New Student Orientation

What time does school start and end?
•    The tardy bell rings at 8:50 AM and we dismiss at 4:15 PM.
•    Students should plan on arriving before 8:35 AM to give time to pass through security, eat breakfast (if they’d like to eat), get their iPads from their 7th Period class, and head to their Advisory class.

What are the rules regarding phones?
•    Phones are to be turned off and placed in backpacks from the moment the student walks through the door until the day ends at 4:15 PM.
•    For additional information, please see http://www.gpisd.org/devices 
•    If you need to pass along a message to your child, please call the Front Office at (972) 522-7300.
•    Handheld gaming systems, personal iPads, and Meta glasses should remain at home and not brought to school.

How will students know where to go on the first day?
•    Schedules will be available in Skyward on August 6th only if you have completed Online Registration.
•    We recommend that students check their schedule on the evening of Monday, August 10th and write down their schedule.
•    Posters will be hung in the Cafeteria and Gym with the student’s name and 7th Period class in order to know where to go first.
•    Paper copies of schedules will also be distributed on the first day of school during Advisory.
•    Staff will be available in the hallways before school and during all passing periods to direct students to where they need to go.

Are metal water bottles or Stanleys allowed?
•    Any type of water bottle is allowed, except for glass.

Will the students be using the lockers in the hallways?  What about their binders?
•    No, we don’t use the lockers located in the hallways.  However, lockers are used in the locker rooms for Athletics, Dance, and PE.  Please see additional information in the Athletics, Extracurricular Activities, and Fine Arts section below.
•    There isn’t a need for large binders for each class.  I would suggest seeing what the teachers require before making any major purchases.

Are lunches, PE, arrival, and dismissal separated by grade level?
•    A Lunch, B Lunch, and C Lunch are mainly separated by grade level, but they are not grade-level pure.  
•    Arrival and dismissal are not separated by grade.  Everyone is dismissed at 4:15 PM.
•    PE also has combined grade levels in some of their classes.

Who do I contact if I am not receiving emails from Reagan?
•    Reach out to our Registrar, Ms. Black, at Leisha.Black@gpisd.org.  She can check your contact information in Skyward and assist with changes.

When can I log in to Skyward Mobile?
•    Skyward Mobile is available now.  If you are having difficulty accessing your account, reach out to our Registrar, Ms. Black, at Leisha.Black@gpisd.org.  

Will we receive communication from teachers before the start of school?
•    Teachers may reach out before the school year starts, but most communication comes out after schedules have finalized and rosters are stable. 

What about supplies?
•    Teachers will also notify you of any other necessary supplies beyond the suggested middle school supply list.  Students do not need to bring in everything all at once.
•    For the first few days of school, a mesh or clear backpack, a notebook (or a binder filled notebook paper), pens, and pencils will suffice.
•    Here is the link to the district middle school supply list: https://www.gpisd.org/departments/schoolbasics/school-supplies 

Can we drop off school supplies, tour the school, and meet my child’s teachers before school starts?
•    Aside from New Student Orientation that was held on Thursday, July 30th, we will not be holding another event before school starts.
•    Meet the Teacher will be on Tuesday, September 14th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, so mark your calendars!

Do you have spirit items available?  If so, when are students allowed to wear them?
•    Once the school year starts, the PTA will most likely send out a link to their spirit wear fundraiser.
•    Students may wear spirit wear any day, as long as they are in dress code.

Where does my student put his/her cell phone?
•    During the school day, cell phones must be off and in backpacks.  We do not use Yondr pouches.
•    When at lunch, classroom doors are locked when their backpacks are left inside.

What is your enrollment?
•    We have approximately 270 students per grade level.

Are there metal detectors?
•    Yes, we have walk-through metal detectors as well as wands if the walk-through metal detectors continue to go off for a student.  We do not pat-down students.
•    Cell phones generally do not set off the metal detectors.

What are the backpack requirements?
•    For full details, please visit https://www.gpisd.org/backpacks 

Are restrooms monitored?
•    During passing periods, staff are stationed outside doors.
•    During class, random checks are conducted.

How will my student receive his/her ID?
•    Students will receive an ID on the first day of school.

How do bullies get handled?
•    We expect all students to abide by GPISD’s Student Code of Conduct.  Those who violate the Student Code of Conduct receive appropriate consequences for their actions.  We have high expectations for our students at Reagan and do not tolerate bullying.

Is there an opportunity to change classes due to an error during course selection?
•    A link to the schedule change form will be posted on our website on the first day of school on Tuesday, August 11th. 

If iPads stay at school, how will my child handle homework?
•    Teachers give homework that does not necessarily require technology.

My child received an Advanced Academics letter last year.  Does this mean he/she will be automatically placed into advanced classes this year?
•    Yes, you should see those classes on your child’s schedule on August 6th.

Do Advanced classes receive more homework?
•    Advanced classes have a more in-depth study of subjects at an accelerated pace.  

Are there opportunities for my child to receive tutoring?
•    Yes, teachers are required to have at least one opportunity to conduct tutoring per week.  Teachers will communicate their tutoring times once school gets underway.

Can I walk my child into the school on the first day?
•    To maintain the safety and security of the school, parents are not allowed to walk their children inside.  We have plenty of staff on duty to direct students, answer questions, and make them feel welcome.

How can I see if my child is eligible to ride the bus?
•    Go to https://www.infofinderi.com/ifi/?cid=GPI2RRBOOJHI and enter your address to determine the bus route and stop information.

Can my child ride his/her bike to school?
•    Yes, we have bike racks by the 800 hallway exit.  Students should lock their bikes up at all times when not in use.  We are not responsible for damaged or stolen bikes.
•    Once their bikes are locked up in the morning, they will walk to Door 17 to enter.

What is the earliest that my child can be dropped off?
•    You may drop off your child as early as you like, but Door 17 does not open until 8:00 AM to let students inside.  There is no adult supervision outside of the school before 8:00 AM.
•    Any questions regarding drop off should be directed to Assistant Principal Mr. Wallace at Jesse.Wallace@gpisd.org. 
•    As soon as we open the doors at 8:00 AM, students are required to enter the building.
•    If students arrive after 8:00 AM, they are not allowed to hang out outside or play.  They must proceed inside to be supervised.

What is the latest checkout time?
•    The latest checkout time is 3:15 PM, unless it is a true emergency.

How early can we get to the school to pick up in the afternoon?
•    There is no set time, however we ask that you do not block any of the driveways or through-lanes.

Can students walk through the building to Door 17 at dismissal?
•    No, we have all students exit due to the volume of students who are leaving at one time.  Sending students to the exterior doors at the end of the hallways allows for the whole student body to be spread out over campus and avoid over-crowding.

Is there a certain door for sibling pickup?
•    No, students will exit via the door closest to their 7th period class.  Siblings usually find an agreed-upon location to meet after school.

What is the latest that my child can be picked up?
•    Students must be picked up by 4:45 PM.  Any students who are not picked up by Door 17 by 4:30 PM are walked to the front of the school by Door 1.  There is no supervision after the last bus departs Reagan (approximately 4:40 PM).

Are there after school programs if my child cannot be picked up by 4:45 PM?
•    Some extracurricular clubs may meet after school, however they don’t necessarily meet five days per week.  The Grand Prairie Family YMCA may be an option and is within walking distance of Reagan.

My son will be in the SPED program or in CARE classes, and I want to make sure discuss the procedures more privately, if possible.
•    Please reach out to our Assistant Principal over SPED, Mr. Wallace, at Jesse.Wallace@gpisd.org for details regarding procedures.

My student receives Dyslexia services, how are those services provided?
•    Students will have “Reading SPDI” on their schedules, which is a class period dedicated to Dyslexia.

How do I or my child communicate her needs or accommodations that she is receiving services for her Dyslexia?
•    Your son or daughter’s IEP will be shared with all of his/her teachers to make them aware of his/her accommodations.  If you have specific concerns, please reach out to our Assistant Principal over SPED, Mr. Wallace, at Jesse.Wallace@gpisd.org.  

I have questions regarding 504 services and when those meetings will be held.
•    Reach out to our Assistant Principal over 504, Ms. Williams, at Jaime.Williams@gpisd.org. 

Is breakfast provided for free to all students like in elementary?
•    Breakfast is $1.60 for full pay students and free for reduced pay students.
•    Breakfast is only served in the Cafeteria.

Will bus riders have time to eat breakfast?
•    Yes, breakfast service will still be available after busses arrive.

Are there microwaves for the kids to use?
•    There are no microwaves available for student use.  We have seen parents pack hot lunches in a Thermos-style container for hot food as an alternative to warming up meals.

How much is lunch?
•    Lunch is $3.10 for full pay students and $0.40 for reduced pay students.
•    There are also a la carte snacks, ice cream, and slushes available.

Can students wear hoodies but not have the hood up or no hoodies at all?
•    Hoodies are allowed, as long as the hood is not up on the student’s head.
•    For full GPISD Dress Code details, please see https://www.gpisd.org/DressCode.

Can students wear Crocs to school?
•    Yes, but they are not acceptable for use during PE.

Can students dye their hair to a non-natural color?
•    Yes

Can students wear hats to school?
•    Hats must be removed upon entering the building.

Are students required to change for PE?
•    Students can wear whatever they are most comfortable wearing.  Generally, shorts and a t-shirt are appropriate for indoor activities.  Students should wear appropriate clothing when the weather gets colder.  No thin straps or muscle shirts are allowed.
•    Students are required to wear closed-toed footwear.  Slides, flip flops, and Crocs of any type are NOT allowed.

There is a combo lock on the supply list, is that applicable to 6th grade?
•    Yes, we highly recommend that all students who are in either Athletics, PE, Archery, or Dance purchase a combination lock to secure their items.  We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

If my sixth grader has an extracurricular activity that’s not school related but she has to carry her bag is there an area to keep them since lockers will not be accessed?
•    6th Graders who are in Dance or Archery will have the ability to utilize a locker in the locker room.

How are the locker rooms used and accessed?
•    Locker room access is restricted to before and after PE or Athletics takes place.  Coaches will designate exact times and expectations for locker rooms.

Are there opportunities for 6th Graders to participate in athletics?
•    For regular athletic teams (Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, and Track), UIL regulations only allow for 7th Graders and 8th Graders to participate.

What extracurricular activities are available for 6th Graders?
•    Art Club, Crochet Club, Green and Clean Team, and Kindness Crew.

Can students borrow an instrument, or do they have to buy one?  When will we know what instrument my child will play?
•    Students will be able to borrow an instrument.
•    We will send out communication for instrument fitting directly to parents whose students are enrolled in beginner band.

If students need to exit the nearest hallway after school, how do that get their instruments from the Band Hall or Orchestra Room?
•    Students will exit the nearest hallway and then return to the exterior Band entrance (Door 22).