Back to School 2012

Back to SchoolFirst Day of School - August 27th

Below, you will find links to a variety of useful information ranging from school supply lists for elementary students to ways that you can become active in your neighborhood school as a volunteer. We hope that this information will help you get your family prepared to begin the new school year. Updates to this page will continue to be made as they become available.

Bus Transportation

School Bus

Find useful information regarding bus transportation on the following pages:


District News and Information

Person working at a computer.

You can easily stay connected and updated on the latest news & information about Garland ISD with the:


Emergency Information

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Emergency Contact Information

In the event of a medical (or other) emergency, the school needs to have the correct contact information for parents or guardians of all students. The information MUST be updated at the beginning of each school year and as needed throughout the year. A form will be sent home with your student early in the school year. Please correct, sign, and return the form to the school immediately.

SchoolMessenger - Electronic Message System

During the 2008-2009 school year the district launched SchoolMessenger, a parental notification system to be used for communicating with thousands of parents and staff regarding urgent situations, exclusive school events and important issues during times of crisis.

With SchoolMessenger the district has the capability to send out voice, email or text messages in a matter of minutes to all of the families and staff within the district. This system has been instrumental in notifying parents & students about the bad weather days that have occurred during the 2008-09, 2009-10, & 2010-11 school years. It is also being used for notifying parents when their students have been counted absent from class and to send out notifications about upcoming events.

SchoolMessenger is a powerful message system, but it is reliant upon the most up-to-date contact numbers for families and staff. Therefore, GISD officials stress that campuses must be informed as soon as possible of any changes that need to be made to family or staff contact information throughout the school year.

A form is sent home with students early in the school year that includes a request for this information. Please make needed corrections, sign and return this form ASAP! Notify the office staff at your child’s school when phone numbers change.

Accident Insurance

Did you know that the school district is NOT liable if your child is transported to the hospital via ambulance and/or has to have medical treatment due to an injury suffered at school?

Very low-cost emergency health insurance is available through GM Southwest. Applications can be obtained online at www.gmsouthwest.com. To request a complete brochure by mail, please call GM-Southwest at 1-800-381- 4517. This insurance pays in addition to your current family policy.


Enrollment

Student waiting in line to register.

Families new to the district are encouraged to begin the enrollment process before the first day of school. Enrollment forms can be obtained at any neighborhood campus.

Enrollment requirements, locations, dates and more can be found by visiting the General Enrollment Information page.


Grades

www.garlandisd.net/scripts/gbookredirect.asp

The Online Gradebook system allows parents and guardians to access student grades via the internet. The system is user-friendly with additional assistance just an email away.   All a parent needs is internet access and a valid email address. 

Beginning on Wednesday, September 5, 2012, (the day after Labor Day) parents will be able to create accounts for the 2012-13 school year. Each school year parents/guardians and students must create a new online account.


Immunizations

A nurse is helping a child.

Visit the Health Services Department pages to find services for more information provided by district health professionals including a list of required immunizations and how to find your school nurse.

Back to School Immunization Clinics

Please bring your child's immunization record to the clinic. No appointments are necessary for these clinics unless noted.

Printable - June- August 2012 Immunization Opportunities

 

Immunization Records Update Notifications

Parents of students attending GISD schools during the last school year were notified at the end of the year if additional immunizations would be required prior to enrolling for the 2012-2013 school year.

Proof of these needed immunizations is required before a student will be permitted to start the school year. Please deliver updated immunization records to your child’s school BEFORE the first day of class.

Further questions regarding immunizations may be addressed to the Department of Health Services at 972-487-3268 or A877@garlandisd.net.


Reading Lists

A student reading a book.

Students entering certain English courses in the fall were assigned summer reading. Check to be sure that your child is prepared.


Supply Lists

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General school supply lists are provided by the School Operations Department. It's strongly recommended that parents check with their child's school before making any purchases. Many schools prepare their own supply lists and/or sell pre-packaged supplies at the school.


Special Education Services Available / Child Find

Children

GISD offers comprehensive special education services to eligible students from birth through twenty-one years of age. Children suspected of having a disability may be referred by contacting the appropriate resource. Find out more by visiting the Special Education Referral / Child Find page.


Volunteer Information

A parent is reading to a classroom of students.

Get involved in your neighborhood school. Contact your local school or visit the Volunteer Program page to download volunteer forms and discover a variety of volunteer opportunities.


Page Updated: 8/15/2012