Weekly Newsletter

Wow, what a week and a half it's been! Thank you all for your incredible energy, enthusiasm, and dedication during our professional development and preparation for the new school year. Your hard work and positive attitudes are truly inspiring, and I have no doubt that our students will feel the impact from day one.

As we gear up to welcome our students back, let’s channel this momentum into making this the best year yet. Remember, we're not just a school—we're a family. Together, we can accomplish amazing things!

Here's to a year filled with laughter, learning, and unforgettable moments. Let’s make it one for the books!

Love,

Elizabeth

A little time invested in teaching the routines of the room pays huge dividends throughout the year. Students will feel safer, be more independent, and you’ll be able to spend more time focused on teaching and learning.

• First Day Routines/Procedures
• Duty Schedule
• Dismissal Rotations
• PRIDE Posters (for review in class)

• When the Heat Index exceeds 100 degrees- all outside activities should be cancelled.

• When the air quality level reaches Red or Purple- all outside activities should be cancelled.

• When the air quality level reaches Orange- outside activities should be limited to 20 minutes with frequent water breaks.

• Special care should be taken for students with respiratory or other health conditions.

Please allow students to remain indoors upon parent request. Contact your school nurse or Health Services at 972-487-3268 should you have any questions.

• Waters will be made available for teachers on recess/outside dismissal duties
• Encourage students to bring water bottles outside or go inside for water as needed

• Monday classes will move to Friday for Week 1
• Check-outs will begin Week 2
• Mrs. McKee is working on Library Folders for each class with more information about open-checkout and other library routines (be looking for those in boxes this week)
• Library basket book-return system will remain the same as last year

Check out the position-based training ‘checklists’ (including recommended pacing and timelines) to support your completion by the assigned deadline!

• All Employees - all campus and district personnel will complete these trainings as required by TEA & GISD Board Policy will complete a total of 6 courses (5 hours)

• Employees Interacting with Students - employees with daily student interaction will complete a total of 9 courses (6.5 hours)

• Employees with Instructional Responsibilities - employees charged with instructional responsibilities will complete a total of 12 courses (8.25 hours)

Click here for more information and troubleshooting tips.

Garland ISD is excited to announce our new partnership with ParentSquare, which is transitioning away from School Messenger to enhance our communication efforts. Historically, our district has relied on School Messenger to keep our community informed, but we are now moving to ParentSquare to provide a more unified and robust communication platform.

ParentSquare provides a seamless experience, offering features that enhance parent and guardian involvement. These include an intuitive mobile app, two-way language translation, and comprehensive engagement tools. The platform comes pre-loaded with class lists to facilitate the onboarding process, ensuring a smooth and efficient start.

Some features include:

· Mass notifications and Urgent Alerts

· Mobile application for administrators and parents (iOS and Android)

· Attendance notifications

· Teacher and classroom communication

· Direct Messaging with two-way translation

· Social (Facebook and Twitter)

· Forms and Permission Slips

· Appointment Sign Ups (parent-teacher conferences)

· Calendar and RSVP

· Volunteering and classroom supply sign-ups

· And so much more!

Communication to Parents

Parents will receive an activation email for their ParentSquare account beginning August 9. Those who do not register will still receive text, email, and phone notifications. Parents who do create an account can interact by viewing photos, downloading attachments, leaving comments, messaging teachers, signing permission slips, and managing their communication settings and preferences.

ParentSquare Resources and Training

All Garland ISD staff will receive access to their ParentSquare account beginning August 2. Garland ISD will provide a variety of resources to ensure an effective launch at each campus, including training videos, letters, PowerPoint presentations for parents, and more. To access the ParentSquare resources please click here.

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AUGUST

12 First Day of School
13 PRIDE Pep Rally

• K-2 - 8:45-9:15 am
• 3-5 - 9:30-10:00 am

22 Parent Info Night 5-7p

SEPTEMBER

2 Labor Day (NO SCOOL)

20 STEM Night (PTA Math/Science Night)

OCTOBER

3 5th Grade Camp Mtg - 5:30pm