We are well into the final six weeks of the 2014-2015 school year, and the district is alive with end-of-the-year activities and STAAR and Advanced Placement testing. May is the month designated for showing gratitude to our teachers. Central Administration staff recently delivered flashlights bearing the inscription, “Teachers Light the Way,” to all campuses for Teacher Appreciation Week. This is just a small gift to thank you for the work you do every day to help our students succeed.

May 6 -12 is National Nurses Week, so I want to make sure that all of our school nurses know how much we appreciate the important role you play in the success and health of our students. Keeping our students healthy and safe so that they are ready to learn is no easy task, and we appreciate your hard work and effort.

Of course, our teachers and nurses are surrounded by a wonderful group of staff members on the 28 campuses and at all of our facilities throughout the district. I want to take this opportunity to let you know how grateful I am to you for your support of this district as well as your confidence in me as we go through this transition period together.

All around this district are numerous student success stories. For example, Goose Creek CISD will send 13 students to Maryland for the National History Day competition, continuing this tradition of excellence for more than 24 years. Eleven Goose Creek Memorial High School students advanced to the State UIL competition. Our fine arts programs are flourishing! Ten music students earned All-State honors, and we have earned numerous first divisions and sweepstakes in our music programs. Students have placed at the State Visual Arts and Scholastic Event (VASE) and advanced in UIL One Act Play competition.

In recent sports news, Ross S. Sterling High School’s water polo team won 3rd place in the state competition. Sterling’s softball team is in the area round of playoffs, and Sterling and GCM’s baseball teams are in the bi-district playoff rounds. A female runner from GCM has advanced to the State Track Meet. Fifth graders recently competed in their annual track meet, and we have started a junior school soccer program. These are just a few of the examples of the accomplishments of our students and programs, but I know we could find success stories in the classrooms every day.


Our school and City of Baytown partnerships are developing through a Park Project at Bowie Elementary designed to accommodate special needs students. Goose Creek CISD is excited about this much-needed park for our students. We also appreciate the businesses that have partnered with our schools through the Baytown Chamber of Commerce Partner In Education program. These businesses have contributed time, effort and money to help our schools provide various activities and rewards for our students.

To update you on the 2013 Bond, mechanical, electrical and plumbing improvements have been made at all three high school campuses, and security improvements are scheduled to begin soon. Much of this work may be completed over the summer, and some will run into next fall. We are in the final design stages for the Transportation Center, the Data Technology Center and the renovations to Goose Creek Memorial for the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. The conversion of Stuart Career Center into a Career Technical Education High School is in the early stages of design. Goose Creek is collaborating with Lee College on the curriculum and course offerings for a stand-alone Career and Technical Education High School.

IMPACT Early College High School will hold graduation exercises Thursday, June 4, at Lee College, and GCM, REL and RSS seniors will graduate Saturday, June 6, at Hofheinz Pavilion. For more information, please check our website at www.gccisd.net. We eagerly anticipate celebrating our students’ success through the graduation process. We also invite public feedback on a location for the 2015-2016 graduation ceremonies.

I know that many of you will be working during the summer, but I hope everyone takes some time to rest, relax and spend time with your family and friends. It will be full steam ahead for the 2015-2016 school year as we continue our charge to become the premier district in the Greater Houston Area. Thanks for all that you do!