The Official Newsletter of Gregory-Portland Junior High ... · Blake Leuschner, Damien Quesada, Noelani Judd, Cara Nichols, Brita Rhodes, PJ Garcia & friends enjoying music and making

GPJHS Gazette March 2018 pg. 1

The Official Newsletter of Gregory-Portland Junior High School: Home of the World’s Greatest Students!

Shhh! Athena Lankford and Justice Morris are celebrating; see why inside!

Also in this issue:

Academic UIL - page 17

Best of GPJHS Winner - page 9

Choir Notes - page 2

Class Favorites - page 15

Heart of Gold Dance - page 13

Read-a-thon Winners - page 12

Reading Buddies - page 3

Tennis Triumphs! - page 10

…and more!


Choir Notes By Mr Campion

On January 30, we held our annual solo and ensemble contest for the junior high choir students,

and we were met with some fantastic results! Students compete as soloists or as a member of an

ensemble chosen from their respective choir class (Concert Boys, Concert Girls, and Treble

Girls). All soloists and ensembles sing for a judge to receive a rating from “I” to “V” (“I”

meaning “Superior” and “II” being “Excellent”).

All three ensembles had a tremendous performance and all three received a Superior rating!

60 students competed as soloists. Out of those, 56 received Superior ratings and 4 students

received Excellent ratings!

Each judge chooses one outstanding performer from each gender. Our star performers this year

are: Blake Leuschner, Josue Lozano-Cantu, Anthony Martinez, Anyssa Castillo, Anika Cluff,

and Rebecca Tietze.

Rebecca Tietze also received a superior rating on her piano solo, making her the most highly

decorated student this year, receiving a total of four medals for her performances!

These students received Superior ratings on their solo performances:

Taelor Fritz

Madelyn Garza

Caitlyn Byrne

Makayla Rodriguez

Levi Welch

Mark Lara

Ella Sanchez

Hannah Niemann

Mallory Manlove

Brynn German

Ty Adams

Jove Sandoval

Anyssa Castillo

Anthony Martinez

Estrella Ortega

Natalie Knight

Lilliana Mendoza

Ian Longoria

Abigail Molone

Elian Pulido

Yahaira Ruiz-Lucero

Anika Cluff

Illiana Hernandez

Bella Rodriguez

Shelby Drake

Josue Lozano-Cantu

Julia Davis

Syndi Vo

Gabby Solis

Bethany Kocik

Sophia Garza

Emily Berger

Ross DuBose

Mason Rodrigue

Brooklyn Thedin

Kiera Vest

Nicole Watts

Kaydence Fisher

Hayden Hardwick

Ryder Deleon

Nick Hartley

Alanna Moreno

Lizzie Sides

Chance Besinaiz

Jaden McClary

Raigan Martinez

Amber Clements

Jojo Woodward

Rebecca Tietze

Josh Martinez

Caitlynn Casas

Blake Leuschner

Elizabeth Kanapaux

Alanys Rios

Please congratulate these individuals! They did a fantastic job!


Books & Buddies at GPJHS & TM Clark

On January 26, GPJHS students shared books and their time with students at T.M. Clark

Elementary. Mrs. Forsythe, a teacher at T.M. Clark told fellow event organizers Mrs. Ross and

Ms. Costilla, “My kids loved reading with yours! Thank you so much for organizing this. It was

a great idea and we really enjoyed it! The kids were so excited to go home with their books!”

McKenzie Saathoff, Caitlyn Byrne, Brooke Moreno & friends prove that readers are leaders!

Ava Barter & Khalenit Edrington Blake Farr & Edwin Bauch


Reading Buddies continued

Diego Aguillon & Keane Ruiz Lindsay Abreus & Ella Sanchez

Kiera Vest & Aiza Omar Jackson Gragg & Isaiah Rodriguez

Brody Deluna & Layton Chesser Marcus Munoz & Andrew Vaiz



Ximena Andaverde & McKenzie Saathoff Monica Rodriguez & Brooke Moreno

Sofia Olivares & Caitlyn Byrne Jayden Kent & Ashley Gomez

Abigail Molone & Grant Bonneau Anjara Guerra & Brita Rhodes



Eveleen Gonzalez & Angela Lumbreras Elisabeth Miller & Marlee Walker

Garrett Melerine & Santiago Ornela Ainesh Bhakta & Landu Gonzalez

Sophia Jimenez & Alyson Balderas; Liam Johnson & Laura Bennett; Marlee Walker & Ms. Costilla



Vincent Nguyen & Dylanne Dodson Dale Loveland & Sophia Young

Gabriella Allocco & Emma Denton Garrett Smith & Skyla Martini

Izaak Alejandro & Misha Stegall Kenzey McClellan-Self, Abby Krisl & Long Deo



Jose Vasquez & Robert Rosalez Garrett Melerine & Santiago Ornelas

Jacob Ochoa & Matthew Rush Ariel Castellano & Antonio Castillo

Did you know that you can help the planet and the robotics team at the

same time? Simply bring your printer’s empty inkjet cartridges to C108 and the

robotics team will recycle them for you. Remember that inkjet cartridges will fit in

the palm of your hand. We cannot recycle larger cartridges.


Meet Mrs. Hayward What do you do at GPJHS? ELAR-7, National Junior

Honor Society Advisor

Education/experience: Journalism degree from Texas

Tech & teacher certification from UT Arlington. Seven

years as a newspaper journalist – reporting, editing &

page design. Seventeen years teaching grades 6, 7,8, &

10th.

Hobbies: Reading, family time, traveling

Favorite Book(s): Hunger Games, To Kill a

Mockingbird, Twilight series, Harry Potter series,

Great Expectations, Fried Green Tomatoes, The

Outsiders, Eleanor & Park, Wonder, The Discovery of

Witches, Bridge to Terabithia, and The da Vinci Code!

Favorite Game(s): Word Cookies, Tetris

Favorite music, artist or genre: Rick Springfield to Harry Connick, Jr. to Ed Sheeran

Something about me that might surprise people: I hate to argue and try really hard not to

complain. I’m all about optimism and positivity!

Best of GPJHS – and the winner is…. Students and staff were asked to write essays about something or someone that makes GPJHS

special. This month’s winner is Courtney Teeter! Here’s what she wrote:

The thing I like most about GPJHS is the teachers who work here. The teachers

are nice and help me when I need it. They encourage me to be my best and do my best.

Not only are the teachers funny but they also care about me. I love to listen to the

stories they tell us, so I can relate to them as an actual person, not just as a teacher.

They will also ask what's wrong when you're sad and help you feel better. I like how

they always tell you, "Good morning" and "Good afternoon" every day!

Mark Your Calendar There are a lot of exciting events coming soon to a GPJHS near you; to see what they are when

they will happen, visit the school’s website, or click the link below!

https://www.g-pisd.org/gregory-portland-junior-high-school/calendar/happening-now-event-calendar

https://www.g-pisd.org/gregory-portland-junior-high-school/calendar/happening-now-event-calendar


Wildcat Tennis Triumphs Pictures by Del Lindley

At the February 3 Calallen tournament, Megan Yzaguirre & Alessandra Miller won 3rd Place in 8th-Grade Girls Doubles, and Elian Pulido & Tristan Lindley won 2nd Place in 8th-Grade Boys Doubles.

Elian Pulido, Megan Yzaguirre, Alessandra Miller & Tristan Lindley congratulate each other on Feb 3.

A week later, in Kingsville, on February 10:

David Avalos and Ryan Martinez won 3rd Place in Boys Doubles

Elian Pulido and Laney Bustos won 3rd Place in Mixed Doubles

Alessandra Miller and Adriana Gonzalez won 1st Place in Girls Doubles

Tristan Lindley and Julian Turruviate won 1st Place in Boys Doubles

Julian Turruviate, David Avalos, Ryan Martinez, & Tristan Lindley “love” winning, but you

can’t have your medal and eat it too! See more photos from Kingsville on the next page.


Tennis Triumphs continued (see who won what on the previous page)

Alessandra Miller and Adriana Gonzalez David Avalos and Ryan Martinez

Elian Pulido and Laney Bustos Tristan Lindley and Julian Turruviate

Way to go, Wildcats!


Meet Mr. Jones What do you do at GPJHS? Technology Coordinator,

Instructional Technology, Yearbook

Education/experience: Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Master’s in

Instructional Technology from TAMUK

Hobbies: Fishing, Kayak, Golf, Drum

Favorite Book(s): The Harry Potter series

Favorite Game(s): Halo, Grand Theft Auto V, Fortnite

Favorite music, artist or genre: Rock, Tejano

Something about me that might surprise people: I worked as a

microbiologist before getting into education.

Read-a-thon Winners Several ELA classes at GPJHS raised money for student materials by participating in a read-a-

thon. Teachers held reading sessions in class, and many students also logged reading hours

outside of class. Students also used the persuasive techniques they had been studying in ELA to

persuade family and friends to support their reading efforts (and our school) financially. In

addition to individual prizes, there was a competition to see which ELA class could raise the

most money; the winner(s) earned a class party with pizza or doughnuts!

Highest-earning individual readers were:

BRITA RHODES $110.00

BROOKLYN THEDIN $125.00

ELIANNA HODGES $175.00

TAELOR FRITZ $175.00

EMILY KEYLICH $200.00

and TY ADAMS $225.00

The highest earning ELA class periods:

3rd Place - Mrs. Ross's 6th period $455.00

2nd Place - Mrs. Ross' 4th period $460.00

1st Place - Ms. Young's 1st period $690.00

In total, GPJHS students have raised over $3000.00 through the read-a-thon fundraiser for

classroom supplies and student materials. Thank you, everyone who participated!

Save the memories! Order your

yearbook today! If you’re reading

this online, click this link: https://goo.gl/S6mmwi

https://goo.gl/S6mmwi


Dancin’ the Night Away Pictures by Mrs. Dornak from the Heart of Gold Dance at GPJHS on February 10.

Students danced in pairs & groups, while some showcased their individual style.

Blake Leuschner, Damien Quesada, Noelani Judd, Cara Nichols, Brita Rhodes, PJ Garcia &

friends enjoying music and making memories.


Heart of Gold Dance continued

Jayden Lindsay dressed to the nines, & Alania Villa and Skye Martindale rated the party a ten!

Special thanks to Mrs. Ramirez, event coordinator & our wonderful (and camera-shy) parents,

faculty and staff volunteers, who stayed late on Friday and/or arrived early on Saturday to help

make the dance a success; you all truly have hearts of gold!

Got a Story? Got a Camera? Got Art? Is there something you’d like to see in the next Gazette? Join the Gazette staff, and make it so!

https://www.g-pisd.org/uploaded/personal/3133/Documents/Gazette/GPJHS_Gazette_Student_Staff_Application.pdf



Class Favorites Students nominated and voted for the classmates whom they felt exemplified some of the best

qualities GPJHS student population. The winners were announced at the Heart of Gold Dance

on February 10.

7th-Grade Winners

Most Athletic Girl: Ava Barter

Most Athletic Boy: Brandon Redden

Most Studious Girl: Peyton Felchak

Most Studious Boy: Quinn Smith

Class Clown Girl: Sierra Moreno

Class Clown Boy: Ty Adams

Most School Spirit Girl: Brooke Moreno

Most School Spirit Boy: Ty Adams

Best Musician Girl: Ella Spencer

Best Musician Boy: Koda Honig

Best All-Around Girl: Ava Barter

Best All-Around Boy: Koda Honig

8th-Grade Winners

Most Athletic Girl: Khilyssa White

Most Athletic Boy: Dustin Madson

Most Studious Girl: Athena Langford

Most Studious Boy: Ian Gerick

Class Clown Girl: Alania Villa

Class Clown Boy: Donovan Strain

Most School Spirit Girl: Skye Martindale

Most School Spirit Boy: Mark Lara

Best Musician Girl: Alanys Rios

Best Musician Boy: Aiden Acosta

Best All-Around Girl: Bethany Kocik

Best All-Around Boy: Chase Felt

Most Athletic winners Brandon Redden, Ava Barter & Dustin Madson; Best Musician winners

Koda Honig, Ella Spencer, Alanys Rios & Aiden Acosta

Most School Spirit winners Brooke Moreno, Skye Martindale & Mark Lara


Class Favorites continued

“Class Clowns?” “Us?” Sierra Moreno, Alania Villa & Donovan Strain

Back to the dance!

Meet Mrs. Gordon What do you do at GPJHS? P.A.C.E.S. (Positive Academic

Classroom Experiences with Socialization)

Education/experience: Bachelor’s of Science from Texas A&M

College Station

Hobbies: Spending Time with my kids, fishing, cooking, watching my

son play baseball

Favorite Book(s): Anything by Dr. Seuss

Favorite Game(s): Parcheesi, solitaire

Favorite music, artist or genre: Classic country music, plus Simon & Garfunkel

Something about me that might surprise people: Next year, I will have 3 children in college.


Academic UIL

“Excelsior!” Diego Aguillion, TJ Elliot, Matthew Goodlad & their teammates aim for success!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Congratulations to ALL of the students who competed in the Academic UIL tournament on

Saturday, February 10th! GPJHS students won A LOT of awards, including:

In 7th-grade Mathematics,

Elisabeth Miller won 3rd place

Quinn Smith won 1st place

The 7th-grade Math team was awarded 1st

place medals for overall performance!

In 7th-grade Calculator,

Elisabeth Miller won 5th place

Quinn Smith won 4th place

In 7th-grade Oral Reading,

Jackson Gragg won 2nd place

In 7th-grade Art,

Victoria Smith won 6th place

Emma Denton won 3rd place

Diego Aguillon won 2nd place

The 7th-grade Art team was awarded 1st

place medals for overall performance!

In 7th-grade Spelling,

Brooke Moreno won 7th place

In 7th-grade Listening,

Aylin Arroyo won 8th place

Brooke Moreno won 4th place

In 7th-grade Number Sense,

Elisabeth Miller won 4th place

Quinn Smith won 3rd place

In 7th-grade Chess,

TJ Elliot won 6th place


With the help of Matthew Goodlad, the

Knights of the Round Table (the 7th-grade

Chess team) won 2nd place medals for

overall performance!


Academic UIL continued

In 7th-grade Dictionary Skills,

Aylin Arryo won 8th place

Jeremy Guiterrez won 3rd place

Brooke Moreno won 2nd place

The 7th-grade Dictionary Skills team won

1st place for overall performance!

In 7th-grade Editorial Writing,

Ellie Hodges won 7th place

In Project-Based Art,

Victoria Smith won 6th place

Emma Denton won 3rd place


In 8th-grade Mathematics,

Jacob Gansle won 8th place

Ian Gerick won 6th place

Coyt Winckler won 4th place

The 8th-grade Math team won 2nd place for


In 8th-grade Calculator,




The 8th-grade Calculator team won 2nd

place for overall performance!

In 8th-grade Oral Reading,

Ellie Hodges (a seventh grader competing

against 8th graders) won 5th place

In 8th-grade Art,

Justice Morris won 4th place

Athena Lankford won 1st place

The 8th-grade Art team won 2nd place

medals for overall performance!

In 8th-grade Spelling,

Alex Janssen won 5th place

Athena Lankford won 1st place

In 8th-grade Science,

Blake Leuschner won 1st place

With the help of Justice Morris, the 8th-

grade Science team won 2nd place medals

for overall performance!

In 8th-grade Impromptu Speaking,

Justice Morris won 3rd place

In 8th-grade Number Sense,




The 8th-grade Number Sense team won 2nd

place for overall performance!

In 8th-grade Dictionary Skills,

Athena Lankford won 8th place

Alex Janssen won 2nd place

With the help of Ivy Zheny, the 8th-grade

Dictionary Skills team won 3rd place medals

for overall performance!

In 8th-grade Social Studies,


Joshua Ferdon won 5th place

In 8th-grade Project-Based Art,


In 8th-grade Maps, Charts & Graphs,

Joshua Ferdon won 5th place

Blake Leuschner won 3rd place

With the help of Victoria Garcia (a seventh

grader competing against 8th graders), the

8th-grade Maps, Charts &

Graphs team won 3rd place medals for


UIL coaches Ms. Young, Dr. Turner, Mrs. Leisher, Mrs. McMahan, Mrs. Anfosso, Mrs.

Vanderford, Mr. Wooten and Mr. Thomas are really proud of everyone who participated; you’re

ALL winners!

Pictures of some of these dedicated students (who went to school at 6:00am for academic

activities on a Saturday!) are on the following pages.



Victoria Garcia (a seventh-grade student competing in an 8th-grade event), Blake Leuschner &

Joshua Ferdon worked together to earn bronze medals for Maps, Graphs, and Charts!

Knights of the Round Table Diego Aguillion, TJ Elliot & Matthew Goodlad won silver for Chess!



Mr. Wooten, Elisabeth Miller, Coyt Winckler, Quinn Smith, Jacob Gansle & Ian Gerick won

more math-related awards than we could count (unless you read the lists on pages 18 & 19)!

Talented AND knowledgeable! Emma Denton, Diego Aguillon & Victoria Smith worked

together and earned gold medals (awarded shortly after this photo was taken) for Art!



“Look it up!” Jeremy Guiterrez, Brooke Moreno & Aylyn Arryo worked together to earn gold

medals for Dictionary Skills!

Justice Morris, Alex Janssen, Blake Leuschner, Quinn Smith, Elisabeth Miller (pictured above)

& other GPJHS students began to feel the weight of all the ribbons and medals they were

winning throughout the day! Great work, Wildcats!

Gazette Q & A Question: Why am I (or my friends) not listed and/or pictured in a Gazette article? Answer: On a form they completed during student registration, some parents have requested that

their children not be pictured nor listed in school publications; this applies to the

school yearbook, as well as the GPJHS Gazette. G-PISD respects the rights of parents to protect

their children's privacy. Parents may contact the school's front office for more information.


STAAR Trek – Bodly Go, Wildcats! STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness) administrations

will begin in April. Don’t be scared; be prepared! Students and parents may

prepare for the future by learning from the past. Visit this website for actual

STAAR materials from previous school years:

http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/STAAR_Released_Test_Questions

Scheduled STAAR testing dates for GPJHS:

Tuesday, April 10 – 7th-grade Writing STAAR & 8th-grade Math STAAR

Wednesday, April 11 – 8th-grade Reading STAAR (7th-grade has a planned mock Math)

Thursday, April 12 & Friday, April 13 - testing for students who were absent Tue & Wed

Monday, May 14 – 7th-grade Math & 8th-grade Math retest

Tuesday, May 15 – 7th-grade Reading & 8th-grade Reading retest

Wednesday, May 16 – 8th-grade Science

Thursday, May 17 – 8th-grade Social Studies

Friday, May 18 - testing for students who were absent earlier that week

In addition to the online resources listed above, many teachers offer free tutorials for students

before and after school. If you are struggling with a particular subject, please seek help NOW;

don’t wait until the week before testing!

Meet Mrs. Rosado What do you do at GPJHS? P.A.C.E.S. (Positive

Academic Classroom Experiences with Socialization)

Education/experience: B.A. as an elementary teacher from

the University of Puerto Rico with 18 years of experience

teaching English as a second language in Puerto Rico

Hobbies: Shopping, travel, and seeing my kids play their

sports

Favorite Book(s): none

Favorite Game(s): table games

Favorite music, artist or genre: ballad and pop music,

Ricardo Arjona & Ednita Nazario

Something about me that might surprise people: I was

born, lived and developed my whole life in Puerto Rico!

Download copies of the GPJHS Gazette in full color from the “Community” tab at:

https://www.g-pisd.org/gregory-portland-junior-high-school

http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/STAAR_Released_Test_Questions

https://www.g-pisd.org/gregory-portland-junior-high-school


Meet Mrs. Solis What do you do at GPJHS? I teach 7th grade math and 7th

grade Intensive math.

Education/experience: I graduated from Texas A&M

University- Corpus Christi with a Bachelors in Science:

Interdisciplinary Studies Mathematics 4-8 (aka Math

Education). I have officially completed 1 full year of teaching

at the best school in the world (GPJHS)!

Hobbies: I love grading papers and creating assignments and

all… but in my free time I enjoy reading, creating shirts,

stickers, and invitations just a little more.

Favorite Book(s): I have way too many to list here.

Favorite Game(s): Uno, Jenga, Connect Four, & games that require problem solving.

Favorite music, artist or genre: I love all kinds of music… as long as it is not overplayed on

the radio.

Something about me that might surprise people: Before I decided to become a teacher I was

actually going to school to become an Engineer, but somehow I decided I enjoyed working with

middle schoolers more and changed my major (it took me a 2 whole extra years to graduate).

Trash or Cash? Cash, please! www.btfe.com Support our school!

Meet Mrs. Sullivan

What do you do at GPJHS? I have fun every day teaching

7th grade science!

Education/experience: I have a Bachelor’s of Science in

Kinesiology from the University of North Texas. This is my

13th year to teach and I just love making science gross, weird

and cool every day!

Hobbies: cooking, reading, going to the beach, playing with

our rescue dog Biscuit, and attempting to stay up-to-date with

scientific discoveries.

Favorite Book(s): The Unwind series by Neal Shusterman,

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, Captured by Grace by

David Jeremiah

Favorite Game(s): entertaining my son, who is three years old

Favorite music, artist or genre: For King & Country, Shane & Shane, Steven Curtis Chapman,

Dave Matthews Band, and Jack Johnson

Something about me that might surprise people: I have won many awards for singing, I can

snowboard, and I used to coach basketball, volleyball, cross-country and track.

http://www.btfe.com/


Grade Check with Skyward Get the jump on progress reports and report cards! Check your grades online; here’s how:

1. Use the link at www.g-pisd.org , or (if you’re reading a digital copy of the Gazette) click this

link: https://skyward.iscorp.com/scripts/wsisa.dll/WService=wsedugregporttx/fwemnu01.w

2. Your Student Skyward Login (Login ID) is: The 1st five letters of your last name (if your last

name is less than five letters, you will need to type spaces - enough to equal five characters) and

1st three letters of your first name, followed by 000 (three zeroes). Some students may have a

001, 002, etc.

Here are some login examples:

gonzajau000 (Juan Gonzalez’s Login ID)

gonzajau001 (newer student, Juanita Gonzalez's Login ID)

cox cou000 (Courtney Cox’s Login ID)

3. Your password should be your student ID (lunch) number

4. Once you’ve logged in, click the “Gradebook” link in the left column.

5. If you want to know more about a posted grade, click it (the blue number), and you will see a

list of the assignments/tests/quizzes that account for the grading period in that class.

Call for Content Did you know that the word “gazette” can be used as a noun or a

verb? This means you can get information from a gazette (like

this one), or you can gazette information for others to see.

If you’d like to Gazette your opinions, stories, art, comics,

pictures of school events, and/or suggestions, then please come

by room C112 to pick up an application, or download and print an

application at the link below:


We would love for future issues to include your good work; if you want people to get it, then you

should Gazette it!

See you next month!

- Mr. Thomas

GPJHS External Communications Coordinator & GPJHS Gazette Editor

http://www.g-pisd.org/

https://skyward.iscorp.com/scripts/wsisa.dll/WService=wsedugregporttx/fwemnu01.w