Yes, we will begin another school year soon and as you may have guessed, our theme is Our Giant Story. More to come on that theme later. Well, I hope you all have had the opportunity to spend time with friends and family, taking a break this summer and focusing on recalibrating for the opportunities ahead in the new school year. It is essential to take these moments of rest and rejuvenation, as they prepare us to face new challenges with fresh energy and a renewed spirit.
At Goose Creek CISD, we no longer look at our career choice through the lens of survival, but rather we welcome our next challenge – whatever that may be, as we are confident that we will endure all things. We understand our mission is too great not to accept and we will provide our community with high-quality academic choices, creating a culture of mutual respect and true partnerships with our families, all within a safe and secure environment. Simply put, when we educate well and love what we do, we ultimately elevate our society, empowering generations to come. Our commitment to excellence drives us to continually improve all that we do, to meet the diverse needs of our students and families. Goose Creek’s dedication to quality is the cornerstone of our educational philosophy. Although public school funding has reduced via inflation, we will continue to provide relevant courses of the highest caliber and ensure that no other provider will match what we do regarding school choices, or the quality of education delivered or the commitment of our teachers and staff. We maintain this level of commitment to our families because it is simply the right thing to do!
There may be political distractions swirling around our nation this fall, however, our ongoing projects coming to fruition, like the needed facilities completed from our 2019 bond, our annual budget recalibration and our competitive pay package approved by our board for our teachers and staff, underscore our commitment to attracting and retaining top talent from our region. I am happy to report that we are starting the school year off with a singular focus of honing in on the academic success of every child. Which brings me back to our theme, Our Giant Story. Our Community Engagement Team will be rolling out more information on this engaging opportunity, but suffice it to say, that we believe in the power of connecting with each other, both on a personal and professional level. In doing so, we will create a certain synergy that comes through the power of selflessness and connectedness. You see, as teachers, we understand that what we do is not about us, but about providing a pathway or opening a doorway or shining the light on what was once unknown. We believe that education is the key to a brighter future and by shifting the paradigm of how our children think, to become self-sufficient, critical thinkers with strong character and a high-quality education, we know they will be equipped to achieve anything they set their minds to as young adults entering our society!
We too are prepared for any challenge that may come our way – a hurricane, a flood, a pandemic, a freeze – in fact, we no longer claim to be survivors; we have become conquerors, and we have proven it time and time again. Our resilience and adaptability are testaments to the strength of our community and our unwavering dedication to our students' success. These experiences have only served to fortify our resolve to handle whatever comes our way.
If you are new to Baytown, Highlands, West Chambers or Goose Creek CISD – welcome to the land of the Goose! We are thrilled to have you join our community, and we look forward to working together to create an environment where every student can and will thrive. We want to thank each and every one for being a part of this incredible journey. I look forward to hearing about your Giant story as we make this school year one of personal and professional growth and excellence in all that we do, while we are in Our Giant Era.
Dr. Randal O’Brien
Superintendent of Schools