As we embark on 2024, it’s hard to believe that we are already rolling into the last half of the school year. Time flies when you’re dedicated to shaping bright futures for our students. Let’s celebrate the successes of the past year and look forward to the possibilities that lie ahead.
Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District
Happy New Year!
GCISD is recognized as a top district! The board is thrilled to share this fantastic news with you – our beloved Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District has achieved an outstanding accomplishment by ranking #4 out of more than 1,000 public school districts in Texas, according to Niche.com, an organization that is well-known for evaluating and ranking educational institutions across the United States! GCISD is also ranked #17 in the “Best Places to Teach in Texas” and #22 with the “Best Teachers in Texas” – again, all out of more than 1,000 public school districts.
These remarkable achievements are a testament to the collective dedication and excellence of our students, teachers and staff. We are immensely proud of our school community’s commitment to providing top-tier education, and this achievement reflects the exceptional quality of education your children are receiving. I would like to take this time to thank you for being an integral part of our thriving school district. Together, we continue to foster a learning environment that empowers students to excel and reach their fullest potential.
We are delighted to share the exceptional news that once again, GCISD has achieved a superior rating from the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). This marks our 20th consecutive year receiving the highest rating possible, reflecting our unwavering commitment to financial responsibility and excellence. The FIRST rating, based on 20 indicators spanning financial, student, and staff data, underscores our district’s steadfast dedication to providing a sound and transparent financial foundation for the benefit of our students and community. We are immensely proud of this accomplishment, a testament to the collective effort of our administration, staff, and the entire GCISD community. As we continue this journey, we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of fiscal integrity, ensuring a bright and stable future for the education of our students.
We were also thrilled over the last month to announce the newest members of our leadership team, who bring a wealth of experience and dedication to our district:
Their passion for education and commitment to excellence align seamlessly with our district’s values. As we welcome them aboard in their new roles, we are confident that their expertise will contribute significantly to the continued growth and success of our students.
At our last board meeting in December, we enacted a policy in response to Senate Bill 763 which was passed by the 88th Legislature. This new legislation mandates that all school boards in Texas must record a vote on the adoption of a policy authorizing district campuses to employ or accept chaplains as volunteers. The policy underscores the importance of subjecting chaplains to the same vetting process as other volunteers, ensuring a thorough and standardized clearance before they engage with our students. So basically, when the district hires for a counselor position, the counselor must be qualified as a counselor first and if they happen to have another certification, that additional certification cannot be held against the counselor.
On November 8, 2023, Patti Rogers Way was dedicated in honor of Patti Rogers who was a beloved teacher at Bransford Elementary for many years. She was named teacher of the year at Bransford and also of the district. Patti’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 63 and therefore the drive was dedicated to her to ensure that her memory and influence will continue to guide us. It is a reminder that great educators are not forgotten; they live on in the hearts and minds of the students they touched.
On Thursday, December 7, the 44th Annual Grapevine Parade of Lights was held on Main Street in Grapevine. It was a spectacular evening filled with festive spirit and creative displays. The winners were:
First Place – Cannon Elementary: Congratulations! They secured the top spot and earned $1,000 for their school
Second Place – Silver Lake Elementary: Fantastic Job! Their entry was outstanding and they won $750 for their school.
Third Place – Dove Elementary: Well done! Their creativity shone through, earning them the third spot and $500 for their school.
Congratulations to all who entered the parade. Thank you for being an essential part of the event.
Our students continue to excel in and out of the classroom and most recently, our cheer teams and musicians have represented GCISD well at the state level. Grapevine High Cheer won the silver medal and Colleyville Heritage High School Cheer placed ninth in the state and won the top spot in the Crowd Leading category. That same weekend, 14 GCISD students were named to the All-State Band, Choir, and Orchestra. I’m continuously amazed by and proud of our kids!
Lastly, as many of you know by the property tax bill you received in the fall, thanks to prudent financial management and collaborative efforts, we were delighted to announce a tax decrease for our community. The current tax rate that was passed by the board is the largest tax rate reduction since 2007 and is $0.9247 per $100 valuation. This reduction is a testament to our commitment to fiscal responsibility while maintaining the high standards of education that our students deserve.
As we step into the unfolding chapters of the year ahead, let us reflect with pride on the remarkable accomplishments and milestones we’ve achieved together as a community in the past, and look to the future with optimism, knowing that together, we can continue to inspire excellence in GCISD, and create an even brighter future for our students. Wishing you all a joyful and prosperous New Year filled with continued achievements and shared victories.
Tammy Nakamura
GCISD Board of Trustees, Place 3