November 2014 - Mesquite ISD

NOVEMBER 2014 | WEB VERSION
IN THIS ISSUE…
APPLAUSE
• Congratulations New Apple Corps Members!
• Board Meeting Recognition
• Spread the Good News About Mesquite ISD!
DISTRICT NEWS
• Perspective from Kathryn Bohling
• Evaluating Student Success
• Have Questions About Bad Weather?
• Veterans Breakfast
• MISD Recognizes Alumni Serving in the U.S. Military
• Education Foundation
CAMPUS NEWS
• Wilkinson Receives Honor from Bush Institute
• Staff Development at Wilkinson
• Welcome to the MISD Family
• Mesquite ISD High School Playoff Schedule
NEWS YOU CAN USE
• Community Education
• Avoid the Bug
• Safety Report: How do colds spread?
Congratulations New Apple Corps Members!
Alana Brecheen
Alana is a graduate of Poteet High School and teaches music at Moss
Elementary. She has taught in Mesquite ISD for all 14 years of her career
with stops at Thompson and Pirrung elementaries. Moss Principal Vickie
Carpenter says, “Alana starts her day by greeting students and parents in
the parking lot. She goes above and beyond what is expected of a music
teacher, contributing to the entire campus.” Alana’s passion for teaching
came naturally as she enjoys children and music, so it was clear that she
needed to meld her two loves. She says, “I enjoy watching my students
develop a love for music, helping them grow and seeing them continue on to
achieve musical accomplishments after elementary school.” Alana holds high
expectations for her students, and she believes that it is her responsibility to
help all children learn and reach their highest potential. Her faith gives her
inspiration, and she believes that she is fulfilling her purpose in life.
Kristi Carter
Kristi graduated from Mesquite High and obtained her bachelor’s and
master’s from Texas A&M – Commerce. This is Kristi’s eighth year in
education – all in MISD. She teaches fourth grade at Smith Elementary.
Principal Charlene Goss says, “Kristi takes initiative in all situations to bring
about campus-wide success. She models consistent positivity in the hardest
of challenges. Her attitude is something for others to emulate.” Kristi was
a stay-at-home mom for 15 years, and she credits her husband James for
pushing her to pursue the career she always wanted. She says, “I believe
all students should experience success daily. Students come to us from
different backgrounds and different abilities; but, at the end of the day, they
should all know how it feels to be successful on some level.” Kristi’s husband,
daughters and three grandsons are the reasons she gives her best everyday.
Her future plans include achieving an ESL certification and passing the
principal exam so she can enter the principal pool for Mesquite ISD.
Alana and Kristi were inducted into Apple Corps during the November
Board Meeting:
[http://tinyurl.com/p9w25ls]
Board Meeting Recognition
The Board of Trustees recognizes students and staff members each month at the regular Board meeting for
their special achievements. In November, certificates were presented for National Merit Scholar, National
Achievement Scholar Program, National Hispanic Scholar, and High School Marching Bands for First Division at
Region UIL Marching Contest.
[http://youtu.be/ScxlYhmzx_E]
Spread the Good News About
Mesquite ISD!
If you have something great going on at your campus, be sure to let the Communications Office know! You can
email photos and stories to Allison Lewallyn at alewallyn@mesquiteisd.org.
Perspective
Kathryn Bohling, Assistant Superintendent
for Business Services
The 2014-2015 school year is off to a great start. Students are
learning in clean, well-maintained classrooms, eating nutritious
school meals, and using technology to enhance instruction.
Teachers have the curriculum they need as well as textbooks and
online resources. Principals and central administrators are working
together to provide all the support needed to make sure that
students and teachers are able to work without worrying about
all the small details that make a school run. In the background,
salaries and utility bills are paid, textbooks are purchased, and
buses continue to run in spite of gas costs; but where does the
money come from? It comes from three sources: local property
taxes, federal funds, and state funds through a very complex financial formula adopted by our state years ago.
In 2011 the state legislature cut school budgets by $5 billion. When the legislature met again in 2013, $3.4
billion was restored, which still left funding at $1.6 billion less than in 2010 and with many more students in
Texas schools. Because of these funding cuts and because the system does not fund schools equitably, many
school districts joined together and filed a lawsuit stating that the school funding system was inadequate and
inequitable. The judge assigned to the case ruled in favor of the school districts saying that the funding system
is not constitutional. Texas Attorney General and now Governor-Elect Greg Abbott has appealed the ruling to
the Texas Supreme Court asking that the decision for schools be overturned.
As we await the decision of the Supreme Court, our school district and others continue to grow. In Mesquite
ISD alone we have added 2,475 students since 2010. With those additional students comes the need for more
teachers, more textbooks, more transportation, more services, and more classroom space. Mesquite ISD has
always been a good steward of taxpayer dollars and found ways to keep a balanced budget; and in spite of the
financial challenges, our students receive a great education. However, a balanced budget is harder each year as
costs increase.
In November, we went to the polls to vote for representation in our state legislature. The decisions of these
legislators impact what we teach, how schools will be funded, and even our retirement plans. It is our right to
follow the bills and let them know how we want them to vote. Let’s give input and be involved in this legislative
process. This website [http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/] will help you with following the legislative process.
We can make a difference for students, for our schools, and for ourselves; or we can sit back passively and
let others make those decisions for us. If we join together and work with our representatives, we can make a
difference for the future of our students and Texas.
Evaluating Student Success
Want to understand the system by which the State of Texas evaluates schools? This video breaks it down:
[http://youtu.be/9IRK3kC7fo0]
Have Questions About Bad Weather?
KEOM is the official word on bad weather. If the weather should take a turn in the coming weeks, tune in to
KEOM 88.5 FM to find out about school closings, or listen online at www.keom.fm.
Veterans Breakfast
Mesquite ISD honored veterans for a fourth year by holding a breakfast on Friday, November 7, at the
Professional Development Center in Mesquite. District employees who are military veterans gathered for food
and fellowship.
Mesquite ISD Superintendent Linda Henrie said, “We are so honored to be able to host this annual event for our
employees who are also veterans. These men and women sacrificed so much for our country, and this breakfast
is just a small salute to them for their service and sacrifice.”
The breakfast activities consisted of:
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JROTC Cadets from NMHS serving breakfast, leading the pledges of allegiance and mingling with the
veterans.
Kimbrough Middle School Principal and Air Force Veteran Chris Brott gave the invocation.
Family and Consumer Science students from NMHS, along with their teacher Cyndi Scott presented special
cards to the veterans.
The FCS class made 1,000 cards for veterans and had the student body sign them. The remaining cards will
go to the V.A. Hospital.
School Board President and Jag Corps Veteran Phil Appenzeller gave the keynote address.
The Armed Forces medley was played veterans were asked to stand during his or her song.
The JHHS Chamber Choir sang the National Anthem and two patriotic songs.
Decorative placemats and hand-made cards were supplied by several elementary students and provided the
perfect touch to the festive tables.
In addition to the breakfast, a special catered luncheon was held on Tuesday, November 11 for the MISD
employees who work in the Transportation Department. The luncheon was held at the Technology Excellence
Center and featured the Chamber Choir from JHHS.
[http://tinyurl.com/psub4h7]
Mesquite ISD Recognizes Alumni Serving in
the U.S. Military
A special video was shown during the pre-game activities at the football games at Hanby and Memorial
Stadiums in honor of Veterans Day. There were five individual videos with photos of alumni from each of the
high schools. These men and women are either veterans or are currently serving in the United States Military,
and some even gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. All of the videos are on the district’s YouTube
channel and can be found here:
[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzVlX8jv0LCZN3W3NwRKsJMKGf03zBJc0]
Education Foundation
BB&T Amazing Technicolor 5K Recap
Thanks to everyone who participated in the BB&T Amazing Technicolor 5K on October 25! Participation across
the District increased by approximately 20 percent. Because of your support, the Education Foundation was
able to raise more money than ever before at this event! A few highlights:
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More than 2,250 runners and volunteers participated.
Sponsorships reached $50,000 for the first time ever.
The net revenue increased approximately 35 percent for funding of innovative educational programs and
scholarships in Mesquite ISD.
Education Foundation Executive Director Randy Lewallyn said, “We had a wonderful and colorful morning at
the The BB&T Amazing Technicolor 5K. The weather was perfect and so was the company. More than 2,000
runners participated and made memories with friends and family to last a lifetime. Once again people of all ages
participated in the event. We can’t wait for next year!”
[http://tinyurl.com/nlxoo9l]
Wilkinson Receives Honor from George W.
Bush Institute and Laura Bush Foundation
The George W. Bush Institute at the George W. Bush Presidential Center selected Wilkinson Middle School to
participate in the second year of Middle School Matters (MSM) Institute. This second round of schools expands
the program to 16 schools, spanning four states, including California, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas.
MSM schools receive high-quality research-based school improvement strategies from the Bush Institute’s
national experts, yearlong professional support, and an invitation to the three-day Middle School Matters
Summer Conference.
Acceptance into the MSM Institute was then followed by a library grant from the Laura Bush Foundation.
Mrs. Bush personally visited Wilkinson to announce the news. Superintendent Dr. Linda Henrie said, “We are
grateful for the generous $7,000 library grant Ms. Bush awarded Wilkinson from the Laura Bush Foundation for
America’s Libraries.
While her work provides students excellent learning opportunities, it also equips teachers
with research-based strategies—especially in reading and writing. We hope the positive influences from her
foundation and the Middle School Matters Program continue to benefit our schools for many years.”
Mrs. Laura Bush feels convicted that “middle school is the last and best chance to prepare students for a
successful high school career.” The Bush Institute founded Middle School Matters (MSM) to transform the
formative middle grades so that a greater number of children are given the foundational skills needed for high
school and post-secondary success.
MSM’s mission is two-fold: to transform the middle grades by promoting research-based tools, practices,
and solutions and to drive the development of policies that lead to better student outcomes. MSM has two
primary elements that will help achieve these goals: 1) Promote middle grades reform through an alliance with
individuals who influence decisions made for/in middle grades and 2) Develop practical tools and supports
based on solid research for middle grade reform initiatives, school districts, and middle school campuses so they
can drive research into their work.
Wilkinson Principal Dr. Leslie Feinglas said, “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for our students and
teachers, and we are so grateful that she chose to come to Wilkinson.”
Staff Development at Wilkinson
The Middle School Matters Institute staff brought top researchers, Dr. Tanya Santangelo and Dr. Jeremy Miciak,
to Wilkinson to work with the staff on research-based strategies to improve reading and writing across the
content areas. They learned about the strategies, and then the researchers observed classes to help implement
the practices in the classroom.
[http://tinyurl.com/purb2n4]
Welcome to the MISD Family!
Baby Rylee Brooklyn Sims
Daughter of Ryan Sims (North Mesquite High School)
Birthday: October 25, 2014
Favorite book: Tuesday by David Wiesner
If you would like to see you child’s photo in In Touch, contact Allison Lewallyn at alewallyn@mesquiteisd.org.
Mesquite ISD High School Playoff Schedule
Congratulations to Horn, Poteet, and West Mesquite High School football teams for making it to the playoffs!
View the playoff schedule here [http://tinyurl.com/kfwcf3p].
Community Education
Mesquite ISD Community Education would like to hear
from you. We offer a wide variety of classes for all ages
in Mesquite and surrounding communities. Feedback
from the community is very important to us, and we
welcome your ideas or suggestions. With your input, MISD
Community Education can continue to offer the classes and
programs you would like to be a part of.
New and interesting classes create a need for new
instructors. If you have a special talent or skill, consider sharing your knowledge as a class instructor. There is a
need for informal and formal instruction in our community, and you, or someone you know, could be a part of
that education.
To offer ideas about a new class you would like to see MISD Community Education offer, or if you would like
to inquire about teaching a class, please call (972) 88-CLASS or email our Program Specialist Wendee Doty at
wdoty@mesquiteisd.org.
Visit www.communityedclasses.org for more information about the quality classes, camps, and programs that
Mesquite ISD Community Education currently offers.
Avoid the Bug
Here’s a great video featuring MISD Director of Health Services Beth Dittman on preventing the spread of
communicable diseases.
[http://youtu.be/6OROhvZpDy0]
Safety Report
How do colds spread?
Wash your hands! Frequent hand washing is a good way to prevent the spread of infection. Nosocomial
infections are those that are spread from healthcare worker to healthcare worker or to patients in hospitals.
The rate of infections is cut drastically when healthcare professionals are required to wash their hands between
treating patients and handling their belongings.
Clean and disinfect surfaces! Another way to prevent the cold virus from being spread is to clean and disinfect
surfaces that people with colds may touch, especially during the winter months, when more people are likely to
stay indoors because of inclement weather.
Other tips to reduce the spread of colds:
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Use disinfectant wipes and antibacterial hand gel.
Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze.
Stay away from friends, family and co-workers who are ill.
If you are the one with a cold, do not reuse tissues.
Talk to your physician if you are a good candidate for a flu shot.
It is nearly impossible to avoid people who are sick with a cold or flu, but that doesn’t mean you can’t avoid
infection!
IN TOUCH: MESQUITE ISD EMPLOYEE NEWS | NOVEMBER 2014