“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” ― Oprah Winfrey
THE
ongview Voice
Sharing the good news about LISD!
A publication of Longview Independent School District
Vol. 3 No. 1 January 2018
Complimentary Copy
GREAT KIDS, GREAT PARENTS! ‘Raising Highly Capable Kids’ program honors grads
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pearheaded by the Longview Chamber of Commerceas part of their partnership with Ware Elementary, the Chamber recognized its first graduating class of 28 parents who completed the 13-week Raising Highly Capable Kids curriculum. Created by non-prof it organization Rezilient Kidz, this program teaches parents about Search Institute’s 40 Developmental A ssets with the end goal of raising hea lt hy, c ar ing, and responsible children. The parents listened to presentations, held discussions, and engaged in ac tivities to help them appl y w ha t they learned into their own homes. “As parents, we all face parenting c h a l l e n g e s ,” said Wa r e Elementar y S c h o o l Principal S a r a h Sheppard. “ R a is i ng H i g h l y Capable Kids has provided our parents with an opportunity to spend 13 weeks with other parents and training facilitators in facing those challenges and gaining a better perspective on raising their children. This program will not only have a lasting impact on the parents that participated, but their children, our school, and our community.”
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Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox agreed, adding that strong homes results in terrific students, “and excellence in the classroom comes as a result.”
“We understand that part of our responsibility in public education is the development of the whole child, and that means coming alongside parents to give them whatever support we can,” he said. “Longview ISD is committed to serving the needs of all our families.”
OUR STAFF! FUN FOR ‘HEART’
Staff awarded $1 million in Judson Middle School performance-based bonuses fundraiser a HUGE hit! Longview ISD Board of Trustees awarded $1 million in incentive pay for high achieving teachers during their Dec. 11 regular meeting. The board unanimously approved Longview Incentive for Teachers (LIFT) pay for performance during the 201617 school year, a marked increase from the $820,000 it paid out last year—more than double the $350,000 paid out to staffers in 2014-15, the first
year of the program. “Our students perform better, our teachers make more money,” said board president Dr. Mark Camp. “It’s as simple as that.” Dr. Jody Clements, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources/Community Continued on page 7, see “Bonuses”
THE
Longview Voice
Opinion Coming Events
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It was a story as old as time, David vs Goliath: students vs staff in DODGEBALL last month at Judson Middle School! In the second year of this competition, 10 teams rallied in the pay-to-play co-ed tournament. Why pay? The school was raising money for the American Heart Association. “We wanted to have fun the day we were getting out for Thanksgiving break, while also paying it forward,” said William Houff, JMS Principal. “This was also a great opportunity to focus on the importance of physical health and well being.” Students also had to pay to watch the tournament, but it was worth it. The school raised $1,545 for the American Heart Association which beat out their last year total of $1,400. Congratulations Judson! We can’t wait to see how much you raise next year! Elementary Holiday Events Lobo Football State Finalist
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Z-Club Shares Love FFA Events
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
OPINION January 2018
Goodbye 2017, Hello 2018! By Mayor Andy Mack WOW! Can you believe it’s already 2018? I hope this coming year is as good to us as last year was. We have so much to be thankful for. This is my annual New Year’s letter to you in which I share my highly anticipated New Year’s resolutions. Ha! Before I get to those resolutions for the upcoming year, I want to start off by saying, “Congratulations!” to the Longview High School Lobo football team who represented not only themselves but our school, our city, and our state in their wonderful run through the 6A playoffs. What a season we had! What an inspiration all you young men, coaches, families and parents are to all of us that got to sit back and enjoy the sacrifices that you made throughout the year to get as far as you did! We are so proud of you, Lobos, and the way you represented yourselves as a team. It doesn’t really matter if we won or lost. What matters is the character in which you played, the sportsmanship that you exhibited, the pride you showed to your school, the discipline you showed for your coaches and the love you showed for your teammates. That is what’s important and that’s what we will remember from 2017. Congratulations and we look forward to another great season next year. Now, let’s get on to our New Year’s resolutions for 2018... Number 1 on my list this year is kind of a dual resolution: It’s to be more thankful and to be a better example for those around me.
Every day that I wake up I pray that I will have the ability to touch someone else’s life and that I will let someone else’s life touch mine in that day. If I can do that every day, I would be living my faith. So, I want to be an example to others in things that I say and do; to those that I never meet, but see me in my daily life. I want them to look at me and see a person that I want them to see in me. I don’t want to be impatient or angry or have harsh words or be judgmental. I want to bring others up, not pull people down. That is my #1 resolution for 2018. I have others, but this is one that I will work on every single day and I guess it goes back to the commandment that we should all live by which is to love your neighbor as yourself. So, that’s a pretty easy one to say, a little harder to follow, but I am going to try my best to carry it out. 2. This is a big one for me because as a lot of you may know, I’m a “foodie”. And what is a foodie? It means I love food. I love to eat. I love enjoying a good meal. So, this year I’m going to try to not make food so important to me. I know this sounds kind of silly, but I don’t want to focus on something that really doesn’t have much meaning in my life. So, I am going to try to allow food just to be a sustainment for me and not so much the enjoyment that I make it on a daily basis and as a byproduct, maybe I will lose a pound or two that I could certainly afford to lose.
3. I’m going to continue to give my wife her calcium pills every single day. For some reason she can’t remember to take them and I need to be there to help her to make sure that she doesn’t get osteoporosis. As a byproduct, it means she has to keep me around for a little while longer because then I can serve a purpose for her. HAHAHA! 4. I want to remember to say, “Thank You” to people who do things for me every single day. I have so many people in my life that help me on a daily basis for my office, as the Mayor, to everything that occupies my day, whether it be in the hospital, my private office, at the gym or the grocery store. Wherever I am people are always doing things and helping me, so I want to be sure to recognize the things that I take for granted and just to say, “Thank You” for the people who take time to make a difference in my life. 5. This is a big one for me. This is going to be really hard. I don’t know how many of you have ever seen my handwriting, but to say it is pathetic would be an understatement. It is so horrible that sometimes I can’t even tell what I am writing. So, I am going to slow it down this year and make a conscious effort to write more legibly so that I can read it and those that are trying to read it can read it as well. It is truly inconsiderate to just scribble things down and expect other people to know what it says. 6. I’m going to learn something new each day. I know that sounds
crazy, but there are so many things in my life I don’t know how to do, but I want to learn to do. I would like to learn more about technology and also learn a foreign language. I want to learn how to type. This list just goes on and on for me. So, I am going to try to take time to learn something new each day next year. 7. I am going to try to enjoy life more, because life is short. Before you know it; you snap your fingers, blink your eyes and it’s gone. We have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for God, thankful for my family, for my health, my work, thankful for the City of Longview. I am thankful to represent you all as your Mayor and recognize the privilege it is for me to do that. I am thankful for the many Go Givers in our community that step up and step out to help others. I am thankful to live in this community and be part of Longview and be part of Lobo Nation. I look forward to a great, healthy, happy year ahead of all of us. 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.
Can teachers express political opinions? By Deron Johnson Extending an unfortunate recent trend, Texas public schools again came under fire during the 85th Legislative Session. Many retired and current school employees have grown tired of this trend and have asked me what they can or cannot say regarding the current political environment. Public school personnel often feel as though they cannot speak about their beliefs concerning political issues or candidates. But it is important to know that this is not the case. The law does not prohibit public employees from speaking on matters of public concern or expressing opinions regarding candidates and political matters important to them. The law does, however, prohibit employees from using public funds, which includes anything of value owned by the District or the employee’s work time, to advocate for or against a candidate or measure on a ballot. Employees are permitted to speak about candidates and political issues using school resources or time, so long as they do not advocate for or against measures or candidates. The bottom line is that it is certainly possible to have full discussions regarding public education without violating Texas law.
For example, I know I can legally share the following information: • Gov. Greg Abbott, when provided the opportunity to appoint a chairperson to the State Board of Education, c hos e an o u t s p oken homeschool advocate. So, by the Governor’s design, the State Board of Education is currently chaired by someone who is not a proponent of public education. • Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick described many Texas public school employees as “Educrats,” saying we are only interested in maintaining the status quo. The current Lieutenant Governor also opined on national television that local governments are to blame for our problems in America. • State Sen. Don Huffines was asked by students from Richardson ISD to support their public schools and not divert money to private entities. What was Senator Huffines’ response? He yelled at the high school students and told them they didn’t know what they were talking about. • State Sen. Van Taylor of Plano voted for vouchers and was one of the Senators on the Senate Education Committee who would not pass the meaningful education finance reform
found in House Bill 21 without attaching vouchers disguised as Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) to House Bill 21. During the Committee Hearing on that bill, Senator Taylor accused school superintendents from South Texas of failing lowincome students. Contrast these viewpoints with that of Joe Straus, State Representative from San Antonio and Speaker of the Texas House, who openly professes that “public schools are the best economic development we have.” As you might surmise from Speaker Straus’ remarks, at least one house in our Texas Legislature fully supports public education, the 700,000 public
education employees, and the 5.2 million students in public education. I can say this because I am not telling anyone how to vote regarding any candidate or measure, but rather explaining actual events, facts, and my opinion. I believe it is important that we can have frank discussions regarding our legislators between now and the March 6th primary election. The future of the children in our public schools absolutely depends on it.
— Deron Johnson is a Dallas-based attorney and general counsel for Allen ISD.
THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
January 2018
The Longview Voice... two years of good news By Matthew Prosser, Editor-In-Chief It sounded like a crazy idea, to Propaganda is information be honest. The first time I heard that is designed to mislead about it, I didn’t think it would or persuade. While nothing work. A school district, publishing a published in this newspaper is newspaper? Crazy! meant to mislead, I do confess So crazy that it just might work. that one of our goals is to It makes good ‘cents’ “persuade.” Longview ISD is one Here we are, two years later, and of the finest school districts in The Longview Voice is humming the state of Texas, there is plenty along like a well-oiled machine. of data and facts to back that Our success is such that school up. Unfortunately, there are a districts across the state have number of distortions and flawed reached out, asking how they could do perceptions about this district, our something similar for their community. I’ve campuses, and our mission. To this end, taken a number of meetings and conference The Voice has proven to be an invaluable calls about it. I’ve acted as consultant for a resource to help correct faulty views of few of them. Their numbers are growing. what we are doing. More and more districts are beginning to Hardly a week goes by where someone understand they cannot rely on traditional — a parent, a staffer, a student, or media to tell their story. They must tell their member of the community — doesn’t own story, and let traditional media continue thank us for publishing The Voice. to circle the drain. “I wish the media told the whole story Ad sales have been brisk and our instead of just looking for negative things advertisers are enthusiastic. In fact, many of to put out there,” one parent said to me them are clamoring for us to publish more recently. Indeed. There’s a lot of negative often. All in good time... propaganda out there. A lot of lies, halfThanks to the generous sponsorship by truths, and cynical bias. our friends at the Thrifty Nickel, each and But that’s not why we do what we do. every edition of The Voice is published It’s important to stand up for the truth, FREE OF CHARGE to our taxpayers, and ALL and I am proud to do so for my colleagues proceeds from ad sales directly benefit our and the students in our care, but there’s students. something far more important than even In just two years of publication, we’ve this. already given out nearly $10,000 in Why we do it scholarships to Longview High School Last month we had several holiday graduates. events and programs at our various But that’s not why we do what we do. It’s campuses. December is always a fun a wonderful fringe benefit, no doubt, but it’s month and we try to get around to as not the main reason we do what we do. many functions as possible. It defends the truth At one event in particular I was roving The Longview Voice’s motto is “Sharing about with my camera, taking pictures the good news about LISD!” and it is of students and their parents, while the something I take very seriously. campus principal was leading the program. Shortly after it was announced that LISD The principal gestured towards me and would be starting a district newspaper, I explained that I was “the guy who does heard a few criticisms that the paper would the newspaper” for the district. Suddenly amount to little more than “propaganda” for several members of the audience stood the district. up and started clapping, they were joined If it’s “propaganda” to highlight student by a few others. Eventually it became a excellence, honor the tireless work of our full standing ovation. I was touched, and educators, and celebrate the many wonderful more than a little amazed. things happening in Lobo Nation... well But that’s not why we do what we do. comrade, paint me red and call me Trotsky. In fact, I rarely use my own byline (with
COMING EVENTS:
January 1 New Years Day Christmas Break (Dec. 23-Jan. 7) January 2 12 p.m. 9th Grade Lady Lobo Basketball hosts North Mesquite (Lobo Coliseum) 12 p.m. JV Lady Lobo Basketball hosts North Mesquite (Lobo Coliseum) 1 p.m. Lady Lobo Soccer hosts Hallsville (Lobo Soccer Field) 1:30 p.m. Varsity Lady Lobo Basketball hosts North Mesquite (Lobo Coliseum) 5 p.m. 9th Grade A Team Lobo Basketball Team at North Mesquite (North Mesquite) 5:30 p.m. Lobo Soccer Boys (Scrimmage) hosts Pine Tree (Lobo Soccer Field) 5:30 p.m. JV Lobo Basketball at North Mesquite (North Mesquite) 6 p.m. 9th Grade B Team Lobo Basketball Team at North Mesquite (North Mesquite) 7 p.m. Varsity Lobo Basketball at North Mesquite (North Mesquite) January 3 4:30 p.m. Lobo Cheer Practice (Turf Room)
the exception of columns in the Opinion page) because I don’t want to be the focus of any story I write. I want our students, staff, and community to be the focus. As it should be. It was after the end of the Christmas program when a number of parents and their children gathered around me, thanking me for The Longview Voice. Talking about how much they love their community and hate the negativity spread about our schools. I stayed for a long time, and heard them all out. I shared the same promise with them that I will declare here: So long as I am atop the masthead of this publication, The Longview Voice will remain a strong voice that shares the good news of Longview Independent School District. There are so many incredible things happening here, so much that I could fill a daily newspaper twice over. So many amazing stories about amazing people, and we try to tell them all. Our students, our teachers, our parents, our community... they deserve nothing less. Here’s to two years of good news, and many many more to come.
January 4 Jan. 4-6: Lobo Boys Soccer at Forney Tournament (Forney) Jan. 4-6: JV Lobo Lady Soccer at Spring Hill Tournament (Spring Hill) January 5 Jan. 4-6: Lobo Boys Soccer at Forney Tournament (Forney) Jan. 4-6: JV Lobo Lady Soccer at Spring Hill Tournament (Spring Hill) 1:30 p.m. Varsity Lady Lobo Basketball at John Tyler (John Tyler) 5 p.m. 9th Grade Lady Lobo Basketball at John Tyler (John Tyler) 5 p.m. JV Lady Lobo Basketball at John Tyler (John Tyler) 5 p.m. 9th Grade Lobo A Team Basketball hosts John Tyler (Lobo Coliseum) 5:30 p.m. JV Lobo Basketball hosts John Tyler (Lobo Coliseum) 6 p.m. 9th Grade Lobo B Team Basketball hosts John Tyler (Lobo Coliseum) 7 p.m. Varsity Lobo Basketball Basketball hosts John Tyler (Lobo Coliseum) January 6 Jan. 4-6: Lobo Boys Soccer at Forney Tournament (Forney) Jan. 4-6: JV Lobo Lady Soccer at Spring Hill Tournament (Spring Hill) January 8 Longview ISD classes resume
— Matthew Prosser is an award-winning journalist and photographer, currently he is Director of Communications for Longview Independent School District and a bornagain Lobo.
Thank you Board of Trustees! January is School Board Recognition Month and Longview ISD is joining other districts across the state to thank these community volunteers for their commitment and contributions to our public schools. Longview ISD’s board of trustees consists of Dr. Mark Camp, Mrs. Ava Welge, Dr. Chris Mack, Mrs. Virgina Northcutt, Mrs. Shan Bauer, Mr. Ted Beard, and Dr. Troy Simmons. “School board members serve countless hours working to make public education the best it can be for every child,” said Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox. “In a climate of change and challenge, they develop policies and make tough decisions on complex educational and social issues that affect the entire community and the lives
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of individual students.” Wilcox said the board is responsible for the oversight of an annual budget of more than $71 million, upwards of 8,500 students, and more than 1,400 employees on our 16 campuses. “Preparing today’s students to be productive citizens and the leaders of tomorrow is a tremendous task. As elected officials, school board members are the voice of their communities, serving first and foremost in the best interest of our schoolchildren,” Wilcox said. “We proudly salute these education advocates as they provide vision and leadership for student achievement, academic programs, district funding, and school facilities. Their service ensures that decisions about local public schools are made by those most familiar with the needs of our community’s children and families,” Wilcox added. “These dedicated individuals deserve recognition and thanks for their unfailing commitment to the continuing success of our students now and in the future.”
January 9 5 p.m. 9th Grade Lady Lobo Basketball hosts Rockwall Heath (Lobo Coliseum) 5 p.m. JV Lady Lobo Basketball hosts Rockwall Heath (Lobo Coliseum) 5 p.m. Lady Lobo Soccer at Whitehouse (Whitehouse) 5 p.m. 9th Grade Lobo Basketball A Team at Rockwall Heath (Rockwall Heath) 5:30 p.m. JV Lobo Basketball at Rockwall Heath (Rockwall Heath) 6 p.m. Lobo Cheer Booster Meeting (Lower Library) 6 p.m. 9th Grade Lobo Basketball B Team at Rockwall Heath (Rockwall Heath) 6:30 p.m. Varsity Lady Lobo Basketball hosts Rockwall Heath (Lobos Coliseum) 6:30 p.m. Lobo University (LHS College and Career Services) 7 p.m. Varsity Lobo Basketball at Rockwall Heath (Rockwall Heath) January 10 4:30 p.m. Lobo Cheer Practice (Turf Room) January 11 Jan. 11-13 (JV/Varsity) Lobo Soccer Tournament (Lobo Fields) Jan. 11-13 Lady Lobos Soccer at Lufkin Tournament (Lufkin) 5 p.m. Foster 7th Grade Girls hosts Dogan (Foster Gym) 5 p.m. Forest Park 7th Grade Girls hosts Hogg (Forest Park Gym) 5 p.m. Judson 7th Grade Girls hosts Boulter (Judson Gym) 5 p.m. Foster 7th Grade Boys at Dogan (Dogan Gym) 5 p.m. Forest Park 7th Grade Boys at Hogg (Hogg Gym) 5 p.m. Judson 7th Grade Boys at Boulter (Boulter Gym) 6 p.m. Foster 8th Grade Girls hosts Dogan
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
January 2018
ELEMENTARY
‘Signing’ Santa greets special students Santa changed the way 11 Johnston-McQueen Elementary students view Christmas on Dec. 20 with something most children take for granted every year. They got to tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Why was this so special for these children? This group of children are hearing-impaired and have never had the chance to communicate with Santa, because most Santas do not know sign language. But that is how Lt. Tony Stone from Kilgore Police Departmenthas set himself apart from the world of Santas. Lt.
Stone can sign. He took time from his busy schedule to show heart, caring and compassion for the kids at Johnston-McQueen as he signed a simple question. “What do you want for Christmas?” Their faces were bright with joy that brought their teachers to tears and filled the air with holiday happiness. Thank you Lt. Stone and thank you Whitney Boyd Reardon, this was truly something beautiful to see.
South Ward fall fest filled with FUN! On Thursday, November 16, South Ward’s Communities In Schools Site Coordinator partnered with South Ward’s PTA to bring a family-friendly event, Fall Festival/Turkey Explosion. There was fun for the whole family with a cake walk in the library, Turkey Bingo in the cafeteria and festival games in the gym.
Wynetta Jones/Site Coordinator, Susan Moon/School Counselor and Michelle Odum/PTA President worked collaboratively to pull off this event with the help and support of all of South Ward’s Staff and Principal.
Mary Hagler
5200 Judson Rd. North Longview, TX 75605
We Support The Longview
Independent School District
THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
January 2018
Lovely voices lifted in song
A very special thank you to the many students who stopped by the Longview ISD administration building last month, and shared their musical gifts with all in attendance. “It always puts such a wonderful shine on the holiday season,” said Superintendent Dr. James WIlcox. “A very special thank also goes out to their music and choir teachers for organizing this event each year, and for putting on such a fantastic show.”
Page 5 (Foster Gym) 6 p.m. Forest Park 8th Grade Girls hosts Hogg (Forest Park Gym) 6 p.m. Judson 8th Grade Girls hosts Boulter (Judson Gym) 6 p.m. Foster 8th Grade Boys at Dogan (Dogan Gym) 6 p.m. Forest Park 8th Grade Boys at Hogg (Hogg Park Gym) 6 p.m. Judson 8th Grade Boys at Boulter (Boulter Gym) January 12 Jan. 11-13 (JV/Varsity) Lobo Soccer Tournament (Lobo Fields) Jan. 11-13 Lady Lobos Soccer at Lufkin Tournament (Lufkin) 5 p.m. 9th Grade Lobo Basketball A Team hosts Mesquite (Lobo Coliseum) 5 p.m. 9th Grade Lady Lobo Basketball at Mesquite (Mesquite) 5 p.m. JV Lady Lobo Basketball at Mesquite (Mesquite) 5:30 p.m. JV Lobo Basketball hosts Mesquite (Lobo Coliseum) 6 p.m. 9th Grade Lobo Basketball B Team hosts Mesquite (Lobo Coliseum) 6:30 p.m. Varsity Lady Lobo Basketball at Mesquite (Mesquite) 7 p.m. Varsity Lobo Basketball hosts Mesquite (Lobo Coliseum) January 13 Jan. 11-13 (JV/Varsity) Lobo Soccer Tournament (Lobo Fields) Jan. 11-13 Lady Lobos Soccer at Lufkin Tournament (Lufkin) January 15 Martin Luther King Holiday January 16 3 p.m. (4:30 p.m./6 p.m.) Lobo JV/Varsity Soccer hosts Lufkin (Lobo Soccer Fields) 5 p.m. 9th Grade Lady Lobos Basketball (MS Night) hosts Mesquite Horn (Lobo Coliseum) 5 p.m. 9th Grade Team A Lobo Basketball at Mesquite Horn (Mesquite Horn) 5 p.m. JV Lady Lobos Basketball hosts Mesquite Horn (Lobo Coliseum) 5:30 p.m. JV Lobo Basketball at Mesquite Horn (Mesquite Horn) 6 p.m. 9th Grade Team B Lobo Basketball at Mesquite Horn (Mesquite Horn) 6:30 p.m. Varsity Lady Lobos Basketball hosts Mesquite Horn (Lobo Coliseum) 7 p.m. Varsity Lobo Basketball at Mesquite Horn (Mesquite Horn) January 17 4:30 p.m. Lobo Cheer Practice (Turf Room) January 18 Jan. 18-20 JV Lobo Soccer at Tyler Lee Tournament (Tyler Lee) Jan. 18-20 JV/Varsity Lady Lobo Soccer Tournament (Lobo Soccer Fields) LHS Student Council Blood Drive (Melton Center) 5 p.m. Foster 7th Grade Girls hosts Moore (Foster Gym) 5 p.m. Forest Park 7th Grade Girls at Hubbard (Hubbard Park Gym) 5 p.m. Judson 7th Grade Girls at Boulter (Boulter Gym) 5 p.m. Foster 7th Grade Boys at Moore (Moore Gym) 5 p.m. Forest Park 7th Grade Boys hosts Hubbard (Forest Park Gym) 6 p.m. Foster 8th Grade Girls hosts Moore (Foster Gym) 6 p.m. Forest Park 8th Grade Girls at Hubbard (Hubbard Park Gym) 6 p.m. Judson 8th Grade Girls at Boulter (Boulter Gym) 6 p.m. Foster 8th Grade Boys at Moore (Moore Gym) 6 p.m. Forest Park 8th Grade Boys hosts Hubbard (Forest Park Gym) January 19 Jan. 18-20 JV Lobo Soccer at Tyler Lee Tournament (Tyler Lee) Jan. 18-20 JV/Varsity Lady Lobo Soccer Tournament (Lobo Soccer Fields) 5 p.m. 9th Grade Lobo Basketball A Team hosts Tyler Lee (Lobo Coliseum) 5 p.m. 9th Grade Lady Lobo Basketball at Tyler Lee (Tyler Lee) 5 p.m. JV Lady Lobo Basketball at Tyler Lee (Tyler Lee) 5:30 p.m. JV Lobo Basketball hosts Tyler Lee (Lobo Coliseum) 6 p.m. 9th Grade Lobo Basketball B Team hosts Tyler Lee (Lobo Coliseum) 6:30 p.m. Varsity Lady Lobo Basketball at
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
January 2018
TAX DOLLARS AT WORK! PEP welcomes geologist family LISD named ‘superior’ on state finance ratings Once again Longview ISD has earned the highest grade of “superior” in State Financial Accountability Ratings released last month. “We expect to earn the superior rating every year,” said Lynn Marshall, Longview ISD’s assistant superintendent of business, finance, and facilities. “This rating is a reflection of our Longview ISD philosophy to be accountable not only for student learning but to do so with costeffective measures to make the most of our taxpayers’ dollars.” The Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas was created by the Legislature in 2001 and was designed to encourage public schools to better manage their financial resources to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes, according to the Texas Education Agency. The rating system scores school districts on 15 financial indicators, such as administrative cost expenditures, the accuracy of a district’s financial information submitted to the Texas Education Agency and any financial vulnerabilities or material weaknesses in internal controls as determined by an external auditor. School districts are given a numeric grade for the indicators. The numeric grades, when totaled, correspond to a letter grade of A, B, C or F. The letter grades correspond to the ratings “superior,” “above standard achievement,” “meets standard” or “substandard achievement.” Ratings for 2016-17 are based on data from 2015-16. Longview ISD had been designated as “Superior” in preliminary ratings released early this year. The district has been recognized for excellence in fiscal responsibility numerous times in the last ten years.
Father and son team of geologists wow 5th graders at Hudson PEP Elementary on Dec. 5 by discussing sedimentary rock formations and the roles of a geologist in East Texas vs the roles of a geologist around the world. “The students have been learning about sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels in science and this was a way to bring it to life,” said Bylinda Rieves, 5th Grade Hudson PEP Science Teacher. At the end of the presentation, each student was able to take a little piece of of science home with them. Each student was able to take a fossil home with them that was from somewhere around the world and between 250 million and 500 million years old.
Career Day inspires at Bramlette Elementary Bramlette hosted its third annual Career Day on Friday, December 1 for grades 4th and 5th. Speakers included; Elizabeth Ross, Longview ISD, Joe Lee Manns, Digital Designer, Darcy Burton, LISD Retired Teacher and Retired Longview Police DepartmentChief, David Oliver II, Author, Joshua
Black, Attorney. Students were introduced to the speakers and given speakers’ educational and professional backgrounds. They were then given the opportunity to ask prepared questions to each of the guests. “Giving back coincides with our character word of the month, which is generosity,” said Chloe Jedlick, Bramlette Site Coordinator Communities in Schools. “Thank you to our distinguished guests who gave of their time to make Bramlett’s’ Career Day a success. Gestures like these from or guest speakers acknowledges our commitment to be destined for greatness.”
THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
January 2018
Everhart twirlers put on a show! This is the second year J.L. Everhart Elementary has had the mini majorettes team and each year the team grows in pride and in numbers. “Two years ago I wrote a Donors Choose grant for about 20 batons,” said Becky Canter, ESL JL Everhart. “Last year I had 12 girls who participated. Many of the girls did not really even know what twirling was, they had never been to a ballgame or marching band performance. They just wanted to try something new. They learned a lot, we had fun, but we were a ragtag little bunch!” The program was so popular that Canter had more participants than batons but the resourceful ESL teacher made it work. She talked to everyone she knew to get batons for the team.
“So here we are about to be in the Christmas Parade again. Ms. Davis has included us in the Fine Arts department performances and we have asked her Fine Arts to join us in the parade! One of the best parts this year we will not look like a ragtag bunch... we are going to look like TWIRLERS... in sequence tops!” The team has been very excited to participate in four different holiday events this season. We are so proud of this team and cannot wait to see them perform throughout the year!
BONUSES|Continued from page 1 Relations, said the funds were scheduled $200 per distinction would yield $200 to go out in December’s pay period. per person (65 staff = $13,000); “This program is 100 percent funded • Ware Elementary: 1 Academic through local funds from the fund Distinction Designations at $200 per balance, as approved by the LISD Board distinction would yield $200 per person of Trustees,” he added. (65 staff = $13,000); Allotments by campus distinction • Forest Park Middle: 1 Academic are: Distinction Designations at $200 per • Longview High: 7 Academic Distinction Designations at $200 per distinction would yield $1,400 per person (210 staff = $252,000); • Foster Middle: 7 Academic Distinction Designations at $200 per distinction would yield $1,400 per person (70 staff = $98,000); • Judson Middle: 6 Academic
Distinction Designations at $200 per distinction would yield $1,200 per person (60 staff = $72,000); • Ned E. Williams Elementary: 6 Academic Distinction Designations at $200 per distinction would yield $1,200 per person (50 staff = $60,000); • Hudson PEP Elementary: 6 Academic Distinction Designations at $200 per distinction would yield $1,200 per person (45 staff = $54,000); • Bramlette Elementary: 1 Academic Distinction Designations at $200 per distinction would yield $200 per person (65 staff = $13,000); • J.L. Everhart Elementary: 1 Academic Distinction Designations at $200 per distinction would yield $200 per person (65 staff = $13,000); • Johnston-McQueen Elementary: 1 Academic Distinction Designations at
distinction would yield $200 per person (60 staff = $12,000). • Growth Model: $324,237 • EVASS Contract: $29,000 • EOC: $4,576 The Longview Incentive for Teachers Pay for Performance Award Model, the LIF T Campus Academic Distinction Designation Pay for Performance Payout and the EOC High Stakes Re-Testers Model Payout has seen a steady increase in teacher success.
“But that’s exactly what the board’s intention was for this program, to have more staff meeting the requirements,” said Longview ISD Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox. “The criteria is still the same; we’ve just had significantly more teachers qualify.” LISD has been using the Education Value Added Assessment System to measures student progress based on statistical data submitted each year. If a student shows an expected amount of progress, the teacher is not rewarded. But if the student shows greater than expected progress, the teacher is given an incentive based on the exceptional progress amount. Based on a “value-added” system and “achievement,” core subject area teachers with economically disadvantaged students showing exceptional or more than expected progress in core subject areas could receive about a $69 incentive or $100 incentive per student, depending on the level of progress. The campus distinction designation awards will give $200 per campus distinction to each full-time staff member at the school. Qualifying staff must be full-time and have an attendance rate of 97 percent.
Page 7 Tyler Lee (Lobo Coliseum) 7 p.m. Varsity Lobo Basketball hosts Tyler Lee (Lobo Coliseum) January 20 Jan. 18-20 JV Lobo Soccer at Tyler Lee Tournament (Tyler Lee) Jan. 18-20 JV/Varsity Lady Lobo Soccer Tournament (Lobo Soccer Fields) Swim District 6A Championships Meet at Rockwall (Rockwall Aquatic Center) January 22 6 p.m. Lobo Football Banquet 7 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting (ESC Board Room) January 23 5 p.m. 9th Grade Lobo Basketball Team A at Rockwall (Rockwall) 5 p.m. 9th Grade Lady Lobo Basketball hosts Rockwall (Lobo Coliseum) 5 p.m. JV Lady Lobo Basketball hosts Rockwall (Lobo Coliseum) 5:30 p.m. JV Lobo Basketball Team at Rockwall (Rockwall) 5:30 p.m. Lobo Soccer hosts Hallsville (Lobo Soccer Fields) 6 p.m. 9th Grade Lobo Basketball Team B at Rockwall (Rockwall) 6:30 p.m. Varsity Lady Lobo Basketball hosts Rockwall (Lobo Coliseum) 7 p.m. Varsity Lobo Basketball at Rockwall (Rockwall) January 24 4:30 p.m. Lobo Cheer Practice (Turf Room) January 25 Half-Day Teacher Workday Lobo Soccer JV B Team at Pine Tree Tournament (Pine Tree) 9th Grade Awards Ceremony (Mickey Melton Auditorium) 5 p.m. Foster 7th Grade Girls at Forest Park (Forest Park Gym) 5 p.m. Judson 7th Grade Girls at Dogan (Dogan Gym) 5 p.m. Foster 7th Grade Boys host Forest Park (Foster Gym) 5 p.m. Judson 7th Grade Boys hosts Dogan (Judson Gym) 6 p.m. Foster 8th Grade Girls at Forest Park (Forest Park Gym) 6 p.m. Judson 8th Grade Girls at Dogan (Dogan Gym) 6 p.m. Foster 8th Grade Boys host Forest Park (Foster Gym) 6 p.m. Judson 8th Grade Boys hosts Dogan (Judson Gym) January 26 Tennis hosts Hallsville (Lobo Tennis Courts) 5 p.m. 9th Grade Lobo Basketball Team A hosts North Mesquite (Lobo Coliseum) 5 p.m. 9th Grade Lady Lobo Basketball at North Mesquite (North Mesquite) 5 p.m. JV Lady Lobo Basketball at North Mesquite (North Mesquite) 5 p.m. Lady Lobo Soccer hosts Pine Tree (Lobo Soccer Fields) 5:30 p.m. JV (A)/Varsity Lobo Soccer hosts Henderson (Lobo Soccer Fields) 5:30 p.m. JV Lobo Basketball hosts North Mesquite (Lobo Coliseum) 6 p.m. 9th Grade Lobo Basketball Team B hosts North Mesquite (Lobo Coliseum) 6:30 p.m. Varsity Lady Lobo Basketball at North Mesquite (Lobo Coliseum) 7 p.m. Varsity Lobo Basketball hosts North Mesquite (Lobo Coliseum) January 27 Lobo Soccer JV B Team at Pine Tree Tournament (Pine Tree)
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January 30 5 p.m. 9th Grade Lobo Basketball Team A at John Tyler (John Tyler) 5 p.m. 9th Grade Lady Lobo Basketball hosts John Tyler (Lobo Coliseum) 5 p.m. JV Lady Lobo Basketball hosts John Tyler (Lobo Coliseum) 5:30 p.m. JV Lobo Basketball at John Tyler (John Tyler) 5:30 p.m. Lady Lobo Soccer hosts Mesquite Horn (Lobo Soccer Fields) 6 p.m. 9th Grade Lobo Basketball Team B at John Tyler (John Tyler) 6:30 p.m. Varsity Lady Lobo Basketball hosts John Tyler (Lobo Coliseum) 7 p.m. Varsity Lobo Basketball at John Tyler (John Tyler) January 31 4:30 p.m. Lobo Cheer Practice
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January 2018
‘Thank you for your service’ Student art to adorn Ashley Oden’s 3rd Grade class signed up for one of the most generous holiday projects Principal Nikita Mumphrey could hope for. Operation Gratitude sends care packages filled with entertainment, hygiene, and handmade items, non-perishable snacks, and personal letters of appreciation to U.S. Troops, First Responders, Veterans, Military Families, and Wounded Heroes & their Caregivers. The class wrote letters and drew pictures for troops overseas. “I’m so proud of my students and the things they have written,” said Ogden. The package is currently on it’s way to Operation Gratitude to help put a smile on some faces this holiday season.
Santa stops by JMQ for treats Celebrating the holidays with our JMQ family! Nothing like hot cocoa, cookies, Santa, and shopping!
City recycling trucks
In an effort to once again improve quality of life and enhance community spirit, Keep Longview Beautiful and the City of Longview Sanitation and Recycling Divisions are rolling out another art contest for students in Longview in grades K-12. The contest begins Jan. 8, with art being due March 9. For public schools, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skill (TEKS) will easily correlate with this contest throughout each grade level. Each campus may submit their top ten illustrations. Entries will be judged on creativity, originality and focus on the theme Recycling in Longview. Eight overall winners will be chosen, two from each of these groups: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12. Winning illustrations will be enlarged to appear on the side of a City of Longview sanitation vehicle. The contest starts Jan. 8 and all illustrations are due by 3 p.m. March 30 at the Keep Longview Beautiful office, 410 South High Street. Entries will be judged March 30, with the winners unveiled in May 2018
on the winner’s campus. David Simmons, Sanitation and Beautification Manager said the City hope this contest will instill being good stewards to our environment. “Recycling is an important practice for better quality of life in Longview, we simply want to help students and teachers have a little fun along the way,” he said. The City of Longview and Keep Longview Beautiful strive to progress our community. “We truly can’t wait to see these magnificent pieces of artwork on the sides of our City’s new CNG trucks,” said Kim Droege, Executive Director of Keep Longview Beautiful. “The campus unveilings will be exciting and we anticipate the contest will help further advance our recycling program!”
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January 2018
SPORTS
WAY TO GO LOBOS! Underrated from the start, Longview varsity finishes 14-2 State Semifinalist
ALLEN — It was a dark and stormy night in the Metroplex, as the Longview Lobos were narrowly defeated by the heavily-favored Midway Panthers. The score may have shown them a point short, but this team was champions to the eyes of the Lobo Nation. “I’m just so proud of this team,” said head coach John King. “Midway gave us their best and we still almost came away with the win. These young men did their program proud, did their school proud, and did the entire community proud.” For a team expected to finish middle of the pack in district, and only go “one and done” in the playoffs, the 2017 Longview Lobos went 14-2, upsetting several state-ranked squads en route to a State Semifinal appearance. “Nobody outside of this program gave us a chance,” King added. “But we believed. This team came together and played as brothers.”
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January 2018
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Judson, JMQ Turkey Teacher Table partner up to decorating contest at feed the hungry Forest Park Middle
Johnston-McQueen Elementary and Judson Middle told the people of Longview that if your heart is in the right place and you have just a little bit of competitive spirit you can accomplish anything. The two campuses teamed up and between them collected almost 8,000 cans and bags of food for the Longview Lions Club. It was so much food, in fact, that the Lions Club is turning away donations for the holiday season because they have no place to store them. Judson collected 1,609 cans of food. Jennifer Bloom, 6th grade teacher, told us that they did a grade level competition to keep the students engaged and excited about the food drive. “The kids loved it!” she said. “Then the teachers got involved and started matching what the students brought in.” Johnston-McQueen collected an OUTSTANDING 6,305 cans of food. It was enough to fill an entire classroom at the elementary campus.
Forest Park Middle School teacher, Elizabeth Virgen, looked around the middle school cafeteria one November day and noticed something was missing. It was a sense of fall spirit that was lacking. She knew then and there that the teachers of Forest Park could do something about it, but what and how. That is when she had an idea. A contest, but not just ANY contest...a table decorating contest that would engage the students and teachers during breakfast and lunch times. “I was standing in the cafeteria one morning and thought how great it would be to decorate the tables for our Thanksgiving dinner,” said Virgen. “I felt like this would be a great way to show our students how much we love them! At first the students were wondering why we were decorating the tables. Some even asked me why the teachers get to do this if they don’t even eat at the tables. When I explained that it was all for them and that yes, they would be allowed to eat at the tables, their faces lite up with excitement! Some couldn’t believe that we would do this for them and thought it was so nice.” Teachers who chose to participate had to decorate one table. The lucky and creative winner was Mrs. Powell. She was given a gift basket curiosity of Hospitality Health ERfilled with gift cards, lotions, body soaps, and candy. “We will do this again next year and maybe even challenge the other middle schools. We are also considering doing another competition for Christmas.” “Without a doubt it was the love for our students, teachers, staff, and school that inspired Forest Park teacher, Elizabeth Virgen, to create the contest,” said Dr. Cynthia Wise, Forest Park Principal. “I thought this would be a great way to show our students how much we, their teachers and administrators, care because we are more than just a school, we are a family! This was an excellent way to show our students how much we appreciate them and how much we care.”.
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January 2018
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Students perform at Christmas Parade
Longview ISD students braved the freezing cold temps to spread some holiday cheer during the 2017 Longview Christmas Parade last month. Thank you Ginger Elder Cannon of Shot by Cannons Photography for these excellent shots!
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January 2018
HIGH SCHOOL Lady Lobo debaters advance to STATE
LHS senior Carrie Gilliland and sophomore Hyndavi Jata will advance to UIL State competition. This is Hydavi’s first year to compete and Carrie’s second consecutive year after placing in the UIL Congressional District which was held in Tyler on November 14th. Also competing for Longview were senior Maddie Johnson, sophomore Cade Webb, and freshman Dagmawit Worke. Gilliland placed first and Jata sixth in a very full chamber that consisted of all 6A school in the Region VII area and a team of 1A students. The chamber competitive, only the three highest ranked speakers in each conference advance to UIL State contest, which will begin with the competitors taking their oaths on Monday, January 8th and will end at the State Capital on the Senate floor as the final speeches come to a close at the end of session on Wednesday, January 10th. Congressional Debate is a UIL competition in which students perform in the role of legislators. In preparation for the meet, students craft bills and submit them for consideration. Then, they study and compose position speeches on the twenty bills that are chosen for inclusion in the debate. The contest itself is comprised of two seven hour sessions in which students conduct a debate according to parliamentary procedure and debate the merits of the legislation. The contest is intellectually rigorous and requires strong speaking skills, a thorough knowledge of public policy and parliamentary procedure, and a fair amount of physical stamina. The meet features the top competition from across the state.
Lobo welders WIN! The LHS Welding Competition Team competed Dec. 13 at Como Pickton. Longview was first place overall. German Zelaya: 1st place individual and Grand Champion Manuel Moreno: 2nd place individual and Reserve Grand Champion Arturo Velez: 3rd place Welding Quiz
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LHS Z-Club shares love with less fortunate
By Coach Heather Gee, LHS cheer sponsor So this year our LHS Z-Club decided to adopt 9 Angels from the Angel Tree at the Longview Mall. Instead of spending money on each other for gifts, they each donated $10 or more to buy whatever the angels asked for. This has turned out to be a fabulous way for these students to see what kids their age are going through. Most of the groups decided to adopt kids that were their age or close to it because so many forget the older angels. All of this to say, please remember all of the kids right here in our own town that need our help. My own children adopt angels every year and it is so rewarding to know that we have helped to provide to those that may not have had at all. Great job to Longview High School Z-Club for being so involved in community service and looking out for the children in your own community.
LONGVIEW’S GOT TALENT!
Congratulations to the VERY talented students who placed in Longview’s Got Talent Show hosted by the High School UIL competition teams. It was a great night for everyone who participated and who attended! Decosia Avila: 1st place and Audience Choice Award, singing “Somebody Else” Andres Delgado: 2nd place, playing the piano “Salt and Light” Tara Lister: 3rd place, singing “Stay” The UIL program would also like to thank the Emcees for the evening, DK Alexander and Kenton Walker, LHS Choir Director. They did a wonderful job!
Lobo soccer kicks off ‘futbol’ season
Such a great kickoff banquet for Lobo Soccer! Proud of our boys for collecting canned goods and donating leftover food to Hiway 80 Rescue Mission!
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January 2018
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January 2018
FFA December events American Legion speakers Congratulations to Cooper Mayes’s Showmanship Champion in Lindale on Dec. 17, not to mention a 2nd place in Mt. Pleasant the day before. Also shown here are floral designs students making wreaths and or n a men t s, w h i le the horticulture and principles classes have been working on making cuttings to start filling up our greenhouse.
Congratulations to the participants at the American Legion Oratorical Contest that was held on Thursday, December 14. Students from the Longview High UIL Prep/Debate classes prepared speeches relating to the Constitution and presented them to Post 232 of the American Legion. Those students delivering speeches were Ben Huegel, Hyndavi Jata, Macy Newland, Carly Snyder, and Demi Worke. Judges selected Carly Snyder to move on to the next level of competition on January 13 in Gilmer. Congratulations, Carly! Jeannine Brandon and Sharon Fowler Hickman are the instructors.
Memorial Scholarship Fund in its third year
The Longview ISD Foundation’s Lobo Memorial Scholarship Fund is now in its third year, having awarded $14,500 in scholarship funds over the past two years to deserving Longview High School seniors. The Lobo Memorial Scholarship Fund continues to seek donations and award scholarships to deserving Longview High School seniors. Scholarship recipients are chosen by a committee within the Foundation on the basis of scholarship (grade point average), test scores (ACT/ SAT), a personal essay, teacher recommendations, school activities, community activities, and need. Emily Erisman Myers, LHS alumnus and former Longview High School teacher, chairs the scholarship committee. Financial support is greatly needed and appreciated to help sustain these most sought after scholarships. Memorials and honoraria can be made to the Lobo Memorial Scholarship Fund throughout the year. Checks can be made payable to the Longview ISD Foundation, Inc., but please note “LMSF” in the memo line of a check. Please send donation, memorials, and honoraria to the Foundation at P. O. Box 2807, Longview, Texas 75606. Donations can also be made by credit card at www.lisdfoundation.org. On the menu bar, click on “Ways to Invest,” then click on “Lobo Memorial Scholarship Fund” and complete the donation form. All donations to the scholarship fund are tax deductible, and donors will receive an acknowledgement for their tax records. Donors can also find a HEY! Want to support Lobo athletics? Visit ShopLoboNation.com to donation form in the Lobo download our free shop and save app for products and discounts at retailers football program on page like Amazon and Walmart. 91. By donating to the Lobo Retailers will pay us a 3 percent referral fee for all purchases, so get your Memorial Scholarship Fund, app at ShopLoboNation.com today! donors will be investing in For online phone instructions, open your browser and click the upload the future of Longview High symbol, then click “Add to Home Screen.” School graduating seniors. Click add when the web address is shown and then create your user and For additional password. This will add the quick app to the Home Screen on your phone information, donors may to make it even easier to shop. contact Kay Ray, Foundation For more information about the app, please call the Athletic Department executive director, at gray@ at (903) 381-3950. lisd.org or gloriakayray@ gmail.com or Emily Erisman Myers at EMyers65@aol. com. The Long view ISD Foundation looks forward to awarding more scholarships to the Longview High School Class of 2018 in May at the school’s Scholarship Awards event.
New shopping app helps support Lobo teams
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January 2018
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