The GIPS Cast Grand Island Public Schools

How do we prepare for a new school year?

Two of our school Principals, Jessica Schroeder from Howard Elementary and Kayla Wichman from Westridge Middle School, joined the podcast to answer that very question.

Throughout the conversation, they share a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the large number of details, tasks, and plans that a school Principal tackles before kicking-off another year of learning. 

Whether it is lunch period times, class schedules for students, school culture initiatives, improvement plans, or updating posters for common areas – no job is too small for our building leaders.

Because every student and family deserves to feel like they belong at school.

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GUESTS: 
Kayla Wichman, Westridge Middle School Principal
Jessica Schroeder, Howard Elementary Principal

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

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Twitter: @GIPublicSchools
FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/ 

Before we close the book on the year, it's good to take a moment and reflect.

Mr. Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent, joins The GIPS Cast to do just that.  Along the way he shares insight on how the district came together throughout the necessary budget reduction process, important takeaways from our five-year state accreditation visit, and how our people remain the anchor for all we do.

Looking ahead to the 2024-25 school year, he forecasts a season of simplified focus and continuous growth for our students. 

Because kids can. 

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GUEST: 
Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent 

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

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Twitter: @GIPublicSchools
FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/ 

There is power in student voices.

What’s more, a handful of our GIPS 6th Grade Scholars found their voices showcased on our community’s biggest stage.

Why?

Because they leaned into their creativity and were bold enough to share their vision for our community.

Earlier this Spring, The Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Grand Island approached us at GIPS asking if we’d be interested in participating in a new student-focused endeavor they hoped could become an annual event.  They called it the, “Grand Island 6th Grade Mayor for a Day Essay Contest”.

City 6th Graders could submit, at no cost, a 400-word essay answering two questions:
What do I love most about Grand Island?What changes would you make by the year 2030?Truly a fun exercise designed to amplify area student voices.

As a result, Grand Island Public Schools is pleased to share that out of a field of nearly 90 submissions, GIPS students claimed three of the top eight essay placements with an additional one an honorable mention.

And most notably, one of our own 6th Graders, Saybel Raez Almaguer from Walnut Middle School, was the grand, overall winner.

His prize?

He gets to be “Mayor for a Day” later this month alongside Grand Island Mayor, Roger Steele.
But what’s even more impressive was Saybel’s essay itself, his selfless approach to casting a vision for his home community, and how he seeks to support all people in feeling welcome and supported.

In this episode, Saybel shares his story and reads his full award-winning essay. 

Because our students, if we let them, will help show us the way.

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GUEST: 
Saybel Raez Almaguer, Walnut Middle School

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

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Twitter: @GIPublicSchools
FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/ 

We write about tragic history so we don't repeat it.

Owen Williams, a Junior student and football player at Grand Island Senior High, joins the GIPS Cast to reflect on why writing about the holocaust was an important assignment in Mrs. Butters' class.  Additionally, he shares how Irena Sendler, a social worker in the Polish Underground Resistance rescued 2,500 Jewish children from Warsaw, became the focus of his essay on 'Moral Courage'.  Williams also shares how the writing process changed him for the better.

The Institute of Holocaust Education awarded Owen with the top honor in their annual essay contest on 'Moral Courage'.  Out of a field of nearly 400 student essays from across Nebraska, Owen's essay helped him become GIPS' first-ever winner. 

Because no matter how small it may be, we remember that doing the right thing is still the right thing.

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GUEST: 
Owen Williams, GISH Junior

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

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Twitter: @GIPublicSchools
FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/ 

Animals, science, early childhood literacy, and writing a book!

For the Starr Elementary 3rd Grade Teaching team, curriculum is just the starting point.  Breanna Salinas, Alison Zitterkopf, and Tonia Schmall join The GIPS Cast to share how they brought their collective creativity to the Animal Science unit for their students this year. 

Along the way they share how CKLA curriculum connects to science; how students researched and studied an animal during the unit; the story behind bringing all Starr 3rd Graders to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo; and how they self-published a book full of student reports and illustrations.

We even hear from a few 3rd Grade scholars too!

Because it's about bringing learning to life for every student.

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GUESTS: 
Breanna Salinas, 3rd Grade Teacher - Starr Elementary
Alison Zitterkopf, 3rd Grade Teacher - Starr Elementary
Tonia Schmall, 3rd Grade Teacher - Starr Elementary

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

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Twitter: @GIPublicSchools
FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/ 

How do you capture a four decade career in a conversation?

Mrs. Cindy Wells, Grand Island Senior High Activities Director, joins the GIPS Cast to reflect on the countless students and staff she's supported through 43 years in public education.  Set to retire at the end of this school year, Wells shares her favorite memories, the "day-in-the-life" of an Activities Director, and how it all comes back to connecting with kids.  Through it all, she finds herself filled with gratitude. 

Because every day in the classroom is a practice test for our students.

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GUEST: 
Cindy Wells, GISH Activities Director

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

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Twitter: @GIPublicSchools
FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/