Friday, May 17, 2024
The Gatesville Independent School District places a priority on parent and community involvement, and Michelle Martin, who aids the district with those efforts, gave an update to the GISD Board of Trustees on March 20 about upcoming plans.
"We came up with an idea to do a couple of community events, and the next one is May 4, which will be spring into summer," Martin said. "We want to give parents ideas on what they can do as a family during the summer. We have gathered 38 different vendors and entities to participate."
Among the ideas for fun visits and activities are the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, the Topsey Exotic Ranch, which showcases a variety of wildlife, and Sun Country Cycles, Martin said. She added that Sun Country is also helping with a bicycle rodeo scheduled for the next day.
"We're giving out 100 free (bicycle helmets), half of which were donated by the community and half by the Texas Medical Association," she said. "We are spotlighting kids who have good attendance with gift cards and bicycles to give away."
She said students who have no more than three absences, and no disciplinary referrals will be entered into a drawing for various prizes.
"We have invited all the local churches to bring information about their vacation Bible schools or camps, and we will have a community calendar. We want to make this a big community event and have it every year. Hopefully it will get bigger and better."
The following day, GISD will also host a shot clinic for those needing vaccines.
"We'll also have a Back to School Bash in August, which is a really cool thing," Martin said. "We'll have 300 pairs of brand new shoes to give out."
Krista Hitt, a caseworker for the district's School Community Guidance Center (SCGC), said she appreciates having the opportunity to participate in community outreach efforts.
"Thank y'all for allowing us to do what we do," she told the board. "Not every district does things like this."
Hitt said she and some other GISD staff attended a conference in the Houston area last year, and that GISD was the only district that had a program like the SCGC. She said the GISD will present a program at an upcoming conference on why the district does this, and the impact it makes on students and the community.
"We are planting a seed and hopefully it will be a jumpstart, and others can see what they can do in their districts as well," Hitt said.
Joyce Cole, a social worker for the district, said 20 GISD students were able to participate in a student advocacy program at the state capitol. They were able to meet legislators and talk about things that are important to students.
"They learned they do have a voice and the legislators listened to them," she said.
