
Gregory-Portland ISD CATCast
By Crystal Matern

Gregory-Portland ISD CATCastDec 01, 2023

G-P Early Childhood Center - A New Gateway for Learning
Imagination takes center stage as G-PISD prepares to unveil the new Early Childhood Center (ECC) with a learning model all its own to engage our youngest Pre-K and Kindergartner learners in deep knowledge through play! Listen as our Superintendent Dr. Michelle Cavazos, Director of the ECC Mrs. Robin Rice, and Student Host Eli Lopez explain what to expect, how the project is going, and what it will mean to "wonder constantly" at the new G-PECC!

Public Education Matters: A Student, a Senator & a Superintendent
Join Senator Morgan La Mantia, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Cavazos, and our own talented Wildcat Elentiya Carey as they discuss public education in Texas -- why it matters, what's happening now, and how decisions made at the state level impact Texas students, staff, and communities. It's a discussion you won't want to miss, so tune in and let's learn together G-P!
Do you have an idea for an upcoming CATCast episode? Tell us what you'd like to hear by emailing us @ communications@g-pisd.org. Thanks, 'CATS!

What Learning Looks Like from Home to School
Communication is key, especially when it comes to advocating for and supporting our Wildcats! Tune in to this week's CATCast and hear from a great Dad, Mr. Christopher Butler, and an awesome Mom (who is also a G-P Teacher), Mrs. Virginia Ellyson, as they discuss the importance of the family-teacher relationship as well as share tips for improving connections from home to school! This episode was hosted by our incredible Wildcat Tyler Dobbs. Don't miss it!

Next-Level Learning @ Our P-TECH High School
Senior Jayden Hays and G-PISD's Mrs. Hilda Salinas, Director of Career and Technical Education, were interviewed for this episode that's all about how G-P Wildcats can benefit from earning college credit, job certifications, and more while at G-P's P-TECH High School! Stay informed and tune in now for this week's show hosted by one of our incredible Wildcats, Rolando Mireles!
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FMI: www.g-pisd.org/PTECH

G-P Education Foundation for Today & Tomorrow
Momentum is building as our G-P Education Foundation continues to grow and provide district-wide support! Hear from President Joseph Vasquez and Development Chair Patti Cass Strain in this week's CATCast, as they share why they are involved, what the organization does, what's planned next, and what it means for students, staff, and our greater community.
Learn, connect, and be involved with the G-PEF "for today, and tomorrow!" Special thanks to our student host of this week's episode, Noah Haan, for an exceptional job interviewing our community leaders!
SHOW NOTES:
- State of the District 2023: www.g-pisd.org/SOD2023
- Learn about the G-P Education Foundation: www.g-pisd.org/g-pef

"Green means Growth" - Academic Progress @ G-PISD
Hear all about why "Green means Growth!" in terms of Student Progress and academic success all across G-PISD! Thanks to the hard work of our teachers and staff district-wide, as well as our campus and district leaders supporting their efforts, we're seeing our students achieve and GROW in ways our Superintendent Dr. Michelle Cavazos and Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction Penny Armstrong will share via this CATCast! Thanks to our student host of this week's episode, Aubrey Deighan, for her stellar job leading this important discussion!
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Check out the PRIORITY 1 "Green Growth" Report to the School Board: www.gpisd.org/P1growthreport
Send a G-P employee some PAWSitive Praise today: www.g-pisd.org/praise

Student Growth through the Eyes of our G-P Teachers
They see it all, and they lead learning across G-PISD ... today, hear from our two current District Teachers of the Year as they explain what student progress really looks like to them and what's new in our classrooms. Thanks to Mrs. Kayla Charlton and Mrs. Stacey McClary for lending us their insight, and to Guest Host Elias Vasquez from G-P High School. Thanks for listening to YOUR CATCast, G-P! #goGPwildcats #GPtogether

"PAWSitive" Praise @ G-PISD
It's FAST, it's EASY, and it MEANS A LOT for others, G-P! Tune in to this episode and learn how to pay it forward in just two minutes or less with "PAWSitive Praise" for our incredible Team G-P! Plus, hear how the district is focusing on honoring our awesome teachers and staff in other ways with Chief Communications & Engagement Officer Crystal Matern, Executive Director of Human Resources Dr. Daniel Ceballos, and Guest Host Sage Moss with GPTV! PAWSitivity is contagious -- check it out, G-P! #goGPwildcats #GPCatCast

LOWER Tax Rate & New Annual Budget
It's a new school year, and a NEW TOTAL TAX RATE for G-PISD -- with a decrease that passes the savings onto our taxpayers! Tune in and learn all about it as well as the district's annual budget process and how we're spending our dollars. Your experts on deck for this episode are Board Vice President Carrie Gregory and Assistant Superintendent for Business-Finance and Operations Dr. Ismael Gonzalez III. Guest host for this episode is G-P Wildcat Alyssa Roden -- don't miss it!

Bond 2023 and Beyond
Now that YOU have supported and passed Bond 2023, what's next for G-PISD? Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Cavazos and Board President Tim Flinn as they sit down with Guest Host Ariel Castellano and discuss their reactions to the bond process last year and the result, projects the district is moving forward to make possible for G-PISD, and how YOUR support makes all the difference for our students, teachers, staff, and community.
Do you have an idea for an upcoming CATCast episode? Tell us what you'd like to hear by emailing us @ communications@g-pisd.org. Thanks, 'CATS!

Four Years Later: G-PHS Class of 2019
Where are they NOW, G-P? Hear from two of our Wildcats who graduated four years ago ... and are doing some amazing things in their travels, and for our community! Hear them share some awesome advice for current Wildcats, especially those in high school who are planning their 'next chapter' soon to come. Don't miss this one, and be sure to follow and subscribe to the CATCast for more insightful episodes this year!

Celebrating our Seniors: G-P CLASS OF 2023
It's time to CELEBRATE, G-P, as we hear from two of our graduating seniors -- Abigail Becka & Chance Hardwick -- as they weigh in on their upcoming graduation, their plans for the future, how the G-P community has prepared them, their experiences with our teachers, and much more! This episode features our proud Superintendent in the host chair as Dr. Michelle Cavazos makes connections and takes us on a journey with these incredible representatives of the G-P CLASS OF 2023! Don't miss this CATCast -- tune in, and share with one person today. #GPpride #GPtogether
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SHOW NOTES:
- We're honoring our SENIORS via Social Media: Tune in @ www.g-pisd.org/facebook as we count down "10 Days of G-P Seniors" with graphic recognition for the entire Class of 2023!
- Wondering about senior events and schedules? Curious about what families and community are asking leading up to graduation? Check out our web page JUST for seniors and their honored guests to find the details and a running list of FAQs @ www.g-pisd.org/seniors

Building G-PISD: Making Decisions about Schools & Facilities
Join Board Vice President Carrie Gregory and G-PHS Alumnus Celeste Uribe (Class of '22) as they talk about how the School Board weighs decisions when it comes to schools and facilities, and how community voice plays a big role in the planning and decision-making process. Special thanks to Guest Host Ariel Castellanos for leading the conversation in this episode of the CATCast!
SHOW NOTES:

Growing G-PISD: Economic Changes & Rising Student Enrollment
The landscape is changing across the Gregory-Portland area, and with it comes new opportunities and new students attending G-PISD. This school year alone we've seen student enrollment increase from 4,660 students on the first day of school in 2022 to more than 4,900 students as of January 2023 -- and climbing!
In this episode, Guest Host and G-PHS Senior Skyla Martini interviews Superintendent Dr. Michelle Cavazos and School Board President Tim Flinn as they weigh in on the realized and anticipated growth in our district; the way we are partnering to educate, inspire, and empower through change; and the outcome of a recent Demographic Study performed to determine how much we are expected to grow as a community and district during the next 8-10 years.
Stay informed, and enjoy this informative and inspirational CATCast!

Future Focused for College & Career
Step into College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) at G-P High School and learn what's happening right now and what's soon to come as we continue to develop visionary plans for the lifelong success and benefit of our G-P Wildcats! Principal Dr. Michael Norris and Dean of Instruction Shelly Elizalde have some incredible insight through their work to develop our programs as part of G-PISD's CCMR team, and they've got big news for you. Don't miss this one -- listen now!
LEARN MORE / CONTACT US:
- P-TECH @ G-P High School (w/ video content featuring some of programs!)- www.g-pisd.org/PTECH
- College & Career Web Page
- Dual-Credit Information
- Graduation Plans & 4-Year Endorsements
- SAVE THE DATE: Academic & CTE Showcase @ G-P High School - Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2023 - 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Ready to partner with us? Email us @ mnorris@g-pisd.org or selizalde@g-pisd.org

Overcoming Adversity as a G-P Wildcat
This holiday, give yourself the GIFT of hearing two of our outstanding Wildcats -- Brandon Redden and Kendall Ramos -- share what it's been like for them to overcome adversity through incredible personal struggles this past year, as provided by Guest Host Elijah Thamaravelil (also a G-P Wildcat)! Hear them now, and be sure to like / subscribe / follow for more of the G-P CATCast!

The "High Wealth" District
It's quite possible you've heard that Gregory-Portland ISD is considered a "high wealth district" in the State of Texas ... yet, what does that REALLY mean, and how might the reality of our district's situation be quite different from the way that phrase initially appears at first glance? We've asked our Superintendent, Dr. Michelle Cavazos, and our Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance, Dr. Ismael Gonzalez III, to define it in simple terms and share what you as taxpayers, students, families, and staff can expect to see in the years ahead. It makes for great listening at home, in your car, or out and about -- so join us, and then subscribe to the CATCast for more to come!
SHOW NOTES / INFO:
- Understanding Recapture under Robin Hood Law @ RecaptureTexas.org
- Texas Robin Hood Law through the years, from 1993 to Current Day (Texas School Coalition Video)
- Texas School Coalition News covers Robin Hood, Rising Costs & Local Dollars for School Districts
- G-PISD explains Chapter 313 Agreements and why they are considered in our district
- "Amid Growing Robin Hood Payments, Property Rich Texas Schools want State Relief" - The Dallas Morning News (April 2021)

Kicking Off the CATCast w/ Superintendent Dr. Michelle Cavazos
She's the leader of our school district, and a bright light in our G-P community -- tune in for the Season 1, Episode 1 of the CATCast and learn a few things about how she grew up, what inspired her to become an educator, what she values, and where she's leading us with our School Board and Administration. You're sure to learn something you didn't know before, so don't miss the first interview now available from Gregory-Portland ISD! #GPeducate_inspire_empower / www.GPcatcast.com
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Show Links:
- Learner-Centered Culture
- Convocation Video: "One Teacher's Alter Ego" by Steve Hartman | CBS "On the Road"
- Academic Transparency - State of the District Presentation Slides
- Academic Transparency - Priority 1 "Exceptional Student Performance" Report | Sept. 2022
- State of the District Presentation Materials

Show Trailer
Gregory-Portland ISD is connecting with our incredible community by sharing the voices, stories, questions, and answers from our Wildcats -- students, families, teachers, staff, and community! Every other week, we're releasing something special just for you. Check out our show trailer here, and subscribe to stay informed with the G-P CATCast! #goGPwildcats #GPtogether