It’s the most wonderful time of the year...
The holiday season is upon us, and we here in Lobo Nation want to wish a happy holidays to all of our Lobos!
From feasting with family to watching an annual parade, there is a lot to do in East Texas during this time of year. Here are just a few ideas for you and your family.
Thank you Mrs. Buie
Linda Buie retires after decades of working at LISD
After spending so much of her time to help nurture the students at Longview ISD, Linda Buie has retired.
While she may no longer be walking the halls of Longview High School, there are many there who will remember her and shall miss her.
“She was a huge presence here at the high school. She is such an amazing person and always been there for everyone,” said Lisa Soderquist. Ms. Soderquist was Mrs. Buie’s assistant.
A 1967 Lobo graduate, Mrs. Buie went on to graduate from the University of Arkansas. She would end up earning a Master of Art and English, as well as Education. Mrs. Buie then entered the field of education by teaching English at Foster Jr. High at LISD. She would continue her career in the district, taking on various roles including dean of instruction and IB lead.
Though she worked in education over the course of decades, Mrs. Buie’s love for her job and those she worked with never faded.
“It’s such a gift to be able to work in something you love, getting to help others. I had students who couldn’t read or write and we helped them,” Mrs. Buie said. “It was a challenge, but it was a wonderful challenge. I just knew that I was doing something good for
OPINION
Give back this holiday season
By Dustin Taylor“No one has ever become poor by giving.” — Anne Frank
The world changes a lot every year. Some changes are good, some are bad; but no matter how bad the times may change, many of us still have something to be thankful for. Others unfortunately are not quite so lucky.
A small act of kindness can potentially be something that will help lift the spirits of a stranger and help them through their current troubles. Whether you simply volunteer to help at a shelter for an hour or donate $50 to a charity, you never know how much of a boost this can be in someone’s life. While we likely never know how much of an affect any single one of us has on someone else’s life, any kindness that we put out into the world has the potential to multiply and help move the planet just a bit closer to being a better place for all.
Whether you can help someone right now, or another time in the year, it is never too late to help others when you can.
There are countless ways to give back. If you are in the spirit of giving but are not sure what you can do, here are just a few ideas.
TAYLOR
VOLUNTEERING
A great way to help locally is to go to longviewtexas.gov and see what the city is in need of volunteers for. The city has a wide variety of things that they will happily accept volunteers for. From assisting with cleanups to helping out at the Longview Public Library, they can always make use of idle hands.
For anyone who would like to help our furry best friends, animal shelters are often in need of assistance. Since you likely can’t take all of the animals that a shelter currently has, helping the animals by volunteering is the next best thing!
If you are wanting to volunteer for something more festive, why not help Marshall with their Wonderland of Lights (marshalltexas.net).
DONATIONS
Perhaps you don’t have the time to volunteer. Perhaps you would prefer to send a few dollars or some clothing to a worthy cause. Great! Donations are just as important as volunteers.
Hiway 80 Rescue Mission constantly could use donations from the public. Their website has a list of items that they are currently in need of such as cleaning supplies, bottled water, canned food, new underwear, and more.
For the full list, go to hiway 80rm.org
Another worthy cause that helps people locally is the East Texas Food Bank. They help in getting nutritious meals to adults and children who have trouble securing such meals. There are people who go hungry all over the world, and unfortunately, this
includes our own hometown.
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
Even the simplest gestures can be a bright spot in someone’s day. A popular method nowadays is “paying it forward.” In line at McDonald’s? Why not pay for the food of the person in line after you? It could end up with a dozen people paying for the following person’s food, or how about something as simple as holding the door open for someone at the store? It’s the action that matters, not the size.
Doing something nice, no matter how big or small can help to make the world a better place. Even if it is only for one person, for one day, that could make all the difference to them.
The season of giving is a great place to start, but why stop there? There is no reason we cannot let the festive season of giving continue into the New Year.
— An award-winning
A closer look at this month’s issue
By Matthew ProsserThis newspaper you’re holding is the collective work of the LISD Community Relations department, our campus representatives, students, and staff. I hope you enjoy all the photos and articles, especially a few that I would like to point out specifically...
• District earns ‘A’ on financial rating, again (Page 4): Longview ISD has received an “A” on its financial rating, among the highest in the entire state of Texas
Now, at first glance, this may not seem like that big of a deal. After all, getting an “A” in budgetary responsibility is pretty much the status quo for Longview ISD since we’ve earned an “A” from the state every year of the program’s existence. But I think it’s worth noting that Longview ISD actually received a perfect score of 100. That’s kind of a big deal.
• Whitney Reardon em-
phasizes language skills (Page 5): Award-winning teacher Mrs. Whitney Reardon has spent the last sixteen years as a competent, compassionate deaf education instructor for LISD’s Regional Day School Program for the Deaf.
This is an excellent article in the Charters section of our newspaper. It takes a deep dive into the vital work being performed by the “boots on the ground” of Longview ISD, namely: our teachers.
In the article, Mrs. Reardon takes us into her classroom as well as her own education and development as a professional. It’s a perfect illustration of the many, many remarkable people I am honored to call my colleagues in this district.
• LISD Foundation awards five John W. Harrison, Jr. Academic Field Trip Grants (Page 8): On Wednesday, Nov. 30, the
Longview ISD Foundation rang in the season of giving by visiting five campuses to award $19,735 in Field Trip Grants.
The tireless efforts of Mrs. Kay Ray and her team of volunteers with the Longview ISD Foundation are such tremendous assets to our community. Since November 2018, the Longview ISD Foundation has funded fourteen academic field trip grants for a total of $61,733.74. In total, the Longview ISD Foundation has returned $1,042,092.19 to Longview ISD classrooms and campuses to enhance educational opportunities for all students.
Of course, you’ve probably already read the front-page articles on the great Mrs. Linda Buie and our holiday roundup, but these were a few of the excellent stories we’ve got in the rest of this edition of The
Longview Voice. I hope you’ll give it a close reading, and let us know what you think!
We’re always on the lookout for interesting stories about the many amazing students, employees, and families of our community. So drop us a line if there’s something you’d like to read more about. You can email me at ask@LISD.org or call 903-381-2200.
By the time many of you read this, Longview ISD will probably have already begun our break (Dec. 19-30). I hope you are all relaxing with your loved ones, and enjoying some much-deserved time off. School is an exceedingly busy time for all of us, and there’s nothing like a well-earned break to rest and recover.
I wish you all the very best of this “most wonderful time of the year!”
— An award-winning journalist and photographer, Matthew Prosser is Communications Director for Longview Independent School District.
INCASE U MISSED T I YO
ROCKIN’ L CAR EMBLEMS AVAILABLE
The Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. announces that Lobo fans and members of the Lobo Nation can now order chrome Rockin’ L car emblems for their vehicles online at www.lisdfoundation. org. Click on the order form under Events on the home page. These chrome emblems are made by the same company that makes college chrome car emblems. The emblems are NOT magnets; instead, they are quality chrome stationary emblems. Cost is $20. Fans can ask that emblems be delivered to LISD campuses if they have students in LISD schools, to the LISD athletic office, or to the LISD administration building, or for a $5.00 shipping and handling fee, the Foundation will mail the emblem to you.
DISTRICT EARLY RELEASE ON DECEMBER 16
Longview ISD will have an early dismissal on Friday, December 16. Please note the following times below:
High School — 11: 10 p.m.
Middle Schools — 11:45 p.m.
ETMPA — 12:30 p.m.
Elementary Schools — 1:10 p.m. District offices and campuses will be closed December 19-30. Staff will return Monday, January 2 for a staff development day and students will be back in the classroom on Tuesday, January 3.
DID WE MISS YOUR DISTRICT NEWS?
Did we miss district campus or organization news? Send us the pertinent information to ask@LISD.org and we’ll include it in our next issue!
EAST TEXAS COMING EVENTS
December 1
Longview AMBUCS Christmas Parade, Longview, 6:30 p.m.
December 3
Pics with Santa!, Longview Public Library, 10 a.m. December 5
LHS Holiday Choir Concert, Trinity Episcopal Church, 7 p.m. December 6 Hanukkah ends December 8
ArtWalk, Downtown Longview, 5 p.m.
December 9
Library Cheermeister Party, Longview Public Library, 6 p.m.
Combined Middle School Holiday Concert, Mickey Melton Auditorium 6:30 p.m. Blacklight Party — Jack’s Christmas, Painting with a Twist, 8 p.m.
December 10
A Green Christmas, The Green, 2 p.m. “Barking Around the Christmas Tree”, Longview Animal Care 5 p.m.
December 16
Gingerbread decorating contest, Judson Community Baptist Church, 5 p.m. December 17
Holly Jolly Cocoa Social, Longview Marketplace, 5 p.m.
December 24 Christmas Eve December 25 Christmas Day December 26 Kwanzaa starts
District earns ‘A’ on financial rating, again
With a perfect score of 100, Longview ISD has received an “A” on its financial rating, among the highest in the state of Texas.
The Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) was created by the Legislature in 2001 and was designed to encourage public schools to better manage their financial resources to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes.
Since the creation of the program, Longview ISD has received a superior rating almost every single year.
“It’s a testament not only to the hard work of the Business Office staff, but of the entire district,” said Dr. Wayne Guidry, Assistant Superintendent of Finance, during the Longview ISD Board of
Longview FFA had a great day at the Area 6 LDE contest on Wednesday, Nov. 16!
We are so proud of all of our students that competed today! We had our 1st state advancement since 2010!
Trisha Dhana earned 1st place in Greenhand Creed Speaking and will be advancing to State.
Maggie Mayes earned 3rd place in Job Interview.
Matts Burton, Ellie Dunaway, Angela Moyer, and Gia Shepherd earned 3rd place in Senior Quiz.
Sadie Avaltroni, Cameron Black, Tristan Compton, Aiden Helsley, Tyson Keebaugh, Connor Kelsey, John Northcutt, and Lincoln Witt earned 4th place in Greenhand Chapter Conducting.
Trent Keebaugh, Maggie Mayes, and Christian Cruz earned 8th place in Ag Advocacy.
Ayden Allen, Madalynn Cain, Ryan Hull, Graham Shepherd, Gia Shepherd, Benjamin Weindorff, and Brynn Woods earned 12th place in Senior Conducting. Amazing job, everyone!
Trustees regular meeting Monday, Nov. 14th.
The rating system scores school districts on 15 financial indicators, such as administrative cost expenditures, the accuracy of a district’s financial information submitted to the Texas Education Agency, and any financial vulnerabilities or material weaknesses in internal controls as determined
by an external auditor.
School districts are given a numeric grade for the indicators. The numeric grades, when totaled, correspond to a letter grade of A, B, C, or F. The letter grades correspond to the ratings ‘superior,’ ‘above standard achievement,’ ‘meets standard’ or
CHARTERS
Whitney Reardon emphasizes language skills
Whitney Reardon has spent the last sixteen years as a competent, compassionate deaf education instructor in the Longview Independent School District’s (LISD) Regional Day School Program for the Deaf.
During her childhood, she was lovingly fascinated by American Sign Language. When she attended Longview High School, she became serious about it.
“I shadowed two of our Deaf Education teachers, got to know their amazing kids and fell in love with them,” she says. That’s when I knew what I wanted to do.”
Nowadays, as a teacher at Johnston-McQueen Elementary she emphasizes to her own students the importance of building
their vocabularies and developing language skills that enable them to learn other academic fields. For these young people, it is a hands-on, personal, and downright fun experience. This semester, they are learning about various cultures and
traditions and their families are invited to participate and share the results of their interactions with the class.
The class will learn and study differences in their own culture and those of others. This leads to appreciation and acceptance
of how the rest of the world lives, works, and worships. The semester will conclude with a visit from Singing Santa at a Christmas party that will showcase the various global holiday traditions these students have studied.
Recalling the old saying that it takes a whole village to raise one child, Reardon compares her school and the LISD to a village training young people well prepared for an endless selection of vocations. She loves the collaboration that goes on at JMQ.
“I am so blessed to have such a wonderful team that I can count on,” she says. “We work together and help each other without hesitation, just as a family does. Together, we help students become successful.”
Guerra’s classes focuses on one IB profile per week
Meet Erika Guerra, 5th grade bilingual, self-contained teacher at Bailey Elementary School, AKA The Bailey School. Her students remain with her throughout each school day, and Mrs. Guerra has capitalized on this opportunity in some innovative ways. She began this school year by familiarizing her students with the ten IB Learner Profile traits and then set about focusing on one trait per week. The students choose which trait they’d like to master. Recently they chose and worked on the Profile trait of “thinker.” They read books about great thinkers, discussed what makes a person a good thinker, and then at the end of the week, Mrs. Guerra awarded a trophy to the pair of students who had best mastered the trait of “think-
er.” This much-coveted trophy remains with the winning pair for a week, then they move on to another trait. She says that this focus on the IB Learner Profile helps them internalize their learning of these values and “mold their character.” Thus, the Learner Profile plays a “huge role” in her classroom.
During the second six weeks, the Unit of Inquiry was “How the World Works” which has, as one of its key concepts, “change.” Since IB explores a concept through transdisciplinary themes, students read a novel about a Dominican girl who immigrated to America because of her parents’ divorce, undergoing great changes in her life. They discussed how the girl had adapted, reflected on the story in their journals, and applied it to their own lives, thinking about different types of changes that can occur in families. In math, they studied fractions, and discussed how numbers can change form.
In science, they experimented with how sediments change over time.
Kudos to Mrs. Guerra for her dedication and creative ways of implementing IB principles and practices in her 5th Grade classroom.
Lobo cosmetology had competition with ‘Holiday Updo
Before Thanksgiving Break, the Longview High School cosmetology class held their “Holiday Updo” contest. This was no easy challenge! This group of talented students blew us away with their creativity.
Everyone did a fabulous job, but congrats to our top three: Odalis Vazquez (1st place); Yaritza Almanza (2nd place); A’Maya Kenney (3rd place).
Thank you to the prize sponsors: (1st place) RDA, (2nd place) Ulta Beauty, and (3rd place) Armstrong McCall of North Texas.
IB is beneficial at all grade levels
By Christy Triece Guest Writer“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” — William Butler Yeats
With its inquiry-based learning and global-mindedness, the IB programme is steadily lighting the fire of learning in students throughout Longview ISD. Last month’s article titled “Why send students to an IB school?” described the two IB programmes available to high school juniors and seniors at Longview High School: the Diploma Programme and the Career-Related Programme. But there are roughly 6,000+ Longview ISD students who are also benefiting from their school’s offering of the IB programmes for 1st through 10th graders: the Middle Years Programme and Primary Years Programme.
Teachers at each of the three middle schools in Longview ISD are incorporating IB Middle Years Programme practices in their classrooms, including lessons, projects, and activities that develop “active learners and internationally minded young people who can empathize with others and pursue lives of purpose and meaning.”
As young adolescents, students in Grades 6-8 are “establishing their identity and building their self-esteem,” and thus through exploration of the IB Learner Profile, students can discover their strong points as learners and improve on their weaker ones. Another aspect of the curriculum is language acquisition, and so MYP students in Longview ISD take either a Spanish or a French class which “aims to develop a respect for, and understanding of, other languages and cultures, and is equally designed to equip a student with a skills- base to facilitate further language learning.”
TRIECE
In addition to these benefits, twice during the five year MYP programme, students complete long-term projects: the community project in the 8th grade and the personal project in the 10th grade. Both projects are “student centered and age-appropriate, and they enable students to engage in practical explorations through a cycle of inquiry, action, and reflection.” The 8th grade community project is completed in collaboration with other students or individ-
ually as the student chooses, and provides an opportunity to pursue service learning. For example, one student at Judson Middle School titled his project “Saving Stray Animals;” he researched animal rescue groups and our local animal shelter, and with the help of his mother, a stray dog named Snoopy was returned microchipped to his happy owner.
In the 5th year of the MYP, students undergo a long term personal project on a topic of great personal interest, a topic that, as one teacher put it, “stirs their soul.” This project, which begins in September of their sophomore year, formally assesses students’ abilities in self-management, research, communication, collaboration, and both critical and creative thinking. These are skills that will be needed in the
subsequent years as students progress to the Diploma Programme and higher education. Throughout the year students work on completion of three elements: a product or outcome, a process journal, and a final report which is “assessed by the supervisor and externally moderated by the IB to insure a globally consistent standard of excellence.” Last year at LHS, as their final product or outcome, one student interviewed his mother about her support of and care for a homeless man who lived in the forest behind their home for several years, and another created a video with voice-overs about the impact that playing soccer has had in his life.
Throughout their middle years, MYP students are in-
STUDENT'S SUCCESS.
The Affordable Connectivity Program provides eligible households with up to a $30 discount off their monthly internet bill or anACP Free Internet Package.
The Affordable Connectivity Program provides eligible households with up to a $30 discount off monthly internet bill or anACP Free Internet Package.
You may qualify if your student receives free or reduced school lunch or breakfast!
You may qualify if your student receives free or reduced school lunch or breakfast! Does your student participate in the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision?
Does your student participate in the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision?
If the answer is Yes, your household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program.
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You may also qualify if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or a member of the household participates in certain federal assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI or WIC, or Tribal assistance programs. Call 501-500-1168 Visit A
You may also qualify if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines member of the household participates in certain federal assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI or WIC, or Tribal assistance programs.
FOUNDATION
Foundation hosts breakfast for grant recipients
By Kay Ray Executive DirectorOn Wednesday, December 7, Dr. James Wilcox and Longview ISD hosted a breakfast for the recipients of the Longview ISD Foundation’s 2023 Great Rewards for Great Ideas Grant Program and the Campus Initiative Grant Program. At the breakfast, the Foundation awarded funding for this year’s grant cycle. Also honored at the
breakfast were the recipients of the John W. Harrison, Jr. Academic Field Trip Grant who were surprised with their funding at their campuses on November 30.
GREAT REWARDS FOR GREAT IDEAS
Grant winners received funding from the Longview ISD Foundation ranging from $100 to $2,500 for innovative classroom projects and programs that
Grants|Continued to page 17
Annual employee scholarship award given to staff
By Kay Ray Executive DirectorFor the seventh year, the Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. proudly awards its Employee Scholarship Award to assist district staff members who are pursuing classes and/or certifications related to classroom education in English, math, science, social studies, bilingual education, special education, STEAM, or counseling with the intent of
improving classroom instruction and direct services to students in LISD.
This year, the Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. awarded the $500 scholarship to Madison Copeland, early childhood special education teacher at Ned E. Williams STEAM Academy. With this scholarship, in spring 2023 Madison will begin her master’s degree in early childhood special
Five John W. Harrison, Jr. Academic
By Kay Ray Executive DirectorOn Wednesday, November 30, the Longview ISD Foundation rang in the season of giving by visiting Johnston-McQueen Elementary School, Judson STEAM Academy, J. L. Everhart Elementary School, Foster Middle School, and Ware East Texas Montessori Academy to award five John W. Harrison, Jr. Academic Field Trip Grants for a
total of $19,735.88.
Foundation members Heather Hilton, Academic Field Trip Grant Committee Chair, Scott Lewis, and Julie Ford joined Kay Ray, director, to surprise the grant recipients and their students with funding for their academic field trip learning experiences.
The Foundation funded three elementary school academic field
DEAR SANTA
SPORTS STATE PLAYOFFS
The Lobos quest for another State Championship eluded them in a heartbreaking 17-14 loss in the Class 5A State Semifinal game Saturday, Dec. 10th. But despite coming up just short, we are all proud of our Lobo student-athletes, coaches, staff, families, and countless volunteers.
Here’s a look back at Longview’s playoff victories through the post-season:
media partner
LOBOS 49
Crosby 15
LONGVIEW—Longview received an early test in their bi-district football game, but scored the final six touchdowns to earn a 4915 home playoff win against Crosby at Lobo Stadium.
The Crosby Cougars, on the other hand, finished the 2022 campaign with a 6-5 mark.
“It feels great to get out of here 1-0,” Longview athletic director and head football coach John King said of his team’s strong start to the 2022 postseason. “We played a good football team tonight. We told [our squad that] we’re going to have to weather the storm. The kids played hard, really settled down, and dominated the game after the second quarter.”
Longview’s defense started the game by forcing a quick Crosby three-and-out on the opening drive, and its offense quickly found itself at the Cougar 32-yard line after a short punt.
The Lobos took advantage of the great field position during a four-play scoring drive that resulted in Taylor Tatum’s 19-yard touchdown run. That gave the home team an early 7-0 lead at the 8:19 mark of the first quarter.
Longview rushed for 377 yards on 42 carries on the night.
“It was huge,” said Coach King said of Longview’s defense shutting down Crosby’s offense on the final Cougar drives. “They don’t score, and we do. The defense has been great all year long, and had a great plan (on Friday).”
ten accustomed to. He’s got a good supporting cast. Some of it is him, and some of it is him and them. He’s a great back, is physical, and has speed and great vision. He’s done a good job for us.”
LOBOS 51 Memorial 7
LUFKIN—Longview faced a small deficit as the second quarter of Friday’s regional semifinal began, but the Lobos stormed back to earn a dominant 51-7 win against Port Arthur Memorial at Lufkin’s Abe Martin Stadium.
Port Arthur Memorial finished the year’s campaign with an 11-2 mark.
“It feels great,” Longview athletic director and head football coach John King said of his program’s first regional final appearance since 2018. “We are in the fourth round. That’s all we’re guaranteed, so we need to make the most of it.”
LOBOS 38
DALLAS—Longview held a small halftime lead against Frisco Lone Star during Friday night’s area round football playoff game at Dallas’ John Kincaide Stadium, and ultimately pulled away in the second half for a 38-17 victory.
The Rangers finished their 2022 campaign with a 9-3 mark.
Longview was slow out of the gate because of three early penalties, and fell behind 3-0 after Chase Lanham kicked a 33-yard field goal, but the Lobos leaned on their rushing attack to take their first lead of the night.
Taylor Tatum launched Longview’s first scoring drive during a 55-yard carry, and his three-yard touchdown run gave Longview a 7-3 lead with 19 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Tatum guided Longview’s running attack with his 24 carries for 222 yards and three touchdowns. The Lobos ultimately finished with 300 yards on the ground.
“It’s what he does,”” King said of Tatum’s rushing performance. “That’s what we’ve got-
It took some time for Longview’s offense to find its stride, but the Lobos’ defensive unit forced three first-half turnovers to keep its team in the game.
Jeremiah Rougely intercepted a Wilson pass with 36 seconds remaining in the first quarter, and recovered a Wilson fumble at the 8:11 mark of the second period. Kaden Brooks continued the trend when he recovered a fumble with 2:47 left in the first half.
Longview finally got on the board when Michael Fields kicked a 24-yard field goal attempt through the uprights with 10:58 left in the second quarter.
Jordan Allen started to heat up, so Longview turned to the passing game to wrap up its first half scoring. He connected with Jalen Hale on a 48-yard touchdown pass with 3:02 left in the first half, but the lead remained at 16-7 after a mishandled extra point snap.
Allen completed all six of his first-half passes, and eight of his nine attempts in the game. That earned him 191 yards and three touchdowns through the air.
Allen then added a 35-yard touchdown pass to Tatum to make it a 23-7 score with 12 seconds remaining until halftime.
LOBOS 37
Timberview 21
MESQUITE—A battle was expected when the top two teams in Class 5A Division I met at Mesquite Memorial Stadium on Friday night, but No. 1 Longview ultimately pulled away in the second half to earn a 37-21 win against No. 2 Mansfield Timberview in the Region II championship game.
Mansfield-Timberview finished its 2022 campaign with a 13-1 mark.
“Gritty, tough and prideful,” Longview athletic director and head football coach John King said of his team’s performance on Friday. “Our defense did a great job slowing down the [Mansfield Timberview] run game. Offensively, we got the run game going. We [also] hit a couple of important passes when we needed them. What a night!”
Longview’s defense was aggressive early, and that allowed Xaryus Sheppard to recover a fumble on the fifth offensive play of the game. He ultimately returned the ball to the Mansfield Timberview 24yard line.
The Lobos’ offensive unit made the most of the field position because Taylor Tatum’s two-yard touchdown run a few moments later made it a 7-0 score at the 7:34 mark of the first quarter.
Tatum led the Lobo charge throughout the game because he earned 186 rushing yards, and produced all five of Longview’s touchdowns.
Longview stopped Mansfield Timberview on two fourth-down attempts in the final quarter before Tatum’s four-yard touchdown run with 6:05 remaining in the game put the final touches on the fourth-round playoff victory.
— Game writeups provided by Mr. Bill Simpson, Class of 2007 alum and webmaster of LoboHistory.com
Lone Star 17 Photo by Ginger Elder CannonLobo middle schoolers beat Texarkana
Congratulations Lobo Middle School Tennis! The Lobo middle school tennis team defeated Texarkana middle school 20-10 to go to 2-1 on the year.
BOYS DOUBLES
1. Cole Chamberlain/Ryan Kitchens vs Watson/Banks: 8-4 2. Preston Hodges/Ace Witt vs Currie/Cowan: 8-1 4. Jack Hilton/Gabriel Moussa vs Neeley/Burgess: 8-9(4-7) 5. Cohen Hardison/Ishan Patel vs Raley/Miles: 8-2 6. Julian Sims/Henry Mekala vs Duke/Wafner: 9-8(10-8)
GIRLS DOUBLES
1. Lucy Archer/Olivia Hardee vs Carroll/Cowan: 8-5 2. Marley Camp/Sophie Hebert vs Blue/Williamson: 8-2 3. Erika Hayes/Elizabeth Grimes vs Shuman/McDaniel: 5-8
Gillian Black/Audry
Lewis vs McClaskey/Laguna: 8-4 5. Frances Wilson/Aaira Mughal vs McGough/Crow: 8-3
BOYS SINGLES
1. Cole Chamberlain vs Watson: 8-3 2. Preston Hodges vs Boyette: 8-1 3. Ace Witt vs Currie: 8-4 4. Ryan Kitchens vs Cow-
an: 8-6
5. Gabriel Moussa vs Banks: 3-8
6. Jack Hilton vs Neeley: 8-6
7. Cohen Hardison vs Warner: 5-8
8. Julian Sims vs Pritchett:
8-4
9. Ishan Patel vs Winarta: 5-8
10. Henry Mekala vs Osborne: 6-8
GIRLS SINGLES
1. Olivia Hardee vs Carroll: 8-6
2. Sophie Hebert vs Cowan: 1-8
3. Lucy Archer vs Shuman: 8-3
4. Marley Camp vs Blue: 8-2
5. Elizabeth Grimes vs Williamson: 5-8
6. Erika Hayes vs McDaniel: 8-5
7. Gillian Black vs McCloskey: 8-4
8. Audry Lewis vs Laguna: 4-8
9. Frances Wilson vs McGough: 1-8
10. Aaira Mughal vs Crow: 8-3
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LHS choir students heading to all-state
Yesterday 7 Lobo Choir member competed in the 2nd Round of All-State Choir Auditions. These 4 students succeeded in earning a chair in the Pre-Area Choir and will be advancing to the 3rd (and final) round of All-State Choir Tryouts in January.
Congratulations to: Lailah Johnson, Soprano 1, 3rd chair; Smith Esteves, Tenor 1, 1st Chair; Richard Flores, Tenor 1, 3rd Chair; Diego Garcia, Tenor 2, 5th Chair. We are so proud of you!
trip grants.
Ninety fifth graders from J. L. Everhart Elementary School will travel to the Perot Museum in Dallas as part of a cross-curricular field trip that will cover math, science, social studies, and reading. Students will visit the Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovative Hall, the Discovering Life Hall, the Gems and Minerals Hall, the Dynamic Earth Hall, the Energy Hall, and the Life Now and Then Hall. Students will complete presentations over the combined skills when they return to class, including creating electronic greeting cards to prove their understanding of electrical circuitry. Winning grant recipients are Aura Djurisic, Bitia Saravia, TaShebra Walker, Bryan Warren, and Shanekwa Wrighten. They received $5,468.00 in field trip funding.
Ninety fifth graders at Johnston-McQueen Elementary School will enhance their classroom science instruction on a trip to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Monique Holleman and Rhonda Small, fifth grade teachers, wrote a grant titled “A Science Exploration at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science” and requested $4,752.00 to take students to the Perot Museum so students can make connections and apply science concepts through critical thinking, focusing on the earth and its changes over time and the history of fossil fuels and energy that led to the development of industry and today’s technology. To prepare for the trip, students will complete a “Know” and “Want to Know: Google slide presentation after they research and choose three or the eleven Perot exhibits. Stu -
EMPLOYEE |Continued from page 8
education at Stephen F. Austin State University. She expects to complete her degree in May 2025. Her ultimate goal is to become a diagnostician so she can help special education teachers and students and their families get the services that they qualify for and need. She plans to remain in Longview ISD throughout her career.
A Summa Cum Laude college graduate, Madison has taught in Longview ISD for two years. She serves as the lead special education at the Ned Williams campus and has participated in active learning workshops that have taught her how to work with students with severe disabilities and
dents will explain what they already know and what they wish to learn while touring the exhibits. Upon return to the classroom, students will complete the slideshow with what they learned at the Perot. Teachers will evaluate the students’ slide presentations with a rubric. All students will present their slide presentations to their classmates.
Eighty-three fourth graders at Ware East Texas Montessori Academy will travel to the Sci-Port Discovery Center in Shreveport, Louisiana to engage in hands-on learning experiences in world science, engineering, and mathematics. Prior to the trip, students will receive classroom instruction on properties of matter, types of energy, conductors, and insulators. Students will also learn about the solar system and phases of the moon. Students will also study energy as a physical process and as a unifying concept in many areas of science. Upon returning to the classroom, students will write a reflection about what they learned from their adventure at Sci-Port. Students will be able to answer fundamental questions about each area of study and apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another. Winning grant recip -
ients Permeila Evans, Lorena Jimenez, Cristina Mauras, Melvycia Mobley, and Rosa Santos received $2,224.04 in field trip funding.
The Foundation awarded two middle school academic field trip grants.
With $6,383.00 in funding from the Foundation for their grant titled “I Fly, You Fly, We All Fly at iFly” and $500 from a Foster Middle School PTO mini-grant, teachers Kimberly Pierson, Cody Butler, Jordan Courtney, and LaShundra Rodgers will take ninety traditional eighth grade students from Foster Middle School to learn about math and physics and see both come to life in a state-ofthe-art wind tunnel at iFly in Frisco. STEM educators at iFly will guide the students through a hands-on experience that uses science, technology, engineering, and math at a grade appropriate level. Students will enhance their knowledge of mass, circumference, radius, velocity, and acceleration before, during, and after experiencing the wind tunnel at iFly for themselves. Students will complete lab activities provided by the iFly educators.
Judson STEAM Academy teacher Laura Johnston wrote a grant titled “Taking Our Crew to the Zoo!” to receive $908.84
in funding to take Judson’s Life Skills class and the JSA Student Advisory Club to the Caldwell Zoo. In her grant, Ms. Johnston noted that Goal 2 of the Campus Improvement Plan states that the campus will provide social-emotional learning to all students on campus to improve student morale, social well-being, and mental well-being. As the sponsor of the JSA Advisory Club, Ms. Johnston teaches important character traits and asks students to put those traits in practice by visiting and getting to know the students in the Life Skills special education classroom. Students in the JSA Advisory Club will partner with their friends in the Life Skills class and teach them about the animals, many of which the students have only seen in books, and their habitats and the food chain. Students will return to their classrooms to write reflections about their zoo experiences and create a PowerPoint presentation for the Life Skills students and their own classmates.
November 30 was also a day that allowed the Foundation to see that funds raised throughout our community directly benefit students, all of whom are so appreciative. Thank you, Longview, for supporting Longview ISD educators and students through your financial support of the Longview ISD Foundation, Inc.
Since November 2018, the Longview ISD Foundation has funded fourteen academic field trips grants for a total of $61,733.74.
In total, the Longview ISD Foundation has returned $1,042,092.19 to Longview ISD classroom and campuses to enhance educational opportunities for all students.
multiple disabilities.
As an educator, she is passionate about her career and helping her students. She is organized and efficient, aiming for perfection every day. Because she works with students who cannot communicate, she completes daily reports for parents so that they always know exactly how their students’ school days were. Her goal is to make the parents of her students to feel connected to their children’s learning, making the students more successful and the parents much happier.
Dorcas Dunlap, principal of Ned E Williams STEAM Academy, recommended Madison for the scholarship, saying that
Madison has a true vision of excellence for all students and works until her vision is fulfilled. She stated too that Madison is a dedicated, hard worker who is an asset to the campus.
Helping students receive instruction from well-trained educators who want to remain in the classroom is exactly why the Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. offers the Employee Scholarship.
This continuing education scholarship is just one of the programs the Foundation sponsors in support of Longview ISD educators and students. Through the Foundation’s Great Rewards for Great Ideas, the Campus Initiative Grant, and the John W. Harrison, Jr. Academic Field Trip Grant, the Foundation has returned $1,000,145.69 to LISD classrooms and campuses.
these students, and my heart was with them.”
According to those she worked with, there are many whose hearts are with her now as well.
“Last year, when I lost my mom and grandma, she called every day to
check in and make sure I was okay. She is just that kind-hearted of a person,” Soderquist said. “She so loved being involved in education at all levels. She will be greatly missed by both the students and staff alike.”
BOARD |Continued from page 4
‘substandard achievement.’
The board will hold a public hearing 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12 in the boardroom of the district administration building to discuss the state’s financial accountability rating.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
R. Beard III, and Wolf Prints of Longview to LHS Bee Club for sponsorship;
Donation of $550 from Midwest Valor/ Crossfit 259 to Hudson PEP to help cover tuition and fees for a student in Uganda as part of the campus’s IB program;
participate in a tournament in Camden, Ark.;
• APPROVED Minutes from the Oct. 10 special meeting, Oct. 17 regular meeting, and Oct 31 special meeting. Also approved was the Board Time use tracker for Oct. 17 regular meeting;
During the Superintendent’s Report portion of the meeting, Dr. James Wilcox shared a letter from Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) about public school charter programs, school vouchers, and school choice. Dr. Wilcox also shared a letter from the National Association of Marching Bands expressing appreciation for the hospitality shown by LISD staff and students during the state competition held last month at Lobo Stadium.
Donation of $120 from El Rincon Restaurant and $100 from Hawkins Divine Catering to the Bailey Elementary Track Club for athletic equipment and fees;
Donation of $3,000 from Wellness Pointe of Longview to the Lobo Live radio show for student scholarships and community prizes;
WILCOX
Other items in his report included the latest RAPTOR (Rapid Algorithmic Prototyping Tool for Ordered Reasoning) data from the Office of Innovation, as well as presentations on the Quality Seats Analysis (QSA).
In addition, Dr. Wilcox received updates from public school charter partners: East Texas Advanced Academies (ETAA), Longview Educates And Prospers (LEAP), and the Texas Council for International Studies (TCIS).
DONATIONS TO LISD CAMPUSES
Board members approved:
Donation of $1,000 from Texarkana Terminal Federal Credit Union and $150 each from Dillon Clifton/Aaxion, Rusty Tucker Sprinkler Company, Mr. Theodore
Donation of $20,000 from the Lobo Football Booster Club to provide supplies and equipment for student programs;
Donation of $260 from First Baptist Church of Longview to Bailey Elementary for Student Council t-shirts;
Donation of $1,500 from KLC Custom Electronics to sponsor the Pre 88th Legislative Session Summit;
Donation of $500 from Longview Orthopedic Clinic Association to the Lobo Film Club for sponsorship;
Donation of $50 from David Townsend to Lobo Cross Country for athletic equipment and fees; and
Donation of $50 from Micah Devendorf to the Lobo Strong 5K for sponsorship.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
During the course of the meeting, the LISD Board of Trustees also:
• APPROVED travel and transportation expenses for the Longview High School boys varsity basketball team to travel out-of-state Dec. 28-30 and
• APPROVED a resolution stating review of Investment Policy and Investment Strategies;
• APPROVED a contract with Edblox Inc. DBA Elevate K-12 through ESSER III Funding;
• APPROVED a sewer easement at the northwest corner of Airline Road and Loop 281;
• APPROVED International Baccalaureate authorization fee payments;
• RECEIVED the 2021-22 Fourth Quarter and Annual Investment Report;
• APPROVED a contract with Mastery Prep through TCLAS Funding;
• APPROVED amendments to Board Policy COA (LOCAL);
• APPROVED Financial Statements as of October 2022;
• APPROVED the disposal of retired Chromebooks; and
• APPROVED Budget Amendment No. 3.
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 various locations around the district. The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 12, 2022
For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees please go to LISD.org
OBITUARIES
Brandi Cato
Funeral Services for Brandi Elaine Cato, 43, of Pittsburg, were held on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Emmanuel Baptist Church of Pittsburg with Bro. Jimmie Stripland and Zach Tomlinson officiating. Interment followed at Perryville Cemetery. The family received friends at prior to the service.
Brandi was born March 26, 1979, to Buck and Betty Lindsey, in Longview, and passed from this life November 9, 2022, surrounded by family and friends.
Brandi was a 1997 graduate of Longview High School where she was a Drum Major and Majorette in the Big Green Marching Machine. Upon graduation, she attended Kilgore College where she earned an Associate Degree in Business. She then attended Texas A&M
Thomas Coolidge Jr.
Thomas Calvin Coolidge, Jr., 79, of Bowdoin, died Sunday Nov. 6, 2022 at his home. Thomas (Tom, Tinker) was born on Sept. 29, 1943 in Karnack, Texas.
Thomas loved history, science, welding and making machines go. At the time of his death he was enjoying studying the history of his family with his Ancestry subscription. He was curious and a deep thinker. He enjoyed gardening, haying, his animals, his chickens and his friends. Thomas attended Ware and Foster Elementary School, G. K. Foster Junior High and Longview High School. He played the trombone in the High School Band. He attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Great Neck, NY. After leaving the academy, he worked on the USS Hope Hospital Ship. When Richard Nixon
University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics.
Brandi married Josh Cato, on June 1, 2002, in Longview. They lived in College Station until June 2004 where she was a Portfolio Analyst for First American Bank. In June 2004, Brandi accepted a position with Pilgrim’s Pride, which later became JBS. There she worked as a Financial Analyst until her illness in October 2021.
Brandi was a member of East Mountain Primitive Baptist Church. She enjoyed worshiping and spending time with her church family. After the birth of Camryn, Brandi was especially proud of the times when 4 generations would be sharing a pew on Sunday.
Brandi enjoyed spending time with friends, family, and her fur babies, but her most prized possession was the time she was able to spend with her children. Brandi prided herself on being at every event her children participated in. She was a dedicated wife, mother, friend, and
lifted the embargo on Russia because they were facing famine, Thomas was on the first ship that sailed into Russia with wheat. After the death of Moa Tsa Tung he was on one of the first ship’s into Communist China. He rose to the position of Chief Engineer while working for the Lykes Brother’s Steamship Company. Tom was predeceased by his daughter Anabella Coolidge-Winters; his parents Thomas Calvin Coolidge, Sr and Faye Dumas Coolidge; and his grandparents were Elmer Raymond and Bessie Coolidge and Sydney and Stuart (Brown) Dumas. Survivors include his wife, Wendy Greenbaum, his brother Tag Coolidge, his sister Peggy Rohrer; his daughters Beth Birge, Rachel Coolidge and Helen Coolidge, his sons-in-law, Cassey Birge and Dustin Meneley; his grandchildren, Cabe Birge, Ashtin Birge, Caleigh Birge, Caden Birge, Carol Birge, Mia Meneley, Landon Meneley, Cooper Meneley and Carmon Winters; his great grandchildren, Jeremiah and Elijah Birge; his friends Josh Manson, Shane Manson, Sue
family
employee and she will be greatly missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing her.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Josh Cato; daughter, Camryn Cato, and son, Chase Cato; father, Buck Lindsey (Sandra); brother, Barry Lindsey (Kristi); niece, Karsyn Lindsey; nephew, Klein Lindsey; mother and father-in-law, Teresa and Tim Cato; sister-in-law Stephanie Van Houtan (Nate) and family.
She is preceded in death by her mother Betty Lindsey in 2017.
Pallbearers were Chris Steger, David Steger, Dillon Chevalier, Shane Winn, Jeff Rogers, Nate Van Houtan, Matthew Lindsey, and Terry Pitman.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Camp County A&M Club, Attn: Chad Elledge, Texas Heritage National Bank, P.O. Box 1170 Gilmer, Texas 75644
Please visit Brandi’s on-line registration book at www.mcwhorterfh.com to leave a memory for the family.
Skelton, Chuck Savage, Lori Turcotte, John Meserve, Mike Rivera, Liz Curtis, Brenda Coffey, Kat, Al, Dot and many others. A service for Tom will be held in the Spring. Mr Coolidge will be missed. Condolences may be shared at FuneralAlternatives.net. In lieu of flowers, donations to the following are suggested: The Dempsy Center in Lewiston Maine or The Hope Heaven Gospel Mission in Lewiston Maine or The Coastal Humane Society in Brunswick Maine.
PUBLIC NOTICES
LISD Board meeting set for December
Trustees usually meet in the boardroom of the LISD Education Support Center, (1301 E. Young St.) but often set special-called meetings at various locations around the district.
The next regular meeting is tentative -
ly scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, December 12. This is the final regular board meeting for Longview ISD for 2022. The first regular board meeting of 2023 is tentatively set for Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, at the ESC campus.
For more information about the LISD meetings go to LISD.org . Agendas and Minutes can also be found at the website, as well as information on financial transparency. Information about the areas of the district can also be found online.
LISD seeking architectural firm for various projects
The Longview Independent School District is seeking to retain an architectural firm with the qualifications and staff resources necessary to perform planning, designing, bidding and construction oversight phases of various projects deemed to be in the best interest of the District. In addition the District is looking for a firm with the capability to provide value added services including, but not limited to structural engineering, security consultation, technology consultation, interior design, etc. Therefore, it is the intent
STATE OF TEXAS BY VIRTUE OF AN ORDER SALE
GREGG COUNTY
dated and issued pursuant to judgment decree(s) of the County Court At Law of Gregg County, Texas, by the Clerk of said Court on said date, in the hereinafter numbered and styled suit(s) and to me directed and delivered as Sheriff or Constable of said County, I have on November -- 2022, seized, levied upon, and will, on the first Tuesday in December, 2022, the same being the 6th day of said month, at the South Steps, 101 East Methvin of the Courthouse of the said County, in the City of Longview, Texas, between the hours of 10 o’clock a.m. and 4 o’clock p.m. on said day, beginning at 10:00 AM, proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder all
of the Board to obtain information in the request for qualifications that addresses these options.
Firms are requested to submit their qualifications outlining their background and experience in campus planning and building design.
Selected firms may be invited to participate in interviews. Once the most qualified firm is determined, the District will attempt to negotiate a fee. If a fee cannot be agreed upon, negotiations will begin with the next most qualified firm. Once an
NOTICE OF SALE
the right, title, and interest of the defendants in such suit(s) in and to the following described real estate levied upon as the property of said defendants, the same lying and being situated in the County of Gregg and the State of Texas, to-wit: 021379-CCL2, Account No(s). 65684, LONGVIEW INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET AL VS. SAMI N K, INC, ET AL, LTS l; 2 & 3A THRU 5A BLK A (NCB 307) SOUTH HIGHLANDS (N 4’ LT 3; W 107’ LTS 3 THRU 5), with an adjudged value of $106,460.00; 021420-CCL2, Account No(s). 13608, LONGVIEW INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET AL VS. BEYERLY GREEN RASHAD, ET AL, AB 236 F CASTRO SUR TR 34-02 SEC 2 & PT OF ODEN RD, with an adjudged value of $26,300.00; 021420CCL2, Account No(s). 13607, LONGVIEW INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET AL VS. BEYERLY GREEN RASHAD, ET AL, AB 236 F CASTRO SUR TR 34 SEC 2, with an adjudged value of$22,880.00; 021797-CCL2, Account No(s). 18239, SPRING HILL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET AL VS. FAY N MOYER, ET AL, AB 88 H HATHAWAY SUR TR43 SEC 3 NO LBL#, with an adjudged value of$10,740.00; 022064-CCL2, Account No(s). 62796, KILGORE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET AL VS. CHAD HAMMER, AKA CHAD MICHAEL HAMMER, LT 20A & 21 BLK 6 RICHARDS EST, with an adjudged value of$45,230.00; 022186-CCL2, Account No(s). 109784, LONGVIEW INDEPENDENT
agreement is reached, the selected firm’s name will be submitted for the final approval by the Longview ISD Board of Trustees.
Submit one original and four (4) copies of the RFQ to the following:
Longview ISD Administration Office 1301 E Young Street
Longview Tx 75602
Please mark on the outside of the envelope “RFQ #20-01.”
SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET AL VS. MCWOOD INC, ET AL, LT 1 BLK 1 KWIK KAR ADDN, with an adjudged value of $234,260.00; 022248-CCL2, Account No(s). 15515, KILGORE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET AL VS. CHRISTINE ZAENKER, AB 64 H EDWARDS SUR TR 9, with an adjudged value of$30,340.00; 021672-CCL2, Account No(s). 34949, LONGVIEW INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET AL VS. BRENDA JEAN CARTER, ET AL, LT 4 NCB 649 LONGVIEW JOHNSON ACREAGE, with an adjudged value of$104.740.00:
(any volume and page references, unless otherwise indicated, being to the Deed Records, Gregg County, Texas, to which instruments reference may be made for a more complete description of each respective tract.) or, upon the written request of said defendants or their attorney, a sufficient portion of the property described above shall be sold to satisfy saidjudgment(s), interest, penalties, and cost; and any property sold shall be subject to the right ofredemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the said property, or their interest therein, within the time and in the manner provided by law, and shall be subject to any other and further rights to which the defendants or anyone interested therein may be entitled, under the provisions of law. Said sale to be made by me to satisfy the judgment(s) rendered in the above styled and numbered cause(s), together with interest, penalties, and costs of suit, and the proceeds of said sales to be applied to the satisfaction thereof, and the remainder, if any, to be applied as the law directs.
Dated at Longview, Texas, November -- 2022.
Notes:
The Minimum Bid is the lesser of the amount awarded in the judgment plus interest and costs or the adjudged value. However, the Minimum Bid for a person owning an interest in the property or for a person who is a party to the suit (other than a taxing unit), is the aggregate amount of the judgments against the property plus all costs of suit and sale. ALL SALES SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION WITHOUT NOTICE. THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL TAXES DUE ON THE PROPERTY WHICH HAVE BEEN ASSESSED SINCE THE DATE OF THE JUDGMENT. For more information, contact your attorney or LINEBARGER GOGGAN BLAIR & SAMPSON, LLP, attorney for plaintiffs, at (903) 757-5448
GRANTS |Continued from page 8
will enhance the quality of education and improve student achievement for all students in Longview ISD.
This year, the twenty-eighth anniversary of the Great Rewards for Great Ideas Program, applicants requested $41,388.83 through twenty-six grant applications. The Foundation funded six grants totaling $12,712.62. The Foundation funded three elementary grants for a total of $5,695.52 and three secondary grants for a total of $7,017.10.
Teachers at Hudson PEP Elementary School, Johnston-McQueen Elementary School, Judson STEAM Academy, and Longview High School received funding through the Great Rewards for Great Ideas Program for the 2023-2024 school year.
Since the beginning of the Great Rewards for Great Ideas Program in 1996, the
Foundation has funded 770 grants totaling $827,092.75. These grants have enhanced Longview ISD’s academic programs as well as music, art, technology, counseling and guidance, career education, health and physical education, character education programs, and STEAM and STEM projects.
CAMPUS INITIATIVE GRANT PROGRAM
The Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. received six Campus Initiative Grant applications and funded two for a total of $7,498.00. This year’s grant recipients are Shameika Allen, Carl Williams Brown, and Kimberly Shadowens at Longview High School and Amy Bruyere, Laura Johnston and Melanie Pondant at Judson STEAM Academy. The Campus Initiative Grant Program offers campus principals and
their designees the opportunity to request up to $5,000 for materials or an educational program or project that will benefit the entire campus.
Since 2008, the Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. has funded 50 campus grants for a total of $152,625.68.
Through the Great Rewards for Great Ideas Grant Program, the Campus Initiative Grant Program, and the annual John W. Harrison, Jr. Academic Field Trip Grant, the Longview ISD Foundation has returned $1,042,092.19 to LISD educators to enhance the quality of education for all students.
For a list of this year’s grant recipients, visit the Longview ISD Foundation’s website at www.lisdfoundation.org and click on Great Rewards for Great Ideas on the menu bar at the top of the page.
SPOTTED ON SOCIAL
VOLUNTEER
The Christmas spirit is about giving, but it does not stipulate that you can only give to those you know. Throughout the year, there are plenty of volunteering opportunities. But, the holidays mark a good time to take a moment out of giving and receiving gifts and feasting on never-ending food, and take the opportunity to help those who may not have quite as much.
There are numerous ways to volunteer. You can try LongviewTexas.gov and see what help the city needs. There is also Meals on Wheels (mealsonwheelsetx.org) that could use some help to de -
IB |Continued from page 6
volved in both global and local community service, such as becoming pen pals with young at-risk girls in rural Ghana, Africa through The Pearl House which provides for these girls physical care, emotional support, spiritual development, and life-changing academic/vocational opportunities. In a notable synthesis of both the 10th grade personal project and the 8th grade community service projects, Christi Shobert, IB Coordinator at Foster Middle School shared, “We had a group [of 8th graders] collect personal hygiene products for a local non profit, Simple Bare Necessities. This group was actually started by a former Foster Dragon as her IB personal project.” A group of 6th graders at Judson Middle School created cookbooks titled, “Feed Me Differently” which featured recipes from France, Italy, and the Ukraine. Funds raised from cookbook sales went to the World Central Kitchen which provides meals for people in war-torn Ukraine and other areas in crisis worldwide.
Finally, teachers at Longview ISD’s seven elementary schools are implementing IB principles and practices in their classrooms. The Primary Years Programme, like the DP, CP, and MYP Programmes, has as a foundational goal the development of students who embody the IB Learner Profile traits, such as principled, caring, knowledgeable, and reflective. Though the vocabulary may be simplified for younger elementary school students, the aim is the same: to “develop internationally-minded people who recognize their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet.”
The PYP is an inquiry-based and concept-driven transdisci-
liver food to the elderly and disabled, allowing them to remain independent in their own homes as long as possible.
If you’re looking for something outdoors, why not volunteer at the Longview Arboretum (longviewarboretum.org). Get some fresh air and help keep the gorgeous nature center looking great for visitors.
Marshall is seeking volunteers (marshalltexas.net) for their Wonderland of Lights. Help bring a smile to families by helping run a fun annual event.
LOCAL EVENTS
Of course, what would winter be without some fun festivities?
From our very own Lobo
students, we have the LHS choir performing at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 5, at the Trinity Episcopal Church.
Both Henderson and Longview AMBUCS will be hosting their parades at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. respectively on Thursday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m. It’s always a great time to see Santa and check out the wide array of floats!
Marshall has their annual Wonderland of Lights which is always a fun time. With different events happening up to December 18, there is a lot on the table, so go check it out! For exact dates go to marshalltexas.net.
DONATIONS
Some of us are able to give
expensive gifts, but unfortunately, some aren’t able to give anything and are lucky if they receive anything.
From Hiway 80 Rescue Mission ( hiway80rm.org ) to national causes, there are plenty of local, nation, and global organizations that need items, from clothes and hygiene products or money, anything that you can give can help put a bright moment in someone’s life.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or not celebrating any holiday, the Lobo Nation hopes you have a great December and a happy New Year!
plinary program and so each six weeks, students in grades 1 through 5 explore one of six Units of Inquiry, such as “How We Express Ourselves” and “Sharing the Planet.” Recently, in second grade classrooms at Ned E. Williams Elementary, they focused on “How the World Works.” They began by reading a book, Even Steven and Odd Todd, about a pair of cousins, one very conventional and the other very quirky. Students were then taught the concept of even and odd numbers, and as a culminating project (and with the help of their parents), each student created a house with either an odd-numbered or even-numbered address; odd-numbered houses were crooked and quirky, even-numbered houses were perfectly symmetrical. These houses formed a neighborhood street and were displayed in the hallway outside their classrooms as part of the IB Wall. This is one example of one six weeks in one school, but all PYP campuses have IB Walls with students’ work adorning
them. Another hallway at J. L. Everhart displayed the work of 5th graders who had explored the Unit of Inquiry “Where We Are in Place and Time” by studying human migrations and explorations across place and time. They read a novel about a girl who immigrated with her family from Mexico to Southern California during the Great Depression and then, like the main character Esperanza, they made yarn dolls and enjoyed hibiscus flower punch (volunteer-made). In addition to studying this concept in literature, students also took a virtual trip to Ellis Island, studied Cesar Chavez’s flag and what it stood for, and learned how to
interpret pie charts depicting immigration patterns.
Most Texas school districts who offer the International Baccalaureate offer it on a few magnet campuses, and so Dr. Wilcox’s aim to offer IB at each campus, grades 1 through 12 is very innovative and lofty. Not only does the IB accomplish much for its students, but it is an expensive program to implement, mostly because it requires extensive teacher training. One can see on the IB Walls of LISD MYP and PYP campuses, that these well-trained teachers have indeed lit the fire of learning in their students.