Superintendent Update - January 2013

Dr. Bob Morrison discusses the upcoming Celebration Rally for Texas Public Schools, campus safety and the district calendar approval process in this month's Superintendent Update video.

Superintendent Update - December 2012

Watch the Superintendent Update on our YouTube channel or the MISD Video Portal (inside the district network).

Dr. Bob Morrison discusses the latest on the new Student Nutrition online meal payment system, recent grant awards by the MISD Education Foundation and the district-wide Toys For Tots program that will be held at the Center for the Performing Arts.

Superintendent Update - November 2012

Dr. Bob Morrison shares information on the iPad Program and upcoming special events including Veterans Day campus observances, Toys for Tots, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and a MISD Education Rally event next February.

Watch the video on YouTube or on the Video Portal from inside the MISD network.)

Superintendent Update - October 2012

Dr. Bob Morrison shares the latest on the district's high school iPad initiative including preliminary plans for an expanded parent information night on Monday, October 29. He also mentions other items of interest in the month of October: Red Ribbon Week, College and Career Night (October 17), and the upcoming Parent/Teacher Conference Day (October 8). Reminder: No school Monday, October 8.

Superintendent Update - September 2012

Dr. Bob Morrison discusses the latest on the district's new high school iPad initiative, new construction and the MISD transition from Infinite Campus to the Skyward Family Access system.

Watch Dr. Morrison's update on YouTube or on the District's Video Portal (inside the district network).

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Note: The video references a status on the iPad deployment schedule. The High School iPad program for teachers and students is currently in the deployment phase. Devices have been distributed to students at Frontier HS, Lake Ridge HS, Mansfield HS, and Legacy HS. This week, students at Timberview HS will start the process followed by Summit HS during the week of September 24. (As a reminder, Frontier was first to receive the devices because it is a smaller number of students and technicians used it to test the process. A random drawing by the high school principals determined the order of deployment for the other schools.)

Superintendent Update - June 2012

Dr. Bob Morrison discusses the new 1:1 iPad Initiative, the opening of the Center for the Performing Arts and shares highlights from the graduation ceremonies.

Superintendent Update - May 2012

[Watch the video from inside the Mansfield ISD network using the Video Portal.]

Dr. Bob Morrison discusses the proposed 1:1 iPad program for high school campuses next year, updates on the new Center for the Performing Arts, the upcoming Senior Tour and graduation info for our students and parents.

Superintendent Update - March 2012

[Watch the video from inside the Mansfield ISD network using the Video Portal.]

Dr. Bob Morrison visits Lake Ridge High School, the newest MISD high school campus, discusses STAAR testing, the new school start/end times for next year, Passport to Kindergarten and graduation information for the new MISD Center for the Performing Arts.

Superintendent Update - February 2012

Dr. Bob Morrison discusses the new MISD Center for the Performing Arts, an update to changes in the STAAR EOC testing program, Kindergarten Round-up (Passport to Kindergarten) and contest season for many of the MISD programs in the latest Superintendent Update:



[Watch the video from inside the Mansfield ISD network using the Video Portal.]

Note: The video was recorded and produced prior to the state championship win by the Mansfield Summit High School girls basketball team over the weekend.

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.

'Read to Me' Book Drive

Help us collect books for newborns. Volunteers are needed for the Methodist Mansfield Read to Me book drive on Friday, December 9 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and on Saturday December 10 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Barnes & Noble store at The Parks Mall in Arlington. 

The book drive benefits the newest members in the community through the Read to Me infant book program. Newborns at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center receive a free book that can be read to and shared with siblings. The combined efforts of Mansfield ISD, Mansfield Sunrise Rotary Club, and Methodist Mansfield Medical Center was established in 2010 out of the hope to raise the number of children who become capable and enthusiastic lifelong readers.

“Reading to children is a great and easy way to build early literacy skills,” said Dr. Bob Morrison, MISD superintendent. “It lays the foundation for communication; builds listening, memory, and vocabulary skills; and introduces numbers, letters, colors, and shapes in a fun way.”

Please email angelbiasatti@mhd.com if you would like to volunteer for this weekend's Read to Me book drive. Help is needed during the book drive to stand beside collection boxes and make the customers aware of the book drive.

Eight-Period School Schedule

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UPDATED Monday, November 28, 2011 

We are currently working on revisions to the eight-period schedule for next year. A revised schedule will be released later this week that will include 45 minute class periods and changes to the start and end times for the day. We appreciate your patience on this schedule update as we address the valid concerns and valuable feedback from the community.

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Original Post from Friday, November 18, 2011 at 11:59 AM

Due to the fact the district was cut $13 million this school year by the Texas Legislature and will be cut an additional $13 million next school year, Mansfield ISD has made the decision to move to an eight-period day at the secondary level (high school, middle, intermediate). Compared to other available options, the decision to change our schedule is in the best interest of our students, staff and district. No programs are being eliminated, so our students will continue to be able to participate in the current programs offered. No staff members will be laid off because of the budget cuts.

The length of the school day and the start and ending times of classes have not been finalized. We are continuing to gather feedback on these times from our students, staff and parents. If you have a question or comment, you may comment on this blog post or send it to info@misdmail.org . We will add frequently asked questions below the graphic as new questions are asked. Thank you for taking the time to review this information and providing input.

Dr. Bob Morrison
Superintendent, Mansfield ISD

Click graphic above for larger image. (Graphic updated at 3:40 PM, November 18, 2011.)

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FAQs

Why are we changing our schedule?

Mansfield ISD’s state and federal funding was cut $13 million in the 2011-12 school year and is expected to be cut another $13 million in 2012-13 school year. The change to the district’s bell schedule will result in an estimated savings of $6 million per school year. The district has made changes to operations in the last two years to reduce expenses, but the district is now entering a phase where tougher budget decisions will have to be made. 

Why do we need eight periods, instead of seven?

All MISD students must earn 27 credits to graduate. A seven period day would only allow for 28 credits and students would lose the ability to take certain elective courses that they enjoy. Students who need to repeat a course would have very little flexibility in their schedules to do so. An eight period day gives our students more flexibility.

How will this change impact instructional time at the high school?

An eight-period schedule will increase instructional time for high school students by approximately 10%. The new eight-period schedule will have 8,850 minutes of instructional time for the year, in place of the current 8000 minutes offered by the A/B Schedule. Students will also be able to see their teachers every day. Teachers will have a planning period every day.

How will students manage the load of classwork (tests, etc.) and homework required for an eight period day?

Principals and teachers will work together to develop a homework, test and project schedule that is manageable for students, so they are not overwhelmed.

Superintendent Update - November 2011

Dr. Bob Morrison discusses the MISD Bond election, new marketing opportunities for the district, the Lake Ridge HS colors and mascot and information on the new attendance zones.

Superintendent Update - October 2011

Dr. Bob Morrison discusses the new STAAR and EOC testing, MISD Parent/Teacher Conference Day, and info on the upcoming district-wide College and Career Night.

(Please note: If you cannot view the above video from inside the MISD network, please use the alternate video portal version.)

Superintendent Update - September 2011

Dr. Bob Morrison discusses a new bond election, the balanced budget, the opening of Nancy Neal Elementary and the new MISD iPhone app.

Superintendent Update - May 2011

Dr. Bob Morrison discusses the impending state budget shortfall, a possible bond package next fall, the Lake Ridge HS colors and mascot status, and the 2011 graduates in his final Superintendent Update video of the 2010-11 school year.

'Get Healthy Texas' Features Impact of Wellness Campaign

Martha Reid Elementary staff was recently featured by our local CBS affiliate for positive results from a friendly health competition among campuses thanks to Methodist Mansfield Medical Center's District-wide wellness campaign.

MMMC Principals' Fitness Challenge - Martha Reid Elementary health feature [VIDEO], dfw.cbslocal.com



Background
The wellness campaign started back in October when Methodist Mansfield Medical Center donated 4,000 pedometers to the Mansfield ISD staff as well as sponsored a Principals' Fitness Challenge program to promote the importance of health and fitness. By helping principals and school personnel create a healthier atmosphere for learning and working, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center hoped to create a healthy environment for the community.

“Methodist Mansfield Medical Center is joining forces with Mansfield ISD to promote healthy schools and improve health and academic outcomes,” said President of Methodist Mansfield Medical Center Laura Irvine at the time of the campaign launch. “By providing pedometers and sponsoring the Principals' Fitness Challenge we hope to increase healthy behaviors, encourage healthy role models for students, increase employee morale and promote a positive community image.”

“I want our employees to know we value their health and wellness,” said Dr. Bob Morrison MISD Superintendent of Schools. “If our staff identifies even small ways to improve their health, we'll have accomplished something positive.”

The Principals' Fitness Challenge was designed for campus administrators to voluntarily challenge themselves to a free and simple-to-follow 12-week fitness and wellness program. The goal is to encourage participants to take the first steps towards living a healthier lifestyle by increasing physical activity and improving nutrition. MISD staff members are invited to participate through championing their administrator and even taking the challenges on themselves.

Check out all of the winning campuses and principals from the challenge.

Superintendent Update - April 2011

Dr. Morrison shares the latest information on the impending state budget shortfall, construction updates for the Center for the Performing Arts and Nancy Neal Elementary, end of school year activities, and graduation information.


Please note: Due to scheduling conflicts, this video update is being posted in May instead of the planned April release.

Superintendent Update - March 2011

Dr. Bob Morrison shares an update on the financial status of the district, new schedules for intermediate and middle school students for next year, the naming procedure for high school #5 and the Mansfield ISD parent survey:



Watch more videos on the MISDTV channel.

Help to reduce gangs and youth violence

Arlington and Mansfield area leaders launched a new collaboration called Our Community, Our Kids to support strategies that reduce gangs and youth violence.


Our Community, Our Kids is a newly formed collaboration that is working toward a coordinated and comprehensive plan for addressing the needs of youth. Its purpose is to address gangs and violence, and increase support for youth in southeast Tarrant County.


According to a release by the City of Arlington, the initiative grew out of a 2006 United Way Arlington study on child abuse and neglect. The effort was renewed when area leaders agreed to focus their collective strengths and resources on providing at-risk youth with alternatives to gangs as part of a Gang Summit and Gang Intervention Committee hosted by the Arlington school district in 2008.


The collaborative effort held a kick-off breakfast on September 30, 2010 at the Mac Bernd Professional Development Center in Arlington ISD. MISD Superintendent, Dr. Bob Morrison, was unable to attend the event, but sent the following supportive video message:

Our Community, Our Kids from MISDTV on Vimeo.

The partners in the effort include the City of Arlington, Arlington ISD, City of Mansfield, Mansfield ISD, Arlington Police Department, Arlington Chamber of Commerce, YMCA of Arlington, Arlington Alliance for Youth, Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington, Cornerstone Baptist Church, United Way of Tarrant County, Tarrant County Juvenile Services and the University of Texas at Arlington.

In case you are wondering why MISD is involved in this effort since it seems primarily focused to our north, 40% of the students in the District come from the city of Arlington.

We'll provide more information as this initiative developes. Check out the program flyer (PDF) for more information.

Related: "Our Community, Our Kids" Launches to Support Youth