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The official podcast of Grand Island Public Schools in Nebraska. The GIPS Cast is a conversation-based podcast exploring the world of public education thru the voices of one of Nebraska’s...
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The official podcast of Grand Island Public Schools in Nebraska.
The GIPS Cast is a conversation-based podcast exploring the world of public education thru the voices of one of Nebraska’s largest, most diverse school districts.
#WeAreGIPS
show less
The GIPS Cast is a conversation-based podcast exploring the world of public education thru the voices of one of Nebraska’s largest, most diverse school districts.
#WeAreGIPS
The GIPS Cast
The GIPS Cast
10 SEP 2024 · Another school budget season is here!
Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent, and Virgil Harden, GIPS CFO, join The GIPS Cast again to share an in-depth look at the 2024-25 district budget.
Throughout the conversation they share how nearly 80% of the general fund budget is dedicated to our staff, why GIPS will be lowering its tax levy for the second-straight year, and why school budgeting looks differently from year to year.
Because it's about ensuring we're honoring our committment to our students.
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GUESTS:
Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent
Virgil Harden, GIPS CFO
HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director
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WEBSITE: https://www.gips.org/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools
#WeAreGIPS
27 AUG 2024 · "I want you to love learning when you leave my class."
That's Mr. Madison's philosophy — sparking curiosity so the learning continues long after you've walked out of his classroom.
Mr. Tyler Madison, U.S. History Teacher (8th Grade) at Walnut Middle School, joins The GIPS Cast to share his passion for bringing history to life for students. He recounts how the Walnut D.C. Diplomats program has grown to a year long community-based endeavor focusing on student leadership development. Also, he reflects on the recent honor of being named 2024 GIPS Middle School Teacher of the Year.
Because it all comes back to one thing each day... giving students an opportunity to be great.
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GUEST:
Tyler Madison, U.S. History Teacher at Walnut Middle School
HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director
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FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools
https://www.gips.org/
31 JUL 2024 · How do we support teachers to teach students?
Three of our Educators, Megan Ahrens, Jocelyn Bloom, & Irene Cuellar, joined the podcast to unpack that huge question. Specifically for Early Childhood Literacy.
Throughout the conversation, they share about the important work they're doing with the Kindergarten - 2nd Grade English Language Arts Summer Task Force. As part of the task force, these Educators work alongside about 20 of their colleagues to map out Literacy efforts for all Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade classrooms at GIPS.
They shared their passion for teaching, highlighted understanding the difference between Reading and Literacy, why we keep showing-up every day for our students, and how much work goes into planning curriculum resources and support for hundreds of teachers across 14 Elementary schools.
Because every student deserves access to high-quality learning.
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GUESTS:
Megan Ahrens, GIPS PK-5 ELA Curriculum & MTSS Coordinator
Jocelyn Bloom, 1st Grade Teacher at Shoemaker Elementary
Irene Cuellar, Kindergarten Teacher at Gates Elementary
HOST:
Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director
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Twitter: @GIPublicSchools
FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools
https://www.gips.org/
9 JUL 2024 · 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/
20 JUN 2024 · 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
--
Twitter: @GIPublicSchools
FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools
https://www.gips.org/
4 JUN 2024 · 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
--
Twitter: @GIPublicSchools
FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools
https://www.gips.org/
21 MAY 2024 · 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
--
Twitter: @GIPublicSchools
FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools
https://www.gips.org/
8 MAY 2024 · 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/
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.
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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/
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.
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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/
The official podcast of Grand Island Public Schools in Nebraska. The GIPS Cast is a conversation-based podcast exploring the world of public education thru the voices of one of Nebraska’s...
show more
The official podcast of Grand Island Public Schools in Nebraska.
The GIPS Cast is a conversation-based podcast exploring the world of public education thru the voices of one of Nebraska’s largest, most diverse school districts.
#WeAreGIPS
show less
The GIPS Cast is a conversation-based podcast exploring the world of public education thru the voices of one of Nebraska’s largest, most diverse school districts.
#WeAreGIPS
Information
| Author | Grand Island Public Schools |
| Organization | Mitch Roush |
| Categories | Education |
| Website | www.gips.org |
| communications@gips.org |
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