Sales tax holiday starts Aug. 9
BY JOSEPH BAHR KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
Texas shoppers will have an opportunity to save money during the upcoming sales tax holiday.
The event, which starts on Friday, Aug. 9 of this year, voids the typical 8.25% sales tax charge on certain purchases made in the Killeen area for the weekend. The holiday concludes at midnight on Sunday, Aug. 11.
The exemption only applies to a select list of items such as clothing, shoes and backpacks plus school supplies. Anything priced at or above $100 does not qualify for the exemption, even if it falls into the aforemen-
tioned category.
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said “Texans have saved more than $1.8 billion” during the event’s 25-year history. The Comptroller’s office estimated that customers across the state will save $143 million in sales tax this year.
He said Aug. 9-11 “is the perfect time for folks to save some of their hard-earned cash on items they need.”
Purchases taking advantage of the exemption can be made in person, over the internet, by telephone or by mail.
The date of the holiday and list of exempt items was set by the Texas Legislature.
A sign advertises a past sales tax holiday at the JCPenney store located inside the Killeen Mall, 2100 S. W.S. Young Drive.
HERALD | FILE
Districts around the area are starting school at different times
BY JOSEPH BAHR KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
Schools around the area are set to start on a variety of different dates, beginning this week.
The earliest starting date in the area is Thursday, Aug. 8. Both the Lampasas and Gatesville Independent School Districts are set to start on that day. Those schools have traditionally started earlier than most of the others in the area. For example, Lampasas started on Aug. 10 in 2023.
A large number of school districts are scheduled to start class on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
The Killeen Independent School District starts on that date, along with the Belton, Salado and Florence Independent School districts.
This is the second year in a row Killeen has started on Aug. 14. The fact that the district is starting on a Wednesday instead of a Monday is a change from recent years, though.
The Copperas Cove Independent School District is set to start a day later on Thursday, Aug. 15, and Temple has the latest starting date of schools in the area. The district is scheduled to begin classes on Tuesday, Aug. 20.
ToDD MARTIN | KISD
On the first day of school in 2023 at Clear Creek Elementary School on Fort Cavazos, second-grade teacher
Jelena Moore instructs her students.
Local teachers ready to head back to campus
BY JANA LYNN KILCREASE KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
It’s not just students who go back to school Aug. 14. In Killeen ISD, educators have been back since the end of July.
As Killeen ISD schools prepare to welcome students, educators and administrators are preparing themselves, their classrooms and their campuses to go back to school.
At a recent welcome-back event in Harker Heights, several educators shared their thoughts on what it meant to go back to school.
Wesley Shultz, a science teacher at Harker Heights High School, talked about education as his third career.
The U.S. Marine Corps veteran enjoys forensic science and is eager to help his students grasp the concept.
“It all boils down to logical problem solving,” Shultz said. “That’s really the idea behind
Warm greetings were given at Harker Heights High School ahead of the Back to School breakfast for teachers and staff Aug. 1.
education of any type.”
He explained that some of the class assignments are just writing down what you see.
“If a student says, ‘I don’t have the right answer,’ then I try to explain that the answers aren’t wrong; they’re just different, because you had a different outcome,”
Shultz explained. He also encourages students to take advantage of vocational and practical education opportunities while still in high school.
“KISD offers so many different vocational curriculums. Good students could be ready for a great job as an apprentice electrician, welder or in any number of technical fields,” Shultz said.
Alexis Campbell and Gianna Amerson have just begun their journey as educators in Killeen. This is the first year either of them has been in a high school classroom, and each had a different perspective.
Amerson is an Orchestra
Aide who is very familiar with the Harker Heights High School campus. She is a 2024 graduate.
“It’s so weird to be here — not as a student,” Amerson said. “I’m really looking forward to this year.”
Campbell is a paraprofessional and will be an aide in Special Education. She spent the last year at Nolan Middle School in Harker Heights as an aide in math for six months and six months as a physical education aide.
“I’m really looking forward to this year,” Campbell said. “This is something I’ve wanted to do and where I want to be.” Campbell is from San Antonio, where she went to school and received her associate degree.
Math Teacher Jesse Cox teaches algebra and has been with KISD for about a year and a half. He graduated with his master’s degree from Texas A&M University-Cen-
tral Texas in 2020.
“Every year is different,” Cox said. “I just plan to take things one day at a time.”
Interventionist Cathy Tollette, has been with KISD for 18 years. In her position she helps students with make-up and college prep classes in algebra and other math subjects. She is an Ellison graduate, class of 1993, and earned her bachelor’s in education at Tarleton State University, class of 2007.
An 11-year veteran with KISD, Donna Stokes is a secretary in the attendance office at Harker Heights High School.
“The work is not hard, but every day you deal with something different,” Stokes said. “Every class brings with it a new vision for their success.”
PHoToS bY JANA LYNN KILcREASE | HERALD Teachers and staff arrived with smiles to gather for the Back to School Breakfast at Harker Heights High School on Aug. 1.
New KISD administrators, coaches set for school year
BY JANA LYNN KILCREASE KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
Changes at the helm of several campuses this year are indications Killeen ISD is promoting and encouraging its best asset — its people.
Jimmie Don Aycock Middle School will welcome all staff members to their first day at the new school on Chaparral Road.
Principal Savannah Jimenez has worked in campus and district administration in KISD since 2018, first at Early College High School and then as a district curriculum and assessment specialist.
Other principals named to lead their respective campuses this year include Mary Lynn Gawryszenwski, Joe Gonzalez, Christy Galloway, Dr. Tiphani Morris, Central Hicks, Fredrick Lilly II and Anika Stewart.
Gawryszewski will take the lead at Robert M. Shoemaker High School, replacing Latisha Williams, who moved into the role of executive director for athletics.
Most recently Gawryszewski spent two years as principal at Nolan Middle School, a stint that is part of her 19-year tenure within KISD.
Gonzalez was named as Gawryszewski’s replacement at Nolan Elementary School. He has been with KISD since 2000 and most recently served as assistant principal at Early College High School.
Galloway is the new principal at Mountain View Elementary. She recently finished up her third year as the assistant principal at Mead-
CHAPARRAL
Jennifer Graham, a Killeen High graduate and former coach at her alma mater, has been hired to take over the Chaparral athletic program. Graham returns to the coaching ranks after serving as an assistant principal at Killeen High during the 20232024 school year.
Tyrell McCrea is more than ready to lead the Chaparral Bobcats to the next level. He will be the next football head coach and athletic coordinator, replacing Alan Haire, who oversaw the team from its conception in 2022.
Shaniqua White will coach girls track and field, Mallory Hibbert will coach girls cross country and Madison Moore will be the new tennis coach.
SHOEMAKER
ows Elementary, her fourth stop during a 10-plus-year tenure within Killeen ISD.
Morris will take charge at Harker Heights Elementary. She began with Killeen ISD in 2013 and most recently served as assistant principal at Ira Cross Elementary.
Hicks will assume the role of principal at Manor Middle School after wrapping up his third year as the assistant principal at Liberty Hill Middle School.
Roy J. Smith Middle School will welcome Lilly after a year as the principal at North Belton Middle School in Belton ISD.
Stewart is the new principal of Willow Springs Elementary, moving from Hay Branch Elementary, where
she had been the assistant principal since January 2022.
ATHLETICS
Changes have also been made to the athletic program at KISD as well.
Matt Carroll and Latisha Williams began new jobs as executive directors for athletics at Killeen Independent School District, effective June 1.
Carroll will focus on boys athletics, while Williams will concentrate on girls athletics. In addition to their backgrounds in coaching, both have extensive experience in the classroom, and as administrators and educational leaders.
Carroll’s coaching timeline dates back to the mid-1990s
and includes two stops at Roosevelt High School in San Antonio.
Williams began her career with KISD in 1999 and is currently the principal at Robert M. Shoemaker High School, a position she held since 2021.
Williams did a 16-year stint at Killeen High School, where she served as the assistant coach for girls basketball, track and field and volleyball from 2000-2004 before assuming the role of girls basketball head coach ahead of the 2004-2005 season.
Williams left the coaching ranks in 2016 and became the assistant principal at Charles Patterson Middle School. Two years later, she was hired as principal at Patterson.
Cion Hicks, a 2013 Shoemaker graduate, will return to her alma mater as the girls track and field coach.
HARKER HEIGHTS
Jason Fossett will be the next boys basketball head coach. With more than 20 years of experience as a head coach, Fossett is coming off a six-year stint at Belton. Prior to his time at Belton, Fossett spent seven successful seasons as Killeen’s head coach, beginning in 2005, when he won the first of six consecutive district championships.
The girls soccer coach will be Aaron Jimenez and Kris Perkins will coach wrestling.
ELLISON
Rashandre Taylor, formerly at Patterson Middle School, will coach girls cross country.
JANA LYNN KILcREASE | HERALD
From left are Jesse Cox, Alexis Campbell and Gianna Amerson enjoying getting to know each other at the Harker Heighrts High School Back to School Breakfast recently.
Killeen ISD superintendent prepares for second year in district
The 2024-2025 school year is right around the corner in Killeen ISD. We expect to welcome about 44,000 students to our 53 campuses when our doors open on Aug. 14 for the first day.
Even now — before the first bell has rung — our nearly 7,000 employees are preparing to capture kids’ hearts.
Capturing Kids Hearts is one of several districtwide initiatives we’re implementing this year. And in my mind, it’s probably the most important. Let me explain.
Last year, during my first year as superintendent in Killeen ISD, our Board of Trustees adopted priorities and goals that serve as an anchor to our strategic plan, which we call our System Scorecard. At the core of our work, we prioritize student success, human capital and financial stewardship. Beginning in September, our leaders will report monthly to our trustees on progress toward achieving our Sys-
tem Scorecard measures of success.
Also last year, our district and campus administrators spent time collaborating to define what leadership means in Killeen ISD. This was the beginning of work that will help us create role-specific behaviors for each position in the district, identify high-potential employees and lead to better coaching and growth in our employees.
What is going to help us as a system of educators achieve all this critical work is to first focus on relationships. That is foundational. Enter Capturing Kids Hearts.
The premise is simple: if you have a child’s heart, you have a child’s mind.
As a former teacher and coach, I experienced this firsthand. Kids are unstoppable when they know you care.
They will drive a ball down the basketball court and hit the game-
PrePares
winning shot with 0.3 second remaining to send their team to the state tournament. (Anyone witness this as the Ellison Eagles boys basketball team made their run for the state championship last season?) Or they may just show up for class excited to learn.
And — spoiler alert: it’s not just kids. Our teachers and staff will work harder and with more passion when they know I care about them.
It’s all about relationships. It’s always about relationships, regardless of what you’re trying to accomplish.
So, I hope you will watch — and join in! — as we grow relational capacity and build positive school cultures this school year with Capturing Kids Hearts.
We are investing in training our entire staff to equip them with the tools and knowledge to put relationships first, and I am excited to see how it positively impacts our students through improved academic performance, increased attendance rates, fewer discipline referrals and lowered teacher turnover.
The 2024-2025 school year is going to be a great one in Killeen ISD!
Whether you’re new to the district or a long-time supporter, please know that our entire team — from our bus drivers and school nutrition staff to our campus administrative assistants and paraprofessionals, teachers, librarians, school counselors and coaches — is excited to welcome students back and support them on their journey.
We know that when our kids win, our community wins.
Jo Ann Fey, Ed.D. Killeen ISD Superintendent
Killeen ISD welcoming 44,000-plus students, opening new middle school
BY TODD MARTIN SPEcIAL To THE HERALD
The Killeen Independent School District is preparing to welcome back to school more than 44,000 students, making it easily the largest school district in this part of the state.
Killeen ISD Superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Fey enters her second year in the district’s top administrative position with ambitious plans to build on KISD’s success.
With this year’s start of school Aug. 14, almost 6,800 district employees
will converge on 53 campuses and administrative buildings serving students ranging from 3- and 4-yearold pre- kindergarten students to seniors completing their high school education.
Killeen ISD is the 24th largest school district in Texas, stretching across Fort Cavazos, Killeen, Harker Heights, Nolanville and parts of rural Bell County.
It is also the fourth most diverse district in the state.
PLEASE SEE Killeen isD, 11
ToDD MARTIN | KISD
Killeen ISD dedicated the new Jimmie Don Aycock Middle School in a ceremony July 18. School starts across Central Texas’ largest school system on Aug. 14.
Killeen isD
School district structures occupy 7.6 million square feet of building space on 1,476 acres of property.
More than 350 school buses transport more than 12,000 eligible riders from 4,481 bus stops, traveling a combined 26,000 miles a day.
Recently, the district welcomed a huge, supportive audience to dedicate the new Dr. Jimmie Don Aycock Middle School, which is adjacent to Chaparral High School in a fast-growing corridor in south Killeen.
The new middle school is named for the former Texas state representative who championed CTE education in Texas.
The school district welcomed 421 new teachers at its annual New Teacher Induction leading into the upcoming school year.
Killeen ISD is proud to provide one-way dual language for pre-kindergarten through first grade students.
The district is also unveiling a phone-free environment at all middle schools and high schools to enhance academic achievement.
Killeen ISD is always hiring qualified employees and accepting applications to volunteer in the schools. The board recently approved a salary increase for all employees. A starting teacher in KISD now earns $58,000.
To browse KISD vacancies, go to the following: https://www.applitrack.com/killeenisd/onlineapp/
To volunteer in KISD, go to the following: https://killeen.teams.hosting/volunteer/EntryPointHomeAction.do
For information about registering a student for school, go to the following: https://www.killeenisd.org/enroll
ToDD MARTIN | KISD
Killeen ISD dedicated the new Jimmie Don Aycock Middle School in a ceremony July 18.
KISD announces
dress code for 2024-2025 school year
BY MADELINE ODEN KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
According to the Killeen Independent School District Student Code of Conduct, the following dress code is applied to all schools and the KISD Career Center.
According to the dress code listed on the KISD website, “Students shall be dressed and groomed in a manner that is clean and neat and that will not present a health or safety hazard to themselves or others. Clothing will be worn as it is designed to be worn. All dress code issues will be subject to the campus. The dress code requires the school issued photo ID must be visible at all times during the school day. Anything that advertises or depicts any other prohibited substance or contains derogatory remarks concerning any identifiable race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, gender, or disability are strictly prohibited. Anything that is lewd, vulgar or offensive is also prohibited.
The following standards of dress and grooming apply to KISD students:
Pants, slacks, and jeans are acceptable attire. Spandex pants or shorts, boxer shorts, ‘cut offs’, and short or pants with wholes higher than 6 inches above the knee are not permitted.
Sagging pants are not allowed.
Shirts and blouses shall be appropriately sized and may not be worn in any way that reflects gang affiliation or may conceal contraband.
Dress
As a general guideline, dress/ skirt length and shorts should be no shorter than 6 inches above the top of the knee, and must allow students to walk, stoop, kneel, and sit with modesty.
Apparel designed for recreation, such as tank tops, fishnet (mesh) shirts, etc., as well as apparel that is designed as underwear or nightwear may not be visible or worn as outer garments.
Tight and revealing clothing or accessories that may draw undue attention to the student are prohibited. Clothing that is transparent and/or see through material should not be worn.
Students must wear tops that cover the upper body (no haltertops, tube tops, spaghetti straps, etc.) and shoulders, and extend beyond the midriff leaving no skin exposed in the normal activities associated with school.
Head coverings, bandanas (in any manner), hoods, and sweatbands may not worn inside the building. The campus administration must approve any exceptions to this policy for religious or medical reasons.
Students must wear footwear that is appropriate for school.
Examples of inappropriate footwear, are house slippers, shoe skates, water shoes, sock shoes, and shoes with metal spikes. All dress code issues will be subject to the campus administrator’s judgment. Students considered to be in violation of the dress code shall be advised by a campus ad ministrator and given an opportu nity to comply.
Opportunity to comply may take a variety of forms. In most cases, the students will be allowed to call parents for a change of clothes.
Those who fail to comply or who repeatedly violate the code shall be subject to disciplinary action.
1 pencil pouch
3 pkgs of #2 pencils (12 count)
1 pkg of pens (12 count)
2 pkgs notebook paper (wide ruled)
2 erasers
5 spiral notebooks (70 pages)
5 composition books
1 pkg of colored pencils (12 count)
2 highlighters
2 glue sticks
1 handheld pencil sharpener
8 notebook dividers
1 pkg sticky notes
1 pkg index cards
1 pkg of dry erase markers
1 combination lock*
PE clothes (shorts, t-shirt, & tennis
shoes Mark PE clothing on inside tag with the student's full name )**
1 pkg of #2 pencils (12 count)
1 pkg of pens (12 count)
2 pkgs notebook paper (wide ruled)
2 erasers
5 spiral notebooks (70 pages)
5 composition books
2 highlighters
1 handheld pencil sharpener
8 notebook dividers
2 pkgs sticky notes
2 pkgs index cards
1 pkg of dry erase markers
1 combination lock*
(Please check with your campus.)
PE clothes (shorts, t-shirt, & tennis
shoes Mark PE clothing on inside tag with the student's full name.)**
*For more information, please contact your child's campus.
**If enrolled in PE, please contact your child's campus.
Meet your child's teacher and visit the campus. August 8, 2024 | 4 - 6 p m
N H O U S E
An opportunity for parents and students to visit their campus. O P E
Middle School
September 4, 2024 | 4:30 - 6:30 p m
High School
September 4, 2024 | 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
The goal of Killeen ISD counselors is to help students develop academic, career, and social-emotional abilities Preventive methods and interventions are used to ensure the well-being of each student.
The heart of the program includes a guidance curriculum, responsive service, individual planning, and system support.
The district has a Crisis Intervention Team which consists of district-level school counselors who are deployed to campuses as needed.
Killeen ISD recognizes that maintaining mental wellness and healthy social relationships are directly correlated with Social-Emotional Learning.
The vision of the KISD self-care committee is to decrease the stigma attached to mental health and increase awareness to social-emotional health and well-being by providing employees, parents, and students access to resources and additional support
To learn more and to view the available resources, visit: www killeenisd org/guidance and counseling
Volunteer to support students and staff in various ways including tutoring, math and reading skill building,
creating bulletin boards, monitoring in the cafeteria, chaperoning field trips, and other school events.
Please complete the required KISD Online Volunteer Application at: www.killeenisd.org/volunteer
The KISD Tutoring Center offers free afterschool math, reading, and writing tutoring. Killeen ISD students in grades 4-12 are able to receive assistance with individualized tutoring including State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) & End of Course (EOC) preparation, math fact fluency, hard-to-learn math concepts, writing, reading, and homework help
Services are provided in-person and virtually.
For more information, visit www.killeenisd.org/tutoring
New school, new staff coming to KISD as school year begins
BY JANA LYNN KILCREASE KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
Each new school year brings changes to education, and in the Killeen Independent School District, there are a few important ones.
NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL
The new campus in south Killeen is named after Jimmie Don Aycock, a longtime Killeen veterinarian. Hailed as a champion for public education and a Republican who represented the Killeen area in the Texas House of Representatives from 2005 to 2015, Aycock was the chair of the House Public Education Committee and supported career and technical education programs in the state. He served on the Killeen school board for three years in the late 1980s.
He continues to support the district and was described by former KISD board member Shelley Wells when she said, “He spent his entire life serving this community and giving back to this community.”
In 2022, Aycock was recognized as a Warrior Legend by the Texas A&M University-Central Texas Foundation Board for his work creating educational resources for the university.
“While many legislators over the years worked diligently to bring upper-level higher education to our community, no one did more than Jimmie Don,” said retired Lt. Gen. Pete Taylor, a former III Corps and Fort Cavazos commander who helped land A&M-Central Texas in Killeen. “He personally authored the bill and formed the coalition that got it passed. Central Texas will forever be grateful.”
NEW SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
The district welcomed two new board members to its team with Tina Capito, Place 6 and Rodney Gilchrist, Place 7 being sworn in on May 14.
Capito is a 14-year resident of
Harker Heights. Currently, she is the chief operations officer at Garden of Hope of Central Texas, an organization that cares for foster children.
Capito served as the KISD district transition specialist and her experience includes community service in a number of roles. She has served as a board member for Court Appointed Special Advocates in Bell and Coryell counties; KISD Special Olympics, Educated Angels, Celebrate Killeen, Harker Heights Veterans Council and Harker Heights Parks and Recreation board. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Regis Univeristy and special education certificates, EC-4 and EC-12, through the Texas Educator’s Association. Her teaching experience in special education includes school districts in Colorado, Lousiana, Texas and Germany.
Gilchrist, is a pastor at the Liberty Christian Center and a retired sergeant major with 24 years of service in the U.S. Army. A combat veteran, Gilchrist served in both the Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his military service, he was a basic training drill sergeant, a small group instructor and served two tours as first sergeant.
Gilchrist earned his Associate Degree from Central Texas College, a bachelor’s degree, graduating Cum Laude from Columbia Southern University and a master’s degree from Liberty University School of Theology and Seminary. After retiring, he founded the Liberty Christian Center, a thriving ministry here in Central Texas, where he currently serves as pastor.
NEW RULES
During the May 21 meeting of the school board, members discussed a plan to purchase lockable phone pouches from Yondr for students to use during the school year. At
PLEASE SEE new staff, 15
Dr. Jimmie Don Aycock Middle School Principal Savannah Jimenez stands with Aycock, his wife, Marie, and many board members and friends before cutting the ribbon at the dedication ceremony for the school July 18.
JANA LYNN KILcREASE | HERALD
new staff
the July 30 board meeting, the board approved the new Student Code of Conduct Handbook, which includes the phone policy.
At the start of the school day, students will turn cellphones and devices off before entering the building, placing all devices in their assigned pouch and securely locking the pouch.
During the school day, students must keep their devices in the pouch all day, with certain exceptions for medical or other reasons.
Students will unlock their bag in the designated area if leaving campus for an appointment, for lunch, seniors only who meet College, Career and Military Readiness requirements, to attend classes at the Career Center, to attend Central Texas College or to attend an after-hours UIL/campus sponsored event and exit the building.
Assistant Superintendent Susan Buckley presented a plan to trustees during a June KISD school board meeting to make secondary campuses “phone-free” in the future.
JANA LYNN KILcREASE | HERALD
Killeen ISD to provide free meals for all students
HERALD STAFF REPoRT
Killeen ISD will provide free breakfast to all students during the 20242025 school year. Parents/guardians are encouraged to submit an application for free/reduced meals at https:// www.killeenisd.org/meals_application. If a student qualifies for reduced lunch, the meal is free.
Certain campuses will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) campus program. A list is linked here. https://www. killeenisd.org/cep
Following is a list of CEP campuses:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Haynes
Iduma
Ira Cross
Killeen
Maxdale
Mountain View
Nolanville
Pat Carney
Peebles
Pershing Park
Reeces Creek
Richard E. Cavazos
Saegert
Timber Ridge
Trimmier
Venable Village
Willow Springs
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Eastern Hills MS
Alice W. Douse
Alternative Learning Ctr.
Brookhaven
Cedar Valley
Clifton Park
Fowler
Hay Branch •
Harker Heights
Gateway MS
Liberty Hill MS
Live Oak Ridge MS
Manor MS
Palo Alto MS
Rancier MS
C.E. Ellison HS
Gateway HS
ToDD MARTIN | HERALD
At Hay Branch Elementary School in Killeen, cafeteria manager Michele Sturdivant shows representatives of the school’s third, fourth and fifth grade how to make turkey wraps during National School Lunch Week in this Herald file photo. Several cafeteria staffs in Killeen ISD took part in a decorating contest with the theme “Rock the Days” to build excitement for eating nutritious lunches.
Roy J. Smith Middle School students eat lunch in the school’s cafeteria in this
Nearly 1,230 students attend the school.
•
Killeen HS
Pathways academic campus
Robert M Shoemaker HS
MEAL PRICES (2024-2025) student
Breakfast - FREE for all KISD students
Elementary Lunch - $2.75
Secondary Lunch - $3.00 adult
Breakfast - $3.50
Lunch $4.50
Second Meals (Elementary and Secondary) $4.50 adding Money to a Child’s account A la carte items will be available for purchase in the cafeteria. Parents may make payments, add funds, or view student accounts at www.schoolcafe.com/killeenisd. Viewing the menus and account information is free. There is a flat fee of $2.25 to add money to your student’s account.
HERALD | FILE
Herald file photo.
Killeen ISD football teams ready to kick off 2024
BY JOSH WEAVER SPEcIAL To THE HERALD
Sounds of pads popping, instruments humming and fans in a frenzy soon will emanate from Leo Buckley Stadium and Joseph L. Searles III Stadium on Thursday and Friday nights. Indeed, the 2024 football season is right around the corner, and Killeen ISD’s varsity teams are ready to cash in all the hard work put forth during a long offseason.
Mark your calendars. The chase for championships begins on opening night, Friday, Aug. 30.
As is the case with every fresh season, changes abound. In 2024, those start off the field in the form of two new leaders overseeing KISD’s athletic department: executive directors for athletics Matt Carroll and Latisha Williams, who were hired in May.
“You go through the summer, everybody is working hard and anticipating what’s coming next.
To finally be here, I know coaches are excited and players are excited to get things rolling,” Williams said. “I’m happy to be in the role that I’m in, and excited to be able to go watch our great KISD teams compete the right way on Friday nights.”
On the field, after the UIL released its biennial realignment and reclassification in February, it might be a good time to recap which league each school is in for the 2024-2025 and 20252026 seasons.
Class 6A stalwart Harker Heights has some Killeen ISD company this season, with Killeen High and Shoemaker jumping up from 5A. Meanwhile, Chaparral, entering its third season as a program, went from 5A Division II to 5A Division I. Ellison went the opposite way and dropped from 5A-DI to 5A-DII. Classification is based on school enrollment.
The Knights, Kangaroos and Grey Wolves are in District 12-6A with
PLEASE SEE football, 18
Fri - Aug 16
Thurs - Aug 22
Fri - Aug 30
Thurs - Sep 5
Fri - Sep 6
Thurs - Sep 12
2024 KILLEEN ISD VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
- VANDEGRIFT (7 p.m./Monroe Memorial Stadium)
RIDGE (7 p.m./Buckley Stadium)
(7 p.m./KHS Visitor @ Buckley Stadium)
BELTON (7 p.m./Buckley Stadium)
- LEANDER GLENN (7 p.m./Buckley Stadium)
COVE (7:30 p.m./Bulldawg Stadium)
- ROUND
(7 p.m./Dragon Stadium)
(7:30 p.m./Searles Stadium)
(7:30 p.m./Dragon Stadium)
(7:30 p.m./Bob Shelton Stadium)
Stadium)
(7 p.m./EHS Home @ Buckley Stadium)
Fri - Sep 13 SHOEMAKER (7:30 p.m./EHS Home @ UMHB)
Thurs - Sep 19
(7 p.m./Cub Stadium)
SPRINGS (7:30 p.m./Buckley Stadium)
LEON (7:30 p.m./Searles Stadium)
(7:30 p.m./SHS Visitor @ UMHB)
(7 p.m./Searles Stadium)
(7 p.m./Searles Stadium)
Fri - Sep 20 RED OAK (7 p.m./Buckley Stadium) MIDLOTHIAN (7 p.m./Midlothian ISD Stadium) BYE
Thurs - Sep 26 TEMPLE (7 p.m./Buckley Stadium)
Fri - Sep 27
Sat - Sep 28
Fri - Oct 4
COPPERAS COVE (7:30 p.m./Bulldawg Stadium)
(1 p.m./Shotwell Stadium)
MIDWAY (7:30 p.m./Buckley Stadium) CEDAR PARK (7 p.m./Searles Stadium)
HARKER HEIGHTS (7:30 p.m./KHS Home @ Buckley Stadium) BYE KILLEEN (7:30 p.m./HHHS Visitor @ Buckley Stadium)
(7:30 p.m./Pather Stadium)
Thurs - Oct 10 SHOEMAKER (7 p.m./KHS Visitors @ Buckley Stadium) BELTON (7 p.m./Searles Stadium) KILLEEN (7 p.m./SHS Home @ Buckley Stadium)
Fri - Oct 11
Fri - Oct 18
(7:30 p.m./Buckley Stadium)
(7 p.m./Waco ISD Stadium)
(7:30 p.m./Buckley Stadium)
COVE (7:30 p.m./Bulldawg Stadium)
(7:30 p.m./Merrill Green Stadium)
(7 p.m./Birkelbach Field)
(7 p.m./Searles Stadium)
(7 p.m./Searles Stadium) Fri - Oct 25
(7:30 p.m./Panther Stadium)
(7 p.m./Buckley
Thurs - Oct 31
p.m./Buckley Stadium) Fri - Nov 1
- Nov 7
- Nov 8
familiar foes Temple, Waco Midway, Bryan and Copperas Cove.
The Bobcats, who have new head coach Tyrell McCrea –– hired in June –– steering the ship, are slotted into District 8-5A-I with Cedar Park, Georgetown, Georgetown East View, Lake Belton, Leander, Leander Glenn and Leander Rouse.
The Eagles will tackle District 105A-II against Belton, Brenham, Bryan Rudder, Waco and Waco University.
“We are beyond excited for the upcoming season. This time of the year brings the community together,” Carroll said. “A lot of work has been done by our coaches and players. We have so much talent here in Killeen and I’m anxious to stand on the sideline and see it first-hand.”
The first Friday of the regular season features home games for Killeen and Harker Heights. The Roos welcome Cedar Park Vista Ridge to Leo Buckley Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff while the Knights host Cedar Park at 7 p.m. in Searles Stadium.
A Clear Bag Procedure is in place for spectators attending any event held within a Killeen ISD athletic facility. For more on the procedure visit https://www.killeenisd.org/clearbag.
Rounding out Week 1, the Eagles are on the road to face Copperas Cove, Shoemaker is at Round Rock and Chaparral visits Kyle Lehman. Those
three contests are slated for 7:30 p.m. starts.
There are two all-KISD matchups during the non-district portion of the schedule. After Killeen’s thrilling, 34-28 double-overtime victory last season over rival Ellison, the two schools square off in Week 2 with the Roos designated as the visitors at Leo Buckley Stadium on Sept. 6.
The Eagles also have a date set with their Elms Road neighbors Shoemaker at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Crusader Stadium.
There is one Saturday contest on the docket this season as Ellison travels to Shotwell Stadium in Abilene on Sept. 28 for a neutral-site encounter with Odessa High to wrap up non-district.
District 12-6A kicks off Thursday, Sept. 26, when the Grey Wolves host Temple. Chaparral begins its 8-5A-I
Maroon team quarterback Kristopher Webb, right, hands the ball to Elijuh Bowers (21) during Killeen High’s spring game at Leo Buckley Stadium.
DENNIS KNowLToN | HERALD
After settling into his role in 2023, head coach Mark Humble is set to lead the Knights once again. Harker Heights was picked by Dave Campbell’s Football magazine to win the 12-6A title for a third year.
Ninth-year head coach Toby Foreman and the Grey Wolves will be in the mix once again, a year after they made the postseason for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
Head coach Danny Servance enters Year 4 with Ellison, which has aspirations of contending in its new district with a strong core of returners.
journey Sept. 27 at home against Cedar Park, and Ellison opens 10-5A-II on Oct. 10 by hosting Belton.
Killeen ISD teams collide on a few occasions during 12-6A action. The Roos and Knights play each other Oct. 4, and, six days later on Oct. 10, Killeen and Shoemaker line up across from one another. The Grey Wolves and Knights tangle Nov. 1.
KISD football teams hope to build off the 2023 season when the five varsity squads combined to go 25-27, deliver a pair of playoff qualifiers in Harker Heights, which defended its 12-6A crown, and Shoemaker, and produced 23 first-team all-district selections.
Josh Sadler returns for a third year in charge of the Kangaroos, who finished 6-4 last season –– an output that was the program’s best since 2012 and created a wave of optimism.
And Chaparral, which won its first road and district games last year, is champing at the bit to start anew with McCrea in charge.
Before the kickoffs are official, Chaparral will have two scrimmages –– Aug. 16 (at Austin Anderson) and Aug. 22 (at Manor) –– and Ellison (vs. Leander Glenn), Harker Heights (at Round Rock), Killeen (at Leander Vandegrift) and Shoemaker (at Belton) will have one apiece.
At the middle school level, football games kickoff Aug. 27. An exciting addition to the middle school football season this year is the inclusion of Waco ISD teams from Carver, Chavez and Tennyson. Those games will combine the seventh-grade A and B teams and eighth-grade A and B teams. For more, including schedules, visit www.killeenisd.org/athletics. Follow Facebook/KISDSports and X (formally Twitter) @KilleenISD_ to stay up to date with all KISD sports.
Sports physicals can be obtained at clinics and urgent care facilities
BY JOSEPH BAHR KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
Sports physicals are a requirement for youth student athletes.
Physicals can be obtained at a variety of different medical facilities. Most clinics and urgent care facilities
in the area offer physicals.
The Greater Killeen Community Clinic, 718 N. Second St., is offering free physicals on Wednesday, Aug. 7.
It encourages children obtaining physicals to wear flip-flops or sandals and loose clothing to make the
examination easier and faster.
Other examples of facilities offering physicals in the area include Integrity Urgent Care and Freedom Urgent Care. Both have multiple locations throughout the Killeen area.
Sports physicals are
required for student athletes entering seventh grade, ninth grade and 11th grade.
That being said, extenuating circumstances such as prior injuries or other health concerns may require students to undergo a physical more often.
In addition to the physi-
cal, students are required to submit information about their medical history by filling out the “Participation Physical Evaluation Form.” For the Killeen Independent School District, that form can be found on the school’s website and submitted online.
Superintendent welcomes students to Copperas Cove ISD
BY DR. JOE BURNS SPEcIAL To THE HERALD
I want to be the first to welcome students and staff back to school. While summer has provided many opportunities for kids and parents to enjoy swimming, vacations, family reunions and sleeping late, the staff of Copperas Cove ISD have been working diligently to make sure the upcoming school year is the very best.
Over the summer, CCISD teaching staff have participated in professional development sessions focused on improving learning opportunities for students.
The maintenance and custodial staff have worked diligently to make sure district facilities are in excellent condition and spotless for the first day of school.
The child nutrition and transportation departments have been actively planning and preparing to feed and transport more than 8,000 students who are expected to attend Copperas Cove schools this year.
It has been an awesome summer. We are ready and waiting for our students!
For the first time in our district’s more-than-140-year history, we begin the year with a National Blue Ribbon School, as House Creek earned the honor last September. We are confident that it won’t be our last, as all 11 of our campuses work tirelessly to provide an exceptional education for students.
Be on the lookout for campus news coming to you through the Skyward Parent Portal, Schoology, CCISD’s Facebook page and Twitter. Campus
teams will be reaching out to students and their parents to share upcoming events and important dates to remember through these media platforms.
If you do not have access to the Skyward Parent Portal or Schoology, please reach out to your campus for information on how to connect to these resources.
We also would encourage families to download the CCISD mobile app, available for all smartphone users. This app will allow us to communicate campus and district events and news with families.
The Pride of Cove Marching Band and Color Guard has already begun rehearsals for the full band. The band staff has once again put together an exceptional marching show that will be spotlighted not only during Friday night football games, but in UIL marching competitions slated for later this fall.
The Bulldawg and Lady Dawg coaching staff have worked tirelessly over the summer to make sure student athletes have had opportunities to participate in strength and conditioning activities so they will be better prepared for their upcoming sports’ seasons.
Summer practices will begin for athletics during the first full week of August.
Let me remind parents of some important upcoming dates. If you still need to register your student, please know that every campus is open beginning at 7:30 a.m.
On Aug. 9, CCISD will host convocation for staff. Therefore, campuses will be closed until 1 p.m. on that day. Then on Aug. 15, we kick off the 20242025 school year with the first day of school.
I hope you are as excited as I am about the opportunity we have to educate our young people.
I want to close by thanking Copperas Cove for its unwavering support of
our students, staff and school district. Our success is the result of great relationships, wonderful families, supportive community members and exceptional students.
As is customary with the quarterly military affairs dinners, Joe Burns, superintendent of Copperas Cove ISD, shakes the hand of Col. Kirk Wittenberger, chief of staff of First Army Division West at Fort Cavazos, after giving him a hat from the school district.
It was Helen Keller who said, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”
It truly is a great time to be a Bulldawg!
JANA LYNN KILcREASE | HERALD
Copperas Cove ISD taking applications for free and reduced lunch
BY ERIK WALSH KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
Copperas Cove ISD is now taking applications for students to receive free or reduced lunch for the 2024-2025 school year.
Starting Aug. 1, the CCISD Child Nutrition Department can take applications for the Free and Reduced Meal.
Applications should be completed and submitted online at www.ccisd.com or at https://www.myschoolapps. com/Application.
Anyone without internet access or a computer, or those who need additional help to complete the online application, call the Child Nutrition Department at 254547-1227, ext. 11509 for help.
Income Eligibility Guidelines for Determining Free and Reduced-Price Benefits
For each additional family member, add
The district also has a computer available located at the Child Nutrition building, 703 W. Avenue D in Copperas Cove for those needing access to a computer or for additional help in applying for benefits.
Students in Janet Dees’ fifth-grade class sit in the cafeteria and listen to what will be expected of them during their lunch break on the first day of school at Clements/Parsons Elementary School in Copperas Cove in this Herald file photo. HERALD | FILE
A paper copy of the Free and Reduced Meal application in English and Spanish is available upon request only and may be picked up at the Child Nutrition building. Applications may take up to 10 days to process.
CRITERIA fOR MEAL BENEfITS
The following criteria will be used to determine a child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits:
inCoMe
•
Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels
Categorical (Automatic) Eligibility
Household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
Program Participant Child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster
Child’s enrollment in Head Start or Even Start
inCoMe eligibility
For those households that qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on income, an adult in the household must complete an application online at www.ccisd.com for free and reduced-price meals. Those individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information:
Names of all household
members
Amount, frequency, and source of current income for each household member
Last 4 digits of the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application or, if the adult does not have a Social Security number, check the box for “No Social Security number”
Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct
Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year.
Copperas Cove ISD offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast is free for all students. Lunch costs are as follows:
Elementary (pre-K through 5th grade): $2.60
Junior High (6th grade through 8th grade): $2.80
High School (9th grade through 12th grade): $3.00 Reduced-price is free for breakfast and $0.40 for lunch.
Copperas Cove ISD keeps dress code for 2024-2025 school year
BY MADELINE ODEN KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
The Copperas Cove Independent School District’s Student code of Conduct Handbook outlines the district’s dress code for all levels in great detail.
The handbook states the CCISD teaches grooming and hygiene, prevents disruption, minimize safety hazards and maintains a positive learning climate The district encourages students, with the supervision of their parents, to maintain high standards of dress, grooming, and personal appearance as would be appropriate in a public school educational environment.
DISTRICT POLICY
The handbook warns that certain elective courses or extracurricular activities may require more stringent dress or appearance standards than for the general student body. CCISD leaves the choice of hair length with the students and their parents and whether or not beards and mustaches are to be worn. However, spiked hair longer than 2 inches is prohibited for all levels. Anything that advertises or depicts any other prohibited substance or contains derogatory remarks concerning any identifiable race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, gender, or disability are strictly prohibited. Anything that is lewd, vulgar or offensive is also prohibited.
HATS AND HEAD COVERINGS
Any type of hat or head covering is prohibited for all levels and hats may not be worn from belts or belt loops.
PIERCINGS
Facial piercings are not allowed at the elementary school level. One facial piercing is allowed for junior high levels and there is not
a limit on facial piercing for high school levels as long as the piercings are not deemed a distraction by faculty.
STUDENT ID’S
From the junior high level and up, student ID’s must always be visible and worn around the neck or clipped above the waist, at all times.
ELEMENTARY DRESS CODE
Tube-tops, halter tops, see through or mesh shirts, and spaghetti straps are prohibited unless worn over a T-shirt or under a jacket.
Sleeveless shirts must fit snugly under the arms and jerseys may only be worn with a T-shirt underneath.
No low-cut tops or blouses.
All shirts must completely cover the midriff when standing, arms are fully extended above the head and when seated.
All dresses, jumpers, skirts, Skorts and shorts must be at or below an ID card length above the knee unless worn with leggings.
No spandex or lycra.
shorts, pants, jeans:
Sagging is NOT permitted.
Shorts, pants or jeans must fit at the waist.
Leggings may only be worn with a garment that meets the mid-thigh rule.
Students are not to wear jeans that are torn or have holes in them.
Shoes with wheels are prohibited.
JUNIOR AND HIGH SCHOOL DRESS CODE
Tank tops, strapless tops, spaghetti strap tops, backless tops, tops with large armholes or off the shoulder tops are prohibited unless worn over a T-shirt with sleeves.
Garments worn under jackets, coats, shrugs and sweaters must be in dress code.
No low necklines (cleavage should not be visible)
No see-through lace or mesh shirts
Tops must meet the beltline when seated. Undergarments and front or back midriff should never be exposed.
No spandex or lycra. Shorts, Pants, Jeans: Sagging is NOT permitted.
Shorts, pants or jeans must fit at the waist. No full-length jackets and coats such as those commonly referred to as “trench coats” or “dusters”.
Oversized hoodies are prohibited. Hoodies, sweatshirts, jackets, etc. can be no longer than the break of the wrist.
For junior high, all dresses, jumpers, skirts, Skorts and shorts must be at or below an ID card length above the knee unless worn with leggings. Leggings may only be worn with a garment that meets the mid-thigh rule.
High school students are not to
wear jeans that are torn, frayed or have holes from the waistband to 3 inches above the knee. No holes larger than the width of a student ID card, measured at 3¼ inches. Holes, tears, or frays 3 inches above the knee shall have no visible skin showing
collars, choker chains, armbands, wristbands, and/ or other metal-studded clothing are not permitted.
No clothing intended to be worn as undergarments may be worn as outer garments. Undergarments may not be visible at any time. Costumes are not permitted except on designated days. Animal ears are considered costumes Sunglasses are also not allowed to be worn inside school buildings.
Cove schools provide safety for students, future plans after bond failure
BY KURTIS QUILLIN SPEcIAL To THE HERALD
It’s the start of a brand new school year and Copperas Cove ISD continues to use each of its facilities and building it’s erected in the more than 140-year history of schools in Cove, including the Avenue E campus which first opened in 1896 and, today, houses Crossroads High School.
The safety and security of all students and staff is at the forefront of every decision CCISD navigates. In June, the Board of Trustees approved a contract to address fencing concerns and create a secure barrier around campuses and keep all students and staff as safe as possible while they are on-campus.
Trustees also recently approved updating security film on campuses as an added method of keeping students safe on campuses.
The district continues to search for, apply for and use grant monies available to alleviate the taxpayer burden and be responsible with the community’s money. These grants entirely paid for the fencing and security film upgrades approved this year by the board, which allows the district to invest in either more facilities projects or more tools for teach-
ers and students.
The district has completed improvements on multiple campuses since opening its last school, House Creek Elementary in 2011. The largest improvement project since has been the full renovation of the Fairview wing at Fairview/Jewell Elementary School, which was completed in time for the 2019-20 school year.
As part of the district’s replacement cycle none of the district’s HVAC units are older than six years old, as CCISD’s maintenance staff runs regular maintenance cycles on everything and allows for these units to perform efficiently and maximizes their useful lifespan.
“We hope the community sees that we, as a district, continue to work diligently to be responsible and judicious when utilizing local tax dollars,” superintendent Dr. Joe Burns said. Last August, the district opened a new facility at Copperas Cove High School for Career & Technical Education, which features state-of-the-art welding & construction science labs for students to learn these trades in a proper environment.
CCISD’s technology staff continues to upgrade its infrastructure and the tools used in learning.
Prior to this year, the last time the
The district is refreshing the facilities advisory committee to review facility needs throughout the district. It is the desire of the district for the committee to bring a recommendation to the board for consideration at the end of 2024.
The district opened a new facility at Copperas Cove High School for Career & Technical
tion in August 2023.
district asked voters to approve a bond to renovate facilities was 2005, when voters approved funds for renovations at several campuses. The district will make their final 2005 bond payment in August of 2025.
After an unsuccessful bond election in May of 2024, the district will refresh the facility improvement committee and continue the work of evaluating what improvements to facilities are needed and how to accomplish that in a fiscally-responsible manner.
“While we were disappointed in the results in May, we greatly appreciate everybody who took the time to let their voice be heard, and we feel we have a better understanding of our community’s wishes,” Burns said. “We will continue to work and ensure each student in Copperas Cove has an environment which is conducive to learning.”
According to the district’s school financial adviser, if the district adopted the maximum interest & sinking tax rate allowed by law, which is 50 cents, CCISD could only generate approximately $200 million. With construction costs increasing from 9% to 16% year-over-year, the district must be
strategic in how it approaches facilities.
The district’s financial adviser estimates that a new comprehensive high school would cost at least $225 million in today’s construction environment. This estimate, based on recent projects across the state, would not include additional facilities for CTE or athletics.
The district is refreshing the facilities advisory committee to review facility needs throughout the district. It is the desire of the district for the committee to bring a recommendation to the board for consideration at the end of 2024.
PHoToS bY MIKE bARToSzEK | HERALD
Educa-
Gold team’s KJ Ziegler, left, takes a handoff from Anthony King during Copperas Cove’s annual Blue and Gold spring game at Bulldawg Stadium on May 17.
Cove community ‘stuffs the bus’ during tax-free weekend
SPEcIAL To THE HERALD
COPPERAS COVE — It’s become a tradition on tax-free weekend in Copperas Cove, when the community pulls up to Walmart to see a school bus out front.
Copperas Cove ISD, with help from Walmart of Copperas Cove and Star Group-Veterans Helping Veterans,
will host the 10th annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive from Aug. 9-11.
Annually, the drive collects between $35,000 and $50,000 worth of school supplies which goes directly to CCISD students in need. In 2023, Stuff the Bus collected an estimated $35,000 worth of school supplies.
The need in Cove is great. Of the
district’s approximately 8,000 students, 60% of them receive free or reduced-price meals.
“We are grateful to be in a community that is so supportive of our schools and, more importantly, our students,” said Kurtis Quillin, Director of Communications. “This event, and the help from our community partners to make it all possible, helps us ensure that each student in Copperas Cove is able to begin the school year with the supplies they need, so they can focus on learning.”
The community will see a variety of student groups from CCISD
volunteering at the event, greeting them, thanking them and loading any donations on to the bus.
Any cash donations are immediately turned into school supplies, which go right on to the bus.
The event will start with a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. on Aug. 9 and run until 6 p.m. that night. On Saturday, Aug. 10, the event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and then from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11.
For anybody wanting to donate who can’t make it to the event, a link for online donations has been set up at CCISD.com.
HERALD | FILE
An employee of one of the area First National Bank Texas branches passes a box of school supplies to a Copperas Cove High School football player at a recent Stuff the Bus event at the Copperas Cove Walmart.
ANDY zAvoINA | HERALD
Local students prepare for new year with Back to School bashes
BY JOSEPH BAHR KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
A variety of back-to-school events are scheduled to take place ahead of the first day of school, which is Aug. 14 in Killeen. Events will include a variety of games, activities, food and music along with school supplies, backpacks, shoes, haircuts and other items and services being given away or heavily discounted.
Here is list of back-to-school events happening soon in the Killeen-Fort Cavazos area:
aUg. 10
•
The city of Killeen is holding its annual back-to-school event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 10. Free school supplies will be given out to the first 100 children. There will also be pools and slides at the event, which takes place at the Family Aquatics Center at Lions Club Park, 1800 E. Stan Schlueter Loop in Killeen. The event is for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
•
The Charming Haven, 5505 S. Fort Hood St. in Killeen, is hosting a back-to-school event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 10. The event will give people a chance to sell or swap gently used items ahead of going back to school. There will also be activities, games and shopping.
Elementary school students at the CTX Bears Back to School Bash on Aug. 4 received school supplies and new backpacks. From left they are Kaylani James, 5; Kamayah James, 4; Journey Gandara, 6; and Unique Gandara, 7. Twoyear-old Kayden James just had a great time.
JANA LYNN KILcREASE | HERALD
SodaFusion and Graced Ashes are hosting a back-to-school event at 11 a.m. on Aug. 10 at 1200-3 W. Central Texas Expressway in Killeen. There will be school supplies and music at the bash.
Movement of Faith Ministries is hosting a supply drive from noon to 4 p.m. on Aug. 10. There will be food and fun activities at the event. It will be held at 3221 Water St. in Killeen.
Killeen Elite is hosting a back to school day on Aug. 10 from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 9888 Trimmier Road in Killeen. There will be food trucks, vendors, games, performances and free haircuts.
The Alpha Gamma Xi Military Sorority, Inc., Beta Chapter is hosting a back to school giveaway at 3 p.m. on Aug. 10. The event will take place at 1001 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Killeen. Free school supplies will be given out while supplies last along with haircuts and food.
New Life Apostolic Church is hosting a back-to-school bash from 5 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 10 at 4712 E. Rancier Ave. in Killeen. There will be free pairs of shoes at the event along with free haircuts for boys.
The Masonic Communities of the Killeen area will host a Back to School Bash from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at 304. S. 40th St. POC for the event is Juanita Davis-Ealy at 414-510-0625.
and school
aUg. 12
Snow cones will be given away at Kwik Kar Belton’s back to school event from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Aug. 12. There will be a raffle for a chance to win a free oil change or windshield wipers. The event is at 1702 N. Main St. in Belton.
aUg. 18
M Salon is hosting a back to school event from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 18 at the Killeen Mall, 2100 S. W.S. Young Drive. The event is available for children age 5 and up. There will be free haircuts, braiding and school supplies provided. There will also be games, prizes and giveaways at the event. Attendees must register in advance for the event.
reCUrring eVents
•
Cinergy Copperas Cove, 402 Constitution Drive, is giving teachers one free movie ticket every day from Aug. 5 until Aug. 9.
The Yahweh Beauty Academy, 431 S. 38th St., is offering 50-cent
haircuts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 6 through 9. The back-to-school special is available to children 5-yearsold and older. It is a walk-in only event.
•
OG’s School of Hair Design is offering 25-cents haircuts from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 7, 8, 9 and 13 and from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 10. No appointments are necessary and the event is open to 1-year-olds all the way to college students. It is located at 2501 S. W.S. Young Drive, Suite 302 in Killeen.
MIKE bARToSzEK | HERALD
Dozens of backpacks
supplies are handed out by NAACP volunteers during an NAACP back to school rally at Douse Community Center in Killeen on Aug. 3.
Central texas College conducting registration for fall semester
SPEcIAL To THE HERALD
Central Texas College is conducting registration for the fall semester. Classes start Aug. 19 at the central campus in Killeen; the Fort Cavazos site; the service area sites of Fredericksburg, Gatesville, Lampasas and Marble Falls; and online.
Returning students can register through CTC’s online Eagle Self-Service system at ctcd.edu, while new students must first complete the admissions process.
To assist new students, CTC will host a new student orientation on Aug. 8 in the Anderson Campus Center from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sign-up is available online at https://ctc4.me/NSO.
CTC offers more than 100 associate degrees and certificates of completion in a variety of academic, professional and vocational/technical fields designed to assist
A psychology instructor at Central Texas College, right, takes apart pieces of a model brain for prospective students to look at in Killeen in this Herald file photo.
students transferring to a four-year university or prepare them for employment.
Programs are grouped into six areas of study or career pathways: Arts, Humanities
and Media; Science Technology Engineering, Math (STEM); Business and Business Technology; Construction, Manufacturing and Transportation; Health Care;
and Public Service.
Within these areas are numerous fields of study, including aviation science, business administration, communications, computer science, computer-aided drafting and design, logistics, electronics technology, industrial technology, protective services, nursing, paramedicine, culinary arts and agricultural science.
To accommodate the needs of students who may have a job, family and other commitments that deter them from attending traditional lecture courses, CTC offers more than 500 online and blended (a combination of online and classroom) courses and more than 60 degree and certificate programs online.
Some of the current programs include Communications, which leads to an Associate of Arts degree; Robotics Technology, which
leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree or an 18-credit hour Certificate of Completion; the Medical Billing Certificate of Completion program; and Licensed Massage Therapy, which is now a for-credit program leading to a Certificate of Completion.
CTC has been providing higher educational opportunities to area residents for 57 years. Since opening its doors to more than 2,000 tudents in 1967, CTC has evolved into a unique institution focusing on affordable, accessible education. It is the top college choice for graduating high school seniors in the area as more than 20 percent of local high school students come to CTC.
The school’s diverse student population includes nearly 4,000 students per semester in-person locally and more than 4,500 students taking classes online.
HERALD | FILE
The Central Texas College sign was seen in 2021 outside the school’s central Killeen campus.
HERALD | FILE
A&M-Central texas prepares to welcome new students
BY KAREN CLOS SPEcIAL To THE HERALD
Texas A&M University-Central Texas is the only public “upperlevel” university in Texas, intentionally designed to offer a high-quality, cost-effective way to complete their undergraduate degree or pursue graduate studies.
Virtually all the university’s undergraduate students have begun their academic studies at a community college or another university and turn to A&M-Central Texas, which has designed its programs and services so that incoming students maximize the credits they have earned and easily transfer into their choices of the 30 undergraduate degrees.
Even before students officially apply for admission, they can access all the services new students need via Transfer Central. There, they can make plans to choose future degree programs, work with the university’s financial aid and, if needed, its veterans’ benefits staff, and visit with a professional advisor who is dedicated to making the most of a student’s educational history and experience.
The university offers 30 baccalaureate programs, 19 graduate degree programs, and one Superintendent Certification Program. Also, 17 undergraduate programs and nine
of the graduate programs are offered completely online.
The university’s programs have been recognized nationally by some of the most prestigious entities in higher education, including U.S. News & World Report and College for All Texans, which has described the university as one of the most affordable public universities in Texas.
In addition, the university’s Bachelor’s Bonus program lets students take between 12 and 21 credit hours, but they only pay tuition for the first 12 hours (specific rules apply).
The university also offers a tuition guarantee that lets students “freeze” their tuition and fees, guaranteeing that what they pay will not change for up to three years.
See all of this and more at https:// www.tamuct.edu/affordable/.
Since 2009, A&M-Central Texas has produced almost 10,000 alumni who have received their undergraduate
Texas A&M University-Central Texas offers 30 baccalaureate programs, 19 graduate degree programs, and one Superintendent Certification Program.
and graduate degrees. University alumni serve the region, state and nation as teachers and counselors, businessmen and women, nurses and licensed therapists, pilots and engineers, experts in computer systems and cybersecurity, historians, social workers, and biologists.
Texas A&M-Central Texas is also one of Texas’ most broadly diverse universities and has been officially recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution and a Minority Serving Institution.
Not only do these official designations demonstrate the university’s commitment to serving a diverse community of learners, but they also increase student access to federal financial aid while they continuously expand educational opportunity, including access to graduate study. Learn more at www. tamuct.edu. We look forward to seeing you on campus!
HERALD | FILE
HERALD | FILE
This photo shows Warrior Hall on the campus of Texas A&M University-Central Texas.
uMHB prepares to celebrate 179th anniversary
BY ASHLEY SMITH SPEcIAL To THE HERALD
2024 marks the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s 179th anniversary, carrying on its tradition as the oldest continuously operating college in the state.
Enrollment at UMHB for the 2024-2025 academic year is at nearly 3,600 students.
UMHB offers bachelor’s degrees in more than seventy undergraduate majors, eleven master’s degree programs, and two doctoral degrees.
Over 90% of UMHB students receive some form of financial aid, and the university awarded more than $50 million in grants and scholarships last year.
UMHB recently partnered with the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University. This collaborative initiative allows medical students to earn a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from UMHB while completing their Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree requirements.
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor welcomed 900 new students at its convocation in this Herald file photo.
HERALD | FILE
In addition, the university signed a letter of intent with the Johanniter Academy of Germany for a three-year international student exchange program. Approximately
six UMHB students from nursing, teacher education, and social work will be included in the first-year cohort through this exchange program.
Amia Gaston, Zharia Sharpe and Torrie Palomino, students at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, are 800 new Crusader students moving in on Aug. 2, 2023, before classes begin.
The Marek-Smith Center for Teacher Preparation, a groundbreaking training facility to prepare general and special education majors, officially opened in spring 2024. Innovative spaces incorporate immersive, multisensory, and interactive equipment to enhance the overall learning experience.
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor competes in the American Southwest Conference of NCAA Division III, offering 16 sports.
The Cru has won more than 60 conference championships since beginning intercollegiate athletics in 1979.
A welcoming, studentcentered approach with a high standard of excellence
continuously defines the core UMHB experience.
Propelled by an unapologetically Christian commitment, the university is dedicated to helping students deepen their faith and integrate Christian perspectives into every dimension of life.
Since it was founded in 1845, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) prepares students for lives of leadership, service, and faithinformed discernment in a global society.
Academic excellence, personal attention, broad-based scholarship, and a Baptist vision for education have distinguished this Christ-centered learning community for more than 179 years.
