““If people are doubting how far you can go, go so far that you can’t hear them anymore.” ― Michele Ruiz
Vol. V June 26, 2020
Sharing the good news about Longview Independent School District
SAFETY & Exercise LISD coaches work to protect athletes during pandemic
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ongview district athletes are preparing for the new season of sports and the coaches are doing their best to ensure the health and safety of the students. “The policies in our plan are designed to minimize the risk for all stakeholders,” said Athletic Director Coach John King. “It is vital to the health Safety|Continued to page 11
To access the LISD athletics COVID-19 check-in form, go to LISD.org/tempcheck
Longview police officer dies at 48 By Jeff Awtrey KLTV The Longview Police Department is mourning the loss of an officer who died of cancer. Officer Cedric Davis Jr. died Friday morning. He was a 15-year veteran of the department, Davis started his career with LPD
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in 2004 and worked as a patrol officer and a field training officer. The department posted the following on its Facebook page: “Cedric was a dedicated and loyal officer that loved his God, his family, co-workers, and the community that he served. There was not a time when you ran into Cedric that he did not have an infectious smile on his
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face serving our community.” KLTV spoke with Brandon Thornton, interim public information officer, about what the loss means for the department. “Officer Davis was a huge part of our family. Officer Davis has been a training officer for several years and has trained countless number Davis|Continued to page 15
Graduates 4 Recycling 11
Obits Social
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
OPINION
Online learning is not the future By Cameron Vickrey Express-News I hate online learning for my elementary-aged kids. And while I’m grateful that it’s keeping us afloat while it isn’t safe to be at school, it is not the way of the future for education. Powerful people and organizations all over the country, and even right here in Texas, are seizing this opportunity to hail the benefits of distance and online learning. They are using this tragedy to push for permanent models of virtual education, paid for by our taxes and federal grant money. If you are among those who think distance learning is the future, please come to my house. My house doesn’t come with the most difficult hurdles to educational success. We have internet access, two laptops, two iPads, two iPhones and a Chromebook. We have a full refrigerator and the ability to restock when we get low. We have a two-parent, two-income household. Our school district
was prepared and ready the “suggested schedule” for a crisis such as this. for the day in favor of So, we shouldn’t have complete anarchy, and a problem, right? No the kids are enjoying the reason to complain. Acabsence of parental overcording to virtual school sight so we can actually proponents, this can be do our jobs. the way of the future. There are some The first week of perks: I love the freedistance learning back dom this time has VICKREY in March, our school given my kids to work suggested we follow a through their boredom, similar schedule to the one our work through their sisterly children were used to at school. spats without interference and It was fast-paced and rigorous, simply be kids with no assignand I knew immediately that ment. this was not going to work for But a life of online learning us. is not sustainable for parents, Eventually, though, the steep teachers or students, and it is distance-learning curve began not the way of the future in to flatten out. And the days of education. getting one child settled into Teachers are finding ways to an assignment just to hear that teach new material and conanother one is done and ready cepts online, and they are crefor the next assignment, never ative and brilliant, but it is just to find any time for my own a temporary solution for a time work, are mostly in the past. of crisis. The value that teachSo life on the plateau of ers provide to our kids cannot distance learning should be be boiled down to a list of asgoing OK, right? The kids are signments per week over Goochecking off their assignments gle Classroom. The presence here and there, we’ve trashed of a real, live person cannot be
replaced by a computer. As Pastors for Texas Children affirms, teaching is a holy vocation. Teachers don’t teach for the money. They teach out of love for children and the belief that education is the foundation of every child’s success in life. I want my children to spend time with, be taught by, formed by, known and loved by competent and committed adults other than their mom and dad. I want them to have teachers who are as human as I am, real and flawed and imperfect, but who love them anyway. A virtual setting does not provide that. It is no wonder, then, that virtual schools have performed so poorly across the nation. I have seen why firsthand, and I certainly don’t want my taxes to pay for something with such a poor track record. No, I want my money to support my local community school and teachers. — Cameron Vickrey is the associate director for Pastors for Texas Children.
Buzzwords aren’t enough to re-imagine schools By Jamilah Pitts Education Week Educators have to move beyond the buzzwords and trends circulating today if we are seeking to truly transform schools. The terms “diversity,” “equity,” and “inclusion” simply are not enough. And I fear now that the radicalism tied to anti-racist work is being watered down. Educational trendy buzzwords pave a destructive road for the commodification of otherwise transformative action. This era of “trendiness” is a distraction from the truth of how we got here: intentionally crafted systems of oppression that have sustained inequity in this country. Trends and buzzwords are lukewarm substitutes that may lead to temporary and surface-level shifts but will not lead to unequivocal, long-lasting, systematic change. The lynching of Black bodies, the rioting, and the increasing number of Black deaths due to COVID-19 still, always, and once again point to racism and
a long, deliberate histoeffective transformation ry of systematic oppresand liberation, however, sion and destruction. As schools ought to consider the great author James an approach to justice Baldwin explained, that seeks to eradicate “This innocent country all forms of oppression. set you down in a ghetto The police killings of in which, in fact, it inBlack women and men tended that you should and the disproportionate perish.” Therefore, the numbers of Black deaths PITTS steps that we must all linked to coronavirus are seek to take, the work profound, historic, and that we must teach our children are tied to deliberate and calcuto do and hold our neighbors lated structures that have long accountable for doing, is the been set up to destroy Black life; lifelong and generational work thus, our responses as educators of anti-racism, anti-oppression, must be premeditated and deand intersectional justice. liberate. We must dig in beyond “Intersectionality,” a term an embrace of what feels like a coined by law professor Kimber- trendy moment. lé Williams Crenshaw, acknowlIn my work with schools, the edges the multiple and overlapquestion often arises around ping forms of oppression that where to begin. My answer an individual can experience at remains the same: Peel back once. Poor, Black, queer women, the layers, understand and for example, experience oppresstudy how racism, sexism, and sion stemming from racism, other systems of oppression sexism, classism, and homopho- work, identify how they imbia. Understanding anti-racism pact school systems and your is crucial and essential in order schools, and then respond from to destroy and dismantle racthat place. Without an underist systems. In order to ensure standing of how racism, sex-
ism, classism, and other forms of oppression are perpetuated, many educators are exhausted by their frustrated attempts to combat the many problems that plague their schools that serve predominantly poor Black and Brown students. Educator and author Bettina L. Love refers to this as “radical dreaming” or “radically reimagining” schools so that educators and school leaders do more than just create a space where Black students merely survive. Educators might begin by implementing the models of excellence that Black educators, leaders, and thinkers have employed historically to achieve liberation through education. In her book, Cultivating Genius, Gholdy Muhammad writes that the Black Literary Societies of the 1800s should be a model for how educators approach literacy instruction for Black and Brown students. — Jamilah Pitts is an educational consultant, writer, yoga teacher, and equity and justice strategist.
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
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LISD to continue ‘voluntary desegregation’ plan During a special meeting June 24th, the Longview ISD Board of Trustees voted to continue the voluntary desegregation plan from 2018. The district adopted the voluntary desegregation order two years ago to comply with rules set by the Department of Education’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program. Dr. Craig Coleman, LISD Director of Innovation, said the U.S. Department of Edu-
cation’s Office for Civil Rights “requires districts that are operating under a voluntary desegregation plan to provide a signed letter each year that the district is implementing the voluntary desegregation plan.” LISD Board President Ginia Northcutt wrote a letter to Kenneth Marcus, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, confirming that the district will continue to implement the voluntary desegregation plan and all LISD
magnet programs “will operate as described in the application.”
DISTRICT CALENDAR
Board members also received results of a survey released last week about different calendar options and start dates for the coming school year, including one suggested by the Texas Education Agency. The results of the survey indicated that more than half
of respondents preferred not to make any changes to the original district calendar that was approved on March 18th. Classes are currently scheduled to begin Aug. 17, 2020 and end May 25, 2021, but Dr. James Wilcox, Superintendent of Schools, said the administration “will continue to monitor the ongoing situation and follow guidance from the Texas Board|Continued to page 17
Testing dates set for Hudson PEP Summer testing for Hudson PEP has been set for July 13-17, with the deadline on July 3. This is for students entering grades 1-5. Testing is available for students who are enrolled within LISD before testing and did not participate in the regular 2019-20 assessment cycle. Any students that tested in the previosu school year will have to wait until the next assessment.
NOTE: All information included here may be subject to change due to COVID-19. If circumstances change, the district will notify parents as quickly as possible.
COST
Students who are not in Longview ISD’s attendance zone must pay a non-rePEP|Continued to page 9
LHS alum receives KC scholarship The KC Foundation awarded its first “Summer Six” scholarship to Aubrie Reed. Reed is a 2017 graduate of Longview High School and is majoring in Kinesiology. She was presented the $1,000 award on June 18 by KC President Dr. Brenda Kays. Congratulations Aubrie! We are proud of you! For more info visit kilgore .edu.
LONGVIEW ISD IS ALL ABOUT EDUCATION WITH PURPOSE From their first day of school to graduation, Longview ISD students are provided purposeful knowledge, real-life skills, and the kind of foundation that lasts a lifetime – whatever path they may choose. Here are just a few of our innovative programs:
MONTESSORI A learning environment to grow independent, confident learners through personalized instruction and practical life lessons. STEAM (Science - Technology - Engineering - Arts - Math) An inspiring and creative way to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need. INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMME A highly respected academic and globally challenging alternative to classic curriculums with a high rate of acceptance by top-tier universities.
Learn how Longview ISD can educate your student with purpose at ChooseLISD.org today.
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
Congratulations to our Dual Credit and Early College graduates
THANK YOU THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
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During this difficult time for our community, we are so thankful for the many local restaurants who are offering delivery, drive-thru, and carry-out service for the convenience and safety of our families. Longview ISD is glad to say ‘Thank You’ for being such wonderful community partners!
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Did we miss your restaurant? Send your business name, address and phone number to ask@lisd.org. 1
Bodacious BAR-B-Q
904 N 6th St 903-753-2714 1300 W Loop 281 903-759-3914 2227 S Mobberly Ave 903-753-8409
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The Butcher Shop
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The Cace Kitchen
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Cafe Barron’s
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Carter’s Bar-B-Que
200 E Loop 281 903-232-1606 102 Lehigh St 903-758-6066
415 N High St 903-212-7720
405 W Loop 281 F 903-663-4737 519 S Eastman 903-236-3271
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Casa Ole’
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The Catch
410 W Loop 281 903-236-3491 3312 N Fourth St 903-663-2940
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Chiangmai Thai Kitchen
103 W Loop 281 #430 903-663-6622
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Chick-fil-A
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Chipotle
507 E Loop 281 1740 W Loop 281 3500 McCann Rd
415 E Loop 281 903-663-7664 12 Chili’s Grill & Bar 2800 Judson Rd 903-663-2221 13 Cotton Patch 1228 McCann Rd 903-236-4009 14 Cowboy Chicken 3080 Eastman Ste 100 903-663-0777 15 Edible Art 504 W. South Street
903-234-2114 16 Fat Boyzzz
607 North Access Road 903-619-3301 17 Flying Burger & Seafood 322 E Hawkins Parkway 903-475-1537
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Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
3098 N Eastman 903-663-9888
310 E Hawkins Pkwy 903-663-7545
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Goung Zhou
2002 Judson Rd #103 903-247-8000 21 Hot Dog Express 106 E Marshall Ave 903-753-8081 22 Jason’s Deli 103 W Loop 281 903-663-5161 23 Jucy’s Hamburgers 2701 N Eastman 3356 Gilmer Rd 816 W Marshall Ave
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Little Mexico
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3495 McCann Rd 903-758-2194 25 Lizzy’s Diner 2900 Tuttle Blvd 903-663-1154
310 E Hawkins Ste 100 430-625-8053 324 N Spur 63 903-758-8226 28 Newk’s Eatery 110 E Loop 281 903-753-7000 305 W Loop 281 903-663-1700
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1100 E Marshall 903-753-0912 110 Triple Creek Cir 903-234-9115 32 Raising Cane’s 212 E Loop 281 903-238-8800 33 Roma’s Italian Kitchen 102 E Tyler St 430-625-7240 34 Rotolo’s Pizzeria 3407 N Fourth St 101 903-212-7448 35 Saltgrass Steak House 411 E Loop 281 903-232-1513 36 Schlotzsky’s 1429 W Loop 281 903-297-8030 37 Slim Chickens 204 E Loop 281 903-236-2909 38 Tuscan Pig Italian Kitchen 401 S High St 903-651-1833 39 Whataburger 105 TX-63 Spur 3123 Eastman 3308 Fourth St
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
DISTRICT WIDE • International Baccalaureate project partners with “We Help Two” and sells “funky socks” to help supply legs and feet to amputees all over the world. • LISD schools earned 40 total distinctions on state accountability ratings, an increase from 34 earned last year, and the highest in the region. • Each year HUNDREDS of out-of-district students transfer INTO Longview Independent School District, citing “education opportunities” as their reason.
• Local corporate partnerships with Eastman and Komatsu and Longview Manufacturing Academy. • Went totally ‘green’ on all building projects resulting in a $200,000 award from SWEPCO for energy conservation. • Raising Highly Capable Kids parenting class in partnership with Longview Chamber of Commerce. • Brand new partnership for innovation with East Texas Advanced Academies which will bring new funding and ideas to public education.
• LIFT program annually paying out close to $1 million in staff bonuses for improved testing scores. • Signing Santa to help deaf ed students communicate with “Santa.” • Hosted Adjunct Fair for SFA to help employ Adjunct staff in Longview and through Longview ISD. • Purchased multiple pieces of strategic real estate, without increased debt, for future expansion. • State and National Technical Student Association winners.
MONTESSORI
LONGVIEW HIGH • Longview High School celebrated a class of over 100 International Baccalaureate Diploma students for 201920. • The senior IB Diploma students have all completed at least 150 hours of service learning activities, culminating over 6500 hours of community service for 2019-20. • The IB students participated in the campus service learning project, We Help Two, and were able to sponsor 5 clients with prosthetic legs in developing countries. • Longview High School began the application process to become an IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) school and to offer the IB Career-Related Programme school.
• Longview High School graduated 51 seniors who will also graduate with Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degrees from Kilgore College for 2019-20. • Additionally, 80 seniors graduated with at least 24 hours of college credit. • For the 2019-2020 school year, 594 unduplicated LHS students took a total 7,950 credit hours. This averages slightly more than 12 hours each. These numbers are for hours taken at Kilgore College. Other students took hours through Stephen F. Austin University, University of Texas, and LeTourneau. • 251 members of 2020 Senior class took 3,617 hours. This averages slightly more
• Every year of Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox tenure the LISD budget has been “in the black.” • LISD farm-to-table program, partnering with local farmers for cafeteria produce. • Hosted “Axe”epted East Texas meet and greet for area students attending SFA in Fall 2019. • Partnerships in education with UT, SMU, Texas Tech, SFA, KC, Letourneau, and UT-Tyler. • Longview ISD middle school students earn “Duke Scholar” honors every year.
than 14 hours each. These numbers are for hours taken at Kilgore College. Other students took hours through Stephen F. Austin University, University of Texas, and LeTourneau. • 99 more of the 2020 LHS seniors qualified for the KC Connection Scholarship that allows them to complete their Kilgore College Degree or Certificate at the reduced tuition rate of 60% of regular tuition. These scholarships represent an average of $1,500 each year per student. • LHS opened the GO Lab for students to use as needed for course work. • Longview High School hosted it first Magnet Showcase Night.
• Largest FREE public Montessori school (for 3-to5 year-olds) in the nation, provided free of charge to Longview area children. • Eight-week Montessori training for other districts in Texas hosted by ETMPA.
Principals, did we miss your school’s achievements? Please send us your brags and we will include them!
ask@LISD.org
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
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Green Out t-shirts now on sale
The Longview ISD Foundation is proud to announce the 20th annual Green Out t-shirt sale, now online at LISDfoundation.org. This year Lobo fans, students, and LISD employees can order the all new Green Out t-shirt, pay with a credit card, and indicate if they want the shirt shipped to their homes or delivered to a Longview ISD campus when school begins. Simply indicate the choice on the online order form. All shirts, sizes youth extra-small through adult 4XL are $15.00 each, the same price Green Out shirts have
been for several years. This year more than ever the Lobo Nation is Lobo Nation Strong as the shirt proclaims. Since 1996, the Foundation has returned $936,000 to Longview ISD campuses through its three grant programs. Support the Foundation through your purchase of a 2020 Green Out t-shirt and help the Foundation provide support to LISD educators and students. The Foundation asks everyone to wear their shirts on the first Friday of school to show their Lobo Nation spirit and strength.
What do I tell my kids What do I tell my kids about the Coronavirus? about the Coronavirus? The importance of good communication The importance of good communication
Talking to Children and Teens is Necessary Talking to realize Children Teens Necessary Whether you it or not, and your children and is teenagers are taking in a lot of information about this new virus. Unlike adults, Whether you realize or not, childrenthe andinformation teenagers are they do not have the itability toyour sift through and taking in a what lot ofis information new virus. Unlike adults, determine correct andabout whatthis is incorrect to develop an they do not have theofability sift through the information appropriate course action.to They are relying on you to doand this for determine what is correct and what is incorrect to develop an them. appropriate course of action. They are relying on you to do this for them.
The top 5 things to discuss with your kids about COVID-19 The top 5 things to discuss with your kids about COVID-19
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What is it? Kids can clearly see this situation is What it? makingisadults worry and because Kids can clearly see this situation is of this it can be very scary to them. making worry and A parentadults should adjust thebecause amount of this it can be very scary to give them. and type of information they A should adjust thechild's amount to parent their child based on the and type of information they give age level. to their child based on the child's Follow the Guidelines: age level. COVID-19 is spread through Follow Guidelines: contactthe with someone who is COVID-19 is spread through infected. Remind your child to contact with someone whoon is a wash their hands properly infected. Remind to their regular basis and your not tochild touch wash hands properly a face ortheir mouth area. If theyon cough regular and not to touch due it inbasis the crook of their arm. their face or mouth area. If they cough due it in theLines crook their arm. Leave the ofofCommunication OPEN:
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Reassure them: The fear of the unknown can be Reassure them: greater than the known. Let kids The fear of the can be know that yes, unknown this is a problem greater than known. Let kids right now butthe there are many know yes, this is a problem adultsthat working together to make right now safe. but there are many everyone adults working together to make everyone safe. Monitor Media Information: Our televisions, radios and social Monitor Media media feeds areInformation: being inundated Our withtelevisions, informationradios aboutand thissocial virus. media feeds are being inundated Hearing other talk repeatedly with aboutcan thisbevirus. aboutinformation this scary topic Hearing other talk repeatedly overwhelming for kids. Adult about this scary topic can be supervision is necessary. overwhelming for kids. Adult supervision is necessary.
Due to the situation, parents should check in on their kids often. Let them know you Leave the Lines of Communication OPEN: or just want to talk about this topic. And are available if they have any new questions Due to the they situation, parentstoshould in on their during kids often. Let them know remember are looking you to check be a role model this challenging time.you are available if they have any new questions or just want to talk about this topic. And Well-being Safety Assessments, LLC 573.451.2151 remember they are looking to you to be a rolewww.well-beingsafetyassessments.com model during this challenging time. Well-being Safety Assessments, LLC 573.451.2151
www.well-beingsafetyassessments.com
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
Congratulations to our Dual Credit and Early College graduates
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
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New city recycling rules put in place The City of Longview Sanitation division and recycling program are dedicated to reducing the amount of waste produced by our community, extending the life of our local landfill, and protecting our environment. To help ensure the continued life and viability of our recycling program, the City has implemented new rules regarding recyclable materials. Recycling placed in the City’s recycling bins must be limited to #1 and #2 plastics, clean cardboard, paper and clean household metal cans (like soda cans or canned food). Plastics #3 — #7 will no longer be accepted. Other items not allowed in curbside recycling include food, liquids, styrofoam, glass, mylar (such as chip bags or candy wrappers), wood, clothes, and scrap metal. Glass should not be included in curb-side recycling, but the city offers glass recycling drop-off bins at multiple locations. Due to changes in the international recycling markets, some items that previously could be sold and reused are no longer wanted. When non recyclable items are taken to the materials recovery facility, the recycling process is slowed and the unwanted items are ultimately taken by the recycling company to the landfill. If Longview residents “Recycle Right,” we can help ensure the long-term viability of our recycling infrastructure and continued health of the local landfill.
Remember, to protect our environment, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
REDUCE
Print on both sides of paper Avoid buying over-packaged items Don’t use disposable plates or utensils Buy durable, long-lasting products Use email, not paper mail
Store food in reusable plastic/glass containers You can learn more at LongviewTexas .gov/Recycle.
REUSE
Donate old items instead of trashing them Repair and fix products Buy used Rent or borrow items you don’t need often
PEP |Continued from page 3 fundable testing fee of $65. Fees must be paid at the ESC, located at 1301 E Young St before July 8. Please make all checks payable to Longview ISD.
ADMISSION
Hudson PEP (Planned Enrichment Program) is a district-wide elementary school in Longview Independent School District for students who perform in the average to above average range in grades 1-5. Students participate in music, art, physical
education, and computer with certified teachers in all grades. A hands-on science program has been integrated into the curriculum. In grade 5, students may participate in band, orchestra or choir. A strings program is offered for students in grades 3-5 depending on available placements.
HOW TO APPLY
The permission to test form for out of district testers must be returned by the specified deadline for testing to occur
TEA releases new guidelines for attendance, PPE and more Final TEA documents show schools districts will receive masks, thermometers and hand sanitizer, but it’s up to the district to distribute them By Mari Salazar KVUE AUSTIN — The Texas Education Agency released new guidelines on Tuesday afternoon for reopening schools this fall. Final documents show the TEA will be giving out personal equipment for in-school learning this fall. They also give guidance on two different types of virtual learning. The TEA won’t require districts to make educators or students wear
masks or do temperature checks, but the agency will provide equipment. The TEA plans to distribute more than 50 million disposable masks, 600,000 gallons of hand sanitizer and more than 40,0000 thermometers to Texas school districts. In the document, the TEA states: “This PPE is being distributed to schools as a resource, but usage is not required.” The equipment will be distributed depending on school district size. TEA|Continued to page 13
during the fall and spring semester. Permission to test forms will not be accepted after the specified deadlines. Kindergarten students who are not enrolled in Longview Independent School District will test at East Texas Montessori Prep Academy.
PERMISSION
Students that are not currently enrolled in LISD must complete a Permission to Test Form. For more information and Permission to Test Form, go to w3.LISD.org.
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
JOHNSTON-MCQUEEN
WARE EAST TEXAS MONTESSORI ACADEMY
JUDSON
601 W Garfield Ave.
259
EAST TEXAS MONTESSORI PREP ACADEMY
LONGVIEW HS
400 N Eastman Rd.
J.L. EVERHART
281
JOHNSTONMCQUEEN ELEMENTARY
BRAMLETTE FOREST PARK
80
EARLY GRADUATION
BRAMLETTE STEAM ACADEMY
ETX MONTESSORI PREP S. WARD
WARE
422 FM 2751
FOSTER
111 Tupelo Dr.
HUDSON PEP
31 20
NED E. WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY 5230 Estes Pkwy. J.L. EVERHART ELEMENTARY
149
2919 Tryon Rd. NED E. WILLIAMS
HUDSON PEP ELEMENTARY 1311 Lilly St.
SOUTH WARD ELEMENTARY
1011 S Mobberly Ave. JUDSON STEAM ACADEMY 5745 Judson Rd.
FOREST PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL
1644 N Eastman Rd. FOSTER MIDDLE
1504 S Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. LONGVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
201 E Tomlinson Pkwy. EARLY GRADUATION HIGH SCHOOL 410 S Green St.
Registration Begins Soon Now, it’s your turn to learn more:
Visit ChooseLISD.org or call 903-381-2200. Paid for by the MSAP funds.
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
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Congratulations to our Dual Credit and Early College graduates
SAFETY |Continued from page 1 and safety of everyone that our athletes and staff are conscious of this at all times and take responsibility of following these guidelines seriously.” KEY PRINCIPALS Limit personal interaction — person to person contact should only be for essential activities that cannot be performed in an alternative fashion (virtual or remote); Hygiene — hand-washing and hand-sanitizing will be emphasized before, during and after all activities; Cleaning and Sanitation — routine cleaning will be implemented; Access to Facilities — Facility entry and exit points will be coordinated to minimize personal interaction and facilitate social distancing; Students to Coach Ration — 15-to-1; Athletes, coaches and
staff will be screened daily — daily symptoms Q&A and temperature check
SANITATION
Athletic facilities will be disinfected and sanitized per industry guidelines before, during and after each group. An emphasis will be placed on high touch surfaces and surfaces used by multiple student-athletes. Spray bottles and paper towels will be at each weight station for athletes and coaches to spray and wipe down bars. Athletes and staff will sanitize their hands before, during and after workout. Multiple hand-washing and hand-sanitizing stations will be spread out in all areas of conditioning, weight training and skills training.
REQUIREMENTS
Each day, athletes and faculty will be required to check in and complete a screening process each day before being allowed to participate. Athletes and faculty will stay home if they answer “YES” to any screening questions or do not feel well. Temperature checks will be mandatory on entry to the screening checkpoint. Temperature check points will be staffed by coaches and athletic trainers wearing PPE. These are but a few of the procedures that the district has put in place to protect the student-athletes and faculty. The pandemic has changed the current way of life, but we are proud of how our students and staff have adjusted in these trying times.
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
Questions and answers about public ‘charter’ systems at Longview ISD
Last year the LISD received the green light from the TEA to turn six campuses into “in-district” charter schools. The approval came after the passage of Senate Bill 1882. Since then, there’s been a lot of discussion about potential charter partnerships at the campuses of Longview Independent School District. There’s also been a lot of faulty and inaccurate information being passed around. Here’s the story about why we’re pursuing these opportunities for our students and how it will work here in Longview. STUDENTS • What does this mean for students? Students will obtain access to resources and programs that are not dependent on where they live, their family’s income or their demographics. LISD will be expanding the digital and technology footprint which will enable us to create opportunities for teachers and
students that the district has not been able to in the past. • How will this change my student’s day-to-day? From the student perspective, there will be very little change in their basic schedule and academic expectations. Many of the shifts that may occur will involve details behind the scenes,
mostly on an administrative level. What students will notice is increased access to resources and programs that are not dependent on where they live, their family’s income or their demographics. • How will this affect my Special Education student? Special Education services and 504 accommodations
will not change. Longview ISD will continue to give our SpEd students the best possible education and services that are available. • Will students no longer be LISD students? No. Just as all campuses and teachers remain a part of the district, students also remain part of the district.
CONTROL • Is LISD “surrendering control” to an appointed board? No, the district is not losing control over the campuses. The publicly elected LISD Board of Trustees are the final deciding authorities, delegating day-to-day operations to the charter boards with high accountability for results. The non-profit charter boards have authority over their organizations, but they are subordinate to the LISD board’s authority. The LISD board can sever the contract if the terms are not met. Legally, Senate Bill 1882 partnerships are in-district charters, which means the students are still district students and the school board continues to maintain responsibility for the schools. By having LISD be the authorizer of charter schools, the district maintains the authority to set the ground rules the partners have to follow. This way, LISD board can ensure a level playing field for all LISD campuses, as well as allowing the district a mechanism to intervene if partners breach the contract. • What does it mean for a partner to “run” a district campus? Who manag-
es the principal, teachers? The partner has sole responsibility for personnel as well as authority over decisions related to curriculum and assessment, schedule and calendar, and allocation of the budget. The district and its board of trustees holds the partner accountable through a performance contract outlining academic, financial, and operational goals for the school as well as the division of roles and responsibilities. For a partnership school to be eligible for Senate Bill 1882 benefits, the partner must manage the principal and faculty. • Will the school board play any further role? Yes, the school board is crucial in executing the performance contract, making sure the district is operational and monitoring school performance. They are the ones who will need to take action to either continue or end the partnerships. They will monitor and hold the partner accountable for their progress in meeting the performance goals outlined in the contract. The elected school board does not and cannot under state law give up its ultimate responsibility for a district school. The difference is that rather than con-
TEACHERS • What does this mean for teachers? Teachers will still be employees of the district. Charter partners are able to utilize the additional resources that come with a Senate Bill 1882 partnership to increase teacher salaries, in addition to providing more educational resources, professional development opportunities, and classroom autonomy. The teachers will remain LISD teachers, and as such will retain all of the same benefits and protec-
tions of other district employees. • Will teachers be fired/replaced? We have an excellent school system because of our high-quality teachers, and we are committed to retaining our teachers in Longview ISD. All of our teachers will maintain their chapter 21 protections. The partners under these Senate Bill 1882 partnerships seek to collaborate with and build from the expertise of our talented educators.
tracting with a principal to oversee educational services at the school, the elected board contracts with an organization to provide services that the school board specifies in the contract. The school board is therefore delegating day-to-day decision-making to the nonprofit organization without losing the obligation to hold the school accountable for its outcomes. This will allow more decisions to be made at the campus level, where those discussions are closest to the students and teachers. • Will campuses be run by someone who doesn’t know the community? No, the goal of the application process is to make sure there is a good match between the community and the partner. Longview ISD has conducted a rigorous authorizing process to evaluate each nonprofit organization’s capacity, expertise, and commitment to our community. Many of the partner staff and board members are local leaders with strong ties to Longview schools, and we are confident that they will be responsive to our unique context and leverage the amazing assets we have here in Longview.
For more information about these programs check out the website at LISD.org/charters. Do you have a question that is not included on here? Let us know! You can send your questions to ask@LISD.org, go to our Contact page at LISD.org or call the LISD Department of Innovation at 903-381-2200.
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020 TEA |Continued from page 9 The TEA said students won’t have to return to classrooms and guidelines show parents will have the choice of how their kids will learn. They said after campuses reopen they will count students taking virtual classes in the attendance figures used to determine state funding. The state will not penalize school districts for major decreases in student attendance for the first 12 weeks of the year. The documents show two different types of instruction – remote synchronous instruction and remote asynchronous instruction. These will be the two methods of calculating attendance for virtual learning next year. The TEA defines remote synchronous as, “Twoway, real-time/live, virtual instruction between teachers and students when students are not on
campus. In this method, the required amount of instructional time is scheduled each day, and funding is generated when attendance is recorded daily at a locally selected snapshot time. Synchronous instruction is provided through a computer or other electronic device or over the phone.” Remote asynchronous is defined as, “Instruction that does not require having the instructor and student engaged at the same time. In this method, students learn from instruction that is not necessarily being delivered in-person or in real time. This type of instruction may include various forms of digital and online learning, such as prerecorded video lessons or game-based learning tasks that students complete on their own, and pre-assigned work and formative assessments made available to students on paper.” A student is marked absent if they don’t show up for their scheduled course or how long they’re
Page 13 engaged and participating. State funding is typically based on classroom attendance, and many districts feared they might see dramatic drops in state money with parents saying they will not feel comfortable sending their children to school in-person, especially as cases continue to rise in Texas. Schools have to document daily progress with completion of assignments or teacher-student interactions. The TEA will be updating attendance requirements to ensure schools get credit for virtual learners and those students can be moved to the next grade. In the TEA’s “Preparing for Remote Instruction” document, it said “the COVID slide is real,” especially from low-income families, but not necessarily for those from high incomes. It said it “must ensure that remote instruction is delivered as effectively as we possibly can, for all of our students.”
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Update June 23, 2020
In collaboration with the Governor’s Strike Force and the Texas Department of Emergency Management, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was procured to help school systems reopen for the 2019-2021 school year.
Statewide PPE Procurement Overview – Updated June 23 PPE Item Disposable masks Reusable masks Gloves Thermometers (infrared and no-contact) Hand Sanitizer Face Shields
Amount Procured 53,000,000 18,000,000 12,000,000 sets 42,500
For Whom Students and staff Students and staff Staff Students and staff
Current Status Distribution in progress Distribution in progress Distribution in progress Distribution in progress
600,000 gallons 1,000,000
Students and staff Staff
Distribution in progress Distribution in progress
LONGVIEW ISD ONGVIEW ISD LONGVIEW ISD MONTESSORI SHARE PLAY MONTESSORI MONTESSORI SHARE A GreatISD Place To Grow LONGVIEW A Great Place reat Place ToLONGVIEW Grow ISD To Grow PPE allotments were calculated by using 2019-2020 student and on-campus staff counts and were allotted onLAUGH a per pupil, district basis. On-campus staff includes teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, and auxiliary staff. PPE is expected to arrive between mid-July and early August. LEARN LAUGH Districts maintain the discretion and responsibility for distributing the PPE according to their local context. Important note: this PPE is being distributed to schools as a resource, but usage is not PLAY LEARN required.
Additional Information •
Information related to the statewide distribution strategy is forthcoming. Most LEAs will be
expected to pick up their allotment at their Regional Education Service Center. LAUGH LEARN • The final 20-21 PPE District Allotments spreadsheet is posted on the LAUGH tea.texas.gov/coronavirus website with district allotments and estimated square footage PLAY LEARN needs to receive the PPE, which will be packaged on pallets. SHARE PLAY • Please email questions to disasterinfo@tea.texas.gov SHARE
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LISD will holdRound-Up its’ 2020-2021 Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Virtual for2020-2021 new students June 8-30, 2020. use theVirtual following LISD hold its’ Pre-Kindergarten andPlease Kindergarten 021 Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Virtual Round-Up for will new students June 8-30, 2020. Please use the following LISD will hold its’ 2020-2021 Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Virtual link to enroll your student and to upload the required documents. Round-Up for new students June 8-30, 2020. Please use the following ts June 8-30, 2020. use the following link to enroll your and to upload the required documents. Round-Up forPlease new student students June 8-30, 2020. Please use the following link enroll your student upload the required documents. t and to upload the to required documents. link to enroll your student and to uploadand the to required documents.
ISD ISD LONGVIEW LONGVIEW ISD GVIEW ISD GH LONGVIEW ISD www.lisd.org/etmpa www.lisd.org/etmpa RN ing documents Thewww.lisd.org/etmpa followLONGVIEW NGVIEW ISD ISD www.lisd.org/etmpa ww.lisd.org/etmpa MONTESSORI ORI Y are required ing documents The following documents MONTESSORI NTESSORI REMONTESSORI are required are required * SS Card * Birth Certificate * Current Utility Bill * SS Card ONTESSORI MONTESSORI A Great Place To Grow Grow A Great Place To Grow * Up to Grow date * Parent ID Bill * Birth Certificate * Current Utility * Current Utility BillShot Records Place To Grow Great Place To * 2 current Paycheck stubs ( ) Up toID date Shot Records * Parent ID Records ** Parent at reat Place Place Grow Grow 2 current Paycheck stubs ( ) ck stubs ( * To )To ing The following The followare required: * SS Card are required: : Birth Certificate * Current Utility * SS Card * Birth Up to Certificate date Shot Records ** Current Parent ID Utility 2 current stubs (* PreK only) ID * Up to datePaycheck Shot Records Parent * 2 current Paycheck stubs (PreK only)
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PreK only PreK only Dr. J. Burnett for Enrollment and Eligibility Call 903-803-5000 Requirements Call 903-803-5000 Dr. J. Burnett for Enrollment and Eligibility Requirements
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
CHOOSE
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SCHOOL
APPLY NOW
ChooseLISD.org
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
Page 15
Texas delays health guidelines for reopening schools By Aliyya Swaby The Texas Tribune Texas public schools will be required to provide in-person instruction for students this fall, but state education officials have delayed releasing final public health guidelines for keeping them safe on campuses during the pandemic. “We are unable to give final guidance today on on-campus instruction. We are actively monitoring the situation, and we will try to get out final information as quickly as possible,” Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said during a Tuesday briefing of school superintendents who had been expecting him to outline the agency’s reopening guidelines. A draft document found on the Texas Education Agency’s website Tuesday showed agency
officials are envisioning a largely hands-off approach to helping school districts bring students back to campus this fall, imposing few mandatory safety precautions but recommending that staff and students wear masks, sanitize their hands
regularly and stay 6 feet away from one another. The light-handed oversight role parallels the state’s overall approach to the coronavirus pandemic under Gov. Greg Abbott, with local officials, parents and students expected to devise
Davis will be displayed in the lobby at the Longview Police Department. “Then we will respect whatever the family members want us to do after that as far as his funeral proceedings and whatever else that the family needs,” Thornton said. “We’re here to support them.” Cedric attended Longview ISD. He was a proud Lobo and an outstanding defensive end, #33. He graduated in 1990 and went on to play football at Ranger Junior College. He later went on to graduate from the East Texas Police Academy earning certification as a Peace Officer. Cedric began his career in law enforcement in 1995 at Gregg County Juvenile Detention, and later transferred to Gregg County Sheriff’s Office. In 2004 he began patrol at Longview Police Department and served as a F.T.O. Cedric had a passion for law enforcement. He loved to help people and found serving in this role very rewarding. Cedric was united in Holy Matrimony to Cynthia Sibley Davis in 1991 and to this union three children were born. Cedric was preceded in death by his mother Linda Davis; siblings, Stephen, April and Danny. Left to cherish Cedric’s
memory is his wife of 28 years, Cynthia Davis; sons, Cedric Jr. and Kedric (Whitney) Davis; his baby girl, Taylor Davis; his father, Johnny Davis; grandchildren, Naomi, Neveah, Stephen and Kyree; brothers, Eric (Christy), Jason (Yolanda) and Brandon (Brittany); sisters, Marion (Mike) Henry, Ashley Davis, Melissa (Frederick) Moore, Faith Davis, and Hope (Terry) Okray; in laws, Kathleen Sanders, James (Mattie) Sibley, Matthew Reese, James
their own strategies for protecting their health. “These are draft documents. They were posted in the staging portion of the TEA website by mistake as part of an internal document review,” the agency said in a statement. “As we continue to closely monitor the public health situation, we are, in fact, still soliciting feedback on this guidance. No final decisions have yet been made. Additional guidance will be provided soon.” Local school officials have been waiting on state guidance so they can begin making decisions as they plan for the start of a new school year. “I understand the pause in releasing those guidelines considering what’s going on with what seems to be a resurgence, Delay|Continued to page 19
DAVIS |Continued from page 1 of police officers that have gone through this department,” Thornton said. Davis was dedicated to his church, his community and the department, where Thornton said his legacy will live on for decades. “Just from his training, by him being a field training officer alone. As you see in the departmental picture that we released, he has stripes on his shoulder indicating that he was a field training officer,” Thornton said. “His legacy will live on here as long as probably you and I are around.” Davis was dedicated to the community and to the job. Thornton said Davis also was a leader in his church community. “A couple of ways to describe Officer Davis is his friends and family have called him the gentle giant. Officer Davis was a very big man, but he was a leader in the community. Other officers have said that he was somewhat soft spoken, but you didn’t ever want to get on his bad side,” Thornton said with a laugh. “Officer Davis has probably never met a stranger. Officer Davis was always out there willing to help the community, willing to help his fellow man. Just an all around great guy.” A wreath with a picture of
Sibley III, and Kiesha Edwards; nephews, Cameron, Jordan, Jeremy, Michael Jr., Devares, Jahleel, and Matthew Jr.; nieces, Jessica and Michala; a host of relatives, friends and his fellow officers. Visitation is from 1-5 p.m. on Friday, June 26, at Craig Funeral Home, 2001 S. Green St, Longview. Service is to be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, at Alpine Church of Christ, 610 E Loop 281, Longview.
LONGVIEW ISD
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Estudiantes NUE-
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Sus niños son nuestros niños Del 8 al 30 de junio, LISD tendrá su ronda virtual de inscripciones 2020-2021 de estudiantes nuevos al distrito, que entrarán a Pre-kinder y Kinder. Favor de utilizar el siguiente enlace para inscribir a su estudiante y subir los documentos requeridos.
www.lisd.org/etmpa Se requieren los siguientes documentos: *Tarjeta del Seguro Social *Acta de nacimiento *Certificado de vacunación actualizado *2 recibos de sueldo recientes (solo Pre-kinder)
*Recibo de servicios reciente *Identificación del padre
Llame a Dr. Burnett al 903.803.5000 para dudas sobre requisitos de inscripciones y elegibilidad
Page 16
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
OBITUARIES Longview ISD offers our most sincere condolences to our extended Lobo family BETTY ROBBINS HURST Betty Robbins Hurst, our precious mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt passed away peacefully June 13 in Longview. Betty graduated Longview High School and was Salutatorian of the Kilgore College class 1952. She graduated from University of Texas in 1954 with a HURST Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master’s degree in History from Stephen F Austin University 1978. Betty was born March 19, 1934 in Longview to John Cyril Robbins and Mary Lee Donaghey Robbins, both deceased. She married Charles Henry Davis (deceased) in 1955. After Charley’s passing, she married Bob Motley Lloyd (deceased). After Bob Lloyd’s death in 2001 she married Dr Charles Richard Hurst (deceased). Betty was a loving, caring, giving influence for her family, friends, and organizations. She could find the positive in everything and was a bear for getting things done. She was the kind of friend that went the extra mile for you. She was very sought after to sit on boards as she said little but made the one sentence that changed direction for success. Betty loved to travel the world. A 50th birthday gift was an around the world trip. Betty and a few friends traveled ten years in a row to Simone Beck’s and Julia Child’s cooking school in the South of France. She became good friends with Julia Child. With her good friends Claire Foster and Pat Houston she brought celebrity world attention to their famed Stockpot, a fine dining and celebrity cooking school in Longview. She was involved in the oil and gas corporation Robbins Petroleum, The Travel Station, real estate development and investments. She served on the Governor’s Commission for Women under Governor William P
Clements, Jr. She was Senior Trustee of the Board of Trustees of Austin College for eight years; President of the Board of Trustees of Good Shepherd Foundation, Good Shepherd Medical Center, Longview; past Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Longview Summit Club; past President of the Junior Service League (now Junior League) of Longview; member of Chi Omega Sorority Alumnae; and past member of the Captain William Young Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Junior Literary Club, and the Green Thumb Garden Club. She served many times on the Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church where she was Senior Warden twice. She served as Vestry liaison for Trinity Church and the Trinity School of Texas where she was a past Chairman of the Board of Trustees. She is survived by her children, Charles Robbins Davis (wife Pamela) and Elizabeth Joyce Davis. She had three grandchildren, Charles Robbins Davis Jr (deceased), Wesley Davis Linseisen (husband Nathan), and Mary Brooke Davis. She is also survived by her brother John Clinton Robbins and sister Dorothy Robbins Kennedy Skeans (husband Ted). She was loved by 14 nieces and nephews: Carrie Boren Headington (husband Greg), Dan Boren (wife Andrea), Lynn Robbins, Susie Robbins Dixon, Gail Robbins (deceased), Beverly Ann Robbins, Neina Mead Kennedy, George E. Kennedy III (wife Carlene), Kelly Davis Sosland (husband Steve), Dr. Robert F Davis III (wife Linda), Seleta Marie Davis, Jeffery Davis Hoffman (deceased), Conrad Christof Hoffman (wife Margarita), and Roy Howard Hoffman. The family would like to thank the staff at Hawkins Creek for the loving care they gave Betty. In lieu of flowers gifts may be made to Trinity School of Texas, 215 N Teague St., Longview, Texas 75601. A public memorial service will be held at a future date to be determined.
PUBLIC NOTICES LISD Board of Trustees meeting schedule
The Board of Trustees will have a regular meeting at 6 p.m. on July 13 at the ESC Board Room, 1301 E Young St, Longview.
LISD accepting competitive requests for proposals for Contracted Educational Services
Longview Independent School District (LISD) is accepting competitive requests for proposals for Contracted Educational Services and under the guidance of EDGAR and approval of funding made available for services to be rendered. Proposals will be received until 4 p.m., Thursday, July 30, 2020. Awards will be considered NON-EXCLUSIVE, ones by which multiple vendors may be designated as suppliers for the goods and/or services covered under the terms of the contract for the duration of said contract. Contracted Educational Service providers will be used on an as-needed basis throughout the District to provide services to students and staff. Please contact Sheri Broadwater at 903-381-2260 to obtain a proposal packet, or download one from below. Proposals must be addressed as follows: Attn: Sheri Broadwater, and clearly marked “#2001 CS-RFP-CONTRACTED EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.” Proposals will be accepted throughout the school year on an ongoing basis until 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2020, at the LISD Education Support Center, 1301 East Young Street, Longview, Texas, or mailed to P. O. Box 3268, Longview, TX 75606. Longview ISD reserves the right to accept or reject any or all of the bids submitted in the best interest of the District. For more information, go to LISD.org.
HELEN “JO” MERRIMAN Helen “Jo” Merriman, 75, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2020 at her home in White Oak. A Celebration of Jo’s Life was held MonMERRIMAN day, June 22, at Lakeview Funeral Home. Visitation was Sunday, June 21, at Lakeview Funeral Home. Interment was in Lakeview Memorial Gardens. Jo was born January 12, 1945 in Deer Park, Texas to O.O. and Mary Merriman. She graduated from Vidor High School Class of 1963 in Vidor, Texas and went on to get her Bachelor of Science degree in teaching from the University of Houston. Upon moving to the East Texas area, she worked for ECI (Early Childhood Intervention). She taught within the Longview ISD for 22 years as a Special Education/ Life Skills teacher before retiring in June of 2018. Jo will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Jo is preceded in death by her parents; and a son, Christopher Lynn Beason. She is survived by her sons, Bart Beason (Pam) of Bentonville, AR and Joel Beason of White Oak, TX; granddaughters, Alicia Beason Bloomer, KiKi Preston Page, Kelsey Hayes, Kristina Beason, Katie Cowgill, Gabby Beason, Deanna Beason, Courtny Beason, and Savanna Beason; grandsons, B.J. Beason, William Beason, Thomas, Thomas Beason, Ryan Cowgill, J.T. Cowgill, and Jacob Preston; great grandsons, Joseph Beason, Landon Bradshaw, River Hays, and Landen Cowgill; great granddaughters, Maci Cowgill and Brinley Beason; brother, David Merriman (Kay) of Longview, TX; and numerous other family members and friends who loved her dearly. Pallbearers were be Bart Beason, Joel Beason, B.J. Beason, Mason Colvin, Ryan Cowgill, Thomas Beason, William Beason, and Joseph Beason. Honorary Pallbearers will be Casey Yount, J.T. Cowgill, and David Merriman. In Lieu of flowers please donate to the American Cancer Society or Special Needs Educational Programs in Longview via LISD.
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
Page 17
Poll: 1-in-5 teachers unlikely to return By Susan Page USA Today Most Americans expect schools to reopen in the fall, but a stunning number of teachers and students may not be there. In an exclusive USA TODAY/Ipsos poll, 1 in 5 teachers say they are unlikely to go back to school if their classrooms reopen in the fall, a potential massive wave of resignations. Though most teachers report working more than usual, nearly two-thirds say they haven’t been able to properly do their jobs in an educational system upended by the Coronavirus. A separate poll of parents with at least one child in grades K-12 finds that 6in 10 say they would be likely to pursue at-home learning options instead of sending back their children this fall. Nearly a third of parents, 30%, say they are “very likely” to do that. The COVID-19 pandemic has recast education in the USA, prompting almost every district to send their students home and hastily adopt distance learning to close out the school year that is now ending. Those disruptions are guaranteed to reverberate into the new school year and
ers and 5.6 points for the survey of parents with school-aged children. “As our world has changed, almost everything we do has changed, including how we view and approach education,” Cliff Young, president of Ipsos, said. “Though Americans are optimistic about a return to in-person learning, there is angst among teachers, parents and America at large about how to keep our schools safe if the virus isn’t fully contained.” beyond, especially for teachers who have been thrust into new roles that most say they weren’t well-trained to fill. The surveys underscore how concerns about the Coronavirus will complicate efforts to resume daily routines in American life, from work to leisure to commerce, at least until a vaccine is widely available. “I’m on a committee with my district talking about the what-ifs, because we don’t have answers on what is going to happen,” said J.W. White, 47, a middle school teacher from Fort Worth who was among those surveyed. “The expectation of parents and society is we’re sending our children to be educated in a safe environment, and how we’re going to
provide that safe environment is completely unknown.” The challenges in the past few months have sometimes been overwhelming, the language arts teacher said in a follow-up interview. “I feel very disconnected from my students,” she said, “and I feel like they’re falling behind.” To explore the views of teachers and parents, USA TODAY and Ipsos conducted parallel online polls May 18-21. In one, 505 teachers of kindergarten through high school were surveyed. The other national survey polled 403 parents of a K-12 child. The credibility intervals, akin to a margin of error, are plus or minus 5 percentage points for the survey of teach-
COVID-19 pandemic; the 20202021 Student Code of Conduct; as well as the official minutes of the June 8th Regular Meeting and June 14th Board Workshop.
boardroom of the LISD Education Support Center, but often set special-called meetings at various locations around the district. The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. July 13th. Due to public health proto-
TEACHERS ARE STRUGGLING
Almost all of them, 83%, say they are having a harder time doing their job, and two-thirds say they have had to work more than usual. Two-thirds say they haven’t been able to do their job properly since starting to teach remotely, a task that most say they hadn’t been prepared well by the district to do. The newest teachers, those who have been on the job for five years or less, struggle the most with distance teaching; 6 in 10 say they hadn’t been trained well for the task. The oldest teachers have the most difficulty dealing with technology. Among teachers 55 and older, 1 in 4 say it hasn’t been easy for them to use the technology required.
BOARD |Continued from page 3 Education Agency, Gov. Greg Abbott, and local officials.” “Any information related to the 2020-2021 calendar is subject to change, and we will keep you informed on our district website, social media, and through allcalls/emails,” he said.
LUNCH PRICES
Trustees also unanimously approved increasing lunch prices to $3, in accordance with new requirements from the Texas Department of Agriculture. According to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-296) Texas schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program must create a district-wide lunch price average equal to or more than the amount established by the Texas Department of Agriculture.
IN OTHER NEWS
Board members also unanimously approved new Summer School Safety Protocols (find the document at LISD. org) in response to the ongoing
FOR MORE INFO
Trustees usually meet in the
cols currently in place, the public will not be admitted into the trustees’ boardroom. The meeting will also be streamed online at LISD.org/BoardroomLive. For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees go to LISD.org.
Page 18
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
SPOTTED ON SOCI AL
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
Page 19
DELAY |Continued from page 15 particularly in our large, urban areas,” HD Chambers, superintendent of Alief Independent School District, told the Texas Tribune. “At some point, we gotta know because we have to make decisions.” And state Democrats have excoriated Abbott for deciding to reopen schools amid rises in COVID-19 cases. “The decision to reopen comes despite severe concerns from students, teachers, and parents that returning to school may not be safe in the fall,” a working group of state House Democrats said in a statement Tuesday. “The announcements also coincide with an outbreak of COVID-19 that has led to nearly two weeks of record hospitalizations and rising cases that even Gov. Abbott decreed ‘unacceptable.’” Education officials did release final guidelines Tuesday afternoon saying that after campuses reopen, they will count students taking virtual classes in the attendance figures used to determine state funding. Districts can choose to provide live virtual instruction or instruction that is not delivered in real time, including prerecorded video lessons or paper assignments. The state will not penalize school districts for major decreases in student attendance for the first 12 weeks of the year. State funding is typically based on classroom attendance, and many districts feared they might see dramatic drops in state money with parents saying they will not feel comfortable sending their children to school in person, especially as cases continue to rise in Texas. Reopening schools is a large part of Abbott’s plan to jumpstart the economy, as Texans returning to their workplaces seek safe places to leave their children. But since Abbott first allowed businesses to reopen, the numbers of new cases and Texans hospitalized have reached record heights. Abbott has urged Texans to wear masks and practice social distancing but has declined to issue a statewide requirement or shut down businesses again. He told lawmakers last week that masks and testing would not be required in schools in the fall. Many of the public health guidelines in the TEA’s draft document are suggestions and not mandates for how school districts can keep communities safe during the Coronavirus pandemic.
LONGVIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICE AREA REPRESENTATIVES & POLICE OUTREACH SERVICES TEAM
Beat 20
Ofc. Misty Ryan 903-331-2541 PAR 20
Ofc. Chris Clayton 903-424-6212 PAR 10
Beat 10
Ofc. Luke Altman 903-431-5369 PAR 40
Beat 30
Ofc. Maira Villela 903-720-6656 PAR 30
Beat 60 Ofc. Jeff Hall 903-424-7725 PAR 50
Beat 50
Ofc. LaDarian Brown 903-431-1307 PAR 60
Sgt. Kendric Montgomery 903-619-0124 PAR SUPERVISOR
POST
Ofc. Allan Whitlock 903-331-1979
Ofc. Ronald Duncan 903-331-1870
Beat 40
Page 20
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — June 26, 2020
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