Gary Independent School District

To conclude National FFA Week, Gary FFA would like to invite all parents, community members and supporters to the Panola County Livestock Show, Ag Mechanics Show and Project Fair during the week of 2/27-3/3. The full schedule of events and locations is in the attached document. Also listed are students participating in each area at the livestock show. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE? A county show is open to all students (3rd through 12th grades) who have joined FFA & 4-H in their county (there are hundreds of exhibitors in our county!!). The student decides on a "project" to raise or create and they prepare that project to the best of their ability, based on industry standards, rules and expectations. They care for, prepare and train animals for "showing" against the other animals in their divisions. This takes time daily to be successful. Projects are "purchased" or "funded" by the students and they in return keep all profits made from the sale of these animals and projects. This is a great way to start a savings account for a future vehicle, college fund or any financial goal a student may have! Gary ISD has 86 projects being exhibited at the show in all ten different areas offered! Some of these projects take two years to complete and some take as little as four weeks. Very few FFA & 4-H activities are "spectator" events, but a county show is open to spectators and our students would LOVE to have you there to show your support each day! Exhibiting livestock, creating ag mechanics projects and participating in project fairs teach students the importance of sportsmanship, responsibility and hardwork. They learn at an early age how to win and lose gracefully. Aside from competing against others, participating in these events teaches youth how to be internal competitors with themselves and how to maintain a positive attitude in the face of competition. We are extremely proud of these students and wish them good luck at the show and sale! If you have any questions about becoming involved in these events for next year, please reach out to: Jessica Shadix; jshadix@garyisd.net Paul Harvey; pharvey@garyisd.net Or visit our Gary FFA Website: https://garyffa.ffanow.org/default.aspx?ID=55172

Our final blood drive for this school year is coming up soon, on Wednesday March 8th! If you are interested in signing up, be sure to check out the flyer for more details!

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming, and our Librarians need help! If any parents would like to volunteer for the upcoming book fair, check out the link; https://tinyurl.com/GESBF2023

Yesterday the Elementary had their Kindergarten Mardi Gras Parade followed by a King Cake Feast! Thank you to Mrs. Robyn Tinkle and Mrs. Amanda Hailey for sharing the celebration with the entire Elementary campus!

The FFA isn’t all “farming and ranching,” anymore!! Although we DO still need production agriculture, the largest youth organization in the world now includes so much more! The traditions of FFA and why it began still ring true, as each year our freshmen learn the FFA Creed (by memory) and learn about “Official Dress,” which is the FFA’s “uniform” that is used at many contests and conventions to show unity and pride for the past. The blue corduroy jacket and FFA Emblem are recognizable anywhere it is seen! To find out more about Gary FFA, please visit our website: https://garyffa.ffanow.org/default.aspx?ID=55172

Did you know that more than 241,000 Texas students are enrolled in agricultural science education courses? In order to get a well-rounded ag education experience, a student is encouraged be involved in all three areas of the three-circle model. The 3-Circle Model is made up of: 💛Classroom Learning: students can take classes like Forestry, Floral Design, Welding and more! 💙FFA: students can participate by becoming officers, participating in District, Area and State leadership opportunities, Leadership Development Events, and Career Development Events 💛Supervised Agricultural Experiences: students are able to show livestock and ag mechanics projects at the local, state and national levels Learn more at https://bit.ly/3GYjFZK Visit the Gary FFA Website for more information about our program! https://garyffa.ffanow.org/default.aspx?ID=55172

The Elementary, Junior High, and High School Student Councils teamed up today to help out our community by doing a highway trash pickup! These students worked hard, and worked together to take care of the area! We are very thankful for their hard work! Also, huge thank you to Mrs. Daniels, Mr. Seals, and Mrs. Hicks for helping coordinate the cleanup project!

Happy #nationalffaweek! A true FFA member knows about the vote of national convention delegates in 1988 that was made to reflect the growing diversity and vast aspects of the agriculture industry. The name was changed from “Future Farmers of America” to the National FFA Organization. According to The National FFA Organization, the letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America still, because these letters are a part of our history and heritage and that will never change. Today, FFA is not just for students in production agriculture. FFA IS FOR EVERYONE! Whether a student has aspirations to be a teacher, doctor, scientist, business owner, and more, FFA offers students the ability to develop unique talents and explore new interests through leadership development events, various contests, and so much more! 💙💛 Want to learn more about Gary FFA and what it offers students? Visit our Gary FFA Website: https://garyffa.ffanow.org/default.aspx?ID=55172

We are very excited about our 2nd Daddy-Daughter Dance! Our theme this year is Ties and Tiaras, and there is still time to purchase tickets to this special dance! The event is also open to families that do not go to Gary ISD, so be sure to contact Leigh Ann Daniels or Brittney Hicks to get your tickets today!

National FFA Week always runs Saturday to Saturday and encompasses Feb. 22, George Washington's birthday. The National FFA Board of Directors designated the weeklong tradition, which began in 1948, in recognition of Washington's legacy as an agriculturist and farmer. A group of young farmers founded FFA in 1928. Gary FFA will celebrate National FFA Week this year with several events! 💙Monday- FFA Forestry Contest, FFA Fact sharing, School Board Presentation 💛Tuesday- wear Blue and Gold Day, Ag Olympics during CAT for FFA Members 💙Wednesday- County Show Set-up, Pen of Heifer Contest 💛Thursday- “Appreciation Lunch” for GHS/GJH Teachers and Staff 💙Friday- Dress Like a Farmer (open to all students in Pre-K through 12th, teachers, etc). Prizes will be awarded! Check out the Gary FFA Website for more information about the FFA Program and what it offers ALL students!

We hope everyone is enjoying their break! Starting next week, Elementary will be celebrating Kindness Week! Check out the image to see what activities our Student Lighthouse Team encourages everyone to do each day to share an act of kindness with each other!

Happy National School Counseling Week to our two amazing counselors - Leigh Ann Daniels and Zach Davis! Thank you for all that you do to help our students and staff be their best! 🧡

It's almost book fair time! We know it's still a month away, but our Library is so excited they just can't wait to share this! This year, we will have new features such as an eWallet account you can set up for your child, and even an online store to shop at home! Be on the lookout for more updates for our book fair and be sure to check out our book fair website; https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/garyschool

We want to wish Talon Towner, a 6th grader at Gary Elementary GOOD LUCK at the Texas’ Elite Showcase Junior Gilt Show and Sale this weekend in Kerrville, TX! This is a youth show and sale exclusive to the elite gilts of the Certified Texas Bred Registry featuring the state’s best genetics showcasing outstanding youth showmen and elite CTBR Gilts! There will be hundreds of entries at this state wide show and Talon has worked extremely hard with his gilt for several months to prepare for the tough competition! GOOD LUCK TALON!!

Congrats to Emma Young on her 6th place finish out of 47 and Ellie Young for participating at the San Antonio Livestock Show Swine Skillathon! The Swine Skillathon is a knowledge-based competition designed to enhance the educational experience of exhibiting swine by incorporating production and industry perspectives for the Texas 4-H and FFA exhibitors.

Second grade students brought friends to help them celebrate their academic growth. You wouldn’t believe how quiet and studious they were! 😊

We apologize for any confusion, but just so everyone is aware, we do not have a half-day this Friday. It will be a regular full day before we start our Winter Break!

It's Senior Night at Gary! Come cheer on our teams as they take on Joaquin. Games start at 5:00PM!

Seniors; just a reminder that your first scholarship packet is due to Mr. Davis this Friday! Don't hesitate to visit his office if you need any help filling out the information!

Slammer wanted to remind everyone that we will have a pep rally tomorrow at 1PM to celebrate our seniors! Come out and support our Bobcats!