Fall/Winter KISD Connections Magazine 2017

KISD

Volume II Issue I Fall/Winter 2017

Connections

Be informed. Be focused. Be connected.

IN THIS ISSUE Be informed. Be focused. Be connected.

3 KERRVILLE ISD - WHO WE ARE Find out a little about our schools, our students, our staff our mission.

4 -5 OUR TEAM OF LEADERS Our principals, school board and administration work diligently to make KISD a place for academic excellence and student success. Find out who they are.

6-7 WE’RE CONNECTED KISD’s success is a collective effort by our students, staff, and Kerrville Community who work together for a common vision.

8-9 SIX WAYS TO CONNECT WITH KISD

It’s easy to get immediate notifications and alerts with social media and the KISD Mobile App.

10-11 VISION KISD - FOCUS ON THE FUTURE

Our students’ futures look bright! KISD Grads leave our schools equipped with 21st Century Skills.

12-13 KPSF GRANT & STEM EDUCATION KISD Elementary schools awarded STEM Grant.

14-15 YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE

ON THE COVER

Feature Photo: Ms. Davila’s Class - Ms. Aubrey Davila captured her Kinder class as they learned about working together. “Our Unit study was Fairy Tales and we talked about the fairy tale ‘Little Red Hen’ and how when we work together it can make a job easier and everyone enjoys the activity. They did a great job and worked together and cleaned up the pencils so smoothly. It was a great time and I feel they got the moral of the story!” Ms. Davila said. Photo courtesy of Aubrey Davila.

KISD Connections The magazine for the Kerrville Independent School District Created by KISD Public Relations Department 1009 Barnett Street Kerrville, TX 78028 (830) 257-2200 www.kerrvilleisd.net

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Kerrville ISD Educational Excellence in the Hill Country Kerrville Independent School District is an accredited 5A school district located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Kerrville ISD is home to seven traditional campuses, one early childhood center, and an academic alternative high school. KISD educates 5,000 students and employs 700 faculty and staff from Kerrville and surrounding areas. In Kerrville ISD, students and high expectations come first. All campuses and the district earned the highest State Accountability rating, Met Standard, in 2017.

As a district, Kerrville ISD was one of 24

Texas school districts out of more than 1,200 to earn the Postsecondary Readiness Distinction Designation and one of five districts in the state to have earned the designation four consecutive years.

In KISD, we provide “Educational Excellence in the Hill Country” and ensure that experiences in and out of the classroom are those that will shape students into productive and successful citizens.

KISD schools offer a top-notch education fostering relationships and providing experiences students will value forever.

One of Five Districts to earn

Superior Achievement

All Campuses and the Dis-

Postsecondary Readiness

Rating on the Financial

trict Received the Highest

100% Graduation

Distinction Designation Four

Integrity Rating System

State Accountability Rating

Rate

Consecutive Years

of Texas (FIRST)

“Met Standard” for 20162017

The purpose of the Kerrville Independent School District is to educate all students to be successful and productive citizens in a way that meets parent and community expectations through continual improvement in curriculum and instruction, a safe and orderly learning environment, sound fiscal management, and leadership dedicated to excellence.

LEADING WITH WELCOME TO This time of year we count our blessings and are thankful in KISD for our wonderful, hard-working, servant-hearted teachers and staff. We are also thankful for our students for their effort and their eagerness to learn and grow.

KIS

The Fall of 2017 went by quickly and we end this year with great pride in several accomplishments in our district. Middle school fine arts put on a wonderful fall play and excellent choir and orchestra concerts. Middle school athletics was repeatedly victorious and won several district championships in Football and Cross Country. Tivy Marching Band finished with incredible improvement at UIL Marching contest after putting in tremendous “sweat equity� in preparation for this contest season. Tivy Choir, Orchestra, and Theater all had strong fall performances and we are also very proud of Tivy Varsity Athletics. With amazing success that ended in regional appearances in volleyball and football, we are proud of TFND and our Bi-District and Area Champions.

Several key committees have been at work this fall with an eye on the future. Our Academic Excellence Committees are working on a number of important academic projects while the District of Innovation and Long Range Facilities Planning Committees are focused on the future for KISD. As always, thank you for your continued support of Kerrville ISD. Please have a safe and happy holidays and join me in looking forward to an exciting 2018!

Dr. Mark J. Foust KISD Superintendent

Mark J. Foust

Board of Trustees

Wade Ivy Asst. Supt. of Human Resources

Back row, left to right: Patrick Freedle, Curtis Finley, Jack Stevens - Vice President, Dr. Mark Foust Superintendent. Front row, left to right: Dr. David Sprouse - President, Andree Hayes, Rolinda Schmidt - Secretary, and Vickie Isom.

Shelby Balser Tivy High School

Meet Our Principals 4

Steve Schwarz Hill Country High School

Heather Engstrom Asst. Supt. of Curriculum & Instruction

Tamela Crawford Hal Peterson Middle School

Jarrett Jachade Asst. Supt. of Business Services

Jim Harmon BT Wilson 6th Grade School

SD

KERRVILLE ISD

DISTRICT PROFILE

-161.56 square miles -9 schools -Second largest employer in Kerr County

CAMPUSES

2016/2017 STUDENT RACE/ETHNICITY 2016-2017 TOTAL BUDGET Local Revenue $27,174,763 State Revenue $10,973,589 Federal Revenue $327,761

African American 1.9% Asian 1.1% Hispanic 47.5% Multi-Ethnicity 1.5% Native American .2% White 47.5%

TAX RATE

$1.18 per $100 valuation Early Childhood Center - 3/4 Yr. Olds, HeadStart, PPCD, Tivy Child Development Center Tom Daniels Elementary School - K-5 ATHLETICS ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED District 26-5A Nimitz Elementary School - K-5 54% Starkey Elementary School - K-5 Fred H. Tally Elementary School - K-5 FISCAL MANAGEMENT B.T. Wilson Sixth Grade School - 6th Grade Earned a Superior Achievement Rating on Hal Peterson Middle School - 7th & 8th Grade the School Financial Integrity Rating System Tivy High School - 9th-12th Grade (FIRST) of Texas for 14 consecutive years. *Demographics are based on the Hill Country High School - Academic Alternative 2016-2017 TAPR Report.

School

ATHLETICS

ADVANCED ACADEMICS •

DISTRICT INFO

•

• •

• • •

STEM opportunities through Elementary Challenge Lab One of five districts to earn Postsecondary Readiness Distinction Designation for four consecutive years 100% graduation rate Rigorous academic programming including sixteen Advanced Placement course offerings Dual and Co-College enrollment through Alamo Colleges and Schreiner University Multiple Career and Technology certification pathways

Amy Billeiter Tom Daniels Elementary School

Julie Johnson Nimitz Elementary School

•

• • • •

FINE ARTS PROGRAMS & ELECTIVES

Multiple district, bi-district, and area championship athletics teams High level 5A competition UIL State qualifying athletes in multiple sports Sixth grade Pre-Athletics Program Quality athletic facilities nestled in a beautiful Hill Country setting

Amy Ahrens Starkey Elementary School

• • • •

• •

Award-Winning Orchestra Program elementary through high school Award-winning Tivy Antler Band & Golden Girls Dance Team All-State Choir Program Award-Winning Theater, Mock Trial, Art, Publications, and UIL Academics Programs Over 80 elective course offerings AFJROTC Distinguished Unit Award With Merit

Holly Jones Tally Elementary School

Susana Alejandro Early Childhood Center

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KERRVILLE ISD

@KERRVILLEISD

DOWNLOAD THE MOBILE APP

Be informed. Be focused. Be connected.

6

WE’RE CONNECTED K

errville ISD’s nine campuses pride themselves on building relationships and traditions that will carry from pre-K until 12th grade. Our theme “Educational Excellence in the Hill

Country” illustrates the role education plays in the lives of students. KISD believes in the potential of every child and our staff aims to provide the highest quality education that students deserve. Students are successful in part due to the support our schools receive from the community. The connection between the students, staff and the Kerrville community instills a sense of pride in KISD, our state, and our nation.

Connect With KISD Staying connected in Kerrville ISD is an integral part of student success. Communication with parents and stakeholders provides information about opportunities for involvement, mentoring and volunteerism, and monitoring student progress. In addition, communication methods such as social media allow a glimpse inside the classroom to see what wonderful programs and events are taking place on campuses. Parent and community support help create educational excellence.

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Mobile App The mobile app is the best way to receive updates and emergency notifications. Simply download the app for free in the Apple App or Google Play store by searching “Kerrville ISD.” In the app, click on “notifications” and then follow the schools you want to receive messages from. Also check your mobile device/phone settings to allow the app to send you push notifications.

3

District Website The KISD Website contains information on our schools, transportation, attendance zones, food services, curriculum, services in Kerr County, and much more! Drop-down menus provide information about each campus such as student codes of conduct, bell schedules, important upcoming events and more.

Visit www.kerrvilleisd.net.

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Social Media KISD has a Facebook page and a Twitter account to share information about news, events, programs and honors. Social Media allows parents and the community to take a look inside the classroom, and provides a way to quickly disseminate helpful information. Connect with us by following @kerrvilleisd!

Notifications For emergency or critical announcements, KISD uses an automatic telephone and email alert system that delivers a spoken or automated message to contact numbers and email addresses in Family Access. To receive these communications, make sure your email address is updated in Skyward Family Access, and you’re all set!

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4 Skyward Family Access Skyward Family Access is a helpful online tool for parents and students. It can be used for online registration, checking grades and attendance, communication with teachers, paying cafeteria payments, and much more. A family access app is available under “Skyward” in your app store or visit www.kerrvilleisd. net and click on “Skyward” under “Quick Links” to access from a desktop.

Mentoring & PTO/Parent Involvement KISD Mentoring provides the presence of caring adults offering support, advice, friendship, reinforcement to be a powerful tool for helping young people. One hour a week with a child can make a difference that lasts a lifetime. Contact the mentoring director at your campus of choice, or call Laurie Rees on the Daniels campus at 830-257-2200, ext. 2051 To get involved with PTO, contact your child’s campus today!

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The Best is Yet to be

On the morning of August 25, 2017, more than 700 KISD employees gathered for the annual Convocation to kick off the new school year. The morning began with a breakfast, music, and several tremendous speakers made for a memorable event.

Special guests and speakers included Coach Dana Gruver, Tivy Alum and UT student - Brandon Curtis, Teachers of the Year - Elizabeth Wrase and Austin Clarkson, and a student panel made up of various-aged students speaking on what makes teachers great. Dr. Foust concluded the event with his report on “Vision KISD”. This would be Dr. Foust’s first official address to begin a school year in KISD.

Dr. Foust discussed district goals, explained the “why” behind the vision, and touched on the big picture - focusing on continuous improvement.

The event set the tone for the school year leaving teachers eager to return to their classrooms and embrace this year’s theme - “The Best is Yet to be for KISD.”

for

KISD

Focus

on the

FUTURE

Last May, KISD administrators, board members, and stakeholders gathered to brainstorm what the KISD Profile of a Graduate should look like. After engaging conversations and real discussions about society and preparing our students for the future, the Kerrville ISD Profile of a Graduate was created. Six main topics were formed from these discussions which have sub-topics that relate. All come together to create 21st Century Skills our future leaders should leave KISD and enter the real world equipped with.

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Stronger minds,

Brighter Futures

KPSF Awards KISD $22,000 STEM Grant

The Kerrville Public School Foundation (KPSF) is delighted to announce the awarding of a $22,000 grant to the Kerrville Independent School District. A check for $22,143.20 was presented to School Superintendent Dr. Mark Foust during his recent visit to the Nimitz Elementary School campus.

Paige Mixon, President of the KPSF Board of Directors, commented that with this grant the Board recognizes the importance of science, technology, and math in the school curriculum. “Our students need these skills because they will be entering a very competitive, global, workplace environment, “ Mixon said.

This Superintendent-Directed Grant will help foster a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) foundation in Challenge Labs across the four KISD elementary campuses. STEM programs are designed to prepare students for twenty-first century careers. Through the use of technology and

hands-on learning materials, KISD students’ interests in science and math will be fueled as they discover untapped potential. The increased STEM activities will enhance critical thinking skills as the students are challenged to apply STEM methodology to create innovative solutions to real-word problems.

KPSF’s mission is to enhance the learning experience for KISD students through grants to teachers and scholarships to students. Since its establishment thirty years ago, KPSF has awarded more than one-half million dollars to the students and teachers of Kerrville ISD.

“We are grateful to KPSF for helping KISD to fund the expansion of STEM opportunities at each of our four elementary schools,” Dr. Foust said. “KPSF is an awesome supporter of innovative approaches to teaching and learning in our school district; their partnership is vital to us.”

Challenging

Tomorrow’s Leaders Today

Get to know KISD’s Challenge Lab Teachers: Erin Falcon (Starkey) - Erin Falcon has taught at Starkey for 11

years and enjoys sharing her love of learning with her students. Developing student passions through S.T.E.M. and other enriching activities is extremely rewarding for her and she feels it will directly impact the future success of her students.

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Lisa Davis (Tally) - Lisa Davis is a Challenge Lab teacher/ GT Spe-

cialist in Kerrville ISD with over 30 years in Education (special ed, regular ed, & GT). She’s been at Tally Elementary for 16 years, and was one of the original teachers on campus and one of the founding teachers of the Challenge Lab. She loves how the Challenge Lab is open to the whole school for academic mastery, and allows students to choose projects according to their interests and strengths. Lisa is very passionate about gifted education.

Melilssa Martin (Daniels) - Melissa Martin is in her 12th year

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in education, and her 5th at Daniels. This is her first year as the Challenge Lab teacher. Because she has taught kinder, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades, she believes the Challenge Lab is the perfect place for her to meld together her classroom experiences and she is enjoying focusing on creativity and enrichment.

Sarah Koenig (Nimitz) - Sarah Koenig received her teaching degree from UT Austin in 2015. She moved from Austin to Kerrville to begin her teaching career with KISD. She has been a fifth grade language arts and social studies teacher and is currently the Challenge Lab at teacher at Nimitz. She is passionate about Challenge Lab because of the opportunities to allow students to explore areas of interest and participate in STEM enrichment activities.

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Our children dOn’t care abOut pOlitical endOrsements, media bias Or mudslinging.

But, for them, our choices at the polls become realities in the classroom.

TeachtheVote.org, aTPe’s nonpartisan advocacy website, makes it easy for Texas voters, educators and parents to: H read the education news that matters most.

H research the education platforms of political candidates and elected officials.

H decide which candidates will make public education a top priority.

H sign up for email updates at www.TeachtheVote.org/news.

no endorsements, no media bias—just education.

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TeachTheVoTe.org conTains Pol. ad. Paid For By The associaTion oF Texas ProFessional educaTors.

YOUR ote IS YOUR

oice .

Your Voting Checklist: Register to vote before Feb. 5, 2018.

Register at www.votetexas.gov Find your polling location.

Visit www.vote411.org Educate yourself about candidates and public education issues.

Visit www.teachthevote.org, or www.VoteTexas.gov Spread the word. Share the facts.

Primary Election Early Voting - Feb. 20-Mar. 2, 2018 Mar. 6, 2018 is Primary Election Day

Kerrville ISD

Educational Excellence in the Hill Country 1009 Barnett Street Kerrville, Texas 830-257-2200

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