Volume V, Issue 10 (March 27, 2020)

“Make your life a masterpiece; imagine no limitations on what you can be, have or do.” ― Brian Tracy

Vol. V March 27, 2020

Sharing the good news about Longview Independent School District

LISD closure now set until April 9th Instructional and nutritional support to continue for students Longview Independent School District will extend the closure of campuses and district offices through Thursday, April 9, as the result of a mandatory Shelter-In-Place order issued by Gregg County and the City of Longview.

Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox said while Longview ISD will follow the directive of local authorities, “we’re going to continue our efforts to provide child nutrition, delivery of instruction, and support to our teachers and staff.”

Local authorities issued the mandatory order following the March 25th announcement of two additional positive Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases within Gregg County, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to three.

MAKING THE BEST OF IT

Students take part in home activities and continue seeing their classmates

W

hile LISD campuses have been closed for the time being due to COVID-19, students are staying in high spirits by taking part in Social Distance Spirit Week; setting each day as something different and fun for students to do.

Monday was Pajama Day,

Tuesday was all about the Crazy Socks, Wednesday saw Christmas in March, Thursday featured Social Distance Twin Day, and Friday starred Disney Day. Also, thanks to technology, students are still able to stay in contact with their classmates more easily than ever before.

Alumna earns Ms. Plus International crown

By Zack Wellerman Tyler Morning Telegraph

JACKSON

THE

Professor, Author, Beauty Queen, Pharmacist, Role Model, Wife, and Mother.

Local pharmacist and East Texas native Dr. Jennifer Jackson holds many titles in life, including a pag-

V

ongview oice

Opinion LISD Latest

eant queen representing women of all sizes across the globe.

Jackson, 41, a pharmacy manager at the Walmart Neighborhood Market on ESE Loop 323 in Tyler, is the reigning Ms. Plus Intercontinental, which represents women sizes 12 or higher and over the age of 40.

The honor is a part of the Miss

2 3

Plus World Pageant, which is an international pageant celebrating the beauty and accomplishments of women. She won Ms. Plus for the United States title last June and later won Miss Plus Intercontinental in August.

Award|Continued to page 1w9

Chamber 5 Feed 6

Sports Obits

11 16

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

OPINION

Order Texans to stay home, or risk a fight

By Ross Ramsey The Texas Tribune Disasters always test leaders, but a pandemic isn’t a hurricane or a tornado. It doesn’t come and go in a day or a week. It’s not confined to a geographic area.

It’s invisible. It preys on the social ties that bind us into communities, cities, a state.

But that’s what government is for, isn’t it? When the proper response to a crisis is collective action and not individual action.

When the path to safety is in the opposite direction many of us would go if left on our own.

The crowdsourced solution to the Coronavirus gave us shortages of toilet paper and bacterial wipes, dried beans and packaged pasta. That’s just a peek at what happens if we stick with the individual response. Experts are telling us that the wave of the virus could easily overwhelm hospitals and health care providers, putting medicine out of reach of many of us as cases of the disease peak.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is still looking for middle ground.

“There have been questions raised about whether Texas as a state must immediately go into a

shelter-in-place status,” like Louisiana and other Abbott said Sunday, addplaces have done. ing a few moments later, Good medicine, tough “We need to do several politics. things first.”

It requires politiHe said his earlier excians to go against ecutive orders — closing their instincts to tell bars, restaurants, gyms people what they want and limiting the size of to hear — and to inpublic gatherings — are RAMSEY stead tell them what’s still fresh, and he wants good for them, includto see whether what’s already ing government-ordered conbeen done is enough. He said finement. more than 200 of the state’s 254 The same dilemmas appear counties haven’t reported a single on the economic side, too. State case of the Coronavirus. After Comptroller Glenn Hegar desaying that what might be appro- cided last week not to waive priate for urban areas isn’t neces- the deadline for sales taxes; sarily suited to rural parts of the businesses that collected taxes state, he threw it to local control: on purchase in February had to “Local officials have the authority turn that tax money over to the to implement more strict stanstate, as usual, last Friday. dards than I have implemented,” Some of those businesses are Abbott said. At this time, he said, hurting, and it might be useful it’s not the appropriate approach to hang onto that money for a for the whole state. month to try to keep things goIt’s already helped, and in ing. But Hegar initially decided very short order, to tell people to that the taxpayers — consumers stay home as much as they can.

— had already paid the taxes Now the question is whether and that the money needed to that’s enough. Medical and civic be used for hospitals and first leaders want Abbott to take the responders and everything else next step, to issue a statewide the government does. shelter-in-place order to miniGood government, risky polimize the spread of COVID-19, tics.

The sales tax deadline just happened to fall at the hardest point on the calendar, on the Friday of the week when a significant part of the state economy came to a sudden halt, when government ordered the closing of all of the businesses where people gather for food or entertainment or shopping. A number of lawmakers implored Hegar over the weekend to give businesses more time to pay.

Likewise, it’s not easy to order everybody to stay in their house, especially if there’s some penalty threatened for coming out for nonessential business. And the rewards of that isolation, while critical, are invisible.

It’s not easy to tell people in this self-involved culture to sacrifice personally for the greater community. Staying home if you’re sick is a no-brainer, but if you’re well, being ordered out of stores and restaurants and theaters might wear thin after a short time. You might resent whoever issued the order.

That’s the hard part of leading. It doesn’t always matter what’s popular.

— Ross Ramsey is executive editor and co-founder of The Texas Tribune

What science tells us about crisis decision-making

By Yingying Wang Education Week

cision-makers in tunnel chamber, undermining vision. Our emotional the quality of the decireactions to the Corosions.

School leaders across the navirus pandemic are Further, when data country are grappling with marked by fear and are presented differentan array of decisions forced anxiety, the extreme ly, they evoke different on them by the COVID-19 form of which is panic. emotional responses, pandemic. If you have closed These emotions narrow which influence decischools, when should schools the breadth of attention, sion-making. Focusing reopen? If schools remain closed trapping decision-makon a Coronavirus death WANG for a long period, how do you ers in tunnel vision. rate calculated at, say, use your resources to protect Fear and anxiety are so 3.4 percent, you feel children and keep education powerful that they divert the fearful and anxious, and tend going? Once the overarching human brain’s limited cognitive to make risk-averse decisions decisions are made, leaders, resources. Gripped by fear and out of an abundance of caution. including those further down anxiety, you tend to stick to an Focusing on the data that 80 the command chain, will have a option about which you know percent of Coronavirus patients myriad of additional choices to more, rather than exploring have mild symptoms, you are make. additional options. likely to feel hopeful. Unlike To understate the case, such More importantly, fear and fear and anxiety narrowing choices are being made in lessanxiety, like all emotions, are the breadth of attention, hope than-ideal circumstances. But contagious. We express fear broadens the breadth of attenif you understand the difficuland anxiety to people around tion. In this case, hopeful school ties and the opportunities, you us through the words spoken in leaders tend to explore options give yourself a better chance to conversations, body language, in decision-making and be willmake a good decision. and facial expressions. When a ing to take risks.

Here are three truths for de- cabinet of school leaders makes 2. Uncertainty and risk are cision-makers in the time of the a decision as a group, fear and inherent in evidence-based Coronavirus pandemic: anxiety shared by the cabinet decision-making. School leaders 1. Fear and anxiety trap demembers can create an echo are trained to make data-in-

formed, evidence-based decisions. Leaders sometimes talk about scientific evidence as providing 100 percent certainty. In fact, scientific research abounds with uncertainty. Margin of error, confidence intervals, and interquartile ranges wouldn’t be needed in an ideal world of certainty.

In an ideal world, superintendents, for instance, would have a good measurement of the disruption experienced by disadvantaged students and students with disabilities when schools are closed. Relevant data would be collected and used to calculate the benefit and risk of the options. In reality, each option has an unknown probability of success and unclear consequences.

To predict the probability of an occurrence in the future, scientists collect and analyze data about a past event. Yet the past imperfectly predicts the future.

—Yinying Wang is an assistant professor of educational leadership

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

FIGHTING BACK

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District takes proactive approach to COVID-19 Longview Independent School District plans to continue offering child nutrition and instructional support during the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

On Wednesday, March 25, Mayor Andy Mack announced a mandatory shelter-at-home order for the next two weeks.

“The goal of this plan is not to cripple or shut down our productive economy. We want and need essential businesses to be productive but we also need to stop the spread of the virus for the sake of our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Mayor Mack. “The sooner we can all comply by staying at home, the sooner we will flatten this curve.”

Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox said Longview ISD is glad to abide by the restrictions of local authorities, “while at the same time continuing to find ways to continue to serve the students and

“Our campus leadership remains active in working with their teachers and parents in order to deliver instruction to our students in whatever means is most convenient for our families.” — Dr. James Wilcox. staff in our care.”

“Our campus leadership remains active in working with

their teachers and parents in order to deliver instruction to our students in whatever

means is most convenient for our families,” said Dr. Wilcox.

“At the same time, the work of our Child Nutrition and Transportation departments to provide meals for our families continues as well.”

Wilcox said that another important part of this effort was the district’s decision to extend employee leave and wage payments while Texas public schools are closed.

According to both resolutions approved by trustees, LISD will provide additional paid leave to all regular employees (contractual and non-contractual, salaried and non-salaried) who are instructed not to report to work due to pandemic fears.

To assist with answering questions about the Coronavirus, the City of Longview has established a Coronavirus hotline at 903-237-1215. The hotline will be staffed from 8 a.m. — 8 p.m., seven days a week.

Longview, Gregg County issues mandatory shelter-in-place The City of Longview and Gregg County have issued mandatory orders for residents to shelter-in-place for the next two weeks, beginning 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, and lasting through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, due to the threat of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The orders come after the announcement of additional positive cases on Wednesday, March 25, in Gregg County.

The mandatory directives come in the form of disaster declaration orders from the city.

As of Wednesday, March 25, a total of 70 have been taken, three were positive, 27 negative and 40 pending.

“The number of confirmed cases in Gregg County has begun to rise, and we can see the virus is in nearby areas like Dallas, Smith County, and Shreveport,” said mayor Andy

Mack. “Testing availability is still very limited; so, we need to operate as though the virus is already more widespread here. I urge everyone to use extreme caution and follow

Board extends leave, staff pay, postpones election Longview Independent are closed, and postponed School District trustees passed board election to Nov. 3rd, several measures in response following a proclamation Gov. to the ongoing Coronavirus Greg Abbott issued on March (COVID-19) crisis, during 18. their regular meeting Monday, “Obviously we’re trying March 23rd. to adjust to a ‘new normal’ The board unanimously here,” said Superintendent Dr. approved an extension of leave James Wilcox. “At the same and wage payments for emBoard|Continued to page 9 ployees while public schools

these mandatory shelter-athome orders for the good of everyone in our community.”

As part of the shelter-inplace provisions, all individuals should shelter at their place of residence, except for essential activities and business. Additionally, to the extent individuals use shared indoor or outdoor space, they should maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet. All travel, except essential travel and essential activities, is prohibited. Travel into and out of the City is still allowed Longview|Continued to page 6

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

Questions and answers about public ‘charter’ systems at Longview ISD Last year the LISD received the green light from the TEA to turn six campuses into “in-district” charter schools. The approval came after the passage of Senate Bill 1882.

Since then, there’s been a lot of discussion about potential charter partnerships at the campuses of Longview Independent School District. There’s also been a lot of faulty and inaccurate information being passed around.

Here’s the story about why we’re pursuing these opportunities for our students and how it will work here in Longview.

Why is Longview ISD doing this?

Families are making choices for other options — private schools and charter schools — and of course we want them to choose our district schools. We are committed to building a system in which every experience that families want to choose is part of what we offer within LISD. “Change is inevitable and the gradual move toward charter schools nationwide is only going to increase,” said Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox. “Longview is going to get ahead of the changes in order to ensure public school accountability, and also to prevent tax funds being taken from public schools.”

A Senate Bill 1882 partnership provides the district with the ability to protect, sustain, build and replicate a successful model while providing additional options for families within the district.

Here are the primary goals for this kind of partnership: Protect: Longview ISD’s high-performing school leaders and educators have refined and implemented innovative programs that provide Longview students with access to exceptional programs, including Montessori, IB, STEAM, and career and college experiences. A Senate Bill 1882 partnership with a contract codifies and protects those innovative models from any future changes in district leadership or policy, ensuring they will last and serve students long after personnel retire or leave.

Sustain: A Senate Bill 1882 partnership provides additional per-pupil funding that contributes to the long-term financial sustainability of successful programs.

Build: Knowing what works for students within a current structure doesn’t mean there are not additional ideas for how to improve.

Additional autonomies available in a partnership will open new options to build upon the success of the model.

Replicate: Replicating a model in a Senate Bill 1882 partnership will allow the ability to reach more students. The replication will ensure that more students in the district are able to attend high-quality best-fit schools and that parents

have more access to high-quality options. What’s already working for some students, such as a rigorous International Baccalaureate education, can be accessed by every child across every neighborhood and not limited to just some.

What does this mean for teachers?

Teachers will still be employees of the district. Charter partners are able to utilize the additional resources that come with a Senate Bill 1882 partnership to increase teacher salaries, in addition to providing more educational resources, professional development opportunities, and classroom autonomy.

The teachers will remain LISD teachers, and as such will retain all of the same benefits and protections of other district employees.

Will teachers be fired/replaced?

We have an excellent school system because of our high-quality teachers, and we are committed to retaining our teachers in Longview ISD. All of our teachers will maintain their chapter 21 protections. The partners under these Senate Bill 1882 partnerships seek to collaborate with and build from the expertise of our talented educators.

What does this mean for students?

Students will obtain access to resources and programs that are not dependent on where they live, their family’s income or their demographics. LISD will be expanding the digital and technology footprint which will enable us to create opportunities for teachers and students that the district has not been able to in the past.

How will this change my student’s day-to-day?

From the student perspective, there will be very little change in their basic schedule and academic expectations. Many of the shifts that may occur will involve details behind the scenes, mostly on an administrative level. What students will notice is increased access to resources and programs that are not dependent on where they live, their family’s income or their demographics.

How will this affect my Special Education student?

Special Education services and 504 accommodations will not change. Longview ISD will continue to give our SpEd students the best possible education and services that are available.

Will students still be LISD students?

YES. Just as all campuses and teachers remain a part of the district, students also remain part of the district.

Is LISD “surrendering control” to an appointed board?

NO, the district is not losing control over the campuses. The publicly elected LISD Board of Trustees are the final deciding

authorities, delegating day-to-day operations to the charter boards with high accountability for results.

The non-profit charter boards have authority over their organizations, but they are subordinate to the LISD board’s authority. The LISD board can sever the contract if the terms are not met.

Legally, Senate Bill 1882 partnerships are in-district charters, which means the students are still district students and the school board continues to maintain responsibility for the schools.

By having LISD be the authorizer of charter schools, the district maintains the authority to set the ground rules the partners have to follow. This way, LISD board can ensure a level playing field for all LISD campuses, as well as allowing the district a mechanism to intervene if partners breach the contract.

What does it mean for a partner to “run” a district campus? Who manages the principal, teachers?

The partner has sole responsibility for personnel as well as authority over decisions related to curriculum and assessment, schedule and calendar, and allocation of the budget. The district and its board of trustees holds the partner accountable through a performance contract outlining academic, financial, and operational goals for the school as well as the division of roles and responsibilities. For a partnership school to be eligible for Senate Bill 1882 benefits, the partner must manage the principal and faculty.

How will these changes affect our high school’s identity and role as a central institution in our community?

The new administrative structure will not affect the core values or identity that our high school represents. The community will continue to see school faculty at district-wide gatherings and the community will continue to join the school’s athletic and other extracurricular events. Further, the nonprofit board members will be selected on the basis of their commitment to this community, and maintaining the high school’s role in the community, as well as their expertise.

Will campuses be run by someone who doesn’t know the community?

NO, the goal of the application process is to make sure there is a good match between the community and the partner. Longview ISD has conducted a rigorous authorizing process to evaluate each nonprofit organization’s capacity, expertise, and commitment to our community.

Many of the partner staff and board members are local leaders with strong ties to Longview schools, and we are confident that they will be responsive to our unique context and leverage the amazing assets we

have here in Longview.

Will the partner be making money off of the students?

NO, all partners are nonprofit organizations and the performance contract will require that they spend all of the money for the benefit of our students. Partner board members serve as volunteers and all partner board members and leaders are subject to the same ethics and conflict of interest requirements as other public employees.

Will the school board play any further role?

YES, the school board is crucial in executing the performance contract, making sure the district is operational and monitoring school performance. They are the ones who will need to take action to either continue or end the partnerships. They will monitor and hold the partner accountable for their progress in meeting the performance goals outlined in the contract. The elected school board does not and cannot under state law give up its ultimate responsibility for a district school.

The difference is that rather than contracting with a principal to oversee educational services at the school, the elected board contracts with an organization to provide services that the school board specifies in the contract. The school board is therefore delegating day-to-day decision-making to the nonprofit organization without losing the obligation to hold the school accountable for its outcomes.

This will allow more decisions to be made at the campus level, where those discussions are closest to the students and teachers.

How does the LISD school board carry out its oversight responsibilities when it contracts with a nonprofit under a performance contract?

Contract terms: The school board carries out its governance responsibilities by seeing clear performance expectations in the contract it enters into with the nonprofit and monitoring whether the nonprofit is meeting those expectations.

Contract continuation or termination (revocation): The performance contract under consideration ensures that the school board is able to intervene or terminate the contract if student performance or financial compliance requirements are not met.

For more information How will information be about communicated to the teachers these programs check out the and administrators? website at w3.lisd.org/charters LISD administrators will be . Do you have a question that visiting all LISD schools to meet is not included here? adminLet us with teachers andon campus know! You candisseminate send your quesistrators to help this tions to ask@lisd.org go to information as well as to, address any or concerns.

Furourquestions Contact page at LISD.org thermore, developments of this or call thethe LISD Department of endeavor have been consistently Innovation at 903-381-2200. covered in various LISD communi-

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

Page 5

Jones talks learning from home

By Jamey Boyum KLTV It’s an understatement to say school has changed. Educators and students are struggling to make learning work.

KLTV 7’s Jamey Boyum spoke with a Longview ISD third grade teacher to see how she’s handling the situation of schooling from home.

Ned E. Williams Elementary School sits empty and locked up patiently awaiting the return of learning.

But like most teachers, Sonya Jones is teaching without the luxury of a building.

“As soon as they told us that we won’t be in school I immediately went on social media and was like, ‘okay parents, I have assignments that I have assigned for Study Island’; all those district things that they have initiated and I went ahead and started sending those assignments day one,” Jones said.

After teaching with

KLTV

Longview ISD for 12 years, Jones said the extended spring break was tough.

“To go without teaching has been a total shock to my system,” she said.

She stays in touch with her students through social media and by making phone calls.

“I have everyone’s numbers; keeping in contact with them

Chamber commits to the health and safety of Longview

By Kelly Hall, Director Chamber of Commerce A lot has changed rapidly since the emergence of COVID-19, including the declaration of state and national emergencies, international travel restrictions, the cancellation of events locally and nationally, and a sudden and widespread emHALL phasis on working from home to slow the spread of this harmful new virus.

I am writing to assure you the work of the Longview Chamber goes on even as we exercise caution amid the Coronavirus pandemic to protect our employees and the people we come into contact with. We are postponing or canceling meetings and convenings until further notice. However, we remain available through email, phone calls, and video conferences.

We know the COVID-19 pandemic has placed unexpected stresses, financial and otherwise, on the businesses/organizations we work with. And we want to let you know we are here and plan to help in the following ways: We have postponed several key programs; HealthyVIEW Summit, InterCity Chamber|Continued to page 7

that way. We have packets that have been mailed out,” Jones said.

She says other teachers may not give their phone numbers to their students but Jones is teaching her way to make sure questions get answers.

“I’m homeschooling my own kids so I have lots of time to talk with my parents,” Jones

said.

And she’s sticking to a school schedule for her and her kids.

“I still even get up at five in the morning and do my workouts,” Jones said.

And as far as not giving the STAAR test well: “I teach to where my students are ready for the next grade,” Jones said.

But she, and her students have grown accustomed to each other’s presence.

“I wrote a note on poster board that said ‘I miss you!

Love Miss Jones’, and I went by different houses and held my sign up.”

She’s not the only teacher to share a little drive-by love. And she probably won’t be the last.

Longview ISD is mailing packets to some students who are unable to complete assignments online.

Packets are completed and parents are responsible for getting them back to the school by drop off or by mail.

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

Food Bank continues providing food to communities

By JJ Maldonado CBS19 The East Texas Food Bank is working hard to provide meals to those who need them amid the Coronavirus.

“Right now it’s a godsend to a lot of families,” Dennis Cullinane, CEO of East Texas Food Bank, said. “We got a good variety of items that are in here they are all shelf-stable items we got some oatmeal, lentils and whole-grain pasta.”

Cullinane says prior to the pandemic the organization was feeding 80,000 people a month.

He believes now with more people off of work and at home that number is rising.

“That’s why it’s so important for us to get this product out

East Texas Food Bank

and it’s a real easy qualification system, not a lot of paperwork if any, and not a lot of questions,” Cullinane said. “If you’re hungry come see one of our partners or see one of our distributions.”

According to the Food Bank, they have received clarity from the Texas Governor’s Office on the guidelines from President

Trump and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the ability to remain open as a critical infrastructure industry.

“It’s been challenging for us to keep enough volunteer workers for us here in order to keep these boxes moving which is really vital for us right now,” Cullinane said.

The organization is also

starting to see a shortage of food items like peanut butter and canned proteins.

“We’re starting to see some interruptions in our supply chain cancellations and postponements of some deliveries that we already had in the pipeline and that’s a little concerning for us too,” Cullinane said.

The Food Bank is working alongside Tyler ISD in distributing emergency food boxes at various campuses.

They have also opened a new emergency food distribution location in North Lufkin.

“We joined forces to use that facility to distribute these boxes and we’re looking distributing more than 1,000 boxes go give out to folks out there in north Lufkin,” Cullinane said.

LONGVIEW |Continued from page 3 to perform essential activities, operate essential businesses, or maintain essential governmental functions.

The Shelter-in-Place orders also direct businesses, except Essential Businesses, to cease all activities except minimum basic operations.

All Essential Businesses are strongly encouraged to remain open. However, even Essential Businesses are encouraged to determine essential staff necessary to operate and to send non-essential staff home.

To the greatest extent feasible, Essential Businesses shall comply with Social Distancing Requirements. Essential Businesses include a variety of different types of businesses that provide essential goods and services for the community, such as healthcare, grocery stores, gas stations, hardware stores, banks, laundromats, transportation, media, construction, and several others detailed within the directive.

A person who knowingly or intentionally violates the order commits an offense punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and/or confinement in jail for a term that does not exceed 180 days, and each day or portion of a day that such a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.

To assist with answering questions about the Coronavirus, the City of Longview

has established a Coronavirus hotline at 903-237-1215. The hotline will be staffed from 8

a.m. — 8 p.m., seven days a week.

What do I tell my kids about the Coronavirus?

The importance of good communication

Talking to Children and Teens is Necessary Whether you realize it or not, your children and teenagers are taking in a lot of information about this new virus. Unlike adults, they do not have the ability to sift through the information and determine what is correct and what is incorrect to develop an appropriate course of action. They are relying on you to do this for them.

The top 5 things to discuss with your kids about COVID-19

1 3 5

What is it?

Kids can clearly see this situation is making adults worry and because of this it can be very scary to them.

A parent should adjust the amount and type of information they give to their child based on the child's age level.

Follow the Guidelines: COVID-19 is spread through contact with someone who is infected. Remind your child to wash their hands properly on a regular basis and not to touch their face or mouth area. If they cough due it in the crook of their arm.

2

Reassure them: The fear of the unknown can be greater than the known. Let kids know that yes, this is a problem right now but there are many adults working together to make everyone safe.

4

Monitor Media Information: Our televisions, radios and social media feeds are being inundated with information about this virus.

Hearing other talk repeatedly about this scary topic can be overwhelming for kids. Adult supervision is necessary.

Leave the Lines of Communication OPEN: Due to the situation, parents should check in on their kids often. Let them know you are available if they have any new questions or just want to talk about this topic. And remember they are looking to you to be a role model during this challenging time.

Well-being Safety Assessments, LLC 573.451.2151

www.well-beingsafetyassessments.com

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

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Texas hospitals look to increase capacity tered since 2014, local officials and medical personnel have mapped out space for cots in a local civic center and are considering reopening a hospital that closed five years ago to handle a potential influx in patients.

“We’re thinking [about a] more long-term type situation. If you had something like Italy or what’s going on in New York — something long term and larger scale — that’s when something like that’d be available,” said Terry Scoggin, chief executive officer of Titus Regional Medical Center in Mount Pleasant. “I think everybody’s in the same

By Shannon Najamabadi The Texas Tribune Some Texas hospitals are erecting tents, planning to add beds and eyeing vacated buildings as overflow facilities while they prepare for what may be a deluge of COVID-19 patients.

The efforts to quickly add capacity come after Gov. Greg Abbott waived hospitals’ occupancy restrictions Sunday and ordered health care providers to postpone surgeries that are not “immediately, medically necessary” — directives he suggested could free up half of some hospitals’ beds for patients with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new

Coronavirus. The steps are early preparation in Texas, which has not seen the level of crisis that countries like Italy or states like New York are now experiencing over the outbreak.

Texas was reporting almost

1,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases Wednesday, though the number is almost certainly an underestimate due to community spread and lack of testing.

In an East Texas region that’s seen four rural hospitals shutBeds|Continued to page 17

Special-education services facing challenges in U.S.

By Erin Richards USA Today Patrick Riccards received an email Tuesday from his New Jersey school district about its plan for special-education services during the Coronavirus shutdown. But what should have brought him comfort instead caused dismay.

The district wrote that its special-education teachers would modify online lessons and host virtual check-ins with students in the new world of distance learning. But to Riccards, an education advocate, that wasn’t enough. He’d already watched his wife struggle for two days to help their 13-year-old son, who has severe dyslexia and is several grade levels behind in reading, access the district’s online materials.

The West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School also announced it was canceling all government-mandated meetings for special-needs students until schools reopen – which might not be until fall.

“I get that this is the first

week. But everything we have fought for in my son’s (individualized education plan) now gets put on hold,” Riccards said.

As districts scramble to establish distance learning plans for long-term school closures, they’re struggling to provide services to students with disabilities and those with other exceptional circumstances.

It’s a challenge with broad implications, tied to financial consequences for districts and developmental consequences for the most vulnerable students in America.

At issue: Federal law calls for people with disabilities to have an equal opportunity to participate in everything schools provide. If districts don’t accommodate students, they risk losing federal aid – and facing complaints from parents and disability rights advocates for violating federal civil rights laws.

Some big-city districts, like in New York City and Los Angeles, are designing plans for distance learning with vulnerable students at the forefront of

the planning – mostly because students who are low-income, learning English, living in homeless shelters or who have disabilities make up the bulk of their populations.

Other districts haven’t figured out what to do – or they’re not doing any online learning at all.

Kentucky’s largest district, Jefferson County Public Schools, is specifically not moving to online learning because of equity concerns. The 98,000-student district wouldn’t be able to provide enough digital devices or ensure internet access for its most disadvan-

taged students, said Superintendent Marty Pollio.

Instead, the district plans to make up its missed days eventually so that students have more time in front of a teacher.

The Northshore School District in Washington state was one of the first large districts – with more than 25,000 students – to enact a robust distance learning plan. Officials got 4,000 devices and additional internet access to low-income students. But then they had to pause the plan because, they said, it risked running afoul of state and federal mandates for providing equitable services.

surveymonkey. com/r/wemean business.

In the weeks and months ahead, your Chamber will continue to be available to help you navigate the day to day fluidity of the pandemic. We value your investment in our community!

Please know our team is committed to demon-

strating empathy, flexibility, and responsiveness during this public health crisis. We also know that this situation will cause enormous financial stress on many businesses and organizations, so we are also exploring ways that we can help disseminate information that helps you make good decisions.

We welcome your thoughts and suggestions on how best to do so.

CHAMBER |Continued from page 5 Trip to Tulsa, Business After Hours, and more. Please go to longviewchamber.com to find out more.

We have hosted our first FREE webinar and have two (3) more slated with more in the works, starting tomorrow.

We were one of the first organizations in East Texas to launch a fact-driven resource page.

We are working with the business community to promote

how their business is responding to COVID19.

We are involved in state and national webinars to obtain the latest information and resources.

We have joined with chambers across the country as businesses and organizations to take a WE MEAN BUSINESS survey. Please take 3 minutes and help us collect vital information at

Page 8

• LISD schools earned 40 total distinctions on state accountability ratings, an increase from 34 earned last year, and the highest in the region.

• Each year HUNDREDS of out-of-district students transfer INTO into Longview Independent School District, citing “education opportunities” as their reason.

• International Baccalaureate project partners with “We Help Two” and sells “funky socks” to help supply legs and feet to amputees all over the world.

• Brand new partnership for innovation with East Texas Advanced Academies which will bring new funding and ideas to public education.

• Three campuses with national STEM certifications (Judson STEAM Academy, Bramlette STEAM Academy, and Ned E. Williams).

• Largest FREE public Montessori school (for 3-to-5 year-olds) in the Nation. Provided free of charge to Longview area children.

• Partnership with Longview Chamber of Commerce to help foster community partnerships and mentors for Ware students.

• Went totally ‘green’ on all building projects resulting in a $200,000 award from SWEPCO for energy conservation • Graduates matriculating to EMT, Cosmetology, welding, Culinary Arts, Meat and Butchering programs nationally.

• Eight-week Montessori training for other districts in Texas hosted by East Texas Montessori Prep Academy • Award-winning Theater Arts program with a director who has been with the district for more than 50 years.

• Raising Highly Capable Kids parenting class in partnership with Longview Chamber of Commerce.

• Horticulture Program harvests own bee hives to sell honey, wax, and wax products at FFA shows.

• LIFT program annually paying out close to $1 million in staff bonuses for improved testing scores.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

• Hosted Adjunct Fair for SFA to help employ Adjunct staff in Longview and through Longview ISD. • Purchased multiple pieces of strategic real estate, without increased debt, for future expansion.

• Every year of Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox tenure the LISD budget has been “in the black.”

• Local corporate partnerships with Eastman and Komatsu and Longview Manufacturing Academy.

• Hosted “Axe”epted East Texas meet and greet for area students attending SFA in Fall 2019.

• Lobo Band continuing their string of 69 consecutive first-level honors at State Sweepstakes.

• Bramlette STEAM Academy as National Capturing Kids’ Hearts national recognition/award.

• Partnerships in education with UT, SMU, Texas Tech, SFA, KC, LeTourneau, and UT-Tyler.

• “Playing for Keeps” childcare program for students with children, as well as LISD staffers.

• May 2019 hosted first LHS CTE Signing Day for students going to college or workforce.

• More than 100 teachers earned Project Based Learning certifications in Spring 2019.

• Multiple graduates with offers to Ivy League and other prestigious universities.

• Lobo University to help prepare students and parents for life after high school.

• 36 students graduate with Associates Degrees (50 projected in class of 2020).

• Longview ISD middle school students earn “Duke Scholar” honors every year • LISD farm-to-table program, partnering with local farmers for cafeteria produce.

• Award-winning elementary, middle school, and high school choir programs • Perfect scores on PSAT as middle schoolers from Foster Middle School.

• Only free public K-12 International Baccalaureate program in the world.

• Fall 2018 LHS donated more than 400 coats to KLTV’s Coats for Kids.

• Summer backpack program to make sure kids get fed year-round.

• Signing Santa to help deaf ed students communicate with “Santa.”

• Culinary Arts CTE student-led catering program began Fall 2018.

• Only International Baccalaureate program east of Interstate 45.

• More than 500 LHS students were taking dual-credit last year.

• 116 incoming Freshman applying for dual credit courses.

• State and National Technical Student Association winners.

• Orchestra offered at elementary, middle and high school.

• Named 2018 School Board of the Year from Region VIII. • More than 30 teachers with national STEM certifications.

• Wall of Honor honors Veteran alumni and their families.

• LHS music students annually perform at Carnegie Hall.

• Privatized custodial services to save taxpayer dollars.

• Gold Standard Award yearly for financial transparency.

• Less than 2 percent dropout rate at Longview High.

• Class of 2019 earned $8.5 million in scholarships.

• 236 unduplicated seniors with dual credit hours.

• Over 6500 hours of college by 2019 graduates.

• 6,531 semester credit hours for dual credit.

• Award-winning high school art program.

• 2018 UIL Academic District Champions.

• Class 6A State Football Champion.

• 2,601 Workforce hours earned.

• National Welding Champions.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

Page 9

Talking to your child about Coronavirus Whether through news reports, social media, school communications or from friends, it’s likely your child will hear about the new Coronavirus, named Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19. With so much being discovered about this virus, it can be normal for children to have questions or feel anxious about what they’re hearing.

Nicholas J. Westers, Psy.D., ABPP, a Children’s Health clinical psychologist and Associate Professor at UT Southwestern, recommends that parents be prepared to talk to their child about the situation in age-appropriate ways.

“As parents, we want to make sure we provide children with honest information that is appropriate for their age and comprehension level,” says Dr. Westers. “Creating a safe space for children to ask questions rather than dismissing their fears is an incredibly important way to help them feel safe and supported.”

Dr. Westers recommends the following tips when talking to your child about Coronavirus to help decrease anxiety.

CHECK IN, LISTEN

If you think your child may have questions or concerns about the COVID-19, start the conversation by asking what they’ve heard to gauge their knowledge and understanding

of the disease. Parents can have these conversations around the dinner table or when driving together in the car. Avoid downplaying the seriousness of the situation by saying things like, “Don’t worry about it.”

Instead, encourage your child to ask questions, even if you don’t know all the answers. What’s most important is that you listen to your child’s concerns, validate their feelings and keep communication open.

“Reassure your child that you are available to talk,” recommends Dr. Westers. “Even if you aren’t sure how to answer their questions, you can reassure them by saying things like, ‘As we find out more informa-

tion, we’ll let you know’ or ‘If you hear something about this, please ask us.’”

MONITOR MEDIA EXPOSURE

Help your child create healthy boundaries when it comes to media coverage surrounding COVID-19. If your child is old enough (adolescents and teenagers), watch limited news reports or read the news together to encourage conversation. However, make sure to use reputable news sources and take breaks from the news as well.

“There’s a difference between being consciously aware and becoming so preoccupied with a topic that we become obsessed,”

says Dr. Westers.

ENCOURAGE SELF-CARE

Self-care is important for all aspects of life but can be especially helpful when calming anxiety. Self-care can mean different things for each child, but can involve: Taking media breaks Teaching digital health, such as having “no phone” times and keeping technology out of the bedroom Maintaining a routine and consistent schedule Finding activities your child can enjoy, even if regular activities are limited or canceled due to social distancing recommendations

BOARD |Continued from page 3 time, we’ve got to do whatever we can to provide as much continuity for our students and staff as possible.”

According to both resolutions approved by trustees, LISD will provide additional paid leave to all regular employees (contractual and non-contractual, salaried and non-salaried) who are instructed not to report to work due to pandemic fears.

The measures are effective as of Monday, March 16, the first day of public school closings due to concerns over the spread of the Coronavirus, and is effective until campuses return to regular class schedule “at the discretion of district officials.”

“We remain in dialogue with state officials on how all this is going shake out from a fiscal standpoint,” said Joey Jones, Chief Financial Officer for LISD. “But in the meantime, we want to ensure that our staff does not suffer financially for forces well beyond anyone’s control.”

ELECTIONS SET FOR NOV. 3

“I strongly encourage local election officials to take advan-

a land exchange with the Longview Economic Development Corp. (LEDCO) for property at 400 N. Second St. Back in January the LEDCO board approved giving LISD four lots in the Longview North Business Park — next to the Judson campus — in exchange for the Second Street property.

LEDCO plans to build a new office at the site of the former Longview High School and T.G. Field Auditorium.

FORE MORE INFO

tage of these waivers and postpone their elections until November,” Gov. Abbott said last week. “Right now, the state’s focus is responding to COVID-19 — including social distancing and avoiding large gatherings.

By delaying this election, our local election officials can assist in that effort.”

A memo from Texas Secretary of State Director of Elections Keith Ingram notes that, for entities deciding to postpone their election, candidate filings

and ballot order actions will be preserved as-is.

Terms for Place 2 trustee Ava Welge and Place 4 trustee Ginia Northcutt are expiring, with both members planning to run for re-election.

Northcutt drew no opponent, but local attorney Brett Miller has filed to run against Welge in Place 4.

Trustees are elected to serve three-year terms.

LEDCO LAND SWAP Trustees also approved

Trustees usually meet in the boardroom of the LISD Education Support Center, but often set special-called meetings at various locations around the district. The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. April 13th.

Due to public health protocols currently in place, the public will not be admitted into the trustees’ boardroom. The meeting will also be streamed online at the district’s Facebook page Facebook. com/LongviewISD. For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees please go to lisd.org.

Page 10

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

CHOOSE

R LONGVIEW

SCHOOL

APPLY NOW

ChooseLISD.org

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

SPORTS

Page 11

SERVING UP A WIN Longview Tennis Invitational Tournament hosts 25 teams

T

he Lobo tennis teams hosted their invitational tournament on Thursday, March 5, seeing 25 teams attend.

Congratulations to Simran Kortikere, taking first in girls singles, making her spring record 10-1. She defeated Macias from Mesquite Horn. The score was 6-0, 1-0 before she had to retire with injury.

Jake Chamberlain took 2nd in the boys singles event, losing to Ben Kiblinger 1-6,1-6 from All Saints Private Schools in Tyler.

Gowri Rangu/Elizabeth Wall took 2nd in girls doubles event, losing to Meagan Morris and Grace von Eschenbach from Tyler Lee 3-6, 3-6 in the final.

Tyler lee took first with 105 points.

Longview placed 2nd in team points with 85.

Willis Point placed 3rd with 55.

Thanks to the Longview tennis booster for sponsoring the event.

Special thanks to Dustin Eberhart & Darrell Rachels for volunteering to run Spring Hill and LeTourneau as site directors for the event.

Former LHS baseball coach passes away, 79 Andy Malone retired 10 years ago as the Longview High school baseball coach.

He passed away Friday, March 20.

A three-sport athlete and 1959 graduate of Longview High School, he attended Louisiana Tech on a football scholarship. There he met MALONE his wife, Suzanne Michaud.

Andy began his coaching career at Hallsville High School where he coached his two youngest brothers, Jerry and Danny. Over his 42 year career, he coached football, basketball, and baseball, and touched so many lives. Four of his

baseball teams qualified for the state tournament in Austin including New Diana in 1980 and Beckville in 2001. In 1987 and 1988 Malone led Abilene Cooper to back to back state 5A titles. He retired in 2007 having amassed 841 career wins on the baseball field.

In 2009, Malone was inducted into the Abilene Cooper High School Hall of Fame.

He was inducted into both the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. Throughout his career, Andy had an abundance of outstanding young players who believed in what he was trying to teach as well as many hard working and supportive assistant coaches.

Page 12

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

Williams asks Redskins to trade or release

By Stephen Whyno Associated Press WASHINGTON — Trent Williams wants the Redskins to trade or release him.

Williams graduated from Longview High School in 2006 and was a unanimous first-team all-district selection as a WILLIAMS senior.

The agent for Washington’s longtime starting left tackle released a statement Tuesday asking the team to make a move with Williams. In the statement sent to The Associated Press, Vince Taylor cited “irreconcilable differences” that pushed the relationship between Williams and the team to this point.

“Although Trent Williams will always love and respect Dan Snyder, his teammates, and the Washington Redskins’ fans, he wants to be traded or released,” Taylor said. “It’s time for the organization to act in a manner that is in both Williams’ and the team’s best interest.”

Williams sat out the entire 2019 season because of a dispute with the front office. The Redskins did not trade him before the Oct. 29 deadline, with Taylor saying they were “unable (or unwilling)” to do so.

In November, Williams revealed he had cancer and said that situation led him to distrust the Redskins’ medical staff and organization as a whole. The 31-year-old at the time said “there’s no trust there” with president Bruce Allen, who was

fired after Washington’s 3-13 season.

The medical staff also was overhauled, and new coach Ron Rivera took control of football operations. Rivera spoke with Williams and it seemed like there was hope to repair the relationship.

Instead, the Redskins gave Williams’ representatives permission to seek trading partners.

So far, nothing has materialized.

“The Redskins have shown no interest in negotiating in good

faith, and, in fact, have given inconsistent demands on what it wants in return for a trade,” Taylor said.

Aside from his emotional locker room meeting with reporters in early November, Williams has not spoken much publicly about his situation. Taylor said Williams also has not pursued legal action against the team.

“This seems to not be a successful strategy,” Taylor said.

“Players who are outwardly critical of the team do get traded.”

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

Page 13

Hasty meets with the Texans at NFL Combine

By Patrick D. Starr Sports Illustrated According to Mark Lane, the Texans Wire, the Houston Texans met with Baylor running back Jamycal Hasty at the NFL Combine. The Texans and Hasty had an informal meeting on Wednesday.

The Texans have forty-five interviews allowed by the NFL and with less than last season, all meetings with

HASTY

prospects are just as important during the week.

Hasty graduated from Longview High School in 2015. During his time on varsity, he had an average rushing yards of 7.5, 9 rushing TDs with a total of 12 TDs. In 2019, Hasty rushed for 627 yards and seven touchdowns while catching 25 passes for 184 yards. He also returned kicks for the Bears.

For his career, Hasty rushed for 1,998 yards with 15 rushing touchdowns averaging 5.2 yards a carry and 44.4 yards a game. His best season came his senior season despite not starting a single game his final season in Waco.

Amazing virtual field trips for kids while campuses are closed

By Kimmie Fink We Are Teachers Field trip out of the question?

Think again. Thanks to technology, it’s now possible for kids to visit all kinds of places from the comfort of their classroom (or home!). We’ve compiled a list of the best virtual field trips for you, so enjoy your “visit”!

Note: For anyone who needs it, YouTube offers a closed captioning option. Just click CC button at the bottom right hand corner.

THE ZOO

There are so many amazing online options when it comes to zoos that we couldn’t narrow it down to just one. Most zoos have live webcams in some of their most popular exhibits, such as the Panda Cam at Zoo Atlanta.

However, some zoos offer a more in-depth look. You’ll definitely want to check out the San Diego Zoo. Their site for kids includes behind-the-scenes videos and stories, as well as a variety of printable activities and online games.

locate planets, and watch sunrises and solar eclipses. If you enter your location, you can see all the constellations that are visible in the night sky in your corner of the world.

VOLCANOES

The U.S. Geological Survey monitors volcanoes in the United States. Their interactive map allows you to click on and learn about any volcano in the country.

THE AQUARIUM

It’s a similar story with aquariums. You have your pick of live webcams, but our favorites are the Georgia Aquarium’s Ocean Voyager webcam (wait for the whale shark!) and the “jellycam” at Monterey Bay Aquarium (so soothing). You can get a more traditional, “self-guided” virtual tour of the National Aquarium, whereas the Seattle Aquarium has a 30-minute video tour.

THE FARM

The classic preschool field trip goes online! Farm Fresh 360 allows you to immerse

yourself in Canadian farm and food tours—from raising pigs to making milk and cheese.

We’re also loving these virtual egg farm field trips from the American Egg Board.

A PLANETARIUM

Through Star Atlas, kids can explore over 60,000 stars,

NATURE

The Nature Conservancy offers 11 virtual field trips that allow students to do everything from exploring a coastal rainforest while in a canoe to unlocking the secrets of coral reefs in the Dominican Republic. Each video is about 45 minutes long.

Page 14

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

JOHNSTON-MCQUEEN

WARE EAST TEXAS MONTESSORI ACADEMY

JUDSON

601 W Garfield Ave.

259

EAST TEXAS MONTESSORI PREP ACADEMY

LONGVIEW HS

400 N Eastman Rd.

J.L. EVERHART

281

JOHNSTONMCQUEEN ELEMENTARY

BRAMLETTE FOREST PARK

80

EARLY GRADUATION

BRAMLETTE STEAM ACADEMY

ETX MONTESSORI PREP S. WARD

WARE

422 FM 2751

FOSTER

111 Tupelo Dr.

HUDSON PEP

31 20

NED E. WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY 5230 Estes Pkwy.

J.L. EVERHART ELEMENTARY

149

2919 Tryon Rd. NED E. WILLIAMS

HUDSON PEP ELEMENTARY 1311 Lilly St.

SOUTH WARD ELEMENTARY

1011 S Mobberly Ave. JUDSON STEAM ACADEMY 5745 Judson Rd.

FOREST PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL

1644 N Eastman Rd. FOSTER MIDDLE

1504 S Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

LONGVIEW HIGH SCHOOL

201 E Tomlinson Pkwy.

EARLY GRADUATION HIGH SCHOOL 410 S Green St.

Registration Begins Soon Now, it’s your turn to learn more:

Visit ChooseLISD.org or call 903-381-2200.

Paid for by the MSAP funds.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

Page 15

Higher Ed must do more for rural college grads

By Allen Schaidle The Daily Yonder For America’s college students who leave behind their rural communities to pursue higher education, graduation brings challenges different from those their urban and suburban peers face.

Hidden in plain sight, rural college students and their tribulations often go unnoticed.

Less than a third of rural young people ages 18 to 24 are enrolled in colleges or universities, compared to nearly half of young people from the cities, according to the National Center for Education Statistics Rural students are less likely

to consider their rural communities as sustainable post-graduation destinations. As a result, when rural students go to college, they envision their futures far from the communities that

raised them.

Rural students deserve support. College faculty and administrators, particularly student affairs and career services administrators, have the ca-

pacity to counsel rural students through their economic and social worries.

Sarah Smarsh, author of “Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth”, describes the town she grew up in rural south-central Kansas as “a place people said was dying.” This kind of thinking weighs heavily on the minds of rural students as they plan their post-graduation employment.

COVID-19 or any other topic, and the anxiety persists for more than a couple weeks and interferes with their day-to-day functioning, seek help from a mental Grads|Continued to page 17

Universities ramp up online teaching amid pandemic

By Shannon Najmabadi The Texas Tribune They’re in training. They spend weekends poking around video conference tools. They’re in online forums asking each other how to hide messy home offices from their student audiences.

Since most students won’t be sitting in classrooms in the coming months, professors and faculty at the state’s universities are preparing en masse to start teaching online. While many are used to virtual tools like Zoom or Blackboard, others have spent most of their teaching years in front of actual blackboards and are nervously embracing the unsettled academic world spawned by the spread of the new Coronavirus.

“I saw a lot of posts over the weekend about hiding the chaos of your home office,” said Anne Lewis, an associate professor of practice with the University of Texas at Austin, who’s perused Facebook groups with names like “Pandemic Pedagogy” to prepare. “Somebody else says in the comments, ‘My home office is a corner of my sofa.’”

The transition is marked by uncertainty, especially over how campus officials will reformat labs, art classes and other courses that don’t lend themselves to remote instruction.

But with experts expecting the virus to disrupt the country’s operations for months, Texas colleges are postponing commencements and telling students to go home. Campuses — usually bustling milieus

of densely packed lectures, dorms, self-service dining halls and club meetings — are taking precautions to disperse big gatherings, and professors are taking in-person lectures and small group sections and rejiggering them to be delivered through a webcam at home.

Faculty say they’re steeling themselves for a potentially bumpy ride. Some seem excited about the transition and confident in students’ ability to adapt.

Page 16

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

OBITUARIES Longview ISD offers our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of these former Lobos LARRY JOE BOSWELL Larry Joe Boswell died on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, from complications of flu and pneumonia. Larry was born February 9, 1941 in Longview.

Larry was the first child of Elton and Imogene Boswell. He was active in Scouting, having earned the rank of Eagle Scout at age fifteen. “Boz” loved all BOSWELL sports, and especially excelled in track and football, being named football 1st Team All District as a Longview Lobo.

He was the first in his family to earn a college degree, graduating from the University of North Texas, majoring in Business and Psychology. He was in the multi-line insurance business for forty years, serving as an officer and on the Board of Directors of an insurance company.

He also served as an officer in the Civitan Club, Sons of Confederate Veterans, and various insurance associations. He served as a Deacon in the Church of Christ for many years in Dallas and Longview. Larry was very active in his church, having taught Bible school and small group adult classes for many years. He married Virginia Pliler in 1963, his high school sweetheart, who was the love his life and the only girl he ever went ‘steady’ with. They were happily married nearly 57 years.

Larry is survived by his son, Clay Boswell and his spouse Shelli, and their children Christopher, Justin, and Rachel, as well as his daughter Christi Boswell Ream and her spouse Michael, and their

BETTY KHOURY FALCO Betty Khoury Falco went to be with the Lord on Monday, March 23, 2020.

Betty was born in Longview, Texas to Dr. Sam and Virginia Khoury on February 19, 1939.

She began ballet dancing at the age of 5. Her passion for dancing was her motivation to become a Kilgore College RanFALCO gerette. Betty graduated from Longview High School and went on to attend and graduate from Kilgore Junior College where she fulfilled her dream of being a Kilgore College Rangerette from 1956 – 1958.

children Emma and Grayson. Larry enjoyed life with his grandchildren, and he was so proud that they all excelled academically and in sports. He especially enjoyed working and playing with them on the family farm, fishing, cooking on the bonfires, shooting beavers, and building barbed wire fences together.

Larry and Virginia have been retired for 17 years, and very much enjoyed living on the family farm. Larry enjoyed working on his John Deere tractor, making major improvements on the farm and around the lake, and was proud of their orchard and gardens. Larry and Virginia enjoyed their many close friends and traveling not only to areas in North America, but also to many international cities in England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Germany, the Holy Lands, and other countries.

He was supportive of the Oglesby Foundation in Dallas and in mission work in Honduras. Larry was predeceased by his parents and by his younger brother, Gary. He is survived by his beloved wife Virginia, children Clay and Christi, and their spouses Shelli and Michael, and grandchildren Christopher Boswell and his wife Samantha and their son Tristen, Justin Boswell, Rachel Boswell, Emma Ream, and Grayson Ream, two nephews Tray and Jay Boswell, as well as many cousins, and extended family members.

The family wants to thank Dr. Frase and the ICU staff at Longview Regional. In lieu of flowers, Larry requested that donations be sent to his favorite ministry that creates scholarships for student preachers: The Oglesby Foundation, Waterview Church of Christ, 1409 N Waterview, Richardson, TX 75080 Throughout her life she worked mostly in the medical field.

Betty loved her family and friends, playing bingo, and was an avid Texas Ranger baseball fan. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Richard Khoury, Sr. and Judge Alvin G. Khoury.

She is survived by her sons, Charles Falco of Longview and David Falco of Kilgore. Grandchildren: Christopher Falco of Longview, Brittany Falco of Longview, Chase Falco of Hallsville, and Hunter Falco of Kilgore. She also leaves behind her beloved Yorkshire Terrier “Bambi”.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center 303 H. G. Moseley Parkway, Longview, TX 75604

RAY GEORGE BEATY Ray George Beaty, 87 of Longview, TX went to his Heavenly home surrounded by his loving family and friends on March 20, BEATY 2020.

Ray was born on December 10, 1932 in Bristow, OK. The family later moved to Longview where he remained his entire life and left lasting memories on all he came in contact with.

He proudly served his country in the United States Navy and worked at Texas Eastman until he started Beaty Construction.

He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years Janet (Susie).

Children; Jean Ann Werner and husband Roy, Kellye Beth Wright and husband Jeff and Steven Daniel Williamson.

Ray was preceded in death by his son Brad, who is survived by his wife Reneau. Grandchildren; Brent Beaty, Taylor Martin, Trevor Martin, Bree Martin, Brock Martin, Lexie Osburn and husband Scott, Spencer Wright, Whitney Wright, Colten Gibson, Carmyn Darby and husband Jay, Barick Werner, Aubrey Werner, Zane Werner, Katie Williamson and Daniel Williamson, and many others who called him Pops.

Due to the current public health situation the family will have a private graveside service at East Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints” Psalm 116:15

PUBLIC NOTICES LISD accepting competitive requests for proposals for Contracted Educational Services

Longview Independent School District (LISD) is accepting competitive requests for proposals for Contracted Educational Services for the 2019-20 school year and under the guidance of EDGAR and approval of funding made available for services to be rendered. Awards will be considered NON-EXCLUSIVE, ones by which multiple vendors may be designated as suppliers for the goods and/or services covered under the terms of the contract for the duration of said contract. Contracted Educational Service providers will be used on an as-needed basis throughout the District to provide services to students and staff. Please contact Sheri Broadwater at 903-381-2260 to obtain a proposal packet, or download one from below. Proposals must be addressed as follows: Attn: Sheri Broadwater, and clearly marked “#2001 CS-RFP-CONTRACTED EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.” Proposals will be accepted throughout the school year on an ongoing basis until 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2020, at the LISD Education Support Center, 1301 East Young Street, Longview, Texas, or mailed to P. O. Box 3268, Longview, TX 75606. Longview ISD reserves the right to accept or reject any or all of the bids submitted in the best interest of the District. For more information, got to lisd.org .

Attention readers, do you have a friend or loved one who was a Lobo that has recently passed? We would be honored to pay tribute to them in The Longview Voice. Please send the obituary and mug to ask@lisd.org .

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

Page 17

A lot is happening, but the census still matters When it comes to the 2020 census...You are not invisible.

You count.

Filling out the 2020 Census is an easy action everyone can take right now, wherever you are. You can do the census: Online at my2020census. gov.

By calling 1-844-330-2020.

By calling TTD 1-844-4672020.

By filling out a paper form you may get in the mail and sending it back by mail.

WHY DOES THE CENSUS MATTER FOR YOUR? Congress uses the census to decide how to spend $675 billion every year for healthcare, special education, and SNAP benefits—supports that people with disabilities need to live in the community.

A 1% undercount in Texas means losing out on $300 mil-

lion a year: a loss of $3 billion over 10 years.

Texas could get up to 4 additional representatives in Congress if every Texan is counted. That means issues important to Texans will be shared more widely with federal lawmakers.

IS THE CENSUS ACCESSIBLE? Yes. The census is accessible to everyone. There is video in sign language to help you complete it. It is in various languages. In April, there will be braille and large-print guides available.

CAN SOMEONE HELP ME FILL OUT MY CENSUS? Yes. You can ask someone you trust to help you fill out the census, or you can call and ask for help from the U.S. Census Bureau at the phone numbers at the top of this email.

GRADS |Continued from page 15 health professional.

Change, not stability, characterizes rural America’s economy. Historically, rural economies have been less protected from economic hardship, argues Dr. David Brown, emeritus professor of development sociology at Cornell University, in Rural America in a Globalizing World.

As first-hand witnesses to the financial volatility in their hometowns, rural students question if they can achieve the lifestyles of previous rural generations.

Although agriculture, forestry, and mining will remain essential industries, service and retail professions currently account for most of the job growth in rural America.

BEDS |Continued from page 7 boat this week trying to figure out what our options are. We are going to be working under new normals. I think everybody understands that we’re going to have to learn to live in a world of social distancing.”

Employees have already moved equipment out of a wellness center and reserved the third floor for isolated patients. Scoggin expects the hospital could nearly double its capacity by adding a cot or second bed to each room, and it will add 10 rooms this week by repurposing hospital space.

Hard-hit states like New York have planned temporary hospitals and are considering using university dormitories as overflow facilities. A military hospital ship has been dispatched to California to relieve the pressure on the local health care system, and another is expected to go to New York, which is converting a convention complex into a medical facility.

In Texas, Abbott said medical tents and vacated health care facilities may be used.

The National Guard will “be involved in the process of standing up these additional health care facilities of whatever type.

They could be medical tents, which is what the hospital CEOs told me was their first choice,” he said Sunday.

DOES THE CENSUS COST MONEY? No. It is free to fill out the census. If someone asks for money, a donation, or account numbers to fill out the census, it is a scam and you should not provide that information.

DO YOU NEED A SS# TO FILL IT OUT? No. And if someone asks for a social security number to do the census, it is a scam.

DOES THE CENSUS ASK ABOUT CITIZENSHIP? No. IS THE CENSUS PRIVATE? Yes. By law, your answers are private.

P.S. We are working on an easy-to-understand how-to video about completing the census. If you have questions like those above that you’d like to see answered, please email us by March 23, at media@theartcofttexas.org!

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

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AWARD |Continued from page 1

“I feel honored to be able to speak for a demographic that’s been silenced by society if you don’t fit this cookie-cutter shape,” Jackson said. “Women have never been made to fit into a cookie cutter shape. People have never been made that way.”

Longview native Jackson got started in pageantry in 2014 when she lost 120 pounds after working to get healthier. She then decided to do the scariest thing she could think of: competing in the Texas contest of Miss Black USA. “I did it, and guess what, I failed horribly,” she said. “I went and spent way too much and invested all this money.”

However, the story continued when Nanette Weeks, one of the pageant clinic advisers, asked to help Jackson in her next pageant.

Weeks said Jackson didn’t fit the brand for that pageant, and she started coaching her. Watts and Jackson grew to have a mentorship, which later became a mother-daughter type relationship.

“I saw something in her because she speaks very well and she’s poised,” Weeks said. “I had the pleasure of seeing her win every pageant afterward.”

About a year later, she got a call from Weeks about the Ms. American Elegance Woman Pageant for Texas. Watts encouraged her to participate and paid for her entry. Jackson won the title for Texas and later won the national title and several other honors.

“You got to find your fit in pageantry,” Jackson said. “I kind of wanted to do something that challenged me. I found that the biggest thing that I dealt with was myself.”

She went on to compete in the Miss All World Beauties and won in the married women division.

She called competing in Miss Plus the most challenging thing she’s ever done. Ultimately, a lesson in patience from Weeks helped her.

“If it’s your time but not your season, it won’t grow appropriately,” she said. “When it’s time and season for you, it’s for you.

A lot of women who were there were amazing. It was just my time and season.”

She now represents plus-sized women globally through her role as the second titleholder of Ms. Plus Intercontinental.

“I believe it’s really important for women to see you can be beautiful at any age and any size,” Jackson said. “I am a spokesmodel for the plus-sized demographic.”

Weeks founded the Miss Plus World pageant in 2018 with

friend Constance Zehner. The contest has two categories: Miss Plus World (women ages 20 to 39) and Ms. Plus Intercontinental (women ages 40 and above).

She said there are several plussize pageants in the U.S., but just a few international contests.

Miss Plus World is meant to promote sisterhood and cultural awareness.

“She’s very humble. She tries hard to fulfill her duty,” Weeks said. “She’s always thinking what else can I do to make an impact. I’ve seen her confidence level increase, especially in pageantry.”

Through the pageant process, Jackson said she has learned the importance of women owning who they are and being able to be leaders.

She remembers standing out in middle school as the 5’8” girl when everyone else was 5’1.” She was also the 50-yard line dancer for the Longview High School Viewettes. She hopes her experiences can help young girls who feel different and show they are loved.

“I was just made with rubber skin. I think if you really want to change a nation, build women, and you will see a residual change that permeates through everything,” Jackson said. “I don’t care if you’re big or small.

It doesn’t matter. I just think we thick ones have a little bit more potential energy in there to extend. I’ve never been apologetic whether I was bigger or smaller.”

Jackson explained that her parents taught her some of the most intriguing people are different, which benefited in life and the pageant contests.

She said the judges want to see people comfortable in their own skin, be able to represent the brand and do something that leaves an impression. For her, the most important thing is to live a healthy life, but not for anyone else.

“I do believe every person has been made beautiful,” she said.

“All of us have the opportunity to show our own personal beauty.

Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph

Confidence radiates.”

Outside of the pageant scene, she is also a book author, educator, community volunteer, pastor, mother, and wife.

She said her time doing mission work around the world while in college got her invested in people and helping them.

When her father got sick, she was inspired to go from medical to pharmacy school.

“I really wanted to know how drugs did what they did to the human body,” Jackson said. “I saw his whole life shift, and that was enough of a persuader for me to venture into pharmacy.”

The experiences of higher education and mission work helped show her the diversity of opportunities available.

“I never saw an African-American woman as a pharmacist in Longview. I never knew women as pharmacists,” she said. “It was only Caucasian males in white coats, and I didn’t know how broad the field was.”

She also teaches biology at Texas College as an adjunct professor and teaches classes at her husband’s church, Temple of Deliverance and Healing (TODAH) church in Tyler, where she became a pastor in December.

Her husband, Laramie, founded the international church group in 2012 in Longview. They later moved the church to a former salon at 130 N. Glenwood Blvd. in Tyler. They have two children, a

9-year-old son, and 3-year-old daughter.

Laramie Jackson said his wife is persistent and doesn’t give up until she accomplishes her goal.

“She’s a very hard worker. It’s exciting because I get to see her in her element,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting to be married to a beauty queen.”

Patric Taylor, who has been friends with the Jacksons for five years, called them loyal, accountable and pillars in the community. She said Jennifer Jackson is confident in herself and what she does.

“She’s like a take-charge (type) person, pushing people to achieve their highest potential,” Taylor said. “She empowers them to embrace change and not be complacent, but work toward their ultimate goals in life.”

Jackson is also a co-author of a series of two collaboration books, “She Is The Ish,” with fellow pageant queens about lessons in empowerment. The first is subtitled “This Is Your Superpower!” and the second is “Crown Me Queen.”

“I run the way I do because it’s the season to do it. When it’s time for me to sit down, I’ll sit down,” she said. “I serve to impact where I live. It’s really important because my babies are here and I want to see their mom and dad helping here. We do things without the desire of being seen.”

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 27, 2020

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