The Grand Island Public Schools "Board Brief" is a new, online monthly publication dedicated to sharing the Board of Education meeting highlights, updates, campus recognitions, and more.

Today's edition focuses on the October 2022 monthly GIPS Board meeting.

“No one sits alone.”

That’s a main rule for the LGBTSA club at Grand Island Senior High, and something they are trying to exemplify through an inclusivity mural project.

The student group, which has 70 members and was re-established as a club last year, is working on a mural project to celebrate all students who make up the GISH community.

The grant, “50 States. 50 Grants. 5,000”, is provided by the It Gets Better Project. IGBP was given a donation of $500,000 from American Eagle, and allotted up to $10,000 to one school in each state to create a project that helps support LGBT students.

Laila McComb, a senior and the president of GISH’s LGBTSA club, discovered the grant opportunity with one month left to apply. Laila, with support from staff sponsor and GISH social worker Aly Alexander, wrote the grant proposal, estimated a project budget and completed the application.

After months of anticipation, Laila and the group members were informed they were awarded the full $10,000 grant.

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• Public Meeting Agenda
• Board Meeting Video Stream
• Below are highlights from last evening's Board of Education Meeting

Principal Breanna McDonald shared an update on the Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta Lincoln Elementary hosted last month. It was the inaugural year for the new event and it was met with incredible success.

Mrs. McDonald went on to share a few data items:

• 88% of Lincoln Elementary students are of Hispanic or Latino descent.
• 150+ students and family members attended the fiesta.
• 23 staffers provided support.
• 10+ parents volunteered with support.

Our Workforce Prep Academy has continued to grow and serve more students, giving them what they need when they need it in preparation for post-high school. This includes the growth and success of the Islander Express.

Lori Watts, Workforce Prep Coordinator, shared a heartfelt update on the program housed at Islander Express. Their student enrollment has grown in the last year, and the student workers at Islander Express have been committed to growing in customer service and money counting skills.

The Workforce Prep Academy is an innovative school year program that provides opportunities for career exploration, employment preparation, and work experiences for students with disabilities.

Dr. Robin Dexter, GIPS Associate Superintendent, presented a summary of the alternative education programs provided by the district and how they've grown in the last 14 years.

• PASS Program
• Ombudsman Program
• GISH Online for Credit Recovery
• Success Academy
• GISH Night Owl
• Workforce Prep Academy
• Skills Academy
• Project Search
• Indra House
• Intermediate Services Program (ISP)

As these vital programs continue to grow, so does the need for additional support regarding potential additional staff, budget, facility updates, and the like. One specific next step that will be in place is establishing an Elementary Task Force to define alternative support programs for students in grades K-5.

Dr. Dexter presented information on Policy 8220 Admission of Resident Students to seek input on class size definitions. This is a proposed policy update that has been presented for information and input.

Proposed updates would primarily include moving from a static class-size number to a band system to better accommodate staff placement and building capacity projections.

Here are the updated Elementary class-size bands:

• Pre-K: 15 students per session
• K & 1st: 19 - 23 class size
• 2nd & 3rd: 21 - 25 class size
• 4th - 5th: 23 - 27 class size

Secondary capacities are still under review. Here is what is currently in discussion:

• 6th, 7th, & 8th Grades: 27 - 30/class
• 9th - 12th Grades: 27 - 30/class

2017 was the last time this policy was updated to reflect community and building needs.

Mr. Gilbertson, GISH Executive Principal, and Mr. Matt Wichman, Academy of Engineering & Technology Principal, shared an in-depth update on the implementation of an electronic hall pass system at GISH. The new program kicked-off at the start of the school year in August.

Mr. Wichman put together a GISH Task Force of Teachers and Administrators this summer to focus on creating a stronger, safe and predictable environment. Specifically with student movement:

• Looked at student referral data
• Evaluated camera footage of student traffic patterns
• Discussed anecdotal concerns (i.e. student meetups)
• Reviewed E-Hallpass product
• Team provided recommendations to implement E-hallpass and addressing Open Block/Open Lunch hallway traffic.

Notable Outcomes:

• E-Hallpass increases safety of students and staff by decreasing the number of students in the halls at any given time.
• E-hallpass will increase student classroom contact.
• Reduced overall traffic.
• Limited congregation and outside the restrooms.
• Restrooms remain cleaner throughout the day reducing work for custodians.
• Only 4 students have been given peer-to-peer restrictions to date.

Open Block/Open Lunch - Student movement team recommended changes:

• Have a designated location for all 11/12th grade students to report to during Open Lunch if they choose to remain on campus and are not meeting with teachers.
• Have a designated location for all students with open block to report to if they remain on campus — this includes supervision being provided.
  
  

• Increased utilization of media center.
• Eliminated class disruptions from students in hallways.
• Significantly reduced students skipping class.
• Provided a safe, supervised location for students.

Overall, the addition to the E-Hall Pass System has found a lot of notable success. The "Student Movement Task Force" will continue to evaluate and refine the approach of the system to best meet the needs of staff and students and maintain a consistency of meeting desired outcomes.

Mr. Zach Cloutier, GISH Senior, shared his student representative report with the Board of Education. Here are a few highlights he presented:

• “Personally, I am extremely proud of our students and their achievements and their character.”
• First Superintendent Student Advisory Council meeting took place. A lot of really strong leaders and diversity in that group. He and Lauren Brown went to KRGI yesterday to share about their work in that group on the radio.
• Voter Registration Drive - Will be at GISH on 10/18
• The National Honors Society Annual Blood Drive will take place on 11/18.
• Unified Bowling practice starts soon - Mrs. Wells shared that this is the largest interest they’ve had so far for that program.
• New Islander eSports Team for Rocket League - and they’re pretty good!
• State Qualifiers for Cross Country
• Boys Tennis Districts (Yesterday)
• Hailey Kenkel placed 5th at State Golf
• Football continues to play strong.
• “Our students are a testament to the standards of excellence that Grand Island holds.”

Thank you for your leadership and student advocacy, Zach!

There were no action items presented at this month's meeting so no votes were taken.