“To educate a person in the mind but not in morals is to educate a menace to society. ” — Theodore Roosevelt
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Longview Voice Sharing the good news about LISD!
‘We made it!’
Vol. 1 No. 5 May 2016
A publication of Longview Independent School District
Complimentary Copy
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n a clear and cool evening at Lobo Stadium, the Class of 2016 donned cap and gown to celebrate their graduation from Longview High School... and begin the first day of the rest of their lives. Class of 2016 valedictorian Stephen Jayakar recalled fond memories of how far the class had come since their elementary days, and reminded them of the importance of understanding from where one comes to better understand where one needs to go. “Longview High School serves as a place of opportunity, provided you’re willing to put in the effort and gumption,” he said. “I cannot thank (Longview ISD) enough for the opportunities it has provided us.” “I love you guys, it’s been a great four years, and we made it!” he added. LHS salutatorian Trevor O’Connor urged his classmates to not rest upon their laurels having graduated from high school, but to continue to grow and to learn. “Strive, reach, excel,” he said. “At this age, we have a lot to say, but it’s also important to remember to listen, listen to all the wise advice from your teachers, parents, and all those who walked the path before you.” “The education you receive in life does not just come from books, but from every single person you encounter,” he said. Senior Class President Uwa Ihionkhan gave the opening benediction, and shared an impassioned and light-hearted exhortation to her peers. “Little did we know that we haven’t been looking forward to the end of these four years of high school, but the beginning of the rest of our lives,” she said. With some offers still pending, scholarships total $7,659,427 for 102 seniors. The total is currently up $1,461,260 from last year, boosted considerably by the $2,215,000 total offers for twin sisters Robyn and Alyson Roper to attend military academies after graduation. The Top 2 percent of the Class of 2016 includes (in alphabetical order) Addison Holcomb, Ben Monsour, Truman Thompson, Tony Wang, Jordan Wright, and Krisana Yuen. Top 10 percent graduates include Emily Araiza, Kierra Batiste, VaLynnsia Bodie, Seema Brimmer, Sabrina Campbell, P.J. DeJong, Conrad Deller, Soumya Donty, Briana Duffield, Ross Duvall, Tiffany Faber, Ross Fisher, Natalia Gasic, Rachel Grant, Sarah Henderson, Salvador Hernandez, Addison Holcomb, Uwa Ihionkhan, Lauralee Jackson, Kyleigh Johnston, Sidd Kortikere, Daniel Martin, Olivia McDonald, Meredith Novy, Nik Olson, Alyson Roper, Robyn Roper, Caroline Ruff, Jessica Soltau, Madison Stahl, Chelsey Templeton, Albert Van Zyl, Andrew Vo, Miranda Welborn, and Madison Woodard. The rest of the Class of 2016: Everette Abston, Abraham Acevedo, D’Marcus Acles, Velia Adame, Kaitlyn Adams, Daniel Adkins, Emily Aguilar, Rene Aguilar, Celina Aguirre, Mary Alayo, Shadarria Alexander, Darrian Allen, LaStarsha Allen, Trevor Allison, Esteban Alvarado Bermudez, Isidro Alvarez, Antwone Anthony, Braylynn Anthony, Dedric Armstrong, Luke Armstrong, Armando Arroyo, Jarren
Trustees talk goals, honor students
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etting a clear plan for the future — and seeing it through — was the main topic of discussion during the Longview ISD Board of Trustees regular meeting on May 9. Earlier this year LISD Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox and the Board of Trustees presented priorities for 2016-17 that include improving recruitment and retention of quality personnel, improving communication with the general public, all schools meeting state standards and performing at state level in math and science, improving social/life skills of Longview Early
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Keep Longview Beautiful Awards
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Longview Voice
Storybook party
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ISD Administrative Assistant Debbie Leith was named Keep Longview Beautiful’s “Volunteer of The Year” on May 12 for her dedication to keeping our city beautiful. KLB board member Donna Pruitt said Debbie Leith “is a vital part of our events team and awards team. She is a huge reason Death by Chocolate (fundraiser) looked so spectacular this year.”
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Stephen Jayakar, Longview High School Class of 2016 Valedictorian
Opinion Elementary News
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MIddle School News High School News
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isney Princesses Belle and Aurora stopped by JL Everhart on April 30, with some of the Lobo cheerleaders, for a special day of stories and festivities.
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LISD News Sports
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
May 2016
BELIEVE IN EXCELLENCE
ADVERTISE WITH US!!!
Call Sarah at (903) 381-3236
THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
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May 2016
OPINION
To the Graduates of the Class of 2016 I By Matthew Prosser
n recent weeks high schools throughout East Texas and colleges throughout our nation have held commencement ceremonies, as yet another graduating class prepares to take their talents to the next level in education, vocation, and life itself. A graduation ceremony also affords well-intentioned blowhards (like myself) an opportunity to tell yet another bright-eyed and bushy-tailed generation bent on world conquest, wealth, and fame about all the struggles and failures waiting for them just around the next bend. That, or they pump enough sunshine to make a desert out of a rainforest. Either way, you’re still stuck listening to some tiresome old windbag hold court until the men in the audience start looking at their watches and the ladies start fanning themselves with the program. But I want to take advantage of this moment to offer a few of my own “pearls of wisdom” gleaned in the years since I left the classroom and joined the workforce full-time. Hopefully you’ll take this advice for what it is, and maybe it’ll even help save some of you some unnecessary frustration later. At any rate, the least you could do is hear me out. I’ve got some years on me and I think I’ve learned a little. First and foremost: keep an even keel. The idiom “keep an even keel” is a nautical phrase which means, “don’t rock the boat.” Now don’t misunderstand me, I’m not telling you to avoid challenging the status quo (quite the contrary!) but do strive for balance in your life. Many of you face an inordinate number of possibilities and career/life paths you can take, such that you may feel overwhelmed and fearful of striving off in any one direction… for the sake of keeping your options open. Well, I’m 39 years old, married with five children, and I’m here to tell you that, even now, I could suddenly
change careers and take another life path if I so chose. I could do so easily and never look back. Such is the great abundance of this manifest destiny. In the 20 years since I last walked through the doors of my high school, I’ve held numerous jobs, lived in several different states, moved to a completely different part of the country, and pursued no less than five different college majors. Granted, this meandering bildungsroman has led me to a job with Longview Independent School District, so I leave it up to you if my path was one you wish to emulate. The point is: there’s always a choice. Good heavens, if you’re reading this then you’ve practically “won the lottery” existentially speaking! You are probably American, a Texan, and from either the high or low end of the suburban middle class… this puts you among the Top 10 percent wealthiest people in the entire world. Relish your good fortune, and thank God for it, for many on our planet are not so blessed! So, with that in mind, always remember that you’re limited only by how hard you’re willing to work in the pursuit of your ambitions. Do you want to make a million dollars before you’re thirty years old? Easy enough. Go into finance, make really good grades, and work on Wall Street. Or if you want to stay closer to home you can always study something having to do with oilfield exploration. Do you want to make a difference in the world? Again, easily done. Go into education and become a teacher. You’ll never make much money but, if you’re good at it, you’ll have a tremendous impact on generations of young people. Though I haven’t sat in a classroom for a while, I still remember the handful of educators who tried so valiantly to teach me how to understand the world around me. Do you want to take some time off and “find yourself” for a couple years. That’s okay too. When my high school years were over I fled my hometown like a man making a jailbreak, all the way to the complete other side of the country. Did it work out? Not really. Eventually I found my way back
home. Other attempts were soon to follow. Few were successful but all of them were educational. So I would also encourage you not to waste too much time on something as vague as “finding yourself” because there’s plenty of other things you can be working on while you’re waiting for that to happen. If you must “tarry in the trade winds” for a season, at least find a way to be constructive while doing so. Develop yourself, your mind and spirit as well as your physical health. Travel far and wide, packing light and experiencing different cultures than those you’ve known. Read books that challenge you. Broaden your horizons. Work jobs that are thankless but are a service to others. Do things that are hard and push you outside your comfort zone. I’ve found these sorts of things have a way of helping you find the direction you want your life to take. You might also find it helpful to drop off the map for a time. I know you young whippersnappers were practically weaned on the Internet, and cut your teeth on social networks, but “back in my day” when we left school it was somewhat routine to blow town and get a little crazy. I thank the good Lord there was no such thing as Twitter or Facebook back then because I’d never live down that night in Deep Ellum back in ’98, or the six months I walked around with my hair dyed a shocking shade of punk rock blue. So maybe it’ll do you some good to take yourself off the grid for a time and act on some of your foolish impulses while you’re still young enough to hide behind the folly of youth. By the time you’re my age such deeds can and will be used against you in a court of law, especially if you’re daft enough to take photographs and post them online. Expect changes to occur, increasingly so with each passing year. You and that high school girlfriend of yours may very well drift apart, or maybe you’ll stay together. That perfect couple that everyone knows may split up after only a couple years of marriage. That geeky space cadet might make a million dollars in
the computer field. Maybe you’ll become a lawyer, or maybe you’ll flunk out your first semester. But if Hollywood movies are any indication, people tend to turn out in ways that are either comically paradoxical or cruelly ironic. Either way, the more things change the more they stay the same. I know it’s a tired old cliché, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less true. In closing, I want to both encourage and chasten you. Whatever your religious inclination, I strongly encourage you to consider the matter heavily during this time of your life. During these halcyon years you’ll have far more spare time than you likely ever have in your 20s and 30s. Take this time to seek out what you believe and why. Don’t trivialize this aspect of your life any more than you would neglect to brush your teeth after meals or wear sunscreen before heading to the beach. Your actions have consequences, both in this world and the next. Whether you consider Him so or not, you live in a universe fearfully and wonderfully made by a loving and holy Creator. Everything you have, was first given. As I said before, if you’re reading this then you are the beneficiaries of such great promise and blessed in ways you cannot possibly imagine at this point in your young lives. You abide in a time of such affluence as the world has scarcely seen. Do not squander what you have been so undeservedly given but look upon it as an inheritance still to be earned. You’ll never be able to truly “earn” or “deserve” it but you must still try. You have so many who want you to achieve great things and so few hindering your steps, thus you have every reason to succeed and little excuse to fail. I wish you well. — Matthew Prosser is an award-winning journalist and photographer, currently he is Communications Specialist for Longview Independent School District and a born-again Lobo.
Continued cronyism in Texas school funding By By Dr. John P. Kelly
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he Texas Supreme Court recently and unanimously ruled that the state’s school funding system is constitutional. They stated: “Our Byzantine school funding ‘system’ is undeniably imperfect, with immense room for improvement. But it satisfies minimum constitutional requirements. Accordingly, we decline to usurp legislative authority by issuing diktats from on high, supplanting lawmakers’ policy WISDOM with our own.” Having served as a public schools superintendent for the past 24 years, I will now translate that statement: “Despite glaring school funding inadequacies and inequities, we, the Supreme Court of Texas, hereby hope our executive and legislative cronies are pleased. After all, we deferred to their WISDOM! Realizing our decision flies in the face of all common sense, we waited until we won our own Supreme Court election primaries in March and until a day when the media was distracted. We received the perfect gift on May 13, when the feds declared that boys have access to the girls’ bathrooms! Thank you, President Obama!” The evidence for the unconstitutionality of our funding
system is so overwhelming I wrongly predicted there was no chance the Supreme Court could overturn the findings of the district court. Boy, was I wrong. It took tortured language and 100 pages, but our Supreme Court found a way. Austin legislative/judicial/executive cronies are breathing a sigh of relief and can instead issue loud cries against federal dictates about bathrooms. I see a stampede toward the nearest TV camera. You must read with some caution my next prediction since I’m unable to fathom the incestuous relations among state cronies. But here goes: Legislators will wring their hands and tell us there is little they can do about funding. Both the sky and the price of oil are falling! However, those seeking national office will simultaneously tell us the Texas economy is the strongest and fastest-growing in the country. Though we’re near the bottom of all 50 states in school funding per pupil, we’ll be told money is not the answer. Here’s the problem: There are seven inches of expensive state and federal regulations found in every school district’s administration offices. Who put them there? Answer: The very same legislative/judicial/executive branches telling us money is not the answer!
What does it take to fix school finance?
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ver the last few weeks National Public Radio’s (NPR) EdTeam, and its 20-member station reporters, have explored how states pay for their public schools and why many are failing to meet the needs of their most vulnerable students. The latest installment of NPR’s School Money series asks the question, “Is there a better way to pay for our schools? It should come as no surprise that Texas, with our crippling inequities, history of school finance lawsuits, and lamentable ability to kick the can down the road, would be part of this latest installment. The story specifically mentions House Public Education Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock, who at the end of last session asked his colleagues, “What will it take to fix school finance?” His answer, “It’ll take a common view of 5.2 million children.” Like most states, our funding system is heavily dependent on revenue generated by local property tax — always a major deterrent to having an efficiently funded system of free public schools. Generally speaking, states tend to pursue two options when trying to achieve equity between rich and poor districts. They systematically focus their monies on poor districts and put caps (recapture) on how much wealthy districts can raise and spend on their schools. In 1992-93, Texas chose to recapture wealthy districts in order to access all of the state resources on behalf of all of the children. However, the State then added a temporary
hold harmless designed to protect wealthy districts spending over and above what the equalized formulas would deliver to all other school districts. Over the years, this hold harmless was made permanent and other hold harmless mechanisms (such as ASATR in 2006 and the ASAHE in 2015) were added to the scheme. These hold harmless schemes totally negate any moves to make our school funding system equitable and efficient and permit certain districts to continue to access far more than their equal share of the state’s limited resources. To put it bluntly, we continue, in spite of all evidence of the harm we do, to differentiate funding for our children’s educational opportunities based on the illogical criterion of what zip code the child’s parents live in, not the needs of the child! Chairman Aycock is right, it will take a common view, but it will also take some common sense and selflessness to fix the system. It will take a commitment to the common good that outweighs any worry about wealthy or poor districts, but instead says every child should be able to access the resources necessary to be provided the educational opportunities to meet his/her needs, and those opportunities should be available and the same, no matter the school district in which the child may have to live! — The Equity Center is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization of over 700 school districts across the state ranging in size, demographics, and location.
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Do not look to either political party for salvation. These regulations have grown, not withered, during the past two decades by the so called party of “small government.” Significant deregulation of public schools allowing funding adequacy and efficiency is a pipe dream. Meanwhile, our society has expanded the role of educator from classroom instructor to lifesaver and parent. Teachers are now like the ancient Israelites commanded by Pharaoh to increase the quota of bricks (graduates) — and find their own straw (money). So this is the future as I see it: We’ll continue to be told the public schools aren’t doing enough, that Texas ought instead to provide additional government funding to charter and private schools. We’ll be told those less regulated environments will accomplish more. In the meantime, our own Pharaohs (including the Texas Supreme Court) will continue to add new inches of expensive special interest regulation to the state’s public schools, calling them “reforms.” My World War II Marine Corps dad would have simply said to these Texas cronies: “Don’t shower me with spit and tell me it’s raining!” — Dr. John P. Kelly is Superintendent for Pearland Independent School District.
Chef’s Corner
n honor of Memorial Day on May 30, here’s LISD Chef Chardee Snoddy’s Red, White, and Blue Salad!
Ingredients: •2 cups Spring Mix (mixed salad) •1 cup Spinach •1 cup sliced strawberries •1 cup blueberries •1/4 cup sliced almonds •2 tbsp feta cheese Dressing: •3 Tbsp white wine vinegar •2 tbsp strawberry preserves •1 tbsp honey •1 tbsp water •2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil •Pinch of salt and pepper Chardee Snoddy Directions: Mix all ingredients of dressing together and blend well. Toss all ingredients of salad together and drizzle dressing on top. Also good with grilled chicken.
— Chardee Snoddy, a Longview High School graduate, is the Childhood Nutrition Chef for LISD.
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May 2016
ELEMENTARY
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Teachers receive ‘GLOBE’ honors
pair of Longview ISD educators were among 22 Teacher of the Year honorees recognized by the Greater Longview Organization of Business and Education (GLOBE) on April 26 at LeTourneau University. Bryan Warren from J.L. Everhart Elementary School and Sylverlene Williams from Forest Park Middle School were among the 22 Teachers of the Year chosen from Longviewarea school districts. Warren and Williams both expressed humble gratitude and appreciation for the award, agreeing that the privilege of leaving a legacy in the lives of their young people is “reward enough.” “A teacher holds the single most important task of the world, shaping the future,” Warren said. “It is my strong belief that it’s a point when the teacher becomes the student and the student becomes the teacher true learning takes place.” Williams said it takes both a bold and gentle spirit to truly excel as a teacher. “I am a planter, a seed sower and a harvest reaper, a steward whose reward is great. Teaching is more than a profession; it is a form of stewardship, a careful management of the impressionable minds,” she said. “A humbling experience with the greatest challenges of the sweetest rewards, I boldly go where others fear to go. Only those who dare drive the world forward do this. I dare to be a teacher, I dare to drive the minds of my students.”
LISD Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox said Warren and William “epitomize the committed and passionate quality of the education professionals at our district.” “We cannot praise our teachers high enough,” he said. “They are on the front lines daily, doing one of the most difficult and demanding jobs there is. We appreciate their commitment and professionalism every day.” All teachers recognized were presented with a $200 check from Brookshires and a certificate from Marty Lane, GLOBE Teacher of the Year Chairperson. Fred Jennings, GLOBE Co-Chair, said the Teacher of the Year was started 27 years ago by educators and local business owners working in partnership to encourage students to take more difficult curriculum that could prepare them to enter the workforce. Both the educators and business owners created a curriculum and recognized those students those students that took it and challenged themselves.” “They also realized the importance of the very good teachers that inspire their students to challenge themselves, so that is why we honor these teachers: for making an impact on so many young students,” he said. “The core and foundation started here at LeTourneau- it has now spread statewide.” Jennings said LeTourneau has allowed GLOBE to host the Teach of the Year reception on the campus for the last seven years free of charge.
Pre-K, Kindergarten Round-Up starts June 22
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ISD will hold its Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Round Up for the 2016-2017 School Year on from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 22 at the Student Development Center, 500 N. Third Street, Longview. Parents should bring a photo ID, the student’s birth certificate and Social Security card; current shot records; proof of address such as an electric bill, water bill or lease. Parents will also need to bring two recent paycheck stubs for Pre-K enrollment. For more information call LISD Director of Early Childhood Services Dr. Jacqueline Burnett (903) 803-5900.
“And without the financial support from Brookshire’s Corporation, this event would not be possible. Brookshire’s has been underwriting Globe teacher of the Year program for the last several years,” he said. “This year, Brookshire’s donated a sum of $4,400 to be divided and awarded to the Teachers of the Year for each participating district. Thank you for your generosity.”
Bryan Warren, Primary Teacher of the Year, accompanied by wife Shantrel Warren, mother Ververlyn Bowens, father Ronnie Bowens. Sylverlene “Syl” Williams, Secondary Teacher of the Year, accompanied by son Michael Mahunga, co-teacher Ella Gupton, and coworker Renee Glaspie
Honor Students|Continued from Front Graduation High School students, as well as maintaining district grounds while looking for ways to improve facilities. Recruitment and Retention Citing active relationships with 26 institutes of higher education and six alternative certification programs, LISD Deputy Superintendent Andrea Mayo said the district continues to strengthen partnerships with colleges and universities to help students continue their education once they have left Longview ISD. “We’re continuing to work with traditional teacher programs like those found at Stephen F. Austin State University, UT Tyler, Letourneau University, Jarvis Christian College, Wiley College, and East Texas Baptist University,” she said. “But at the same time we’re partnering with programs like Teach Texas, Texas Teachers, I Teach Texas, Troops to Teachers, and others to find those who go the more unconventional route.” LISD is also working with Houstonbased Region IV’s certification program for bilingual teachers, Mayo said. “(Region IV) currently recruits teachers from Mexico and Puerto Rico, and also holds the International Conference and Virtual Job Fair for bilingual education professionals,” she said. “We had two staff members represent the district at the job fair on Feb. 22-23.” Although most hirings were made by the several Dallas-area districts in attendance, Mayo said one bilingual teacher was recruited and issued a letter of intent to join Longview ISD. “In addition, we sent five staff members to Puerto Rico on a recruitment trip,” she
Teachers and staff at South Ward Elementary School helped get kids fired up about STAAR Testing on May 6. Thanks to all the community volunteers and guests who came out to support our kids, especially the Longview High School Cheerleaders!
The Viewettes said they had a great time at Hudson PEP May 6 performing and presenting the word “encouragement” in preparation for the 5th Grade Olympics.
Thanks to the Longview Fire and Police Department (as well as Lobo mascots “Lo” and “Bo”) for reading to Ware Elementary School students May 4 in honor of the Pilot Club of Longview’s Celebrity read-a-thon for literacy!
said. “More than 100 candidates came to a two-day job fair, with 47 candidates interviewed. We had seven people issued letters of intent to join Longview ISD as bilingual teachers, with six others we’re interested in speaking more with.” Concerning teachers currently on staff, Dr. Jody Clements, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative and Pupil Services, said the district’s Incentive for Teachers (LIFT) program awarded payments in the amount of $10,742, $8,969, $7,196, $6,816, and
$6,675 to the top five teachers in the past year. “Total payout to individual staff and campuses in December 2015 was $465,788.54, an outstanding incentive to campus staff as they continue to improve instruction for all students,” he said. Mayo said having a district day care in the Playing For Keeps Early Childhood Center has proven to not only help recruit teachers to LISD, but helps retain them. “The care (at Playing For Keeps) is high quality and very competitive with the private daycare centers in the area,” she said. “Payroll deductions help ease the financial burden on teachers and staff.” LISD began offering childcare through Playing For Keeps six years ago, and Wilcox said it is a resource many employees are glad to utilize. “Child care can be expensive, especially for a facility comparable to what we offer,” he said. Mayo said Longview ISD’s pay scale historically has been highly competitive, not only within the East Texas area but other parts of the state. In 2010 the district engaged TASB to conduct a salary study of the auxiliary, paraprofessional, and professional compensation plan. “At that time, the recommendation was to revise the compensation plan because the district no longer had a competitive salary plan. However, the recommendation was not approved because of the financial impact that it would have upon the budget,” she said. “We have presented information twice since 2010 requesting to improve the compensation plan and even tonight we extended the request again.” Finding out why exiting employees leave is another way Mayo said the district is working to provide the best possible work environment for current staff. “Each employee who resigns or retires from the district is given an exit survey to share feedback pertaining to their experience while working here,” she said. “This information is always shared with the Board, administrative team and principals. It serves as a guide for improvement in retention of highly qualified staff. Community Communication Mayo said keeping a good line of Continued on Page 5
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May 2016
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Foster Middle Students earn state, national honors
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oster Middle School students earned state honors this school year for their scores on college entrance exams. The Foster students are among the top 25 percent of Duke University’s annual 16-state talent search. Not only that, but Principal John York said one student — 7th Grader Nicolas Goodan — also received national recognition. “Basically what that means is Nic scored better than 90 percent of college-bound juniors and seniors taking the SAT or ACT tests,” he said. “That’s pretty special.” Students achieving national distinction are invited to the Grand Ceremony at Duke University to honor the 7th Grade Talent Search participants who meet the grand level-qualifying score criteria. Held at Cameron Indoor Stadium on the Duke University campus, students receive a commemorative medal. The seventh-grade students who received state-level recognition earned scores equal to or better than half of the college-bound junior and seniors who took the SAT or ACT
tests this year. Foster Middle School’s Duke Identification Program scholars for 2016 are Diana Acuna, Justin Beltran, Mario Diola, Jr., Nicolas Goodan, Harrison Lin, Alexis Nunley, Kelsey Quiett, Alexandra Rojas Monsivais, Rachael Smith, Caroline Taylor, and Emma Williams. Duke University’s Talent Identification Program identifies and supports academically talented students. Students identified to participate in the TIP complete either the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT Assessment college entrance examination. The goal of the program is to assist young people with excellent mathematical or verbal aptitudes by providing comparative information concerning their academic abilities and resources for unique educational opportunities.
FFA chapter takes area honors
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OLLEGE STATION — Members of the Longview FFA competed in the Meat Science Career Development Event on April 30 in College Station. Longview FFA placed as Reserve Champion in the Area VI Meat Science contest to qualify for State. Team members included: Isidro Alvarez, Kayla Owings, Lamante Talbert and Ty Crabb Longview FFA Meats Team also placed 1st at Sul Ross State University and 3rd at Northwest. Isidro Alvarez was the High Point Individual at the Sul Ross State University and Northwest Meat Science Career Development Event. Career Development Events build on what is learned in agricultural classes and encourage members to put their knowledge into practice. Approximately 14,100 students began the statewide tournament in 28 different events which reflect classroom instruction in technical, leadership, interpersonal and teamwork skills. The Texas FFA is the nation’s largest state FFA association with a membership
of more than 115,000 active FFA members. Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources programs teach skills in leadership, career development and personal growth. FFA gives students the opportunity to practically apply classroom knowledge to real-world experiences through local, state and national competitions.
From left to right: LHS Ag Teacher John Denson, Lamante Talbert, Isidro Alvarez, Ty Crabb, Kayla Owings, and Texas State FFA President Jason Edmondson.
Congratulations to the 2016 National Junior Honor Society inductees at Judson Middle School, and a very big “Thank you!” to sponsors Susan Mosley and Donna Monholland.
Congratulations to Mindy Holley, Judson Middle School’s Teacher of the Year!
Some options to be considered for these students include: enrolling in an advanced or honors level course, conducting in-depth
independent study in the area of strength, and participating in accelerated and/or enrichment programs during the summer.
Honor Students|Continued from Page 4 communication remains a priority, and efforts to better inform the public remain ongoing. “We’re continuing to look at best practices, finding the best way to keep our community up-to-speed with Longview ISD, and respond to questions and concerns in a timely and appropriate manner.” Clements said the district’s “Let’s Talk” program has been upgraded and extended, with new sections to address teacher/staff ideas, concerns and questions. To date, LISD has received more than 500 hits to Let’s Talk. “April alone received 108 hits, with an average feedback score of 8 out of 10,” he said. “Overall, 65 percent of the requests were answered in 24 hours, with 85% of the requests answered in 48 hours.” LISD Communication Specialist Matthew Prosser reported that traffic to the LISD. org website and has steadily increased since January, as has engagement and interactions on the district’s social media outlets. “Our district newspaper, The Longview Voice, also recently published its fourth edition,” he said. “We’ve seen a lot of positive response from that, with advertisers and contributors continuing to increase.” Looking ahead, Mayo said online registration for parents and students will be implemented this summer, “for ease of access to parents and improved ability to get information about their students.” Meeting Standards Communication of clear objectives and shared vision for student achievement are keys to continuing success for Longview ISD students, Wilcox said. “We’ve got to target professional development, administrators included, and monitor data while improving campus communication,” he said. “From top to bottom there has to be the expectation of high academic growth for each student. From our students to our parents, our teachers or administrators: we’ve all got to be working together, and pulling in the right direction.” Wilcox said the district is striving to perform consistently at state level in math and science by recruiting and retaining certified math and science teachers, while continuing to pursue professional development. “Another piece of this puzzle is adding instructional support for science and math, while working to Increase the number of students participating in UIL and science fairs,” he said. “Continues these initiatives and monitoring the data is important to see how well we’re progressing toward our district’s goals.” In Other News... Board members recognized Longview High School students achieving state honors in UIL Academic competition. State debate finalists Seema Brimmer and Trevor O’Connor talked with trustees about
how their education has been enriched by UIL participation, and how it has prepared them for the future. LISD UIL Academic Coordinator Jeannine Brandon said she was proud of all the contestants, and said the students’ successes are just the latest in a string of academic accomplishments. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see these young people put so much of themselves into preparing, and then seeing it pay off,” she said. Board members also presented medals of excellence to the 11 Foster Middle School students who earned state and national honors for their scores on college entrance exams. The students are among the top 25 percent of Duke University’s annual 16-state talent search. Earning state-level recognition was Diana Acuna, Justin Beltran, Mario Diola, Jr., Nicolas Goodan, Harrison Lin, Alexis Nunley, Kelsey Quiett, Alexandra Rojas Monsivais, Rachael Smith, Caroline Taylor,
and Emma Williams. Nicolas Goodan also received national recognition, scoring better than 90 percent of college-bound juniors and seniors taking the SAT or ACT tests. “This is a big deal, as much as we celebrate great sports honors, this is even bigger than that,” said Board president Dr. Chris Mack. “At the same, we want to challenge you to continue, to continue to excel. We hope to continue to watch you progress in you school careers at LISD.” LISD Director of Instruction Beth Bassett said reaching this level often proves to be an indicator for high academic success “down the road.” “You look at past students who’ve achieved this, and you can see how they’ve followed a high trajectory into Longview High, into college, and onward,” she said. “These students are part of a rich tradition at LISD, and we celebrate their hard work.” Dr. Wilcox praised the students, their families, and the staff at Foster. “Longview ISD has excellent students, wonderful families, and fantastic teachers,” he said. “Successes like these speak for themselves.”
We Made It|Continued from Front Austin, Robert Babbitt, Jaleah Bailey, Zoe Bailey, Dazmon Baker, La’Chyance Baker, Jummon Barkins, Israel Barrios, Karen Barrios, Daniel Barron, Veronica Barron, Kelvin Barton, Luis Bautista, Francisco Benitez, Isabel Benitez, Dalton Bennett, Helen Bennett, Jose Bermejo Leon, Tiffany Bernal, Thais Berumen, Kierra Black, Alexa Blair, Jakari Blakemore, Kelan Blanton, Jada Blue, Justin Bowman, Carla Boyce, Kalen Bradford, Courtney Bradley, Rashard Bradley, Christopher Braggs, Harleigh Brinkman, Yesenia Briseño, Destiny Brooks, Francisca Brooks, Maliek Brooks, Lawvenna Brookshire, Deambria Brown, Elijah Brown, Tyler Buchanan-Anderson, Kaleb Bush, Carlos Butler, Alexis Butron, Oscar Cabrera, Briseida Cadenas, Eileen Callejas, Cathryn Campbell, Ashley Caraway, Cristian Cardenas, Elijah Carey, Briana Carr, Tatiana Carrillo, Dylan Carruthers, David Castillo,
Jazmyne Castillo, Jose Castillo, Valeria Castillo, Carlos Cerna, Corneasia Chance, Laneasia Chance, Salvador Chavarria, Timothy Clay, Travian Clayborn, KiAmbria Clough, Denishia Coats, Alexis Coby, Brandon Coby, Ta’Mar Coby, Mercedes Cole, Ronnie Collier, Diamond Cooks, Jamelle Cooks, Lakeithelon Cooks, Jeremy Cooper, Kristopher Cooper, Melanie Cornejo, Joel Corona, Gustavo Corrales, Jamarcus Coyle, Catalina Crawford, Zo’E Crayton, Jennifer Cruz, Victoria Cruz, Lance Daniel, Sukoyya Darden, Shai Davenport, Bryson Davis, Jordan Davis, Maci Davis, Mon’Trayvia Davis, R L Davis, Shannon Davis, Susel De La Paz, Ameron Dean, Daniela Diaz, Christopher Dixon, Malakia Dixon, Alyia Doktor, Matthew Dossey, Raven Dotrey, Dallas Duncan, Kelsey Dunn, LaCarya Dyer, Jordan Ellis, Kenya Else, Ambrosia Espinoza, Jessica Espinoza, MaRorri Espy, Isabel Continued on Page 6
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May 2016
HIGH SCHOOL
Tech team ‘trifecta’ preparing for nationals
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student finishing in the top three at a state academic meet would be an accomplishment for any school. Having two students in the top three would be even more impressive. But sweeping first, second, and third place? Such a trifecta is unheard of at the state Technology Student Association competition... until now. LHS took the top three in Prepared Presentation events last month, with freshman Payton Schaap ranked first followed by teammates Ejehi Ihionkhan (freshman), and Stephanie Guck (sophomore). Statewide, 24 finalists gave five-minute speeches to judges, with only three advancing to Nationals — and for the first time those three were all Lobos. Payton is the daughter of Whitney and Troy Schaap, Ejehi is the daughter of Akhuini and Chris Ihionkhan, and Stephanie Guck is the daughter of Theresa and Stephen Guck. TSA parent sponsor Whitney Schaap said Prepared Presentation is a category that typically takes years to advance in. “You have to acquire speaking as well as storytelling skills,” she said. “You follow National TSA’s annual prompt and put in hours upon hours of practice to even hope for a place, much less one of the top 3 spots to advance.”
One of the greatest challenges of TSA competition, Schaap said, is missing days of class, “working hard to catch up in class and still keeping grades high while being extremely prepared for your chosen area of competition.” “All three young ladies have brothers that have been or are currently upperclassmen of TSA,” she said. “So they have witnessed the dedication, time and sweat it takes to
win; and boy did they ever win!” Other national qualifiers include seniors Uwa Ihionkhan, Krisana Yuen, Trevor O’Connor, and Soumya Donty; juniors Rutvi Patel, Lucy Castillo, Chris Guck, Neal Rangu, Naomi D’Arbell, Daniele Farren, Jason Randall, Daniel Bally, and Aaron Brown; sophomores Levi Grant and Justin Melendez; freshmen Brady Miller, Samantha Taylor, Kathryn Roper, Surya Donty, Ben Taylor, Sam Pistone, and Nitin Rangu.
The Technology Student Association fosters personal growth, leadership, and opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The program is run under the supervision and guidance of LHS Career Technology instructor Charles Mosley, who said he was delighted with the results and looks forward to the national meet June 28 to July 2 in Nashville, Tennessee. LHS Principal James Brewer said the dedication of mentors like Mosley, the support of all the TSA parents, and the students’ commitment to excellence continues to bear fruit. “We’ve not had an unsuccessful year since we started participating in this program (at LHS),” he said. “That’s a testament to the great work of Mr. Mosley in leading this program, as well as our parents and students making it happen.” Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox said the overall performance of the entire team was impressive, especially since so many are underclassmen. “Our seniors doing well is no surprise, they are experienced, hard-working, and have been excelling in this competition for some time,” he said. “With how well our underclassmen are doing — especially our sophomores and freshmen — it’s safe to say (the TSA program) is going to continue to excel.”
Seniors celebrate academic ‘signing day’
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ongview High School students taking their intellectual and career ambitions to the next level were honored May 6 during Academic Signing Day ceremonies at the College and Career Center. Students signed a banner in their new school colors and posed for photos in the shirts and hats of their new alma maters.
Chasity Shorts and Kay Ray said the purpose is to recognize students in the same way that athletes are honored for advancing to collegiate sports. “Not only does this celebrate the fact that so many of our seniors are college bound, but I also want it to serve as a motivator to the younger grades,” Ray said. “We left up the college admission letters last year for a long time, and students would stop and read them. I hope they got the ‘If they can do it, I can do it!’ message.” The day coincides with GenTX Day, a statewide program that focuses on helping students figure out the next step after graduation, and the only admission seniors have to pay is to bring their college admission letters — which will then be posted on the bulletin board. Longview community partners supported the event, offering services and information pertinent to the soonto-be college students. The U.S. Army recruiting office provided pizza while the school PTO brought cookies. Super 1 Foods donated drinks and ice cream for coke floats. Health department officials were in attendance to give
students without insurance required bacterial meningitis shots, with Texas Bank and Trust offering students financial advice about online banking. Bed, Bath and Beyond had a display of dorm room decoration ideas for students. Local law enforcement officials provided information about the rise of violence on college campus and sex-trafficking.
Daniel Sanchez Earns Bronze In KC Welding Contest
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ILGORE — The Kilgore College Welding Technology Program and the KC Welding Club hosted a welding contest April 29 that drew 69 students from 18 area school districts. Daniel Sanchez of Longview High School earned third place, winning a scholarship for the KC Welding Technology program and various prizes. LHS Career & Technology Education director Brian Kasper said Sanchez is a diligent and hard-working student who, “will no doubt be successful in any area he applies himself.” “Daniel is a great young man and, though I know he would’ve liked to have have finished first, will continune to improve and develop his skills,” he said. “He’s an excellent representative of the highcaliber students we have at Longview ISD.” The top three winners of the contest received
KC Welding Technology scholarships ranging from $250 to $1,000 and additional welding-related prizes. Participating school districts were Alba Golden, Athens, Cushing, Eustace, Frankston, Hawkins, Henderson, Jefferson, Kilgore, Livingston, Longview, Marshall, Mount Enterprise, Paris, Rivercrest, Tarkington, Westwood and Woodville. Sponsors for the event included Texas Eastman Chemical Co., Gas and Supply, ESAB, KC Welding Club, Miller Electric, Hobart, ITW, Lincoln Electric, Harris, D&D Industrial Welding Supply, Matheson Tri-Gas, Saulsbury Industries and Brookshire’s. Welding Technology at KC is taught by Cody Edwards and Josh Bernethy. For more information on the KC Welding Technology Program, visit www. kilgore.edu/welding.
Keith Spencer of Matheson Tri-Gas is shown with Tony Rojas, Kilgore (first place); Allan Armstrong, Westwood (second place); Daniel Sanchez, Longview (third place); Trent Waldo, Westwood (fourth place); and KC welding instructor Cody Edwards on April 29 during the Kilgore College Welding Technology Program/KC Welding Club welding contest.
We Made It|Continued from Page 5
There’s much more to being a Lobo Cheerleader than pep rallies and Friday night football. Cheer sponsor Heather Holloway Gee said May 12 was the annual LHS Cheer Scavenger Hunt Big Sister/Lil Sister Reveal. “This year we were all zoo animals. Giraffes won the hunt!” she said. Later, the cheer teams visited with residents of Summer Meadows Assisted Living in recognition of National Nursing Home Week. This morning the squads are preparing to participate in the annual Special Education Field Day at Lobo Stadium, and they will be taking part of the Texas Oncology 5K run on Fourth Street early Saturday morning. Longview ISD is proud of these students, their families, and all the excellent staffers who help our district continue to excel in giving back to the community!
In Memoriam
Longview ISD offers our most sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of this former Longview Lobo.
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essup “P” S a n d e r s was born in Longview, Texas on Groundhog’s Day in 2000 to Roy and Lisa Sanders. He left this life on April 30, 2016. Known and loved by all who knew him, Jessup attended Longview Christian Heritage, Pearland ISD, Pine Tree ISD and was a sophomore at Longview High at his passing. A lover of the outdoors, Jessup was an avid hunter, fisher and bow fisherman. As a young lad he excelled at BMX racing and motocross. He also excelled at football and baseball. At 6 feet 4 inches he was a gen-
tle giant with a tender heart. Learning from his father and step-father, he was a great mechanic and could fix about anything. He loved his old truck and had spent countless hours rebuilding it, but never got to drive. Receiving his driver’s license last week, he couldn’t wait to hit the big road. Jessup had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to play pranks. He touched most every one’s life he encountered. He is survived by his mother Lisa and step-dad David Crabb, step-brothers Robert & Mason Crabb, sister Ty Crabb, and brother Coy Sanders of Longview. Also survived by his father Roy Sanders, wife Tracy and step-sister Kindle Schmidt, all of Bullard, Texas. Jessup will be forever remembered and missed by his grand-parents, aunts and uncles, brothers, sisters and multiple cousins. In lieu of flowers please make donations to East Texans’ against K2 and Partners in Prevention. Words cannot express the family’s appreciation for the countless emails, text messages, phone calls, food, prayers and love.
Estrada, Kevin Estrada, Keontra Everitt, Ke’Meaysh Evers, Cristina Fajardo, Macy Fidler, Alexis Fields, Reed Fisher, Ivyana Fletcher, Garrett Flowers, Glenn Flowers, Mykayla Fontaine, Armando Frayre, Jacob Frith, John Garcia, Celine Gauna, Bryan Gilliland, Zachary Gipson, Estrella Gonzales, Agustin Gonzalez, Alvaro Gonzalez, Michel Gonzalez, Daniel Gonzalez Romero, Devon Gordon, Autumn Gorton, Aisja Gray, Kierra Green, Nothenia Greer, Marcus Guerrero, Neila Guerrero, Austin Gutierrez, Megan Hall, Shaquantala Hall, Sean Hamm, Alexandria Hansley, Cannen Hanzik, Daylon Harris, Michael Harris, Tenia Harris, David Hawkins, Roniya Haynes, Hunter Head, Jayden Heath, Dorketa Henderson, Lakendra Henderson, Tyler Henderson, Charles Henry, Andrea Hernandez, Jocelyn Hernandez, Juan Hernandez, Wendy Hernandez, Gerardo Hernandez Gutierrez, Emmalee Hightower, Jenna Lee Hightower, Amber Hodge, Keyarro Hollins, Ebony Horton, Isaiah Howard, Dy’Ahvian Hubbard, Kaitlyn Hufstetler, Christopher Hunter, Chantrel Hutchings, Yosef Ibitayo, De’Keithan Ingram, Jalan Jackson, Kiana Jackson, La’Joyra Jackson, Ailyn Jacques, Cody Jenkins, Ashton Jessie, Michael Jimenez, Akiva Johnson, Benjamin Johnson, Briona Johnson, Joshua Johnson, Megan Johnson, Monica Johnson, Sha’Ronda Johnson, Thavia Johnson, Gerrica Jones, JaCorian Jones, Madeline Jones, Mikayla Jones, Odyssey Jones, Tieshonna Jones, Julie Kambali, Allison Kauffman, Margaret Kelly, India King, Mitchell King, Naikita King, Akiva Knighton, Robert Laferney, Israel Landaverde, Maria Landaverde, Treveon Lanier, Chaunah Leatch, Aaren Lemons, Keiran Leroy, Martaevion Lewis, Tyreick Lewis, Javori Lilly, Joshua Lister, Xavier Lockridge, Jordan London, Shamar London, Ayleeya Loneman, Nathan Long, Brian Lopez, Kodeh Loyd, Jenna Luensmann, Gaylen Lyons, Keenan Madden, Zmiyah Madden, Taylor Maddix, Margarita Madrid, Samuel Manns, Jose Marquez,
Kissoulia Marshall, Shannon Martin, Andrea Martinez, Carmen Martinez, Shay Massey, Kaylynn McCasland, Joshua McCool, Arnasia McDaniel, Andrues McEntire, Tara McGhee, Marlaina McKee, Bobby Medina, Jessica Medina, Edith Mendez, Guadalupe Mendez, Alexis Mendoza-Robinson, Da’tron Menefee, Malaysia Mestas, Prince Mesura-el, Graycen Midler-Cline, Joshua Miles, Tylan Miller, Devin Mims, Kenneth Mims, Shaquitta Mims, Brandon Mitchell, Kailey Mitchell, Stephfonique Mitchell, Megan Monreal, Giovanni Monsivais, Allison Monthie-Kemp, Madison Montoya, Cara Moody, Anthony Moon, Austin Moore, Clarence Moore, Ecstasy Moore, Quiarah Moore, Samuel Moreno, Jade Morris R TSM, J’Kalon Morris-Carroll, Tasha Neal, Brianna Neal, Tasha Neal, Darien Neely, Stacy Nelson, Anthony Newhouse, Jayla Nix, Sabion Noble, Melissa Noe, Jada Norton, Mercedes Nunley, Cruz Olivares, Arely Olivas, Ruby Olivas, Lesli Ontiveros, Paola Orona, Jariksy Otero, Jose Padilla, Jasmine Paley, Fabiola Pañameno, Karmen Partner, Landon Peeler, David Pena, Jeremias Peralta,
Congratulations to 51st line senior Viewette Eric Taylor for being selected as a member of the McClennan Community College Dance Company!
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May 2016
Crowds pack job fair, positions still available
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ore than 150 prospective teachers visited the Education Support Center last month for the annual Career Expo, but LISD officials said recruiting and hiring is expected to continue through the summer. Representatives from the district’s various campuses answered questions with the purpose of adding valuable educators to one of the fastest-growing school districts in East Texas. Side rooms were cordoned off for interviews, with some applicants actually hired on the spot — pending approval by the board of trustees during their May regular meeting. Ned E. Williams Elementary Principal Dr. Cynthia Wise said she values “quality over quantity” for her highlyaccomplished campus. “We’ve had a good number of professionals come by, but what I want are people who are hungry, passionate and committed to being the best education professionals they can be,” she said. “There are plenty of people who apply just because they’re looking for a better job, I want the ones who are looking with a sense of mission and conviction about teaching young people.” Describing the job fair as a “kickoff event,” Human Resource Director Loretta Thompson Martin said her
department will continue recruiting throughout the spring and summer. “This isn’t the end of our search for qualified applicants, actually more like the kickoff,” she said. “For anyone who wasn’t able to make it out here tonight, we encourage them to submit an application through the website, and contact us for any questions about positions that may still be available.” Over 60 open positions with the district ranged from early education, special education, and bilingual education to career technology and administration professionals. Applicants traveled from as far away as Dallas and Houston, with others coming from neighboring districts around Tyler and the greater Longview area. “Longview ISD has excellent programs and students,” said Janey Puckett of La Grange, who said she’s interested in positions at Bramlette and Hudson PEP campuses. “I first started looking into LISD a few years back — after a previous job fair I’d heard about — and I really like what I see.” Terry Williams works at a school in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but said he has been trying to find a way to return to East Texas. “I’ve got a lot of family and friends here, so I’d love to
Shan Bauer elected to Board of Trustees
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y a 124-121 count, voters have elected Place 5 challenger Shandreka “Shan” Bauer over incumbent John Preston to the Longview ISD Board of Trustees. Of the five provisional ballots still out by the close of polling Sunday, each candidate received a single vote. However, vote totals are not official until canvassed
May 18 at the next LISD Board of Trustees meeting. Early voting slowed down after a quick start, with 73 ballots cast in seven days at the administration offices and 75 more received by mail. Place 6 incumbent Ted Beard was unopposed and will serve another threeyear term on the board.
We’re Hiring!
We Made It|Continued from Page 6 Adrian Perez, Luciano Perez, Gabriela Perez-Hunt, Keyana Pickron, Ki’Ambria Pierce, Dqorhyenne Pippins, Heather Pointer, Marcus Polk, Monica Porras, Karla Portillo, Tristian Poss, Nyelan Powell, Welby Powell, Kiambershae Price, Brycelon Pruitt, Delia Quick, Heather Quinalty, Elizabeth Rabadan, Isabela Ramirez, Ruby Ramos, Jose Ramos, Tristan Ramsey, Tekia Randall, Daylon Rayson, Alyssa Recendiz, Jaylon Reese, Samuel Reese, Beau Reinhart, Juan Resendiz, Frida Reyes, Jorge Reyes, Luis Reyes-Resendiz, Déja Richardson, Meosha Richardson, Naidelyn Rivas, TéAzjah Robertson, Lila Robinett, Clifton Robinson, Jalisia Robinson, Toby Robison, Antonia Rocha, Daniel Rodriguez, Jose Rodriguez, Leonardo Rodriguez, Liandra Rodriguez, Raul Rodriguez, Joyradyn Rollins, Keara Roquemore, Michael Ross, Claudia Rubio, Domonique Rugley, Jesús Ruiz, Josue Ruiz, Grace Russell, Adam Sanchez, Daniel Sanchez, German Sanchez, Jenna Sanchez, Liliana Sanchez, Jennifer Santiago, Nickolas Sarmiento, Leslie Saucedo, Zurisaday Saucedo Olivo, Ahliyah Saunders, Aaron Scoggins, Jaylon Seastrunk, Jolie Sellers, Imonte Shaw, Kianna Shead, Benjamin Shelton, Kybrin Sheridan, Kaniya Sherow, C’Dedrick Sherrow, Danielle Shillow, Blake Simmons, Devonte Smith, Eric
Smith, Tommy Smith, Johnathan Sneed, Reymundo Solis Barrios, Jonathan Sorey, Josue Soria, Carolina Soto, Jose Soto Rodriguez, Dillon Sparks, Roberta Spencer, Robin Spencer, Caleb Stalnaker, Stephen Stanford, Tre’Shawn Stansell, Kristi Stevens, Tannon Stevenson, Ben Stoddard, Lamante Talbert, Shamiya Tatum, Keith Tave, Aaliyah Taylor, Bra’Keya Taylor, Brenda Taylor, Eric Taylor, Rosemary Taylor, Dylan Thigpen, Aiyana Thomas, Dezaray Thomas, Michael Thompson, Caitlynn Todd, Lamarcus Todd, Angel Torres, Jasmine Torres, Raquel Torres, Valeria Trujillo, Kyler Turner, Tiffany Turner, Treseme Turner, Eduardo Vaca, José Vazquez, Destinee Venters, Corina Villa, Dale Wallace, Andrew Washington, Dequayveon Watkins, Victoria Weaver, ShaiMarii Webster, Chase Wells, Briana Wheat, Kent Whinnery, Christopher Wiley, Angel Williams, Gerrick Williams, Justin Williams, Kemaya Williams, LeDarius Williams, Mackhary Williams, Mercedes Williams, Nathaniel Williams, Phillip Williams, Josiah Willis, Chelsea Wilson, Eric Wilson, LaReyna Wilson, Cyan Winn, Justin Wood, William Woods, De’Waylon Woolridge, Amber Worley, Jordan Wyatt, Ayana Young, Giovanni Zermeno, and Ivan Zuniga.
LISD takes recruiting trip to Puerto Rico As part of ongoing efforts to find the best education professionals, Longview ISD human resources staffers and campus principals traveled to Puerto Rico on a recruiting trip. LISD Elementary Bilingual Supervisor Ada Ortiz said her department’s need for qualified
Longview ISD is currently accepting applications for teachers as well as additional campus and district level support positions. For a list of openings, please visit www.lisd.org, click on the Careers tab and select Job Openings. To complete an application online or to update an existing application, please visit www.lisd.org, click on the Careers tab and select Apply Online. Please contact the LISD Human Resources Department at (903) 381-2200 for assistance.
come back home,” he said. “(Longview ISD) is about the biggest and best-paying district in the area, and working here would just be a perfect situation.” Deputy Superintendent Andrea Mayo said one goal of the job fair is to allow interested applicants an opportunity to sit down with potential supervisors and to get a sense of whether it was a good fit. “There’s only so much you can get from a resume, this expo allows professionals to meet and put a face to a name,” she said. “Tonight we had a lot of excitement, a lot of great conversations and positive applicants. You can see people smiling and know relationships are being built.”
staffers remains high. “It’s hard to really recruit many qualified candidates out of South Texas because you find that few of them really want to leave, “ she said, adding that efforts into Mexico and South American countries are hampered by the immigration process. Director of Human Resources Loretta Thompson Martin, said her recruited,
screened, recommended and hired several certified bilingual teachers for the 20162017 school year. “Teachers seeking to work at Longview ISD have to complete the out-of-state process due to Texas certification regulations,” she said. “Through this process they need to complete a review of credentials with the Texas Education Agency.” Martin said the district is seeking certified and highly-qualified teachers in all subjects, including critical need areas like Bilingual Education, Math, Science, and Career/Technical Education. Interested job seekers are encouraged to fill out an application online at www. lisd.org and submit the appropriate materials to the district if they would like to be considered for a position. For more information call the LISD Human Resources Department at (903) 381-2200.
LHS alum completes dental school, coming home to Longview
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Mayor Andy Mack’s Scholarship winners read their winning essays at the May 24 Longview City Council Meeting. Winners include Christopher Brown from Pine Tree High School, Jack Barron from Hallsville High School, Valynnsia Bodie from Longview High School, and Mabry Nichols from Spring Hill High School. Longview ISD would like to congratulate each of these exemplary students and thank Mayor Mack for his continued support of education in our community!
State honors LISD for financial transparency
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ongview ISD, for the fourth straight year, has received the Texas Comptroller’s highest honor for financial transparency. The district was awarded a Traditional Finance Transparency Star by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts under the new Transparency Stars program. Recognizing local governments for going above and beyond in their financial practices, the Transparency Star designation is new for 2016. In previous years, Gold and then Platinum were the highest honor in the Circle. Under the Comptroller’s prior Leadership Circle transparency programs, Longview ISD’s Finance Department has earned the highest possible rating since 2012. Longview ISD was among just four Transparency Star school districts statewide as of Tuesday. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced the program’s launch in March. The goal is to recognize government entities that provide easy online access “not only to traditional financial data
but also to information regarding contracts and procurement, economic development, public pension plans and debt obligations.” “This office has always led the way in Texas’ transparency efforts, but true transparency is constantly evolving, which is why we are shining a bright light on additional areas of local government debt and spending,” Hegar said. “While our initial transparency programs have been hugely successful, I’m proud to recognize local governments bringing more transparency to Texas taxpayers.” While records are accessible through in-person requests, Longview ISD gained “Star” status in the Circle for making financial data easily available on its official website. “Everything you’d want to know about our finances is available within two clicks of our home page,” said Lynn Marshall, Longview ISD’s assistant superintendent of business, finance & facilities. “And it’s spelled out in a way that you don’t have to be an accountant to understand it.”
ongview High School graduate Madison Mack has completed her bachelor of science degree from Texas A&M University, graduating magna cum laude. She is finishing her dental training from Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas and plans to return to Longview and begin her career in dentistry, joining her uncle (and LISD Board of Trustees President) Dr. Chris Mack, in his practice. Madison is the daughter of Dr. Andy and Kelly Mack of Longview. Her father has practiced oral and maxillofacial surgery in Longview for the past 28 years. Another uncle Dr. Ben Mack, general surgeon, also practices in Longview. She is the granddaughter of the late Dr. Sam Mack who practiced both general surgery and maxillofacial surgery in Longview
for 35 years. Another family member, Dr. Kelly Mack, son of Dr. Ed Mack, also is a dentist in Longview. The beginning of the family’s connection with dentistry goes back two generations to grandfather Dr. Sam Mack ’45 — a dual-degree dentist and physician who practiced both oral surgery and general surgery — and his brother Dr. Ed Mack ’47, a Longview general dentist.
In addition to pushing for greater access to a wider range of local information, the Comptroller’s office will highlight government efforts to provide taxpayers with the tools necessary to better understand and analyze that information. The Transparency Stars program has a streamlined application process and allows local governments to apply for recognition in up to five areas. After receiving an initial star for traditional financial transparency, local entities can go on to apply in other areas, for a total of five stars: Traditional Finances, Contracts and Procurement, Economic Development, Public Pensions, and Debt Obligations. “With a basic smartphone, Texas taxpayers can access vast amounts of data, and it’s time those data were made
available at the local level,” Hegar added. “By participating in this program, cities, counties and school districts can give Texas taxpayers the information they need to make informed decisions about local issues and increase taxpayer confidence in local governance.” For more information on the program, including guidelines and qualification criteria, visit the Comptroller’s Transparency Stars website.
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SPORTS Lobo Band earns 50th straight Sweepstakes
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HITEHOUSE — For more than 75 years the Longview High School Band has been unparalleled in the state of Texas, a tradition that continued April 27 with its 50th consecutive sweepstakes at the Regional UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest. The Big Green Marching Machine has earned 66 consecutive first division ratings at UIL marching contests — in addition to a now half-century’s worth of UIL sweepstakes awards,
received first division ratings in all three categories of marching, concert band, and sight reading. Instructed by longtime band director Louie Robinett, the Lobo band currently includes 248 students, the largest band since 1984. “We anticipate a growth of close to 300 next year,” he added. Robinett said the devotion his band members display every
day is an inspiration to him. “No matter how difficult my job is, all I have to do is to watch them work and interact,” he said. “There are simply no other band students like them.” Robinett said he is honored to be associated with the students, their parents, LISD staff, and administration. “These young people’s accomplishments are a testimony to their continued devotion to the legacy of this band,” he said.
Lady Lobo Nyelan Powell officially signs with Texas College.
The Longview Lobos held their annual Green & White Game on May 17. Head coach John King said he was impressed with his team’s progress since the start of spring practice and thankful for no serious injuries. The Lobos start summer workouts in August.
LADY LOBO SOFTBALL 2016 SKILLS CAMP JUNE 6-9, 2016 $40 per player/$30 each for siblings and LISD employees Location: Longview High School Softball Field and Indoor Hitting Facility Players will receive instruction on: Hitting, Bunting, Position play, Baserunning and Sliding Camp Prizes Given Daily!!! 8:30-11:30- Athletes entering grades 3 through 5 12:30-3:00- Athletes entering grades 6 through 9
Bring a water bottle, glove, cleats, tennis shoes and any other equipment you own *NO METAL CLEATS CAN BE WORN INDOORS* PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Longview Softball Booster Club MAIL TO: Attn: Talesha Roberts, 201 E Tomlinson Pkwy, Lgv, Tx 75605 PLEASE REGISTER BY MAIL, EMAIL OR IN PERSON ON OR BEFORE JUNE 6
For More Information: troberts@lisd.org or 469-235-3165
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Congratulations to the Lady Lobo Track team on making a back-toback run to State in 4x2 and 200 meter relay! th
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Mike Alston, with Atley & Macey Beating heart quadruple bypass
“My heart belongs to my amazing grandkids – and Longview Regional.” As a gym owner, Mike exercised regularly. So he recognized it when something didn’t feel quite right after a couple of workouts. Testing showed he had severe blockage in several arteries, including a major one called the widowmaker. “I had a quadruple bypass at Longview Regional using the beating heart technique,” said Mike. “Two days later, I was home. Within two weeks, I was back on the elliptical. My experience was remarkable.” To learn more or find a cardiologist, visit LongviewRegional.com/Heart.
If you experience a medical emergency, call 911.
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