The GIPS Cast Grand Island Public Schools

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/ 

Cell Phones. We’re addicted to them.  Well, at least most of us are.

You’re probably already familiar with the conversation of cell phones at school.  That certainly has been a topic under the microscope this year at GIPS and at Grand Island Senior High.

Earlier this school year – at the midway point, in fact – Grand Island Senior High made the intentional move of going “cell phone free” in the classrooms, hallways, and lunchrooms of Senior High.

So, three months deep into being "cell phone free" at GISH, we wanted to check-in to see how the new protocols are going, how students are responding, and see if we can notice a difference in social connection and engaged learning in the classroom.

Throughout this episode you will hear insight from Mr. Jeff Gilbertson, GISH Executive Principal, as he shares the genesis behind the drastic change.  Mrs. Megan Stone, GISH English & Capston Teacher, also shares what the classroom experience is looking like from a teaching perspective.  Adi Beltran, GISH Senior, provides perspective on the benefits and challenges students are facing.  And Mr. Nate Helzer, GISH Academy Principal, weighs-in on being driven by student success and finding common ground with everyone in the school.


Because anything worth doing requires shared vision and a committment to doing the best we can for each other.

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GUESTS: 
Jeff Gilbertson, GISH Executive Principal
Megan Stone, GISH English & Capstone Teacher
Adi Beltran, GISH Senior & Student Leader
Nate Helzer, GISH Academy of Business & Communication Principal

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Dir.

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Twitter: @GIPublicSchools
FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/

Girls Wrestling is more than a sport — it's a community.

Carving her name into the history books, Anyia Roberts became Grand Island Senior High's first ever Girlst Wrestling State Champion this year.  She joins "The GIPS Cast" to share how she found her passion on the wrestling mat and why inspiring the next generation of girl wrestlers matters.

Head Coach Jeff Evans joins the conversation as well to highlight how the GISH Girls Wrestling program has become a Nebraska powerhouse in just three years.  He also shares how the girls are finding themselves and each other in the wrestling room. 

Because trusting the process is all about giving students opportunities they otherwise may not have had.

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GUESTS: 
Anyia Roberts, GISH Junior
Coach Jeff Evans, GISH Girls Wrestling

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Dir.

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Twitter: @GIPublicSchools
FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/

Sharing yourself through music can be a powerful thing.

Kevin Parra Vazquez is a Senior at GISH and an accomplished musician. He joins the "The GIPS Cast" to share how music changed his life in school.

In addition to playing saxophone in a number of brand groups at Senior High, he's recently begun arranging and reinventing old jazz music. His piece, "Stardust", was recently performed at the annual GISH Jazz Fest earlier this month.

Hear Kevin's story and "Stardust" here!

Because music is all about discovery.

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GUEST: Kevin Parra Vazquez, GISH Senior

HOST: Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Dir.

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Twitter: @GIPublicSchools
FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/

CONTENT WARNING:
Please note this episode contains discussion about depression, suicide, and seeking support for those struggles.

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Wellness matters.

Dr. Summer Stephens, GIPS Associate Supt., and Rebecca Duran Meyer, Elementary School Social Worker, join The GIPS Cast hoping to break the stigma surrounding mental health and wellness. Whether it's breaking down barriers of access to support, or simply stepping-up to be a trusted adult in someone's life we all can benefit from a deeper, more empathetic understanding of mental wellness.

Along the way, they discuss how GIPS seeks to support students, staff, and families with what they need. Summer & Rebecca also share about the new family wellness resources GIPS has begun offering to district families for free through generous partnerships.

Because everyone deserves to be supported.

Information may be found at www.GIPS.org/familywellness

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, suicide ideation, or the like, please reach out to a trusted adult you have in your life for support. We also encourage folks to use the free 988 suicide and crisis lifeline.

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GUESTS:
Dr. Summer Stephens, GIPS Associate Superintendent
Rebecca Duran Meyer, Knickrehm Elementary Social Worker

HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Dir.

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Twitter: @GIPublicSchools
FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/

"What is the best way to help our students grow and how can we best ensure student success?"

Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent, was invited to speak at the annual State of the City event held on February 9th, 2024.

He shared insights into the growing academic performance across our schools, a budget reduction snapshot, and updates on the newly relaunched Academies of Grand Island Senior High.

We're pleased to share Mr. Fisher's full message here.
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GUEST: Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent
HOST: Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Dir.

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Twitter: @GIPublicSchools
FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

https://www.gips.org/