ongview Voice “Set your goals high, and don’t stop until you get there” ― Bo Jackson
THE
Sharing the good news about LISD!
Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2019
A publication of Longview Independent School District
Complimentary Copy
ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT!
McConaughey, Legislature honors Lobos at State Capitol
Way to go Lobos!
The celebration continues for the Longview Lobos! Matthew McConaughey stopped by the Texas Capitol on Wednesday, March 6th to congratulate his alma mater on their recent state championship. The Academy Award winner (and 1988 Longview High grad) joined the Lobos as they were honored in the House and Senate for winning the 2018 Class 6A State Championship in December, capping a perfect 16-0 season. Lobos|Continued to page 3
Foster TSA advances to State
To the next level... Longview ISD sent its largest group of students ever to the Texas Science & Engineering Fair at Texas A&M University at College Station March 29-30. Cole Stout, Jefferson Dunaway, Mary Leak, Carolyn Purdum, Matthew K’hieu, Jasmine Perry, Caroline Rodriguez, Adriana Pierce, Grace Rucker, and Iniabasi Eskpenyong advanced to State after achieving honors at the East
Congratulations to Foster Middle School TSA Chapter, with all 34 students advancing to the State TSA competition in April! Foster competed against schools from all over East Texas during the Regional meet March 4-5.
Science Fair|Continued to page 3
Foster|Continued to page 3
THE
Longview Voice
Opinion Coming Events
2 3-5
One Act Sports
4 11
Dragonettes 2019 Grant Winners
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
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April 2019
OPINION
Lenten is a time for contemplation By Mayor Andy Mack
Dear Lobos, Who knows what the Lenten season is? For those of you who might have grown up Catholic, you certainly understand what this season is about. And a lot of you who did not grow up Catholic are also very aware of this time of year. Allow me to remind you what Lent is all about. Wikipedia defines Lent as “a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later, before Easter Sunday”. This usually encompasses approximately 40 days, which signifies the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting. The gist of the common practice today is to give something up for Lent. People pick something, usually a food, and do not partake for the Lenten season. It doesn’t have to be a food though. It can be an action or it can be an addition. It doesn’t always have to be an omission. It could be that you are going to ride your bike every day for the Lenten season. But the bottom line is that it is meant to be a commitment and a sacrifice. Let’s be honest - if we are going to give something up, it needs to be something significant or something we would miss. It would be something
that would actually be hard for you to do. In other words, for me to say I’m going to give up smoking for Lent would not be difficult because I do not smoke. You get the point. Why are we talking about Lent? Well we really aren’t talking about Lent. What we are really talking about is the ability to sacrifice something for your bet ter ment, improvement, or to make you a stronger individual. I love the concept of Lent, and I try to do it throughout the year. There are certain times when I feel like I can make a change in my life by giving something up or adding something in that would make me a better person. That is the concept that we are shooting for here. I guess you could liken it to New Year’s Resolutions. Obviously the older you get, the easier it is to find something to give up because we tend to have formed more bad habits or have more bad vices. So I could give something up every day to make my life better. So, what are you going to give up as a student that would be significant in your life? Or what are you going to add to your daily routine that would make you a better person?
I have lots of suggestions for you after having raised three children. I have given them multiple opinions over the course of their lifetime. Some may have taken my advice and some may have not. But this is up to you to decide what you might be willing to sacrifice. To me, this is an important aspect of growing up. It not only takes a sense of maturity to sit back and examine yourself, but it also takes discipline to follow through. And not only that - making a mental checklist of where you are excelling and where you need to improve are not always the most fun exercises to partake in. But one thing I know for sure, if you ask God to let you know where you are lacking or where you could do better, He will be faithful in letting you know. My challenge for you is to do this: Maybe not during the Lenten season, although it is certainly convenient as other people in your world may be doing the same thing, but at certain periods of your life, take a step back and take a mental inventory. You might ask yourself: Am I who I ultimately want to be when I grow up?
Am I spending time with people I want to be like? Is there anything I am doing/ partaking in that is keeping me from being who I want to be? Are people who I want to be like doing the same things I am doing? Please note even as a 55+ year-old man, I still ask myself these questions, as I want to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be. And I don’t ask myself these questions for comparison purposes or to beat myself down, but rather to make sure I am not growing stagnant or jaded in my own ways. Just know we are all in this together. I’m certainly not preaching at you for anything I’m not preaching at myself about! And if we are all trying to be a little better, then our world will be better. By the way, Happy Easter! 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.
House Bill 3 is bad for Gifted & Talented in Texas By Dr. Meredith Austin
Why would the Texas Legislature knowingly choose to defund the education of the brightest children? The answer is simple: it’s popular. It is easy to kick around gifted education, and it is easy to not worry about gifted kids because everyone knows they will do fine on their own. Right? Wrong. Do any of the following complaints about gifted education sound familiar: “Allowing students to accelerate puts them at a social disadvantage.” “It is not fair to spend extra money on these kids.” “If these kids get to do something special, it will hurt others’ feelings.” Now, instead of gifted students, use the above examples in reference to a varsity football team. We not only allow varsity athletes to be
on teams based on ability, and not being valued as not age, but we also spend much as other children. large amounts of school Proponents argue that money on the programs. the basic allotment for Lastly, we have showcases districts will increase and for students to display their schools can then have the talents during games. discretion to spend for We, as a society, have no gifted education as they problem with talents and wish. gifts as long as they are It will not work. athletic, musical, or artistic. Ohio tried a similar AUSTIN p r o p o s a l i n 2 0 0 9 Something else happens when these gifts or talents by f unneling gif ted are intellectual, especially when it educational funds to the districts comes to our state legislature. through the general fund without Gifted and talented education a requirement that the monies in Texas is at a crossroads. If be used exclusively for gifted Texas House Bill 3 remains in its education. After nine years of this current form and is passed, the G/T policy, under-identification was allotment will be eliminated. This out of control, and there was a issue comes down to far more than general lack of fiscal and program money. It comes down to a subset accountability. of children not receiving respect House Bill 3 is not without value. In the present form, districts will have more choice and more local control over funding. Subsidiarity is one of the tenets of Texas politics I most cherish. We are such a diverse state that our people ought to be able to govern locally and for the most part, we do. HB 3 states local districts will only have to “certify” a gifted program is in place, whether they
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spend $5 or $50,000. Presently, the G/T allotment requires districts to designate what the funding is used for to ensure it is used towards gifted education. Districts and schools already have an incredible amount of discretion in how they use this funding. It is very broad and typically impacts the campus as a whole. The major complaint about the G/T allotment is that the amount should be increased. It is not a burden nor excessive bureaucratic regulation. The G/T allotment is a small way that Texas is able to ensure that all its learners are learning. The next generation of gifted education in Texas will be decided over the next few months. Bills of this size do not remain in their original form but shift and change as the sausage is made. Legislators must remember: gifted children are a special population and have special needs. Do not discount them, and DO fund their future. — Dr. Meredith Austin has more than a decade of experience as a public school educator and advocate of Gifted & Talented programs.
Lobos|Continued from page 1 State Rep. Jay Dean (R-L ong v iew) and state Sen. Bryan Hughes (R- Mineola), f i l e d R-Bryan Hughes R-Jay Dean resolutions to congratulate the Lobos on their first state championship win in 81 years. “What a day! So proud of these kids,” Dean said. “They did a great job representing our community and left a real impression on our Capitol this morning. This event was all about the players and coaches, but I want to thank the Governor and Mr. McConaughey for accepting my invitation to join us in recognition of our city. Go Lobos!” For nearly 20 minutes, McConaughey halted action on the Senate floor as Senators and their staff lined up for photos with him. Outside the Capitol, McConaughey and the Lobos were joined by Gov. Greg Abbott, who also spent his youth in Longview. “What are your chances of repeating?” Abbott asked John King, Longview head football coach. “You’ve got your quarterback back!” For video of this event and more photos, please check the Longview ISD Facebook page!
THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
April 2019
Foster|Continued from page 1
Students receiving honors include: 1st Place CAD Foundations - Jefferson Dunaway 2nd Place Career Prep - Jocelyn Rubio 1st Place Challenging Tech Issues - Riley Gonzalez and Divya Nirmal 3rd Place Challenging Tech Issues - Avery Lambright and Addison Griffin 1st Place Chapter Team - Namita Reddy, Divya Nirmal, Hibah Khan, Evelyn Campos, Riley Gonzalez, and Sami Jata 1st Place Children’s Stories - Namita Reddy, Riley Gonzalez, Yesi Aguilar, Vianney Aguilar, and Sami Jata 2nd Place Children’s Stories - Jonathan Lebanan and Aman Saridena 1st Place Coding - Jefferson Dunaway and Jacky Wang 1st Place Digital Photography - Mary Leak 2nd Place Digital Photography - Jonathan Lebanon 3rd Place Digital Photography - Keva Jackson 3rd Place Dragster - Jaden Davis 4th Place Dragster - James Angus 1st Place Essays on Technology - Vianney Aguilar 2nd Place Flight-Jonathan Lebanon 3rd Place Flight - Matthew Khieu 2nd Place Forensic Technology - Mikeia Robertson and Mary Leak 1st Place Leadership Strategies - Hibah Khan, Evelyn Campos, and Namita Reddy 1st Place Mechanical Engineering - Delia Fourie, Mikeia Robertson, Jefferson Dunaway, Avery Lambright, Addison Griffin, and Jacky Wang 1st Place Off the Grid - Israel Ibarra, Steven Castillo, Gustavo Orocio, James Angus, and Jaden Davis 1st Place Prepared Speech - Divya Nirmal 2nd Place Prepared Speech - Delia Fourie 3rd Place Prepared Speech - Sami Jata 2nd Place Problem Solving - Cedric Wrighten and Diego Freire 2nd Place Structural Engineering - Jocelyn Rubio and Israel Ibarra 1st Place System Control - Diego Freire, Gabriel Duncalfe, and Diego D’Arbell 1st Place Tech Bowl - Aman Saridena, Jonathan Lebanan, and Samuel Felipe 1st Place Technical Design - Jasmine Perry and Samuel Felipe 1st Place Video Game - Mary Leak, Jacky Wang, Traivon Kempson, and Madison Sandoval 1st Place Website Design - Keva Jackson, Eduardo Andrade, and Jasmine Perry
Science|Continued from page 1 Texas Regional Science Fair Friday, March 1 at Kilgore College. Daniela Gomez-Pedroso Soto won an Award from The American Psychological Association, while Cole Stout and Jefferson Dunaway received a $200 award from Suddenlink. Way to go young Lobo learners! Keep up the great work!
‘Lobot’ robotics competes in UIL While most students were kicking off their spring break, the Longview High School Robotics Team was en route to a UIL competition. “The Lobots robotics team had some early challenges, having to adjust the bumper size to pass inspections,” said Bonnye Nance, Instructional Technology Specialist. “They worked hard, eventually passed inspections, and competed in almost every quarter finals match. They stayed focused and positive, spending quality time analyzing how to overcome some additional challenges during the tournament.” The team has started to put together a redesign that will add grabbing, lifting, and better control over objects and obstacles, to help them move on to finals in the upcoming Greenville tournament this month!
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Coming Events April 1 April Fool’s Day 8 a.m. Lobo Golf District Tournament at Tempest Golf Club (Gladewater) 8 a.m. Lobo JV Track 11-6A District Meet at Hanby Stadium (Mesquite) 5 p.m. Area One-Act Play Competition (Melton Center) April 2 8 a.m. Lobo Golf Varsity District Tourney (Gladewater) 12 p.m. Foster PTA Meeting 4 p.m. Lobo JV Baseball at Rockwall 5 p.m. Area One-Act Play Competition (Melton Center) 6 p.m. Lobo JV Baseball hosts Nacogdoches 7 p.m. Lobo Baseball at Rockwall April 3 Paraprofessional’s Day 8 a.m. Lobo Tennis District Tourney at Rockwall (April 3-4) 8 a.m. Lobo Track District Meet at Hanby Stadium (Mesquite) 9 a.m. Lobo Golf at Tempest Golf Club (Gladewater, April 3-4) 5 p.m. Area One-Act Play Competition (Melton Center) April 4 5 p.m. Area One-Act Play Competition (Melton Center) 6:30 p.m. Lamplighter Banquet April 5 8 a.m. Hudson PEP Fun Run 8 a.m. Lobo Track District Meet at Hanby Stadium (Mesquite) 4 p.m. Lobo JV Baseball hosts Rockwall 5 p.m. UIL Orchestra Concert and Sight Reading Contest (Melton Center) 5 p.m. Area One-Act Play Competition (Melton Center) 5:30 p.m. Lady Lobo JV Softball at Mesquite 7 p.m. Lobo Baseball hosts Rockwall 7 p.m. Lady Lobo Softball at Mesquite April 6 11 a.m. Lobo JV Baseball at Rockwall 5 p.m. Area One-Act Play Competition (Melton Center) 7 p.m. LHS Senior Prom (Infinity Center) April 9 11 a.m. LHS College Fair (Little Theatre) 6 p.m. Lobo Cheer Parent Meeting (Lobo Cafeteria) 4 p.m. Lobo JV Baseball at North Mesquite 7 p.m. Lobo Baseball hosts North Mesquite April 12 4 p.m. Lobo JV Baseball hosts North Mesquite 4 p.m. Lobo Baseball at North Mesquite 5:30 p.m. Lady Lobo Softball at North Mesquite April 13 8 a.m. ACT Testing 8 a.m. Viewette Mini Clinic (Melton Center) April 14 Palm Sunday
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
One-Act advances, cast and crew honored
Longview High School theatre students advanced to the Area round with the top overall score during the UIL Bi-District 11-6A One-Act Play Competition March 23rd at the Mickey Melton Center. The students performed “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” written by Ken Kesey. Noah Williams and Aslan Hilliard were named All-Star Cast, with Jazzy Lewis receiving All Star Cast Honorable Mention and Carolinas Olivas receiving All-Star Crew honors. Area performances are set for April 6th.. Cast and Crew members include: Matthew Hanson, Chandler Fry, Ethan Jones, Jaz’lyn Lewis, Kasey Whitenack, Roy Williams, Nick Smith, D’Keriyan Alexander, Adam Jones, Aslan Hilliard, Noah Williams, Tayseer Ali, Angelo Niyonzima, Carmen Vermillion, Kaylee Raymer, Ainsley Polk, Deborah Cortez, Ellie Duvall, Monserrat Gallegos, and Carolina Olivas, with alternates Fowler Ficke, Abigail Fletcher, Zoe Kelt, and Rebecca Olson. LHS One-Act Play is under the direction of Pam Mercer McWilliams and Josh Graves.
April 2019
THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
Trustees cancel election, approve new campus projects During their March 4th regular meeting Longview ISD trustees voted to cancel the May 4, 2019 elections for two seats that have candidates running unopposed. Place 5 trustee Shan Bauer and Place 6 trustee Ted Beard are unopposed and will serve another term.
ETMPA Outdoor Science Laboratory
Later, board members approved utilizing $49,500 of Magnet School Assistance Program Grant Funds for the Montessori Outdoor Science Laboratory. East Texas Montessori Prep Academy’s Outdoor Science Laboratory will consist of garden beds for each of the five hallways. LISD Director of Montessori Dr. Jacqueline Burnett explained that part of the Montessori educational philosophy is that “children should interact with the natural world to build a connection with the world around them.” Nature studies are a means for Montessori schools to embrace this principle and help kids get hands-on interactions with nature,” she said. “The outdoor gardening is part of our curriculum and is one avenue we use to incorporate nature studies into our classrooms. Our gardening activities are done both indoors and outdoors, so children have the flexibility to explore all of their interests in botany.”
CATE Agriculture Barn
Trustees also approved a $39,710 bid from Longview-based Hendrix & Arp Services to install new barn panels at the CATE Agriculture Barn. During the Nov. 12, 2018 regular meeting the LISD Board of Trustees approved administration’s request for the construction of a new agriculture barn. An addendum to the construction proposal was an item for the purchase of panels for use inside the facility
following the completion of construction. LISD Chief Financial Officer Joey Jones told the board that, after evaluating the quotes, his department recommends purchasing the panels from Hendrix & Arp Contracting Services at a cost of $39,710. Jones told board member that CATE funding will cover cost of this project.
Engage2Learn contract
In other business, trustees approved a contract with Corpus Christi-based Engage2Learn for the development of Longview ISD standards, assessments, training and coaching. LISD Magnet Grant Director Dr. Craig Coleman explained that one of the goals of the Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant is to improve and increase the instruction taking place in the classrooms. “To this end the district issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) to seek submissions for the development of content standards that incorporate higher expectations than the state standards and include K-12 interdisciplinary, concept-based scope and sequence that are aligned to the 16 Career Clusters as well as the assessments of performance for these standards,” he said. Mr. Horace Williams, LISD Assistant Superintendent of Campus Accountability, said this project will be to develop the content standards, including Learner Outcomes and Student Profiles for all students K-12. “The project will provide student performance assessments, professional development and training of the staff of how to incorporate the raised rigor of the standards, coaching of
our principals, principal supervisors, instructional specialists, and teacher leaders in the evaluation of the new content standards, the development of exemplar units aligned to Career Clusters, Montessori, and IB standards, and the opportunity to build capacity within our personnel in order to replicate the process across the district in the future,” he said. Williams added that, due to the depth and size of the program, it will take a process and time to complete. “The project will be ongoing over the period of 3-4 years and require Engage2Learn to be in our district approximately 300 days during the next 4 years,” he said. Budgeted total cost for the project is $1,341,307 over the course of the contract. The funding for this project will come from the MSAP grant funds. For more info... Trustees meet in the boardroom of the LISD Education Support Center, 1301 E. Young St. The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. April 15th. For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees please visit the district website at www.LISD. org or call (903) 381-2200.
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April 2019
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April 15 Tax Day 8 a.m. Lobo JV Golf District Tourney at Tempest Golf Club (Gladewater) April 16 5:30 p.m. IB Art Exhibit (Melton Center) 4 p.m. Lobo JV Baseball hosts Tyler Lee 4 p.m. Lobo Baseball at Tyler Lee 5:30 p.m. Lady Lobo JV Softball hosts Tyler Lee April 17 8 a.m. LISD Athletic Physicals (Lobo Den) 5:30 p.m. IB Art Exhibit (Melton Center) April 18 End of 5th Six Weeks Maundy Thursday 7 a.m. Student Council Blood Drive (Melton Center) 8 a.m. Early Grad Life Skills Seminar 8 a.m. Lobo Track Area Meet at Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium (Rockwall) 4 p.m. Lobo Baseball hosts Tyler Lee 6 p.m. Lobo JV Baseball at Nacogdoches April 19 Good Friday (no school) April 20 Passover 7 p.m. Viewette Revue (Melton Center, April 20-27) April 21 Easter Sunday April 22 Start of 6th Six Weeks April 23 4 p.m. Lobo Baseball hosts Mesquite April 24 Administrative Professionals Day April 25 8 a.m. State TSA Competition April 26 Arbor Day 8 a.m. State TSA Competition 8 a.m. Lobo Track Regional Meet at Clyde Hart Track Stadium (Waco) 9 a.m. After the Fire Presentation (Melton Center) 10 a.m. Generation Texas College Signing Day (College and Career Center) 4 p.m. Baseball JV at Mesquite 7 p.m. Baseball Varsity at Tillery Field (Mesquite) April 27 8 a.m. TMSCA Math & Science State Meet 8 a.m. State TSA Competition 8 a.m. Lobo Track Regional Meet at Clyde Hart Track Stadium (Waco) April 28 8 a.m. TMSCA Math & Science State Meet
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April 29 Teacher Appreciation Week (April 28-May 3)
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
April 2019
Shumaker, Reardon named Student, Teacher of the Month The Rotary Club celebrated Longview ISD in various ways during the Feb. 26 luncheon meeting at the Summit Club. JL Everhart Principal, Arthur Brown, received his Rotarian membership pin and name tag. Congratulations to you Mr. Brown! Kris Shumaker was honored as the Longview ISD Rotarian Student of The Month. Shumaker will have the the distinction of graduating twice this school year, receiving his Associate Degree from Kilgore College on May 10 BEFORE he receives his Longview High School diploma on May 17. Kris is the president of FCA, a member of the Interact Club, Welding SkillsUSA and plays Varsity Baseball. He plans to attend Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas where he will pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering with a focus on welding technology. Whitney Reardon was honored as the Longview ISD Rotarian Teacher of the
Month. Reardon graduated from Longview High School and attended Stephen F. Austin State Universit y. She has two d a ug h t e r s and is married to Texas Reardon. She started her teaching career at Longview High School and is now teaching at Johnston McQueen in Deaf Education. She was named the Johnston-McQueen’s Teacher of the year in 2018 and the 2018 Longview ISD Primary Teacher of the Year. She has love for her work and students and that is evident in her work. For the second year in a row, her event Signing Santa has grown and been recognized by the TEA. Rotary also recognized Coach John King and the state championship Lobo football team. King was given a plaque and each player was given a framed certificate in honor of their performance on the field and in the classroom.
Book Fair Week at Montessori
East Texas Montessori Prep Academy celebrated their Book Fair Week in style with themed days to engage their lil’ readers. Monday - Math Matters! (How many colors can you wear? Dress in as many colors as you can!) Tuesday- Walk a mile in their shoes (Dress as your favorite historical figure or celebrity.) Wednesday- College Day! (Wear college shirt with jeans) Thursday- Favorite book characters! (Dress as your favorite book character)
UIL Academics at Forest Park Forest Park Middle School hosted UIL on Friday, February 22nd. All of Longview ISD middle school competed in various events. Hospitality ER sponsored a wonderful lunch for all of the faculty and student judges. Thank you Forest Park for hosting and Hospitality ER for treating our judges to lunch!
Green thumbs at Ned Ned E. Williams Magnet STEAM Academy 2nd graders are learning in March how to become Master Gardeners through the Learn, Grow, Eat, & Go program!
THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
Great job Mrs. Sue Wilson!
Texas Elementary Principal and Supervisor Association (TEPSA) visited the Capitol on February 7th to meet with legislators and senators about important issues facing public schools in Texas. These Texas principals used their “teacher voices” at the State Capitol. Their stories and challenges were shared on issues such as school finance reform, public safety, and standardized testing. This 86th legislative session is critical for public school students and teachers. Hudson PEP Elementary Principal Sue Wilson is a member of the TEPSA Board and President-Elect of the Region 7 area for TEPSA.
April 2019
Thank you Dr. Loyde!
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Superintendents and board members from area school districts as well as East Texas Advanced Academies have completed Lone Star Governance Training with Dr. Delic Loyde. The Texas Education Agency Training assists school boards in their focus on improving student outcomes. The Longview ISD Board embraces the training as the logical next step in elevating the level of their board governance.
Giving blood,saving LIVES ‘Get Your Badges On!’ Congratulations to Charlotte Muñoz, PPCD teacher at South Ward Elementary on winning Chromebooks from Instructional Technology! Instructional Technology continues to encourage the use of technology in the classroom with their “Get Your Badges On” program. When a teacher uses one of the 15 technology tools and documents three lessons using the tech tool with their ITS, they earn a badge and an entry into the monthly Chromebook drawings. Teachers may gain one entry per tool.
Longview High School was chosen as the 6A High School of the Year for East Texas by Carter Blood Care. The Student Council sponsors three blood drives each year. This past year 227 units of blood were donated at LHS.
Onward and upward Longview Early Graduation High School hosted a Career Day Thursday, March 7. Professionals from TSTC, Eastman, Army, Marines, local real estate firms, criminal justice, health care, and the court systems spoke to students about their careers and the education it takes to do their jobs.
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Thank A Teacher: Tiara Roberson
Teachers can play a powerful role in a young person’s life. Taking this role seriously, many educators go above and beyond to engage and inspire their students in everyday life. Tiara Roberson is this kind of teacher. A 3rd grade teacher at Ned E. Williams Magnet STEAM Academy, Roberson motivates her students daily to boost their confidence about their
learning capabilities. “A student was recognized in her class for her academic progress and Roberson reminded the student that labels don’t define your abilities,” said principal, Melanie Hamilton. “To see this student hold her head up and the biggest smile and err of confidence shined through. Her classroom is always upbeat and engaging. You constantly see and hear students talking about what their learning.” Ms. Roberson we would like to thank you for your continuous support of our future leaders. What you do for your students goes beyond the four walls of the classroom, you are building character, strength, integrity and self worth. Thank you for what you do and for being YOU.
April 2019
WE ARE HIRING! Career expo set for April 25th
Mark your calendars and get those resumes ready, Longview ISD is hosting its annual Recruitment Expo from 4 to 7 p.m. April 25 at the East Texas Montessori Prep Academy campus, 400 N. Eastman Rd. The city’s second-largest employer, Longview ISD has posted a steady increase in enrollment over the last few years and is looking to fill approximately 50 positions. Human Resources director Loretta Thompson Martin said the district is
seeking certified and highly-qualified teachers in all subjects, including critical need areas like English-Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science, as well as Health Services, Social Studies, Spanish and Reading. “Interested applicants are invited to share their resume with our various campus principals, with some principals possibly conducting interviews, checking references and offering jobs right on the spot,” she said. “We are hiring for elementary and secondary teachers, and professional positions across the district.” Thompson-Martin invited job seekers to fill out an application online at lisd.org and bring the appropriate materials to the career expo. “We ask that they have copies of their resume, transcripts, teaching certificates, and three letters of recommendation,” she said. For more information call the Human Resources Department at (903) 3812200.
Applications for the 2019 Voice Scholarship are now available from the LISD Community Relations department. The Longview Voice is a district-wide newspaper that covers student, staff, and local community news. The paper is produced by the LISD Community Relations department in partnership with the Thrifty Nickel, as well as campus staff and volunteers. Each year the Community Relations department selects a Longview High School senior student who contributes work to The Longview Voice for a scholarship to the school of their choice. To qualify a student must submit a news article, op-ed column, or photo
to be published in any edition of The Longview Voice newspaper, and fill out an application to be considered. Deadline to apply for The Longview Voice Scholarship is April 5th, so apply TODAY! Past Winners 2016 — Estrella Gonzales, Keyarro Hollins, Uwa Ihionkhan, Yosef Ibitayo 2017 — Gaylon Wiley 2018 — German Zelaya, Jose Velazquez, Michael Vera 2019 — It could be YOU! For more information please contact the Community Relations department via email at ask@lisd.org or call (903) 381-2200.
$1,000 Scholarship Distinguished Alumni Available for Seniors events set for May 10
Longview Independent School District on May 10 will honor three former students during the annual Distinguished Alumni ceremony and luncheon. This year’s Distinguished Alumni are Ronald Cook (Class of 1965), Perry Langenstein (Class of 1959), Randy Peters (Class of 1971). Events are set to begin at 9:00 a.m. with the Longview ISD Foundation commemorative brick presentation at the Lobo Foundation Plaza (near the home entrance to Lobo Stadium). This event is free and open to the public. An 11:15 a.m. reception at Pinecrest
Country Club will be followed by lunch at 11:45. Tickets for the luncheon are $20 and can be purchased at the Education Support Center, 1301 E. Young St. Honorees are nominated at-large and chosen by a committee of previous honorees, volunteer Distinguished Alumni Committee members and the district’s Community Relations office. Distinguished alumni typically have excelled professionally, in addition to serving the communities in which they live.
THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
April 2019
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
April 2019
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April 2019
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SPORTS
LOBO SOFTBALL STAR AIMING ‘DOWN UNDER’ By Liz Ross LISD Community Relations We all had that one “thing” we loved doing as a child. It might have been dance, singing, sports, chess, SOMETHING that pushed us. Now, imagine you are in high school and this one thing that you love so much; this “thing” that has been driving you all these years has now earned you a spot representing your state and USA in another country! This is a reality for Lady Lobo Softball player, Zekyia Robinson. This summer she will have the opportunity to play for a week in Australia. Robinson is a junior this year in the Culinary Arts Program. “Z” (as her mom, Iesha Sanders, calls her) was surprised when she heard the news. “I had no idea I had been nominated or who nominated me,” Robinson said. “I really thought my mom was messing with me.” The congratulations email also took Sanders by surprise. “Honestly, I was shocked! I had to check to make sure it was not a scam! For Zekyia to be recognized on that level is amazing especially since this has been her passion since she was 5 years-old. Once the shock and amazement settled down, the nerves set in. Although Zekyia knows she will do her best and she will be the best representative she knows how to be, there is a lot of pressure on her shoulders. Representing USA sof tball players, Zekyia is flying alone to a place she has never been, and is only 16. That is a lot of responsibility. Sanders knows her daughter can handle this and more. “Z is the person I wanted to be growing up but didn’t quite have
the courage to be. She is smart, outspoken, sweet, funny, has an enormous faith in God, is usually a voice of reason, and determined in just about every situation she f a c e s ,” Sanders said. “If she wasn’t my daughter, I would want her to be.” Zek yia says she d o e s n’t think this will all sink in until she is sitting on the runway of her first plane ride. But the most important piece of advice her mom gives will ring in her ears. “Z, don’t be scared. Nothing will hold you back if stand up and face it.” Excited about a new environment to play softball, Zekyia said she has played all over Texas via travel teams, and is “looking forward to seeing how leagues in Australia logistically structure their games and tournaments.” It won’t all be bats, balls, and cleats while in the land down under, Robinson is ready to explore Australia’s culinary scene. Around the time she received her news, she was doing research on chefs in Australia. She will be reaching out to so me emerging chefs and going to as many restaurants as possible. “I can’t wait to show Chef Kevin the photos I take and some of the recipes I get,” Zekyia said.
Miller and Ward nominated for ‘Students of Year’
Longview High School seniors Brady Miller and Anna Ward have been nominated for the 2018 Texas Student Athlete of the Year Award. If selected for the honor they receive a $1,000 Letterman to Leader Scholarship and 18 weeks of Character Development Curriculum from the 2Words Character Development program. 2Words is a national character development program for coaches and high school athletes. The organization looks for high performing student-athletes who lift up and motivate others to recognize their strengths and become leaders themselves, in addition to exemplifying dedication to their education and using their influence to benefit others in the community. Although both athletes were nominated by their coaches, the winners will be chosen through voting at the 2Words website. Voting closes DATE, and the winners will be announced next month.
Her softball journey has been a long winding road that will not end anytime soon. Zek yia started playing at the age of 5. Not only is she able to move from team to team with adaptability, she has the same f lexibilit y on the field. Zekyia can any infield position has been attending summer camps since she was in middle school to help her develop her skills. Sanders says their traveling experience has been good because they have made so many connections with different players, coaches, and families that they are still connected with to this day. “I am in awe by how much she has grown as a player.” Zekyia would love to play college ball outside of Texas, possibly in Louisiana or Arkansas, saying, “I grew up loving Oklahoma and LSU programs.” Her advice for the little, mini softball players out there is “don’t give up. Don’t lose that passion. Softball is a LONG dedicated game. There are a lot of things you have to learn with technique. Don’t ever forget why you started. Make sure it is the same dedication all the way through.” Zekyia added that it is also important to lift up teammates
when they need it. “Keep the energy up so your team energy will be up, love your team,” she said. “Your teammates will make you love the game even more.” Sanders’ advice for the little, mini softball players’ moms would be “the best cheerleader that they can be for their daughter. They are going to have times when they struggle at bat or at their position. Have patience with them and teach them to have that patience within themselves. Make sure they are enjoying the game. It is important to be mindful of when they need a break and respect that. A child that is burned out will not play well.” If you’d like to help out Zekyia on her athletic and culinary exploration in Australia please contact Liz Ross at the LISD Community Relations department (903) 381-2200.
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
April 2019
LOBO RELAYS Dragonette dancers win BIG
Lobo Track & Field hosted its annual Lobo Relays on March 8 in the Lobo Stadium. Six districts participated in the meet. Lobo Boys took first place and Lobo Ladies took second for the meet. Congratulations to both teams on the day’s accomplishments!
An amazing competition day from the Foster Middle School Dragonettes! Four solos, one duet, one ensemble and three team routines! These girls have worked so hard this year and represented Foster Middle School well. Awards include: Division One Ratings on ALL Solos: Liliana Zuniga, Hailey Pitman, Inesha Combs, Diana Domingues Division One Rating Duet: Valerie Pitman and Amber Chadwick
Division One Rating MS Ensemble Sweepstakes Award and Judges Awards for three team dances Judges Awards for Pom Keep up the great work ladies!
Congratulations! Lobo Football History Book
Going, Going, Almost Gone! F R I D AY
FRIDAY WL O H T H G I N
OWL N IGH T H
ISBN
301933 9 781532
90000>
Take a journey through the Longview (Texas) High School football program – all the way back to the beginning in 1909.
otham By Jeremy C
-3
3-0193 978-1-532
H SCHOOL
NGVIEW HIG
Y OF LO THE HISTOR
Jeremy Cotham’s dream of publishing a complete history of Longview High School Lobo Football is a reality. In 2009 the Lobos helped him battle leukemia and eventually helped inspire him to create this book. Jeremy lost his battle with cancer in 2015, but his legacy remains alive with this publication.
am
By Jeremy Coth
This one-of-a-kind 180-page, hard-cover yearbook-style collector’s item features each season (all 107 of them), including the scores of each game, season summaries, information on coaches, players, photographs, rosters and more!
Cost $40 Top-Quality Yearbook-Style Book Published by Herff Jones ®
Perfect Book for All Lobos – Past & Present – And for Every Lobo Fan! LIMITED NUMBER OF BOOKS REMAIN BUY YOUR COPY BEFORE THEY SELL OUT email: Cotham75605@yahoo.com • Call David Cotham: 903-736-4637 NOTE: Books will be sold at the LISD Athletic Office during season ticket renewals. Books also on sale at Louis Morgan Drug No. 4 during regular business hours.
THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
April 2019
Page 13
FOUNDATION
Foundation selects 2019 grant winners
On Wednesday, March 6, Dr. James Wilcox and Longview ISD hosted a breakfast for the Longview ISD Foundation’s 2019 Great Rewards for Great Ideas recipients and the Campus Initiative Grant recipients. At the breakfast, the Foundation awarded funding for this year’s grant cycle.
Great Rewards for Great Ideas Grant Program Grant winners received funding from the Longview ISD Foundation ranging from $100 to $2,500 for innovative classroom projects and programs t ha t w il l enhance the qualit y of education for all students in Long view ISD. This year, the twentyf o u r t h anniversary of the Great Rewards for Great Ideas Program, $74,896.28 was requested through 41 grant applications. The Foundation funded 22 grants totaling $38,952.08. The Foundation funded 17 elementary grants for a total of $30,153.33 and 5 secondary grants for a total of $8,798.75. Since the beginning of the Great Rewards for Great Ideas Program in 1996, the Foundation has funded 690 grants totaling $740,375.98. These grants have enhanced Longview ISD’s academic programs as well as music, art, technology, counseling and guidance, career education,
health and physical education, character education programs, and STEAM and STEM projects. Campus Initiative Grant Program The Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. received nine Campus Initiative Grants, the most ever received, requesting a total of $38,968.99. To make all these requests possible, the Foundation partially funded all nine grants and requested that the grant applicants apply for additional funding in 2020. The Foundation awarded funding for a total of $26,395.64 to the following campuses: Steve Hambrick, physical education teacher at Hudson PEP Elementary, and Sue Wilson, principal, received $2,500 for a climbing wall. Rebecka Jenkins, Erica Smith, and Virginia Bell, Forest Park Middle School special education teachers, and Dr. Cynthia Wise, principal, received $3,184.15 to purchase five special desks and five Chromebooks. Michael Woodson and Jone’ Robinson Heflin, Foster Middle School special education teachers, and Ryan Carroll, principal, received $3,693.99 to purchase twelve Chromebooks and one Chromebook cart. Kristina Ford, Judson STEAM Academy special education teacher, and James Gibson, principal, received $2,300.00 to purchase materials for a sensory room for their students. Shameika Allen and Carla Williams, assistant principals at Longview High School, and James Brewer, principal, received $3,000.00 for two units of furniture to transform the school library into a learning commons area. Kristi Maldonado, Longview High School special education teacher, and Sarah Sheppard, special education supervisor, received $3,600 to purchase to purchase twelve touch screen Chromebooks. Cheri Lee, Longview Early Graduation High School student support specialist, and Kristi Means, principal, received $3,517.50 to purchase
fifteen Chromebooks. Nona Snoddy, Dade Center special education teacher, and Isiah Gates, principal, received $2,600.00 to purchase twelve sit and stand manual student desks. Brittany Johnson, instructor at the Playing for Keeps Early Childhood Center, and Leisha Fluellen, principal, received $2,000.00 to purchase educational toys for the district’s youngest learners.
Since 2008, the Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. has funded 41 campus grants for a total of $116,455.76. Through the Great Rewards for Great Ideas Grant Program, the Campus Initiative Grant Program, and the first annual John W. Harrison, Jr. Academic Field Trip Grant, the Longview ISD Foundation has returned $868,831.74 to LISD educators to enhance the quality of education for all students. For a list of this year’s grant recipients, visit the Longview ISD Foundation’s website at www. lisdfoundation.org and click on Great Rewards for Great Ideas on the menu bar at the top of the page.
Get your Lobo tumblers TODAY
With the approval of Coach John King, the Longview ISD Foundation, in conjunction with Blackhawk Hydrographics owned by Phillip Milam, husband of Sharon Milam who works at LHS, is selling Lobo Football Championship Powder Coated Laser Engraved 30-ounce stainless steel double-wall copper-lined tumblers! The commemorative tumblers come in Lobo green or black with a silver design and inscription and can be purchased with personalization up to fifteen characters or without personalization. Information about ordering is available on the Foundation’s website at LISDfoundation.org. The Milams are graciously returning a portion of this sale’s proceeds to the Longview ISD Foundation so that it can continue to fund its three grant programs. The Foundation appreciates your support and Coach King’s support as it works on behalf of LISD’s students and teachers!
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
WHAT IS XG?
April 2019
Districts share profound impact of Board Development Program By Roger White What is XG? Simply put, XG—shorthand for eXceptional Governance—stands for the idea that outstanding, effective school board governance can be tied directly to student success in and out of the classroom. Kicked off by the first-ever XG Summit in Austin in 2017, TASB’s XG Project offers school districts research, insight, and practical models of board governance that translate into improved student performance. At TASB’s second XG Summit, held January 10-11 at the Sheraton Austin, school board members and superintendents from districts that participated in the XG SelfAssessment and/ or the XG Board Development Series shared what XG looks like in practice and the
crucial importance effective governance holds for students today and tomorrow. Reaching Every Student in Longview In Longview ISD, XG means a bold commitment to cultural change. Concrete examples of the district’s dedication to this ideal are the creation of an early childhood center for district staff and students and a Montessori program aimed at children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The Montessori method of education, developed by Maria Montessori, is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children. The Montessori method has been used for over 100 years in many parts of the world. “This to me is the crowning
achievement for us that will change our district if we can maintain the culture,” Longview ISD Trustee Dr. Troy Simmons said of the district’s Montessori campus, which houses 1,200 elementary-age students. “Every child who enters Longview ISD has a chance for a Montessori education. Montessori’s not a revolutionary idea. It is not something you have to create, but it’s something you have to have enough courage to embrace if you want to help your children, particularly the ones you see who are economically disadvantaged. That requires a cultural change, and I think that is the hardest thing school districts can do.” Simmons noted that the district opened the early childhood center not only for teachers looking for daycare but for district students. “This is for kids in high school who normally were educated at home,” he said. “Now, because we have a daycare center we can keep them in the classroom.” Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox said the impact of Longview ISD’s recent cultural shift has cast this East Texas district in a profoundly different light. “We are 80 percent minority, 77 percent low socioeconomic status, but we have over 600
upper-income, predominantly Anglo students transferring into the district,” Wilcox said. “I don’t think that’s happening percentagewise anywhere else in the United States—and they’re coming because they want a product that they think is good for their children.” Simmons summed up his district’s efforts: “What we’ve done in our district is started on a pathway of trying to educate every child to the best of that child’s ability.” He added that the importance of reaching every student cannot be overstated. “China and India have more gifted and talented students than we have students in the United States. So if we’re going to be in competition with these countries, we have to educate every child. That’s our responsibility, and it means changing culture.” For more information about TASB’s XG Project or the XG SelfAssessment and Board Development program, visit the TASB website at tasb.org or e-mail lts@tasb.org. — Roger White is Managing Editor of Texas Lone Star Magazine, published by the Texas Association of School Boards. Reprinted with permission from the March 2019 edition of Texas Lone Star magazine.
Copyright 2019 by TASB. All rights reserved.
APRIL IS ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH Your future is calling. IS THAT DRINK REALLY WORTH EVERYTHING?
THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
April 2019
Page 15
Longview Encore Multimedia Green+Clean earns BBB Awards set April 13
Longview Green and Clean is Saturday, April 13, 2019, from 8 a.m. to Noon at 100 H.G. Mosley Pkwy. (Lear Park). The Longview Green and Clean is a partnership between the City of Longview Recycling Program and Keep Longview Beautiful. Yearly events are held in the Spring and Fall at Lear Park softball parking lot, 100 H.G. Mosley Pkwy. Spring activities are held the second Saturday in April while the Fall activities are slated for the second Saturday in November. These events are formerly known as Longview Recycles Day, Trash Bash, and Citywide Cleanup. “The Green” = Recycling The “Green” part of Longview Green and Clean is giving the community a chance to recycle junk and other items that usually go to the landfill. The city Recycling Program is in charge of all recycling activities during the event. For questions call 903-237-1250. Popular items that can be recycled
include: Electronics, Tires (A City of Longview water bill is required for tire recycling) Batteries, Mixed Recycling (Paper, Plastic and Metal) Glass, Eyeglasses, Motor Oil “The Clean” = Beautify The “Clean” part is a community wide effort of volunteers, that all work together to clean litter, and beautify the areas where they live, work or worship. This is one of the largest community volunteer days in Longview and you are invited to join us. Keep Longview Beautiful handles all of the clean up activities before and after the event. You may pick up equipment, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Monday - Thursday before the event. Equipment is limited and given on a first-come, first-serve basis. For questions, email klb@ longviewtexas.gov or call 903-2124KLB (4552). Celebrate After you volunteer, beautify or recycle you are invited to celebrate with us at Lear Park. A hot dog lunch will be served at 11:00 a.m. until supplies run out.
&
Keep Longview
GREEN
CLEAN
Long v iew-based Encore Multimedia received the 2019 BBB Awards for Excellence in both the Large Business and Veteran-Owned Business categories at the awards ceremony held March 12, 2019, in Tyler, Texas. “We would like to thank the Better Business Bureau for the honor, and we are especially grateful to all our clients, colleagues, and friends who supported us,” said Encore Multimedia President, Dean Waskowiak. “Next month, Encore marks the 25th anniversary of providing first-class strategic marketing for our clients, and this is a great way to start the celebration.” According to the BBB, the mission of the Awards for Excellence program “is to promote both the importance of ethical business practices and the willingness and efforts made by outstanding businesses to ensure the marketplace remains fair and honorable to everyone.” “We are fully committed to our business philosophy, ‘Customer Focused. Results Driven.’ These awards reflect the talent and effort that Encore Multimedia delivers everyday on behalf of our clients,”
said Jun Kim, Vice President of Encore. Encore Multimedia produces thoughtful, relevant, and awardwinning content that strategically engages and connects with target audiences, resulting in action. Specialties include strategic marketing, public relations, digital marketing, video, radio, web, and print. Founded in 1994 by Dean Waskowiak, the f irm ser ves national, statewide, regional, and local clients and employs a staff of 21 creative and experienced marketing professionals. For more information, contact Lisa Veatch, Encore Business Growth Development at 903-757-6111 or Lisa@EncoreMultimedia.com.
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
April 2019
LISD Foundation announces raffle items
The Longview ISD Foundation has announced its raffle held annually in conjunction with the Lamplighter Awards. This year the Foundation is offering five items. Tickets are one (1) for $5.00 or three (3) for $10.00. When buying a ticket, one can check the item he or she hopes to win, spreading tickets among the items or putting all tickets on one item. The Foundation will hold five separate drawings on Thursday, April 4, at the 2019 Lamplighter Awards banquet at Pinecrest Country Club. Winners needs not be present to win. Information about the raffle is also on the Foundation’s website at www. lisdfoundation.org. The raffle items are: Vahan 14K gold, sterling, and diamond bracelet donated by Henry and Moore Jewelry. Retail value is $1,725.00 Large Neon Lobo Commemorative 2018 State Championship Rocking L Sign—Perfect for any Lobo fan. Donated by Kay and John Ray, Retail value is $675.00. (The price began at $475 when the raffle tickets were printed, but the Rays added to the sign, making the price higher. The sign is 2 and 1/2 feet wide and 2 feet high. It looks fabulous when lit!) You could be a big winner! Two Lobo season football tickets donated by Coach John King and lottery scratch off tickets and Lobo fan gear donated by the Foundation. Value is priceless! Lunch or dinner for ten people prepared and served by Chef Kevin Hill and the accomplished Longview High School culinary arts students in the Lobo Bistro on the LHS campus. Retail value is $200. One large pizza of your choice per month for a year donated by Pizza King. Expires 4/4/20. Retail value is $180.