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New program experiencing
great success
Preparing for a second year of teaching valuable
career skills to Garland ISD students, the district’s new
firefighting and EMT program is already celebrating
success. This partnership between the Gilbreath-Reed
Career and Technical Center, El Centro College (ECC)
and the Garland Fire Department (GFD) has been named
the 2017-18 Innovation of the Year for ECC. Its inaugural
year also brought publicity across North Texas and two
life-saving opportunities.
As the area’s first triple-credit firefighting and EMT
model, GISD students complete the three-year program
with a high school diploma; up to 31 credit hours toward
an associate degree from ECC, as well as a Fire Science
Certificate; and training to take the Texas Commission
on Fire Protection exam and City of Garland civil service
exam. This program includes two summer boot camps as
well, which kicked off in June with live fire practice drills.
“The goal at the end of the boot camp was for each
student to be able to function as a member of an initial
attack crew on different divisions,” said GFD’s Lt. Jeremy
House. “And I believe we accomplished that goal.”
Capturing the students’ last drills, Fox 4 News recently
showcased GISD’s unique partnership. Coverage can
be viewed at bit.ly/gisdfirefighting. And, two students
received some extra attention as well. Jocelyn Barrientos
and Dalton Kedward both received Community Action
Awards from GFD. Barrientos assisted with post-CPR
care while shadowing Garland paramedics. Kedward
identified and helped a man suffering from heat stroke.
The new school year starts Aug. 20, and
GISD looks forward to welcoming back more
than 56,000 students. Don’t forget to share
your first day memories with us on Twitter
by tagging photos with #GarlandISD1stDay.
Also, don’t be late! New Pre-K hours have
been announced for 2018-19. View them at
garlandisd.net/schoolhours.
October
National Bullying Prevention Month
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GISD Band Festival
1
10
PSAT/NMSQT Test
Second Grading
Period Begins
15
12
Fair Day
Hispanic Heritage Month Ends
22–26
Red Ribbon Week
Staff Development
august 2018