2014 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. This list will be updated as additional students make decisions.)

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Lake Ridge High School

Football
Keith Breckenridge – Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Cross Country
Hunter Wamack – Northeastern State Louisiana

Boys Golf
Carlos Headland – Thomas University

Baseball
Scottie Kelton – Central Christian College, Kansas

Boys Soccer
Jessie Diaz – Dallas Baptist University

Legacy High School

Girls Soccer
Madison Brinkman – Oklahoma Christian
Danielle Hightower – Central Baptist College
Alyssa Pios – St. Gregory’s

Boys Soccer
Daniel Moore – Florida Southern

Football
Everett Williams – Minnesota
Chad Pursley – SMU
Jared McGee – Northwestern
Terrance Ivery – Tulsa
Kijana Amous – Northern Colorado or Navarro (Undecided)
Harris Tafah – Navarro
Chris Smith – Texas A&M Commerce
Mike Sanders – Texas A&M Commerce
Bryson Sheffield – Texas A&M Commerce
Josh Conrad – Texas A&M Commerce
Kenton Mayberry – Southern Nazarene

Baseball
Corey Murray – Weatherford Junior College

Mansfield High School

Girls Track
Kami Stockett – SFA

Girls Golf
Rachel Dahl – Angelo St.

Boys Golf
Hunter Johnson – McMurry

Softball
Taylor Spurgin – Austin College
Marlee Boyd – Greyson Community College

Football
JT Ibe – Rice
Hunter Ponder – Rice
Nick Hall – Southern Nazerene University
Noble Leake – Southern Nazerene University
Maurice Isuo – Langston University

Girls Soccer
McKayla Paulson – Texas A & M
Sidney LeRoy – Dayton
Taylor Rotto – Northeastern State

Summit High School

Seven football and one baseball signing to play with colleges today. Go Jags. pic.twitter.com/lKZlzUt4HW
— Summit Football (@SummitFB) February 5, 2014

Football
Jordan Hester – Minnesota Crookston
Chase Snyder – Southwest Oklahoma State University
Samuel Armardi – Dordt College
Jordan Smith – Texas A&M University-Commerce
Johnson Ubani – Southeastern Oklahoma University
Christian Taylor – Angelo State University
Chris Logan – Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Baseball
Austin McLaughlin – Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Timberview High School

Our signees with their parents. #NationalSigningDay #gowolves pic.twitter.com/mmQc0vLbnI
— TimberviewHighSchool (@TimberviewHigh) February 5, 2014

Football
Ed Paris – LSU
Brandon Simmons – Stanford
Brandon Garner – UNT
Rashaad Burton – ACU
Dorian Brown – Sam Houston
Jacob Addison – McKendree University
Tevin Muse – Tyler Junior College
Damian Walker – UTEP

Girls Track
Kelsey Johnson – San Jose State University

Boys Track
Branden Perry – UTSA

Toys for Tots 2013 Community Event brings in over 19K toys

You did it again. Thank you so much to everyone in the Mansfield ISD community who donated toys and/or came out on Wednesday, December 11 to The Center for the DFW Toys for Tots drop-off event with FOX 4.

We had another huge crowd of parents, students, staff, and people throughout the community who came by to support this effort. FOX 4 personnel and DFW Toys for Tots organizers were once again impressed with the magnitude of our toy drive and community event.

Our 2nd Annual community-wide event at The Center was held on Wednesday, December 11, from 5:00-10:30 p.m. Starting the event was a Parade, followed by free Santa photos, a pair of real reindeer to pet, indoor crafts, inflatable bounce activity, music, hot cocoa, onstage student performances inside and out, food trucks, and much more. The district exceeded our toy collection from last year; early estimates indicate that over 19,300 toys were collected this year and over $8,000 for DFW Toys for Tots!

 

Special thanks go out to the Mansfield Police Department, high school mascots, Mansfield High School Drill Team, Summit High School Band, James Coble Middle School Cheerleaders, Legacy High School Drill Team, Mansfield Fire Department, Peter Ponce, MISD Fine Arts, MISD Police, MISD Athletics SAMS Club in Mansfield, Top of Texas Photography, Mansfield Mayor, David Cook, Savvy’s Bistro, MISD volunteers, Huckabee, Inc., Ben Barber Career Tech Academy Auto Tech, BCB Transport in Mansfield, Lone Star Irrigation Association, Shepard Intermediate assistant principal, Josh Roberts, MISD Warehouse crew, Texas Trust Credit Union, Home Depot, Mansfield Methodist Medical Center, Starbucks, Frost Bank, Two Men and a Truck, Mattress cleaning dudes, , Sports Clips, and all MISD schools and departments for promoting and participating at the event.

Winter Weather Transportation and School-closing Decisions

What happens in Mansfield ISD when temperatures drop and our area has inclement winter weather?

I checked with our leadership team and the Transportation department to help explain some of the procedures, considerations, and decision-making during winter weather events. Here is what I found out:

1. At or before 4:00 a.m. a decision is made to deploy the Transportation weather team staff.
2. Before 4:30 a.m.., the weather team visually inspects various areas across the district of streets for icy, wet, or dry roads along with monitoring the weather information channels.
3. The weather team contacts the Director of Transportation with their road information.
4. Road conditions are analyzed along with other related information available from other school districts.
5. If roads are questionable, the Superintendent is contacted after 4:30 a.m. (but before 5:00 a.m.) to discuss findings and recommendations.
6. The Superintendent makes a decision by 5:00 a.m. whether or not to close schools.
7. We use our standard communication channels if any changes to the district schedule require adjustment including the District homepage, weather info webpage, our phone and e-mail notification system, DFW radio and TV news outlets, and via the district's Twitter profile, @mansfieldisd.

Other considerations and notable information

• Many area school districts' transportation directors have a local phone network so they can stay in communication and provide insight to what is happening road-wise with each other.

• How does weather forecasting play a part in the decision-making process? While the weather team reports actual conditions, what is expected to happen weather-wise is just as important to the decision process.

• What about early dismissals? If winter weather conditions worsen during the school day, we determine if an early release is needed to get the students home sooner and bus drivers back to the bus barn safely prior to darkness. We try to make that decision prior to 10:00 a.m. in order to adequately coordinate the dismissal process. As soon as it is determined to dismiss early, the dismissal times for each grade level will be posted immediately on the District's website.
• How many different bus routes run every day? Each of our MISD buses run three or four schools. We run 165 buses, including Special Needs, but with three bell schedules, that is approximately 660 individual bus trips each morning and then again each afternoon.

We hope this helps provide a little insight into this process.

Marching Band Results, Ratings, and Tweets

November 6 Update:

Congratulations @lakeridgeband for placing 10th in Conf. 4A Finals #UILState Marching Contest: http://t.co/jbEc92f5e7 cc @LakeRidgeEagles
— Mansfield ISD (@mansfieldisd) November 6, 2013

Congratulations, marching band students, directors, and supporters! All five Mansfield ISD high school bands made a first division rating at the Region marching contest last week.

All three of our 4A bands (Summit, Legacy and Lake Ridge) advanced out of the preliminary phase of competition at the Area contest this past Saturday.

Mansfield Lake Ridge High School advanced to the 4A state marching contest that will take place in San Antonio on Tuesday, November 5. Lake Ridge HS has been open for only two years and this is the first year the band was eligible to compete and continue on to the next level.

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Update: Lake Ridge High School Marching Band presents State Marching Contest send-off show, 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 3 at Newsom Stadium

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/10/26/5280291/24-area-bands-march-for-a-chance.html#storylink=cpy

From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's coverage: 24 area bands march for a chance to make it to the state finals:

"The Lake Ridge High School marching band performed songs like Muse’s Madness while engaging in a pretend battle as part of its performance for the UIL State Marching Band area finals...What drum major Nick Clark, 16, didn’t know halfway through the day was that his Lake Ridge band members had won first place in the preliminary competition. The bands, with color guard members helping amp up performances, were ranked in the finals for music and marching skills."

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/10/26/5280291/24-area-bands-march-for-a-chance.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/10/26/5280291/24-area-bands-march-for-a-chance.html#storylink=cpy

The following are the tweets from the newest Mansfield ISD Twitter profile, @MISD_FineArts:

Lake Ridge HS invaded the Area prelims. Another band behind me said they were "Legit!" And wanted to see it again. pic.twitter.com/ie2w6s0WFQ
— MISD Fine Arts (@MISD_FineArts) October 26, 2013

Summit HS was superb at the Area marching prelims!! Wow!! So great!! pic.twitter.com/qhoytxfahV
— MISD Fine Arts (@MISD_FineArts) October 26, 2013

Legacy HS band was outstanding at the preliminary Area Marching contest. Powerful performance!! pic.twitter.com/nJHpwleB4i
— MISD Fine Arts (@MISD_FineArts) October 26, 2013

Timberview HS made the audience howl. They did an awesome job!! pic.twitter.com/VVjxqKaCph
— MISD Fine Arts (@MISD_FineArts) October 23, 2013

Mansfield HS earned their stripes tonight with a division I rating at Regional Marching Band competition. pic.twitter.com/wRc337gEWF
— MISD Fine Arts (@MISD_FineArts) October 23, 2013

Legacy HS band wowed them at Region Marching Band competition!! pic.twitter.com/LXVj8CxrPl
— MISD Fine Arts (@MISD_FineArts) October 22, 2013

Lake Ridge HS band was out of this world at Region Marching Band competition!!! pic.twitter.com/pCojQuVW8l
— MISD Fine Arts (@MISD_FineArts) October 22, 2013

Great job Summit HS Band at Region marching competition!! pic.twitter.com/UvJRupmA7C
— MISD Fine Arts (@MISD_FineArts) October 22, 2013

Timberview seniors selected for 2014 Army All-American Bowl

Congratulations to seniors Ed Paris and Brandon Simmons, Timberview High School varsity football defensive backs, for being selected for the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. This prestigious bowl game takes place at the San Antonio Alamodome on January 4 and will be televised on NBC. Only 90 players from across the U.S. are selected each year.

On Thursday, September 26, Paris and Simmons received their jerseys during a special afternoon ceremony at the campus.

(Read related article in the Mansfield News-Mirror.)

New District Website Launch

The Mansfield ISD website received a digital makeover this week to bring the district and department-level pages up to the same design and management standards as the campus websites. The new design and management uses the finalsite web software content management system. In May, 2011 the School Board approved the purchase agreement to put the website redesign project wheels in motion.

Following a comprehensive design and training schedule, the campus websites went live in April, 2012. After the campus sites were up and running, MISD Web Services Coordinator, Alicia Alford, moved on to the district and department redesign project.

A Website Redesign Committee was established and met to discuss the aspects of the district website that worked well in addition to things that needed improvement. Among the areas for improvement:

• Header (navigation bar) needed to be compatible with all platforms
• More consistency at lower level pages
• Cleaner, more updated look similar to campus redesign
• Mobile-friendly design and functionality

After the new design parameters were established, the redesign and content transfers began in November, 2012 and the site is ready for show @ www.mansfieldisd.org

Frequent users of the MISD website should notice some major changes and will hopefully be pleased with the new look. If you've bookmarked specific pages such as Skyward or Cafeteria Menus, you'll need to update those bookmarks to the new pages.

2013 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. This list will be updated as additional students make decisions.)

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Legacy High School
Girls Soccer
Morgan Nutley – Navarro Junior College
Callie Jo Davis – Southwestern Christian University
Kallie Moores – Louisiana State University Shreveport
Stephanie Gutierrez – Texas Woman’s University
Jamie Couch – Texas State University

Golf

Marchie Murdock, Legacy HS committed to Illinois

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/02/04/4599899/city-of-mansfield-enjoys-boom.html#storylink=cpy

(PHOTO: Star-Telegram, Ron Jenkins)

Andrew Dixon – Boys Golf – Southwestern Christian University
Amber Campbell – Girl Golf – Southwestern Christian University

Football
Brady Burke – Evangel University
Marchie Murdock – University of Illinois

Lake Ridge High School
No students this signing date

Mansfield High School
Football
Austin Davis – Duke
Zach Crabtree – Oklahoma St.
Chad Whitener – University of California
George Baltimore – TCU
Trent Gow – Air Force
Bryan Shanklin – Air Force
Calum Rodriguez – Henerson St.

Track
Aleeah Stigarll – Troy University
Sydnee Worlds – University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

Soccer
Sydney Newton – Abilene Christian University
Manny Sevilla – Ottawa University, Kansas

Baseball
Ryan Brooks – Grayson County Junior College


Summit High School
Baseball
Brady Usherwood (Short stop) – Grayson Junior College

Football
DL Bryson Henderson – TCU
DE Kendrick Johnson – Northern Colorado
WR Derrick Styles – SW Oklahoma State
WR Patrick Tshituka – SW Oklahoma State
LB Quan Mathews – Cisco Junior College

Timberview High School
Football
Josh Smith – Liberty
D’Andre Fuller – ACU
Blake Mendenhall – Southwest University
Khalid Conner – SWOSU
Kendell St. Romain – Austin College
Ugonna Nwarie – OPSU
Maurice Smith – Grandview College
Ernest Cash – Grandview College

Girls Track
Briana Adams – Texas State
Jazmine Warden – Houston Baptist

Related: City of Mansfield enjoys boom times in recruiting, DFWVarsity.com

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/02/04/4599899/city-of-mansfield-enjoys-boom.html#storylink=cpy

Toys for Tots Community Event a Great Success

That. Was. Awesome.

Thank you so much to everyone in the Mansfield ISD community who donated toys and/or came out last night to The Center for the Toys for Tots drop-off event. We had a huge crowd of parents, students, staff, and people throughout the community who came by to support this effort. The media team from FOX 4 and organizers from DFW Toys for Tots were thrilled and impressed with the magnitude of our toy drive and community event. All of you did that. Well done!

Did you go? Please share some of your photos from last night's Toys for Tots event at The Center and we'll add them to our online photo gallery. Please send event photos to mansfieldisd [at] gmail.com.

Earlier in the day, we started gathering toys from around the district.

Buses are going around MISD picking up over 12,800 toys from schools for tonight's #ToysForTots drop-off event @ The Center w/ @

Updated (December 14): We received a final count from the DFW Toys for Tots warehouse on the total number of toys and donations from the MISD drive - 16,148 toys and $15,550 in donations!

Thank you to all of the student performers, school and local business volunteers who provided activity booths, event organizers, sponsors and partners, and of course FOX 4 and DFW Toys for Tots for letting MISD be a part of something big.

Toys for Tots Drive and Community Event - Dec 12

Join Mansfield ISD and Toys for Tots for a community-wide FREE event at the MISD Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 from
5:00 - 10:30 p.m.

Live FOX 4 TV coverage between 5:00-6:30 p.m. and 9:00-10:30 p.m. broadcasts

We will have FREE Santa photos to all bringing a (new, unwrapped) toy, a pair of real reindeer to pet, crafts, face-painting, fire truck, inflatable bounce activity, music, high school drumlines, popcorn, hot cocoa, entertainment, and much more.

Toy collection boxes are also available at every Mansfield ISD campus and many local businesses. All are invited to bring collection boxes with toys to the December 12 community drop-off event.

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October - December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area.

Download and print the Event Flyer (PDF):

JROTC CyberWarriors Secure Damaged Enterprise Computer

Five Mansfield High School JROTC cadets recently competed in the CyberPatriot V – National High School Cyber Defense Competition. Established by the Air Force Association (AFA), CyberPatriot is the nation's largest high school cyber security challenge. This unique competition was designed to give students a hands-on learning experience in cybersecurity and inspire students to consider science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields in their studies. It also offers support and technical expertise from industry leaders, including CyberPatriot's presenting sponsor the Northrop Grumman Foundation.


During Friday and Saturday, November 2 – 3, competitors were scored on how well they strengthened their assigned simulated computer systems by finding and fixing security issues.

This round of competition pitted over 120 schools from around the world in a grueling online game to teach students how to assess and correct vulnerabilities within a corporate Windows 7 network that had been damaged by users that changed critical processes and files. The six-hour event round was also the inaugural run of the new CyberPatriot Competition System (CCS), a new cyber training model.  For the first time teams could receive real-time feedback of their scores along with a report of the scored problems they correctly solved.

Mansfield High School's JROTC team, known as CyberWarrior pictured above during the competition, consisted of student cadets Jonathon Chen, Tristan Crawley, Chris Meek, Anthony White, and Dakota Kuhn. The cadets were not told what type of computer, which operating system would be tested, which repairs are required, or how to go about making corrections until they installed the image from their secret archive that was delivered just in time to start the game.

“The first challenges the team faced were testing the authenticity of the downloaded ISO image by MD5 files checksums and the secret decompression passwords,” said SFC Darrell Watkins, their team coach and Army JROTC Instructor at Mansfield High School JROTC. “For a few minutes, I could see the stress level building as the team worked feverishly to install the VMWare Virtual Machine on their Windows game platform. The team came together and assigned tasks, recorded every error, added and deleted authorized users from their scenario, and developed a trouble ticket methodology to establish their priorities, enjoying their snacks and an occasional joke along their way to securing and protecting the system.”


Effective communication within the CyberPatriot Team on computer vulnerabilities, with their coach for questions of the 400-page rule book, and external communications with CyberPatriot Operations Center (CPOC) that was in the path of Hurricane Sandy last week, would all prove instrumental to their success in this game session.

The goal of this program is to teach young people about myriad security issues that render everything from cell phones to automobile ignition systems very lucrative targets for computer crackers and hackers. SFC Watkins said, “CyberPatriot conducts actual online hacking, since that is exactly what we are learning to prevent with this cyber security program. As the team made security repairs, the game counter noted their progress and assigned them points for each security flaw repaired correctly. With the introduction of over 10,000 iPads devices within Mansfield ISD high schools this school year, we have seen firsthand during the past several weeks the benefits of monitoring what users are doing on computers and correcting vulnerabilities.”

Many users ask their seemingly knowledgeable friends to make system, registry, and network changes that could expose the entire network to damage from others in the interconnected digital world, causing problems that could require hundreds, if not thousands of hours for an organization's IT staff to repair. Mansfield ISD’s network staff deployed many virtual Windows Office platforms in a very short time to our students for use on their Apple devices. This gives students access to applications that many families could not afford in the retail sector. The benefit of the virtual machine on a computer is that if it malfunctions, it can quickly be replaced with the image taken before anything was done to cause it damage.

The team wishes to thank AT&T, Northrup-Grumman, the Air Force Association, and the entire CyberPatriot family for helping each of them to learn to maintain and repair security related computer infrastructure by employing the digital game realm as a learning vehicle.

Town Hall: The Role of Standardized Testing in Education

The HOPE Foundation in partnership with the Mansfield ISD will hold a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 5:45 p.m. The topic of the Town Hall is “What should the role of Standardize Testing be in education?” It will be held at the Mansfield ISD Center for the Performing Arts, located at 1110 West Debbie Lane, Mansfield TX 76063.

As parents we often only look at our children’s test scores or visit the schools website to see their grades. Some of the questions we need to be asking to ensure our children are graduating as 21st century learners who are college and career ready go well beyond just grades and scores These questions and more will be addressed at the Town Hall meeting.

Moderator: Christopher Swanson - Vice President of Editorial Projects in Education, Education Week

Panelists:

• Lamar Goree – Area Superintendent, Mansfield Independent School District
• Dr. Shelly Butler – Middle School Principal, Mansfield Independent School District
• Kelly Standley – Instructional Specialist, Mansfield Independent School District
• Melanie Castellow – Curriculum Director, LaGrange Independent School District
• Lee Fleming – Director of New School Development, New Tech Network

Mansfield ISD parents are invited to be part of our Town Hall because you play a crucial large role in shaping not only the future your children but of this region, state and beyond.

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The Thursday night Town Hall meeting is in coordination with a HOPE Foundation conference entitled "How Schools Work" being held at The Center on November 8-9 for educators:

The "How Schools Work" Series goes beyond what to do to assure student success and directly into how it is being done in schools throughout North America -- right now. The fact is that schools are succeeding. Importing gurus is misguided because The Answer Is in the Room. Every school has excellent teaching going on, and every district has successful schools. The challenge has been in scaling that success. HOPE's past decade has been spent developing and field-testing a method for scaling success already underway in schools. Now you can see that in action.

Teachers from our District as well as from surrounding school districts will attend this national conference being held here in the Mansfield ISD.

Lady Tigers Volleyball Coach Celebrates 500 Career Wins

Congratulations to Lady Tiger volleyball coach Judith McGill for the awesome accomplishment of winning 500 career games! The monumental victory took place when the Lady Tigers defeated the Panthers on Friday, October 12, in Midlothian.

When we asked Coach McGill how she accomplished the tremendous feat of reaching 500 victories, her answer was simple – it’s the kids.

“Behind every win is a hardworking, dedicated team,” said McGill. "The only way you make it to 500 is by having great kids, and I think that is really the key to any successful school program."

Although reaching 500 wins is a crowning achievement for Coach McGill, she has no intention of slowing down.

“I want to keep winning games and support hardworking kids that will go on to be productive citizens and good people,” said McGill. “That goal will never change.”

On behalf of the MISD Administration, congratulations to Coach Judith McGill! We appreciate your commitment to the Lady Tiger Volleyball program, Mansfield High School and the Mansfield ISD community.

A Primer on U.S. and Texas Accountability Systems

We often get questions about accountability, student testing and what it all means to Mansfield ISD.

The following is based on the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Presentation given to the MISD School Board on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 by Dr. Jim Vaszauskas, Associate Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability:

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) refers to the federally mandated accountability system required by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)...

No Child Left Behind

• No Child Left Behind (NCLB) was passed by Congress in 2001.
• In 2002, President George W. Bush signed the bill into law.
• Measures reading and math in grades 3-8 and grade 10.
• Ultimate goal is to have all (100%) children proficient in reading and math by 2014.
• NCLB as originally passed expired in 2007.
• The reauthorization and rewrite of NCLB have stalled in Congress. The House committee and Senate committee that oversee education have completed their respective rewrites but no additional action has been taken.
• The secretary of education is allowing states to apply for waivers, IF they agree to certain stipulations: common core curriculum, college readiness standards, etc.
• Schools are measured in reading and math in grades 3-8 and 10.
• 7 student groups are measured: all students, African American, Hispanic, white, Special Education (SPED), English language learners (ELL), and economically disadvantaged.
• SPED has a 3% cap on modified testing. Students over this cap are counted as failures even if they pass the test.
• Schools typically must meet more than 30 standards. Schools that miss one or more standards are deemed to have missed AYP.

AYP Sanctions

• Schools that fail in one or more categories miss AYP and IF they accept *Title 1 funding are subject to sanctions.
• Sanctions become more punitive for campuses that miss AYP in the same student group and subject over time.
• Sanctions escalate: school choice, tutoring, new curriculum, fire principal and staff, reconstitute school.
• Schools that do not accept Title 1 funding are NOT subject to any sanctions.

The Politics of NCLB

• The Federal Secretary of Education has granted waivers from AYP requirements to 38 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico (as of May 11, 2012).
• Texas is not applying for a waiver.
• Texas' accountability system differs from NCLB in the subjects tested, the student groups counted, passing standards, and sanctions. STAAR passing standards 3-8 will not be set until next year, but the state had to develop a bridge ranking to determine passing standards this year.
• It is possible to be highly ranked on the state accountability system and miss AYP.
• All MISD schools are held to the standards of the state accountability system.
• The federal accountability system (AYP) must be calculated for all MISD schools; however, only 19 of our schools (Title 1) are held to the sanctions.
• AYP has been removed in both House and Senate committee drafts. (However, the law's reauthorization has stalled in Congress until presumably after the Presidential election.)

State-wide Issues

• Approximately 71% of Texas districts missed AYP.
• Alvarado, Arlington, Birdville, Crowley, Dallas, Duncanville, Eagle-Mountain Saginaw, Everman, Fort Worth, Grapevine Colleyville, Grand Prairie, Hurst-Euless-Bedford, Irving, Keller, Kennedale, Lake Worth, Mansfield, Midlothian, Northwest, Plano, Weatherford, and White Settlement school districts missed AYP.
• No make up tests were counted this year.
• Passing standards for STAAR have not been set.
• Texas implemented a completely new criterion referenced test in 2011-12 – State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) – to replace the TAKS test that had been in existence for eight years.

Mansfield ISD's Response to NCLB

• Campuses (administration and teachers) are aware of their students' performance, both strengths and opportunities for improvement.
• Campus Improvement Plans will address targeted areas.
• Principals of schools that missed AYP will analyze performance data in January for necessary mid-course corrections and interventions.
• Elementary campuses are moving to a more consistent intervention and inclusion (co-teach) model.
• We are continuing to follow our curriculum management plan: three years ago, we trained our employees; two years ago, we wrote our curriculum; last year, we implemented our curriculum; this year, we revised our curriculum based on teacher feedback and we are developing common assessments for k-6.

Additional Staff Development

• Additional intensive professional development for intermediate and middle school math teachers on teaching the hard to reach student.
• Additional intensive professional development for SPED department on SPED Cap requirements.
• Additional intensive professional development for our ELL department on closing the gap.
• We continue to work with our teachers on teaching a guaranteed, viable curriculum.

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*Title 1: To qualify as a Title 1 school, at least 40% of the students enrolled must qualify for the free and reduced meal plan. Mansfield ISD has economically disadvantaged students at all 41 schools, but unless they attend a school where at least 40%  of the student enrollment is on the free and reduced meal plan, they do not receive any federal Title 1 support.
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Related Links:

• No Child Left Behind is showing its age, and AYP has lost its meaning (Fort Worth Star-Telegram editorial)
• Texplainer: What if Schools Don’t Meet Benchmarks? (Texas Tribune)

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/08/09/4169632/no-child-left-behind-is-showing.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

Photo credit: atomicity via Flickr Creative Commons

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.

Texas Rangers Mansfield ISD Night - May 25

Mansfield ISD students, staff, family and friends are invited to spend an evening with the Texas Rangers on Friday, May 25, 2012. The MISD community is eligible for a savings of over 40% off regular gate price for our selected game. Plus, $2 from each ticket sold is donated back to the district.

--> Use the promo code: RangersISD and purchase discounted tickets online
(be sure to select the May 25 - TOR - 7:05PM CDT.)
Or download the printable order form (PDF).

Arrive early to listen to members of the Mansfield Legacy High School Choir perform the national anthem and see other pre-game activities involving Mansfield ISD.

For questions or orders of 10 or more tickets, please email isdnights@texasrangers.com.

But wait, there's more...

You could win 6 Free Tickets + 2 Parking Passes to the MISD night at the Ball Park with a click of a button.

The Mansfield ISD Education Foundation will give away 6 tickets + 2 Parking passes to the Friday May 25 Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays game. Tickets are located in section 32 (Home Plate). Everyone who goes to the Foundation Facebook page and clicks “Like” between May 2 and May 23 will automatically be entered into the drawing for the tickets and parking passes.

And still more...

Would you like to throw out the first pitch? The MISD Education Foundation is auctioning off the ceremonial first pitch opportunity + four game tickets to the May 25 MISD Night at the Ballpark. This online auction begins Monday, May 14 and ends Wednesday, May 23 at 4:00 pm. Email your bid to lindabacsik@misdmail.org. Current bid will be posted each morning on the foundation website at www.mansfieldisdfoundation.org as well as the Foundation Facebook Page. Check to see what the current bid is each day. Winners will be notified on Thursday, May 24 and given instructions. For questions on Foundation items, call 817-299-6354.

Ok, that's it. Go Rangers!

Tarver-Rendon Elementary Celebrates 100 Years

Join the students and staff of Tarver-Rendon Elementary School as they marks their school's 100-year history with the Centennial Celebration on Friday, May 11, 2012. Former students and former staff are invited to bring photos and mementos to share with all in the celebration. Special thanks to the Mansfield Historic Society members who will be on hand to present perspectives and period dress from the area and school's history.

Centennial Celebration on Friday, May 11, 2012

Student Program - 9:30 AM

Community Reception - 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM 

 Note: The Community Reception is a come-and-go event.

Coble Middle School Opens College and Career Prep Center

When it comes to preparing for college and the workforce, the students of James Coble Middle School understand it’s never “too early” to get started.

In March, the campus opened the Coyote College and Career Center. The new resource center invites students to learn more about the path to college through research and hands-on activities.

“The vision of the project is to equip students with information that helps prepare them for the future,” said Principal Dr. Charlotte Ford. “We want to provide information about the application process, financial aid, resume-building and all different types of careers.”

Using Ford’s vision as a guide, the campus Counselor, LaMonica Brewington and her Counseling Intern, Jeannita Bussle, worked to gather a rich collection of resources for the students.

“We visited government agencies and we were able to access a ton of free information that helped to build the center,” said Brewington.

Teachers can schedule time for students to visit the center, just as they would for the library or computer lab. So far, Brewington and Bussle have worked with about 150 students, including Aaron Williams, a 7th grader who aspires to become a music producer.

“I know it’s very important to get a good degree,” said Williams. “I’m learning how to prepare for college and the importance of starting good study habits while I’m young.”

The center has several computer stations for students to practice building their resumes and they also spend time filling out sample copies of the Texas Common Application.

In addition to reaching as many Coble students as possible, Ford and her team have an even broader goal for the impact of the center.

“We want people to know that this facility is open to staff, parents and community members as well,” said Bussle. “We will continue to expand this program to assist as many people as we can.”

To learn more about the Coyote College and Career Center, contact the campus directly at 817-299-6400.

Questions for Candidates About Texas Public Education

It's election season time again and many people are interested in the election and voting process but may not know what to do to get involved. Aside from knowing who represents you and being registered to vote, a good way to be involved as have questions ready to ask the candidates when the opportunity arises.

Along with school districts across Texas, Mansfield ISD has an interest in having candidates elected who are supportive of public education. With candidate forums being held in communities or even at informal gatherings, it might be useful to have questions to ask the candidates.

Below are some sample questions community members can ask candidates to help determine how supportive they are of public education. The list was created by Raise Your Hand Texas:


"[Broad Overview]
On financial management: What is your plan to provide adequate funding for all Texas public schools?
On human capital: How would you help schools recruit and retain highly qualified teachers?
On student achievement: How can we better prepare our students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed after high school graduation?

[More In-Depth]

1. Do you have concerns about public education, and could you share those with us in detail? What should the legislature do about those concerns?
2. How many school districts are in your legislative district, and which are the largest?
3. Which PTA/PTO leaders, school board members, and superintendents have you talked with to find out their legislative concerns?
4. Some legislators have the position that public education in Texas should work within the parameters of reduced funding. Other legislators are advocates for maintaining, or even increasing, funding for public education using various mechanisms. Please explain in detail your position.
5. The state budget will be tight in 2013. Would you rather raise revenue or make more cuts in funding for public education? What do you think should be done about the state’s structural deficit?
6. What is your knowledge of, and your opinion about, the current state funding formulas used to distribute monies to the various districts as part of the Texas public school finance system?
7. Legislators need to turn to people for expert advice when education issues come up. Share your thoughts on the resources that you could rely upon when faced with an education issue.
8. Do you support maintaining, or even increasing, funding for high-quality early childhood education?
9. What are your views on charter schools?
10. How can schools prepare our students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in college and career?
11. Do you support school vouchers (subsidies given directly to parents for tuition at any school, public or private)?
12. What is your position on the statewide testing program in our public schools?

QUESTIONS TO ASK SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES:

[Broad Overview]
On financial management: How would you manage the school district’s funds responsibly and equitably among schools?
On troubled schools: What would you do to improve underperforming or “academically unacceptable” schools?
On classroom best practices: Do our principals and teachers have what they need to do a good job? What other resources and services would you provide them?

[More In-Depth]

1. Please describe your education and professional experience that qualifies you for this position. What do you believe the role of the school board should be?
2. How will you help children transition from elementary to middle school and then from middle school into high school and from high school into higher education or the workforce?
3. Many districts across Texas continue to experience funding difficulties and shortfalls. What actions do you believe are necessary to ensure that our district avoids a budget deficit? How can the Board properly implement and monitor the budget?
4. If sudden budget cuts are necessary, what do you believe to be the district’s top priorities that must be protected, and what programs or positions do you think could be reduced or eliminated?
5. What specific steps do you believe are necessary to improve graduation rates in our high schools?
6. If elected, describe how you will communicate regularly with your constituents.
7. What will you do to advocate and ensure support for public education in our community? What resources and services, beyond academics, do you believe schools and the community should provide to support student well-being and achievement?
8. How do you plan to work effectively with the rest of the board to get things done?
9. Are you a member of other community organizations? If so, which ones?
10. Who would you seek input from before you vote on an issue?
11. What is your position on the statewide testing program in our public schools?"

[Source: Raise Your Hand Texas]

Related Presentation: Cast Your Ballot for Texas Public Education Now!
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Note: This post is for informational purposes only. It is not to be considered as an endorsement of or in opposition to a candidate for nomination or election to a public office or office of political party, a political party, or a public officer of any individual candidate or elected official.

Summit HS Students Create and Share Storybooks with First Graders

Summit High School teacher, Ruben Mascarenas, took 93 of his Spanish students to D.P. Morris Elementary to present bilingual children’s books that they created to present to first grade students.

The high school students made enough books so that every first grader at D.P. Morris (100+) was able to go home with a book that day. The SHS students spent almost two hours reading and sharing with their first grade partner. See more photos.