Attendance Matters

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FRIDAY!

If you are reading this message, give yourself a BIG HIGH FIVE… it looks like you are going to make it through the first week of school!

Graham Area United Way- The deadline to turn in your pledge card/contribution is today!  Please give your card/contribution to your campus office by the end of the day today. Remember your donation stays in our community and you may choose to designate which agency receives your donation.  The agencies supported by the Graham Area United Way are:

AMERICAN RED CROSS OF NORTH TEXAS

BETHEL CHILDREN’S DAY CARE

CRISIS CENTER BENEVOLENCE

GIRL SCOUTS OF TEXAS OKLAHOMA PLAINS

GRAHAM AREA CRISIS CENTER

GRAHAM BACKPACK BUDDIES

GRAHAM GIRLS SOFTBALL

LITTLE LEAGUE AND GRAHAM YOUTH BASEBALL

MEALS-ON-WHEELS

SALVATION ARMY GRAHAM

SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER

VIRGINIA’S HOUSE – A FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER

YOUNG COUNTY 4-H CLUBS

YOUNG COUNTY CHILD WELFARE

Lady Blues Volleyball- The Lady Blues are in action this weekend at the Argyle Tournament- Best of Luck Lady Blues!

Graham Steers Football- The Graham Steers football team will be in action this evening at Sanger High School. HOOK EM STEERS! Football Ticket Info - Graham @ Sanger - August 26, 7:30 pm

No advance ticket sales this week - prices at the gate are: $3.00 – Students, $5.00 – Adults. Gold Card Senior Citizens' Pass will be accepted. Indian Stadium, 130 Indian Lane, Sanger, TX 76266 https://goo.gl/maps/a8NkHYMZDP22

Lady Blues/Graham Steer Tennis- Good luck to our Lady Blues and Graham Steer tennis teams as they face Iowa Park in Graham this coming Tuesday afternoon.

Lady Blues/Graham Steers Cross-Country- Best wishes to our Lady Blues and Graham Steer cross-country teams at the Burkburnett Invitational this coming Thursday.

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

One of our goals this year is to ensure that every student attends school regularly.

Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and in life.

We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But, we also know that when students miss too much school— regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically.  Your child is less likely to succeed if he or she is chronically absent—which means missing 18 or more days over the course of an entire school year. Research shows:    

• Children chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.  
• By 6th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk for dropping out of school.  
• By 9th grade good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th grade test scores.  

Absences can add up quickly.  A child is chronically absent if he or she misses just two days every month!!

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Section 25.092 contains the provision of law commonly referred to as “the 90 percent rule,” which applies to a student in any grade level from kindergarten through grade 12. A student must be in attendance 90% of the school days to be granted credited or a final grade for a class.  A student who is in attendance for less than 90% but at least 75% of the school days may be required to complete additional criteria to earn credit or a final grade.

THERE ARE 78 DAYS IN THE FIRST SEMESTER - IF A STUDENT REACHES 8 ABSENCES, HE/SHE NO LONGER MEETS THE 90% RULE AND IS CONSIDERED TO BE A CHRONICALLY ABSENT STUDENT.

Clearly going to school regularly matters!

We don’t want your child to fall behind in school and get discouraged.  Please ensure that your child attends school every day and arrives on time.   Here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:

• Make sure your children keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Ensure your children go to school every day unless they are truly sick.
• Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.
• Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your children feel anxious about going to school.
• Develop back up plans for getting to school if something comes up.  Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your child to school.

Each of our campus teams will be stressing the importance of school attendance throughout the school year. Graham High School principal, Joe Gordy, will be hosting a parent meeting - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ATTENDANCE AND OTHER MATTERS-  on Monday, August 29th at 6:00 pm in the GHS Auditorium. I encourage all parents to attend as we have made significant changes regarding how we will hold high school students accountable for their attendance and have added some incentives for meeting expectations.

Let us know how we can best support you and your children so that they can show up for school on time every day.   We want your child to be successful in school!  If you have any questions or need more information please contact your child’s school.

CORNY JOKE OF THE DAY!

WHAT’S THE KING OF ALL SCHOOL SUPPLIES? (Scroll down for the answer)

The ruler!

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

It’s a busy but great week in GISD!  

GISD Inspires Conference was BIG Success!

The Graham ISD staff experienced an awesome day of staff development today led and taught by our own teacher leaders!  The GISD Curriculum and Instruction staff led by Gary Browning did an excellent job of organizing a top notch experience for our team.

A special thanks to the professionals listed below that presented during the day.  We are off to a great 2016 - 2017!

Necia Marin, Gayla Dunagan, Kendall McCurdy, Kitty Rosser, Alice Day, Kelly Hedge, Tonya Sparks, Shondra Seebeck, Susan Riley, Colbie Ranger, Kacey Wakefield, Benny Ramsey, Emily Yates, Amy Murphy, Stacy Nantz, Audra Barrett, Ande Wright, Jenna Baker, Lisa Lovell, Dee Ann Orsak, Lisa Budarf, Kristina Martin, Trudy Hardy, Micki Bullock, Allyson Garner, Misty Mills, Kim Wyatt, Cindy Walton, Barbara Lewis, Tessa Boenisch, Tonya Fellows, Christie Markham, Julie Bell, Elsie Posern, Joe Gordy, Amanda Townley, Sonny Cruse, Jill Schmidt, Jayme Reger, Liz Rose, Jennifer Davis, Molly Morris, Breann Spivey, Natalie Husen, Lori Kramer, Kelly Qualls, Hayley Langford, Tonya Fellows, Deb Guinn, Kelli Walker, Lori Kramer, Suzanne Hollingsworth, Holly Camp, Dana Burgess, Tracy Pippins, Haley Melikian and Pam Rogers

Lady Blues Volleyball- Congrats on the match victory vs Wichita Falls High and best of luck in the annual Lu Allen Tournament that will be held at GHS this Friday and Saturday!

RSB3 Fall Preview- This evening our Rompin Stompin Big Blue Band will debut their Fall marching show. The Fall Preview event will begin at 7:00 pm at Newton Field.  I encourage you to come out and support these students.

First Day of School… What Students Want to Know!

Harry Wong says there are seven things students want to know on the first day of school that we as teachers must be able to answer.  First impressions are important -- so start with a good one!

Am I in the right rooms?

• Have your name and the subject you teach on the door.
• Be at the door to smile and greet students as they enter the room.

Where am I supposed to sit?

• Have assigned seats the first day.  You may want to assign seats by giving students a number as they enter the room that matches a desk number.
• Assigning seats saves time and trouble and includes everyone.

What are the procedures of the classroom?

• Let them know early what your expectations are.
• Speak with colleagues if you are having trouble determining a set of procedures.
• Clearly stated procedures that can be viewed from all parts of the room is very helpful to all.

What will I be doing this year?

• Give them the big picture of the class.
• Tell them about content and processes.
• Let them see your enthusiasm for the subject and teaching.

How will I be graded?

• Let them know how they will be successful.
• Let them see that you are fair and consistent.
• Show them everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Who is this teacher as a person?

• Tell them about your goals for them.
• Introduce yourself to them.
• Students will get the picture of you by how you act and by what you say. It will be a lasting impression.

Will the teacher treat me like a human being?

• Let them see from the beginning that you are a person of integrity.
• Show them and assure them it will be safe to learn in your rooms.
• Let them know you have high expectations for everyone.

Remember you cannot do everything the first day. Some things will wait a couple of days. Three things should happen:

• Get to know your students.
• Let the students know your expectations.
• Organize and manage first day issues.

Time spent teaching procedures in the beginning will result in time saved during the rest of the year.

Remember the words -- safe, effective and efficient. You can decorate later!

I hope you all have a blessed first day.

CORNY JOKE OF THE DAY:

WHY DID THE M&M GO TO SCHOOL? (Scroll down for the answer)

BECAUSE HE WANTED TO BE A SMARTIE!