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Garland ISD named
DISTRICT OF INNOVATION
Following a months-long process
including public feedback and Board
of Trustees approval, Garland ISD
has officially become a District of
Innovation.
“This is the result of many
hours of work by the District
Educational Improvement Council,
and we want to thank them,” said
Director of Research, Assessment
and Accountability Kim Caddell.
“The purpose of the District of
Innovation plan is not to get rid of
our accountability. The intent truly is
to have more flexibility over how we
meet the goals that are outlined in
the Texas Education Code, as well as
the goals of our local school board.”
GISD’s plan allows the district to
start the school year earlier than
the state-mandated fourth Monday
in August, which better balances
semester lengths. An earlier school
start date would not take effect
until 2018-19, however, because the
2017-18 calendar has already been
approved. The plan also provides the
ability to lengthen or shorten school
days as necessary for professional
development, collaboration
opportunities for educators and
structured breaks throughout the
year for students.
With the new Gilbreath-Reed
Career and Technical Center, as well
as a focus on innovative course
selections, local decisions about
teacher certification allow the
district to hire community college
instructors, university professors and
industry experts with a minimum of
three years of experience or internal
applicants seeking assignments
outside of their traditional
certification area. GISD’s plan also
includes a change to the current
teacher appraisal system, which
improves equity and team building.
Finally, an exemption from campus
behavior coordinator requirements
provides the opportunity for more
campus administrators to support
students.
Visit www.garlandisd.net/district-
innovation to view the complete
process and plan.
Nurse receives support,
hugs from local
organization, colleagues
Armstrong Elementary School
nurse Stephanie Howeth recently
received an unexpected visit at
her doorstep. Driving up in a rose-
colored fire truck, the Pink Heals
of Collin County, colleagues and
family members surprised Howeth
with cheers, hugs and words of
encouragement April 22.
“Our nurse, Leslie Shields, asked me
if the Pink Heals could come out for
Stephanie, who is battling leukemia,”
said South Garland High School
special education facilitator Erin
Pace. “My husband, a North Garland
High School grad, helped found the
Collin County chapter one year ago.”
Pace jumped at the chance to help
one of Garland ISD’s own, contacting
Armstrong Principal Coleman
Bruman to help organize the visit.
“Rallying behind our nurse in
her time of need demonstrates the
family spirit of our campus and our
greater Sachse community,” Bruman
said. “Community is everything.”
The power of community is
what fuels Pink Heals’ mission.
The organization exists to spread
love and cheer, which is exactly
what Howeth received that special
Saturday.
“It was wonderful. She teared up,
and I think everybody else teared
up, too,” Pace stated. “I told her we
came to let her know that she is
loved. Then, everybody hugged her
and gave her a huge woo-hoo.”
Howeth also got to sign the pink
fire truck, which was adorned with
inspirational messages by family
and friends.
On the C
June
Summer school information:
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2
5
Grading/Recording Day
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
1-3
High School Commencement Ceremonies
connected
12
Teacher Job Fair
18
21
Father’s Day
19
First Day of Summer
Juneteenth
(Emancipation Day)