Gregory-Portland ISD CATCast

There's a lot happening across the state of Texas that's impacting public education, and in this episode we're sitting down with our own State Representative J.M. Lozano and G-PISD Superintendent Dr. Michelle Cavazos as they discuss and share the latest. You're sure to learn something important you didn't know before, so don't miss this insightful interview conducted by one of our awesome G-P Wildcats Timothy Astin. Tune it with us, G-P!

Families are moving to G-PISD as our community continues to grow and thrive, with Wildcat pride a key reason why others want to be a part of what's happening here in our school district! Tune in as Cheyenne Davis and her mother Ashley Davis share what they've experienced and learned since moving just a couple of years ago, and what Cheyenne is planning next as a graduating senior in the Class of 2024. This episode is hosted by G-PHS Wildcat Elias Vasquez. Enjoy, G-P!

Find out what fuels our teams on the front lines, G-P, and you'll soon discover it's MUCH more than you knew! In this episode, hear from Alton Coleman, Director of Transportation, and Lee Roy Gonzalez, Director of Operations, as they reveal what happens behind the scenes to support our G-P Wildcats every day -- in all kinds of weather, circumstances, and unique opportunities! G-P High School Student Donovan Yglesias is our host for this week -- tune in now, and don't miss this one, 'CATS!

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!

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!

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! 

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! -- FMI: www.g-pisd.org/PTECH

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

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!  -- 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

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

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

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!

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!

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! 

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 -- 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

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: 2022-23 Demographic Study "The Future of G-PISD" Presentation recording via Facebook Live Construction / Bond Progress Reports (2020)

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! 

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

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!

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)