Volume II, Issue 6 (July 2017)

“All real education is the architecture of the soul.” — William J. Bennett

THE

ongview Voice

Sharing the good news about LISD!

Vol. 2 No. 6 July 2017

A publication of Longview Independent School District

Complimentary Copy

TSA students take Nationals

Technology, engineering students shine

L

ongview ISD technology and engineering students finished in the top 10 of three different categories during the Technology Student Association’s national competition June 21-25 in Orlando.

Finishing in 4th place was the LHS Chapter Team Ejehi Ihionkhan, Carly Snyder, Stephanie Guck, Hyndavi Jatavallabhula, Brady Miller, Levi Grant, Bobby Hough, and Payton Schaap, with the Digital Video Production team of Naomi Darbell, Chris Guck, Rutvi Patel, and Anthony Castillo taking 6th place.

Stephanie Guck also finished 9th Place in Extemporaneous Speech.

Other results include the Foster Middle School Leadership Strategies team who won 1st Place in junior high competition.

The Foster Chapter Team took 5th Place in Chapter Team Presentation, with Gowri Rangu earning 5th Place in Written Presentation and 6th Place in Prepared Speech.

Catapult Design won 6th place, with Biotechnology Designs finishing in 8th Place.

Students traveled to Orlando for Nationals after finishing among the best at state meets last month.

Career Technology instructor Charles Mosley praised his students’ long hours and hard work.

LISD Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox echoed Mosley’s sentiment, adding that Continued on page 4, see “Nationals”

Four early graduates Crowds pack job fairs, staff excitement high receive diplomas

I

t may not have had the usual “pomp and circumstance” of the end of year graduation ceremony, but the diplomas presented to five Longview Early Graduation High School students are just as special.

During the Longview ISD trustees meeting Monday, June 12, graduates were recognized by Principal Kristi Means. Means told students to never feel limited by their challenges, but to recognize every adversity as an opportunity to find a solution.

H

undreds of prospective employees visited the Education Support Center for two two Career Expos in April and June, hoping to join Longview Independent School District.

Representatives from the district’s various campuses answered questions with the purpose of adding valuable educators to one of the fastest-growing school districts in East Texas. Side rooms were cordoned off for interviews, with some applicants actually hired on the spot — pending approval by the board of trustees.

Continued on page 4, see “Job Fair”

Board of Trustees thank Murray, welcome Welge

Longview ISD thanked Jud Murray during Monday night’s regular board meeting, and welcomed newly-elected Place 2 trustee Ava Welge.

“We hate to see you go, and thank you for everything you’ve brought to this board,” said board president Dr. Chris Mack. “Your level-headed leadership was invaluable. On numerous occasions you brought clarity to difficult and complicated decisions.”

Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox praised Murray for his three terms on the board.

“Jud has been an integral part in helping to shape the direction of our this district for nearly a decade,” he said. “We are thankful for his service to the LISD community.”

Murray expressed heartfelt Continued on page 5, see “Board”

THE

Longview Voice

Opinion Coming Events

2 3

Continued on page 5, see “Diplomas”

STAAR Test Results

L

ater, the board heard a report from Catina Love, District Testing Coordinator, on the percentage of students that have met the standard in each STAAR tested area.

“These preliminary results show that Longview students scored above the regional and state average in reading and math,” she said. “As happy as we are to see this positive growth, we’re still not where we want to be, but progress is continuing to be made.”

EOC exams were administered in late March (English I and II) and early May (Algebra I, Biology, and U.S. History). Students in grades 5 and 8 also were administered reading and math STAAR assessments in late March, and those who did not meet the passing standards retook the assessments in May. STAAR results have not been received for other tested subjects and grade levels.

Campus signs OK’d

I

n other action, the board unanimously approved the $85,549 purchase of two doublesided electronic marquee signs for the Longview High School and new Montessori campus.

A s s i s t a Superintendent Jody Clements board members Honor Roll 2017-18 Majorettes

n t Dr. told that

Continued on page 4, see “Signs”

6-8 12

Coding Camp CATE Program

14 15

Page 2

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

July 2017

OPINION

A time to honor those we have lost Dear Lobos, On Memorial Day, I had the honor of speaking at the Gregg County Courthouse for the Memorial Day service. It is a privilege for all of us to live in a free country, so taking time to honor those who gave their lives for us is something we should all do. Because I believe we can never thank these individuals enough, I wanted to share a few of my thoughts from that speech with

you here.

We have all experienced loss. We have all felt the pain of losing someone dear to us. We try to find words to provide comfort.

We seek to savor their memory and rejoice in their life.

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 24 my brothers and I lost our mother. Amidst the pain of that grief, we were

Public schools not failing, among best in the world

By Steven Singer Everyone knows U.S. public schools are failing.

Just like everyone knows you should never wake sleepwalkers, bulls hate red and Napoleon was short.

Wrong on all counts.

Waking sleepwalkers will cause them no harm – in fact, they’re more likely to harm themselves while sleepwalking. Bulls are colorblind; they’re attracted to movement. And Napoleon was 5-7, which was above average height for Frenchman during his lifetime.

So why do we believe that American public schools are doing such a terrible job?

Because far-right policymakers have convinced us all that it’s true.

It’s not.

Let me repeat that in no uncertain terms: America’s public schools are NOT failing. They are among the best in the world. Really!

Here’s why: the United States educates everyone. Do you get that?

Everyone. Most other countries do not.

We have made a commitment to every single child regardless of what

their parents can afford to pay, regardless of their access to transportation, regardless of whether they can afford uniforms, lunch or even if they have a home. Heck! We even provide education to children who are here illegally.

That can’t be said of many countries with which we’re often compared – especially countries comparable to the U.S. in size or diversity. So from the get-go, we have an advantage over most of the world.

We define education differently.

Though our laws are woefully backward, in practice we look at it as a right, not a privilege. And for a full 13 years (counting kindergarten) it’s a right for every child, not just some.

But that’s not all! We also provide some of the highest quality education you can get in the world! We teach more, help more, achieve more and yet we are criticized more than any system in any country in the world.

TEST SCORES Critics argue that our scores on international tests don’t justify such a claim. But they’re wrong before you even look at the numbers. They’re comparing apples to pears. You simply can’t

SINGER

See Singer, page 3

Why I brought my kids back to public school

By Debra Romanick Baldwin I teach at a small, our best by him. private university where By fifth grade, he was many of the students come excelling academically, to us privately schooled. but his circle seemed Yet now more than ever, I small and his believe my own children, extracurricular activities and all children, deserve limited. By that time, traditional public school we also had a daughter education. Not private, who had very different not charter, not magnet: needs, speech problems regular old local public. some learning path BALDWIN and Why? differences. The private I didn’t always think school, although loving so. When I moved to Irving from enough, was unhelpful describing the Northeast 17 years ago, I was or addressing these needs. We told by a well-meaning woman didn’t think either child was quite that I shouldn’t send my kids to getting enough. My husband and public school. Expecting our first I looked at one another: Dare we child, my husband and I were try public school? determined to give that child the Full disclosure: we weren’t very best. When our son turned technically trying it for the first out to be gifted, it seemed all the time. While attending private more reason to get him into a school, our daughter had, from private setting where his talents the age of three, received speech would be nurtured. So we paid therapy through an early childhood thousands of dollars a year to program in Irving ISD. Because enroll him in a Montessori school we had been so impressed with where we thought we were doing See Baldwin, page 5

blessed by the care and concern shown by our friends, family, and community. All life ends in death, that is reality, but the timeliness of that death is where we grieve. It was my mother’s time. She lived a good long life, but that is not the case for the soldiers who lost their lives in service to our country.

Their lives were cut short: in a desert, on a beach, in a jungle, in a foreign land. They weren’t able to live a good, long life. And that is not fair. If you know any of these names I’m about to read please stand when I read them.

These soldiers gave their lives for me and for you! John 15:13 says, “Greater love hath no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” I wasn’t friends with any of these soldiers, but I’m so thankful they considered someone they have never met…me and you…as worthy to lay down their life. I said earlier it was not fair for those that lost their life at such an early age. The reason it isn’t fair is because “We” fail to honor them in a fashion that they deserve!

By gathering in memorial to them, we do more than simply acknowledging the passing of soldiers. We are recognizing together that freedom requires sacrifice and that important things are worth fighting for. We are confirming that the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness of “the many” would look much different if not for the willing service of “the few” who bravely gave their all.

By doing so, we are taking a quiet moment to confess that the petty inconveniences of daily life that we too often allow to dominate our thoughts, really are insignificant in comparison to the overwhelming benefits we enjoy by being blessed enough to have freedom.

To all those that have given their lives for our freedom: may you rest in peace knowing that we are thankful. And so, it is with an understanding heart that I join with all of you, to honor the memory of the fallen soldier and

show our care and concern for our friends and neighbors who have lost their loved ones in military service to our country.

Let us remember that our freedoms were secured by those who risked and gave their lives.

Let us remember that our daily lives in East Texas may be far different if not for the lives risked daily from the Middle East to Afghanistan to all stretches of the globe.

Let us remember that our trips to the beach this summer would be different if not for sacrifices made at a beach in Normandy.

Let us remember that there are those in the world who have wished to harm us and let us be thankful for those who were willing to give it all to protect us.

The fallen soldier has come from all parts of our nation, representing different ethnicities, creeds, and histories. They each had their own dream, their own family, and their own reason for service to our country. Some were drafted to serve, others volunteered for patriotic duty or adventure or economic opportunity.

Whatever their individual story, we remember their collective sacrifice.

Thank you to the families and friends of these heroes. Thank you for carrying the burden of their loss. Thank you for your strength. We remember. Let us never forget.

Study hard, have some fun and say your prayers,

Andy — Dr. Andy Mack is a 1978 graduate of Longview High School. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon for more than 25 years, he is currently owner-operator of East Texas Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Longview.

Chef’s Corner

Thai Chicken and Watermelon Salad

Summer watermelon and chicken come together in a puckery salad dressing made with lime juice and fish sauce:

INGREDIENTS

2 stalks of fresh lemongrass, pale inner core only, minced 1/4 cup vegetable oil Salt and freshly ground pepper 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, butterflied 2 Thai chiles, thinly sliced CHARDEE 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons light brown sugar — Chardée Snoddy, 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice a Longview High 3 tablespoons Asian fish sauce School graduate, 2 tablespoons water is the Childhood 2 1/2 pounds seedless watermelon, cut into Nutrition Chef for balls of various sizes (3 cups) LISD. 1/4 cup each of chopped cilantro and mint INSTRUCTIONS Ingredients In a bowl, combine the lemongrass, oil and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Add the chicken and turn to coat. Let marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Light a grill and oil the grates. Grill the chicken over moderately high heat, turning once, until cooked through and lightly charred, about 6 minutes. Let cool slightly, then cut into 1/2-inch dice.

In a mini food processor, combine the chiles, garlic, brown sugar, lime juice, fish sauce and water and pulse until the chiles and garlic are finely chopped. Pour the dressing over the chicken. Stir in the watermelon, cilantro and mint.

Spoon the salad into Chinese soup spoons and serve.

Singer|Continued from page 2 compare the United States to countries that leave hundreds of thousands of rural and poor children without any education whatsoever. The Bates Motel may have the softest pillows in town, but it’s immediately disqualified because of the high chance of being murdered in the shower.

No school system of this size anywhere in the world exceeds the United States in providing free access to education for everyone. And that, alone, makes us one of the best.

It doesn’t mean our system is problem free. There are plenty of ways we could improve. We’re still incredibly segregated by race and class. Our funding formulas are often regressive and inadequate. Schools serving mostly poor students don’t have nearly the resources of those serving rich students. But at least at the very outset what we’re trying to do is better than what most of the world takes on. You can’t achieve equity if it isn’t even on the menu.

However, for some people, this will not be enough. They’ll say that despite our high ideals, the quality of what we actually provide our students is low. After all, those international test scores are so low.

First point: it depends on the scores you’re looking at. American elementary and middle school students have improved on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study every four years since the tests began in 1995. They are above the international average in all categories and within a few percentage points of the global leaders (something rarely mentioned on the nightly news).

Even on the PISA test administered by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to 15-year-olds in about 60 countries, US children are far from the bottom of the scale. We’re somewhere in the middle.

We’ve always been in the middle for all the decades since they’ve been making these comparisons. Our schools have not gotten worse. They have stayed the same.

IDEALS AND POVERTY To some this just demonstrates that our schools have always been mediocre. But again you’re overlooking the consequences of our ideals.

The broader the spectrum of children who take a test, the lower the average score will be. In other words, if only your top students take the test, your average score will be very high. If only your top and middle students take the test, your average score will still be quite high. But if ALL of your students take the test, your average score will be lower.

Now add in poverty. Living in poverty reduces your access to health care, books, early childhood education and many other factors that increase learning throughout your life. Children from poor families are already more than a year behind those of rich parents on the first day of kindergarten. If you only test the wealthiest students, the average test score will probably be quite high. The average score will drop dramatically if you test all of your students.

That’s why many of these countries where the poorest children do not have access to education have higher test scores than the United States. You’re not comparing equals. The United States has the highest child poverty rate in the Western World. And we don’t hide them away. We include them on our tests. That has a major impact on our scores. But talking heads on TV almost always ignore it. They pretend it doesn’t exist. It’s the only way they can use these test scores to “prove” to a gullible audience that America’s schools are failing.

But if you fairly compare education systems and factor in the equal access we provide for all children to an education, our system comes out

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

July 2017

Page 3

Coming Events July 4 Independence Day July 17 7 p.m. Board of Trustees regular meeting July 24 8 a.m. Lobo Band Freshman Marching Camp July 25 8 a.m. Lobo Band Freshman Marching Camp July 26 8 a.m. Lobo Band Freshman Marching Camp July 27 8 a.m. Lobo Band Freshman Marching Camp

way on top. We have one of the best systems in the world.

But wait! There’s more!

SPECIAL EDUCATION Not only does the United States serve all children regardless of academic achievement or poverty.

We also serve far more students with disabilities.

Why are there so many special education children in the USA? Because we have a higher standard of living.

A standard pregnancy lasts about 280 days or 40 weeks. However, some mothers give birth to children after only 28 weeks. Two decades ago, these babies would not have survived. Today, they often do. Five years later that child will enter kindergarten and our school system will be responsible for teaching that student to read, write and learn math. In other countries, premature babies have a much lower chance of survival. They don’t survive to become the special education population. So things as diverse as the live-birth rate actually affect average test scores.

Another counterintuitive factor is the suicide rate. In many countries where pressure to perform at the highest levels on standardized tests is extreme, many children are actually driven to suicide. This is especially true in numerous Asian countries with a record of high scores on these international tests. So a higher suicide rate actually increases test scores.

Would you say this makes other countries superior to the United States? Heck no! In fact, just the opposite. I certainly wouldn’t wish more underperforming U.S. students were ending their lives so we could do better on international tests. Nor would I wish that more premature babies died to improve our international standing.

We have developed a special education system to help children at the edges that many other countries just can’t touch. In some countries these students are simply excluded.

In others they are institutionalized. In some countries it’s up to parents to find ways to pay for special services.

The United States is one of the only countries where these children are not only included and offered full and free access, but the schools go above and beyond to teach these children well beyond their 12th academic year.

In every public school in the United States these students are included.

In math, reading, science and social studies, they are there benefiting from instruction with the rest of the class.

And this, in turn, benefits even our non-special education students who gain lessons in empathy and experience the full range of human abilities.

Of course, most of our special education students are also included in our test scores. Yes, other countries that ignore these children and exclude them from testing get higher scores.

But so what? Do you mean to tell me this makes them better? No, it makes them worse.

In many ways, we are the gold

standard, not them. They should be emulating us, not the other way around. They should be jealous of the way we prize each other’s humanity.

We shouldn’t be salivating at test scores achieved through shunning certain students in favor of others.

CURRICULUM AND STRATIFICATION But it’s not just who we teach, it’s also what we teach.

Compared to many other countries, U.S. school curriculum is often much wider and varied. Countries that focus only on testing often leave out sciences, arts, literature and humanities.

Unfortunately, the push from policymakers even in the U.S. has been to narrow curriculum to imitate some of the worst practices of our competitors.

But in many districts we still strive to create well-rounded graduates and not just good test-takers.

The bottom line: the curriculum at most American schools is more inclusive than that found internationally. We even include societal issues like alcohol and drug abuse prevention, stress reduction and relaxation, and physical fitness programs.

In addition we don’t stratify our children based on academic ability to nearly the same degree as many international schools. We don’t weed out our worst students through middle and high school until only our most capable are left in 12th grade. Nor is college only open to our best and brightest. We make a much greater effort than many other countries to keep this option open to as many students as possible regardless of whether they can afford it or not. The number of Americans with at least some college education has soared over the past 70 years, from 10 percent in 1940 to 56 percent today, even as the population has tripled and the nation has grown vastly more diverse.

Meanwhile, Graduation rates are at an all-time high of 83.2 percent, and for the first time minority students are catching up with their white counterparts.

It’s not easy. But it’s something we’re committed to as a nation. And that’s not true around the world.

SIZE MATTERS Finally, there’s the issue of size. The United States is a big country – the third most populous in the world. We have 324,450,000 people and growing.

That’s about 50 million students in public schools.

It’s much easier to educate fewer children. Even excellent education systems would struggle with our sheer numbers. Small systems often outshine bigger ones. For instance, I might be able to make dinner for my immediate family, but I’d find it much more challenging to prepare a meal for a banquet hall of hundreds. Similarly, it remains to be seen whether smaller nations could handle educating a population as big and diverse as ours without collapsing.

By any fair measure, America’s public education system is simply

July 31 9 a.m. Returning students registration

stunning. But the media perpetuates the myth that we’re failing.

PUBLIC PERCEPTION AND THE MEDIA After decades of hearing these falsehoods, the American public is strikingly divided. On a 2011 Gallup poll, parents were asked their opinion of their local school and the public was asked its opinion of schools in general.

The results are enlightening. Parents who gave their local school an A grade were at the highest percentage ever (37 percent) whereas only 1 percent of respondents rated the nation’s schools that way. Why the difference?

Respondents said it was mostly because people knew about their local schools through direct experience. They only learned about the state of education nationally through the news media.

Why is education reporting so biased? Part of it is monetary. Huge corporations make hundreds of millions of dollars off of the failing schools narrative. They sell new standardized tests, new test prep materials, new Common Core books, trainings for teachers, materials, etc. If they can’t demonstrate that our schools are failing, their market shrinks. And who do you think owns the shrinking media conglomerates? That’s right, many of these same corporations.

But even when journalists want to be fair, it’s difficult for them to get the inside story of how our public schools work. So we’re left with a public education system that should be the envy of the world being portrayed as a loser.

THE BOTTOM LINE As ever, far-right politicians on both sides of the aisle, whether they be Democratic Neoliberals or Republican Tea Partiers, are using falsehoods about our public schools to sell an alternative.

They say our public schools are beyond saving and that we need to privatize. They call it school choice but it’s really just an attempt to destroy the system that has so much going for it.

We should strengthen public education not undermine it. We should roll up our sleeves and fix the real problems we have, not invent fake ones.

People act as if “alternative facts” were invented by the Trump administration. Our policymakers have been using them for decades in a libelous and dishonest campaign against our public schools.

They are some of the best in the world – if only people knew it.

— Steven Singer is an award-winning 8th grade Language Arts teacher from western Pennsylvania. Singer is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher and has a Master Teaching degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Page 4

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

Job Fair|Continued from page 1 J.L. Everhart Elementar y which is not really a drawback,” he Principal Arthur Brown said he laughed. “But more importantly was impressed by the caliber of we were able to meet with candidates as well as the sheer quite a few quality education volume of those interested in his professionals, and perhaps find someone who would make for an campus.

“The only drawback is that ideal candidate down the road at we don’t have enough openings, some point.”

July 2017

Judson Middle Principal William Houff echoed Brown’s sentiment, adding that said he found a number of applicants for every opening available on his campus.

“It’s exciting because we have so many quality candidates to choose from,” he said. “It’s great to have an event like this where you can meet and talk with candidates instead of just sorting through resumes.”

Describing the job fair as a “kickoff event,” Human Resource Director Loretta Thompson Martin said her department will continue recruiting throughout the spring and summer.

“This isn’t the end of our search for qualified applicants, actually more like the kickoff,” she said.

“For anyone who wasn’t able to make it out here tonight, we encourage them to submit an applic ation through the website, and contact us for any questions about positions that may still be available.”

Over 20 open positions with the district included Math, Science, Spanish and Bilingual Education, as well as Social Studies, Reading, and Language Arts.

Many applicants traveled from as far away as Dallas and Houston, with others coming from neighboring districts around Tyler and the greater Longview area.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jody Clements said an important goal of the job fair is to allow interested applicants an opportunity to sit down with potential supervisors and to get a sense of whether it was a good fit.

“There’s only so much you can get from a resume, this expo allows professionals to meet and put a face to a name,” he said. “Tonight we had a lot of excitement, a lot of great conversations and positive applicants. You can see people smiling and know relationships are being built.”

For more information about career opportunities at Longview ISD please visit the Job Listings page, or call the LISD Human Resources Department at 903381-2200.

Nationals |Continued from page 1 such accomplishments would be impossible without “the support of education professionals like Mr. Mosley, and the many parents of our community who passionately support these exceptional young people.”

SIGNS |Continued from page 1 the electronic signage will be used to promote student and district activities as well as to recognize community partnerships.

Trustees meet each month in the boardroom of the LISD

Education Suppor t Center, 1301 E. Young St. The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 17.

Diplomas|Continued from page 1

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

“In life, a winner is always a part of the answer, and winners will always seek to find an answer for every problem,” she said.

June 2017 graduates: • Haylee Caudle will attend the University of Texas at Tyler to major in history.

• Milayah Cole-Turner plans to major in criminal justice at Kilgore College.

• Cameron Durham is a Globe Scholar graduating on the recommended plan. He plans to attend Texas State Technical College.

• Dylan Gregory plans to move to Colorado with his family to work at Halliburton.

The Longview Early Graduation High School (formerly known as LEAD Academy) serves progressive students who wish to graduate early.

Providing dual-credit courses for students seeking higher education, it also features career and technology options, online/distance learning, and ACT/SAT preparation.

Baldwin|Continued from page 2 the people and expertise we encountered there, we wondered if we should give Irving ISD a try.

We did.

What we found astonished us.

Academic e xcellence.

Individualized attention. With extra support in a regular classroom, our daughter has overcome some learning issues that we had not even known how to identify, let alone address. Our son, now a sophomore in high school, is flourishing a year ahead in math, taking four AP courses, and enjoying an impressive array of other opportunities from varsity orchestra, to business competitions, to foreign language prof icienc y. My children’s experience is reinforcing what I have observed during 20 years teaching college: that private or homeschooling is no guarantee of educational advantage.

Public schooling is also fulfilling an additional need: we are now more at home in our whole community. Our son is as comfortable with his AP calculus classmate who was just accepted into Cornell as he is with the bilingual preschoolers to whom he recently read stories in

Page 5 July 2017 BOARD |Continued from page 1 appreciation to fellow board members, as well as district students and staff for allowing him “to play just a small role in Longview ISD’s many accomplishments.”

“My thoughts begin and end with two words, ‘thank you,’” he said.

Board members also administered the oath of office to Welge and Place 4 incumbent Ginia Northcutt, before reorganizing officers for the coming term. Northcutt was unopposed and will serve another three-year term on the board.

Officers for the LISD trustees will be Dr. Mark Camp, board president; Dr. Troy Simmons, vice president; Shan Bauer, secretary; and Ava Welge, vice secretary.

Spanish. Our daughter interacts with special needs kids along with students in her regular classroom.

And at a recent school talent show, my husband and I sat in an audience of people from all walks of our neighborhood. We were all united in one feeling: how much we love our children.

At a time of ever-tightening social media circles, each reinforcing its own fears and prejudices, each its own kind of school, it is worth remembering our shared civic goals and the institution established to support them: local public schools. We know that parents have many options. But parents should also know that public education can be both integrative and excellent.

Have we had to advocate?

Yes. Do we have suggestions for improvement? Yes. But as the school shifts into summer ref lection, we want to say to those public school teachers and principals who have made such a difference for our own children, and for so many others: thank you.

— Debra Romanick Baldwin is an associate professor of literature at the University of Dallas.

Teachers...

Receive an extra week FREE when you place an ad in Longview’s Thifty Nickel!

Buy 1 Week, get the second week free with your faculty ID! *20 word ad

Mary Hagler

5200 Judson Rd. North Longview, TX 75605

We Support The Longview

Independent School District

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

Page 6

Bramlette Elementary

1st Grade - with Distinction Nino Allison Eibhleann Barnhill Dylam Bartolo Roman Dalia Anya Davis Katasha Elioff J’ahana Felder Meciah Johnson D’’Marquess Jones Alexis Williams 2nd Grade - with Distinction Julie Flores Thalia Renfroe 3rd Grade - with Distinction Tanner Erkern Evelynn Martinez Sa’Nizja Miles Ava Phillips Melena Ramirez Mickal Renfroe Leslie Rodriguez Kamaya Willis 4th Grade - with Distinction Ivan Castillo Kristen Peden Veta Richardson Brenden Reese 5th Grade - with Distinction Corbin Holcom Grecia Mesa Daleina Rose Victor Rodriguez Fatima Traore Honor Roll - 1st Grade Lilana Bravo Nataly Boja Cristofer Carranza Diamante Cerda Darron Dotrey Khoen Evans Illori Frazier Javier Gonzalez Kristen Graham Javion Jackson Alaysia Jinks Aron Johnson Zai’Marion Johnson Caleb Lancaster Mariah Lewis Tais Maldonado Adrian Martinez Javorrius Perkins Lailah Rosemond Mauricio Simental Desirae Snoddy Yazlyn Solis Ja’Miya Texado Jakyrian Young 2nd Grade Von”Darryn Adams Jakyrha Anthony Yahir Arroyo Evelyn Contreras Ty’Vionna Cryer Linette Delgado Alexandra Estrada N’Dia Fletcher Julie Flores Ilicia Frausto Anthony Garcia Brandon Howard Callie McCurley Josafat Morales Z’Mya Morgan Micah Newhouse KeyMarion Pickron Jalisyah Pool Hayli Portillo Zaria Portillo Monzerrat Reyes Leonardo Sanchez Ki’Ambriah Smith Perla Solis Joanna Tovar Joshua Vazquez Jafaria Williams Talisman Williams 3rd Grade Kourtney Andrews Alondra Betancourt Isabella Bravo Mia Cervantes Makeelah George Curtis High

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

July 2017

July 2017

LONGVIEW INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND ADMINISTRATION SALUTE

Mallory Jones Kenyon Lovley Khaya McCray Elizabeth Mendez Da’marion Pickeron Shamyia Ray Osvaldo Reyes Bradley Williams 4th Grade Lucy Adams Fardeen Akhtar Christian Bell Lindell Carpenter India Davis Daniela Gonzalez Lily Guerber Treasure Henson Tuff Kidwell Abigail King Vanessa Martinez Marcus Sherrow Anyia Taylor Lani Tupu 5th Grade Eva Askew Jaidyn Attaway Hector Betancourt Bianca Cadenas Skylar Cotten Kayla Castillo Aylah Ellard Gage Hartsock Siana Humphries Caitlyn Ingram Ca’Neshia Miller Brycelon Jackson Christain Palacios Kariya Poole Camilla Rodelo Brandon Rodriguez Cristal Rodriguez Libby Rojas- Aguilar Jamaury Snoddy Gonzalo Soliz Jasper Stansell Jimena Villanueva Na’Shae Williams Ronald Woods

Hudsom PEP Elementary

1st Grade - with Distinction Lucy Archer Brianna Barber Judson Bates Ava Black Chloe Bowen Solomon Bowen Brysalen Boyd Aiden Brisnehan Gracyn Brockwell Mia Bustamante Camila Butron Abraham Cabrera Gabriel Cabudoy Marley Camp Aidan Carlile Lucas Carlton Caleb Dahl Bailey Dehart Jackson Dozier Keren Duarte Rhys Duncalfe Chandler Emerine Taylor Emmons Xania Estrada Anna Ford Roma Gasca Jack Gillaspy Milania Gordon Elizabeth Grimes Aisha Guinart Lilah Haas Pablo Halvorson Cohen Hardison Elizabeth Hawkins Jaxon Head Ava Hearron Sophie Hebert Blakeley Hicks Jack Hilton Macey Hogue Baxter Holloway Avah Houck Michael Ireland Caroline Jackson Jazyah Jackson

Davin Jeffery Tanner Jenkins Amelia Jennings Grayson King Ryan Kitchens Evelyn Lattin Audry Lewis Jonathan Livingston Grayson Minshew Jackson Moore Kade Morgan Ellie Oglesbee Temilola Ogunkolade Erik Orona, Jaxon Oswalt Harshit Peddi Addison Pegues Kennedy Rios Siann Rudolph Mason Rusk Ryleigh Russell Trisha Saenz Ayden Smith Cooper Stoddard Deacon Tabor Allie Venables Sophia Verfurth Samantha Wacasey Emilie Wessman Eli White Frances Wilson Chaztin Wrighten Benjamin Yates 2nd Grade - with Distinction Aaron Aguilar Sadie Avaltroni Hudson Bass Sarahi Berumen Cameron Black Thomas Carlisle Jimmy Castillo Cole Chamberlain Tristan Compton Azja Dunham Addison Fussell Elise Fussell Samuel Galvez Sophie Golden Alyssa Grissom Kelland Guillory Johnny Hamilton Olivia Hardee Adalee Harriss Gracie Hernandez Preston Hodges Olaedo Ibeh Hunter Johnson Sophie Johnson Tyson Johnson Myrabella Johnston Connor Kelsey Andre Malik Nathan McCrory Jordan Nash Laila Nelson Caroline Newman Cameron Nunley Aubrey Orban Wilson Page Ezequiel Pascual-Mata Joscelyn Rice Chandler Rotzler Charles Rue Rheagan Saintignan Julian Sims Macy Stroman Kiley Strong Kaylee Swaim Rayyan Syed Emily Wilcox John Wilson Lincoln Witt Jasmine Wright Olivia Zuniga 3rd Grade - with Distinction Sophie Brinkman Sreeniketh Chiluveri Ty Cook Carson Coward Elizabeth Danielson Andrew Dean Ellin Dunaway Christopher Foster Maria Goel Espinoza Mallory Hickman Mary Hilton

2016-17 Second Semester Honor Roll Students Mason Hodges Moses Hough Jason Hubbard Sydney Hudman Ryan Hull Jaharia Hunter Mia Jones Lincoln Kyle Brant Laird Savannah Lee Cameron Little Steven Livingston Jacob Lundy Ashtyn McCray Nathalia Orona Devashish Pandey Brenden Priddy Ethan Randolph Killian Reagh Kiley Salser Linsey Sanchez Madison Sheffield Marta Shepherd Jaslene Solis Mellady Sparks Yash Tahiliani Swarali Taware Melinda Tran Anna Tryon Lawson Tubb Brinlee Whiddon 4th Grade- with Distinction James Angus Emerson Black Ella De La Fuente Gabriel Duncalfe Diego Freire Nicholas Glanton Riley Gonzalez Winn Harriss Addison Hatchett William Hilton Addison Johnson Matthew Khieu Avery Lambright Mason Lundy Ava Martin Ava Riley Addison Soape Mabry Venables Jacky Wang Lanie Weber 5th Grade - with Distinction Lexie Belk Evelyn Campos Adrik Cano Emily Cavazos Maggie Elswick Kristian Ferguson Lauren Fisher William Fisher Ian Franze Trevor Gant Diego Garcia Daedrion Garrett Alec Germanwala Miguel Gonzalez JaColbie Granville Caleb Hall Tiffanie Healy Addyson Hearron Joseph Hough Emily Jarrell Kennedy Jeffery Seth Johnson Celeste Johnston Parker Kelsey Hibah Khan Jonathan Lebanan John Lenhart Emma Mahjoobi Betsabe Martinez Maggie Mayes Addison Minshew Jared Morales Kyle Musick Jackson Newman Divya Nirmal Dominic Pistone Cooper Randolph Kaylee Read Namita Reddy Allison Reed Brayden Revis Hailey Sanders Aman Saridena

Ava Wilcox Campbell Williams Allyson Yates

Johnston-McQueen

1st Grade - with Distinction Lexie Argabright Kimberly Arriaza Charles Barton Lundynn Bowens Aire’Anna Brisset Landen Calais Brycen Chambers William Douthitt Eli DuVall Miranda Estrada Ashton Eubanks Canyon Fondren Maddileyn Fulton Jonathan Harris Parker Hatfield Jaxon Hawthorne Kenny Huynh Aryan Iley Elyana Johnson Tyler Johnson Kirra Peek Alexyss Rios Jakobe Rollins Cayden Royal Bryan Sanchez Geoffrey Serna Jonathan Sutton Ja’Niya Taylor Lilah Tyson Tesla Wallingford Beckham Warren 2nd Grade - with Distinction Kayden Brown Salaya Brown Gabriel Formoso Kyndall Frederick Nevaeh Jimmerson Cy Marsh Kinsey Marshall Camden McCurry Johanna Ndizeye Daniel Olvera Sydney Police Israel Purdum Andrew Rector Cody Roe Maddison Schooley VanMichael Swanson Cooper Weaver 3rd Grade - with Distinction Simon Cooper Spencer Hayes Carter Hill Aalyah Masterson Kaylee Smith Kambel Yoder 4th Grade - with Distinction Julia Nunn Carolyn Purdum Hector Rodriguez Paris Simpson 5th Grade - with Distinction Grecia Aguilar Annie Tran 3rd Grade Jillian Sides Davi Teixeira Brady Yoder

N.E.Williams Elemetary

3rd Grade - with Distinction David Olvera La Kayla Riley 2nd Grade Anthony Bolano Eduardo Castro Kennadi Curry Keith Fowler Roxanne Jacobo Pablo Landaverde Nhu Mai Sara Maldonado Kelly Matuz Hobert Nelson Milly Perez Valeria Ramírez Eduardo Reyes Jaidyn Smith Rashaad Wofford 3rd Grade Jacqueline Aguilar

David Olvera 4th Grade Saniyah Jimmerson Yosuani Romero Madison Sandoval Trey Willis 5th Grade Layla Boyd Devin Handy Betel Medina Cedric Mitchell Azael Ramírez Leonila “Teresa’ Sánchez Asia Taylor Cameron White

South Ward Elementary

1st Grade - with Distinction Jailyn Gamez Travencia McAlister Juan Mendoza Davionne Pickron Manuel Rubio Te’Niyia Wooten 2nd Grade - with Distinction Orlando Arreola Valeria Cerda-Hernandez Danna Fuentes Aguayo Alejandrina Hernandez-Garcia Gabriela Lambarria Kristin Martinez Arendy Perez Christian Perez 3rd Grade - with Distinction Raul Garay Escobedo 5th Grade - with Distinction Gizela Terrones- Serrano 1st Grade Valeria Adame Analia Aguirre Serenity Alexander Johnson Camren Anthony Gracie Bloodworth Monica Briceno Axel Correa Da’Laja Culpepper Shaniya Durden Jarian Fitts Jailyn Gamez Jonathan Gaona Israel Gonzalez Anniecia Hunt Audrey Luna Anthony Marcano Nathan Marroquin Miguel Martinez Travencia McAlister Danna Mendoza Juan Mendoza Faith Odum Chaston Parker Daniel Perez Davionne Pickron Valeria Reyes Catherine Rodriguez Uriel Rodriguez Manuel Rubio Isabela Salinas Taylor Sebron Shaniyah Sedberry Levi Servin Demarcus Talley Aireonua Thomas Kaedyn Thomas Ky’Liyah Thomas Tiana Valetine Ariana Vazquez-Valdivia Te’Niyia Wooten Zoe Zermeno 2nd Grade Joan Aguilar Manuel Aguirre Jazzayln Anthony Orlando Arreola Trinitee Carter Guadalupe Caserez Valeria Cerda-Hernandez Alexa Contreras Danna Fuentes Aguayo Valeria Gonzalez Cristopher Gutierrez Brooke Harris Xitlhaly Hernandez Alejandrina Hernandez-Garcia Brayan Herrera-Chavez Joselyn Jimenez

Samya Jimmerson Miley Juarez Gabriela Lambarria Daniel Linares Triminio Allen Lopez Kristin Martinez Jesus Pascual Arendy Perez Christian Perez Dayan Perez-Tafoya Perez-Tafoya Dillan Ethen Portley Anthony Ramirez Keyshondalyn Renfro Evelin Solis Joselina Solis D’Acio Vasquez Courtney Wells Zayden White 3rd Grade Diana Aguirre Leon Barbosa-Vazquez Marely Cerda Guadalupe Cervantes Martinez Martin Cruz Nayeli Galvan Escobedo Garay Ezequiel Garay Maritza Garcia Maribel Guerrero Abel Gurrola Luis Hernandez-Gonzalez Laine Leal Emanuel Moctezuma Oscar Olivares Valeria Salinas Vanessa Vega 4th Grade Reyna Arredondo Carmen Dominguez Elena Guevara Nevaeh Gutierrez MelanieHernandez Esmeralda Hernandez-Garcia Ruby Hernandez-Garcia Naomi Jimenez Emanuel Montes Denys Perez Jessy Solis Paris Todd Daniel Torres 5th Grade Davion Aguilar Yaritza Almanza Samaria Burnett Jonathan Cruz Chavez Joanna Dominguez Dulce Escalante Veronica Esquivel Guadalupe Gonzalez Nevaeh Hawkins Adam Jamaica Monica Landim-Martinez Jamarr Martin Diego Martinez Jasmin Olivares Giovanni Pacheco Alexis Perez Omar Perez Michelle Ponce Morales Edwin Ramirez Jachail Rose Gizela Terrones- Serrano Jose Torres Yadira Torres Guillermo Tovar

Ware Elementary

1st Grade - with Distinction Jihanna Alvarez George Cameron Alejandra Delgado Adrian Dixon Diana Lopez Mar’Kayden Martinez Janneth Navarro David Resendiz Ray Reynaga Angeline Rocha Estefany Solis Jalaimy Soto Dynasty Wells 2nd Grade - with Distinction Latrell Blackmon Xavier Lopez Israel Orona Isaiah Smith

Jacorian Stevenson Yacelie Vazqueez Jaylen Willie 3rd Grade - with Distinction Daylon Hughes Olandris Feggett Gabrielle Jones M’Cayla Jones Kel’vona Shephard Deion Willie 5th Grade - with Distinction Evelyn Cruz

Foster Middle School

6th Grade - with Distinction Alexis Adiet Jordan Allen Chloe Alzaga Luke Archer Julianna Benitez Katelyn Clendenin Francyne Diola Jefferson Dunaway Delia Fourie Lane Healy Abigail Hilton Christina Holder Reagan Hull Kristen Kennel Jayden Lansford Hannah McCrory Michael Morin Jax Norman Reagan Rios Haven Still Mya Vaughan Ashlynn Whatley 7th Grade - with Distinction Victor Aguilar Emily Arambula Cisneros Rylee Camp Jake Chamberlain Safin Chowdhury Clancy Davis Rachna Edalur Iniabasi Ekpenyong Diego Enriquez Tucker Gary Arya Germanwala Colleen Gilliland Dylan Gonzalez Thomas Greifenkamp Matthew Guck Carson Hilliard Natalie Holder Anthony Holyfield Isabella Hough Rylee Hunter Otibhor Ihionkhan Aditya Jagarlamudi Nitya Jagarlamudi Alexis Jones Ian Mahjoobi Neha Nirmal Gowri Rangu Brayden Strong Brooklynn Sumrow Will Waltrip Chancellor Williams 8th Grade - with Distinction Delia Acuna Diana Acuna Rylee Babino Stella Barton Justin Beltran Isabel Breaux Kiaira Coates Nicholas Goodan Ivriah Horton Margaret Jackson Ethan Jones Harrison Lin Samantha Martinez Peja Mathis Cooper Mayes Elizabeth Monsour Elliot Murphy Alexis Nunley Carolina Olivas Austin Pencheon Kelsey Quiett Mallory Reeves Alejandro Rojas Monsivais Alexandra Rojas Monsivais Rachael Smith Valerie Smith Adiamond Snoddy

Evelyn Summers Caroline Taylor Luisa Toledo Elizabeth Wall Charles Ward Emma Williams 6th Grade Ismael Aguilar Juan Aguilar Esther Alvarez Jaime Alvarez Yessica Barboza Alexander Beane Nancy Bisarraga Sophie Blackburn Ta’Darion Boone Aaliyah Cade Cody Cannon Alejandro Carvajal-Flores Amber Chadwick Inesha Combs Maria Cruz Henry Danielson Adrian Davis Rachel de Jong Diana Dominguez Jose Dosal Collin Dunn Latasia Evers Jerranovia Fagans Journee Fairchild Seth Fulton Carmen Gonzalez Luis Gonzalez Perla Gonzalez Anavia Gordon Brett Gordy Martin Guerrero Panal Nathan Guevara Cale Herber Karina Hernandez Thomas Hickman Savannah Holley Micah Howard Israel Ibarra Karen Juarez Sha’Dreshea Kennedy Erika Landaverde Preston Lansford Mary Leak Maya Legarda Kyler Lewis Eric Longoria Jair Lopez Loc Ly Madalynn Maddox Alejandro Martinez Harrison McAuley Julianna McCardell Leilani Mercier Hailey Monsivais Jakayla Morrow Alana Mumphrey Andrew Najera Karen Navarro Gonzalez Kayden Newhouse Vanesa Orona Aleksandr Ortega Clarissa Ortega Eileen Oviedo Ricardo Perez Adrian Piedra Adriana Pierce Elizabeth Ponder Yasmin Reyes Wendy Reyes-Hernandez Desmond Rider Jayla Robertson Carolina Rodriguez Jocelyn Rubio Grace Rucker Emanuel Ruiz-Simental Immanuel Scott Anna Skinner Rashad Slaughter Monica Sosa Brandavion Steverson Cole Stout Jenny Uceda Canales Johannes Van Zyl Neida Vargas Jovanni Vazquez Wendy Vazquez-Alvarado Daylen Wells Emajai’ Williams Nautica Williams

Joi’kemiya Wilson Emma Wright Jorden Writt Jaisa Zuniga Jared Zuniga 7th Grade Natalie Ausselet K’Dynce Ballard Tenique Bauer Zane Bunn Victor Bush Preston Byrnes Lexie Cannon Juan Chavez Tre’Von Clough Damian Coker Alivea Coles Asiah Curry Kyla Daniels Tailar Davis Itoro Ekpenyong Jesse Fairchild Randi Floyd Abbey Frierson Miranda Gonzalez Amanda Hildebrant Xavier Hopson Madison Hunka Daniel Jacobo Camry Jones Chanireya Jones D’Quincee Lafayette Mason LaMaster Kailey Lewis Kei’Adriah Lister Manuel Lopez Aurora Lopez Resendiz Lesly Macedo Nathan Magee Juan Martinez Martinez Angelina Medrano Nathaley Medrano Angie Mendoza Emiya Mims Guadalupe Molina Alysis Muniz Noah Newcombe Missael Olvera Delores Pena Chelsee Phillips Kesi Ransom Rebecca Roberts DeKorrian Rockwell Joshua Sanders Cesia Santacruz Malajah Shepherd I’Chanti Sheppard Jayden Smith Caroline Snyder Angel Soto Palacios Luke Spence Kaitlyn Stewart Alicia Swindall DeKalon Taylor Harrison Taylor Arely Terrones Kate Thompson Mariah Thompson Taniya Thompson Mya Vance Amourion Walton Abigail Zavala 8th Grade Margarita Acevedo Anabel Arce Bryan Avila Luis Barron John Blackburn Dynasty Bowman Honesty Bowman Aracely Briseno Jonathan Castanon Nehemiah Colbert Perla Cuevas Serenity Daniels Alaizja Davis Macorian Dawkins Mario Diola William Dixon Miracle Elam Skylar Fondren Monserrat Gallegos Ceci Garcia Jeremiah Garcia Brady Gideon Jesus Gonzalez Molina

Tyree Hale Jonathan Hall Laney Hart Brandt Herber Karina Hernandez Miguel Hernandez Reginald Hutchins Shannon Jackson Camryn Jacobs Taylor Jamison Sydnee Jones Joshua Kennel Sergio Landin Jonas Lansford JaKorean Lilly Royce McConnell Meagan McGuire Daniel Morin Omar Morin Braden Nickel Malayshia Pierce Carlos Ramirez-Castillo La’Brontavian Reese ShaKyla Robert Adriana Rubio Alexandra Sanchez Reyna Sanchez Alexandra Santacruz Dalton Serrato Kadajah Sewell Zoey Sheppard Averie Shobert Shakayla Smith Esther Soto Kayla Stafford Emily Stahl Dashawna Steverson Colby Stokes Kendrick Talley Xandria Thompson Kersha Toliver Ashton Tribble Malaysia Venters Noah White Sh’Niyah Williams Yareli Zarate

Judson Middle School

6th Grade - with Distinction Richard Flores Caedmon Kingston Madison McCracken Samantha Montalvo Halle Moore Kyra Taylor Paula Witham 7th Grade - with Distinction Adaly Beruman Josue Chavez Dayanna Maldonado Jenalee Sauceda 8th Grade - with Distinction Annabelle Alvarez Tatum Fenton David Parks 6th Grade Chance Barnett Jagger Barton Kacie Bissette Hailey Bonner LaJada Box Carmon Cardona Jacob Carpenter Alfonso Cerda Devin Chan Tommy Dyche Vernal Emhoolah Andrea Felix Rodriguez Isabel Garcia Ashtyn Garrett Isabela Garza Kaleena Gray Harrison Greene Jackson Greene C’Amor Hall Kalyn Jackson Ayden James Braelin Johnson Ma’Kiya Lamb Miranda Mejia Braydon Melton Matthew Miller Kendra Mitchell T Moore Zackary Mount Kenia Otero

Stephany Palacios-Barcenas Dipika Pandey Sergio Paredes Alaysha Pierce MaKayla Police Kimora Reese Sherlyn Rodriguez Acevedo Elexis Sanders Abigail Smith Aniah Stansell Zamyah Sullivan Tania Tovar Elizabeth Weaver Kendall Wennmohs Kymber Woods Marcel Woolridge 7th Grade Magali Arriaga-Salgado Sarah Barnes Andrew Campos Matthew Campos Brianna Estrada Fowler Ficke Alexis Garay Hernandez Joshua Harrison Jonathan Hernandez Mejia Kyndal Houff Rufus Humphries Christian Jeffery Preston Kampfer Samantha Lares Andrew McCauley Janiya McClendon Devin Mize Rodney Moore Kelli Owings Ashton Polk Angel Reyes Mason Shead La’Shasta Williams 8th Grade Bre’Antreniece Abney Quinton Adams Jy’Christon Baxter Ma’Laysia Bell Trenton Bush Alanee Gonzales Kevon Green Taylor Green Juliana Hernandez Isiah House Destiny Johnson Jacob Lowery Javion Magee Maria Maldonado Saldierna Ahrial Marton Cree McLemore Sau-Kei Neugent Bryce Rawls Hailee Reeves Raven Reyes Shueilla Soto Katelyn Taylor Preston Taylor De’Cameron Thomas Robert Vinson Richard Windom

Longview High School

9th Grade - with Distinction Fatima Akilo Abigail Archer Kyle Ashley Camarah Avila Anthony Benitez Karla Bobadilla Emma Broquie Zoe Brown Da’Ahna Bugg Anna Burson Colby Byrnes Kennedy Cameron Kerris Cameron Lindsey Cannon Ramiro Cerda Kaven Darty Avione Davenport Iris Gallegos Breonna Garrett Jhy’Mhyriyon Gay Hannah Gerold Brennin Gillespie Connor Gilliland Lamya Gillis Dax Griffith Laney Gruppi

Page 7

Lucy Henderson Jaselyn Hill Robert Hough Ashtyn Jones Aubrey Jones Simran Kortikere Daivik Lakkadi Raileigh Levingston Del Lopez Ava Loyd Skyela Lummus Cristopher Macedo Lluvia Marquez Katherine McCrory Ashley McFarland Jane Melendez Emily Mendenhall Alejandra Montano Cameron Phillips Janette Plata-Magana Daniel Rodriguez Ricardo Rodriguez Isaac Romero Emma Russell Javier Sauceda Jordan Scoggins Bhavna Singh Carly Snyder Nayeli Solis Oracio Soria Whitney Taylor Jacqueline Vazques Morgan Woods 10th Grade - with Distinction Cristina Adame Blake Aldridge Bryana Barajas Gregory Boudreau Grace Buie Sophie Bunn Jacob Carruthers Gabrielle Davis Kimberly Diez Amanda Dominguez Surya Donty Lakeithian Duffey Ralfe Francisco Alexis Freeman Emma Frierson Nicholas Gaar Jar Gallon Autumn Gauthier Diana Godoy Alexis Gurunian Mary Henderson Kelloni Hogan William Holloman Allison Howe Ejehi Ihionkhan Measha Jones Melvin Jones Michael Jones Claire Long Colin Loyd Madelyn Mack Daniel Mancha Laura Martinez Somers Massare Dijon Maxie Myles Meader Jessica Mena Brady Miller Shelberly Moore Lexus Penn Cielo Peralta Evan Pistone Jacob Powell Estephania Ramirez Tania Ramirez Nitin Rangu Emily Rico Morgan Roberts Kathryn Roper Keithan Ross Payton Schaap Jonathan Scott Natalie Serrato Magdalena Shen Alyssa Shobert Manuel Suarez Benjamin Taylor Samantha Taylor Kassidy Thompson Karina Torres Anna Ward

See Honor Roll, page 8

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

Page 8 Honor Roll|Continued from page 7 Noah Williams Meredith Wright Alexis Wyman 11th Grade - with Distinction Elizabeth Adeeko Mariana Aviles-Gutierrez Elissa Branch Isabella Cowart Kasieghe Darensbourg David Dillon Zeru Dong John Earnest Abriana Fomukong Katy Friend Marian Frith Nora Garcia Sequoyah Gardner Levi Grant Stephanie Guck McAndrew Henderson Angelica Hernandez Kyle Janati Alyssa Jester Madeline Johnson William Langston Alda Lim Rachel Lin Mikielah Marshall Justin Melendez Hannah Miller Quentasia Miller Veronica Monclova-Soto Jhaleyah Moore Benjamin Murphy Olivia Norrell Bailey Odom Angelica Olvera Tahjaa Robertson Cynthia Rodriguez Zurisaddai Rodriguez Madison Schochler Carter Sorrels Ledale Sparkman Noah Terry Zachariah Tullos Kyra Turner Zyl Van Andres Villarreal Taylor Weedon Jennifer Whitfield Suzanne Zeid 12th Grade - with Distinction Jose Alvarado Anahi Arellano Blanca Arreola Raven Atkinson Ashleigh Benton Sunita Brimmer Elease Brown Janise Campbell Ian Champion Mason Colvin Naomi Darbell Mary Darby Jasten Darensbourg Bradie Davis Haley Deitz Madeline Duvall Daniele Farren Tristen Fisher Ciera Ford Kareli Garcia Jessica Green Christopher Guck Olivia Hill Bailey Jackson Shaderia Jackson Kaylee Jimmerson Alexandria Johnson Mea Johnson Alexander Lammers Jordan Leek Jacqueline Maldonado Emily Manchester Berrios Martinez Christian Mata Rutvi Patel Abigail Pauley Audrey Payton Arjun Peddireddy Neal Rangu Victoria Raymer Abraham Rebollar Aubrie Reed Aguilar Rico Kryzmon Robertson Zachary Rosenfield Dantrell Rugley Karen Sanchez

Ashlyn Shobert Emmanuel Soria Lucas Steele Isabel Suarez Fernando Talabis Felipe Tovar Lady Trejo Camron Wafer Margaret Ward Shaquincy Watts Caitlin Wilcox Archie Williams Steven Yanez 9th Grade Iris Aguirre Bernita Allen Elena Alvarez Marissa Arellano Omar Arteaga Andrew Beltran Aparicio Berumen Jhailon Braden Myrna Briones Mallory Burgess Katherine Burlingame Jye’Ayjiah Bush Zeniyah Cage Lauren Caldwell Kate-Lynne Campbell Arnulfo Campos Daegan Carter Chase Caviness Victoria Chadwick Dalen Colbert Madison Cole Toryn Collins Zarea Collins Chloe Cook Julia Corrales Avery Cotten Raean Cowan Morgan Coyle Mary Duvall Fabian Escobar Jessica Espinoza Lilly Ezigbo-Dessesaure Carson Fleet Tessa Fried Jesus Galvan Francisco Gamez Gisselle Gamino Daisy Gaona Nayely Garcia Shalyni Gaskin Alejandra Gonzalez Jesse Gonzalez Hannah Greathouse Maryah Green Matthew Hanson Guinevere Harris Keyaria Harrison Penelope Hattenbach Terrance Head Olivia Heichelheim Zoe Henry Jamaisha Hill John Hodges Jaidah Horton Cidni Howard Savannah Humphrey Alexis Hunter Kori Hunter Dalysiann Ingram Kavodric James Emily Janner Mere Jasso-Cerna Christa Jeffery Kahlya Johnson Sha’Kidreana Johnson Kalea Kenney Haynes King Quintana King Steelie King Jace Koepke Raquel Landaverde Adeline Langston Valerie Lindsey Carla Lopez Eric Lopez Melinda Mancilla Edgar Martinez Zayra Martinez Michael Mavhunga De Mendoza Judson Mercier Julia Miller Briseida Monsivais Syre Moore De’Asia Mumphrey

Matthew Nguyen Jiayah Oliver Kaylie Ortega Sergio Oviedo Kristopher Pechacek Zoe Perry Ja’Lynn Posey Cloee Pratt Jaycee Pratt Giovanni Quezadas Ariana Rodriguez Maricela Roque Kiyra Rose Adam Sanchez Kayla Smith Nelly Soria Vanessa Sosa Kaleea Taylor Yoali Terrones Moiya Toliver Gonzalez Tovar Alexia Tovar Christy Truong Summer Tullos Angela Vargas Alex Vazquez Paulina Vela Carmen Vermillion Alexander Villagrana Simon Villalobos Davion Watson Jakayla Watts Keandreia White Jada Wilkerson Verona Williams Povsocheata You Lopez Zarate 10th Grade Selena Aguinaga Seth Alex Dekari Alexander Jaylon Allen Kalyn Anderson Rynie Barnes Elizabeth Bates Brian Bell Evan Bell Harvey Boyd Sharae Bradley Joshua Braggs Christie Campbell Julia Capella Chew Carraway Eduardo Cerda Ofelia Cerda Tyler Chmiel Emma Clark Joaquin Colunga John Cox Mandy Craig Kade Crawford Luisa Cuevas Chloe Curtis Sauntiania Darden Kysean Dixon Tavion Dixon Angela Dominguez Ski’Leshia Durden Jordan Edwards Giovanni Enriquez Ikea Ervin Emelia Escalona Jarda Evans Zachary Fasang Taleiah Fortner Daniel Fourie Leanna Frazier Eduardo Galvan Erika Garcia Yasmine Gardner Abbey Gideon Carla Gonzalez Christian Gonzalez Maritza Gonzalez Barriet Gray Austin Greifenkamp Grahm Gruppi Martinez Gutierrez Lauryn Ham Shamyria Hamilton Joshua Harry Marcus Harry Escobedo Hernandez Alexa Hernandez Aslan Hilliard Christopher Holyfield Jesus Huerta Jharyn Jackson Rodrick James

Hope Jehorek Christopher Jimenez Camryn Johnson Hunter Jones Kelinda Jones Erin Kelly Dametria Kennedy Robert Knapp Brayan Loyola Monica Lozano Dario Luna Citlali Macedo Nicole Magee Edgar Maldonado Kennedy Malone Blake Martin Jimmie Martin Alondra Martinez Alexa Mata Edwin Mata-Montealvo Sernomia McCants Rachel McCarty Paxton McConnell Tamia McGee Bra’Tarious Menefee Jamie Mikle Isidro Montalvo Paul Morin Ryley Nelson Griselda Olivarez Brianna Pena Malaika Pencheon Jasmine Perez Logan Peters Lucki Pilcher Daquavion Randall Tommy Rayson Kalley Reed Cristina Resendiz Gavin Roberts Joi Robertson Jacob Rogers Flores Romo Fernando Ruiz Samuel Ruvalcaba Lawrencia Shead William Sherman Gaurav Singh Bailey Smith Ke’Rajah Smith Crystal Sosa Lee Stanley Princess Taylor Elijah Thomas Skilar Thomas Amelia Torres Brissa Torres Mindy Tran Mouminatou Traore Andrade Trejo Morgan Vance Shakevlyn Washington Kasey Whitenack Alyssa Williams Marcus Williams Jordan Yoder 11th Grade Ana Aguilar Kimberly Aguilar Vanessa Aguilar Isabel Aguirre Briseida Alvarez Jose Amador Madeline Archer Ivan Arroyo Decosia Avila Guadalupe Aza Joshua Babino Maria Barrios Naum Barron Tatyana Bauer Althea Beck Jose Bizarraga Skye Blatz Jose Briseno Rakia Brooks Erica Brown Leslie Campos Marissa Casas Sterling Caspersen Castillo Castro Nino Cerda Marshall Coleman Esquira Collier Gregory Collins Verania Correa Felisha Cowan Keiana Cox Bresha Crowder

July 2017

Martin Cruz Manecia Darden Dakota Davenport Rachel Deller Brooklyn Eldridge Geisy Enriquez Tolga Erdinc Hunter Fenton Brittney Ferguson Tykelan Flamer Seth Fuller Diana Garcia Alexander Garza Makila Garza Jensen Gates Angel Gauna David Gauthier Carrie Gilliland Guadalupe Godinez Lucero Gomez Magaly Gurrola Rudy Gutierrez Jeffrey Hamilton Tyler Hart Brenda Hernandez Levi Hesley Jonathan Hinojos Paul Hutchins Caitlin Johnson Kyle Johnson Madison Johnson Kaylan Jones Mary-Claire Jones Triniti Jones Christopher Kessler Sean King Maria Landin Brooke Lashua Jordan Lawson Nickissia Lawson Collin Lee Cameron Lewis Ditza Leyva Salazar Lopez Olivia Lorenz Malaysia Lucky Zyrea Lyons Kassandra Manrique Sergio Martinez Corbin McCain Aaron McDaniel-Guillory Hallie McFarland Tyrin McGee Ashley Mendenhall Susana Mercado J’Ianna Miller Brooke Mitchell Vanessa Monsivais Arisbet Moreno Whitney Morgan Lakevinya Moss Rubina Murphy Jonathan Nelson Wyatt Nelson Dalery Nieto Celeste Nunez Jovany Ontiveros Andrea Orona Modesto Orrosquieta Leslie Osorio Esquivel Pascual Jasmine Patton Dawson Penn Destiny Perez Diana Perez Lizeth Perez Autumn Pierce Joshua Pointer Yazmin Powell Grayson Randell Montavian Reed Justice Renner Job Reyes Jonathan Reyes Keon Robbinson Lauren Roberts Tyetiana Rugley Abigail Ruiz Keyla Ruiz Fernanda Salcedo Alexa Sanchez Joshua Sanchez Jamia Sanders Emily Savinon Tyambria Sheppard Kendalyn Shumaker Jorin Sides Danny Slayton Jaiden Smith

Alexus Sosa Logan Spence Sophia Steelman Dornesha Stevenson Coreyann Stewart Noah Summers Gabriela Talavera Sahory Tapia Kindra Taylor Richard Thomas Adrienne Todd Alicia Tovar Erick Trujillo Steve Truong Ezekiel Tullos Munoz Vazquez Alondra Vega Jose Velazquez Diana Vidales Kyia Walker Abigail Warren Tia Watts Tyler Wilder Mariah Woodard Estrella Zapata 12th Grade Briana Aguilar Stephanie Aguilar April Alejandro Jakayla Anthony Ruby Arreola Raven Atkinson Kennedy Ballard Daniel Bally Haylie Barrow James Beard Jnajaha Bell Marche’Nique Bell De’Karian Brooks Aaron Brown Trajan Bush Alison Caldwell Landon Calhoun Mary Camp Brittney Campbell Christopher Caraway Daijia Carr Ladayshia Carr Anthony Castillo Lucy Castillo Bianca Ceballos Ronnie Collier McKenzie Collins Cameron Coulter Deyonna Daniels Kobe Davis Tia Deadmon-White Astrid Delacruz Selma Deluna Sarah Dickerson Jack Dipasquale Kahlil Dorsey Ashanti Dotrey Khloe Dunn Evelyn Enriquez Keira Eynon Ja’Quavion Faggans Arnoldo Felix Shakariah Flamer Kayla Ford Isabel Fuentes Meekayla Fuller Cepeda Garcia Alejandra Garcia Carlos Garcia Daija Garrett Za’Tyrion Garrett Levondrick George Austin Godell Brock Goffney Alphalia Gonzalez Yasmine Gordon Jamore Green Elisabeth Greene Journey Greene Jesus Guerrero Huerta Guevara Michael Hanson LaMya Harris Skyler Henderson Tyler Hendricks Barrera Hernandez Billy Hubbard Issamar Ibarra Erath Islas Jennifer Izaguirre Anastasia Jackson Deshante Jackson Kayla Jackson

Kayleen Jackson Abby Jester Sevastian Jimenez Kaland Johnson Jermie Jones Matayia Jones Ke’Atra King Victoria Leak Cheyenne Lee Esdgar Loyola Noemi Luna Silvia Martinez Jordan Masterson Taylor Medlin Jasmine Medrano Miayah Miller Ramon Miramontes Guadalupe Montalvo Ysidro Montano Kenneth Moss Morgan Murphy Erion Nelson Benjamin Nguyen Van Nguyen Franklin Noe Carol Ocana Jesenia Olvera Evelin Osborne Taylor Overton Kayla Owings Devon Parsons Flores Patino Mya Patterson Kimberly Peralta Cristian Pinales Genesis Pineda Harris Plata Shamariya Powell Amy Ramos Wendy Reta-Luna Yunior Reyes Christian Rios Karina Rodriguez Maritza Rodriguez Jakayla Rowlett Sara Rueda Melissa Ruiz Hailey Ryan Heather Ryan David Sanchez Emanuel Sanchez Marisol Sanchez John Scott Nadia Scribner Chakirra Seastrunk Andrea Sepulveda Jones Sheffield Stayton Shields Cody Smith Georgina Smith Kerry Smith Patrice Smith Garrett Snyder Hernan Solis Dianna Soto Jacob Starr Sara Tapia Paul Thomas Jacqueline Toledo Milthon Torres Pedro Vargas Luis Vazquez Davianna Venters Marco Villanueva Seth Wallace Justin Wendt Gaylon Wiley Blake Williams Coleman Williams Jayla Williams Je’Vonnie Williams J’Ven Wilson Ke’Andra Womack Nicholas Writt Carballo Zulueta Guillermo Zuniga

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

July 2017

Page 9

ELEMENTARY

SMU partners with LISD for Montessori study

Incoming teachers for the new Montessori campus learned just how important they are June 1 as Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox, program director Dr. Jacqueline Burnett, and Assistant Superintendent Horace Williams discuss the future of their Pre-K/Kinder programs.

“You are shaping the classes or 2030, 2031, and 2032,” said Williams.

“We don’t know what their world will look like, but we know what we can do to impact their lives.”

Dr. Wilcox discussed the SMU Early Education’s impact study with the teachers.

“If they could go somewhere in Dallas, they would. But nowhere in Dallas are these programs being offered in a public school system,” he said. “We are offering something that nobody else is, that is something truly inspiring.”

The East Texas Montessori Prep Academy will open in August and registration is ongoing at the Student Development Center, 500 N. Third Street, Longview.

Parents should bring a photo ID, the student’s birth certificate and Social Security card; current shot records; proof of address such as an electric bill, water bill or lease. Parents will also need to bring two recent paycheck stubs for Pre-K enrollment.

Future scientist?

Hudson PEP Elementary 5th Grade student Jonathan Lebreron gives Longview ISD trustees a presentation about his trip to the State Science Fair last month. Great job Jonathan!

OPEN MON - SAT 10 AM - 6PM

(903) 758-4367 2002 JUDSON ROAD, LONGVIEW, TX 75605

WWW.BARTLETTFINEJEWELRY.COM • DIAMONDFIRE@MAIL.COM

2017-18 Student registration now underway

With the current school year come and gone, online registration is now underway via InfoSnap on the Longview ISD website.

Once you have a snapcode for your student, you may begin the enrollment or verification process by creating an InfoSnap account. You will then need to fill out all of the required fields for your student and then complete all other relevant information on the rest of the online forms. If you are not given the option to submit the online form, you will need to go back and make sure that all required fields are complete.

If you are registering more than one student, begin the next child’s pre-registration after submitting the first registration so that you may share common information among those children, which will save you time. If you are not able to complete all of your children’s registrations at the same time, you may also log back into the site later on to began a new registration for addition students.

Remember to press the “save and submit” button before you leave the site. Note: You MUST complete all required fields before you are able to “save and submit.” At the end of the online process, parents are required to provide an electronic signature.

Parents must also provide updated immunization records (if necessary) before school begins and return proof of residency to the campus in August for all students.

To register your student online please go here: http://w3.lisd.org/ online-registration.html For more information, please contact your campus principal or the LISD Education Support Center at (903) 3812200.

Page 10

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

July 2017

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

July 2017

SPORTS

Page 11

7-on-7 routs Marshall, advances to State TYLER — A lot of people along Interstate 20 are eager to see how new Mavericks head coach Claude Mathis will shake up the Marshall-Long view rivalry when the two teams meet Sept. 8.

While that’s the first official melee between the two schools in Mathis’ tenure, the 7-on-7 squads met Saturday at Lindsey Park in Tyler for the right to advance to the Division I State 7-on-7 Tournament later this month.

Longview kept its longtime edge with a 33-0 semifinal win in the Tyler State Qualifying Tournament and will make its first state tournament appearance since 2013.

Jacksonville defeated Greenville, 41-25, in the other semifinal to secure its place in the July 1 tournament at College Station’s Veterans Park and Athletic Complex. Longview and Jacksonville opted not to play a championship game since the top two teams from a qualifying tournament automatically move to the state level.

“Our rivalry is always good with Marshall,” Lobos senior athlete Kendle Johnson said. “I felt like it was going to be a pretty good game. We had a good time.”

Johnson caught a team-best two touchdowns in the meeting. Both scores came from about 30 yards and were delivered by senior quarterback Jordan Lawson, who threw all five of the game’s touchdowns.

Lawson, Adarius Carter and Haynes King all got signal-caller reps through the course of the tournament. King and Carter strictly played receiver in the

semifinal game.

It took Longview four possessions to break the opening deadlock.

Carter’s 20-yard score just under the 10-minute mark of the first half held up as the winning play. Lawson threw scores the next two possessions for a 20-0 lead at halftime.

King and Jacob Joh n s on s c or e d touchdowns around Kendle Johnson’s two grabs and Carter’s go-ahead score.

Junior cornerback Ta i n iq ue Ta y lor recorded t wo interceptions in the second half.

“It was a team effort,” Taylor said. “We practiced hard the last couple of weeks preparing for this, and we performed.”

Marshall’s offense ran hot-and-cold all day on its way to a Pool D win versus College Station, John Tyler and Sulphur Springs.

College Station had previously qualified for the state tournament and traveled to Tyler solely for the experience, so pool games against College Station didn’t count. Marshall, John Tyler and Sulphur Springs all officially achieved 1-1 records.

The Mavericks dropped their opening game to Sulphur Springs, 42-40, and lost 28-12 against College Station. A 39-25 win versus John Tyler allowed it to represent the pool on point differential.

Marshall led John Tyler, 27-7, at halftime and pitched a shutout until the final play of the half.

Longview officially finished Pool C competition with a 2-0 record. It lost to Whitehouse 33-14 in its opening game, but Whitehouse had already earned

See 7-on-7, page 12

Youth football camp Diamond stars signing up now

Lobo baseball shared their skills with the next generation of diamond stars last month, leading a summer camp last month for area youth.

Lobo Football Camp is set for 8:3011:30 a.m. Aug. 7-9 at Lobo Stadium.

Camp is for students entering grades 1-9 in the fall of 2017.

Registration fee is $30, and registration is set for 7:30-8:30 a.m. on Aug. 7 at the high school turf room.

Campers will be provided breakfast and lunch each day.

Lobo basketball camp for boys (grades 1-9) is set for 8:30 a.m.-noon June 5-7 at Forest Park Middle School.

Cost for the camp is $40, and lunch and breakfast are included.

For information: Lady Lobo softballers showed some serious girl power last month, leading a (903) 663-7108 or bgoffney@lisd.org. summer camp for area youth.

GO LADY LOBOS!

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

Page 12

‘Silverback’ still giving back

July 2017

Students from all over East Texas gathered at Lobo Stadium last month to learn from NFL all-pro lineman (and LHS alum) Trent Williams, as well as former players and coaches.

2017-18 Lobo Band Heisman winner Majorettes and young King Introducing the 2017-2018 Lobo Band Majorettes. Led by Drum Majors Olivia Lorenz, Kyia Walker and Madeline Archer. Looking forward to marching season!

Lobo sophomore Haynes King learned some QB skills during the Manning Passing Academy last month. Shown here with Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson of Louisville, King had an opportunity to improve under the tutelage of some of the most talented football teachers in the country.

2017-18 LHS Viewettes 7-on-7| Continued from page 11 a state tournament berth and forfeited its games. The team went on to beat Forney, 31-20, and topped Lindale by a score of 30-0.

Past and present Lobos players would be the first to tell you 7-on-7 isn’t their forte, which makes achieving a state tournament berth for the first time in four seasons that much sweeter. The team operates a balanced offense out of pro formations during the football season.

Longview lost Tyler qualif ying tournament semifinal games in 2015 and 2016. The 2015 Lobos reached the fourth round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs and the 2016 squad won a share of the District 116A championship.

“It feels good,” Kendle Johnson said. “We always say we’re the best class, ’18. It feels good to be going to state and representing Longview.”

‘Savage’ football

More 100 area high school football players attended the S.E. Oklahoma Football Camp last month. Lobo Football hosted the camp and 17 Lobo football players attended the camp.

Last month the Viewettes spirit committee and officers attended camp and are preparing for an amazing 53rd year! We’re so proud of both of these groups and know they’re ready to lead! Way to be 53!

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

July 2017

Page 13

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

Page 14

July 2017

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Dr. Cynthia Wise named Principal at Forest Park

Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox has named Dr. Cynthia Wise as new Principal for Forest Park Middle School.

Dr. Wise, currently the principal at Ned E. Williams Elementary, will be taking over for Shay Thompson, who is retiring from the district.

“The accomplishments Dr. Wise has achieved at Ned E. Williams speak for themselves,” said Dr. Wilcox. “We expect her to bring the same high standards and commitment to excellence to the students and staff at Forest Park.”

An alumna of St. Paul’s College, Ohio State University, and Southeastern Oklahoma College, Dr. Wise has been with Longview ISD for ten years. She is looking forward to “taking my leadership skills to the next level by serving the students, teachers and parents at Forest Park.”

“But I will miss Ned E. Williams dearly. They are like my family. I have built some long-lasting relationships with the staff and parents,” she said. “I am grateful to Dr. Wilcox for this opportunity and I am extremely excited about building new relationships!”

During her tenure, Ned E. Williams has earned numerous distinctions from the Texas Education Agency, and was recently honored as a highprogress Title I campus by Region VII for closing academic performance gaps.

Coding camp success in first summer Raspberry Pi Computer Camp was a resounding success in its first summer at Longview.

Ins t r uc t ional Tec hnolog y Specialist Jennifer Smith said the camp seeks to increase student exposure and enthusiasm for coding and digital “making.”

Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. and Keene Guidry of CPU Wholesale Computer Parts, Inc. sponsored the camp. With volunteer support from 2016 valedictorian Stephen Jayakar, who took the time to work with the students by assisting them with their Python coding.

During the school year, the students will gather for a “Raspberry Jam” session and join other students interested in RPi to exchange ideas and other lessons learned.

“We hope that these students will inspire others’ interest in the Raspberry Pi, coding, and making,” Smith said.

CONGR AT S!!!

Exxon supports LISD!

Congratulations to Forest Park on receiving an E x xonMobil Educational Alliance grant!

This grant focuses on improvements in educational programs and encourages those who would like to pursue studies and careers in math and science.

Thank you to 6th grade Forest Park Middle School Math teacher, Lakesha Williams, and 6th grade students, Yensey Melara and Eric Aguirre, for accepting this check from ExxonMobil.

“The Building Blocks Needed for a Quality Dental Assisting Education” ENROLLING NOW FOR SUMMER CLASSES Day class Tuesdays and Thursdays 1442 MCCANNROAD LONGVIEW, TX 75601 903.553.0050

218 N. HENDERSON BLVD 704 W. MAIN ST KILGORE, TX 75662 HALLSVILLE, TX 75850 903-981-0010 903-668-2636

20 week class

1409 McCann RD. • Longview, TX 903.232.2289 • www.EastexDentalAcademy.com

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

July 2017

Page 15

HIGH SCHOOL

CATE program seeking Aviation students

Longview High students that are seeking dual credits in aviation can get them through the district’s partnership with LeTourneau University.

For more information please contact Career Tech director Brian Kasper via email bkasper@lisd.org or call (903) 663-7320

Trustees re-approve ‘flex’ day program

Trustees voted to to re-applying for the Optional Flexible School Day Program (OFSDP) in 2017-18. The program offers flexible scheduling for at-risk high school students, benefiting those unable to attend school in a traditional setting or those who need help catching up.

Dennis Williams, assistant superintendent of administrative and pupil services, told trustees that many students who apply for the program have jobs, family members to take care of, or other situations outside their control and are not able to attend school on a regular basis.

“Attendance accounting will allow for the accumulation of instructional time to earn state funding,” he said. “The district must hold a public hearing, approve the application, and provide annual reports on the progress of the program.”

Spelling Superstars Congratulations to Lobo alumni Jon Cromer (and Texas Bank & Trust teammate Karen Partee) on their victory June 7 at the annual East Texas Literacy Council Spelling Bee! Recent LHS grad Naomi D’Arbell Bobadilla and LISD teacher Bryce Standridge competed very well and made it through five rounds.

Congratulations all!

Page 16

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

July 2017

Tax Free Weekend Summer fun in announced in Texas South Longview

First day of school is Aug. 28 and while students and parents are enjoying the summer months, pretty soon everyone will be focused on school once again.

According to the website Yes We Coupon this year’s Sales Tax Holiday is August 11-13. The holiday theoretically applies only to “back to school” items, but the list of exempted items is huge. For all you 1st timers who are experiencing this, I want to give you a suggestion on how to approach “Sales Tax Holiday”.

In general, using common sense is the best way to save even more during tax-free week. This means comparing prices at different stores, which you can do online, and also using coupons—in addition to the tax-free savings—whenever possible.

Many parents will go to outlet malls during the tax holiday, but I also want you to consider visiting local stores, which may run a special sale to go with the tax free weekend. If you want more tips on tax free weekend and how you can save go to: comptroller.texas.gov.

Buckner Child & Family Service hosted Summer Fun programs at Belaire Manor and Longview Square apartment complexes last mont h. T hey will continue Tuesdays, We d ne s days, and Thursdays throughout the summer.

A big thanks to Sweet Tr e a t s & More for serving corn dogs and snow cones for our Kick-Off at both locations.

Group pushes back on vouchers as ‘civil rights issue’

AUSTIN — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has framed the school voucher debate in terms of enabling parents choose their child’s school, calling it a crucial civil rights issue. And a Baptist minister who leads a pro-public education advocacy group calls that “blasphemous.”

Equating efforts to secure public funds for parochial education with the civil rights struggle represents “a desperate and cynical attempt to make

vouchers more palatable,” said Charles Foster Johnson, executive director of Pastors for Texas Children.

“It dishonors the memory and witness of those who sacrificed so much in the quest toward human equality and justice,” Johnson said.

“It seeks to do something bad in the name of something good.

The only ‘right’ Lt. Gov. Patrick’s misguided policies will secure is that of wealthy private interests

to make our schools for-profit enterprises—that is, to make commodities of our children and markets of our classrooms.”

Making school choice a legislative priority Patrick repeatedly has named “school choice” as one of his top policy priorities for the 2017 Texas Legislature.

Speaking to the Texas Public Polic y Foundation’s polic y orientation in January, he proposed an approach modeled after programs the Nevada Legislature approved last year. The Nevada plan gives state money to student savings accounts parents can use to pay for private religious school tuition.

Although the plan has been challenged in court, in May a Nevada judge ruled in favor of the voucher system, dismissing claims it violates a provision in the state constitution barring the use of state funds for sectarian purposes.

On Sept. 20, Patrick spoke at a school choice summit in Houston, sponsored by the Texas Conservative Coalition Research

Institute, stressing school choice as imperative for Texas parents.

“The argument is over, ‘Do we have school choice, equally and fairly, to every parent?’ That’s the choice. That’s the debate. And I say it’s the civil right of every parent to have that choice,” Patrick said, according to Kronberg’s Quorum Report.

Not really helping poor children Johnson particularly took issue with Patrick’s frequent references to helping poor children trapped in “failed schools.”

“Lt. Gov. Patrick’s voucher schemes will never help poor children in impoverished neighborhoods,” Johnson said.

“If helping poor children were the real objective, their schools would be fully funded—something Lt. Gov. Patrick steadfastly refuses to do.

“Texans consistently repudiate vouchers for many good reasons, not the least important of which is that government money to underwrite religious private schools is a violation of religious liberty—the principle upon which our nation was founded.”

Keep Longview Beautiful earns 2017 Governor’s award

Keep Long view Beautiful has once again earned the coveted Governor’s Community Achievement Award given by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Keep Texas Beautiful.

Each year this award is given to ten Texas communities with the best grassroots environmental programs in the state. The competition distributes $2 million

in funding from TxDOT based on population size. Funds are used for landscaping projects along local right-of-ways.

Keep Longview Beautiful’s programs were judged on achievements focusing on seven environmental areas: Community Leadership and Coordination, Public Awareness, Education, Beautification and Community

Continued on page 17, see “Beautiful”

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

State honors LISD for financial transparency For the fifth straight year Longview ISD has received the Texas Comptroller’s highest honor for financial transparency, earning the Transparency Star Award in Debt Obligations from Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar.

“Keeping our stakeholders informed on how tax dollars are being used is one of our highest priorities,” said Joey Jones, Assistant CFO for the district.

“Having our efforts in fiscal integrity recognized at the state level is a great source of pride for us, and shows that we’re continuing to serve the best interests of our community.”

The Transparenc y Star program, which launched last March, replaced former Comptroller Susan Combs’ Leadership Circle recognition program for f inancial transparency. At the time it was introduced, Combs’ program brought a new level of transparency across Texas by calling on local entities to make

specific financial information available online.

Under Combs’ program, Long view ISD earned the highest possible designation for three straight years. This year is the fifth year in a row the district has been recognized by the Comptroller’s office for financial transparency. In July, LISD earned the Transparency Star achievement for Traditional Finances, which unlocked eligibility to apply for recognition in four other areas including Debt Obligations.

“Five years in a row of state-recognized f inancial transparency sounds nice, but it’s really just the way we do things,” Jones added.

For more information on the program, including guidelines and qualification criteria, visit the Comptroller’s Transparency Stars website.

The public can view Longview ISD’s financial information at the district website: www.lisd.org.

Beautiful|Continued from page 16

Improvement, Litter Prevention and Clean up, Solid Waste Management and Litter Law and Illegal Dumping Enforcement.

Keep Longview Beautiful last won this prestigious honor in 2013.

Working with TxDOT, the awarded monies of $270,000 were used to plan, design and install the new entryway located at highway 31 and Spur 63. On the west side of this locale is where Keep Longview Beautiful is preparing to build The Green, a nine acre outdoor event venue. After a community wins first place, they must take a 3 year hiatus from receiving the top prize, 2017 was the first chance the organization had of winning again.

“This award was truly earned through community partnerships,” replied Kim Casey Droege, Executive Director of Keep Longview Beautiful. “Longview’s commitment to strong collaborations shows robust assurance to safeguard community improvement and public beautification. If you’ve picked up litter on your adopted street or during Longview Green and Clean you helped get this award. If you’ve donated money to our organization, you helped get this award. All citizens that recycle, everyone that was part of our ‘Trick Trash Challenge’, all students that drew art for our Art Truck Contest, if you were a part of our GREEN Machines Parades or ART from the heART then you helped 3&3 Plate, 3 tenders, 3 wings, earn this honor. This is a huge, & 2 dipping sauce, toast & fries collective effort and we are proud of Longview!”

Droege also stated, “Progressive in nature, our small nonprofit group is governed by 25 selfless, volunteer Directors. These passionate folks work tirelessly to champion our mission of educating citizens about litter prevention, beautification and waste reduction/recycling in the Hours 10:30am - 10pm, 7 days a week community. Our Board of Directors 204 East Loop 281 • Longview genuinely are the heart and soul of 903-236-2909 Keep Longview Beautiful.”

July 2017

Page 17

IT staff touts EdTech solutions for district Internet, applications

As a highly managed district with multiple types of technological devices and an IT helpdesk managed by instructional technology staff, Longview ISD needed a network and classroom management solution that was comprehensive, accessible, and easy to use.

Prior to adopting Education Pro, the district ran several different software solutions to manage computers, which began to become cumbersome.

While reviewing the tech landscape of the district, the Longview IT team came to the conclusion that they needed a more holistic approach to technology management. Impero Education Pro became the logical solution because it made it simple for all staff to efficiently use, troubleshoot, and manage devices without having to teach multiple tools. Additionally, Education Pro was the best solution for putting the power of device management into the hands of classroom teachers.

Since Longview ISD already had a highly managed technology roadmap, Impero Education Pro implementation was carried out quickly and with ease. Within weeks, helpdesk staffers were working on their own within the dashboard, creating rules and using functions with little training. Teachers immediately adopted the software and began asking IT to set up features for classroom management use.

IT director Brian Pitts said LISD previously managed in-house with individual software solutions for patch management, software distribution, image deployment, connectivity, network management, classroom management, remote management, and asset tracking.

“We had custom software that integrated all of these tools. I had to stop and ask ‘how accessible are all of these tools?’” he said. “The big picture was that all of these tools were necessary and we couldn’t give up the functions they provided, but our helpdesk people were having difficulty utilizing all of them. Then we realized that Impero supported our idea of a holistic approach to technology management by combining all of the functions of all the other sof t ware into an easy to use interface.”

Pitts said LISD finds enormous value in Impero because it brings the functionally and information of technolog y dow n to the people who use it.

“Impero is not overly technical.

Immediately after full scale deployment, everyone began digging in and using it,” he said. “ In our technology department we try not to interfere with curriculum, but rather, we provide the opportunities for teachers to utilize technology that supports curriculum development. For example, we made BYOD available to teachers if they choose to utilize the option. Because Impero is set up on the devices, teachers can decide to open up the internet with certain classes, because they can block things that don’t pertain to the lesson. Education Pro completely found a place with everyone in our school.”

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

Page 18

July 2017

Tuition vouchers aren’t helping kids learn more CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ohio’s largest school voucher program doesn’t seem to be helping kids learn more.

Students are learning less after using Ohio’s EdChoice tuition handouts to go from public schools to private schools, Northwestern University professor David Figlio found in a study released last week.

His other major finding: The threat of losing students to private schools because of vouchers has spurred struggling and low-scoring public schools to improve.

Both of those key findings in the highly mathematical and finely nuanced study of the EdChoice voucher program are the opposite of the expectations and worries surrounding the program, which now gives tuition aid to about 20,000 students statewide.

The vouchers, which give elementary and middle school students $4,250 and high school students $5,000 in state dollars toward private school tuition, were created in 2006 to let children escape failing schools and go to better private schools.

The expectation was that students would learn more at private schools than they would at the low-rated public school.

There were also concerns that top students in the low-scoring schools would vanish and the schools would sink further.

Neither is the case -- at least in the limited analysis Figlio was able to do for the Fordham Institute, an education advocacy group that supports offering school choices to families.

“The kids that were going to the private schools were doing worse,” he said, after looking at scores on state math and English tests. “The kids who participated in the program did considerably worse compared to the closest-looking kids in similar schools.”

He is not sure why that’s occurring.

One reason might be that the curriculum in private schools doesn’t have to match the state’s education standards, on which state tests are based, he said. Since only

voucher students must take state tests at private schools - not every student as in a public school - the private schools may be downplaying the importance of the tests too.

Figlio also tackled a major objection of opponents of the voucher program.

“A lot of people are very, very worried that vouchers are going to hollow out the public schools,” he said.

That worry is partly true. The kids that left for private schools have generally been higher-scoring than those that stay behind, he found. But scores in those public schools didn’t fall. They rose, even after the departures.

“We see a lot of kids in the public schools that are doing a bit better,” Figlio said.

There are several limitations to Figlio’s study that will be frustrating to parents and policymakers. He does not quantify in easy-to-understand terms how much voucher students’ scores fall or how much schools improve.

His analysis of the vouchers’ effects also focuses on only about 10 to 15 percent of voucher recipients and excludes the lowestscoring of the low-scoring schools on state tests -- a huge population that the vouchers are most aimed at.

That’s largely because of how Ohio sets eligibility for the vouchers. Until 2013-14, when the state started phasing in eligibility for vouchers based on income, EdChoice vouchers were available to students in schools with the lowest ratings on state report cards.

Since kids from all low-graded schools were eligible for the vouchers, Figlio said he was uncomfortable evaluating voucher effects on the lowest-scoring schools and kids from them. The voucher rules left no low-scoring schools out of the program that he could use for comparison.

Some states have so much competition for vouchers that they have lotteries for them -- a process that shuts families out,

Teachers...

Receive an extra week FREE when you place an ad in Longview’s Thifty Nickel!

Buy 1 Week, get the second week free with your faculty ID! *20 word ad

but which gives researchers a chance to compare results for lottery winners and lottery losers.

For Ohio, Figlio said he would have to compare kids in poor-scoring schools to those in higher-scoring schools.

“There would be a fundamental lack of credibility to do that,” he said.

Figlio instead compared schools that were just barely bad enough to let students use vouchers to those that were just barely above that line. Those cases, he said, limited the differences between the schools and the students so that the main variable in the comparison was the ability to use vouchers to choose a different school.

Figlio and Chad Aldis, Fordham’s Ohio chief, said they understand those limits make the study imperfect. But they said the state should have been studying the effects of EdChoice over the last 10 years, and this study starts to fill the void.

“I view this as the opening of a conversation, rather than as the end of it,” Figlio said.

Aldis said Ohio’s Value-Added measure of student progress over a school year

would be a better look at how much students gain, or lose, when they shift to private schools. He said the state should start calculating Value-Added and other academic growth measures for voucher students to see if the program is working.

“Even when its findings are unexpected and painful, rigorous, disinterested evaluation remains the best way to prod improvements and make progress toward the program’s goals,” Aldis wrote in the foreword to the report.

The EdChoice program is not open to students from Cleveland, which has its own voucher program.

According to the Ohio Department of Education, EdChoice is open to students attending or assigned to schools that: 1) Received a Local Report Card rating of Academic Emergency or Academic Watch for 2011-2012 and received an overall grade of “D” or “F” on the Performance Index and Value-Added progress dimension on their 2012-2013 or 2013-2014 building report card; or 2) Ranked in the lowest 10 percent of public school buildings by Performance Index score.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

July 2017

Page 19

Page 20

THE LONGVIEW VOICE —

July 2017