Volume V, Issue 34 (November 15, 2020)

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it.” ― Malcom X

Vol. V November 15, 2020

Sharing the good news about Longview Independent School District

MUSICALLY GOOD TIME LHS theatre department performs ‘Into the Woods’

T

he Longview High twined, with the main School theatre is characters coming from heading “Into the the tales “Little Red RidWoods” for their latest ing Hood”, “Jack and the musical production!

Beanstalk”, “Cinderella”, Brothers Grimm and and “Rapunzel” and more.

Charles Perrault have It wouldn’t be a grim their fairy tales interMusic|Continued to page 13

The final performance of “Into the Woods” is 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15. Tickets are $8. Masks are required and social distance seating will be observed.

Foster honors America’s veterans

By JJ Maldonado CBS19 Veterans were honored Wednesday with lunch, thank you cards and handdrawn photos at Foster Middle School.

“We’re going to provide them with a box lunch of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, sides,” Blake Langley, assistant principal, said. “Just trying to show a little appreciation for them.”

ROTC students handed out thank you cards and lunches to veterans during the drive-thru event.

“Veterans Day means a lot to me because if it wasn’t for the ones who fought for us we wouldn’t be standing here right now,” Trinkeyfey, 8th-grade student, said.

Veterans who drove through say they felt appreciated by the luncheon.

“Especially us from the Vietnam era,” veteran David Applegate said.

Honor|Continued to page 19

District laptops finally arrive, handed out In October, over 2,600 Chromebooks that had been ordered earlier in the year by the school district finally arrived.

During the first week of November, campuses started handing out the laptops, with the rollout happening over the course of the month.

“The district is still embrac-

THE

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ongview oice

ing remote learning as well as on-campus learning, and we want to ensure that every student has a Chromebook to help them with their school work,” said Chief Financial Officer Joey Jones.

Back in March, Longview ISD identified the need for Chrome|Continued to page 7

Opinion Coming Events

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Veterans 4 Sports 11

Obituaries Social

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

OPINION

Four steps to improving college

By Angel Pérez Education Dive Our nation’s future is at risk.

While higher education has always been perceived as a great equalizer, our deeply entrenched social inequities have put college out of reach for too many Americans, inhibiting our country from truly prospering. If we don’t take aggressive action in the wake of the crisis we confront in 2020, it will be difficult to recover from deep economic and social divides.

College admission officers are often blamed for not admitting enough poor and underrepresented students, but the truth is, the tools they are given to work with are deeply flawed. Testing, essays, recommendation letters, interviews and co-curricular activities are traditionally used in evaluation and often favor wealthy applicants. Even when admission officers want to admit more poor students, they simply can’t. The higher education funding structure results in most

colleges lacking the proper financial resources to admit as many disadvantaged students as they would like to while covering full financial need.

Maximizing the benefits of higher education starts with putting students back at the center of the system. Here’s how it can be done.

bersome and bureaucratic. Research shows that many students don’t complete the process due to its navigational difficulty. To ensure the on-ramp to higher education becomes student-centric, our policies and actions must PÉREZ make the process easy to follow. Removing unnecessary barriers will require a PUBLIC GOOD Education beyond high school fundamental reimagining of the entire college application process. benefits all — the students who receive it and the society in EVERYONE’S RIGHT which they live. Restoring our If data shows that postsecondcollective faith in the value of col- ary education gives individuals a lege requires reorienting govern- better chance at prosperity, then ment policy to reestablish a more it should be a human right. Not robust higher education system. only will policymakers need to This includes a national movemake this a priority, but colleges ment to increase need-based will need to realign their acfinancial aid and less reliance on tions with inclusive values. This student loans. means emphasizing student-centered, ethical procedures and ELIMINATE diversity at all levels — from the HURDLES staffing of admission offices to Our admission and financial the types of students they seek aid processes are complex, cumto enroll — and committing to

examining and addressing the ways the institution limits opportunities. Institutions will need to place less emphasis on rankings and prestige, and more on student success.

VOTE

Everyone has a stake in the nation’s educated citizenry. Parents want their children to prosper. Employers desire a prepared workforce, and every community wants prosperous residents contributing to a thriving tax base.

We must use our vote to hold elected officials accountable for adequate postsecondary education funding.

Widening the pathways to higher education isn’t a social justice movement, it’s an economic imperative. If predictions about the future of work insist that postsecondary education is required for America to remain competitive, our nation must immediately change course.

— Angel Pérez is the CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

It’s time to start paying college athletes

By John Thompson Jr. The New York Times College sports has a lot of hypocrisy. I believe it’s time for the N.C.A.A. to stop pretending that education is its top priority and pay college athletes.

Universities are supposed to be educational institutions, but for too many of them, their selfworth is tied to winning. When you win, you make more TV money. The school receives more alumni donations and student applications. Local businesses fill up with more customers. Enrollment increases, which brings more revenue.

The N.C.A.A. is run by universities, so it has a conflict of interest between education and money. We all know how that conflict turns out. I once spoke to a meeting of athletic directors and told them, “All you administrators preach education, but you vote money. When it’s time to make rules, you vote for the rules that will make everybody the most money.” I’m not saying that voting money is bad.

I’m saying let’s call it what it is. Capitalism is the system we operate in. College basketball

is subject to the laws of adapt. For many years, supply and demand.

I resisted the idea of The amateurism of paying players. I felt big-time college sports that it would be too hard is antiquated and needs to change the system, to be redefined. We and that paying playshouldn’t act like going ers would create more to college is a religious problems than it solved. experience for everyI thought we had dug body. The best basketour own grave so deep THOMPSON ball players right now we couldn’t throw the are not going to college shovel out. But recently, for an education. They are going I changed my mind. to college for less than a year At this point, I believe the to make millions in the pros, best course for college basketwhich can be a smart decision. ball is sharing revenue with Pretty soon, very few of the best players. I’ve been joking for players will attend college at all. years that whenever a blueMost of them will go straight blood school commits a violation, to the N.B.A., the G League or the N.C.A.A. puts a historically overseas — or just stay home Black college on probation. Now and work out. those jokes don’t sound so funThe problem is, there aren’t ny anymore, because some big enough jobs for all the high schools are on federal wiretaps school kids who think they are talking about paying kids and pro material. These kids won’t the N.C.A.A. is taking years to care about academics, because do anything about it. they think they’re going to the Everybody within college N.B.A. The ones who don’t make basketball knows which schools it, which will be many if not are buying players — illegally most of them, would have been offering cash or other gifts to much better off with a college players or their families to coneducation. vince them to attend and play at But the world is changing, their schools. The whole system and college athletics needs to is filthy with it, well beyond the

few schools publicly named by the N.C.A.A. Since the N.C.A.A. won’t hold everyone accountable, paying players might as well be legal. Schools that don’t pay for players have an extremely hard time competing for championships, and coaches who don’t cheat can barely hold on to their jobs, because their losses against the cheaters are counted against them.

The N.C.A.A. is also teaching young athletes that the way to succeed in life is to break rules, not follow them. We are abdicating our responsibility to act on the rules we make and corrupting the educational mission that universities are supposed to have. It seems that the N.C.A.A. is making players into thieves.

It feels like entrapment.

If I were coaching right now, I would cheat, too. I would pay for players, because if I didn’t I would lose to the cheaters and get fired. The N.C.A.A. has almost given coaches no other choice but to cheat if they want to compete for championships.

— Mr. Thompson, who died in August, was Georgetown University’s basketball coach from 1972-1999.

This essay is adapted from his forthcoming autobiography.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

Page 3

C I N ASEYOU MIS SED I T TCIS Food Drive

All six TCIS schools—Hudson PEP Elementary School, Ned E. Williams Steam Academy, South Ward Elementary School, Foster Middle School, Judson Steam Academy, and Longview High School—are participating in the City of Longview Food Drive in preparation for the food distribution at Maude Cobb Convention Center during the week of Thanksgiving. Schools are encouraging students to bring canned or dried food items for the next two weeks to the schools. Different schools are hosting contests among classes to see which class can bring the most food. Longview High School is hosting a contest among clubs

Holiday Events in East Texas

Nov. 6 through Jan. 1: Camela’s Magical Santa Land, 6085 Highway 259 N, Longview Nov. 13 — 11th annual A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, 1410 S College Ave, Tyler Nov. 14 — A Very Derrick Christmas, Downtown Kilgore Nov. 14 — Gladewater Holiday Open House, Downtown Gladewater Nov. 19 — Christmas Extravaganza, Hangers of Hope in Tyler (Both locations)

Did we miss your district news?

Did we miss district campus or organization news? Send us the pertinent information to ask@LISD.org and we’ll include it in our next issue!

ETAA Food Drive

East Texas Advanced Academies and its network schools (ETMPA, Bramlette STEAM Academy, Johnston-McQueen, JL Everhart, Ware East Texas Montessori Academy, Forest Park Middle School) are pleased to be participating in the Food Drive for Hwy 80 Rescue Mission.

Donations from students, staff, and family members will be collected at each school through November 12, 2020. It is an honor to be able to support the community in this effort.

Nov. 28 — Wonderland of Lights Wassail Walk, Downtown Marshall Dec. 1 — 90th Annual Kilgore Christmas Parade, Downtown Kilgore Dec. 1 — Light Up the Park, Hallsville City Park Dec. 2 through Dec. 5 — Mistletoe & Magic, Harvey Convention Center in Tyler Dec. 5 — Holidaze in the Garden, Longview Arboretum and Nature Center Dec. 10 — Longview Christmas Market, Infinity Event Center & Ballroom in Longview

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

HONORING OUR VETERANS

Motorcade gives students chance to thank our veterans

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eterans were shown appreciation for their sacrifice Thursday, Nov. 12, by students at Longview ISD. A motorcade drove through LHS with the Big Green Marching Machine performing while students

were present, showing their appreciation. Students at Judson were also given the opportunity to thank the veterans.

Longview Independent School District would like to thank all veterans for their service to our country.

THANK YOU THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

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During this difficult time for our community, we are so thankful for the many local restaurants who are offering delivery, drive-thru, and carry-out service for the convenience and safety of our families. Longview ISD is glad to say ‘Thank You’ for being such wonderful community partners!

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Did we miss your restaurant? Send your business name, address and phone number to ask@LISD.org.

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Bodacious BAR-B-Q

904 N 6th St 903-753-2714

1300 W Loop 281 903-759-3914

2227 S Mobberly Ave 903-753-8409

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Bubba’s 33

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The Butcher Shop

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The Cace Kitchen

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Cafe Barron’s

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Carter’s Bar-B-Que

200 E Loop 281 903-232-1606

102 Lehigh St 903-758-6066

415 N High St 903-212-7720

405 W Loop 281 F 903-663-4737

519 S Eastman 903-236-3271

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Casa Ole’

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The Catch

410 W Loop 281 903-236-3491

3312 N Fourth St 903-663-2940

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Chiangmai Thai Kitchen

103 W Loop 281 #430 903-663-6622

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Chick-fil-A

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Chipotle

507 E Loop 281 1740 W Loop 281 3500 McCann Rd

415 E Loop 281 903-663-7664 12 Chili’s Grill & Bar

2800 Judson Rd 903-663-2221 13 Cotton Patch

1228 McCann Rd 903-236-4009 14 Cowboy Chicken

3080 Eastman Ste 100 903-663-0777 15 Edible Art

504 W. South Street

903-234-2114 16 Fat Boyzzz

607 North Access Road 903-619-3301 17 Flying Burger & Seafood

322 E Hawkins Parkway 903-475-1537

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Fuji

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Fuzzy’s Taco Shop

3098 N Eastman 903-663-9888

310 E Hawkins Pkwy 903-663-7545

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COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Goung Zhou

2002 Judson Rd 903-247-8000 21 Hot Dog Express

106 E Marshall Ave 903-753-8081 22 Jason’s Deli

103 W Loop 281 903-663-5161 23 Jucy’s Hamburgers

2701 N Eastman

3356 Gilmer Rd

816 W Marshall Ave

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Little Mexico

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Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt

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Mi Casita

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Papacita’s

3495 McCann Rd 903-758-2194 25 Lizzy’s Diner

2900 Tuttle Blvd 903-663-1154

310 E Hawkins Ste 100 430-625-8053

324 N Spur 63 903-758-8226 28 Newk’s Eatery

110 E Loop 281 903-753-7000

305 W Loop 281 903-663-1700

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Pizza King

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Posados

1100 E Marshall 903-753-0912

110 Triple Creek Cir 903-234-9115 32 Raising Cane’s

212 E Loop 281 903-238-8800 33 Roma’s Italian Kitchen

102 E Tyler St 403-625-7240 34 Rotolo’s Pizzeria

3407 N Fourth St 101 903-212-7448 35 Saltgrass Steak House

411 E Loop 281 903-232-1513 36 Schlotzsky’s

1429 W Loop 281 903-297-8030 37 Slim Chickens

204 E Loop 281 903-824-1735 38 Tuscan Pig Italian Kitchen

401 S High St 903-651-1833 39 Whataburger

105 TX-63 Spur

3123 Eastman

3308 Fourth St

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

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

• 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 Longview Independent School District, citing “education opportunities” as their reason.

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

• Went totally ‘green’ on all building projects resulting in a $200,000 award from SWEPCO for energy conservation.

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

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

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

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

• 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.

• State and National Technical Student Association winners.

MONTESSORI

LONGVIEW HIGH • Longview High School celebrated a class of over 100 International Baccalaureate Diploma students for 201920.

• The senior IB Diploma students have all completed at least 150 hours of service learning activities, culminating over 6500 hours of community service for 2019-20.

• The IB students participated in the campus service learning project, We Help Two, and were able to sponsor 5 clients with prosthetic legs in developing countries.

• Longview High School began the application process to become an IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) school and to offer the IB Career-Related Programme school.

• Longview High School graduated 51 seniors who will also graduate with Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degrees from Kilgore College for 2019-20.

• Additionally, 80 seniors graduated with at least 24 hours of college credit.

• For the 2019-2020 school year, 594 unduplicated LHS students took a total 7,950 credit hours. This averages slightly more than 12 hours each. These numbers are for hours taken at Kilgore College. Other students took hours through Stephen F. Austin University, University of Texas, and LeTourneau.

• 251 members of 2020 Senior class took 3,617 hours.

This averages slightly more

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

• LISD farm-to-table program, partnering with local farmers for cafeteria produce.

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

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

• Longview ISD middle school students earn “Duke Scholar” honors every year.

than 14 hours each. These numbers are for hours taken at Kilgore College. Other students took hours through Stephen F. Austin University, University of Texas, and LeTourneau.

• 99 more of the 2020 LHS seniors qualified for the KC Connection Scholarship that allows them to complete their Kilgore College Degree or Certificate at the reduced tuition rate of 60% of regular tuition. These scholarships represent an average of $1,500 each year per student.

• LHS opened the GO Lab for students to use as needed for course work.

• Longview High School hosted it first Magnet Showcase Night.

• Largest FREE public Montessori school (for 3-to5 year-olds) in the nation, provided free of charge to Longview area children.

• Eight-week Montessori training for other districts in Texas hosted by ETMPA.

Principals, did we miss your school’s achievements? Please send us your brags and we will include them!

ask@LISD.org

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

Page 7

Lobo, Judson Anchor Clubs work for the community The LHS Anchor Club and Judson STEAM Academy Anchor Club have been very busy the last two months. They have been working hard to put a smile on people’s faces.

In late October, members of JSA & LHS ANCHOR CLUB made Halloween goody bags for Life skills classes and helped

beautify the community by picking up trash along 4th St. In November, members of JSA & LISD Anchor clubs gathered this weekend to decorate and package 100 cookies for veterans at local nursing homes for Veteran’s day.

Thank you for all your hard work!

CHROME |Continued from page 1 Chromebooks to ensure that every student have the necessary tools to continue with their education during a period of uncertainty as the pandemic started to cause adjustments in the nation’s public school system. More than 4,000 laptops were ordered, but due to the pandemic, Chromebooks were being picked up faster than manufacturers could make them.

“These devices are brand new and they

are being distributed district-wide,” Jones added.

Longview ISD’s Technology Department has worked very hard on this project and its director, Brian Pitts, is proud of the work that the technology team has put into this initiative.

According to Mr. Jones, the district is still waiting on 2,000 more Chromebooks to arrive, which would complete the order of

4,600 laptops placed earlier this year.

Longview ISD continues to provide tools and resources for its students and families during a difficult time for our community. The school district will keep families and stakeholders informed on the arrival of more equipment as it is received. If your student needs a Chromebook for his or her school work, please contact their campus.

COVID-19

Your TRS-ActiveCare Plan What is a COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus. Coronaviruses have been around for decades and are perhaps best known for causing illnesses like the common cold, with symptoms like coughing, sneezing and other upper respiratory issues. In late 2019, a new coronavirus was discovered.

COVID-19: How Your TRS-ActiveCare Plan Can Help We’re dedicated to providing benefits that help you feel secure during this challenging time.

We’ll continue to provide $0 COVID-19 testing, telemedicine and hospital stays for all of 2020, in addition to your current TRS-ActiveCare health plan benefits.

Your COVID-19 benefits are effective through Dec. 31, 2020, and cover you before you meet your deductible or reach our maximum out-of-pocket limit.

$0

for all of 2020

Diagnostic testing for COVID-19*

Hospital stays for COVID-19 Telemedicine through TRS-Virtual Health or any in-network provider

If you have any questions, please call a Personal Health Guide at 1-866-355-5999 for assistance.

*Only diagnostic testing is covered at $0. Ask your provider to make sure your test is diagnostic and that you meet CDC guidelines for testing.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

753955.0820

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

Lobo FFA students are putting in hard work, having fun The Lobo FFA students have been keeping busy and having a good time as we head further into fall!

From designing a pumpkin fall arrangement to spoiling Autumn, an adorable calf, they are doing some great things!

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

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Premios para oyentes de LOBO live!

Aquí están las ganadoras de los sorteos de ayer. Gracias a Ned E Williams por donar estos premios para nuestro programa radial!

———— The winners of yesterday’s drawings. Thank you Ned E. Williams Magnet STEAM Academy for donating these prizes for our radio show!

Bramlette campus elects new Student Council Members These students deserve a round of applause. They are you newly elected Student Council members for the 2020-2021school year. We know you’ll do great things.

Lobo FFA wins big at Leadership Development Event Congratulations Longview FFA! Longview District Leadership Development Events were Tuesday, Nov. 10, and our kids did Great!

Sr Quiz: Cooper Mayes; Madison Hunka; Kelli Owings; Angela Moyer — Earned 3rd place and is going to Area!

Sr Creed: Madison Hunka — 4th of 15 Jr Creed: Maggie Mayes — 11th Job Interview: Cooper Mayes — 6/10 Broadcasting(Radio): Grant Hockenberry; Brianna Alder-

man; Angela Moyer — 9th of 16

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

Motorcycle Loans

JOHNSTON-MCQUEEN

Auto Loans

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 BRAMLETTE

JOHNSTONMCQUEEN ELEMENTARY

• RV • Camper • Boat Loans

FOREST PARK

80

EARLY GRADUATION

BRAMLETTE STEAM ACADEMY

ETX MONTESSORI PREP S. WARD

WARE

31

FOSTER

422 FM 2751

111 Tupelo Dr.

HUDSON PEP

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.

NO PAYMENTS FOR 90 DAYS 20

NED E. WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY 5230 Estes Pkwy.

J.L. EVERHART ELEMENTARY

149

2919 Tryon Rd.

NED E. WILLIAMS

LONGVIEW HIGH SCHOOL

201 E Tomlinson Pkwy.

EARLY GRADUATION HIGH SCHOOL 410 S Green St.

APPLY ONLINE TODAY! Registration Begins Soon Be part of the extraordinary difference.

Now, it’s your turn to learn more:

• www.ecu.org Visit ChooseLISD.org800.999.2328 or call 903-381-2200.

*APR is Annual Percentage Rate.

Loan and payment deferral subject to credit Paid forapproval. by the MSAP funds.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

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SPORTS

SENIOR NIGHT

Lady Lobo volleyball seniors get their time to shine, earn win

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enior Night was Tuesday, Nov. 10, and we wanted to send these ladies off the right way! We can’t thank these Lady Lobos, coaches and parents enough for making this district the best in Texas.

Please join us in congratulating these ladies as this chapter closes and another opens. They are successes headed somewhere to succeed.

Ending the night strong, the Lady Lobos won their game against Pine Tree! Well done, ladies!

Dragons end with big season win Please join us as we congratulate the Foster Dragon football teams for becoming the city champs! Well earned!

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

Lobo soccer team is getting ready for their season Our boys team getting Ready for soccer season!

Nuestros jugadores del equipo masculino alistándose para la temporada de fútbol!

Wal-Mart donates school suplies to Judson Middle Thank you Gilmer Road Walmart for donating school supplies to Judson STEAM Academy! They will be put to good use!

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

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MUSIC |Continued from page 1 tale without some evil characters out to do bad things to the protagonists. There is a witch who promises to free a baker and his wife of their curse, if they do her bidding. A hungry wolf meanwhile is on the prowl for his next supper.

The production, directed by Pam Mercer-McWilliams, was performed Thursday and Saturday, with Sunday, Oct. 15, being the final performance.

The show begins at 2 p.m., with tickets costing $8. Masks are required and social distance seating will be observed. The musical is being performed at the Mickey Melton Performing Arts Center at Longview High School.

CAST & CREW

Narrator — Andrew Johnson Cinderella — Elizabeth Monsour Jack — Riley Nichols Jack’s Mother — Abigail Fletcher Baker — Chandler Reagh Baker’s Wife — Caroline Mason Cinderella’s Stepmother — Dagmawit Worke Florinda — Rebecca Olson Lucinda — Madison Davidson Cinderella’s Father — Fowler Ficke Little Red Riding Hood — Ivriah Fayth Horton Witch — Jaz’lyn Lewis Cinderella’s Mother — Salaidh Rudolph Mysterious Man — Jesse Callejas Wolf — Amaris Phipps Rapunzel — Ma’Kyia Lachney Rapunzel’s Prince — Ethan Jones Cinderella’s Prince — Ben Hatfield Steward — Jake Beene Giant — Monserrat Gallegos Snow White — Carolina Olivas Sleeping Beauty — Monserrat Gallegos ———— Dance Captain — Ivi Horton Lights — Mikayla Anderson Sound/Mics — Keynesia Turner Sound/Orchestration — Carolina Oliva Stage Manager — Sam Stroman Follow Spots — Kembria Carter, Kailey Read ———— Director — Pam Mercer-McWilliams Tech Director — Josh Graves

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

LISD adjusts remote learning model amid pandemic

By Dana Hughey CBS19 It’s been a complicated year in education. School districts are balancing the pandemic with the best way to reach students and ensure their success.

Many schools have suspended remote learning, but Longview ISD decided to only move away from asynchronous education.

At the beginning of the fall semester, Longview was one of those districts that offered it all to students — on campus, synchronous and asynchronous learning. On October 19, all of their students, with a few exceptions, are learning in real-time.

“We always want what’s in the best interest for the student and we know that safety is top priority, so we want our students to feel safe. We want them to be safe, but we also want them to learn and be educated, as well,” Carla Brown, Longview High School Assistant Principal, said.

So, Longview ISD moved away from the asynchronous model, which basically allows students to learn online on their own through teacher videos.

“For us, it’s our asynchronous students that are not doing well, or as well as our synchronous students are. They [synchronous students] are in lockstep with their teachers.

You know, if they have a question, they can ask, but they have to log in. You know, first period at home is 8:30. Second period is 9:50. So there, it is just kind of hard to keep up with the ones that are doing things on their own,” Brown explained.

Carla Brown, an assistant principal at Longview High School, explains the benefit of going fully synchronous or physical. “Real-time feedback,

they can ask questions, as opposed to asynchronously, if they had an issue, and they got to a stumbling block, they didn’t have anyone to discuss that with,” Brown said.

Teachers tell us sometimes those students learning from home don’t feel comfortable reaching out when they need help.

“The synchronous part is helping because I can see all of them,” LISD teacher, Sharon Collins, said. “Because asynchronous kids, I might never come in contact with them, just on the computer in the classroom. So, if I have a question, I can email them or

call their parents.”

Sharon Collins teaches 5th grade at Ned E. Williams Elementary. She has 19 in the classroom and 8 at home, which she says actually helps with social distancing and keeping the classroom safe.

When you look at Longview ISD’s numbers as a whole — they started off the year with 2,135 asynchronous learners and 1,047 synchronous learners. Currently, they have 1,501 in all learning synchronously, yet virtually with their classmates. Longview’s total enrollment right now is about 8,300.

2020 has certainly been a lesson in adjusting for teachers too. “Recording your lessons, so that you could then post it in your classroom, then you have to get your classroom assignments together to make sure they’re posted, grading papers online, as well, both papers that you collected in the classroom. So it is a balance,” Collins said.

But after 21 years in education, Collins is more determined than ever to reach children and make sure they’re getting the education they need, whether in the classroom or live through the computer screen.

Reading scores fall among U.S. high school seniors

By Lauren Camera U.S. News The average reading score for high school seniors declined between 2015 and 2019 and remained unchanged in math, while the country’s lowest performing seniors saw their scores drop in both subjects.

Overall, just 37% of 12th-graders reached or exceeded the academic preparedness benchmarks for both math and reading that would qualify them for entry-level college courses – a figure unchanged since 2015.

Those are the major takeaways from the latest results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the Nation’s Report Card, which was released Wednesday by the National Center for Education Statistics.

“The decline in twelfthgrade reading scores resembles the declines in fourth- and eighth-graders’ reading scores, where we saw the largest declines among the lowest-per-

forming students,” Peggy Carr, the associate commissioner for assessment at NCES, said.

“This pattern of decline concentrated among lower-performing students – across grades and across subjects – is a troubling indication that too many students are falling behind.”

The assessment is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students in the U.S. know and can do in various

subject areas. The NAEP mathematics and reading assessments were administered to 52,100 12th-graders from public and private schools across the country between January and March 2019.

This particular NAEP assessment marked the first time it was administered digitally at grade 12.

In 2019, the average reading score for 12th-grade students declined by 2 points compared to 2015. Average scores for

most student groups didn’t change significantly compared to 2015, though scores for white and Black students were lower in 2019 than in 1992, the earliest comparable point for grade 12 reading scores.

Compared to 1992, reading scores in 2019 improved only for the very highest-performing students. However, scores for lower- and middle-performing students declined compared to 1992, with the largest decrease of 20 points seen among the very lowest-performing students in the country.

And though there was no statistically significant change in the overall average math score since 2015, scores declined for lower-performing students.

Compared to 2005, the earliest comparable point for grade 12 math scores, there was no measurable difference in the overall score for 12th-graders or in the scores for the various proficiency subgroups, with the exception of the very highest performers, who saw scores increase by 2 points.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

Page 15

LISD COVID-19 dashboard is live Curious about active COVID cases (and recoveries!) on Longview ISD campuses?

Check our COVID-19 dashboard here: LISD.org/ COVID/ The dashboard breaks down student and staff cases by campus and includes a separate section for other non-campus staffers such as maintenance, transportation, or administration.

The information in this report is correct as of Saturday, Nov. 14.

Mass retirement of teachers over COVID-19 has not happened

By Elinor Aspegren USA Today Jan Robertson has taught “pretty much everything” over the past 40 years: outdoor education, science, and teacher coaching.

But the coronavirus pandemic has meant Robertson like colleagues across the country, has had to weigh whether to prioritize her health or the job of her dreams. After being told she would probably be teaching in a classroom in the fall, she made the “heart-wrenching” decision to leave her job as a science instructional coach at a Northern California school district.

At 64, she “did not want to return to a classroom where I am old enough that I’m in that list of (high-risk factors),” she said.

Robertson isn’t alone in feeling boxed into a decision – onethird of teachers told Education Week in July they were somewhat or very likely to leave their job this year, compared with just 8% who leave the profession in a typical year.

But while that survey might reflect teachers’ feelings over the summer, a review of the retirement and staffing figures collected in some of the first states to resume classes this year suggests that fears of a mass exodus of retiring teachers may have been overblown.

In Tennessee, for example, 1,307 teachers had filed retirement applications through

September, state records show.

That figure is down 31% from the same period last year.

And in Indiana, another early-opening state, the 1,572 teachers who retired through September represent a 5% decrease from the number who retired last year, according to the Indiana Public Retirement System.

By contrast, New York state has experienced an increase in retirements, especially in the weeks leading up to the new school year.

All told, the state Teacher Retirement System reported 5,728 retirements between April and early August, a 4% increase over the same period last year. But interest grew toward the end of summer, with 640 teachers filing retirement paperwork in July and early August, a 20% increase over the same time in 2019.

Irene Bordes was one of them. After teaching for 24 years at an elementary school in a New York suburb, she decided in August to retire.

Her two sons had urged their 66-year-old mother to not risk getting sick. ”They were very concerned about my health going back,” Bordes told The Journal News last month. “So many things are up in the air and the plans are changing day to day. It came down to a family decision.”

Educators’ worries about being exposed to the virus in the classroom aren’t theoretical. Thousands of students and teachers across the country have already been forced to quarantine because of outbreaks in schools.

But for some teachers, COVID-19 proved a rallying cry that ensured their return to the

classroom. Luz Hernandez, 49, said she felt it was critical for her to return to her Milwaukee elementary school, where most of her students are Latino and on the wrong side of the digital learning divide.

She taught from her dining room table last semester after schools were shut down, but she returned to her classroom where she has more resources to start this year even though Milwaukee schools reopened with virtual instruction.

“Teachers were given the option to either teach from home or come to our classrooms and teach,” she explained. But she spends most of her nights at the same kitchen table “taking calls at home at night and just connecting with parents.”

Their superintendent recently informed her district that due to Milwaukee’s rising coronavirus infection rate, virtual teaching will take place indefinitely. Hernandez can’t retire until she’s 55, so “retirement is not an option for me at this point,” but she said that there was no doubt in her mind to return to school this year.

“It never dawned on me not to come and do what I signed up to do 25 years ago,” she added.

Dedicated teachers are in great demand. The August report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows 7.6 million employed in “local government Retire|Continued to page 16

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

OBITUARIES Longview ISD offers our most sincere condolences to our extended Lobo family Rhonda Richards A celebration of life service for Rhonda Richards was held on Friday, Nov. 6, in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. Visitation was Thursday, Nov. 5.

Rhonda was born in Lewellen, Nebraska, on May 30, 1950, to Tom and Martha ArmRICHARDS strong. Rhonda was the second of three daughters. Spending her formative years, Rhonda lived on a farm with her family outside of Big Springs, Nebraska. Rhonda attended grade school with her sister and cousins in a one-room schoolhouse.

During this time, she developed her love for animals, and her gift of compassion took root.

Rhonda moved to Longview with her family in 1955, where she attended and graduated from Longview High School in 1968. While attending LHS, she was active in the Gregg County 4-H right beside her dad. She was also a member of the Future Nurses of America.

Rhonda attended Kilgore College and Texarkana College, earning her nursing license, which led to a 40-year career in the medical field starting at Good Shepherd Medical Center. One of Rhonda’s proudest moments was being among the first ten nurses who opened Longview Regional Medical Center. She also served the LISD

community as the campus nurse for Hudson Pep, South Ward, and Longview High School, from which she retired. During her time at Kilgore College, Rhonda’s younger sister Linda DeArmon introduced her to the love of her life David Richards. Rhonda and David enjoyed many adventures during their 49 years of marriage. Rhonda was blessed with two children Rebekah Reneé Richards and Paul Louis Richards. Rhonda is known as one of the best cooks in Longview.

She blessed her community for many years by baking bread, cakes, cookies, homemade candy, and creating four cookbooks. Rhonda and David joined Mobberly Baptist Church in 1982, where she lived out and demonstrated her lifelong faith in Jesus Christ through serving as a greeter in VBS and the children’s department.

Rhonda is preceded in death by her parents Tom and Martha Armstrong, sister Patricia Karrh, daughter Rebekah Renee Richards, brother-in-law David Towery, and nephew Daniel Towery. Those who cherish her memory and awaiting her reunion in heaven are her husband David Richards, son Paul Richards and wife Rachel. Her three grandchildren Justin, Abigail, and Bailey. Her sister Linda DeArmon and husband Larry, sister-in-law Lana Camp and husband Ricky, brothers-in-law Larry Karrh, and Glynn Richards and wife Sondra, five nieces, two nephews, along with many great-nieces, great-nephews, and a host of friends.

RETIRE |Continued from page 15 education,” a category that includes most public school employees. That’s the fewest number of school employees nationwide in nearly 20 years, an effect that’s being felt in schools across the country.

In Arizona, a new survey of 145 school districts found that about 28% of teacher positions in the state remained vacant weeks into the school year, compared with 21% last year.

And in Southwest Florida’s Lee County, schools haven’t felt the bite of early retirements so much as just the typical annual turnover. The school district of 6,100 teachers needed 438 new hires before the Aug. 31 start of the school year, Superintendent Greg Adkins said.

“We have been actively hiring, but unfortunately, we

are also losing teachers still,” he said. “I think people come to the realization, ‘Do I really want to do this anymore?’”

For 39 years, Anne Ham taught language arts and drama in Kansas, Illinois and Oklahoma, where after COVID-19 hit, she taught the last nine weeks of classes in the spring semester virtually in Norman Public Schools.

Ham, 61, had planned to retire in another year, but she has asthma. On top of that, her husband is 73 – a “very high risk” category in itself.

Because of these factors, she made the decision to leave early rather than put her health in jeopardy, even though she didn’t feel like she had a choice.

“Teaching was a huge part of my identity,” Ham said, adding that she misses her

friends – most of whom are teachers – and feels guilty for not returning to her students.

“I have to find my purpose again.”

Jessica Sevilla, a former seventh grade math teacher in Martin County on Florida’s east coast, echoed those concerns. She was used to missing lunch because a student needed to talk; staying late to talk to parents; and coming to work early to give a student additional time to study.

But she has underlying health issues and going back to school wasn’t a risk she was willing to take, she told the TCPalm, part of the USA TODAY Network, last month.

“To make a decision where I didn’t put my students first but put myself first is a weird feeling,” she said. “It feels wrong.”

PUBLIC NOTICES LISD Board meeting set for November 16

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. on November 16.

For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees go to LISD.org.

John Elmo Boyd John E. Boyd, 85, of Gilmer, Texas passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Thursday, Oct. 22, after a long-term illness.

Mr. Boyd was born September 28, 1935, in BOYD Hallsville, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence (Red) and Valerie Boyd; a brother, Corbuck (Buck) Boyd; and three sisters, Edna Miller, Jean Carlisle, and Judy Rogers. He is survived by a sister, Ruby Smitherman and husband Claude of Longview, Texas; three sons, Hunter Boyd and his wife Kim of Longview, Toby Boyd of Gilmer, and Galyn Boyd and his wife Carlene of Gilmer; five grandchildren, Shea Young and husband Jimmy of Conway, AR, Crystal Boyd of Hallsville, Trent Boyd and wife Amanda of Gladewater, TX, Shana Trussell and husband Jamie of Collierville, TN, and Shelby Rutland and husband Josh of Dallas, TX; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Mr. Boyd served 31 years with the Longview Police Department beginning on December 3, 1966 and retiring as a sergeant on December 31, 1997. Mr. Boyd made an impact on many young lives working security at Longview and Pine Tree High Schools for years. He also spent many summers coaching his sons in Dixie League Baseball and led several teams to the Longview City Championships. Mr. Boyd “Pops” loved singing funny tunes and playing the harmonica to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved working outside, growing roses, and enjoying afternoons swinging with his beloved dogs.

The family expresses their appreciation to his dedicated caregivers, Angela Yahweh, Linda Melton, Gladys Barker, and Betty Nelson for their love and support.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Welch Funeral Home in Longview.

Burial followed at Grace Hill Cemetery.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

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FOUNDATION ‘Great Reward for Great Ideas’ offered by Foundation

By Kay Ray In 1994, a cross-section of community members who support the Longview Independent School District created the Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. to enrich and maximize the quality of classroom education in the Longview Independent School District. The Foundation’s Board of Directors, businesses, corporations, community members and LISD employees who support the Foundation believe that creative and innovative approaches to teaching can benefit our students and increase student achievement. Because of this belief, the Foundation has created a permanent endowment fund to provide annual funding for the Great Rewards for Great Ideas Grant Program.

The 2021 Great Rewards for Great Ideas Grant Program,

specifically designed for classroom teachers, counselors, librarians, and campus nurses across Longview, will fund creative teaching approaches and innovative projects with the hope that the best ones will serve as pilot projects for broader implementation. Funding not otherwise available for such projects will be funded from $100 up to $2,500.

The Longview ISD Foundation has now announced the 26th annual Great Rewards for Great Ideas and is accepting applications through Tuesday, Dec. 1. Grant recipients will be announced in March 2021.

Applicants may submit a paper application or submit an online application at LISDfound

Campus Initiative grant announced

By Kay Ray The Board of Directors of the Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. proudly announces the fourteenth annual Campus Initiative Grant Program. Working with campus educators, LISD principals can apply for funding up to $5,000 for initiatives unique to the individual campuses.

These initiatives must complement and align with Campus Improvement Plans and the LISD District Improvement Plan.

The Longview ISD Foundation is proud to offer this grant initiative that will provide additional funding to maximize educational opportunity in Longview ISD for all students.

The Foundation believes that this grant program, targeting overall campus improvement, complements the Foun-

dation’s annual Great Rewards for Great Ideas Program, now in its twenty-sixth year.

To date, the Longview ISD Foundation has funded forty-six Campus Initiative Grants for a total of $136,673.08.

Campus Initiative Grant applications are due to Kay Ray, executive director, by Tuesday, Dec. 1.

The Foundation will announce the Campus Initiative Grant recipients in March 2021.

ation.org. The Foundation’s grants committee will consider how compatible the applicant’s project/program is with the district’s goals, the school’s or department’s mission or philosophy, campus improvement plan, or district improvement plan when making grant funding decisions. The grants committee’s goal is to fund innovative programs which stimulate thought and student achievement or address needs, challenges, and concerns unique to the applicant’s campus.

If LISD applicants have any questions, they may contact Kay Ray, the Foundation’s executive director, at 903-452-7015 or by email at gray@LISD.org.

The Foundation looks forward to receiving many grant

applications from across the district and is proud to provide funding for the twenty-sixth annual Great Rewards for Great Ideas Grant Program.

Since May 1996, the Foundation has funded 716 grants through the Great Rewards for Great Ideas Program, returning $780,885.75 to Longview ISD classrooms, enabling innovative teachers, counselors, librarians, and nurses to create new educational programs or to enhance existing ones so that they can provide the best instruction possible to all students. These grants have funded programs and projects for students of all ability levels and in a variety of disciplines. In addition to strengthening academics, the grants have also funded projects in music, art, technology, character education, health and physical education, guidance and counseling, and STEAM education.

Employee Scholarship Award returns

By Kay Ray For the fifth year, the Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. is proud to announce it is offering the Employee Scholarship Award to assist district staff who are pursuing classes and/ or certifications related to classroom education in English, math, science, social studies, bilingual education, special education, STEAM, or counseling with the intent of improving classroom instruction and direct services to students in LISD. The scholarship will not be awarded to employees seeking administrative certification with the intent of leaving the classroom.

The Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. will award two $500 scholarships, one at the elementary level and one at the secondary level.

The employee must have completed one (1) year of employment with the district and must be continuing his/her employment with the Longview Independent School District.

The employee must have demonstrated the following: • Outstanding work ethic and teaching ability • Participation in school and community organizations and activities • Leadership ability The employee must complete the

scholarship application and include two letters of reference from individuals who represent different sources and who are not related to the applicant (example: principal, instructional supervisor/coordinator, pastor, member of a community organization). Reference letters do not need to be in a sealed envelope.

Scholarship recipients will be announced by Friday, December 11, 2020.

Completed application and letters of reference must be submitted to the Foundation by Monday, Nov. 9.

Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. Attn: Kay Ray, Director P. O. Box 2807 Longview, Texas 75606 or by email at gray@LISD.org Questions? Contact Kay Ray at 903-452-7015 or at gray@LISD.org.

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

SPOTTED ON SOCI AL

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

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Sophomore is 12 years old, majoring in aerospace engineering

By N’dea Yancey-Bragg USA Today Like many other 12-year-old boys, Caleb Anderson enjoys collecting action figures, watching Netflix and playing with Beyblades. He also happens to be a sophomore in college majoring in aerospace engineering.

Caleb is currently enrolled as a student at Chattahoochee Technical College in Marietta, Georgia, where he’ll graduate with a bachelor’s degree in two years. He hopes to continue his education at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Massachusetts Institute for Technology and eventually get an internship working for Elon Musk.

“When I was like 1, I always wanted to go to space,” Caleb, who’s favorite subject is math, told USA TODAY. “I figured that aerospace engineering would be the best path.”

Caleb’s mother, Claire, said she first realized her son was gifted when he began mimicking her speech at just 4 weeks old. At 9 months, he could sign more than 250 words in American Sign Language and had no trouble reading words he’d never seen before.

“I was getting my master’s in education so I knew that there was something special about that,” she said.

While enrolled in a traditional middle school, Claire Anderson, 46, said Caleb would breeze through tests without having to study because he already knew most of the material. The former teacher and current stay-at-home mom worried that he wasn’t being challenged enough.

“I didn’t like the character HONOR |Continued from page 1

that was building in him,” she said. “He didn’t have any study skills, perseverance, grit. He didn’t ask for help.”

Both Claire and her husband, Kobi, acknowledged that at times his intelligence made it difficult for Caleb to make friends. Kobi Anderson, 45, recalled Caleb getting upset that his friends couldn’t communicate with him when he was just 3 years old.

His father, who is an IT salesman, now supervises him on campus. But Kobi Anderson made it clear that Caleb has excelled way past the point of his dad being able to help with homework.

“We can’t do that,” he said with a laugh. “He’s already passed me in math.”

Although they can’t help

him in the classroom, Claire Anderson said she’s focused on raising a well-rounded child and that starting college early helped relieve some of his anxiety.

“Both of us are not rocket scientists,” she said. “We had to learn there are other things that we can teach him about compassion, kindness, looking for good in others.”

LONGVIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICE AREA REPRESENTATIVES & POLICE OUTREACH SERVICES TEAM

Beat 20

Ofc. Misty Ryan 903-331-2541 PAR 20

Ofc. Chris Clayton 903-424-6212 PAR 10

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Ofc. Luke Altman 903-431-5369 PAR 40

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Ofc. Maira Villela 903-720-6656 PAR 30

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“We didn’t get a very big welcome home from anyone back then, so events like this especially from the schools, young people getting involved it’s tremendous.”

On Thursday, The Wounded Warrior Veteran’s Motorcade will be driving through the Longview High School campus.

According to Longview ISD, the motorcade will enter off of Hawkins Parkway and drive through the breezeway area and exit by the CATE building.

Teachers and students can go outside to salute these veterans and show their appreciation and respect.

Ofc. Jeff Hall 903-424-7725 PAR 50

Beat 50

Ofc. LaDarian Brown 903-431-1307 PAR 60

Sgt. Kendric Montgomery 903-619-0124 PAR SUPERVISOR

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Ofc. Allan Whitlock 903-331-1979

Ofc. Ronald Duncan 903-331-1870

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — November 15, 2020

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