Paula Barbaroux, Chief Operations Officer for GCISD, joins the podcast to give us information about the upcoming GCISD bond election on May 7th.

Contact us: [email protected] with any questions!

In this episode, we explore some of the special programs GCISD has to offer. Families are invited to learn more about these opportunities at the Special Programs Expo on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Cross Timbers Middle School.

The times in this epsiode where we talk about specific programs are as follows:
1:25 ASPIRE
5:30 AVID
9:01 Collegiate Academy
13:34 Dual Language
17:28 STEM

Contact us: [email protected] with any questions!

Dr. Suzanne Newell & Evan Payne are on the podcast to talk about all things book challenge. As you may know, GCISD has issued an ambitious challenge this year to all K-12th grade students. From the work of Penny Kittle & Donalyn Miller, we are challenging them to read 25 books independently (or 100 picture books for younger readers) this year from a variety of genres and authors. The primary goal of this challenge is to promote the love of reading. We believe that once students get a taste of the joy reading can bring, 25 books (or 100) will only be the beginning of their lifelong journey as a reader.

The Momentous Institute is a service organization committed to transforming kids' lives. The past four years they have brought us Changing the Odds conference, a dynamic event bringing the nation's top thought leaders to speak. This year's theme was "Chaos to Connection" and a few people from GCISD join the podcast today to reflect on their experience. We reflect on Daniel Pink, Sir Ken Burns, Glennon Doyle Melton, and Kevin Carroll.

Hour of Code is a global movement from Code.org to introduce all students to the ideas of coding. We talk to Cindy Kue from Heritage Elementary, some 1st grade students from OC Taylor Elementary, and Janie Stach, Coordinator of Instructional Technology today about why GCISD loves Hour of Code.

Amy Phillips, Lead Elementary Instructional Technology Coach, is here to talk about our top 10 Elementary iPad Apps, our 1:1 initiative, and what to do when you want to teach a new app but don't know how to use it.

Tony Zahn, Director of Science & Instructional Technology is here to talk about students constructing meaning vs. student centered learning and how that looks in GCISD. Where did the idea for learning platform originate and what does it look like in practice?

Dr. John Doughney joins us to talk about the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD strategic plan, or LEAD 2021. How does a district move forward intentionally and with fidelity on a strategic plan and how did GCISD manage to brand theirs?

Kerissa Bearce talks about the purpose of this podcast & how the Grapevine-Colleyville community (or anyone) can subscribe to the podcast, blog, or call in with listener questions.