Agencies came together Friday, February 26th at a meeting hosted by Police Chief Stephen Phillips at the Education Support Center to discus radio communication between Montgomery County Agencies. Agencies discussed their current response protocol and procedures. Attendees openly discussed upcoming changes and improvements in radio communication. Some of the agencies in attendance were Homeland Security, Montgomery County Police, Dispatchers, Fire Department, Sheriffs Department, and FirstNet.
Stepping up for one another in times of need – The Montgomery Way
Thank you all for your flexibility and diligence to ensure we could offer in-person instruction beginning on Monday following last week’s inclement weather. Last week presented historic weather-related challenges and damage to our region, causing many of us to lose power and water for an extended amount of time. I’m proud to be a part of a community that continually helps one another during times of need. Through hurricanes, pandemics and now, snow storms, members of this community always support one another through extraordinary circumstances. I’ve quickly learned that this is The Montgomery Way.
With that said, each of you continue to step up daily for students and their families, despite the numerous challenges that have been thrown at you this year. I could not be more appreciative of your continued dedication to our students. On top of your already busy workloads, you’ve been asked to persevere in ways like never before – and you continue to do so with determination and courage.
Please see below a few important district updates, including a summary of this week’s Board of Trustees meeting, which included important items supporting district employees.
With appreciation,
Dr. Heath Morrison
Superintendent
Montgomery ISD
Operation Connectivity laptop distribution for teachers
I’m excited to announce that every MISD teacher will be offered a laptop from the district. We’re thankful for the opportunity to provide this benefit to teachers at no cost to the district through a partnership with Operation Connectivity and Montgomery County with the support of County Judge Mark Keough.
In addition to every teacher having the option to utilize a district-issued laptop, seven campuses due for a “refresh” will receive an allotment of new laptops for student use, also thanks to Operation Connectivity and Montgomery County. More information will be provided through your campus principal.
Laptop distributions to campuses for teachers and classroom use will begin in the coming weeks.
The Board took several noteworthy actions that benefit MISD employees and students, including the adoption of a Board Resolution urging the Governor of Texas to include school district employees on the list of those eligible to receive of COVID-19 vaccine and a Board Resolution approving employee compensation during the district’s inclement weather closure from Feb. 16 through Feb. 19. Trustees also authorized the district to accept missed school day waivers from the Texas Education Agency for last week’s inclement weather closures. This means that the district will not need to add any school days to the current academic calendar to make up for the missed instructional minutes. With that said, we’ll always work to ensure students are provided academic opportunities to make up for missed instructional time during closures.
Regarding the COVID-19 Board Resolution adopted by Board, I want to reiterate that we would never make it a requirement for any employee to receive the vaccine once they are made available. The district and Board of Trustees felt that, given the resilience and hard work this year to keep schools open, it was appropriate to request to the state that public school district personnel be included in the definition of “frontline workers” for purposes of COVID-19 distribution.
Additionally, during the meeting trustees received a report on a study of the MISD Human Resources Department by the Texas Association of School Boards. The report identified areas of strength and opportunity for HR-related functions within the district. Like in any organization, Human Resources plays a key role in how we recruit, retain, grow and support our employees. It’s always important to have a third-party share insights on how to improve and provide affirmations of your strengths.
Trustees also gave a special recognition to our school counselors. Each year during the month of February, school counselors are recognized during National School Counseling Week for their unique contributions and positive impact on helping students achieve success in school and plan for their future. Trustees gave a special thank you to our dedicated school counselors for the support they provide our students not only academically, but also and socially and emotionally. A video was shown highlighting the contribution of school counselors. You can view the video below:
Next Strategic Plan Town Hall Meeting – March 4
As a reminder, due to last week’s inclement weather, the next Strategic Plan Town Hall meeting at Lake Creek HS has been pushed back one week to Thursday, March 4 at 6 p.m. I encourage you all to attend and share your thoughts and input on district initiatives and strategies to be included in the Strategic Plan.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to observe our Strategic Plan Task Force Committee meetings at the District ESC. I was incredibly encouraged to see first-hand such enthusiasm toward developing an outstanding strategic plan for our district and students during these meetings.
Here are a few photos of the task force committees in action!
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
I want to share with you that Dr. Sonja Lopez is stepping away from her role as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. We thank Dr. Lopez for her years of service to the district as both a campus administrator and district leader, and wish her the best as she moves on to the next stage of her career. A broad search will begin for the next leader of our Human Resources Department.
Superintendent Shout-Out: Lake Creek Boys’ Basketball
I’d like to give a special “Superintendent Shout-Out” to the Lake Creek Varsity Boys’ basketball players and coaches, who advanced to the UIL Area Playoff Round this week! On Monday, the Lions defeated A&M Consolidated 49-47 in the Bi-District Playoff Round in what was a thrilling finish, before coming up a little short on Wednesday in the Area Round. The Lions finished the season with an overall record of 17-9, with a 11-3 District record.
Congratulations to Coach Shannon Spencer and the Lions on a remarkable season!
The 2020-21 Lake Creek Lions Varsity Basketball Team
Debraun Hampton
Mason Moore
Trace Spencer
Jordan Fitch
Mitch O’Neal
Seth Cantu
Ty George
Logan Peterson
Charlie Johnson
Kaiden Wyszynksi
Skylar Mayweather
Hudson Boyd
Sawyer Matchett
Chase Brown
MISD Swimmers Head to State
Good luck to Lake Creek HS swimmer Jacob Whitaker and Montgomery HS swimmers Kendall Wilson, Kaitlyn Weightman, Kaelynn Miller and Reese Balkcom, who are all headed to the UIL State Swim Meet in San Antonio!
The month of February is designated as Black History Month. February was chosen because Frederick Douglas, a writer and black abolitionist,was born in February. Black History Month is a time to reflect on the plight for equality and those that fought for it. Montgomery Junior High teacher and coach, Edgar Straughter, teamed up with Bear Buzz to create an informational episode for the students of MJH. In the video, he shared his experience of transitioning from a segregated school to an integrated one. He spoke of the struggles and the compromises from both sides that eventually lead to the success of integrated schools. Later in the month, Coach Straughter visited the 8th grade history classes and shared his high school yearbook. In the 1972 Willis yearbook, he won “Best Looking Black”. The students were shocked to see the reality of a history they had only heard about. 8th grade student, John Freed, had this to say, “I knew about segregation, but I had never actually seen it”. It is said that history experienced is best remembered. The students who heard Coach Straughter’s firsthand experiences will not soon forget.
Dr. Bartlett & the 5th grade Ambassadors prepped for a Leader in Me Lighthouse tour. This group of students will share a few things that reinforce the 7 Habits such as leadership notebooks, art spotlights, grade level WIGs, (Wildly Important Goals) student job fair & so much more!
Mrs. Breckenridge and Ms. Ellis taught kindergartners that W is for wiggly worms when they discovered them in the learning garden!
Montgomery ISD Trustees Adopt Board Resolution on COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation
Trustees urge state to prioritize school district employees in next round of vaccine distribution
Montgomery ISD Trustees adopted a Board Resolution during their regular February meeting urging Texas Governor Greg Abbott to prioritize employees of school districts as COVID-19 vaccinations become more widely available statewide.
The Resolution requests that the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel (EVAP), which is a state-appointed panel of subject matter experts charged with developing vaccine allocation strategies, include school district employees in the definition of “Frontline Workers” for purposes of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility. It also acknowledges the critical role school district personnel across Texas have played to ensure in-person instruction, which has been a state requirement during the 2020-21 school year, could occur during the pandemic. Currently, nearly 95% of Montgomery ISD students have selected in-person instruction as their preferred learning method.
“Since day one of this challenging school year, our teachers and school district staff have been heroes for our students,” Board President Matt Fuller said. “Safely opening schools for traditional in-person learning was a priority for many Montgomery ISD families, and our entire district staff has answered the call-to-action to make this possible. We are asking our state leaders to acknowledge the efforts of school district personnel by providing them the option to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.”
The Resolution states that the district would respect the personal rights of its employees to make their own decision to take the vaccine should it become available to them. Montgomery ISD joins school districts across Texas that have made similar requests to the Governor, either through a letter or official Board action. The full Board Resolution can be read here.
February 1-5, 2021 was School Counseling Week, which is recognized across the nation as a week to celebrate and appreciate the contributions of school counselors. Montgomery ISD’s school counselors were recognized by trustees for their hard work and dedication to students during this year. Trustees were also shown a video highlighting the work of the district’s school counselors. The video can be viewed here.
“The vital role our counselors play on campuses has been magnified during this unprecedented school year, which has presented many new challenges for students,” Board Trustee Shawn Denison said. “The duties of our school counselors have expanded well beyond the traditional academic guidance role. School counselors also support the social and emotional well-being and development of students. We were excited to recognize them for their dedication to our students.”
During the meeting, trustees also approved a Resolution approving employee compensation during the district’s inclement weather closure from Feb. 16 through Feb. 19.
“Last week was extraordinarily challenging for our families and district staff,” Superintendent Dr. Heath Morrison said. “Many of our staff members are still dealing with the aftermath of the inclement weather we experienced in our region. Ensuring they are properly compensated while the district was closed provides at least some peace of mind during this difficult time.”
Morrison applauded district and City of Montgomery personnel who made it possible for Madeley Ranch Elementary School to serve as a warming shelter for local families. He also expressed appreciation for district maintenance staff who worked through the weekend to ensure schools would be ready to open for in-person instruction on Monday, Feb 22.
“Our MISD Police Department staff, Maintenance team and City of Montgomery rose to the occasion last week for our families,” Morrison said. “We were thankful that we could offer the community a warm and safe place to stay at Madeley Ranch Elementary School during the severe weather, and, we were grateful we could safely re-open all schools on Monday. This was a team effort.”
Mrs. Pace’s 6th Grade Advanced Science Classes successfully created and diagrammed the “flow of energy through various systems” using the Energy Conversion Kits that were purchased with a grant awarded to the OHJH Sixth Grade Science Department from the MISD Education Foundation. Thank you MISD Education Foundation for providing our students with the opportunity to apply their scientific knowledge with this awesome hands-on experience!
All Montgomery ISD schools and district offices will resume normal operations on Monday, Feb. 22.
District maintenance staff has been working diligently through the weekend to ensure schools and buildings are prepared to safely welcome students and staff back for in-person instruction tomorrow morning.
Please be advised that bus transportation may experience delays on Monday. Should your child’s bus route experience a delay, please continue to exercise patience as we ensure students are safely transported.
School meals will not be impacted as no schools are under a boil water notice at this time.
Thank you for your continued understanding and flexibility throughout this challenging week. We are excited to welcome students and staff back to school on Monday, Feb. 22.
If your family is experiencing challenges that will impact your child being able to return to school this week, please contact your campus directly.
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