Montgomery Bears Win Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Community Connection School of the Year Award

~ Montgomery ISD

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

~ Montgomery ISD

Every month throughout the school year, Montgomery ISD celebrates faculty and staff for their extraordinary contributions while serving the students of MISD. In February, 167 MISD employees were recognized by their peers. They’re celebrated on the Praise Pages below. Congratulations!

Three Montgomery ISD Destination Imagination teams advance to state for their creative success

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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

~ Montgomery ISD

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

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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

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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.

Consumer Science students at Lake Creek HS advance to state competition

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Lake Creek’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America competed in the TX FCCLA Regional Competition this weekend and eight students advanced to the state competition in Dallas this April. FCCLA is for students that are enrolled in Family and Consumer Science CTE classes at Lake Creek HS. There are a wide range of categories in which students can compete, making it possible for each student to find an area that meets their interest.

Lexi Zimmerman competed in the Toys that Teach category, placing 4th and advancing to state with her robot creation that helps students learn the alphabet.

Abby McKenzie and Makyna Trero partnered for a project in the Focus on Children category, addressing cyberbullying awareness. The pair placed 1st and advanced to state.

Lauren Dixson competed in Fashion Design, designing and making this beautiful dress.

Melonee Davis and Kalista Warnement partnered in a Chapter Service Project, placing 3rd and advancing to state with their project focused on mental health. The two met with teachers at Keenan ES, sharing their program “Breaking Chains, Building Connections” to bring awareness to the impact that quarantine has had on the mental health of students.

In the topic of Repurpose and Redesign, students were challenged to repurpose recycled material to better the environment. Abby and Emma Carswell partnered to repurpose old t-shirts to create a rug, plant holder and basket. Lauren Fellman repurposed t-shirts to make dog toys, earning 2nd place and a trip to state with her teammates.

For Interior Design, Lily Mayner was given specs for a home and a scenario in which a family needed their home remodeled and designed to accommodate their three year old autistic son’s needs. Lily won 1st place and will be advancing to state.

In the category of Professional Presentation, Annie Hachtel received 1st place and a trip to state with her research and presentation on teen suicide awareness and prevention.

“Being a competitor in FCCLA gives our students a fabulous opportunity to learn presentation skills, networking abilities and work in an area that might interest them for a future career,” FCCLA sponsor Angela Alvarez said. “I’m so proud of the way these girls followed through on their projects and were able to build confidence and better their skills beyond a classroom setting.”

Students that compete in FCCLA gain employability skills and industry insight using what they learn in their Family and Consumer Science classes. Students explore career pathways and address important personal, work and societal issues and can even earn scholarship opportunities from their involvement.

Congratulations to the students that advanced to the FCCLA State Competition in April and to all of those that competed and are using their CTE classes to consider their career opportunities after their education at Lake Creek HS.

District campuses and facilities to close for inclement weather

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Due to inclement weather in the Montgomery area, and to ensure the safety of all students and staff, all after school events and activities will be canceled today, Thursday, February 3.

In addition, all campuses and offices will be closed on Friday, February 4. All events and extracurricular activities for Friday, February 4 and Saturday, February 5 are planned to remain as scheduled. However, we are closely monitoring the weather and will communicate if any changes are necessary.

Schools and district facilities are scheduled to reopen on Monday, February 7.

Please be safe, remain alert to weather conditions, and follow the advice of local officials. More updates will be provided as we receive information from the National Weather Service and city and county authorities.

Montgomery HS Bears Football Named State Finalist for Academic Excellence Award

~ Kim Foster

The Montgomery High School Bears football program has been named state finalists by the Texas High School Coaches Association for the 2021-2022 National Football Foundation’s High School Academic Excellence Award. This designation recognizes athletic programs that command excellence on the field and in the classroom.

“We are very excited to be named a finalist for this outstanding award,” Montgomery HS Head Football Coach John Bolfing said. “Our athletes’ dedication to their academic studies in addition to their chosen sport is, and always will be, a priority for our coaching staff.  We’re proud of their success in the classroom as well as on the field.”

To qualify for the award, the team must maintain a 3.0-grade point average. The Bears are one of only 84 high schools across the state, and only 18 of the 5A schools to be named finalists for the award.

“By stressing the importance of academic success, Coach Bolfing and his staff are preparing these student-athletes for success beyond their high school careers,” Montgomery ISD Athletic Director Clint Heard said. “In Montgomery ISD, there’s an expectation for student-athletes to be role models on and off the field. To us, being named a finalist for this award recognizing their academic success is just as important as their athletic accomplishments.”

This recognition is the latest in a string of accolades earned by the Bears in the 2021-2022 school year. Last fall, they concluded their 2021 season with an 11-1 record, earning the UIL District 10 5A Division 2 title and advancing to the second round of the UIL playoffs.

“A student athlete’s success is often publicly celebrated, however, the hard work and commitment needed for academic success is often overlooked,” TX HS Coaches Association’s Executive Director Joe Martin said. “At a time when students need the support of their teachers and coaches the most, the Montgomery HS football staff’s dedication to developing the whole child is to be applauded.”

The Texas High School Coaches Association is a leadership organization that provides continuing education, resources and other services to its members across Texas.

The National Football Foundation is a non-profit educational organization whose mission is to promote and develop amateur football’s impact by developing leadership qualities, sportsmanship and the drive for academic excellence in America’s youth. The NFF will announce the State Champions and National Finalist for each classification on February 2, 2022. The National Champions will be announced in February during Super Bowl Week. More information about the National Football Foundation and the High School Academic Excellence Awards can be found on their website, https://footballfoundation.org.