“Instruction ends in the classroom, but education ends only with life.” ― Frederick W. Robertson
Vol. V August 14, 2020
Sharing the good news about Longview Independent School District
Board talks balanced budget Longview Independent School District is projecting a balanced General Operating budget of $90.2 million for the 2020-21 fiscal year. During their regular meeting Monday, Aug. 10th the LISD Board of Trustees got their first look at a proposed district budget for the coming year, which calls for JONES property tax cuts and significant state revenue from their public school charter partnerships. LISD Chief Financial Officer Joey Jones said if the proposal receives final approval at the Aug. 26th special meeting the total proposed budget revenue is about $90.2 million, which is about an $8.3 million increase from the 2019-20 budget. The total pro-
REMOTE LEARNING
District purchase over 4,000 laptops for students
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o ensure all district students continue to thrive not only during the Covid-19 pandemic but long into the future, Longview ISD has accelerated the district plan to provide 1:1 access to devices for students. The district is in the process of acquiring 4,600 Dell Chromebooks, in addition to the 4,000 already in Online|Continued to page 14
Longview ISD compró más de 4,000 computadoras portátiles para sus estudiantes
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on el fin de apoyar a sus estudiantes a que continúen prosperando en sus estudios mientras atravesamos la pandemia COVID-19, Longview ISD ha acelerado su plan para proveer a todos sus estudiantes acceso constante a Online|Continúa en la página 17
For questions about how to obtain a laptop and hotspot for your child, please contact their campus.
————— Para preguntas acerca de cómo obtener una laptop y un hotspot para que su hijo(a) tenga acceso a internet, por favor contacte su campus.
Board|Continued to page 7
Over 240,000 meals provided to students During the ongoing global pandemic, Longview ISD’s Child Nutrition Department has been ensuring that any student who needed a meal was provided with both breakfast and lunch. From late March through the month of July, a total of 247,047 meals have been provided to students in and around the Longview area. LISD Director for Child Nutrition
THE
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ongview oice
Puede encontrar esta historia en Español en la página 7. Phyllis Dozier said these numbers include both curbside pick up and delivery. “Over the summer we had some families request meals and some ask to be removed from deliveries once their situMeals|Continued to page 14
Opinion AMBUCS
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TSTA 4 COVID Testing 8
Social Obituaries
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — August 14, 2020
OPINION
Don’t ignore the current emergency By Michael J. Feuer Education Week
Stop standardized testpectations of children’s ing, revise curriculum potential. standards, legislate eqI agree with those The debate over whether uity in education spendwho wish for greater schools should reopen brings to ing, invest significantly emphasis on social-emomind a quip about the 1950s: in teacher professional tional well-being, civic Pessimists back then worried development, etc. responsibility in a pluabout World War III, optimists Political will and ralist democracy, and worried about World War IV. national investment in multicultural sensitivity As educators and policymakers education after Sputnik leading to the inclusion FEUER grapple with questions about this launched us not just to (and exclusion) of classfall, others are leapfrogging with the moon but to global room content and inbigger questions, many of them scientific hegemony; dreamers structional staff—in all schools borrowing the cliché about not about the future of education and especially in those with letting a good crisis go to waste. are on to something. high concentrations of Black, As one education leader put it, But details matter. For Latinx, indigenous, immigrant, “This … could be a Sputnik-like example, doing away with LGBTQ, economically disadopportunity to renew America’s standardized testing has long vantaged children, and children commitment to children and been popular among some rewith disabilities. Those suggesequity … eradicate childhood formers, but it’s not clear that tions, too, may sound familiar; poverty and construct a 21st-cen- other types of assessment will but they have special resonance tury system … that adapts to serve children—and especially today, when the coronavirus is each child and gives them what children of color—more fairly, accompanied by the resurgence they need to be successful.” particularly if the elimination of and spread of the even more Reopening, therefore, has external metrics further camou- dreadful disease of anti-Black reopened another debate—about flages disparities in resources racism and white supremacy. unfulfilled promises and the great and opportunity. To their credit, Achieving those goals will potential of the American pubadvocates for educational equity take tenacity and political will. lic school system. Motivated by have struggled to find a middle As Tyack and Cuban pointed evidence of persistent and rising ground between potential bias out in their now-classic histoinequality, advocates for seizing in testing practice and equally ry of school reform, policy talk the current moment allege that (if not more) damaging effects of often looks toward a whole new the system has failed and offer judgments distorted by subjecera while actual reforms are ideas that are bold (if familiar): tive and stereotypically false ex- generally gradual and incremen-
tal. That it took 214 years into the life of the republic to pass legislation with “national goals” suggests that “e pluribus unum” is easier to put on our great seal than it is to make operational in a system designed to diffuse authority over governance, curriculum, and finance. It is safe to anticipate, therefore, that some curricular revisions and proposals for big structural reforms will be abhorrent to at least some of those dreaming of a “Sputnik” moment: Some advocates for change might use the crisis to advance vouchers, charters, and other challenges to traditional public schools. There is some irony in the fact that the pursuit of standards— whether in mathematics, reading, science, and other academic subjects, or in so-called “noncognitive” skills—has proven challenging in large part because of our experiment in pluralism, a concept rightly valued so highly by visionary reformers. Pluralism doesn’t favor parsimony. — Michael J. Feuer is the dean of the Graduate School of Education and Human Development at George Washington University.
Reopening the economy while keeping teachers safe By Dr. Shardha Jogee The New York Times The debate about reopening schools seems to pit parents and their employers against teachers. But there is actually a solution that would let grownups go back to work, educate kids and keep everyone safe at the same time. More than 140,000 Americans have died from Covid-19, and there are growing outbreaks in many states. No other developed nation has sent children back to school with the virus at these levels. Data about transmission in classrooms is limited. Many teachers have health risks and are understandably afraid to return. The safest course would be for kindergartners through 12th graders to continue with online courses in the fall. But what about the millions of kids from disadvantaged backgrounds whose homes are not conducive to online learning and who rely on schools for
meals? And what about body back to campus, parents who cannot but still holding classes work from home and mostly or exclusively watch over them? online. The Trump adminStudents who can istration is pressing keep learning at home schools to provide fullshould do so. As a retime in-person classes. sult, the centers would But schools can’t open not be crowded and it five days a week for all would be possible to JOGEE students while meeting maintain social distancthe six-foot social distancing ing. guidelines. Many are contemStaff members would simply plating alternating in-class help students connect to onand online learning. How will line courses provided by their such a system help parents, schools — they would not need kids and businesses get back to to be teachers themselves with a normal schedule — a presssubject matter expertise. Reing need at a time when 51 cent college graduates could million Americans are unembe recruited to work at these ployed? centers, and a college loan forThere is a better way: Allow giveness program could incenschools to offer only virtual tivize participation. While some classes this fall, and convert teachers could opt to work in a schools and other large unused SCOL, most would be able to spaces into Safe Centers for work remotely and spend their Online Learning. We could call time developing effective online them not schools, but “SCOLs.” classes. This is not a radical concept. In addition to schools, we Many universities are bringing could create these centers in some portion of their student the many large venues that will
sit vacant this fall, such as convention centers, stadiums, performing arts centers and parks. The physical requirements are modest. Students need only a desk and a laptop, many of which were already distributed when schools went online this spring. Mobile partitions can convert large venues into units that each host a small number of students wearing masks and sitting at physically-distanced desks. The centers could provide meals for students who rely on them. Mental health and other counselors could reserve a cubicle to see students. In the case of an outbreak, students could go back to online learning from home. It’s undeniable that online classes lack many of the benefits of in-person learning. But a suboptimal academic semester is one thing. Sickness and death is another. — Shardha Jogee is an astronomy professor at the University of Texas at Austin.
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — August 14, 2020
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AMBUCS students build ‘Amtrykes’ Longview High School students that are a part of the AMBUCS organization met up recently to be constructive. On Saturday, Aug. 1, the Lobos built an Amtryke. According to the Amtryke website, “the Amtryke Adaptive Tricycle Program is about abilities, not disabilities. Our goal is to provide people who benefit from our trykes with all the classic advantages of riding a bike: mobility, strength, exercise, coordination, interaction with family and friends, and just pure fun!” We are proud of Lobo AMBUCS students! They show how truly giving their generation can be!
Lobo FFA sees huge support with honey sales The Longview FFA now has nine beehives and sold the harvested honey during the first week of August. We are happy to announce they managed to sell every last ounce! All proceeds from the sales go right back into the FFA program.
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — August 14, 2020
Foster’s Rose awarded TSTA recognition Congratulations to Foster’s very own Winnie Rose for being awarded TSTA nominee for NEA Educational Support Professional of the Year award! She received this award in recognition for her outstanding ESP excellence in the classroom and community for the 2019-20 school year. Go Dragons!
Anchor Clubs, community donate backpacks to Ware A huge thank you is well deserved to Dr. Daytral Brown, the Beverly Clinic, Linda Martin and the Anchor clubs from both LHS and Judson! On Tuesday, Aug. 11, they donated 100 backpacks to Ware. Each bag was filled with hygiene essentials for anyone who needs supplies! Thank you for doing so much to help the students of Longview ISD!
LISD Parent Liaison Rev. Lamar Jones is here to help! By Rev. Lamar Jones Back to school can be an overwhelming time for students and parents, and in some occasions it might be difficult to get a hold of a campus the week prior or back-to-school week. That is why our school district Parent Liaison is here to help! Rev. Lamar Jones has been a team member of LISD for quite some time and has been a great resource in our community for many years. His experience and connections will help you go through this transition, a lot smoother. As the LISD Parent Laision, Lamar F. Jones, will help you get connected to your campus. If you cannot get an answer from your child’s campus you can call Mr. Jones at 903-445-3729 or email at lfjones@lisd.org. Please remember that you can also call Community Relations at 903 -381-2200. We are here to serve you! Looking to a great school year for 20-21. — Lamar Jones is the LISD parent liaison.
FFA showmanship event Aug. 21 at Ag barn It may be hot out but our FFA members have been working diligently with their livestock projects. They will be having their first ever Longview FFA showmanship show for members on Friday, Aug. 21, at the Longview FFA ag barn. Winners will be awarded a buckle!
THANK YOU THE LONGVIEW VOICE — August 14, 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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Bubba’s 33
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The Butcher Shop
4
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’
8
The Catch
410 W Loop 281 903-236-3491 3312 N Fourth St 903-663-2940
9
Chiangmai Thai Kitchen
103 W Loop 281 #430 903-663-6622
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10
Chick-fil-A
11
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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Fuji
19
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
3098 N Eastman 903-663-9888
310 E Hawkins Pkwy 903-663-7545
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COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Goung Zhou
2002 Judson Rd 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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Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
27
Mi Casita
29
Papacita’s
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
30
Pizza King
31
Posados
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 403-625-7240 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 281 903-824-1735 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 — August 14, 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 — August 14, 2020
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LISD entrega más de 240 mil comidas a la comunidad Durante la pandemia existente, el Departamento de Nutrición Infantil de Longview ISD se ha asegurado que ninguno de sus estudiantes pasen hambre, e hicieron la gestión para proveer a cada alumno que necesitaba asistencia con alimentación, un desayuno y un almuerzo. Desde finales de Marzo hasta el mes de Julio, se entregaron un total de 247,047 comidas a los estudiantes del distrito escolar dentro de y fuera del área de Longview. La Directora de Nutrición Infantil de Longview ISD, Phyllis Dozier, dijo que estos números incluyen comidas que fueron recogidas en los campus y las que fueron entregadas a domicilio. “Durante el verano, tuvimos familias que solicitaron alimentos y algunas nos pidieron que los quitemos de la lista de entregas a domicilio una vez que sus situaciones se estabilizaron’’, dijo la Sra. Dozier. “Pero continuamos teniendo contacto con nuestras familias el resto del verano hasta el inicio de clases.” Esta experiencia nueva comenzó como una extensión de Spring Break y se convirtió en algo totalmente nuevo para alumnos, empleados y familias, cuando COVID-19 trajo muchos retos a todos. Asegurarse de que cada estudiante tenga por lo menos un desayuno y un almuerzo cada día es tan solo una de las muchas maneras en que el distrito escolar ha trabajado para ayudar a sus familias en este tiempo difícil.
La Sra. Dozier mencionó que desde Marzo, su departamento ha trabajado con el departamento de transporte de Longview ISD y con otros empleados del distrito escolar para proveer los alimentos a los niños que los necesitaron. “Tenemos un equipo de trabajo en este distrito escolar realmente increíble. Siempre van una milla extra para ayudar hacer este tipo de cosas por nuestras familias. No podría estar más orgullosa del trabajo que han realizado durante este tiempo de incertidumbre , y cómo continúan levantándose para enfrentar cada reto en el camino con el fin de ayudar a la comunidad de Longview.” Las entregas a domicilio originalmente empezaron con tres días a la semana, pero luego se incrementaron a 5 veces a la semana. Gracias al gran trabajo del departamento de Transporte muchos estudiantes y padres no se han tenido que preocupar por cómo van a recoger los alimentos. Si usted es nuevo(a) al programa de entrega de alimentos y le gustaría solicitar alimentación, la solicitud tardará alrededor de 48 horas en ser procesada y agregada a la lista de entregas diarias. Por favor enviar todas las solicitudes a ask@lisd.org con el nombre de su estudiante, el número de identificación del estudiante, el nombre del campus al que asiste y la dirección de su domicilio. Si por algún motivo su comida
no ha sido entregada hasta las 11:45 am, por favor contáctese con el departamento de Transporte o envíe un correo electrónico a nhawkins@lisd.org y podremos conseguir una comida para usted antes de que cierren las cafeterías. Las entregas a domicilio se detendrán el primer día de clases , 17 de Agosto. Longview ISD estará proveyendo comidas para los estudiantes que optaron por el modelo de aprendizaje de forma remota (en casa). La forma en que podrán obtener estas comidas es que los representantes los puedan recoger en el campus donde fue inscrito el estudiante entre las 9:30am - 10:30am. Para estudiantes de elementaria, todas las comidas serán gratis; para estudiantes de secundaria (middle y high school), dependerá si son elegibles o no. Los estudiantes de secundaria tendrán que llenar una aplicación para comidas y la elegibilidad será determinada en base a la aplicación. Cuando los padres recojan las
comidas, tendrán que tener los números de identificación del estudiante. Los padres de familia podrán solicitar que se les agregue en la lista escribiendo un correo electrónico a ask@lisd. org y dando el nombre del estudiante, su número de identificación y mencionar si desea recoger alimentos todos los días o ciertos días específicamente. Queremos siempre servir a nuestros estudiantes de la mejor manera.
district average is the highest of any public school system in the region. “These are extremely challenging times for everyone, and public schools in Texas are asking teachers to go above and beyond during these challenging times with many providing multiple instructional approaches simultaneously,” he said. “As a district, we feel it is critically important to show how highly Longview ISD values our teachers and staff.” Dr. Hockenberry said more details about the pay increases would be released by the Human Resources department in the coming days. Go to LISD.org to download the resolution and related documentation.
racism, prejudice, persecution, and the wrongful prosecution of all people. “Longview ISD board members declare that the lives of Black and Brown students and community members matter and have value, that the Board is committed to continually addressing systemic racism towards ethnically diverse students, and the Board and will continue to prioritize and target the academic achievements of all students,” the resolution states. Citing the district’s intentional and proactive approach to ensure access for the best academic programs and offerings for all Longview area students, the resolution unequivocally states that LISD is committed to “relentlessly pursue improvements to policies, programs, and practices in order to eliminate systemic inequities, ensure educational success for
ALIMENTOS ENTREGADOS Marzo total = 50,740 comidas (Desayuno: 18,933, Almuerzo: 31,807) Abril total = 53,598 comidas (Desayuno: 26,799, Almuerzo: 26,799) Mayo total = 37,164 comidas (Desayuno: 18,582, Almuerzo: 18,582) Junio total = 49,236 comidas (Desayuno: 24,618, Almuerzo: 24,618) Julio total = 56,309 comidas (Desayuno: 28,204, Almuerzo: 28,105)
BOARD |Continued from page 1 posed expenses are about $90.2 million. The revenues are a mix of local, state, and federal funds for operations during the 202021 fiscal year. Jones told board members that “73 percent of the proposed budget is for the district’s instructional programs.” “The increase in the budget mostly allows for improved instructional services, not limited to salary increases, classroom technology, campus professional development, and International Baccalaureate certification,” he said. Jones said the budget as currently presented to the board “is a complete picture of next year” and that potential disruptions related to COVID-19 “will be handled as they present themselves”. The proposed maintenance and operations tax rate is $.9664 and the interest and sinking tax rate is .4730 cents for a total tax rate of $1.4394
per $100 valuation. The tax rate is a decrease from the current rate, which is $1.4431 per $100 valuation.
TEACHER RAISES
Board members approved an aggressive pay structure adjustments following the market value recommendations from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Pay System Maintenance Review. Presented to the board by Dr. James Hockenberry, Assistant Superintendent of District Services, the measure calls for an increase of 3 percent of midpoint. The increase amounts to over $1 million total for teachers and staff. LISD trustees chose from three different models suggested by TASB, of various ranges. With this measure approved, Dr. Hockenberry said Longview ISD would maintain and likely increase its status as employing the highest-paid teacher scale in the East Texas area. The
RESOLUTION
Board members also approved a resolution regarding racism and injustices from racism. The resolution strongly condemns any and all acts of
Board|Continued to page 16
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — August 14, 2020
Free COVID testing available in Longview The free drive-up COVID-19 testing offered at the Agricultural Pavilions of the Longview Convention Complex will come to a close on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. The drive-up testing is available from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The testing will be conducted by private vendor Honu on behalf of the Texas Division of Emergency Management and the City of Longview and Gregg County Emergency
Management. This is not an antibody test. The drive-up testing is free to the public, and organizers are preparing to conduct about 300 tests daily. Registration will be available online or in person. A person does not need to have symptoms to be tested, but should bring some form of identification and have a phone number or email address available where they can ter the Longview Convention Complex from the 100 Grand receive their results. Those Blvd. entrance and follow the participating are asked to en-
signs to the testing area. For more information, go to longviewtexas.gov
Unity and Diversity committee accepting Unity nominations The City of Longview Partners in Prevention’s Unity and Diversity Committee is accepting nominations for the annual Unity Honors awards. The Unity Honors is a lifetime achievement award that recognizes residents who have demonstrated leadership in promoting unity, mutual understanding, and social justice. Nomination forms are available online or at these locations — Longview Public Library, 222 W. Cotton St.; or Partners in Prevention, fourth floor of the Glover-Crim Building, 140 E. Tyler St. Completed nomination forms can be also be emailed to Taylor Thornton. The deadline to submit nominations is Nov. 6.
The Unity and Diversity Committee will honor the nominees at the 17th Annual Unity Honors Luncheon. The luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 17 at the Maude Cobb Convention Center, 100 Grand Blvd. The mission of the Unity and Diversity Committee is to overcome barriers to the full inclusion of all community members by: Protecting Human Rights, Challenging Discrimination, and Celebrating Diversity. Monthly meetings are held at noon, the first Monday of each month. Please call Partners in Prevention at 903-237-1019 for more information about monthly meetings.
TEA to offer free learning management system AUSTIN – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has officially launched Texas Home Learning 3.0 (THL 3.0), a comprehensive initiative to support school systems, teachers, parents, and students during the public health crisis and beyond with high-quality instructional materials, technology solutions, and professional development resources. As part of THL 3.0, TEA announced this week that it will offer all Texas school systems a world-class Learning Management System (LMS)
from PowerSchool’s Schoology for two years at no cost. Like other THL 3.0 offerings, use of the Schoology LMS will be optional for Texas school systems. Currently, Schoology is used in schools representing more than one million students across Texas (1 in 5 students statewide). The LMS that the agency is offering can serve as an online learning hub for digital content and communication to help TEA|Continued to page 19
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — August 14, 2020
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Ware, Johnston-McQueen holding meet the teacher ‘reverse parades’
Congratulations to our LISD regional nominees!
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — August 14, 2020
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APPLY ONLINE TODAY! Registration Begins Soon Be part of the extraordinary difference. Now, it’s your turn to learn more:
• www.ecu.org Visit ChooseLISD.org800.999.2328 or call 903-381-2200.
*APR is Annual Percentage Rate. Loan and payment deferral subject to credit Paid forapproval. by the MSAP funds.
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — August 14, 2020
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COVID restrictions set for local facilities In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the City of Longview has placed a temporary restriction on indoor public events at the Longview Convention Complex and other City of Longview operated facilities. Exceptions may be permitted for necessary governmental functions or events that do not have a social gathering component. The restriction on the use of City facilities is currently in place through the end of September, but may be extended. Privately-owned indoor facilities are subject to 50% occupancy requirements and other limitations as outlined by Gov. Greg Abbott’s Executive Order GA-28. With the exception of outdoor recre-
ation and sports, the City of Longview is also currently not hosting any outdoor events on City property and is not permitting park pavilion rentals. Gov.
Abbot’s order prohibits outdoor gatherings in excess of 10 people, with some COVID|Continued to page 19
East Texas Oil Museum receives relief grant The East Texas Oil Museum at Kilgore College is the recipient of a $5,000 Humanities Texas Relief Grant to help compensate for lost revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Thanks to Humanities Texas, these funds helped the museum offset expenses incurred during the two-month closure. Without these dollars, the museum’s programs could have been negatively impacted in the future,” said Olivia Moore, ETOM director. “Because of this grant, the museum has been able to maintain a bit of normalcy for our visitors.” This summer, Humanities Texas awarded more than $1.1 million to 198 Texas nonprofits that suffered losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recipients include museums, libraries, preservation organizations and heritage and cultural centers, among many others.
These organizations offer historical and cultural programs that have significant impact within their communities. Humanities Texas aims to help these organizations remain vital in this difficult time. “We are fortunate to have the opportunity to provide critical support to so many organizations across the state,” said Humanities Texas Executive Director Eric
Lupfer. “Looking ahead, we will continue to seek ways to assist Texas cultural and educational institutions in surviving this crisis.” Funding for these grants has been provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act economic stabilization plan.
Kilgore College TRIO program award $1.3M grant KILGORE — Sen. John Cornyn announced Aug. 10 that the Kilgore College TRIO program will receive $1,371,980 in “Federal Grants for Higher Education” to continue its services through 2025. Funding from the grants will allow the TRIO program at KC to continue its mission of providing financial assistance and academic support services to first-genCORNYN eration, low income and disabled students. The TRIO program at KC is in its 20th year and has helped 1,748 students with their educational needs. In that time period, 754 degrees/certificates have been earned by KC TRIO students including 24 certificates, 395 associate’s degrees, 287 bachelor’s degrees, 44 master’s degrees and four doctorate degrees. “As our students prepare to return to their studies, it is critical they are provided with the resources necessary to succeed and continue achieving academic milestones,” Cornyn said. “I’ll continue
to do everything in my power to ensure opportunities for students in East Texas aren’t taken away due to these times of economic uncertainty.” The program, first introduced in 1968 under the Higher Education Act, was named TRIO because it consisted of three programs: Upward Bound, Talent Search and Student Support Services. It now consists of seven. For more information, contact KC’s TRIO director Bindy Tice at (903) 9887590 or visit kilgore.edu/trio.
ABOUT SSS GRANTS
The grant funding comes from the Stu-
dent Support Services (SSS) program with each grant being sustained for a total of five years. Through a grant competition, funds are awarded to institutions of higher education to provide opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements and to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education. SSS projects also may provide grant aid to current SSS participants who are receiving Federal Pell Grants. The goal of SSS, a TRIO grant program, is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants.
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KC to offer real estate course in Longview KILGORE — Kilgore College will offer real estate courses beginning this month in Henderson and Longview for anyone interested in obtaining a Texas Real Estate Salesperson License. The five courses will be held at KC-Longview and at the Henderson Higher Education Center, located at 101 Mary Street in Henderson. To be eligible to apply for a real estate salesperson license, an individual must be a
citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien, at least 18 years old and a legal resident of Texas. Students who successfully complete the five courses must furnish the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) with evidence (with an application) of completing the classes. Classes are $150 per course and are offered on Mondays/ Wednesdays or Tuesdays/ classes, visit kilgore.edu/ Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information on the real-estate, call (903) 236-
2054 or email celgvw@ kilgore.edu.
Schools left in the lurch as COVID relief bill collapses By Lauren Camera U.S. News When President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at providing economic relief to blunt the repercussions of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the action eviscerated high-level negotiations on a bill to provide a major new infusion of federal support, leaving the country’s public schools system reeling as educators in some states began receiving students back to class without a cent of additional funding. In the run-up to Trump’s executive orders, signed Saturday, dozens of national education organizations had been clamoring for a new federal bailout to cover significant budget cuts – some upward of 25% – stemming from gutted state and local revenue that make up the bulk of school budgets. The Council for Chief State
School Officers, which represents state school chiefs of all political persuasions, estimates public schools need as much as $245 billion to reopen safely amid a pandemic and to provide additional academic and social and emotional support to recover from the dramatic closures that occurred across 14,000 school districts in March. But
signing the executive orders, which focus on payroll tax, rent and student loan debt – and not K-12 education – provided political cover for White House officials and Senate Republicans to step away from unproductive negotiations with House Democrats without addressing school needs. “The use of executive orders
exacerbates and complicates this political divide and does nothing to drive relief in a manner that helps schools,” says Noelle Ellerson Ng, associate executive director of advocacy and government at AASA, the School Superintendents Association. “His use of executive order unchecked complicates and Bill|Continued to page 17
NED E. WILLIAMS
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Collection for COVID data in schools under consideration? By Wes Rapaport KXAN AUSTIN — As some Texas schools reopen this week, some questions linger about how districts will report COVID-19 cases. Student or staff cases of COVID-19 are supposed to be reported by each school district to local health officials, but there is no formal guidance on sending that information to state education leaders. San Antonio parent Angela Rabke, a mother of three, said the decisions state education officials make impact her youngest child the most. He is a special education student in public school. “I feel like it’d be useful for the state to know how many cases there are in the schools. It’s their job to come up with policies that are keeping these students and these teachers safe,” Rabke said. “Policies, I think, are inconsistent between schools,” Rabke said, citing the different approaches districts are taking for reopening schools this fall during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s hard for our leaders to, you know, make choices that help everyone move this problem along if it’s, you know, if there’s not some good guidelines,” she said. While the Texas Education Agency released dozens of pages of guidelines for educators and families, it had not determined whether it plans to collect data of novel coronavirus cases in Texas classrooms— or how it would do it. “The question on data collec-
tion is still under active deliberation by TEA,” a spokesperson with the Texas Education Agency said this week. On the first day of school for Ector County Independent School District, superintendent Dr. Scott Muri said local context matters when interpreting COVID-19 case data.
“All of our decisions are purely based upon the context in Ector County and that context varies from, you know, the East Texas to West Texas, north and south,” Muri said. “But the data itself, yes, it’s interesting, as long as it’s used to further the science and used to really support schools across
the state of Texas,” he stated. “If a case does appear, there’s a lot of context, you know, what were the were the children wearing masks? How many students were in the room? What was the exposure of that teacher over the weekend, if you will, so a lot of questions, but it is interesting data that we’re tracking locally, so that we can share data with our community, with our parents, with our students, etc.,” Muri explained. Meanwhile, Abilene ISD’s school board pushed the start date back to Aug. 24. “It’s not if we get a case that impacts a campus, I mean, it’s when we get a case,” superintendent Dr. David Young said. “We’ve been working on what those processes are.”
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MEALS |Continued from page 1 ations stabilized,” she said. “But we are continuing to remain in touch with our families for the rest of the summer, leading right up to the start of school.” Starting as a spring break extension and turning into a completely new experience for students, staff, and parents, COVID-19 has offered many challenges to all. Ensuring that students could still receive two meals a day is one of the ways that LISD has worked to aid students during this unprecedented time. Dozier said since March, her department has worked with LISD Transportation and various other staffers “to provide meals for the children of Longview.” “We have so many amazing people who have consistently gone above and beyond to make this happen for our students and their families,” she said. “I could not be more proud of the job they have done during this difficult time, and how they continue to rise to the challenge of supporting our Longview community.” Delivery of meals originally started as three days a week but increased to five. Thanks to the hard work of the LISD Transportation staff, district students have not had to worry about how to pick up their meals. If you are new to the meal deliveries and make a request for them, it will take 48 hours to process and allow the addition to the daily route. Please send all meal delivery requests to ask@ lisd.org with your student’s name, student ID, home campus, and delivery address. If for some reason a meal has not been delivered by 11:45 a.m., please contact transportation or nhawkins@lisd.org and we will be able to get a meal to you before the cafeterias close. Deliveries will stop on the first day of school, Aug. 17. Longview ISD will be providing curbside pickup for those students that will be as remote learners. The meals can be picked up at the CAMPUS THE STUDENT IS ENROLLED between 9:30am and 10:30am. For elementary students these meals will all be free; for secondary students (middle and high school) will be by students eligibility. Secondary students will need to fill out a lunch ONLINE |Continued from page 1 place. Extra Chromebook chargers, and 1,000 T-Mobile hotspots were also obtained to facilitate this goal. Hotspots will be distributed to student families with the greatest need at the highest grade levels first. Priority will be given to families with multiple Longview ISD students. Campuses will distribute their current inventory of Chromebooks and extra chargers to teachers and students of highest grade level and need first. Once the newly purchased Chromebooks arrive, they will be distributed to all remaining students in grades 1-12. Arrival of new devices is projected for early September. Students will be able to download textbooks, observe class lessons, research, and complete school assignments with these devices. While the T-Mobile Hotspots will provide unlimited internet access for LISD Chromebooks, they will not accept connections to any other devices such as personal phones or devices. At South Ward Elementary, Principal Joaquin Guerrero, already has a plan for the distribution of Chromebooks to his 315 students. Guerre-
ro said the school will notify parents as soon as they have Chromebooks, hotspots, and chargers available. Parents will fill out a receiving log for the equipment. Students will have what they need to work remotely or on-campus. “Our students will grow up learning how the real world works by meeting deadlines and organizing their work and time to complete projects, just like adults, when we wake up in the morning and look at our phones to plan each day’s work,” Guerrero said. At South Ward, parents that select the remote learning method for this upcoming school year will get the devices first. Then students electing in-person learning will receive devices beginning with fifth, fourth, and third graders, until every student has a device. Longview ISD continues to create new avenues to serve its community and families, while focusing on every student’s benefit, regardless of their household income. All students and families are valuable and that’s why Longview district’s staff continues to ensure that each student has the tools necessary to succeed.
application and eligibility will be determined from the application. When parents pick up the meals they will need to have the student(s) ID number. Parents can order curbside pickup by going to ask@LISD.org and providing the student name, ID, and what days you will want to pick up meals. We want to provide the best for the students of LISD.
MEALS PROVIDED
March total = 50,740 meals (Breakfast: 18,933, Lunch: 31,807) April total = 53,598 meals (Breakfast: 26,799, Lunch: 26,799) May total = 37,164 meals (Breakfast: 18,582, Lunch: 18,582) June total = 49,236 meals (Breakfast: 24,618, Lunch: 24,618) July total = 56,309 meals (Breakfast: 28,204, Lunch: 28,105)
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — August 14, 2020
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Some students head to class online without reliable internet By Brian New CBS 11 DALLAS – As many Texas students prepare to start the school year online, now more than ever access to the internet is essential. Last spring, an estimated 1.8 million students across Texas were not able to take part in the online learning because they did not have high-speed internet. North Texas school districts spent the summer working to address the issue but some parents say they still feel like they have to choose between their child’s health and their education. “I’d rather not risk sending my kids back to school but I don’t have a choice,” said Jhoanna Cadnea, a parent of two McKinney ISD high school students. “We don’t have reliable internet so they have to go back.” For the Cadnea family to connect to the internet from their home in rural Collin County, the family uses a cell phone as a hotspot. In their neighborhood, however, cellular reception is spotty, at best. “Sometimes no matter what
you do, it is not possible to get internet here,” said 10th grader Jessica Cadnea. Last spring when schools were forced online, Jessica and her brother, Christian, fell behind. They missed class Zoom calls, could not download instructional videos, and at times, their internet connection was not even strong enough to email in their homework. “I think some of my teachers thought it was just an excuse to not do my work or to not turn it in or something, but they didn’t understand my situation,” she said. With classes beginning yet again online this fall, Jessica’s mother is worried.
“I’m afraid they are going to end up failing just because of a lack of internet that we are not able to get and it’s beyond my control. It’s beyond their control,” Cadnea said. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, nearly one in three households in Fort Worth and Arlington do not have fixed internet. It’s even worse in Dallas. At 42%, Dallas has the worst connection rate among the ten largest cities in the country. To solve the problem, local school districts have spent millions of dollars in recent months on mobile hotspots. Dallas ISD will hand out more than 20,000 hotspots to students this year at a cost of nearly $2.9 million.
Since March, Fort Worth ISD has spent $3.6 million to purchase an additional 16,000 hotspots. Districts, like Plano ISD, along with mobile hotspots, are setting up Wi-Fi spots at schools where students can connect from the parking lots. Even still, some schools worry students may be left disconnected which is why when DeSoto ISD starts the year online, students will have the option to do it at school. There will be no face-to-face teacher instruction but school buildings will be open with supervised online learning and reliable internet connection. Since the spring, the Texas Education Agency and school districts have set aside $400 million with the goal to providing one million laptops, iPads and a half million hotspots to needy students. Non-profits, like Dallas Innovation Alliance, have also jumped in to help narrow the digital divide. The non-profit converted an old school bus into an internet hub and this fall the bus will be parked in Dallas neighborhoods where internet connection is limited.
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OBITUARIES Longview ISD offers our most sincere condolences to our extended Lobo family CHARLOTTE CLAPP HALBERT
HALBERT
A celebration of life for Charlotte Clapp Halbert was held in the sanctuary at First Christian Church on Saturday, Aug. 1, with the reverend Dr. Chris Pulliam officiating. Visitation was held at Stewart Family Funeral Home on Friday, July 31, from 5-7 p.m. Charlotte passed from this life into eternity on July 19, 2020
in Tyler. Charlotte was born in El Dorado, Arkansas, on March 9, 1927, to Mabel and Arthur Clapp. Following the death of her mother, she and her sister, Natalie, lived with grandparents in Bernice, Louisiana. When their father remarried, to Gladys Harlow, she and Natalie moved to Longview and gained another sister, Nita. Charlotte graduated from Longview High School and Christian College in Columbia, Missouri, and attended Southern Methodist University, where she met her future husband, Henry “Hank” Bryant. She later married Jack Halbert, and they enjoyed over thirty years of life together. She was an active member of First Christian Church in Tyler since 1954, where she served on many committees and was an elder emeritus. Beginning work as an interior decorator with
Pope and Turner in the late 1960’s, she later opened her own design studio, Charlotte’s Interiors, which continued until she was in her late 80’s. Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jack, and a sister, Mary Vanita Avery. Survivors include her children and their spouses: Bob Bryant (Iris) of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Martha Swanson (Randy) of Hoffman Estates, Illinois; Linda Dorsey (Doyle) and Mary Burch (Henry) of Tyler, and a stepson; Kevin Halbert (Dona), of Tyler. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Raegan Muse (David) of Marietta, Georgia; Kendyl Rhone Zimmerman of Allen, Texas; and Kerry Halbert of Tyler; three great-grandsons, Dylan and Hudson Muse and Landon Zimmerman; her sister, Natalie Graves; as well as nieces and nephews. Grandchildren and great grandchildren by love also survive her. It is with much gratitude and appreciation that those who cared so faithfully for her the past few years are acknowledged: Caroll, Cynthia, Debbie, Diann, Elizabeth, Eva, Janie, LaSonya, Maxine, Selene, Shelia, and Yolunda. If desired, memorials may be made to First Christian Church of Tyler (Music Ministry Fund), 4202 S. Broadway, Tyler, TX 75701; The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701 or the charity of your choice.
BOARD |Continued from page 7 every racial, ethnic, and demographically diverse group of students, and enrich the lives of all children in Longview ISD.” Dr. Wilcox thanked LISD Board President Mrs. Ginia Northcutt and all the trustees for their work in developing the resolution. “It’s as simple as our district motto: ‘Believe in excellence for ALL,’ and that is exactly what we are trying to do here [...] provide the absolute best opportunities for every single one of our students,” he said. Go to LISD.org to download the complete resolution.
ELECTIONS
Board members also approved a revised order of election for the LISD Board of Trustees to Districts 2 and 4. Gregg County and Longview ISD will conduct a joint election on Nov. 3rd. The regular date of May 2nd was postponed following the proclama-
tion issued from Gov. Greg Abbott on March 18th. Early voting by personal appearance will be from 8 a.m. WELGE to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 13-30 at the Longview Community Center, Greggton Community Center, Elderville Community Center, Stamper Park MILLER Resource Center, and Broughton Recreation Center Terms for Place 2 trustee Ava Welge and Place 4 trustee Ginia Northcutt are expiring, with both members
planning to run for re-election. Northcutt drew no opponent, but local attorney Brett Miller has filed to run against Welge in Place 2. Trustees are elected to serve three-year terms. Go to LISD.org to download the revised election order.
IN OTHER NEWS
During the course of the meeting, the LISD Board of Trustees also approved a 2020-21 Agreement with SeeSaw Children’s Place for after-school care; Property/ Casualty Comprehensive Insurance Coverage for 2020-21; Board Time Use Tracker for the July 13th regular meeting; the 2020-21 Longview ISD Employee Handbook; an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Carrollton; official minutes of the July 29th special meeting; T-TESS Board|Continued to page 17
PUBLIC NOTICES LISD Special Board Meeting set for August 26
Trustees usually meet in the boardroom of the LISD Education Support Center, but often set special-called meetings at various locations around the district. The next special meeting is tentatively scheduled for 12 p.m. on August 26. For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees go to LISD.org.
JOHN ALAN THOMPSON On Tuesday, Aug. 4, John Alan Thompson loving husband and father of two, passed unexpectedly into eternal life at the age of 71. John was born on July 18, 1949, in Levittown, New York to Richard and Adrienne THOMPSON Thompson. He was a graduate of Longview High School, Class of ’67, and the Calhoon MEBA Engineering School in Baltimore, Maryland. While in Baltimore, John met the love of his life Barbara. They wed on August 7, 1971. Together they raised two sons, Michael and Adam. In August 1974 John joined the Longview Police Department where he achieved the rank of Sergeant. He retired from the LPD in April of 2005. He decided to join the Gregg County Sheriff’s Department in 2007, again achieving the rank of Sergeant until his retirement in July of 2015. While working for each agency, he was recognized as Supervisor of the Year. It was his honor to serve the citizens of Longview and Gregg County and we are immensely proud of his unrelenting dedication to helping people. John enjoyed his time at home often gardening with Barbara and tending to his numerous bird feeders for both his personal enjoyment and that of his grandchildren. He loved his sons, their wives and his grandchildren more than anything in this world. As the patriarch of his family, he would do anything for his brothers and sisters. He had a heart of gold and was just the greatest. John was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Richard. He is survived by his soulmate Barbara; son Michael and wife Carolyn and their children Alyssa(13), Aiden(11) and Adalyn(5); son Adam and wife Laura and their children Porter(2) and Holden(3wks). He is also survived by his sister Maureen(George); brother Tom(Sheryl); sister Lee Ann(Bobby) and brother Spencer(Karen) and several nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial was held for John on Saturday, Aug. 8, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society.
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BILL |Continued from page 12 makes even more partisan these negotiations.” With most members of Congress back in their home districts this week, education organizations are pleading with them to return to the negotiating table. In a letter to White House officials and
congressional leaders Tuesday, Ellerson Ng urged them to resume negotiations and relayed the findings from an Aug. 3 survey of superintendents regarding the costs associated with reopening schools in-person, online or with a hybrid model.
BOARD |Continued from page 16 Appraisers for 2020-21; Budget Amendment No. 12; and Board Policy Update 115. Board members also received information on the 2020-21 COVID-19 Back-toSchool Plan, and the 2019-2020
Exit Report.
FOR MORE INFO
Trustees usually meet in the boardroom of the LISD Education Support Center (1301 E. Young Street), but often set special-called meetings at
ONLINE |Continúa desde la página 1 computadoras portátiles. Este verano, Longview ISD adquirió 4,600 computadoras portátiles marca DELL adicionalmente a las 4000 que ya tenían en su posesión, cargadores adicionales y 1000 hotspots de T-Mobile que permitirán a los alumnos tener acceso a internet en sus hogares Los Hotspots, los cuales proveen internet, serán distribuídos a las familias con la necesidad más urgente empezando con los grados más altos. La prioridad la tendrán las familias que tengan multiples estudiantes del distrito escolar de Longview dentro del mismo hogar. Los campus entregarán su inventario actual de dispositivos y cargadores adicionales a los maestros y estudiantes de los grades más altos y con mayor necesidad primero. Una vez que lleguen las nuevas computadoras portátiles, serán distribuídas a todos los estudiantes restantes de los grados 1-12. Está previsto que lleguen los dispositivos los primeros días de Septiembre. Los alumnos podrán descargarse sus libros, observer lecciones dadas por sus maestros en las clases, investigar y completer asignaturas y tareas con estos dispositivos. Aunque los Hotspots de T-Mobile pueden brindar acceso ilimitado a internet por medio de estas computadoras portátiles, no aceptarán conexiones a otros dispositivos personales en la casa como teléfonos celulares, otras computadoras o televisores inteligentes. En South Ward Elementary, el Rector Joaquin Guerrero, ya tiene un plan
listo para la distribución de las computadoras portátiles a sus 315 estudiantes. Guerrero dijo que la escuela informará a los padres de familia apenas tengan disponibles los dispositivos junto con los Hotspots y los cargadores. Los padres de familia llenarán un formulario de entrega para la recepción del dispositivo. De esta manera los estudiantes tendrán lo que necesitan para estudiar desde casa o en el campus. “Nuestros estudiantes crecerán aprendiendo como funciona el mundo real al tener que organizer su trabajo cada día, completar proyectos y hacerlo dentro de las fechas límites. Así como lo hacemos nosotros los adultos cada mañana al despertar y revisar nuestro celular para ver que tenemos que hacer ese día” dijo el Rector Guerrero. En South Ward, los padres que elijan educación a distancia (remota) para este nuevo año escolar recibirán los dispositivos primero. Luego, los alumnos que elijan estudiar presencialmente recibirán los dispositivos empezando con quinto grado, seguido por cuarto y tercero, hasta que cada alumno(a) tenga uno. Longview ISD continúa creando nuevas avenidas para servir a su comunidad y a sus familias, mientras se enfoca en el beneficio de cada estudiante sin importar su nivel socio-económico. En Longview ISD, todas las familias son valiosas y es por eso que su empleados continúan trabajando arduamente para que sus estudiantes tengan las herramientas necesarias para ser exitosos.
various locations around the district. The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 14th. Due to public health protocols currently in place, the public will not be admitted
into the trustees’ boardroom. The meeting will be streamed online at LISD.org/Board roomLive. For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees please go to LISD.org.
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SPOTTED ON SOCI AL
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TEA |Continued from page 8 keep students learning while easing the burden on teachers and staff, saving schools across Texas time and money in the process. The LMS brings together teachers, students, parents, and administrators to provide easy access to classes, assignments, grades, and more, supporting learning in the classroom, at home, or both. The tool allows parents to track their students’ progress throughout the school year, which is especially useful as many families in Texas choose for their children to receive instruction remotely because of COVID-19. Using CARES Act funding, the TEA is providing this critical, high-quality remote learning software system free for every Texas school system, saving school systems up to 40 million dollars out of their local budgets over two years. And by using the purchasing power of the state, TEA was able to bring prices down that ultimately save the taxpayer up to 22 million dollars over two years. There are significant benefits to Texas school systems; this innovative learning solution will: Bring Everyone Together: The LMS connects everyone in a school district within a single teaching and learning hub, so parents, students, teachers, COVID |Continued from page 11 exceptions, unless approval is granted by the Mayor. The City of Longview and Mayor Andy Mack will consider requests for outdoor events on a case-by-case basis. However, event organizers should know that the baseline assumption is that large gatherings during outdoor events are not currently allowed. To request permission from the Mayor for your outdoor event, please complete the COVID-19 Event Form in addition to any of the regular permits and reservations that may be necessary for your event. For more information please visit the Events page. More information about statewide restrictions and guidelines can be found at Open.Texas.Gov.
can all share resources, answer questions, and stay connected; Keep the Learning Going: Teachers can easily create and/ or deliver courses in the LMS that support in-person, online, and blended models–enabling learning to continue regardless of the circumstances in a particular school or district; Save Teachers Time: By eliminating administrative
tasks, the LMS gives teachers more time to engage with students and innovate their instruction; and Cover all Costs for Texas Schools: As part of the Texas Home Learning 3.0, TEA will fund the LMS for any Texas LEA for two years at no cost to the LEA. “Texas schools are working mightily to meet the educa-
tional needs of millions of kids who will participate in school remotely given the public health situation. TEA is working to provide as much support to school systems as possible, including fully funding schools for remote instruction and providing schools with free, high-end teaching technology so that the remote education experience is effective for our students,” said Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. “This Learning Management System allows teachers to seamlessly communicate with their students and helps their students stay focused on their lessons while learning from home and will go a long way toward ensuring Texas students continue making major academic gains even during the 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
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — August 14, 2020
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