New auxiliary cheer program
launches districtwide
With the Friday Night Lights shining brightly across
Texas, a unique Garland ISD cheerleading program
is undergoing some exciting changes. The district
piloted its auxiliary cheer program last year, which
gives special education students a chance to make the
squad as an auxiliary position. They not only receive
physical accommodations during auditions, but also the
opportunity to earn a spot by meeting the minimum
score. And, making the team means that they get the
same privileges and responsibilities as every other
member. This year, the auxiliary cheer program has
expanded to all middle and high schools, growing from
one auxiliary cheerleader during the pilot to three across
GISD.
During 2017-18, the program was pioneered by Madison
Thompson, better known as Maddie. After cheering for 10
years with a private team, she decided to try out for Coyle
Middle School’s eighth-grade squad, initiating GISD’s
first auxiliary position. Her success on the team not only
fulfilled her own dream, but she also laid the foundation
for others to follow in her footsteps.
“She’s paved the way for this to happen at other
campuses,” said GISD Fine Arts Coordinator David
Sanders. “This was just a pilot program at Coyle last year.
It went great, so we expanded it to all of our middle
school and high school campuses for this current
cheerleading season.”
Sanders is responsible for the creation and
implementation of the district’s auxiliary cheer program.
Since its inception, it has gained attention from local
news outlets. He has also been approached by other
school districts, fine arts staff, superintendents and
parents to learn how they can imitate the program. GISD
currently boasts three auxiliary positions, one at the high
school level and two at middle school.
Jay Wallis
Class of 2011
“
While I couldn’t have asked for a better experience
from a strictly educational perspective, GISD [also]
surrounded me with students, teachers and people who
helped make me well-rounded and better prepared for the
real world.
”
• KVUE-ABC Reporter
• Attended Hillside Academy for Excellence, Austin
Academy for Excellence and Rowlett High School
January
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Choice of
School Opens,
Grades 1–12
Winter Break
Council PTA
Reflections
Staff Development
Reception
TechFest
Fourth Grading
Spelling Bee
Period Begins
1–4
7
10
8
15
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21
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
november 2018
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