Volume V, Issue 1 (January 17, 2020)

“Newspapers are a bad habit, the reading equivalent of junk food.” ― John Irving

Vol. V January 17, 2020

Sharing the good news about Longview Independent School District

GIVING A LEG UP Longview ISD students sell socks to help those in need locally, around the world

S

tudents on numerous LISD campuses have taken part in fundraisers that help not only members of the community but also children in other countries. With the help of We Help Two, students from Hudson PEP sold 302 packs of socks which will cover tuition for 1 year, new school uniforms and 2 meals a day for 3 students as well as a portion of a teacher’s salary at the school.

“The idea is to have a global and local impact,” said Trevor Bergman, who started We Help Two with his Socks|Continued to page 9

ETAA, LISD team-up for students, staff Finding better ways to operate and fund public education has been a hot topic of debate for several years now.

The Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 1882 two years ago and this legislative change means that the district could receive approximately $1,200 in increased state funding per student enrolled within the charter network, allowing the district to provide more resources for students and staff. To this end, LISD partnered with East Texas Advanced Academies, a nonprofit organization, to establish six charter school campuses to take advantage of this opportunity. They are: East Texas Montessori Prep Academy, Johnston-McQueen, J.L. Everhart, Bramlette, Ware East Texas Montessori and Forest Park.

Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox and the LISD Board of Trustees agree that additional changes are a possibility, but they are changes that will ETAA|Continued to page 16

How to be happy both physically and mentally

By Gracie Russell LHS Senior

RUSSELL

THE

reason exercise causes one to be in a better mood is by the proven fact that exercise I believe that physical produces endorphins. Endoractivity is the key to all good phins are a natural chemithings in life. Want to get in a cal your body produces that better mood? Workout. Want relieve pain or stress, and to feel healthier? Workout. boost happiness. Exercising Want to look better? Workout. increases the levels of this Anything can be positively natural “drug” in your body enhanced with physical activ- proving to make you feel betity. An article by Dr. Melissa Stoppler shows us that the Gracie|Continued to page 6

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ongview oice

Opinion Coming Events

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Judson Spotlight Chefs

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Sports Conference

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

OPINION

District looks back on another successful year

By Dr. James Wilcox

most important thing High School seniors with for your success, the one dual-credit hours and With the start of a New Year, thing that we all have those receiving their asI cannot help but look back on that should never be sociates degree, and on the previous year. There were for sale, the thing that May 10th the 36 Early so many amazing accomplishwe give the most of and College Kilgore College ments by our students, staff, should protect with our graduates walked across and entire district in 2019, I life, that thing is our the stage in Kilgore. could fill up an entire edition of heart.”

“These students have The Longview Voice. But in the worked so hard during FREE LUNCH, WILCOX their time at LHS and interest of time, I’ll just hit a BREAKFAST few of the highlights...

Kilgore College and they Elementary students now redeserve to be celebrated,” said GOVERNOR PRAISES ceive free breakfast and lunch LISD INNOVATION from the cafeteria thanks to the James Brewer, Longview High School principal.

During his State of the State federal Community Eligibility Two students had perfect Address on Feb. 5th in AusProvision [CEP] program.

4.00 GPA’s: Laura Martinez tin, Gov. Greg Abbott lauded The LISD Board of Trustees Longview ISD for finding eduapproved the measure April 15, and Kimberly Diez. Six were cational pathways for every stu- 2019 during their regular meet- inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society dent, as well as Superintendent ing. for two year schools: Martinez, Dr. James Wilcox’s initiative to A part of the Healthy, Hunreward educator’s for helping ger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Com- Diez, Monica Lozano, Tania Piedra, Prisila Reyes, and Nastudents grow and reach their munity Eligibility Provision talie Serrato. full potential. allows qualifying schools that In just the 2018-2019 school Gov. Abbott mentioned serve populations with high year there were 523 Longview Longview ISD among five poverty rates to provide free High students taking dual-credschool systems statewide in breakfast and lunch. it classes, and 263 of those were which “every student graduates LISD Director of Child Nuseniors. A total of 6,531 semeswith more than just a diploma. trition Phyllis Dozier said the ter credit hours were earned, They will graduate with the program benefits students and averaging more than 12 hours tools they need to excel in colparents as well as the entire per year each! lege or a career.” district.

Longview ISD was one of four districts recognized and the only district from East Texas.

Gov. Abbott grew up in Longview during his elementary school years, attending school in Longview ISD, before moving to the Dallas area in middle school.

FAMOUS ALUM COMES HOME

Matthew McConaughey stopped by the Texas Capitol on March 6th to congratulate his former high school’s football team.

The Academy Award winner and 1988 Longview High grad joined the Longview Lobos as they were honored in the House and Senate for winning the 2018 Class 6A Division State Championship in December, capping a perfect 16-0 season.

A few months later Mr. McConaughey was the commencement speaker for the Class of 2019.

McConaughey credited his many career achievements to always remaining grounded in who he is, and what he values most in life.

“Thirty-one years ago, I was you, a graduating Longview Lobo,” he said. “The most important reason for my success, and I believe what will be the

DUKE HONORS MIDDLE SCHOOLERS

Middle school students Alec Germanwala, Joseph Hough, John Lenhart, Divya Nirmal, Dominic Pistone, Namita Reddy, Allison Reed, Aman Saridena, Ian Still, Gizela Terrones, and Fatoumata Traore all earned state recognition for their scores on college entrance exams. These ten students were among the top 25 percent of Duke University’s annual 16-state talent search in 2019.

Not only that, but Longview ISD Director of Instruction Beth Bassett said two students also received national recognition.

2019 Duke Identification Program scholars earning Grand Recognition are Aman Saridena and Dominic Pistone.

“Basically what that means is these middle school students scored better than 90 percent of college-bound juniors and seniors taking the SAT or ACT tests,” she said. “That’s really quite remarkable.”

COLLEGE DEGREES BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL?

Longview High School Early College and dual-credit students have a lot to celebrate!

May 7th there was a reception held for the 55 Longview

POLL FINDS HIGH RATINGS FOR LISD

Respondents to a district survey gave high marks for the quality of education students receive at Longview Independent School District.

LISD Community Relations held an online survey from June 17th through July 12, asking local residents and stakeholders to rate the district in a variety of categories on a “star scale,” from one to five stars.

Of the 389 respondents: 43 percent gave LISD five stars, with 22 percent giving four stars, and 25 percent giving three stars. Seven percent gave LISD two stars, with three percent giving just one star.

Respondents were also given the opportunity to rate other aspects of the district, from the administration and board of trustees, to departments like Transportation, Finance, Human Resources, as well as how area residents rate local sources of LISD information and even the Community Relations Department itself.

TRUSTEES OK LOWERING TAXES

Longview ISD Board of Trustees approved a proposed decrease on the property tax rate for homeowners during a

regular meeting on Monday, July 15.

The proposal would see the price will decrease from $1.513 per $100 valuation for 2018-19 to $1.443 per $100 valuation for the 2019-20 school year.

“One of the good things that the legislature did through House Bill 3 is they were able to compress the tax rate for homeowners (in Texas) and that they were able to increase the basic allotment so that the school district is able to actually receive more state revenue,” said Chief Financial Officer Joey Jones. “The teachers, counselors and librarians will also receive a higher wage.”

$8.2 MILLION IN RAISES FOR STAFF

Longview ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved an aggressive pay increase for teachers during their regular meeting Monday, August 12 at the district administration building.

The measure includes sweeping revisions to the pay structure for district staff, totaling more than $8 million. Upon approval of the 2019-2020 budget on Aug. 28, average teacher salary for Longview ISD will stand among the highest in the East Texas region.

Chief Financial Officer Joey Jones said part of the rationale for the plan is to “improve market competitiveness of salaries for existing staffers, as well as for potential employees who are being recruited to the district.”

Under the new plan, base salary for teachers with zero years of experience increased from $40,280 to $47,200. Base salary for teachers with five years of experience increased from $42,280 to $49,280. Base salary for teachers with ten years of experience increased from $44,680 to $51,680.

For teachers with 25 years of experience, the base salary increased from $51,120 to $58,520.

CAMPUSES EARN STATE DISTINCTIONS

Longview ISD schools earned 40 total distinctions on accountability ratings, according to the Texas Education Agency. An increase from the 34 distinctions earned a year ago, and one of the highest number of distinctions for any school in District|Continued to page 3

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

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OPINION DISTRICT |Continued from page 2 East Texas.

Board members were given a presentation on the preliminary TEA report from Latitia Wilson, LISD Director of Research, Planning, and Accountability during the Aug. 12 regular meeting. Longview ISD received the final numbers Aug. 15th.

While not every campus managed a perfect score, Wilson highlighted a number of campuses that showed exponential growth and improvement across various measures.

None of LISD’s campuses scored lower than a C on their overall rating, Wilson said, adding that “we know that we still have work to do.”

“We had two campuses that received an overall rating of A and one that just missed an A rating by .1 of a point,” she said. “Our future goal is for all of our campuses to receive an overall rating of A.”

BEARD ELECTED VP FOR STATE BOARD

Longview ISD Place 6 trustee Ted Beard was appointed as vice president of the Texas Association of School Boards on Oct. 11th.

“I’m going to continue to advocate for quality, accessible public education that’s properly funded for all of the school districts, not just in Region VII but for the entire state of Texas,” he said. “I am blessed to bring a perspective from the greater Longview community and the entire Region VII ser-

vice area.”

LISD Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox praised Beard’s appointment, crediting his “tireless advocacy on behalf of students and their families.”

“Ted is an excellent choice for first vice president,” he said.

“For duration of his time on the LISD Board of Trustees he has proven himself to be a strong defender and advocate of public education in Texas. I am certain he will continue to be so in his new role on the TASB board.”

GRAD RATE RANKED 9TH IN NATION

The 2016-17 school year saw a national rise for the percentage of seniors graduating on time from high school. At 85%, this was a 1% increase from the previous year and a 5% five years prior to that. Longview then has something to be proud of as the graduation rate for 2016-17 was 94.1%, securing a spot within the top 10.

As reported by USA Today on Oct. 18th, Longview came in 9th place in the country, beating out several other Texas cities that made the top 50, including Tyler (91.9%, 39th place) and Texarkana (92.3%, 30th place).

The only city within the state to outdo Longview was Wichita Falls (96.7%, 1st place).

James Brewer, Principal of Longview High School, said he is not surprised by the ranking, “but doesn’t mean we’re going to rest on our laurels.”

“Any time you’re able to see

where you measure up with other areas, it’s helpful, but ultimately that’s not our priority,” he said. “Yes, we are encouraged by the progress we’re making — and will continue to build upon that success — but what’s more important to us than any ranking, is how we are constantly finding the best ways to help our students and staff achieve the maximum level of success.”

BAND WINS 70TH STRAIGHT FIRST DIVISION

The Longview High School Lobo Band earned a First Division rating from the entire judging panel to bring home its 70th consecutive SUPERIOR University Interscholastic League marching contest rating.

With the top honor, the Big Green Marching Machine maintains the state record for consecutive superior ratings in a state contest. LHS has been ranked First Division since the inception of the UIL. Director of Bands Rhonda Daniel praised the discipline, perseverance, and hard work her young people demonstrated Oct. 19th at the regional competition in Homer Bryce Stadium, on the campus of Stephen F. Austin University.

TEACHERS AWARDED $2 MILLION BONUS

Longview ISD awarded more than $2.4 million in incentive pay for achieving teachers, with a few of the very highest-performing teachers receiving

nearly $20,000 in their December paychecks.

During their regular meeting on Dec. 16th the LISD Board of Trustees approved a $2 million-plus budget amendment as part of Longview Incentive for Teachers (LIFT) pay for performance, around eight times more than the $350,000 total amount paid out to staffers in 2014-15, the first year of the program.

“It’s wonderful to be able to reward those campuses that achieve state distinctions in helping students meet and exceed goals,” said board president Ginia Northcutt.

MUCH MORE TO COME!

Whew! That might seem like a lot, but it’s actually just a sampling of the many great things happening at Longview ISD. Most of which you might not hear about in various local media outlets, but every single one of those stories were covered this past year in The Longview Voice.

Longview ISD continues to be the best school district east of Interstate 45, and it’s all because of our people: our students, our staff, our parents, and our many community partners.

Thank you all for a wonderful 2019, and my prayers are with you for an even better 2020!

It’s a great time to be a Lobo!

— Dr. James Wilcox is Superintendent of Schools for Longview ISD. During his tenure enrollment and test scores have continued an upward trend, and LISD has continued to expand its academic and extracurricular offerings.

Non-profit charter schools help student outcomes

By Alan Amos ETAA board president On December 15, 2019, an editorial piece was published in a local newspaper, questioning the origination of East Texas Advanced Academies (ETAA) and operation of the network. I would like to yet again define and clarify how and why 501(c) non-profit charter school networks like ETAA were developed.

The Texas state legislature identified shortcomings and limitations in public education systems and responded by signing Senate Bill 1882 into law in 2017, allowing non-profit organizations to partner in operating public schools. The bill encourages districts to use this type of partnership to improve student outcomes by offering additional state funding and availabilities,

and it was wholeheartvote. This opportunity edly backed by Governor for districts to bypass Greg Abbott who attendstatus quo and utilize ed LISD schools for 8 state funds to expand years. and evolve educational It is a great privilege possibilities and offerings that the state of Texas is available statewide. decided to invest milThis idea was not formulions in our children lated by Dr. Wilcox, Dr. and community, due to Wise, Mr. Satterwhite, AMOS the decision to partner.

Dr. Willis, Mr. Murray, And, we commend the LISD Mr. Johnson, Mr. Franklin, or board of trustees for their formyself. ward thinking and willingness ETAA is in a partnership to adapt to an ever-changing with LISD and is still accounteducational environment and able to the LISD board, giving local educational needs. ETAA updates and specific measures was created to meet the needs on the progress of the schools of this community and thus under ETAA management on contracted with LISD to opera regularly scheduled basis. ate the six in-district charter Daily operating decisions are schools in our network. approved by the ETAA Board of To be clear, the creation of Directors and Chief Executive charter school partnerships was Officer. ETAA has and will a decision made by Texas legcontinue to abide by state law islature through a bi-partisan in the operation of this orga-

nization. I encourage anyone with more questions regarding this statewide program and/ or ETAA to actually put in the work of researching the topics.

Consider reviewing ETAA’s webpages at sites.google.com/ lisd.org/etaa .

Our students and network deserve only the best and most innovative opportunities.

ETAA is committed to continuing to provide these possibilities for our children.

— Alan Amos is the board president of the ETAA board of directors.

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

Coming Events

Teaching runs in Nance’s family, she followed the call Bonnye Nance works on the leadership team at Judson STEAM Academy. She explained she always knew that she wanted to be in education.

Nance’s mother, grandmother, great-grandfather and great grandmother were all teachers, as well as many others in her very large family, so she couldn’t wait to continue the legacy. She grew up north of Dallas, in Flower Mound, and attended school in Lewisville ISD. After getting her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies EC-4, 4-8, and ESL from Texas Woman’s University she went on to complete her Master’s in Business Administration also at TWU, with the idea to

someday start a nonprofit for children in need. She will complete her second Master’s degree with a Principal’s Certification in 2020.

NANCE Having taught in Lewisville ISD for many years, Nance joined Longview ISD in 2016 as an Instructional Technology Specialist. She transitioned to the PBL/STEAM and Academic Programs role at Judson in the fall of this year.

Nance was recently named the Judson I.B. Coordinator, and she

has already started the process of obtaining International Baccalaureate designation for Judson STEAM Academy. She also heads up the Technology Student Association, UIL, RTI, and social media.

Nance has two children, Meredith and Kyle, and two grandchildren, Travis and Joseph. She lives on a quiet piece of land, with her husband Aaron, in Winnsboro, surrounded by animals. She explained she doesn’t mind the drive, because she loves the country, but most of all loves Longview ISD! She views all of Judson’s students as her own and can’t wait to watch each one of them live up to their potential!

Students, staff give socks to Haven Care Longview Early Graduation High School students and staff donated socks for the residents of Haven Care nursing home in Longview as a Christmas gift.

Each pair of socks was given with a personalized name tag to each resident.

The drive was initiated by teachers, Cynthia Vaughn and Barry Thompson with hopes to continue as an annual International Baccaluarate community outreach.

January 17 8 a.m. LHS Boys Varsity Soccer (Jan. 16-18, Lufkin) 8 a.m. LHS Boys JV Soccer (Jan. 16-18, Tyler Lee) 8 a.m. LHS Girls Soccer (Jan. 1618, LHS) 8 a.m. MS Boys Basketball (Jan. 16-18, Marshall) 5 p.m. LHS Girls Basketball vs Mesquite (Mesquite) 5 p.m. LHS Boys Basketball vs Mesquite (LHS) January 18 8 a.m. LHS LHS Swim District 9 Championships (Rockwall) January 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day School Closed January 21 5 p.m. LHS Girls Basketball vs Rockwall (Rockwall) January 22 6 p.m. Workforce Solutions Parent Information Meeting (Little Theatre) 6:30 p.m. Lobo University (College & Career Center Foyer) January 23 8 a.m. LHS JV Girls Soccer (Whitehouse) 5 p.m. Foster Girls Basketball vs Lufkin Gold (Lufkin) 5 p.m. Judson Girls Basketball vs Nac. Mike Moses (Nac.) February TBA 12 p.m. ETAA (TBA)

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A partner for your future.

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Forest Park band plays for Everhart The Forest Park Band performed on Thursday, Dec. 19, for JL Everhart. They certainly brought the Christmas spirit!

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

Lobo welding team dominates area meet Congratulations to Longview High School Competition Welding Team: Edgar Martinez, Sergio Landin, and Eric Rios!

On Thursday, Dec. 12, these students competed in the 3rd Annual Como-Pickton Welder Challenge. Longview High School Welding Team won 1st Place. This is the third year IN A ROW to earn a 1st place prize.

Edgar Martinez walked away with 3rd Place Welding Exam and 1st Place in round three.

Sergio Landin earned 3rd Place in the second Round and 2nd Place in the 3rd round.

Eric Rios received 1st in place in the 1st round and 3rd place in the 3rd round. He received Reserved Grand Champion Overall.

Wanted: Artists to beautify new sanitation trucks Four new sanitation trucks are ready for art, and Public Works and Keep Longview Beautiful are holding a kids contest to help pick the original illustrations.

The “Less Littered Longview” kids art contest officially begins on Monday, Jan. 6. Illustrations are due to the Keep Longview Beautiful office at 410 S. High Street before 5 p.m. on

March 6. On April 1 and 2 illustrations will be displayed for community judging at City Hall at 300 W. Cotton Street. Unveiling ceremonies will be held in May. Winning illustrations will be enlarged to approximately 4’x 10’ and appear on the side of a sanitation truck.

Look for more information to come! If you have questions, you can email klb@ longviewtexas.gov .

GRACIE |Continued from page 1 ter! This effect is also known as the “runner’s high.”

The most important thing that many people do not realize about exercise is that it does not just affect you physically but mentally. Not only working out, but just stepping foot into the gym can take a lot of confidence for many people. The first step into the gym can be seen as a confidence booster, or a push in the right direction.

Starting off with a trainer is very beneficial for newcomers because of how intimidating weight-lifting can be. The thoughts that may go through ones head would be, “I’m not sure how to use this equipment,” or, “am I doing this motion properly,” even just, “I feel like I look dumb, I don’t know what I am doing.” With time all these negative thoughts turn to positive ones as you overcome this challenge of working out and become more confident in yourself. The gym gives you a new place to learn and grow as a person, besides being stuck in a classroom.

In my life I have seen many benefits, physically as well as mentally, from the exercise habits I have recently grown into.

My journey began almost four years ago at the beginning of my freshman year in high school. In this stage of my life, you could not get me to work out more than mandatorily required. My sister, on the other hand, loved it! She would go to classes at 5:30 a.m. every morning sometimes dragging me along with her; in a very bad mood might I add. After a few weeks of attending these 5:30 a.m. classes with her I quit working out altogether. It wasn’t until a few months later that I actually began to enjoy working out. What changed my mind on this? I decided I want to compete athletically at the collegiate level. For a while I

trained with a personal trainer at Anytime Fitness and of course, after a few months of going to training, I became bored with it.

I hated the aspect of being forced to work out. I am more of a self-taught, independent person.

At the beginning of my junior year I began training seriously. Planning out different workouts for different days to maximize the benefits, eating healthier, and all around trying to better myself in my own ways. I have now fallen in love with exercise whether it be in a gym or outside in the heat or cold. The feeling of freedom, having the power to do what I want when I want to, is one of the most important factors in my fitness journey. Unlike others who need people to convince them to go to the gym, or else they won’t do it, I dislike people telling me what to do. On the other hand I love training people and keeping them credible for their progress. Making myself and others feel better simply by moving my body around, with or without weights, thrills me!

Through many years of trial and error

I have grown a strong passion within the gym, so much that you may even say I am “addicted” to it. Since endorphins are a body produced drug this would actually make sense in some way. My junior year, right after I got big into working out, I fractured my foot and was in a boot for about 2-3 months. During this time I obviously was not able to work out or do any physical activity. After a while I got tired of not being able to do anything. I ended up going to the gym on many occasions starting a new workout routine for upper body and core since I was unable to lift any weight with my feet. I didn’t let my injury stop me from working out. I instead took this challenge and set new goals. If I couldn’t put weight on my lower body I decided that I was going to just work on my upper body gaining strength and toning it as a whole. For the next two months I solely went to the gym just to work these two main parts. Once I was out of my boot I realized how much progress I had made.

Even though I was given a major setback I overcame and turned it into something positive.

My whole outlook on life has been altered into a more positive state. My friends, as well as I can say that since I have begun working out I have been a much happier and positive person.

With physical exercise, there is no limit as to how much you can and can’t do, or how old you can or can’t be to workout.

This is something I can work on and improve myself with for the rest of my life and the journey I have with exercise in the future is what keeps me going.

Why don’t you try it too?

— Gracie Russell is an award-winning Lobo student-athlete and a senior at Longview High School.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

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Lobo Chefs feed local hungry firefighters Lobo Chefs catered the Annual Longview Fire Department Christmas Party spreading holiday cheer and Lobo pride.

“The event went off flawless,” said Culinary Arts Chef Kevin Hill. “We served Fireman’s Salad with Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette, Smoked Gouda and Ham Pie, and Chicken Tagine over Cous Cous to over 140 guests at the LFD Training Center.”

The firemen and their families raved about the meal the Lobo Chefs created and were extremely happy with the students etiquette and service. These 16 students volunteered to pull a 14 hour workday in preparing and serving their creations.

The students were under the direction of Chef Hill, Chef Kelt and Mrs. Stanley.

“I have to thank Chef Josh of the Hilton Garden Inn of Longview for the use of their traveling plug-in hotboxes, which if not lent would have made this event literally impossible to accomplish,” said Chef Hill.

Ugly Christmas sweater fun Connie Player’s 3rd grade homeroom at Hudson PEP celebrated the upcoming holidays with some ugly Christmas sweaters on Monday, Dec. 16!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Only International Baccalaureate program east of Interstate 45.

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

• 116 incoming Freshman applying for dual credit courses.

• State and National Technical Student Association winners.

• Orchestra offered at elementary, middle and high school.

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

• Wall of Honor honors Veteran alumni and their families.

• LHS music students annually perform at Carnegie Hall.

• Privatized custodial services to save taxpayer dollars.

• Gold Standard Award yearly for financial transparency.

• Less than 2 percent dropout rate at Longview High.

• Class of 2019 earned $8.5 million in scholarships.

• 236 unduplicated seniors with dual credit hours.

• Over 6500 hours of college by 2019 graduates.

• 6,531 semester credit hours for dual credit.

• Award-winning high school art program.

• 2018 UIL Academic District Champions.

• Class 6A State Football Champion.

• 2,601 Workforce hours earned.

• National Welding Champions.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

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New incentive program might come to LISD With the Longview Incentive for Teachers program giving out over $2.4 million last month to achieving teachers, another possible pay incentive is in sight thanks to House Bill 3 that was passed last year by the 86th Legislature. The program could see teachers earning up to an additional $32,000 a year from the state-funded program.

The intent of the legislation is to have a pathway for a teacher to earn $100,000 a year and to keep the most effective teachers in the classroom,” said Director of Elementary Education John York. “It also provides incentives to our teachers to teach at some of our most challenged campuses. The whole idea is to have an equitable distribution of the most effec-

tive teachers in the district.”

LISD is set to submit a letter of intent to the Texas Education Agency by Jan. 24. If approved, the board will decide if

the district shall join the program.

Currently a decision has not been as to whether the district will keep LIFT and join the Teacher Incentive Allotment. If LISD does join the TIA program, that does not mean that teachers will no longer be able to get the LIFT bonuses as well.

There are 3 different levels that affect the extra amount given. Recognized can earn between $3,000 and $9,000; exemplary can earn between $6,000 and $18,000; and teachers at the top level can get between $12,000 and $32,000.

Both poverty levels of the students and whether the district is urban or rural affects the amounts that each level can pay.

Judson, CIS receive local donations for families Thank you to Republic Services, James Murphy, and Leta McKinley for your very generous donation to Judson STEAM Academy and CIS. Your donation will help provide for families in need. We appreciate your generosity! What a wonderful surprise!

SOCKS |Continued from page 1 wife Bethany in 2012. The organization operates in both the U.S. and Canada. In November of 2019, they had around 300 active campaigns.

We Help Two offers four different fundraising projects or the ability to sell socks for your own cause. The four specific causes are: Socks for School where a child is sponsored to help receive an education for a year, Socks for Legs where amputees are giving legs that would not ordinarily be able to afford them, Socks for Clubfoot which helps babies with clubfeet, and Socks for Wash where students in schools around the world are provided with clean water, new latrines and health education. Over the past 3 years they have provided: 650 legs for amputees, 150 clubfoot repairs for babies, raised over $35,000 for clean water projects, sponsored 60 students to attend school, helped raise over $500,000 for other causes and donated over 150,000 pairs of socks.

Hudson PEP’s most recent fundraiser helped 3 students in Kampala, Uganda. One student that they helped was Shantal

Nassanga, a 6-year-old who says that her favorite hobby is dancing and wants to be a pilot when she grows up.

“The neat thing about that is schools get to choose a specific child and then they raise the funds to put that child through school,” Bergman said. “They also get to correspond with that child throughout the school year.”

Along with helping to raise funds to help students in other countries, LISD students have also been helping to warm the feet of local community members. For every pack of socks (each of which includes 3 socks) that is sold, a pair of socks will be donated locally.

“The Longview ISD has always been a very strong support of our program. I think they see the value of what we do; not only in having a global impact but also a local impact. With the local sock donation program, the children get to decide where they are donated,” Bergman said, adding that both Hiway 80 Rescue Mission and Buckner have been recipients.

To find out more about this organization go to wehelptwo. com .

Who: High School Juniors

When: Wednesday January 29 and Thursday January 30 Where: Maude Cobb Convention Center

Time: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM Each Day

Greater Longview Organization for Business & Education

EXTRAORDINARY

Page 10

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

SPORTS

SIGNING DAY

Page 11

14 student-athletes took part in signing ceremony

T

he Fall 2019 signing class included 14 Lobos and Lady Lobos from Softball, Cheer, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Golf and Tennis.

SIGNEES

Keaton King (Baseball) — Grayson Community College Sawyer Goram-Welch (Football) — University of Texas Austin Haynes King (Football) — Texas A&M University Malik Henry (Basketball) — George Mason University Zekyia Robinson (Softball) — North Sign|Continued to page 12

Page 12

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

LHS softball team visits JL Everhart The LHS Softball team went to JL Everhart and read to the students on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

Boys soccer wins big at tourney The LHS boys soccer team went to Dairy Palace to celebrate their three out of four wins at the Forney Jackrabbit Kickoff on Saturday, Jan. 4.

SIGN |Continued from page 11 Carolina Central University Jordan McClain (Softball) — University of Houston Mallory Burgess (Soccer) — University of Southern Mississippi Kennedy Cameron (Softball) — Norfolk State University

Kerris Cameron (Softball) — Norfolk State University Cade Bruce (Golf) — Stephen F. Austin State University Kayla Smith (Cheer) — Centenary College Avery Cotten (Softball) — University of Arkansas Rich Mountain

Simran Kortikere (Tennis) — University of Texas Austin Julia Miller (Tennis) — LeTourneau University “You have all worked hard and it is time to say thank you to those who have helped you get there,” said John King, Athletic Director. “It’s

also a testament to your support team; your parents or grandparents. Those who love you, who supported you, who drove you to practice, came to games, pushed you when you thought you couldn’t go anymore. They got you in that seat.”

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

Page 13

JOHNSTON-MCQUEEN

WARE EAST TEXAS MONTESSORI ACADEMY

JUDSON

601 W Garfield Ave.

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LONGVIEW HS

400 N Eastman Rd.

J.L. EVERHART

281

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BRAMLETTE FOREST PARK

80

EARLY GRADUATION

BRAMLETTE STEAM ACADEMY

ETX MONTESSORI PREP S. WARD

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422 FM 2751

FOSTER

111 Tupelo Dr.

HUDSON PEP

31 20

NED E. WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY 5230 Estes Pkwy.

J.L. EVERHART ELEMENTARY

149

2919 Tryon Rd. NED E. WILLIAMS

HUDSON PEP ELEMENTARY 1311 Lilly St.

SOUTH WARD ELEMENTARY

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

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201 E Tomlinson Pkwy.

EARLY GRADUATION HIGH SCHOOL 410 S Green St.

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

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

Paid for by the MSAP funds.

Page 14

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

Some K-12 trends to watch in this year

By Linda Jacobson Education Dive The past year saw continued investment by states and districts in the additional decision-making freedom allowed under the Every Student Succeeds Act, particularly when it comes to requirements on providing a “well-rounded” education, as well as ongoing concern over efforts to harden school security. In many districts nationwide, stagnant pay and benefits, alongside a range of school and classroom conditions, saw an even greater number of educators hit the picket lines.

These efforts and others stand to play a key role in driving the education conversation in the new year. From new approaches to assessment to rethinking what defines classrooms, instruction and professional learning, here are five trends to watch in 2020.

CONTINUED INNOVATIONS

The Every Student Succeeds Act gave states and districts permission to try new assessment models in response to concerns students were being over-tested and that schools and policymakers had come to place too much emphasis on test scores to measure students’ and schools’ success.

While only four states are participating in ESSA’s innovative assessment initiative so far, efforts to exercise that freedom in other ways are likely to grow. The state of Washington, for example, has now approved seven pathways toward earning a high school diploma — not all of which include passing a test.

Other states, including Georgia and Nebraska, are de-emphasizing end-of-year tests by measuring students’ proficiency levels on interim tests throughout the year. And several states and districts are dropping tests deemed redundant.

With some experts predicting the beginning of a “whole-child era,” attention will also continue

dents Florida is building to prevent school shootings could compromise student privacy. And concerns raised over whether a variety of monitoring methods are violating privacy are likely to increase, especially with the ongoing risk of data breaches.

Some parents are suggesting their children use the data plans on their devices and only use school networks and devices for school-related work.

TEACHER ACTIVISM SPURS RESPONSE

to shift toward understanding reliable ways to assess non-academic areas, such as social-emotional learning and the arts.

CLASHES BETWEEN SAFETY AND PRIVACY

Parents and students may not fully understand the level of monitoring, surveillance and data collection that occurs in schools in an effort to identify those who may have the potential to harm others or themselves. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, the number of school districts purchasing social media monitoring software is increasing.

And in the U.S. Senate last fall, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, introduced a bill that includes a requirement for schools to operate “a technology protection measure that detects online activities of minors who are at risk of committing self-harm or extreme violence against others.”

The requirement would be an amendment to the Children’s Internet Protection Act, which requires schools taking advantage of E-Rate discounts to have an internet safety policy and to block obscene, pornographic or other harmful online content.

Privacy experts warn, however, the proposed legislation would require districts to spend time and money on unproven violence prevention strategies.

“This broad language could encourage schools to collect as

much information as possible about students, requiring already overwhelmed faculty and administrators to spend countless hours sifting through contextually harmless student data — hours that could be better spent engaging with students directly,” according to an article from the Future of Privacy Forum.

Researchers as well as civil rights advocates have warned the massive database on stu-

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Recent teacher activism over compensation, including Chicago’s 11-day strike and smaller ones across the nation, have led state and even federal lawmakers to seriously examine the issue.

More than 300 bills were introduced in 2019 related to teacher compensation, and at least 45 were enacted, according to the Education Commission of the States. Alaska, Arkansas, Illinois and Idaho are among states to increase their teachers’ salaries this year.

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LHS College Fair returns Numerous colleges and universities will be attending the LHS College Fair on Monday, April 6, during all lunches in the hallway and foyer by the LHS downstairs library. LHS students and their parents are welcome to come and see what the future could hold!

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

Page 15

Page 16

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

ETAA |Continued from page 1 serve the interests of the young people in our care, as well as the entire Longview community.

“We have to balance what’s best for every student in our district with what our taxpayers are willing to support,” Wilcox said. “That means never settling for the status quo, but always seeking more effective, more efficient, and more comprehensive approaches to public education.”

To help the public understand the proposed changes and to seek input regarding what the public would like to see achieved from the adaption of additional charter schools in the district, LISD held four public town hall meetings between September and November. Longview ISD and ETAA want to thank all those who attended the meetings and shared their questions and concerns.

“We welcome constructive feedback and questions from our families and other area stakeholders,” said Chief Innovative Officer, Dr. James Coleman. “As excited as LISD is about these new initiatives, it’s vital that the community be just as excited as we are for the possibilities.”

During these meetings, members of the community expressed concerns over what the designation of “charter schools” means for these campuses, and how this impacts students and staff.

Concerns about the charter school initiatives ranged from academic and financial questions, to those of logistics and

district facilities.

ETAA EMPLOYEES

The salaries of the five ETAA equal approximately $500,000 a year.

Some have members of the community expressed concern that the money the district will earn from the state for the existing charter schools will essentially just be used to pay for the administrators from ETAA. While a portion of the increased funds will be used to pay the ETAA employees, that is approximately 8.3% of the potential $6 million that the district could possibly receive. The rest of the money will be put toward the increased quality of education for the students.

As ETAA is a nonprofit, they have no shareholders to answer to about profits nor any way of using the money (aside from salaries and stipends) for anything other than taking care of the students.

“Innovative campuses are more expensive to run,” Dr. Wilcox said. “It requires the normal operating budget plus the additional Senate Bill 1882

Total LISD Sources

Local Sorces 70,209,480

State Sources Federal Sources

Chart 1

Supplmental LISD Program Sources

6,000,000

3,782,626 1,761,587

ESEA Title IDEA B TDA Food Service

4,337,966

4,826,175

ADDITIONAL FUNDS

It has been said that a big or even sole reason for LISD to take part in SB 1882 is to simply get more money. The truth is that the money the charter program brings in for LISD is being used to supplement those schools. Just as the TDA Food Service affords the ability for all LISD students from Pre-K through fifth grade to receive free breakfast and lunch, these funds simply allow the district to offer better opportunities to the students and staff. A breakdown of the various supplemental programs that allows the Longview ISD to better serve the community can be seen in Chart 2.

For the 2019-20 school year, LISD is spending approximately $113 million dollars. About 62% of that money, as shown in Chart 1, comes from the local tax base.

HOW DOES THIS HELP?

17,137,071

25,840,944

funding benefit to achieve the desired outcomes of innovative campuses.”

Magnet Schools SB 1882

Chart 2

With the increase of funds for these campuses, many new possibilities are opened up for the students. More intriguing field trips that help spark the interest in students such as a trip to NASA in Houston would become more realistic.

Or keeping the students near, a tuition-free summer camp could help students to learn coding or experince building robots.

Dr. Cynthia Wise, CEO of ETAA, believes that the charter schools will allow teachers to implement STEAM better through more use of hands-on experience along with other methods.

Other benefits of the campuses becoming charter schools are district-wide International Baccalaureate training, expanding programs like Montessori and East Texas Advanced Manufacturing. STEAM education will also be advanced.

Teachers and staff working at the charter schools will find

increased opportunity to collaborate and innovate within and across the campuses. They will also have specialized professional development opportunities.

With the school year already half way through, some advantages have already been seen with the charter schools. zSpace has been brought into numerous campuses, allowing students learn with Virtual Reality and Altered Reality tools. STEAM initiatives and the Engage2Learn partnership have also been taking place.

Dr. Cynthia Wise said building a “Culture Conscious Campuses” is at the core of ETAA’s work.

“Schools with strong instructional culture retain more teachers and have better student achievement,” she said.

“While schools with weak instructional cultures lose twice as many effective teachers.”

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Some worry that ETAA administrators might adjust a student’s performance numbers to meet high performance standards. This is theoretically possible but it will not happen, not only because it goes against what ETAA stands for but also as Longview ISD still has a say over the schools.

Although the charter schools are run by ETAA, they are very much still a part of LISD. The students are still LISD students and both the teachers and campus leadership remain LISD employees. As LISD School Board President Ginia Northcutt has said before, if the nonprofit organization is not doing what the district expects of them, they can terminate the agreement at any time. ETAA is accountable to the Longview ISD board — as the Board of Trustees is accountable to the Longview community — but the partnership is meant to be collaborative, by design. The board of trustees empowers the non-profit to pursue innovative ETAA|Continued to page 19

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

Page 17

Schools aren’t doing enough to teach nutrition

By Brian P. Dunleavy UPI A new report suggests that urban school districts in the United States lag behind their counterparts in other parts of the country in food and nutrition education.

While the majority of U.S. schools offer curriculum on the benefits of healthy eating and dietary guidelines, the percentage of urban classrooms in which these subjects are taught is significantly lower, according to the 2018 School Health Profiles Report, released this month by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For example, just over 60 percent of schools in Boston and just over half the schools in Oakland, Calif., report that they teach children the benefits of healthy eating. Nationally, the median percentage of schools offering instruction in these subjects is 94 percent. For city school districts, this figure drops to 88 percent.

“Not enough people in these communities advocate for their children and say, ‘Enough. We need to help our children eat healthier and live better lives,’” Vel Scott, an activist and educator on diet and nutrition in Cleveland, told UPI. “We’re seeing more and more of our kids being diagnosed with diabetes and obesity, and food is a catalyst that can change a neighborhood and a community.”

However, it seems not enough students are getting this message. Even in districts where the importance of healthy food is listed as part of the curriculum, far too little classroom time, perhaps as little as five hours per academic year, is devoted to the issue, experts say.

“Health education has never been a priority in American

volume of topics that schools need to cover in health education — sexual health, tobacco, drug and alcohol use — to cover something as complex as nutrition is super challenging,” added Vicki Collie-Akers, an associate professor in the Department of Population Health at the University of Kansas.

BIG PICTURE, SMALL STOMACHS

schools,” said Lorrene Ritchie, director of the Nutrition Policy Institute at the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Oakland. “We don’t teach children how to read, write or do math in one period in the ninth grade, but that’s what we do with food and other health issues. So it’s not shocking we’re in dire straits when it comes to nutrition.”

THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM

According to CDC statistics, some 14 million children and adolescents, or 18.5 percent of the total population in these age groups, meet the criteria for obesity. Notably, the prevalence of obesity is even higher among children from low-income households, with nearly 20 percent of kids in families earning just above the federal poverty level — $25,750 per year for a family of four — or less meeting the criteria.

Evidence suggests that these higher levels of obesity may be attributable to shortcomings in education relating to diet and nutrition -- that while schools may offer courses in these subjects, not all require students take them.

Less than half the schools

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in many cities make nutrition education a requirement, and it varies widely. According to the study, in Baltimore, 48.7 percent have a requirement; in Boston, 29.4 percent; in Cleveland, 31 percent; in Detroit, 29.6 percent; in Oakland, none; in Orange County, Fla., 46.9 percent; in Palm Beach County, Fla., 41.5 percent; in Philadelphia, 39.3 percent; in San Diego, 26.9 percent; and in San Francisco, it’s 41.1 percent.

“When you look at how many of these schools are actually teaching these subjects to the level they should be, the numbers are even worse,” Ritchie said. “So there’s room for improvement across the board, not just in inner-city schools but in all schools.”

“When you think about the

Scott spent the early part of her life on a farm in Vicksburg, Miss., where her family grew vegetables year round, and developed “a healthy perspective on food.” Still, it wasn’t until her husband, Don, was diagnosed with high blood pressure in the late 1980s, that she and her family changed their eating habits.

Now the couple run a threeacre urban farm, called the Purple Oasis, and she has formed the non-profit New Image Life Skills Academy and Healthy You Institute to pass along the knowledge she’s gained, not only in Cleveland but across the country.

Kids who eat better, she said, do better in school and are better behaved both in class and at home, an observation that Ritchie and Collie-Akers noted is borne out in studies on diet and physical activity among young people.

Page 18

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

Longview ISD School Menus Montessori Breakfast 20

21

Morning Sausage Honey Graham Crackers Milk Syrup Fruit Choice

Scrambled Eggs Sausage Patty Toast Honey Graham Crackers Milk Syrup Fruit Choice

22 French Toast Sticks Honey Graham Crackers Milk Syrup Fruit Choice

23 Biscuit Sausage Patty Honey Graham Crackers Milk Syrup Fruit Choice

24 Breakfast Sausage Pizza Honey Graham Crackers Milk Syrup Fruit Choice

Montessori Lunch

20

21

Drumsticks Applesauce Whole Baby Carrots Mashed Potatoes Milk

22 Beef Tacos, Soft Spanish Rice Charro Beans Milk Cheese

23 Hot Dog Applesauce Baked Beans Colossal Crisp Potatoes Milk

Chicken Rings Honey Wheat Roll Applesauce Green Beans Mashed Potatoes Milk

24 Turkey, Cheese Sandwich Applesauce Whole Baby Carrots Broccoli with Cheese Sauce Milk

Elementary Breakfast 20 Mini Cinnamon Roll Honey Graham Crackers Milk

21 Morning Sausage Kolache Honey Graham Crackers Milk

22 Honey Graham Crackers Toast Milk Scrambled Eggs Sausage Patty

23 Breakfast Sausage Pizza Honey Graham Crackers Milk

22 Sub Sandwich Turkey Hoagie Milk Mayonnaise Fruit Choice

23

24 Honey Graham Crackers Milk

Elementary Lunch 20

21 Italian Spaghetti Garlic Toast Cheese Pizza Carrots Broccoli Florets Tossed Salad Ranch Dressing Milk Fruit Choice

Beef Rotel Dip Chicken Rotel Dip Charro Beans Spanish Rice Salsa Milk Fruit Choice

24 Chicken Rings Mashed Potatoes Brown Gravy Green Beans Honey Wheat Roll Milk Fruit Choice

Hot Dog Colossal Crisp Potatoes Baked Beans Milk Mayonnaise Fruit Choice

Middle School Breakfast 20 Mini Cinnamon Roll Honey Graham Crackers Milk

21 Morning Sausage Kolache Honey Graham Crackers Milk

22 Honey Graham Crackers Toast Milk Scrambled Eggs Sausage Patty

23 Breakfast Sausage Pizza Honey Graham Crackers Milk

24 Honey Graham Crackers Milk

Middle School Lunch 20 Chicken Fried Steak Honey Wheat Roll Broccoli Casserole Carrots Roasted Potatoes Milk

21

22 Taco Salad Milk

23 Chicken Rings Honey Wheat Roll Mashed Potatoes Green Beans Milk

24 Hot Dog Hot Dog with Chili Baked Beans Season Fries Milk

Beef Rotel Dip Chicken Rotel Dip Spanish Rice Shredded Romaine Lettuce Charro Beans Pico de Gallo Milk

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

Page 19

Tim Tebow, Holly Robinson Peete head local education conference A neurodiversity and “twice-exceptional” (2e) education conference — featuring discussions over autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia and otherwise neurodivergent issues — is set for March 2020 in Longview.

TEBOW The first event of its kind in East Texas, the Regional 2e Neurodiversity Conference is set for 8 a.m.

Friday, March 27 and 10 a.m. Sunday, March 29 at ROBINSON PEETE the Infinity Event Center, 300 Tuttle Circle, Longview.

Guest speakers include professional athlete and special needs champion Tim Tebow, actress and philanthropist Holly Robinson Peete, TV/film producer and comedian Bob Smiley, Dr. Wayne Jacobs of LeTourneau University, and

mental health advocate Jenny Landon.

Tickets are available online at bit.ly/RNC2020 Hosted by The Crisman School of Longview, the conference is aimed at bringing members of the 2e population together for hope, wisdom and support.

Laura Lea Blanks, executive director of Crisman School, said with so many families reaching out about their struggle to find appropriate resources in East Texas, she decided to act.

“We aim to put providers, families and educators in the same place for conversations in a safe space not hindered

by insurance claims and months long waiting lists,” she said. “We aim to change what the 2e population has access to in our region. We are on the precipice of doing something amazing.”

Serving gifted students with learning difficulties, The Crisman School was established in 1982 when Mr. and Mrs. O. Wayne Crisman realized there was a need for a permanent facility of the former Windmere School, which had been established in 1969. The couple donated the land, main building and furnishings for what is now The Crisman School at 2455 N Eastman Road in Longview. Since its beginning it has served more than 1,000 East Texas students.

The only school of its kind from Dallas to Shreveport, Blanks said Crisman’s students “are wonderfully bright children, who just need a different approach to learning than what most large, public schools can provide.”

For more information about the Regional 2e Neurodiversity Conference please contact Laura Lea Blanks at (903) 7589741.

TEA Commissioner of Education, Mike Morath, visited the campus to recognize it as the highest performing elementary school in the state for outcomes for African American students.

The ETAA staff consists of CEO Dr. Cynthia Wise, Deputy of Business Operations Dr. Donald Stewart, Deputy of Curriculum and Instruction Megan Burns, Executive Assistant Maci Wilcox and Business Manager Mary Hagler. The ETAA board members are Sam Satterwhite, Jud Murray, Alan Amos

and Dr. Selwyn Willis.

“Ultimately, the purpose of this entire effort is very simple,” said Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox. “Public schools must evolve with the changing times, and that is what Longview ISD is doing here.”

For more information please email Dr. Cynthia Wise at cwiseETAA@lisd.org or call (903) 446-2524 or attend the ETAA board meetings. The board meetings can be found in The Longview Voice’s Coming Events.

ETAA |Continued from page 16 programs and attract top-quality staff, while ETAA seeks to fulfill their mission to ensure high student achievement. Both entities work in harmony with each other in the service of the best interests of Longview students, with the board maintaining evaluation authority prior to any future renewal of the charter agreement.

With these campuses becoming charter schools run by ETAA, they will gain access to successful and innovative programming such as STEAM, dual-language and problem-based learning. The students will also be given broader exposure to career pathways.

ETAA’s goal is that by 2022 they will: Outperform all surrounding school districts and school districts across the state, with similar demographics, in all of the state indices; achieve 100% growth toward closing the achievement gap; decrease the mobility rate at each of the six campuses and increase student enrollment and socioeconomic diversity; attracting more white

and more affluent students from surrounding schools and districts. Research shows that all students benefit when there is greater socioeconomic diversity within a school.

ETAA Leadership

Wise served as principal at Ned E. Williams for eight years before becoming the principal at Forest Park for two years until becoming CEO of ETAA. Wise once described her campus as a “culture-conscious” campus model and as a place that sets the bar high for both students and staff. Not only did Wise lead Ned E. Williams to a No. 1 ranking on all state indexes in 2017 but in 2018 the

Page 20

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — January 17, 2020

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