October Parent-Teacher Conferences

In early October, Mansfield ISD parents will once again have an opportunity to meet with their student's teachers during the district wide conference times. Campuses have set aside time to invite parents to the school to discuss how things are going this year in the classroom. Please check with your school(s) for specific conference schedule times.

• Thursday, October 10 - Evening conference times available after regular school day.
• Friday, October 11 - Student Holiday & Parent/Teacher Conference opportunity times in the morning. (Teachers are off in the afternoon.) 
• Visit the MISD Calendars page for these and other important dates.
• Download a printable 2013-14 Calendar (PDF).

The Why Behind The What
This marks the third year in a row we've offered dates at all schools for Parent/Teacher Conferences. It's our hope that parents will carve out time from what we know are busy schedules to meet with teachers. We believe that parent involvement is an important component in our mission to ensure educational and personal success by fostering a community built on mutual support and excellence.

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.

School is just around the corner

It's that time of year again. No, not back to school...yet. It's the hot summer days and school district personnel are in and out on staggered vacation days. We've all been getting the last bit of time before another school year begins.

So if you've tried to contact someone in administration and it has taken some extra time to get a return call or e-mail you'll know why. Campus personnel will report back to work soon as well. Thanks for your patience.

But we are getting close
The school year is right around the corner. The first day of school is Monday, August 23, 2010. You still have time to squeeze in some summer fun. Also, be sure check the MISD website for back to school information in the coming days (with registration dates, school supply lists, and more). Don't wait to take care of any immunization needs and athletic physicals.

Enjoy what's left of the summer.

(Image: jaqsphotogarage)

School is just around the corner

It is hard to believe it, but we are just over 30 days until the start of a new school year.
(Seriously, where has this summer gone?!)

Here are just a few things as we get ready for the new year:

• Check out Back to School information - school supply lists, schedule pick-up and more
• Download your printable 2009-2010 Calendar as well as the A-B Student Calendar.
• Updated immunization requirements for kindergarten and 7th grade (don't wait until the last minute)
• Athletics - Physicals will be held at Mansfield HS on August 1 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM.
• Speaking of athletics - Join us for Fan Fest 2009 on Thursday, August 13
• Remember the Texas Sales Tax Holiday is August 21-23
  

We are excited to open up a couple of new campuses, Linda Jobe Middle and Asa E. Low Jr. Intermediate. The District will hold dedication services for these two new campuses on Sunday, August 23. Details to come. (For those of you paying attention, I have not included Annette Perry Elementary since that campus will open up later in the school year.)

I hope you enjoy the remainder of your summer.

(photo credit: This Year's Love)

Success in School Summit: A Dialogue on Dropout Prevention

Did you know every four minutes a student drops out of a Texas public school? This isn't a problem, this is a crisis.

On Saturday, November 1, Arlington ISD will host The Success in School Summit: A Dialogue on Dropout Prevention.

MISD Superintendent Vernon Newsom will participate in this worthy event to engage the community in discussions and presentations addressing the drop-out crisis.

Saturday, November 1, 2008
8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Fielder Road Baptist Church
2011 S. Fielder Road, Arlington Texas

From Dr. María Robledo Montecel, president of the Intercultural Development Research Association:

“It is high time that Texas take a new course...[i]nvestment in change must go beyond discrete dropout prevention programs. It must reflect our full commitment to providing for quality public schools in all neighborhoods for children of all backgrounds.”

Please consider taking action and attend the summit.

Highlights include:

• The Success in Schools Summit will strengthen existing collaborative efforts relative to drop out prevention.
• This summit proposes the development of work plans to address three strategic focus areas: Crime; Youth Physical and Mental Health; Youth Focus on the Future.
• Arlington Human Service Planners will serve as the facilitator/recorder and city, school district and other state and local officials will serve to establish collaborative networks involving key community stakeholders. In addition to the monitoring of action steps and data, Human Service Planners will hold a minimum of two networking sessions annually around the strategic focus areas.
• The City of Arlington Mayor and Superintendents from AISD and MISD have given their full support to the summit.
• The summit will have representation from a variety of representatives and stakeholders such as but not limited to: Mayor, City Council, City Manager’s Office, City Agencies, Arlington Human Service Planners, Youth, Corporate Representatives, Education, Nonprofit Partners, Other Elected/Appointed Officials, Faith-Based Organizations
  

MISD Speakers include:

• Vernon Newsom, Superintendent
• Yvonne DaVault - MISD Coordinator of Other Languages
• Sgt. Greg Minter - MISD Police

MISD is a Partner in the Success in School Summit. Over 40% of MISD students live in the City of Arlington.

Back-to-Back "A" Days?

We started to get some questions from a few teachers, administrators, and from the community who were concerned and/or curious about the back-to-back “A” days on the 2008-09 A-B Student Calendar. This calendar anomaly was actually done on purpose and here’s why:

• There are nearly equal number of A and B days scheduled in our 177 instructional day calendar.
• The A-B Student Calendar has 89 “A” days and 88 “B” days.
• The end of the first semester has double “B” days followed by two “A” days that were scheduled for final exam review and testing.
• The second semester begins on a “B” day.
• April 17 is the end of the 5^th six-week grading period.
• April 20 is the beginning of the 6^th six-week grading period
• The end of the second semester has double “A” days followed by two “B” days that were scheduled for final exam review and testing.

We hope this clears up any confusion on this calendar and demonstrates the consideration that goes into setting calendars that affect students, teachers, and the administration.

Related: You can also get your printable 08-09 District Calendar.