The GIPS Cast

Preparing graduates for their next chapter.
 
Grand Island Senior High (GISH) has developed a new Senior Launch Program to help support all graduating Seniors be more confident in venturing to their next chapters after high school.

Specifically, how our dedicated staff at GISH and GearUp help Seniors and their families for complete the FAFSA form.

Starting this school year, the state of Nebraska has a new graduation requirement for all public school districts:  Every graduating Senior must complete the FAFSA form in order to graduate.

As you’ll hear in the following discussion, the FAFSA form isn’t new.  But having it as a graduation requirement is.  So, as forward-thinking educators, our team at GISH & GearUp wanted to take a proactive approach to helping Seniors and their Families navigate this requirement — by helping all graduates better understand the exciting opportunities and choices they have in front of them.  And yes, the FAFSA form helps in that regard quite a bit – especially when considering college opportunities.

With this information being so important, we wanted to provide these conversations in both English and Spanish so we may reach as many families as we can in a helpful way.

This episode will be in English.  We’ve added a second episode to our feed covering the same conversation completely in Spanish as well.
 
Because it's all about empowering students to be College, Career, & Community Ready.

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GUESTS:  
- Julie Markvicka, GISH Counselor
- Nuria Lemus, EducationQuest


HOST: 
- Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Dir. 

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FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/

Preparando a los graduados para su próximo capítulo.
 
Grand Island Senior High ha desarrollado un nuevo Programa de Lanzamiento para Estudiantes de último año para ayudar a que todos los estudiantes que se gradúan tengan más confianza para aventurarse en sus próximos capítulos después de la escuela secundaria.

Específicamente, cómo nuestro personal dedicado en GISH y GearUp ayuda a las personas mayores y sus familias a completar el formulario FAFSA.

A partir de este año escolar, el estado de Nebraska tiene un nuevo requisito de graduación para todos los distritos escolares públicos: cada estudiante de último año debe completar el formulario FAFSA para poder graduarse.

Como escuchará en la siguiente discusión, el formulario FAFSA no es nuevo, pero sí lo es que sea un requisito para graduarse. Por eso, como educadores con visión de futuro, nuestro equipo de GISH y GearUp quería adoptar un enfoque proactivo para ayudar a los estudiantes de último año y a sus familias a cumplir con este requisito, ayudando a todos los graduados a comprender mejor las emocionantes oportunidades y opciones que tienen por delante. Y sí, el formulario FAFSA ayuda bastante en ese sentido, especialmente cuando se consideran las oportunidades universitarias.

Siendo esta información tan importante, queríamos ofrecer estas conversaciones tanto en inglés como en español para que podamos llegar a tantas familias como sea posible de una manera útil.

Este episodio será en español. Hemos agregado un segundo episodio a nuestro canal que cubre la misma conversación completamente en inglés también.
 
Porque se trata de capacitar a los estudiantes para que estén preparados para la universidad, su carrera y la comunidad.

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HUÉSPEDES:
- Stacy Quinteros, Consejera de GISH
- Nuria Lemus, EducationQuest

ANFITRIÓN:
- Mayra Ramallo, asesora financiera universitaria de GISH GearUp

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Facebook: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/

"I really believe that we can change the world one child at a time."

34 years deep in public education and Mrs. Thorne still lives that truth every day. 

Mrs. Michelle Thorne, Academic Support Coach at Wasmer Elementary, joins The GIPS Cast to share why teaching is the best way to change the world.  She speaks to the importance of welcoming all students while also providing consistent expectations and how she's seen that approach impact thousands of scholars.  Thorne also reflects on how her unique role allows her to take part in the daily passion of collaborative teaching and mentor staff all throughout the school.  And what the honor of being named 2024 GIPS Specialist of the Year means to her. 

Because it's all about daring to believe that students — thru the influence of dedicated teachers — can achieve great things. 

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GUEST: 
Michelle Thorne, Academic Support Coach at Wasmer Elementary School

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

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FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/

"My hope for my kiddos is to jump out for those dreams. Don't give up hope when things get tough. Keep going, keep trying."

Nicole Hicken (GISH Class of 2006), has found a way to make a positive impact across a community through the power of dance. 

Nicole sits down with "The GIPS Cast" to share her journey of teaching summer dance lessons as a teen in her parents' basement to launching Studio N Dance Center which serves 280 students. Along the way, she salutes the GIPS teachers who inspired her and speaks to the power of self-expression through the Fine Arts. 

Because it's more than just dance — it's about discovering who you are and what you love. 

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GUEST: 
Nicole Hicken, (GISH Class of 2006) Owner - Studio N Dance Center

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

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FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/ 

"Opportunity and chances. That's what we're here for. We're here to remove obstacles; we're here to provide opportunities."

Dr. Ken DeFrank is more than an educator, he's an advocate for students.

Dr. DeFrank, Principal of Success Academy, joins The GIPS Cast to share his philosophy of education and why alternative learning programs are vital to any public school system.  He shares his experiences of more than 20 years in public education dedicated to building systems and leanring environments for students in need.  He also unpacks his passion for personalized learning, the rise of student anxiety, the power of compassion, and playing the long game for building relationships with every student.

Because it's all about planting seeds and fostering healthy learning environments. 

* TRIGGER WARNING *
The conversation you’ll hear on this episode touches briefly on a few topics that may be triggering for some listeners.  This episode contains conversation on things such as anxiety, suicide ideation, psychosis, emotional trauma, and seeking support for those struggles.

Please know it is our intention to discuss these topics with sensitivity and empathy.  We at GIPS want to do our part to normalize empathetic conversations around mental health and wellness.

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GUEST: 
Dr. Ken DeFrank, Success Academy Principal 

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

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FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/

"My teachers really created that support, that backbone, support for me, and encouraged me to know, it's okay to make mistakes. So for that, I really thank my elementary teachers."

Ashley Parra Valencia (GISH Class of 2020), recently return to Grand Island for one reason:  To make a positive impact in the community that gave so much to her. 

Ashley sits down with "The GIPS Cast" to share her journey of EL student, to high school student athlete and performer, to Advertising major at UNL, to Community Outreach Coordinator at the Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity. Along the way, she shares her passion for community, shout-outs her favorite teachers, and affirms why public education is vital to Grand Island. 

Because the journey of becoming a lifelong learner starts at school. 

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GUEST: 
Ashley Parra Valencia, GISH Class of 2020

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

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FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/

"Here within the walls of this public school is where the American dream can really begin for people." 

That's why Mr. Balcom believes in the power of public education. 

Mr. Nate Balcom, Principal at Newell Elementary School, joins The GIPS Cast to share his committment to cultivating a positive culture for all – students, staff, and families.  He shares his experience going from Media Integration Specialists to a Building Principal.  Balcom also reflects on how staff and students came together after losing their school playground to an unfortunate fire.  And what the honor of being named 2024 GIPS Administrator of the Year means to him. 

Because it's all about doing what we can every day to bring our best for our students. 

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GUEST: 
Nate Balcom, Principal at Newell Elementary School

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

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FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/ 

Another school budget season is here!  

Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent, and Virgil Harden, GIPS CFO, join The GIPS Cast again to share an in-depth look at the 2024-25 district budget. 

Throughout the conversation they share how nearly 80% of the general fund budget is dedicated to our staff, why GIPS will be lowering its tax levy for the second-straight year, and why school budgeting looks differently from year to year. 

Because it's about ensuring we're honoring our committment to our students. 

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GUESTS: 
Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent
Virgil Harden, GIPS CFO

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

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WEBSITE:  https://www.gips.org/
FB:  https://www.facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

#WeAreGIPS

"I want you to love learning when you leave my class."

That's Mr. Madison's philosophy — sparking curiosity so the learning continues long after you've walked out of his classroom.

Mr. Tyler Madison, U.S. History Teacher (8th Grade) at Walnut Middle School, joins The GIPS Cast to share his passion for bringing history to life for students.  He recounts how the Walnut D.C. Diplomats program has grown to a year long community-based endeavor focusing on student leadership development.  Also, he reflects on the recent honor of being named 2024 GIPS Middle School Teacher of the Year.  

Because it all comes back to one thing each day... giving students an opportunity to be great. 

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GUEST: 
Tyler Madison, U.S. History Teacher at Walnut Middle School

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

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FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/

How do we support teachers to teach students?

Three of our Educators, Megan Ahrens, Jocelyn Bloom, & Irene Cuellar, joined the podcast to unpack that huge question.  Specifically for Early Childhood Literacy.

Throughout the conversation, they share about the important work they're doing with the Kindergarten - 2nd Grade English Language Arts Summer Task Force.  As part of the task force, these Educators work alongside about 20 of their colleagues to map out Literacy efforts for all Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade classrooms at GIPS. 

They shared their passion for teaching, highlighted understanding the difference between Reading and Literacy, why we keep showing-up every day for our students, and how much work goes into planning curriculum resources and support for hundreds of teachers across 14 Elementary schools. 

Because every student deserves access to high-quality learning. 

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GUESTS: 
Megan Ahrens, GIPS PK-5 ELA Curriculum & MTSS Coordinator
Jocelyn Bloom, 1st Grade Teacher at Shoemaker Elementary
Irene Cuellar, Kindergarten Teacher at Gates Elementary

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

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Twitter: @GIPublicSchools
FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/