The interesting part of the article  is what Cross Timbers is doing to stop bullying.  They have launched student training programs on how to stop bullying.  And have launched an online tool to report bullying anonymously on the schools website (see, technology at work).

I do not recall a lot of bullying in school growing up.  That’s not to say it was not a problem.  Maybe it was a problem back then too, I just do not remember it.  I understand times change (and rather quickly).  It is good to hear that there are programs in place to curb or stop such behavior.  You can read full details on the efforts to combat bullying at the link above.

Here is some information from the GCISD website:

On October 19, three local school districts will be joining together in an unprecedented public forum to share “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: A Taxpayer’s Guide to the Public School Funding Crisis.” GCISD School Board Trustees and Administrators will join leaders in the Carroll and Keller school districts to present a united message about school funding during a 45-minute group presentation.

The forum will begin at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of Carroll Senior High School, 1501 W. Southlake Blvd. in Southlake. Following a short presentation on the facts about school finance, officials from each of the districts will meet face-to-face with their respective constituents to answer specific budget and finance questions.

Hope we can make it to this and we hope to see you there!

The change makes some sense.  What makes even more sense is involving the parents in the process.

Here is more directly from the GSISD website:

To ensure that GCISD continues to meet the needs of our community, we are seeking input regarding full-day Kindergarten. We have received inquiries from parents and patrons, and in response, are conducting a community survey to gather additional feedback that will be used in the decision-making process. Thank you for taking a moment of your time to share your thoughts on this matter. Please review the following information before providing your response.

Kindergarteners currently attend school from 7:45 a.m.-2 p.m. while grades 1-5 attend from 7:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Full-day Kindergarten would extended the Kindergarten school day to 2:45 p.m., adding additional 45 minutes to the Kindergarten schedule. This would allow for additional instructional time as well as create a single release time for elementary students in grades K-5.

Extending the Kindergarten school day would have an impact on Kindergarten bus riders. Currently, GCISD operates separate afternoon routes for Kindergarten students who ride a bus home from school, primarily because their school day ends earlier. If full-day Kindergarten is implemented, elementary bus routes would serve grades K-5 for both morning and after-school routes. To ensure the well-being of our youngest customers, Kindergarten bus riders would have assigned seats at the front of the bus. In addition, teachers would continue to escort Kindergarten students to either the bus or parent pick-up areas or to KidzU for those students enrolled in the District’s after-school care program.

The purpose of this survey is to gather input to assist GCISD officials as we strive to meet the needs and desires of our community. The survey can be completed online on the GCISD website from April 21-May 5. Paper copies are available at all GCISD elementary schools and during Kindergarten Roundup on May 4. Results will be used as part of the decision-making process. A decision regarding full-day Kindergarten beginning in August 2010 is expected in mid-May.

The schools are selected based on high performance across multiple grades and years.  The NCEA’s goal is to support more kids K-12 in terms of college or career readiness.

According to the Grapevine Courier the following schools made the high performer list:

Bransford Elementary, Colleyville Elementary, Grapevine Elementary, Heritage Elementary, O.C. Taylor, Timberline Elementary, Colleyville Middle, Heritage Middle, Colleyville Heritage High and Grapevine High.

Congratulations to all the Grapevine-Colleyville students, teachers, and administrators that made this great honor possible.

Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.
Marian Wright Edelman

The quality of the public schools is one of the best reasons to move to Grapevine. Home to 13,650 students the Grapevine/Colleyville school district was rated a Recognized school district under the Texas accountability system for 2009.

Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District:

In addition, ten GCISD schools achieved the state’s highest rating of Exemplary. GCISD has eleven National Blue Ribbon Schools, including Heritage Elementary School which earned the honor under the “No Child Left Behind” initiative. Both high schools have been named to Newsweek magazine’s list of top performing high schools in the nation.

Quick Facts about GCISD:

• Student enrollment – 13,650
• Employees – 1,650
• Number of Schools – 17 traditional, 2 alternative
• Serves Grapevine, Colleyville, and portions of Euless, Southlake, Hurst and Bedford
• Graduation Rate – 95%
  
• Average Years’ Experience of Teachers – 12
• Teachers with Masters degrees – 30%
• Ethnicity
  African American – 603, 4.3%
  Hispanic – 2,020, 14.5%
  White – 10,140, 73.0%
  Native American – 75, 0.5%
  Asian/Pacific Islander – 1,054, 7.6%
• Tax Rate – $1.29 per $100
• Governing Body – 7-member elected Board of Trustees
• First Grapevine School – built in 1869 by Masonic Lodge
• First superintendent hired in 1928
• $107.9 million bond measure passed by patrons in Sept. 2005

According to Neighborhoodscout.com Grapevine/Colleyville school district rates higher than 93.7% of schools in the state. The Neighborhoodscout.com website is full of good comparative information on test scores and educational expenditures.

Here’s a link to a printable map with addresses and phone numbers for of all the schools in the Grapevine/Colleyville school district:
GCISD Facilities