“AFTER-CHURCH CHAT” on EDUCATION & GEORGETOWN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
AUGUST 13 11:30am Church Sanctuary
Grab a beverage and a snack after the service, then join the conversation with our guest speakers:
Stephanie Blanck, GISD Board Member and SGUUF member
Dr. Charlotte Paramore, R.I.S.E. (risetx.org)
While students are preparing for “back to school”, let us begin to learn what’s going on in GISD currently, what are the challenges facing GISD, how do we ensure high-quality education for all, and just who is this new superintendent. Bring your curiosity and your questions.
Educating ourselves and raising our awareness are some of the first “steps” of social justice before we can become activists or allies. So, plan on joining us for this chat session.
SUPPORT THE GEORGE WAGNER MIDDLE SCHOOL
August 13 will be the first “SHARE THE PLATE'” offering in 2023-24, where any loose offerings or earmarked checks (for GWMS) will be donated to the George Wagner Middle School. George was a long-time SGUUF member and a mentor for almost 20 years to GISD students.
George Wagner was a longtime member of San Gabriel UU Fellowship and an activist for social Justice. The Wagner Middle School campus is named after longtime GISD mentor George Wagner. George served
as a mentor and volunteer in Georgetown ISD for nearly twenty years, and was actively involved in various other community programs.
as a mentor and volunteer in Georgetown ISD for nearly twenty years, and was actively involved in various other community programs.
As one of seven children, and a son to an absentee father, George found his safe place on the streets of Brooklyn, organizing sports teams and always working two jobs. George’s mother was a strong, positive presence in his life and instilled a respect and commitment to education, even though she was uneducated herself. Wagner enlisted in the Marines at the age of 16. After receiving an honorable discharge, George attended college under the GI Bill. The Marine Corps provided structure, discipline, organization and core values that George passed on to his mentees and Junior University groups over the years. George spent thousands of hours mentoring students, as well as worked with parents, GISD staff, Boys & Girls Club, Brookwood in Georgetown, Head Start, and Juvenile Justice to build positive futures for children in Georgetown. George routinely mentored 3-5 children per year for nearly 20 years and kept in touch with them for the long term. George started a mentorship program called Junior University. Junior University with the support of GISD, Sun City, The Georgetown Project, and local churches and consists of fifth grade groups from Mitchell and Williams elementary schools who meet and complete community service projects within the community. In the nearly twenty years of work, Wagner personally contributed more than $40,000 toward mentoring expenses and countless hours loving and serving kids here in Georgetown.
“He has 18 years of mentoring experience, is currently mentoring four to five GISD students, and also runs Junior University. Most of you may not even know who this person is; he doesn’t do this with a lot of fanfare. He does this quietly, and all he is concerned with is helping kids in need,” said board member Scott Alarcon.