The Gruver FFA Receives Golden Horizon Award

The Gruver FFA was awarded the Golden Horizon Award this summer for their accomplishments for the past school year. The award is based on an accumulation of points from each event the students participate in. The Gruver FFA members accumulated their points from winning each single leadership development contest they entered at the district level. We were also able to win the first ever sweepstakes award for our district contest. The teams that competed were the junior creed, junior quiz, senior creed, senior quiz and the junior chapter conducting contest. Each team also advanced to area contest. In the spring we competed in our career development events and our dairy cattle team advanced to state competition. Along with this we had 4 individuals receive the highest honor an FFA member can obtained at the state level. This honor is the State FFA degree. The Golden Horizon ranks single teacher and multiple teacher departments according to their accomplishments. The Gruver FFA ranked in the top ten in the state of single teacher departments.

Gruver FFA Students Receive State Degree

The Gruver FFA had four students receive their State FFA degrees this summer at our 80^th annual state convention. Jordan Hicks, Miles Messer, Taylor Williams and Lynn Vela qualified for their degrees this past spring and during the state degree check this summer each were confirmed to receive their degree during the 80^th convention. To be eligible for the highest honor an FFA member can receive a student must be active in FFA events including but not limited to leadership development events, career development events, and supervised agricultural experience programs. Please congratulate each of these students on a job well done.

Gruver FFA Fundraiser

It is that time of year again. The Gruver FFA will be holding their first fundraiser of the year and it will be starting September 4, 2008. The fundraiser will include the following products: spiral sliced ham, pecan cobbler, hunter’s pack, peppered turkey breast, smoked turkey, country smoked ham, smoked sausage links, little porkies, cinnamon bread, pork breakfast patties, sliced peppered bacon, smoked sliced bacon, chicken tenders, chopped bar b que, chicken fajitas, beef fajitas, and tamales.

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you how our fundraising money is used. The money that is profited from each of our fundraisers is put into a fund that supports each activity that the FFA does each year. It is also the sole source of money for the Dennis Stedje Memorial FFA Scholarship. This scholarship is given to a graduating senior each year that has been active in FFA events and Agricultural Science classes. The Dennis Stedje Memorial Scholarship began seven years ago and has given over $5000.00 in scholarship money to Gruver graduating seniors.

The Gruver FFA and I would like to thank the community for their support of the FFA and hope that you will continue to support our program. If you have any questions about the fundraisers please contact me by email or the two contact numbers provided.

Lynn Vela Attends State Convention Media Day

Lynn attended a media day for the 80^th State FFA Convention. During the media day Lynn and her Area officer team helped with bringing attention to what is expected to be a very large crowd of FFA students and teachers the week of July 14-18. Over 10,000 students along with their ag teachers will be attending the convention this July in Lubbock. It is the single largest event that comes to Lubbock and brings several million dollars to the local economy. Lubbock welcomed the FFA and expects a great turn out of young students.

Junior High

Elementary

Gruver Elementary teachers are hosting parent meeting in their rooms

Monday, September 15 2008,

are scheduled at the following times:

3^rd Grade 6:00-6:30

4^th Grade 6:30-7:00

2^nd Grade 7:00-8:00

Students Experience “The Three Bears” Hands On

Attention FRESHMAN ATHLETES

If you would like a yard dog, please contact Tracy King at 733-9455 or contact Carrie McLain at 733-2341.

The cost is 10.00. You may pick up your yard dog Friday at the football game against Panhandle.

The Greyhounds defeated Texhoma by a score of 16 – 6. The defense forced 4 turnovers and kept the Red Devil Offense on its heels all night. The new offense is coming along nicely, and will continue to improve during the season.

Statistical Leaders:

QB, Payton Thoreson competed 15 of 23 passes for 178 yards including a 50 yd TD to Taylor Williams.

RB, Miles Messer rushed for 70+ yards including several 1^st down runs in the 4^th quarter that sealed the victory for the hounds.

MLB, Tyler Wills made a lot of tackles and recovered a fumble in the end zone for a TD. Tyler also caught 2 passes for 39 yards.

WR, Taylor Williams had 5 catches for 81 yards including a 50 yard TD.

Punter, Drew Mireles kept the Texhoma offense pinned on their own end of the field all night with a great 40+ yard punting average including a 65 yarder with the wind and a 45+ yarder into the wind. Drew also had a good night catching the ball from his receiver position.

Ramon Mendoza did a great job of filling in for the injured Matt Salazar on the offensive line.

Justin Vasquez made a 30 yard field goal that started the scoring for the night.

The whole team did an excellent job showing improvements in all areas of the game. I am sure we will continue to improve throughout the season, so we can get ready for district play against: Booker, Sunray, Stratford, West Texas, and Canadian.

This Week:

Jr High and JV will play Sunray on Thursday @ 5:00 and 6:30

The Varsity will host Panhandle at Greyhound Stadium on Friday @ 7:30

Next Week:

Varsity will travel to Clarendon.

18th Annual

Greater Amarillo

Race for the Cure®

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2008

ANB PLAZA II, 500 S. TAYLOR

5K Competitive - 8:00 a.m.

5K Fun Run/Walk - 9:15 a.m.

1M Family Fun Stroll - 9:15 a.m.

The GHS and GJHS Cross Country teams will once again be participating in the “Susan G Komen Race for the Cure”. Last years’ response to the event was incredible. Last year with the generosity of the citizens of Gruver, we were able to raise over $2,500 for the event, and send more than 70 runners to participate in this very worthwhile cause. We would love to exceed that goal this year.

If you are interested in sponsoring a runner, the cost per entry is $25, please bring your check or money to either the High School office or the Junior High office. Please make the checks payable to Gruver High School and write “Race for the Cure” in the memo. You may designate a specific runner if you would like, but it is not necessary. We have numerous kids who will benefit from your sponsorship. In the event we raise more money than runners, we will make a donation on behalf of the Citizens of Gruver and the Gruver Cross Country teams to the “Susan G Komen Race for the Cure” fund. We will be entering as a team, on September, 16 so we need all pledges by Monday, September, 15th.

If you would be interested in participating in the event, we would love to have you. You may register online at http://www.komenamarillo.org/race.htm or contact Rod Been at rod.been@region16.net

The race will be on Saturday, September 27^th in Amarillo. The kids will be running in the 8:00 a.m. timed race. We will be leaving town that morning at 5:00 a.m.

We are blessed to live in a community that is so generous and supportive of our kids and their endeavors. Thanks so much for all the kind words and pledges of support. We appreciate it.

Community

Buster Brown

I was born in Corpus Christi Texas

but was raised in Tatum New Mexico.

I have been married to my wife Lisa for

sixteen years.

We have two daughters: Brandi a freshman

and Niki a seventh grader.

I have been teaching and coaching for sixteen

years: Nine in Nazareth, Five at O'Donnell, and

Two at Lockney.

Stacie Armes

I am 28 years old. I graduated from West Texas High School, and then continued on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Information and Technology at the University of Phoenix Online. I am married to Brant Armes. He was a graduate of Gruver High School and then went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education at OPSU. We have been married for seven years. We have three beautiful kids: Carter (6), Camryn (4), and Caden (17 months).

Wayne Woodall

I grew up in Odessa, Texas. I played football and graduated from Odessa High School in 1996. I have two degrees. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Sul Ross and I also have a Masters degree in Sports Management from Hardin Simmons. I have coached football at the college level for four years. I coached at Hardin Simmons for two years while I was getting my masters degree. I then went on too coach and teach at Ranger Jr. College for a year. Last year I was at North Dakota State College of Science where I coached the offensive line. I am a single father. I have a ten year old daughter named Olivia who is in the 5^th grade.

Krista Davis

I am a hometown girl. I grew up in the Oslo community, where my parents, Lynn and Jan Stedje still reside. I graduated with honors from GHS in 1989. I married a hometown guy, Buster Davis, in 1993, and we have four children: Michaela (11), Blaise (9), Luke (5), and Jobi (4). They are the fourth generation in my family to attend Gruver ISD.

I graduated from Amarillo College in 1993, became a Registered Nurse, and worked at Memorial Hospital of Texas County in Guymon, Oklahoma. I was a House Supervisor and was the Nursing Coordinator of the Intensive Care Unit. I left nursing in 1997 in order to stay home with my family.

An opportunity arose for me to try teaching as a long-term substitute. I was encouraged by my students and co-workers to pursue certification. This entailed returning to college for a bachelor’s degree. I graduated from Oklahoma Panhandle State University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology Education and minors in mathematics and natural sciences.

Issa Bazaldua-

I am 25 years old and was born and raised in Canyon, TX. Was a National Hispanic Merit Scholar and graduated from Canyon High School in 2001 in the top 10% of my class. Received a full academic scholarship and went to The Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. I graduated from FSU in 2005 with a Bachelor in Marketing and a minor in Spanish. I worked for The State of Florida Office of Insurance Regulation before returning to Canyon to pursue a teaching career. In the summer of 2006, I enrolled in WTAMU’s PACE program and received my 6-12 secondary Spanish teaching certification. I taught Spanish I at Randall High school in Canyon before moving to Gruver to become the Spanish I, II, and III teacher; along with the cheerleading sponsor. My parents, Jose Antonio and Irma Bazaldua, still reside in Canyon. My mom has been teaching Spanish at Canyon High school for 15 years and my dad is an insurance salesman.

Fred Tucker

I am 39 years old. I was born in Spearman and lived my high school years in Stinnett (I was a Rattler, not a Comanche). In high school, I was a member of the athletic programs including football, basketball, and track. I was also a member of the band and student council. As a high school athlete, I was an All-District Football Player, an All-Area Basketball Player and a Three-Time Regional Qualifier in Track.

After high school, I briefly attended Sul Ross State University and played on the Lobo Football Team that was at one point during the season ranked #2 nationally. After attending Sul Ross I left college, and decided that school wasn’t for me at that time in my life. I then worked for various sales companies for the next five years.

I later married my wife Becky. I have 3 daughters: Haley – 15, Jordan – 11, and Lynzey – 8. I completed my teaching degree at South Plains College and Wayland Baptist University, while working as a teacher’s aide at Olton ISD. I then took my 1^st “official” coaching position at Bowie ISD, where I coached and taught Keyboarding and BCIS. I then took a position at 4A Brewer ISD where I taught and coached for 8 years before coming to Gruver ISD.

Lisa Brown

I grew up in Tatum, NM. I have been married to Coach Brown for 16 years and we have two daughters. Our oldest daughter, Brandi Brown, is a freshman and our youngest daughter, Niki Brown, is a 7^th grader.

Lexy Glass

I graduated from Gruver High School, I attended West Texas A & M University where I met and married my husband Tim. Together we have been blessed with our two daughters; Bailey (6) and Payten (3). I received a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology in 2001 as well as my Teaching Certification. In May 2008, I completed my Master’s of Arts in Counseling from Wayland Baptist University.

I am beginning my seventh year teaching and I still love to be apart of students interacting and learning about the world around them. I am very excited about teaching science to the 5^th and 6^th grade students of Gruver Junior High as well as having an opportunity to work with them on a different level as the Junior High Counselor. In addition, it is neat to work with several of the teachers that I admired as a student! Throughout it all, I believe that Dr. Suess could not have said it better when he wrote “Children want the same thing we want…to laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained and to be delighted.”

Micah Davis Bio

I come to Gruver from Oklahoma where I taught Math and Social Studies. The past two years I worked in Goodwell where I served as K-12 principal. I am originally from Hooker, Oklahoma and I am a graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Ok. My wife, Brittney, and I have been married for four years and we have two children. John is two and Josie is two months. I am excited to be living on the farm north of Gruver where my great grandfather homesteaded over 100 years ago.

Bekah Morrison

Job Opening:

Gruver High School is looking for an instructional aide. The immediate position will be with the Special Education Department. Background check and fingerprinting must be completed before eligible for employment.

August 18, 2008

The school(s) listed below have made the TBEC Honor Roll for 2008. We are pleased to announce that your school(s) is/are included in this very select group. Of the more than 8,000 Texas public schools less than 4% will be so honored.

The TBEC Honor Roll is the most prestigious award for sustained, academic excellence in Texas. It recognizes schools that have demonstrated three years of consistent, high performance in all subjects compared to other schools serving similar student populations. TBEC Honor Roll schools have the highest percentage of students performing at the state’s most rigorous standard-commended- in every subject. You and your schools have truly earned a place on the Honor Roll through hard work and student achievement over an extended period of time.

Again, we sincerely congratulate you and your school(s) on attaining this award. We know you, your team, and your students have worked hard.

Sincerely,

Tegwin Pulley Dr. Jesús Chávez

TBEC Business Chair TBEC Vice-Chair

GISD Teacher Pay Scale

2008-2009 School Calendar

Counselor

Thank you to those parents of freshmen who attended "MORPH 101" on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Please note that "The Great Race" for Senior Parents is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 16 @ 6:30 p.m. in the FCS room of the high school. If you attended the parent seminar last spring for juniors, you are not required to attend, but you are certainly welcome!

We have a motivational speaker coming to Gruver next Friday, Sept. 19. All campuses will have the opportunity to hear Jon Randles. Please see the attached bio for additional information.

Good Morning!!!

I've attached a press release that you might want to forward to your faculty so they can make instructional accommodations for this motivational speaker on September 19. I've also included the tentative schedule:

10:15--10:45 Elementary (K-6th Grade) in Auditorium

11:00--11:35 High School (9th-12th) in Auditorium

12:45--1:15 Junior High (7th-8th grade) in Auditorium

2:40--2:55 Varsity Football Team

**ACT Testing will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13. Students need to be at the junior high science lab with their admission ticket @ 8:00 a.m.

**Several national scholarships are now available for seniors--please see the high school counselor for additional information.

**The NCLB Parental Involvement College Scholarship is now available for parents who are attending college. Please see the high school counselor for scholarship applications. You must have children attending GISD to qualify.

**"The Great Race" Senior Parent Seminar is mandatory for all senior parents who were not able to attend last spring. It will be held September 9, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Family & Consumer Science Room.

**"MORPH 101" Freshman Parent Seminar is mandatory for all freshmen parents. It will be held September 16, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Family & Consumer Science Room.

**Financial Aid Night with Panhandle-Plains Student Loan Center will be Monday, Sept. 22 @ 6:30 p.m. in the Family & Consumer Science Room for senior parents. A $200 scholarship will be awarded that evening