District gives golden tickets

Program allows older family members to enjoy community events

Calling+Card+%5C%5C+Wylie+ISD+Communications+Director+Ian+Halperin+holds+up+an+example+gold+card+that+some+residents+can+apply+for+to+get+free+admission+to+certain+district+events.+The+program+is+open+to+anyone+65+years+of+age+or+older%2C+a+retired+Wylie+ISD+teacher+of+any+age%2C+and+more+recently%2C+active-duty+military+personnel+or+veterans.%E2%80%9CStudents+love+to+play+and+perform+to+a+full+house.+Having+fans+in+the+audience+makes+for+a+fun+atmosphere+and+in+sports%2C+a+home-court+advantage%2C%E2%80%9D+Halperin+said.

photo credit: Ian Halperin

Calling Card \\ Wylie ISD Communications Director Ian Halperin holds up an example gold card that some residents can apply for to get free admission to certain district events. The program is open to anyone 65 years of age or older, a retired Wylie ISD teacher of any age, and more recently, active-duty military personnel or veterans.“Students love to play and perform to a full house. Having fans in the audience makes for a fun atmosphere and in sports, a home-court advantage,” Halperin said.

Sometimes getting into exclusive events can drain the wallet, or feel like a lottery, where only a few golden tickets are available among many people. No one likes feeling left out, but not just anyone can go to any event. Not unless they are special.

The Gold Card Program is a way to give back to residents by letting members enjoy free general admission to all Wylie ISD home athletic events and discounted admission to fine art events.

“The Gold Card program allows us to share our school programs with those who have supported our students and teachers throughout the years,” Wylie ISD Communications Director Ian Halperin said. “Students love to play and perform to a full house. Having fans in the audience makes for a fun atmosphere and in sports, a home-court advantage.”

Currently, the program is open to anyone 65 years of age or older, a retired Wylie ISD teacher of any age, and more recently, active-duty military personnel or veterans. The program is free and lasts for a lifetime.

“Dr. [David] Vinson always says the schools belong to the community and this is one way to make sure they always feel welcome,” Halperin said.

The program began in the 1980s and has expanded over time to include new groups.

“Even if [potential members] don’t have a family member involved in a Wylie ISD school,” Halperin said, “we still want them to come to visit and enjoy an event with us. It is one of several programs we have to connect our community with the schools.”

To participate complete a brief application form online or at the District’s Community Relations Department located inside Wylie Stadium.

“The Gold Card Program is good because of how it allows the district to give back to the community. The community is a crucial part of the ISD because the members of the community are taxed, so if they allow people to participate in school events, it would boost morale for the community.”

— Phoenix Carter, senior

“The Gold Card Program is good because of how it allows the district to give back to the community,” senior Phoenix Carter said. “The community is a crucial part of the ISD because the members of the community are taxed, so if they allow people to participate in school events, it would boost morale for the community.”

The Wylie ISD Gold Card is also accepted at Garland ISD events.

“This is helpful to the community because a healthy community is based on the relations of people within that community and what the school can do for its children and residents can help people connect with one another,” Carter said.

To learn more about the program and apply online, visit the gold card website.