Mansfield ISD Celebrates School Board Recognition Month

This year, February is School Board Recognition Month in Mansfield ISD. This event is an opportunity to say thanks and show our appreciation for the crucial role these dedicated men and women play in our communities and schools.

At the February 28 Regular Board meeting, the board members received an outpouring of gratitude from across the district. Prior to the meeting, the board enjoyed a special dinner prepared and served by the BBCTA Culinary Arts Students from Savvy’s Bistro. The Legacy Chamber Singers and Show Choir provided a special performance during the meal.

The board room was brightly decorated with student artwork that fit this year’s School Board Recognition theme, “Help Our Kids Shine.” Many campuses also prepared special crafts and keepsakes for each board member.

In addition to several campus presentations, representatives from the United Educators Association (UEA) and the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) addressed the board with messages of appreciation and thanks.

The Mansfield ISD Board of Trustees is an extraordinary group of people who voluntarily tackle the enormous job of governing a school district. Their actions and decisions affect the present and future lives of our children. On behalf of MISD, thank you to our wonderful School Board!

Leadership Mansfield Boards ActivBus

Tuesday, February 21, was “Education Day” for the members of Leadership Mansfield. The group toured several Mansfield ISD facilities and even had the opportunity to hop on board the Promethean ActivBus as it was stationed at BBCTA.

The 36’ long custom RV travels across the country to visit school districts and allow participants to take a “test-drive” of some of their interactive technologies, many of which are available in District classrooms. 

The ActivBus features a model ActivClassroom with  Promethean boards, document cameras, learner response systems and the newest Promethean product, the ActivTable. The ActivTable is a large touch-driven table featuring dozens of educational applications (similar to a massive iPad).

Did You Know?

• Every K-4 classroom in MISD has an ActivBoard installed
• Every 5-12 classroom in MISD has an ActivSlate
• Every K-12 classroom in MISD has a mounted projector and document camera
• Every K-12 campus in MISD has at least one set of ActivExpression clickers
• The revenue generated through the new MISD Marketing Program was used to purchase a set of ActivExpression clickers for each MISD campus this year

Janet Brockett Elementary fourth graders travel to Austin with Education in Action’s “Proud to be Texan” program

Fourth grade teachers at Janet Brockett Elementary took their classrooms on the road to Austin with Education in Action’s “Proud to be Texan” experiential learning day program, February 23, 2012.

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Each year, Mansfield ISD fourth grade teachers and students from various campuses travel to Austin with Education in Action’s “Proud to be Texan” experiential learning day program.

Students visit the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and the Texas State Capitol and experienced what they are learning in fourth grade Texas History.

On the way to Austin students discuss why Texans are so proud of their unique heritage and participate in activities and games in preparation for their visit. In Austin the students visited the State Capitol where their legislators. Students see first-hand where Texas laws are made as they tour the State Capitol including the Senate and House of Representatives chambers.

Timberview Football Named Team of the Year

The high school football season may be over but the Timberview High School football squad is still collecting trophies. The Timberview varsity team received the 5A Army Strong/Texas Football Team of the Year Award from Dave Campbell's Texas Football publication. Although state championship teams are usually the recipients of the trophy, the Timberview Wolves successful playoff run in the midst of team and school-wide tragedy epitomized the true meaning of the award.

"Timberview's team had a fantastic year but they did it in face of enormous adversity within the team and within the school community. There's a lot of tragedy they were able to overcome." said Brad Hilliard, representative for Campbell's Texas Football. SFC Joey Curry was also in attendance to represent the US Army in the presentation of the trophy on Wednesday, February 15 at the school field house.

Pictured L-R - SFC Curry, Coach Walker, Brad Hilliard

 2011 5A Army Strong/Texas Football Team of the Year

Through all of the accolades his team has received, Coach Mark Walker has been quick to credit his players and coaching staff on their dedication and inner strength. Congratulations to the Timberview High School varsity football team!

Willie Brown Elementary fourth graders travel to Austin with Education in Action’s “Proud to be Texan” program

Fourth grade teachers at Willie Brown Elementary took their classrooms on the road to Austin with Education in Action’s “Proud to be Texan” experiential learning day program, February 17, 2012.

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Each year, Mansfield ISD fourth grade teachers and students from various campuses travel to Austin with Education in Action’s “Proud to be Texan” experiential learning day program.

Students visit the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and the Texas State Capitol and experienced what they are learning in fourth grade Texas History.

On the way to Austin students discuss why Texans are so proud of their unique heritage and participate in activities and games in preparation for their visit. In Austin the students visited the State Capitol where their legislators. Students see first-hand where Texas laws are made as they tour the State Capitol including the Senate and House of Representatives chambers.

Which Green Beans Took the Gold?

Over the past month, eight campuses have been competing in a Green Bean recipe contest held by the Mansfield ISD Student Nutrition Department. 

Teachers, custodians and aides submitted their favorite green bean recipe to their school’s Student Nutrition Manager to prepare and offer to students. Each campus selected their students’ favorite recipe and entered it into the Finals. 

On Friday, February 10, Brenda Prescott, a third grade teacher from Martha Reid Elementary, won the competition by a landslide with her “Crumby Green Beans!” On Valentine’s Day, the Martha Reid Student Nutrition Team presented Prescott with an Avante360 gift card and a Great Recipe Idea certificate. Each student in Prescott’s class received a coupon for a Frozen Fruit bar of their choice. 

In addition to the prizes, Prescott’s recipe (with a slight name change) will be added to the menu at all school campuses on Wednesday, March 7. 

“Student Nutrition is excited to include students and faculty in our recent recipe contest,” said Gaylan Mathis, Student Nutrition Director. “We are looking forward to putting the winning recipe on our menu!”

Congratulations to Brenda Prescott and thank you for sharing your delicious recipe! Don’t forget to stop by your school cafeteria on March 7 to sample the award-winning Crumbly Green Beans.

Asa Low Intermediate - International Space Station Q&A Video

Students at Mansfield ISD's Asa Low Intermediate School had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to talk live with NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station on Tuesday, January 31. The students took part in a NASA in-flight education downlink with the Expedition 30 crew aboard the International Space Station as it orbits Earth at an altitude ranging from 230-286 miles and a speed of approximately 17,500 miles per hour.



Editor's Note: To view the video inside the MISD network, please use the Video Portal.

To prepare for the downlink, students took part in over 100 space-related lessons and curriculum projects, including a school community Space Night event on January 27. Attractions at Space Night will included genuine moon rocks and a NASA space suit.

In honor of the event, the Mansfield ISD School Board adopted a resolution to ceremonially renamed the campus NASA Low Intermediate School for month of January, 2012.

Asa Low Intermediate teacher, Patricia Londono, worked over two years on the submission with NASA's Teaching from Space team. On July 1, 2011, NASA awarded Asa Low Intermediate School with an In-Flight Education Downlink that was held on January 31, 2012.

NASA Downlink Photo Gallery

Media Coverage:

Mansfield ISD students chat with astronauts in orbit
Astronauts In Orbit Chat With Eager Mansfield ISD Students

Mansfield ISD Robotics Teams Win Big at Qualifier

Mansfield ISD Robotics, home of The Fighting Pickles, Crusading Cucumbers, and Vinegar Vikings, along with UT Arlington hosted a FIRST FTC Robotics Qualifier tournament last Saturday, February 11, 2012. The event was a great success! Everything went close to plan and we had a great crowd, including the Mansfield Mayor Pro Tem, Larry Broseh, his wife and grand-daughter. Every one of all ages thought it was very exciting and fun.

Our three robotics teams all performed beautifully and conducted themselves in a way that all of MISD can be proud of! Unlike many robotics organizations, our group is a completely extra-curricular activity. We have a great student leadership team in place and our teams are student run from designing the robot to planning community event.

Each of our teams won a judged award (and got the trophy to go with it) and they all qualified for the next level of competition, The SouthWest Regional Contest, which will be hosted at UT Arlington on Saturday, March 3, 2012.

Here are the specific judged awards the teams won:

#127 Fighting Pickles - PTC Design Award
Basic Criteria: Robot incorporates industrial design elements in their robot solution which is aesthetic and functional and reflected in the submitted engineering notebook

#3768 Crusading Cucumbers - Connect Award
Basic Criteria: The team is the most connected to the local and engineering community through outreach and giving back

#5393 Vinegar Vikings - Motivate Award
Basic Criteria: The team shows great team spirit and enthusiasm throughout the competition and functions well as a team

The Vinegar Vikings, our newest team, was in 3rd place after the qualifying matches and captained an alliance in the semifinals. The Crusading Cucumbers was chosen as an alliance partner and went on to win the competition (and get the even bigger trophy associated with that).

The three sponsors, Susan Sevier, Robert Goodson, and Kashieka Popkin, all Ben Barber CTA teachers, are very proud to be part of this with these great kids!

The teams are working hard to prepare for the next level of competition. Come check us out Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:15 – 5:15 PM at the Ben Barber campus.

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Guest post from Susan Sevier, CS teacher at Ben Barber Career Tech Academy in Mansfield ISD

Third Grade Student Places in Citywide Essay Contest

Jace White, a third grade student at Janet Brockett Elementary, received a very special surprise on the morning of Friday, February 10. Around 9:15 a.m., White was completing his daily classroom tasks, completely unaware of the excitement and pride he would feel in just moments.

Rewind about two months…

White, an avid essay writer, learned about an essay contest for 3rd – 6th graders who live in Arlington. Without hesitation, White began working on his essay on the assigned topic for his grade level, “If animals could talk, what would they say?”

The “2012 Animal Essay Contest,” sponsored by the City of Arlington, encourages students to learn the importance of responsible pet ownership. The contest, now in its eleventh year, awards a First, Second and Third Place winner in each of the four grade levels involved. The winners receive a Series EE U.S. Savings Bond in the amount of $150, $350 or $500.

This year, approximately 1,275 essays were submitted from students in public, private and home schools. White’s essay was up against about 350 others in his grade level.

Entries were judged on the elements of effective writing: Focus and Coherence, Organization, Development of Ideas, Voice and Conventions. The panel of essay judges was made up of members of the Arlington Animal Services Center Advisory Board and local citizens – including Mansfield ISD Board Member Raul Gonzalez. Entries were selected about one month after the contest deadline, and from what we hear, the competition was steep!

Now, back to that fateful Friday in February…

That morning, White’s parents and younger sister were joined in the front office of Brockett Elementary by Arlington City Council member Sheri Capehart, Arlington Animal Services Manager Chris Huff, MISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bob Morrison, Board Member Raul Gonzalez and Principal Chuck Roe. The group was preparing for what was sure to be an amazing and memorable moment for White.

The group finally entered Mrs. Clay's classroom, where White would soon be surprised. Sheri Capehart addressed the class, informing them of the contest details and revealing that one of their peers was named the Second Place Winner and would receive $350 savings bond and an invitation to be recognized at the Arlington City Council meeting on March 6.

White’s eyes widened as Capehart announced his name as the winner. His classmates cheered with pride. When asked about the main message of his essay about animals, White stated, “I wanted to show that animals are a lot like humans. I think they have the same feelings.”

What does White think an animal might say if they could talk?

“I’m hungry,” or “Can I have a new toy?”

Congratulations to Jace White, Second Place Winner in the Third Grade Division of the 2012 Animal Essay Contest!

Mansfield ISD Night with the Dallas Stars!

Thanks to a partnership with the Dallas Stars, all Mansfield ISD staff have an opportunity to experience an exciting night of professional hockey versus the Nashville Predators on Sunday, February 19th. Teachers staff, and student's families can take advantage of buy one, get one tickets on top of the Dallas Stars already low ticket prices. Everyone purchasing tickets will also be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a pre-game tunnel visit! Visit DallasStars.com or contact Kourtney Karr with the Dallas Stars at kkarr@dallasstars.com

A special message from Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski!

Healthy Snacks Take the Prize at Howard Middle

T. A. Howard Middle School Health Teacher and Coach, Brad McAlister, took teaching health to a healthy, new level. On Wednesday, February 8th, Coach McAlister held the Healthy Snack Contest. Students were placed in teams of 4-5 students. As a team, the students were challenged to come up with a healthy snack that met strict guidelines. Each snack was required to be 250 calories or less and must contain a fruit or vegetable.

Coach McAlister came up with this idea over the Winter Break while watching cooking shows on television with his wife. The goal of his project was to help the kids learn there are healthy and delicious alternatives for snacks instead of chips and soft drinks. 

Over the course of the day, Coach McAlister’s class became the talk of the school. Coach McAlister was very pleased with the effort and thought the students put into the project and has decided to make this contest a regular event each semester. 

"I thought this would be a great way to get kids to eat healthier snacks," said McAlister. "I envisioned the students would come up with creative ways of making snacks that all kids would be willing to eat."

McAlister also plans to put together a recipe book with the students' recipes.

Special thanks to Donna O’Brian (Principal), Pete Jenson (Assistant Principal), Brandee King (Assistant Principal), Karmen Waquespack ( Teacher), Doug Klaudt (Teacher), Ryan Bartoszek (Teacher/Coach), Jared Hall (Teacher/Coach), Dr. Fred Garza (MISD K-12 Health Coordinator), Denise Hayslip (District Dietitian/Nutrition Coordinator) for gladly volunteering to judge the students healthy snacks.

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See more photos from the Healthy Snack Project. 

Texas Rangers Caravan Makes Mansfield ISD Stop

Members of the two-time American League Champion Texas Rangers made a special visit to Charlotte Anderson Elementary to kickoff the upcoming baseball season and encourage learning with the students.

(Photos from the January 26 visit are below.)

 

4th Grader Finds Class Ring Lost Nearly 50 Years

D.P. Morris Elementary 4th grader, Nathan Garcia, recently found a Mansfield High School 1959 class ring and turned it in to the school office. The ring was engraved with the letters, "M E N." Through the investigative efforts of sleuths at the Morris Elementary and Mansfield High School along with calls to the Mansfield Historical Society, the ring's owner was found. As it turns out, the '59 class ring belonged to local resident, Mary Elizabeth North (now Mrs. Elizabeth Sloan.)

Mrs. Sloan was elated to find out that her class ring was found after being gone for nearly 50 years. Garcia presented the newly found ring to its rightful owner in the elementary school library on Tuesday, February 7, 2012. "It was just the right thing to do," said Garcia on turning in the ring.

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Special thanks to the Mansfield High School library aides Jordan Engelbert (12), Jaclyn “Jackie” Alvarado (12), and Hakim Edwards (12) who located Ms. North’s picture and name in the yearbook, with the help of the new MHS Library Assistant, Mrs. Kathy Trowbridge.

 

Grounds Supervisor Plants Seeds of Kindness

For most of us, the average work day takes place between 8 am and 5 pm, but Grounds Supervisor Mike Wynn has embraced the art of expecting the unexpected.

Wynn and his crew are responsible for maintaining approximately 765 acres of grounds within Mansfield ISD. Anytime there is an issue with district roadways, parking lots or landscaping, Wynn is committed to solving the problem, but his service certainly does not stop there.

“Although he’s over the Grounds Care Department, he’s always made himself available for any type of situation,” said Jeff Brogden, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Support. “We get a lot of calls in the middle of the night and Mike’s phone is always answered, regardless of whether it’s related to grounds care. I know that I can always count on him.”

Throughout his 16 years with Mansfield ISD, Wynn has developed a reputation of being one of those treasured “go-to” people. His selfless attitude and kind spirit are traits that made him a fantastic selection for the February 2012 Heartbeat Team Award Winner.

Upon receiving the award, Wynn was surprised and honored. He shared his refreshingly simple philosophy on running a successful department.

“It’s not always the best work conditions for our department, but I’ve got a good group of people and they don’t complain,” he said. “They get out there and do the job and do the best they can, and that’s all you can ask for.”

Wynn’s positive attitude and compassion have made him a shining example not only to his teammates, but to many others across the district.

“He leads by example without even trying to,” said Michelle Fry, Benefits Coordinator. “Everybody wants a boss like Mike. He is fair, understanding and you know he genuinely cares.”

On behalf of the Mansfield ISD Administration, congratulations to Mike Wynn, our very deserving February 2012 Heartbeat Team Award Winner!

About the Heartbeat Team
The Mansfield ISD Heartbeat Team was established to recognize employees who display heart in their lives and inspire other district employees through their actions. Heartbeat Team members are nominated only by other district employees. Winners are selected during the school year from those nominated. Those named to the Heartbeat Team are still eligible for other district honors.

Superintendent Update - January 2012

[View the video inside the Mansfield ISD network through the Video Portal.]

Dr. Bob Morrison shares information on the upcoming Kindergarten Round Up event, the Asa Low Intermediate School's NASA downlink, our new Impact Award (community relations recognition award) and school board recognition month.

Lillard Intermediate Receives Military Thanks

Two Mary Lillard Intermediate School teachers, Jill Melchiorre and Vickie Johnson, organized a project back in December in which their students stuffed 65 stockings with donated items to be shipped to the soldiers of Alpha Assault at Camp Marmal, Afghanistan. 

In January, the campus received a letter of thanks on behalf of the soldiers from the Platoon Leader which reads in part:

"On 04Jan12, Alpha Assault received a surprising delivery of mail, which included three oversized boxes. Immediately, the company operations momentarily ceased and all took part in opening and disseminating the filled stockings...Upon opening the boxes, smiles raced across every one of my Soldier's faces. There are no words that I can express to you to convey how relieving it was to see such an increase in our unit's morale. Since June 2011, my company has conducted 24/7 full-spectrum operations all across Northern Afghanistan. We have received care packages from many other patriots across America, however, no care package delivery ever measured up to the magnitude that you have donated." [Read the full letter below.]

Below: Lillard Intermediate students pose with their stockings for soldiers.

2012 Mansfield ISD National Signing Day

Mansfield ISD congratulates student-athletes on signing national letters of intent to compete at the college level. National signing day is traditionally the first day a high school senior can sign a binding National Letter of Intent for college football, field hockey, soccer, track & field, and cross country. (Thanks to the Athletics Department for compiling this list. Updated 2/2/12 with additional names.)

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Legacy High School

Girls Soccer:
Caitlynn Rinehart – Texas State
Kensli Pounds – Midwestern State University
Alex Edwards – Midwestern State University
Lauren Kee – Texas Wesleyan
Makenzie Koch – TCU
Maicee Brinkman – Oklahoma Christian University
Jessica Whetzel – Texas Wesleyan

Mansfield High School

Football:
Hassan Ridgeway – University of Texas
Jerod Evans – Air Force
Gary Davis – Air Force
Lenzy Pipkins – Louisiana Monroe
Mouf Adebo – Sam Houston State

Boys Soccer:
Jacob Speed – Kentucky

Softball:
Kelsey Brungs – Hill Junior College

Girls Soccer:
Shay Williams – Angelo State University
Taylor Lowe – East Central University
Krista Kahl – East Central University
Kayla Cheesman – Lander University
Haley Maurice – Oklahoma State University

Cross Country
Elijah Vargas – Arlington Baptist College
Alejandro Guitierrez – Arlington Baptist College
Nick Hergenrother – New Mexico Military Institute (NIMI) 

Meredith Gleitz – Texas A&M University

Summit High School

Football:
Micah Awe – Texas Tech University
Bryan Ohene – Colorado State University
Calvin Burns – West Texas A&M University
Jacolby Robinson – Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Jaylon Singleton – Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Donovan Ellis – Wayland Baptist University
Brendan Pegg – Wayland Baptist University

Jordan Mathews  –  Wayland Baptist University

Girls Soccer:
Marisela Chavez  –  University of Central Arkansas
Trae Dimanche  –  East Central University 

Antoinette Bennett  –  University of Auburn

Timberview High School

Track:
AJ Bailey – Texas A&M University

Football:
Josh Esukpa – Incarnate World University
JE Thomas – Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Michael Adefolarin – Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Nick Lewis – Midwestern State University
Kendall Jackson – Midwestern State University
Rene Lawson – University of Minnesota, Crookston
Frank Kee – Tyler Junior College
Jeremy Miller – Tyler Junior College

3-on-3 Intermediate School Basketball District Championships

On January 26, 2012, Legacy High School hosted the 19th Annual Mansfield ISD 3-on-3 Intermediate School Basketball District Championships. Each intermediate school held campus tournaments to send their winning teams. In all, approximately 200 intermediate students participated.

The 3-on-3 event started with one school, Cross Timbers Intermediate School, back in 1993. Since then the event has grown to include all six intermediate schools in MISD.

The 3-on-3 intermediate tournament is a part of the Physical Education classes. The 3-on-3 basketball tournament was originally a part of a campus improvement plan. The program was created to improve student attendance and has turned into a great, fun opportunity to learn teamwork. Some of the participants from this event have gone on to play basketball at various levels: 4A and 5A State Champions, NCAA Div. 1 Men’s and Woman’s basketball and even a European league.

Congratulations to the 3-on-3 District Champion Teams:

6th Boys Asa Low Intermediate School

Shaysten Cornish

Cooper Thor

Dillon Nguyen

6th Girls Cross Timbers Intermediate School

Zaria Williams

Kristen Evans

Tamera Derrough

5th Boys Della Icenhower Intermediate School

Chris Ford

Bryson McKiney

CJ Smith

5th Girls Cross Timbers Intermediate School

Mikalyn Greenzweig

Tamara Tickles

Jaicia Canaday