25 APR 2024 · 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. -- GUEST:  Cindy Wells, GISH Activities Director HOST: Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director -- Twitter: @GIPublicSchools FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools https://www.gips.org/ 

27 MAR 2024 · 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. -- 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. -- Twitter: @GIPublicSchools FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools https://www.gips.org/

19 MAR 2024 · 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. -- GUESTS:  Anyia Roberts, GISH Junior Coach Jeff Evans, GISH Girls Wrestling HOST: Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Dir. -- Twitter: @GIPublicSchools FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools https://www.gips.org/

5 MAR 2024 · 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. -- GUEST: Kevin Parra Vazquez, GISH Senior HOST: Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Dir. -- Twitter: @GIPublicSchools FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools https://www.gips.org/

20 FEB 2024 · CONTENT WARNING: Please note this episode contains discussion about depression, suicide, and seeking support for those struggles. -- 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. -- GUESTS: Dr. Summer Stephens, GIPS Associate Superintendent Rebecca Duran Meyer, Knickrehm Elementary Social Worker HOST: Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Dir. -- Twitter: @GIPublicSchools FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools https://www.gips.org/

13 FEB 2024 · "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. -- GUEST: Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent HOST: Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Dir. -- Twitter: @GIPublicSchools FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools https://www.gips.org/

18 JAN 2024 · Success is defined by finding your passion and pursuing it. Angel Velasco (GISH Class of 2015), joins the "The GIPS Cast" to share how Career Technical Education changed his life. Along the way, he speaks about the importance of finding construction opportunities in high school, how two teachers saw his potential, and how cool it is seeing the community enjoy his work in downtown Grand Island. Because there's a lot to be proud of when you build things with your own two hands. -- GUEST: Angel Velasco, AV Contracting HOST: Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Dir. -- Twitter: @GIPublicSchools FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools https://www.gips.org/

4 JAN 2024 · More than just achievement — it's about something bigger. Sage McCallum (GISH Class of 2022), Sophomore & Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy, joins the "The GIPS Cast" to share her story of blazing new trails. Along the way, she salutes teachers who changed her life, speaks to her commitment to service, and vision for the future of life in the Navy after college. Because it takes a village to help you reach your goals. -- GUEST: Sage McCallum, U.S. Naval Academy HOST: Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Dir. -- Twitter: @GIPublicSchools FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools https://www.gips.org/

27 DEC 2023 · Teaching, Learning, and Leading. Bianca Ayala (GISH Class of 2005), Principal at Gates Elementary, sits down with "The GIPS Cast" to share her journey of classroom EL teacher to school Principal in the public school district that raised her. Along the way, she shares her passion for student advocacy, her experiences working with student immigrants, and why public education matters. Because every single student deserves access to education. -- GUEST: Bianca Ayala, Gates Elementary Principal HOST: Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Dir. -- Twitter: @GIPublicSchools FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools https://www.gips.org/

13 DEC 2023 · How do you unlock creativity and critical thinking? Poetry might be the answer. Every year 5th Graders across the district explore a Poetry Unit as part of our English Language Arts Curriculum. And it’s really cool to see our students explore poetry — many of them for the first time. At Stolley Park Elementary, they take it to another level. For three years running now, the 5th Grade classes at Stolley Park host a Poetry Night. Families come to the school and have an opportunity to hear their students share original poetry they wrote during the unit. Not to be outdone, just a few days before the Annual Poetry Night they had a special guest come by and lead a workshop… Nebraska State Poet, Matt Mason! Hear from a few of our student poets, Mr. Butters & Mrs. Rose-Osgood, and our State Poet. -- GUESTS: Matt Mason - Nebraska State Poet Kevin Butters - 5th Grade Teacher, Stolley Park Elementary Tamisha Rose-Osgood - 5th Grader Teacher, Stolley Park Elementary Porter, Jamileth, Maisie - 5th Grade Student Poets HOST: Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Dir. -- Twitter: @GIPublicSchools FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools https://www.gips.org/