Leopard Pride News

GISD Wins 2025 TAEA District of Distinction Award Two Consecutive Years!

The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) announced the 109 winners of the 2025 District of Distinction Award. Among the list of honorees is Gainesville ISD. The districts received the honor for providing a well-rounded education that advocates and integrates visual arts curriculum to inspire creativity and build social emotional learning that connect learners to their community and beyond.

TAEA is the leading advocate for the visual arts in the state. The organization has previously honored outstanding TAEA members for work in their classrooms and districts. This is the seventh year that TAEA is honoring districts that meet rigorous criteria as evidenced from data.

For the 2025 award, over 1,200 districts were eligible to apply. Each district submitted documentation they met from the 14-point rubric over the 2024-2025 school year. Only 109 districts met the high standard and will receive the outstanding honor indicating they are in the top 8 percent in art education of districts in the state.

The Visual Arts team and the district of distinction lead teacher is Gainesville High School Art teacher, Robin Perkins. The GISD Visual Arts team also includes Melissa Knight (7-8), Kelly Stogner (5-6), Janet Johnson (2-4), and Jessica Borden (PK-1).

Junior High Renovation Update

We are excited to see the progress of the current GJH renovations! The current front entrance has been temporarily relocated until the construction is complete. The new concrete is poured around the flag pole and the front entrance flatwork is scheduled this week! On the inside, the library is in the middle of a complete remodel, with the wall between the old library and the reference room removed. Estimated completion of this phase of project is January 2026.

2025 Bond Oversight Committee

The Bond Oversight Committee, appointed by GISD Board of Trustees, ensures that the projects remain accurate to the voter-approved 2025 bond program. While this committee has no legal authority to make any decisions regarding the 2025 Bond, the committee will monitor the bond projects to make sure they are completed on time, with quality and within budget. The committee will serve a vital role in providing feedback to the GISD Board of Trustees and GISD Administration about the 2025 Bond.

Please follow the link below for more information, including the committee application, required meeting dates, and more.

Bond Oversight Committee

Cell Phone Policy

Texas House Bill 1481, passed during the 89th Legislative Session, requires all public school districts to implement policies restricting student use of personal communication devices during the school day. This includes devices like cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, and gaming devices. The primary purpose of the bill is to minimize distractions and create a more conducive learning environment for students.

View the complete cell phone policy on our website

GISD Police Department

We are excited to have a fully staffed GISD Police Department! Please help us welcome Officer Mark Linnell and Officer David Stanley to the team.

Pictured left to right: Officer Linnell (Chalmers), Officer Rodriguez (GJH), Chief Peacock (Edison/Head Start), Officer Burr (GHS), and Officer Stanley.

Stayalert

As a vital partner within our district, we want to take this opportunity to inform you about our district’s participation in the StayALERT School Safety Program. StayALERT is a safe and secure place to confidentially or anonymously report unsafe behaviors, suspicious activities, bullying, acts of violence, harassment, and any other school safety concern. Download the app to quickly make a report. Users may report concerns 24/7/365 via any of the five reporting modes:

1) Call or Text 1-206-406-6485
2) Report Online: www.stayalert.info

3) Send an E-mail: report@stayalert.info

4) Download the app: www.stayalert.info/stayalertapp

In a time when concerns for school and student safety are paramount, we would ask that you be aware of this tool for both your own use and to help bring awareness to the students within our district.

Note: StayALERT is NOT a substitute for reporting an emergency. Please call 911 or your local police, fire or EMS if there is an urgent situation.

Gainesville ISD Education Foundation Sponsorship Packages 2025-2026

Ready to make a difference? Start your journey by becoming a GEF sponsor now and help us empower our students and teachers to reach their full potential!

Together, we can create a brighter future for our schools!

Click here to become a GEF sponsor!

Gainesville ISD will continue to provide free meals for all students for the 2024-2025 school year. GISD qualified for the Communication Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, which will allow GISD to provide breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge.

The program will once again enable ALL students in GISD to receive free breakfast and lunch without the requirement for families to complete the National School Lunch Program free/reduced meal application. However, districts in the CEP program are required to collect an income survey from all families. The survey is now included during the registration process. This simple and concise form will provide valuable information that will assist GISD in qualifying for a multitude of grants from additional funding sources. The survey is collected via paper form when school begins.

Students Who Pack Lunch Get Additional Items from the Café for Free
Does your child pack a lunch, but you still want them to have a couple of additional healthier items? They can get them in the café for free! Many students who pack a lunch will still come in and get a fruit and vegetable to compliment the items they brought from home. This can also be a stress reliever for parents who want their kids to still have a well-balanced meal but may not have those items at home for kids to pack.

Minimum Requirement for Students to Receive for Free:
The student must take a minimum of 3 items of those 3 items, 1 of them must be a fruit or a vegetable.
Examples: 1 Carton of Milk, 1 Apple, 1 side of Celery or 1 Juice, 1 side of Celery, 1 Side of Broccoli

*A Child Nutrition Team Member will assist all students to make sure the correct items are taken.

Meal Menu App for Students and Parents
Download the Nutrislice App in any App Store for All Meal Information. Use the Nutrislice app to check out daily menus online, nutrition facts, promotions, etc get started, type Gainesville ISD in “Find Organization” and you are set! You can favorite your student(s) school(s) and stay informed on all information regarding meal service.

Click to See GISD Dress Code

Please refer to the link provided for a comprehensive list of dress code reminders. The dress code regulations will be rigorously implemented in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the student handbook. The primary objective of the suggested dress code policy is to cultivate a sense of pride among the GISD student body, faculty, and community, ultimately creating an educational setting that motivates students to focus on their academic pursuits, enhances student self-confidence, minimizes socioeconomic disparities among students, promotes positive conduct, ensures school safety, and enhances the overall academic learning atmosphere.

Sub at GISD!

Click the link for details. The next training is September 17th.

$150 - Texas certified teacher
$120 - Non-Certified
$160 - Long-term certified teacher
$130 - Long -term non-certified teacher
A long - term sub is one who subs for more than 15 days in a row in the same position.

Click here to view fall athletics schedules!

Tickets are now available for GHS Volleyball. GHS football tickets will open for purchase on August 18. Save the date for Homecoming on October 3! Senior citizen passes (60+) for the 2025-2026 seasons can be picked up at 900 N. Grand Ave.