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Fifth Grading Period Ends 22 Sixth Grading
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SGHS students learn life lesson from Texas icon
Nine South Garland High School students will never forget their 2017 Spring Break field trip thanks to Mavericks owner Mark Cuban . This memorable experience started with an idea from AP Environmental Science teacher Amie Torres .
“ I realized that many of my kids have never left Garland ,” she said . “ They did not understand why we talk about riptides and tidal waves , or why populations in different areas are going down . Since this is my first year teaching this particular course , I decided to go all in with a field trip .”
The destination : Disney World , and more specifically , Animal Kingdom . Torres knew the location would provide her students many opportunities to connect classroom concepts to the real world .
“ We cannot go to the savanna or jungle , but this allows them to see , touch , smell and hear a little piece of the big picture — to really understand human population , biodiversity and terrestrial biomes ,” Torres explained .
With a price tag of $ 975 per traveler , Torres and her students actively sought opportunities to raise money . They worked concession stands , held fundraisers and asked for donations from friends and family . But as the final payment deadline drew near , many wondered where they would find
Deborah Cron
Class of 1969
“
The Garland Independent School District provided me with the foundation of my future ! My love of English literature began here ; my enjoyment of drama was nurtured here ; my desire to grow and learn was encouraged by the teachers I had . I am so proud to be a GISD graduate !
• Garland ISD Interim Superintendent
the remaining funds . Torres took a chance and sent one more donation letter .
“ I spent the day Facebook stalking and Googling Mark Cuban and then sent an email at 8 p . m . I didn ’ t expect to hear back ,” she remembered .
In the morning , Torres received a response that asked her to call . She briefly stepped into the hall and received the good news . Cuban agreed to write a check for $ 6,500 .
“ I am excited to gain a new perspective on environmental challenges that our world faces from the field study we will participate in at Animal Kingdom ,” commented senior Anayeli Macias . “ I would like to thank Mr . Cuban for giving us the opportunity to see the magic of Disney World . We will take more from this trip than just memories , we will gain the importance of what each of us can do to help our environment if we all come together .” Torres believes the biggest lesson that will be learned is to never give up .
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• Attended Warren and Watson Elementary Schools , Austin Middle School and South Garland High School
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Career & Technical Education Exhibit , Livestock Show & Plant Sale
alendarApril
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GISD Education Foundation Golf Tournament
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STEAMposium
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Student / Staff Holiday Bad Weather Day # 2
Elementary Choice of
School Ends
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GISD Special Olympics Track & Field
february / march 2017