Each month during the school year, Montgomery ISD celebrates faculty and staff for their extraordinary contributions while serving the students of MISD. In the Praise Pages below, we celebrate the more than 80 MISD employees who were recognized by their peers this March. Congratulations!
Author: Montgomery ISD
Montgomery ISD Campuses “Hustle” for an MISD Education Foundation Grant
It’s Hustle season for all ten MISD campuses and the Montgomery ISD Education Foundation! For the next 25 days, campuses are competing to win a MISDEF grant for a special project they would like to add to their campus.
The Hustle Project competition is part of the upcoming MISDEF Spring Soirée, which is set to take place Saturday, April 23, 2022 on the grounds of the Old Community Center in Historic Montgomery. The event, which is open to the entire community, is the Montgomery ISD Education Foundation’s annual fundraising gala for scholarship and teacher grant programs. At the event, there will be parent hustle teams from each campus selling sponsorship tickets to anyone who wishes to support the cause. The elementary and secondary campus with the most “hustle” will each win a $2,000 grant for their Campus Hustle Project.
“Through these hustle grants, we strive to raise awareness and much needed funds to help with the many needs of all MISD campuses,” MISD Education Foundation Director Tiffany Ortiz said. “While the campuses win the grants, the real winners are the students who benefit from these creative projects designed to enhance their education experiences.”
Ahead of the Spring Soirée, the entire community is invited to join the hustle to support their campus of choice. Here’s how:
- Check out the videos below from each campus, featuring administrators sharing their plans for the grant money if their campus wins. You can also view all of them here.
- Click this link to purchase (via PayPal) campus sponsorship tickets to help your campus of choice win. This is where the “hustle” happens!
- On the same page, you will also have the opportunity to purchase event tickets or take advantage of several sponsorship opportunities.
- You are encouraged to share the link and video supporting your campus hustle choice on all your social media platforms. Anyone can purchase tickets to support the hustle and attend the event.
- You are also invited to like and follow the MISD Education Foundation Page on Facebook. Feel free to tag them when posting about the event!
Montgomery ISD Fishing Team Earns District Title
Congratulations to the MISD Fishing Team on claiming their 7th Conference Title in 8 years! The Houston Division consists of 28 different high schools, so this is no small achievement.
Of the 46 teams that qualified for the Regional Championship, 29 of them are students from Montgomery ISD. This year’s Championship will be held on Lake Travis on April 8th and 9th.
The following update was contributed by MISD Fishing Team sponsor, Mark Hooker.
At the beginning of the Season back in September this Senior Laden Team put forth some strong, yet achievable goals. Repeat as the Texas High School Bass Association Conference Champions, have another Angler of the Year, qualify the most individual teams to regionals than any other program, repeat as the THSBA Regional Champions, qualify the most individual teams to State, and to win an elusive Second State Championship.
All of these goals are very difficult to obtain, but as mentioned above, this combined squad from both Lake Creek & Montgomery High Schools is deep with Senior Leadership. Students that know what it’s like to set goals, and work towards accomplishing them.
Three of our six goals were met last Saturday March the 12th. The Team won their 7th Conference Title in 8 years of competing. Cade Lipham repeated as the Angler of the Year for the Houston Division, and we qualified a record number of Individual Teams to Regionals, with 29 Teams earning the right to compete at the Regional Championship.
By winning the THSBA Lake Conroe Event, the Team won its’ 4th Conference Tournament out of 5, coming in 2nd last month at Toledo Bend. This put the Team’s point total at 499 out of a possible 500 points, easily outdistancing our closest competitor in the 28 High School Houston Division Conference by 7 points.
This Conference win was led by Colton Hatzold and Karson Rabern, who had a strong tournament, ending up in 7th Place out of 151 Individual Teams that braved the harsh winter like conditions on Saturday morning. Colton & Karson had a nice limit that weighed 11.59 pounds, which is even more impressive due to the fact that over half the field did not catch a keeper.
Following close behind in 8th place were Wyatt Lanier and Beau Massey, who brought 11.71 pounds of fish to the scales. Just a little more than a pound behind Lanier & Massey were Montgomery Seniors Jake Hird and Leslie Williams, who brought in 4 nice fish that weighed 10.63 pounds, landing them in 10th place. This put our total weight for our top 3 Teams, which is how the School Champion is determined at 33.93 pounds, securing the victory by over 5 pounds.
The 29 Teams that will move on to Regionals, will compete on Lake Travis on April the 9th. It will be there, that we will look forward to the opportunity to accomplish two more of our goals, win the Regional Championship for the 4th time in our 8 year history, and to qualify a record number of individual teams to the State Tournament.
The Team would like to thank all of the supporters in the community that came out to the weigh-in. Also high on our gratitude list would be to all of the Parents, Captains, & Sponsors, that give so much in order for these young men and women to accomplish many goals, and represent the community of Montgomery in such a positive manner.
Montgomery ISD Board Meeting Recap: March 22, 2022
The Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 for a regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
The meeting began with a special recognition of our district’s Educational Diagnosticians. The week of March 7 through March 11 was celebrated as “Educational Diagnosticians Week” in the State of Texas. Our district diagnosticians support students receiving specialized learning services by identifying needs and ensuring that accommodations and best practices are implemented to serve each student. The individuals pictured above are instrumental to the district’s work to provide an excellent standard of education to all students and we want to thank them for their commitment to our students and families.
Dr. Mark Weatherly appointed as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education
The Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Dr. Mark Weatherly as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education. Dr. Weatherly follows Duane McFadden in the role, who is retiring at the end of this school year after serving in Montgomery ISD since 1996.
Dr. Weatherly is currently the district’s Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction and is also serving as the Acting Principal of Montgomery High School through the end of the current school year. He will officially begin his new role following the 2021-22 school year.
Dr. Weatherly has 29 years of experience in public education. Prior to joining Montgomery ISD as Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction in 2021, he served in New Caney ISD as Director of Secondary Instruction. Mark has also served as a principal at the high school, junior high school and elementary levels. He was named Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Region 6 High School Principal of the Year in 2017.
Mark holds a BS in Kinesiology and English from Sul Ross State University, a MS in Educational Management from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Cenergistic reports that MISD has generated significant cost avoidance through conservative energy consumption
Montgomery ISD partnered with energy management consultant Cenergistic during the 2020-21 school year to bring attention to and produce energy efficiencies across the district.
Representatives from Cenergistic presented reports at the meeting that the efforts of our employees have generated over $731,000 in cost avoidance throughout the partnership. Among many areas to generate energy savings, Cenergistic sends reminders to Montgomery ISD before holiday breaks, reminding district employees to unplug and save energy while our campuses are closed.
Montgomery Bears Win Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Community Connection School of the Year Award
School receives $2,500 donation presented by Suddenlink Communications
Montgomery High School is the winner of the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Community Connection School of the Year award presented by Suddenlink. As part of the recognition, the Bears received a $2,500 donation during a campus celebration.
“What a great day for Montgomery High School,” Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees President Dr. Matt Fuller said. “Our community has always strongly supported our Bears and this is another shining example. On behalf of the entire Montgomery HS family, thanks to Suddenlink, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, and everyone who cast their vote for the Bears!”
Montgomery High School was recognized as a school of the week by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football and Suddenlink during the October 8, 2021 football game against the Bryan Rudder Rangers. Fifteen schools across Texas were recognized as a school of the week throughout the 2021 fall football season, who were all in the running for the school of the year award. At the conclusion of the 2021 season, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football launched online voting, where fans and community members could cast their vote for their favorite school. MHS received 44,365 of the nearly 300,000 votes cast.
“This year saw the most votes in this program’s 3-year history,” Robel Melesse, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Vice President of Operations said. “In fact, the votes Montgomery High School received surpassed the winners from the past years!”
“At Suddenlink, we’re all about community and connectivity,” Suddenlink Market Engagement Specialist Curt Allison said. “The connection Montgomery High School has with the Montgomery community is very strong, and that was clearly demonstrated by their support in earning this award. Congratulations, Bears!”
The accolade follows an exciting 2021 football season for the Bears, with two players earning spots on the Texas Sports Writers Association’s All-State team, and the team earning the district champion title after going undefeated in the regular season. The Bears made it to the second round of the UIL football playoffs, finishing the season with an 11 – 1 overall record.
“It’s been a very exciting and rewarding year for the Bears,” Montgomery Bears Head Football Coach John Bolfing said. “I couldn’t be more proud of our athletes, our school, and to be a part of the Montgomery community. I am forever grateful for their support.” For more information about the Community Connector School Program presented by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football and Suddenlink, visit www.texasfootball.com/suddenlink.
Montgomery ISD Praise Page: February 2022
Three Montgomery ISD Destination Imagination teams advance to state for their creative success
After months of collaboration, research and using their creative ideas to problem solve, three Montgomery ISD Destination Imagination (DI) teams are traveling to the state DI competition in Arlington, Texas on March 26.
Oak Hills JH sponsor Wendy Jebousek represented two teams at the Regional competition on February 26. The OHJH Scientific Team, The Naked Eyes, competed in the middle level of the Scientific category, challenged with the task of researching the science of microscopy. They were required to create and present a story of a character who encounters a mysterious object while in the microworld, design and build a scenery that brings the microworld to life and design and create a visual effect that enhances the mysterious object. The Naked Eyes earned a High 1C, 1st place in Instant Challenge, as well as receiving the Renaissance Award and placing 1st in the Scientific Category. Advancing to state from Oak Hills JH is Matthew Fitzgerald, Taylor Spier, Aubrie Shahan, Bethany Gordy, Noelle Potee, Aubrey Clevenger and Dillon Hight.
Lincoln ES sponsor Kristen Watkins represented the DonutMessWithUs! DI team, competing in the Fine Arts Challenge, Tricky Tales. The team of students, consisting of seven 3rd, 4th and 5th graders, planned and worked together to create a story about a trickster who attempts to overcome a Tricky Situation. They were required to include a costume transformation that uses technical methods and an illusion, along with two team choice elements and an instant challenge that gets factored into their overall score.
The team placed 1st out of twenty teams in the Southeast 6 Region and one team member, Stephanie Kaaz, received the DaVinci Award, given to a select few individuals in the entire tournament for their unique approach and outstanding creativity.
“I am so proud of their hard work, dedication and perseverance to complete the challenge and score higher than any other team in the region,” Watkins said. “They are already working to prepare for the state tournament!”
DonutMessWithUs! team members advancing to state are Brinly Fuller, Emery Hird, Eli Allen, Stephanie Kaaz, Cecilia Cole, Brianne Creswell and Pierce Welsh.
The Salty Popcorn team from Madeley Ranch Elementary was represented by Laurel Plunk and Robin Riley and competed in the Improv Festival Friendly Challenge. The students were required to research several specific festivals from around the world. After being told which festival was selected for them, the team had 2 minutes to prepare a storyline that has a goal to go along with the facts of that festival, with no props and only 10 random boxes that must be incorporated in the skit. In addition, the team was given a random “fork in the road” to include in their storyline and all of the performance had to be completed within five minutes.
“This team is a dynamite team full of creativity, dedication and friendship to pull off such a feat in a short amount of time,” Plunk said. “This fast-paced challenge always gets our hearts pumping because of their energy level and we never know what they’re going to perform!”
Placing 1st in the Improv category and advancing to state from Madeley Ranch ES are students Hudson Dellafranco, Kyndal Rodriguez, Kamdyn Small, Stella Sudduth and Elisabeth Wernecke.
Congratulations to these three teams and their campus sponsors on a job well done using their preparation skills and creativity.
Lone Star ES Principal Catherine Bartlett announces plans to retire following 2021-22 school year
Lone Star Elementary School Principal Dr. Catherine Bartlett has announced that she will retire at the end of the 2021-22 school year.
Bartlett, who is in her 31st year in public education and 9th year as principal of Lone Star ES, will continue to serve in her role through the remainder of this school year.
“I am so proud of the accomplishments we achieved as a Lone Star ES family and am thankful for the life-long relationships I have been blessed with during my time as principal,” Bartlett said. “Our school community has the most amazing staff, students and families and I am grateful for the joy that each of them brought to my career in public education.”
Bartlett has served as principal of Lone Star ES for the last nine years. During her time as principal, Bartlett led Lone Star ES through the implementation of the Leader in Me campus transformation model, empowering students with the leadership skills to help them flourish. After only three years following the implementation of the program, Lone Star ES was recognized nationally as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School in January 2021 and continues to be a model campus throughout the region. Lone Star ES received an A-rating from the Texas Education Agency under Bartlett’s leadership. In 2012, Bartlett was named as the H-E-B Excellence in Education Elementary Principal of the Year.
Bartlett was also a key member of the MISD leadership team during the development of the Pathway to Premier Strategic Plan, which was adopted at the end of the 2020-21 school year.
“Dr. Bartlett’s servant leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence have served the Lone Star ES staff, students and families in ways that I am confident will continue long after her departure as principal,” Superintendent Dr. Heath Morrison said. “Though I am very excited for Dr. Bartlett and her family, this is a difficult farewell for Team Montgomery. I have such a deep appreciation for Dr. Bartlett’s leadership and contributions to Lone Star ES and Montgomery ISD.”
Lion and Bear football players earn All-State recognition for 2021 season
The Texas Sports Writers Association (TSWA) released its All-State teams this week, recognizing the athletic success of seven students from Montgomery County, three of whom are Montgomery ISD student-athletes.
Lake Creek sophomore Sam Lee was the only first-team selection from Montgomery County schools, being recognized for his outstanding performance as a kick returner. Lee earned 297 kick return yards, 297 punt return yards and four touchdowns, also being named Montgomery County Special Teams MVP.
From Montgomery HS, senior running back Jalen Washington earned second team offense. Washington led Montgomery County as Player of the Year with 2,281 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns and will be playing collegiate football at Sam Houston State University.
Montgomery HS senior linebacker, Leslie Williams, was named to second team defense for recording 200 tackles, two sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception. Williams will be playing collegiate football at Williams College in Massachusetts.
“Of the seven Montgomery County players named to the All-State teams, we are so very proud to have three of those boys here in Montgomery ISD,” MISD Athletic Director Coach Heard said. “The two seniors, Jalen and Leslie, have bright futures ahead of them and I look forward to watching Sam in the seasons ahead. These young men are absolutely talented on the field, but they are students that succeed academically and represent their team in the classroom and around our community as well.”
Montgomery ISD trustees unanimously vote to call for bond referendum in May
During their February monthly meeting, the Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to call for a $326.9M bond referendum on the May 2022 election ballot. The bond addresses significant enrollment growth across the district, expands Career and Technical Education programs, and includes improvements to all campuses.
On January 18, a Community Bond Task Force comprised of parents, students, teachers, school district staff and community members presented the recommended bond proposal to the Board during its regular monthly meeting. Following that meeting, the district held two town hall forums to share the recommendation with community members and parents and offer the opportunity for questions and comments from the public.
The bond referendum contains three separate ballot propositions:
· Proposition A for school facilities, land acquisition and transportation, totaling $312,986,000;
· Proposition B for renovations to the MISD Athletic Complex, totaling $8,514,000; and
· Proposition C for technology devices, totaling $5,400,000.
Early voting for the May Election begins April 25. Election Day is May 7, 2022. The deadline to register to vote is April 7, 2022.
“Tonight’s Board meeting created a significant opportunity for our community to shape the future of our outstanding school district,” Board President Matt Fuller said. “Every school would receive updates in this bond. The projects included would address the facility needs of our growing district, support every student and school, and open the door to new opportunities for students exploring Career and Technical Education pathways.”
The property tax rate impact for Montgomery ISD residents would be less than a penny per $100 value. The current tax rate in MISD is $1.26 and the proposed bond would increase that to $1.267, once all bonds have been sold, which occurs over a number of years as projects begin. The May 7 ballot will also offer voters the opportunity to increase the state Homestead Exemption from $25,000 to $40,000 and if that decision passes, the total school district property taxes paid for most MISD residents will decrease, even with this increase in the district’s total tax rate.
The bond referendum also includes the construction for Elementary School 7, a district Career and Technical Education Center and a district Agricultural Science Center. The second building phase of Lake Creek High School and renovations and updates to all schools and the district athletic complex are included in the bond. More information on the bond can be found at http://www.misd.org/bond. Each project included in the bond can be found here.
“This bond would address the rapid growth we are experiencing throughout our district and expand our ability to meet the growing educational needs of all students, especially in the area of Career and Technical Education,” Superintendent Dr. Heath Morrison said. “I am incredibly grateful to our Board of Trustees for acknowledging the outstanding work of our Community Bond Task Force. This was an authentic process driven by voices from across the entire Montgomery community.”
Special Recognition
In honor of Career and Technical Education (CTE) month, the school board recognized Montgomery ISD’s amazing CTE educators and director, Amy Vance, for the work they do to provide our students with a fabulous education, serving so many secondary students.
Trustees also add a student holiday in March and approve 2022-23 school year calendar
The Board of Trustees also approved the academic calendar for the 2022-2023 school year. In developing the 2022-23 academic calendar, the Montgomery ISD District Advisory Committee (DAC) evaluated survey feedback from families and staff to develop draft calendar options. In January, the DAC voted to recommend the calendar option that was presented to the Board.
The first day of school for the 2022-23 academic year is August 11, 2022. The entire 2022-23 academic calendar can be viewed here.
District leaders also presented a recommendation to revise the calendar for the current school year by adding a student holiday on Monday, March 21, 2022.
March 21, which is the Monday following Spring Break, will be a workday for teachers and staff.
The MISD Premier Blog 