in his by being the first to attend an institution of higher learning. And with the help of their teachers and the Dell Scholar program, these two college-bound students are well on their way to fulfilling their dreams.
Moore and Granados are set to attend Richland Community College in the fall. Both plan on transferring to a four-year university to complete their higher education in their respective majors—pharmacology and architecture.
GISD Special Olympics a success
Enthusiastic athletes, friendly competition and school pride were at center stage during the 38th-annual Garland ISD Special Olympics May 1 at Williams Stadium. Hundreds of students, staff and community members gathered to celebrate and motivate students with special needs.“The 2014-15 Special Olympics was a huge success,” said Director of Special Education Nidia Parra. “The weather was absolutely beautiful, so it was a perfect day for competition. Special Olympics inspires the joy of sports and focuses on what our athletes can do—not what they cannot.”
The outdoor affair featured a school parade, public recognition of graduates, multiple races and a motor activity-focused side station. Students were able to compete in 25, 50 or 100-meter runs, as well as a slalom-style race. Volunteers from Garland, Rowlett and Sachse Police and Fire Departments gave ribbons and stickers to participants as they crossed the finish line.
Participating in this competition-fueled event and receiving support from respected community members, family, peers and staff impacts students on a physical, mental and social level.“Every athlete is recognized for his or her performance,” Parra explained. “Sports are universal, understood and celebrated by all. The simple power of sport enhances our students’ self-esteem and confidence.”
This year marked the district’s first event sponsored by the official Special Olympics organization—a development Parra is looking forward to expanding on in the future.
“We are very excited about the 2015-16 year, as the Special Olympics will include basketball and bowling, in addition to track and field,” she revealed. “This will give students the opportunity to compete in year-round sporting events. My hope is that the GISD Special Olympics continues to grow so that eligible students can participate in a variety of sports.”
New construction status website provides bond updates
Wondering what has taken place since voters approved Garland ISD’s $455.5 million bond election last November? The district hired a company named Jacobs to oversee its program, and they created a construction status website to provide updates, a comprehensive schedule and more.
The newly launched www.garlandisdbond.com will not only keep the public up-to-date, but also solicit partnerships with the local business community through project bids. Organized in five phases, GISD’s Bond 2014 program will begin with the addition of lights and restrooms at high school softball and baseball fields.
View Jacobs’ schedule to see design, contracting and construction timelines for each phase, as well as corresponding facilities. Cost estimates can be found on phase maps, which group projects by similar scopes and timelines. Project updates detailing the progress at each facility will be added as work gets underway.
For general questions about the GISD Bond 2014 Program, email [email protected].
For specific questions about bidding and construction, email the Bond Program Office, or call 972-487-6859.
Film Festival showcases student productions, features Hollywood director
Every year, Garland High School’s International Baccalaureate (IB) narrative film program celebrates the creative work of students during its Reel Owl Cinema Film Festival. Although the esteemed event is usually well attended, this year’s affair drew the attention of a Hollywood director. The 10th-annual Reel Owl Cinema Film Festival rolled out the red carpet, debuted student shorts and featured its first-ever guest host—The Book of Life director Jorge Gutierrez—May 30 at Garland High School.
“Each year we have added something,” said film festival advisor Patty Schubert. “Our ultimate goal was to find a guest host interested in coming and giving back to our program. The students were very excited to meet Mr. Gutierrez.”
Known for creating the multiple Annie and Emmy award-winning Nickelodeon series “El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera” with his wife, Gutierrez most recently directed the 2014 Guillermo del Toro-produced animated feature, “The Book of Life.” Reel Owl Cinema was able to secure the talented filmmaker’s appearance with help from the local film scene.
“We are involved with every film festival in Dallas, and one of them helped us get in contact with some agents,” Schubert explained. “We contacted Reel FX, and within 24 hours, we found out he would do it.”
But booking a guest host was not the only task at hand. In order to present a great show, students raised money for six months, contacting more than 250 local businesses, family and friends to sell ads and sponsorships. That kind of determination is typical of students in this rigorous, unique program.
“To our knowledge, we are the only four-year narrative film program in Texas. Students leave this program with 22 films under their belt by the time they graduate,” Schubert said. “The criterion for IB film is to create work that is as professional as possible.”
And with the purchase of a $10 ticket, high-quality productions were exactly what guests saw at the festival. Screenings began at 6 p.m., followed by a reception and awards presentation.
“The students were most excited to see the audience’s reaction to their films,” Schubert commented. “But they were also excited that someone of Gutierrez’s caliber was willing to come and appreciate their films.”
The Reel Owl Cinema Film Festival screened 35 shorts, which were judged by more than 600 audience members. Students voted Best of Category then received awards.
All proceeds of this event benefited GISD’s IB film program.
Superintendent’s Scholars honored for high achievements
For 30 years, Garland ISD has recognized some of its highest-achieving secondary students during the annual Superintendent’s Scholars ceremony, offering them a valuable opportunity to attend a PSAT-focused summer academy. This year, more than 100 seventh and tenth-grade students were honored during the May 5 event at the Curtis Culwell Center.“The Superintendent’s Scholars program is designed to increase student potential and opportunities for academic success,” said Superintendent Bob Morrison. “Congratulations to the students and parents. Our kids are very talented and we have to celebrate their talents.”
Sophomores who earn the top 100 PSAT test scores in the district are deemed Superintendent’s Scholars, while seventh-graders who participate in the Duke University Talent Identification Program and attain qualifying scores are identified as Duke Scholars.
After Morrison’s opening remarks, GISD Trustee Rick Lambert welcomed all and introduced a brief video presentation detailing the summer program. Advanced Academics Facilitator John Fishpaw then recognized the district’s National Merit Scholar, Garland High School senior Lexie Ford. After that, Associate Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Jovan Wells and Special Programs Director Rhonda Davis recognized the 100 Superintendent’s Scholars and 25 Duke Scholars, presenting them with certificates and pins.
Emphasizing high achievement on the PSAT can help students receive esteemed titles and scholarships, such as the National Merit Scholarship, National Hispanic Recognition Program and National Scholarship Service. Furthermore, receiving semifinalist or finalist status in these programs can provide an edge in the selective college admissions process.
To learn more about the Superintendent’s Scholars program, visit the district’s Advanced Academics website.
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