1st 9 Weeks

Stay Informed

Everything families need to keep up with my class is available in one place. Through the link below, you can access my class calendar, parent newsletters, and daily agendas, including assignments, due dates, upcoming lessons, and other important information.

Bookmark this link and check it regularly:
Mr. Skipper dot Com Agendas

Following this one link is the easiest way to stay informed about what we are doing in class and what is coming next.

No Surprises

Progress reports are scheduled to go out every three weeks, but there should never be any surprises. Student grades are always available in Skyward, where families can also set up automatic alerts. I also send SchoolStatus messages and progress updates throughout the grading period.

Because of these systems, families should never be surprised by either a high grade or a low grade. And remember, in accordance with GPISD policy, late assignments in advanced classes receive a deduction of ten points per day.

Please make it a habit to check Skyward regularly so missing assignments or low grades can be addressed before they become larger problems

Handling Hard Better

Non scholae, sed vitae.
Not for school, but for life.

At a team meeting that quickly spread far beyond basketball, Kara Lawson, head coach of the Duke University women’s basketball program, delivered a message she calls “Handling Hard Better.” Her point is direct: we cannot control how hard life will be, but we can control how well we prepare ourselves to face it. Instead of wishing for fewer obstacles, she challenges her players to become stronger, more disciplined, and more resilient.

That philosophy guides our classroom as well. The work will not become easier because the standards drop. It will become easier because students grow in skill, confidence, and stamina. Reading more complex texts, writing with greater precision, and thinking more deeply require effort. But with steady practice, what once felt overwhelming becomes manageable.

As parents and teachers, our role is not to remove every difficulty from a child’s path. It is to help them build the habits, character, and persistence that allow them to meet challenges without shrinking from them. When we focus on helping students handle hard better, we prepare them not just for the next test, but for the demands of life beyond school.

Chaperones Needed

If you are interested in volunteering at your child’s school, please complete an official background check by clicking on the 'Sign Up To Be A Volunteer' link below. This must be completed before you are eligible to volunteer at any Galena Park ISD campus or to chaperone any field trips.

Thank you in advance for doing your part to help Galena Park ISD achieve our mission of preparing our students to become productive citizens and lifelong learners. We appreciate you!

Sign up to be a volunteer; it is easy!

Sign Up To Be A Volunteer