Way to go! This second grader has been working on a robot for her TPSP project. She made her goal of getting it moving today! We are SO proud of you!
Lincoln ES Inspires Innovative Thinkers!
A special message from Board President Matt Fuller
Dear Montgomery ISD Community,
I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you the direction Montgomery ISD is taking as it relates to Governor Abbott’s recent announcement regarding the required use of face masks or coverings. During our March Regular Board of Trustees meeting this evening, the board adopted a Resolution that maintains the district’s current health protocols through the end of this school year. The Resolution also authorizes the Superintendent to make masks optional beginning May 31, 2021, pending future state law or regulations allow for this to occur. While each of us on the board has our own strong opinions on this issue, I’m thankful that we addressed it respectfully. We all agree that providing our students with an excellent in-person educational experience by keeping schools open and limiting the number of required COVID-19 close contact quarantines must remain our top priority.
It was just over a year ago when our district shut down, for what we thought would be a brief period. Instead, like so many districts across our state and nation, our students never returned to school after Spring Break in March 2020. Our board takes great pride in the fact that our district has been a leader in trying to balance various state regulations while attempting to return to a sense of normalcy for our students and families. We were among the first districts in the nation to return for in-person instruction in August 2020, and we have not required our pre-K through 3rd-grade students to wear masks, as many other districts have done. Additionally, we are all proud and appreciative that our number of students choosing in-person learning as their preferred method of instruction has grown to 94%. Across the state, the average number of students choosing in-person learning is still less than 60%. This is a testament to the resilience and grit of the Montgomery community, especially our teachers and campus staff who have tried their best to make 2020 and 2021 as normal as possible for our students. Our students have inspired me and others with their determination and kindness even though they have seen traditions upended and have dealt with tremendous amounts of stress and loss in some of the most formative years of their youth.
Continuing with our current health protocols, which follow the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) guidelines and requires all staff and students in grades 4 to 12 to wear masks or facial coverings was not an easy decision. It’s important to note that Governor Abbott’s recent executive order, which lifted the statewide mask mandate for Texas’s bars, restaurants, and businesses on March 10, delegated mask requirements for public school districts to be determined by TEA. Following the Governor’s order, TEA directed school districts to continue operating with existing mask requirements in place. However, TEA did allow local school districts to consider lifting the mask mandate through an official action of the board of trustees. The Governor and TEA called for school boards to consider the guidance of local health authorities in making this decision. The Montgomery County Health District voiced strong support for continuing with mask protocols for the remainder of this academic year.
It’s also important to note that, while TEA did allow school boards to consider modifications to mask requirements, it did not make any changes to rules regarding close contact tracing and mandated quarantining when someone on a school campus tests positive for COVID-19. Today, when a student or faculty member tests positive, there are very few individuals having to be quarantined, as everyone in grades 4-12 is required to wear a mask. The rules established by TEA are clear – if all individuals are wearing a mask, close contact rules require only the person who tested positive to be quarantined. Since TEA made no adjustments to its close contact rules, if masks were to become optional, and the person testing positive for COVID-19 was not wearing a mask, all individuals who were within six feet for longer than 15 minutes would have to be quarantined. This is true even if every other individual was wearing a mask, as TEA indicates close contact rules can only be impacted by all parties wearing masks. It is also true that the CDC recently adjusted its close contact protocols to 3 feet of contact. As of yet, TEA has not adjusted its close contact protocols.
By allowing school districts to consider removing mask requirements with existing close contact tracing protocols in place, TEA’s guidance puts school districts in a no-win situation. Districts were never consulted in the implementation of the mask mandate. Asking districts to act now to remove a mandate they had no involvement in forming places local leaders in an unnecessarily contrived situation. Making masks optional without changing close contact rules would lead to a significant increase in the number of students and staff having to be quarantined and would negatively impact our ability to keep schools open and student activities thriving. This, along with guidance from the Montgomery County Health District, is why the overwhelming number of school districts in our region and state are continuing with their current mask-wearing protocols.
District administration consulted with campus principals, PTO/PTA presidents and student leaders, and issued a staff survey regarding the continued wearing of masks in school and district facilities. The overall consensus across each of these groups was, while everyone looks forward to the day when masks will no longer be required, the district’s focus should remain on keeping schools open for in-person instruction and working to ensure extracurricular activities, sports, and graduation ceremonies can successfully occur through the remainder of this school year.
With this in mind, the board also took action on a resolution authorizing the Superintendent to seek responsible modifications from TEA regarding its close contact procedures. There is agreement among our board that if TEA were to make reasonable changes to close contact requirements regarding individuals within a defined radius wearing masks, we could consider a different approach to masks within our school district. Several board members and I have been in communication with local elected officials and are working with TEA and other agencies to advocate for these changes.
The board was also pleased to hear that the district administration was already developing plans to move further toward a sense of normalcy in our schools by opening up campuses to parents and volunteers and our mentor program. Our superintendent, Dr. Heath Morrison, has been working with principals, PTA/PTO presidents and student leaders to have open graduations and award ceremonies, proms, field days, athletic and extracurricular events, and the return of parents, volunteers and mentors in schools. These are encouraging and welcome next steps to returning to the normal activities we want back in our schools.
I know this decision to continue with current mask protocols until May 31 will disappoint many in our community. Please know that your school board members have spent the last few weeks hearing very passionate, compelling opinions on all aspects of this issue. My fellow board members and I truly value so many individuals sharing their voices. What ultimately drove our actions was the focus on keeping our schools, programs and activities open. We want our school district to be able to finish this school year with as many of the normal end-of-year activities as possible. We will continue to advocate that TEA make sensible modifications to its close contact rules so we are not faced with only being able to consider making masks optional by accepting nonsensical rules which will require significant increases of individuals having to be quarantined.
Thank you for your understanding and support as we work diligently to finish this school year strong. Keeping schools open and ensuring high-quality in-person learning can occur has been and will remain our focus. Our community, our state and our nation have been through a lot lately. I ask that MISD staff, families and community members continue to support each other and work together as we emerge from the past year with faith, hope and anticipation for the 2021-2022 school year.
Respectfully,
Matt Fuller
President
MISD Board of Trustees
The MISD Minute: Friday, March 12, 2021
A Year of Resilience
It’s hard to believe that one year ago this week, our school district was forced to halt in-person instruction due to the spread of COVID-19 in our community. When I think back to one year ago, I recall the fear of the unknown and the impact the pandemic would soon have in school communities across the nation. I remember how difficult and painful it was for educators and students to miss nearly a full semester of in-person instruction. And mostly, I think about activities like graduation, prom, athletics and extracurricular activities that had to be canceled and the thousands of students who never had an opportunity to create a lifetime of memories. These were extraordinarily challenging times.
Fast-forward to today. There’s no doubting that things look a little different. Social distancing, hand sanitizer and masks are now a part of our daily routines – the new (temporary) reality. Yet, because of these adjustments and other health and safety protocols in place, we have been able to offer in-person learning and resume extracurricular activities this year with some normalcy. In fact, Montgomery ISD was one of the first school districts in Texas to re-open for in-person instruction. This community should take great pride in the resilience of Montgomery ISD students and staff.
As we head out for a much-needed Spring Break, lets take a moment to recognize how far we have come from one year ago today. From not knowing when we would be able to return to our campuses, classrooms, and sports fields – to where we stand now – with nearly 95% of students engaged with in-person learning, extra-curricular activities in full swing, and our sports teams on the field.
Nothing about this year has been easy. The challenges we have confronted during this school year have taken a toll on everyone – from a global pandemic, hurricanes and brownouts to a once in a generation winter storm in south Texas. I’m thankful that our community has continually put children first as we have navigated the challenges presented during this unprecedented school year. Let’s celebrate our resilience, take a week to rest, and finish this school year strong.
Below you will find a few important district updates. Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s MISD Minute to stay informed on important issues happening in the district.
Please enjoy a safe Spring Break. We’ll see you on March 22!
Sincerely,
Dr. Heath Morrrison
Superintendent
Montgomery ISD
COVID-19 Vaccine Opportunity on Monday, March 22 at the District ESC
On Monday, March 22, all MISD employees will have the opportunity to receive the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the MISD Education Support Center. All school district employees are now eligible for the vaccine.
If you are interested in scheduling an appointment, please complete the questions in this link (also below – employee name, date of birth and employee ISD email address). The list will be submitted to the Montgomery County Health District (MCHD) and you will then receive an email to register for your appointment (check your spam folder if you do not get an email). An appointment is required to receive the vaccine on March 22. Appointment times will be between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Please choose a time slot that is during your scheduled conference period, if possible. If your conference time is in the morning, your campus administration will work with you so that you have the ability to leave campus for your scheduled appointment time. Please communicate this need so they can make arrangements.
MISD staff should complete this form by midnight on March 16th. Please park in the back parking lot and enter the doors for the Board Room area.
To view the prescreening checklist for the Moderna vaccine, click this link: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/downloads/pre-vaccination-screening-form.pdf
As soon as the 2nd dose of Moderna is available, MCHD will send out an email with registration options. We plan to work with MCHD to open the MISD ESC as a vaccination site for the second dose, as well.
This opportunity is being provided as a courtesy to our employees – the vaccine is not mandatory.
Budget Road Show
This week, we completed three stops of our “Budget Road Show”, meeting with ESC staff and the faculties at Stewart Creek ES and Lone Star ES. Financial transparency and providing meaningful salary increases to district employees are our top priorities as we build a district budget for the 2021-22 school year. We’re also committed to developing a district compensation plan to present to the Board of Trustees for approval in April. With a district compensation plan, employees will have a much better understanding of their salaries going into the next school year. It has been exciting to share some of our initial budget development work and proposals for salary improvements with staff across the district. I have enjoyed answering your questions and taking input and feedback.
I look forward to continuing these discussions when we return from Spring Break.
Staff Survey Results – Mask Requirements
This week, we surveyed all staff to gather input on the district’s existing mask requirement. Thank you to all of you who took the time to respond and provide us with your feedback. Your input is important to us as we make important health and safety-related decisions at the district level.
You can see the results of the staff survey here.
Superintendent Shout-Out – Montgomery JH One Act Play
Congratulations to MJH Theater teacher Tammy Lumpkin and the Montgomery Junior High UIL One Act Play students, who were named district champions this week!
We are so proud of your hard work and dedication this year.
Way to go, Bears!
Montgomery Junior High Choirs Sweep Competition
MJH took three choirs to competition this week. They each received first division ratings from all six judges. Earning them sweepstakes trophies for their excellence in both concert and sight-reading. The choirs are directed by Mr. Joey Bansuelo and Mrs. Rheagan Smith. Please join us in congratulating them on their magnificent achievement.
MJH Varsity Men 
MJH Bella 
MJH Varsity Women
Keenan STEM Classes Hatch a Dozen Eggs
This week all grade levels at Keenan Elementary had the opportunity to watch a dozen eggs hatch into live chicks. They learned terms such as candling, pipping, unzipping, and breaking out. Maria Smith, STEM Specials teacher, took on the responsibility of keeping the eggs at the appropriate temperature and rolling them at the appropriate times to make sure they developed into healthy chicks. She also taught all grade levels about the entire incubation process. Everyone has been so excited to watch this life process. Seeing these things happen in real-life is so exciting!
Keenan Elementary believes in M.A.G.I.C.
Lincoln ES Recognizes American Hero Essay Writers
Lincoln Elementary is proud of ALL the fifth graders participating in the American Hero Essay Contest! They were all amazing! Fifteen students had their essays chosen to move ahead in the competition and be judged by the Lake Conroe Area Republican Women Group. Ten students received Honorable Mention. Congratulations to everyone!
Lincoln ES Library Celebrates Texas!
Lincoln bears in pre-k through second grade celebrated Texas Independence Day by listening to Texas themed fractured fairy tales. They also learned about the state’s special symbols by playing a matching game. Mrs. Barfield read several stories by Helen Ketteman and Diane Stanley. Believe it or not, Mrs. Barfield’s accent gets even MORE southern when she’s reading a Texas book!
Oak Hills Junior High Destination Imagination Team Advances to the State Finals for the Second Year in a Row!
THE ABSOLUTE 7
Oak Hills Junior High was represented at this year’s Regional Destination Imagination Competition by an incredible team, the “ABSOLUTE 7” and their Team Manager, Mrs. Jebousek. ABSOLUTE 7 earned 2nd place in the SCIENTIFIC category! The team was tasked with the challenge of creating a documentary featuring the story line of a Scientific Law which was broken. The team spent hours learning about thermodynamics, Absolute Zero, script writing, as well as various documentary techniques and video editing.
Team members Aubry Clevinger, Dillon Hight, Noelle Potee, Matthew Fitzgerald, Taylor Spier, Kimberly Boyd, and Robby Boyd impressed the judges with their creative Documentary. The Absolute 7 will now represent Oak Hills and the Southeast Region 6 at the STATE finals in late March with results announced in April! (This is Oak Hills’ second year in a row to advance to the State Finals competition. Unfortunately, last year’s competition was cancelled due to the lock down.)
The MISD Minute: Friday, March 5, 2021
An update regarding the Governor’s Executive Order
I wanted to provide you with an update on Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order No. GA-34, which rescinds the statewide mandate regarding the required use of face masks or facial coverings. The Executive Order takes effect on Wednesday, March 10.
On Wednesday, March 3rd the Texas Education Agency issued further clarification regarding the Governor’s Executive Order. TEA clarified that the use of a mask or facial covering is still required when inside a school building, school facility, and facility used for school activities. TEA also stated that a local school board may modify or eliminate any existing district mask-related requirements by taking a formal action.
The Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees will have this issue as an agenda item when it meets for its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 23. Until then, Montgomery ISD will continue to follow its existing health and safety protocols requiring face masks or facial coverings on all district campuses and facilities.
It’s important to note that the TEA guidance did not change – or address – how removing a mask requirement would impact required close contact tracing, social distancing and CDC-required quarantining. This presents challenges in scenarios where campus administrators need to determine close contacts to an individual who tests positive for COVID-19.
For example, under the current close contact and quarantine requirements, in a scenario where an individual wearing a mask or face covering tests positive for COVID-19, only those individuals not wearing masks or face coverings determined to be in close contact with the positive person would be required to quarantine. Conversely, in a scenario where an individual not wearing a mask or face covering tests positive for COVID-19, all individuals – whether they were wearing masks or facial coverings or not – determined to be in close contact with the positive person would be required to quarantine. This scenario has the potential to result in large numbers of required quarantines impacting classrooms, sports programs and even an entire campus. We are currently seeking to gain further clarification from the TEA on quarantine requirements for districts considering removing mask-wearing requirements.
We understand that our community feels very passionately about all sides of this issue. Please know that as a district, our top priorities are the health of our students and staff and ensuring that in-person learning can continue without closing schools or quarantining a large number of students, sports programs or entire classrooms.
I want to thank our staff, students, and parents for their flexibility and understanding throughout this challenging school year. I am proud of not only how we successfully reopened schools for in-person instruction in August, but also of how we have ensured that our campuses have been able to stay open without any major disruptions due to the spread of the virus. While the state is averaging approximately 56% of students engaged with in-person instruction, MISD has over 94% of our students choosing in-person learning as their preferred method of instruction. We are proud of our students, staff and community.
Again, thank you for your patience as we continue to confront unprecedented challenges.
Sincerely,
Dr. Heath Morrison
Superintendent
Montgomery ISD
School District Personnel Now Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine
I am very thankful that our educators, campus staff and other district personnel are now on the COVID-19 vaccine priority list.
We are working diligently to ensure that any employee who wants to receive a vaccine will have access to one. On Monday, March 22 there will be an opportunity for employees who would like the vaccine to receive the here at the MISD ESC. Please know that we will work with your campus principal or supervisor to ensure your duties are covered during the time you need to travel to the MISD ESC to receive the vaccine. More information will be shared in the coming days.
Once again, I want to reiterate that the vaccine is optional. While we are working to provide vaccines as a courtesy to our staff, receiving one will never be a requirement for employment in our district.
Second MISD Strategic Plan Town Hall
Thank you to all who participated in our second Strategic Plan Town Hall meeting at Lake Creek High School on Thursday, March 4.
During this Town Hall meeting, strategic plan task force leaders shared results of each SWOT analysis performed in the first Town Hall meeting in January at Montgomery High School. It was important that each task force do a “deep dive” on perceived strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats relating to each of the five Board goals before starting to develop district initiatives and strategies aimed at targeted and measurable improvements in various areas.
Town Hall attendees also had the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions to discuss possible district initiatives and strategies addressing the district’s five goals: academic achievement, school safety, district finance and operations, human resources, and communications and customer service. I am both excited and thankful for the level of community support and participation in this process. Our five task force committees have grown in number of participants considerably since we first started this work back in December. It has been a true privilege for me to see first-hand the authentic work happening with the ultimate goal of evolving our great school district into the “premier” school district.
We will hold one final Strategic Plan Town Hall meeting in April before finalizing a draft plan to present to the MISD Board of Trustees.
Communication Council Conversation on Budget and Pay Raises
This week I met with our elementary and secondary communications councils to provide them with an overview of the district’s budgeting process for the 2021-22 school year and share with them what is being discussed as it relates to improvements to employee compensation. I also shared with them that it’s our intention to take a district compensation plan to the Board of Trustees for approval in April, meaning that you will have a clear understanding of your salary before signing a contract for the next school year.
As I stated to them during our discussion, we are committed to complete transparency as we develop budget options that provide our employees with well deserved pay raises. Over the next several weeks, I will be meeting with all staff from each campus to discuss our budget plans and answer any questions you may have about this process.
I look forward to engaging in these important discussions with you.
Superintendent Shout-Out – The MISD Fishing Team
I want to give a shout-out to Coach Mark Hooker and the MISD Fishing Team!
Coach Hooker and his anglers know what it takes to build a successful team. Over the past several years, The MISD Fishing Team has achieved historic success, winning several conference titles over nearly 50 competing districts, cementing Montgomery ISD as THE top program in the State!
Check out this awesome feature on these talented students and watch the video below to hear what “victory” means to them!
MISD Education Foundation “Together We Grow” Fundraiser
On Saturday, April 24, the Montgomery ISD Education Foundation is host its first “Together We Grow” community fundraiser on April 24 in downtown Montgomery from 7-11 pm. This is going to be a casual, adult night out with live music featuring the band Rapture, and a BBQ dinner catered by our locally owned Jr’s. Please mark your calendars and make plans to attend!
The goal of the MISD Education Foundation is to support each of our 10 campuses through scholarships, grants, special projects and other financial matters, and this event is a great way to be a part of all that we are doing for MISD schools!
You can purchase tickets for the event here.
A Conversation with Dr. Meeker – Part III
Please take some time to watch my latest conversation with Montgomery Jr. High School’s Dr. Meeker!
In this edition, we discuss the Governor’s new Executive Order, our recent inclement weather closure days, the MISD Strategic Planning and 2021-22 budget development processes, our work to improve employee compensation across the district and the upcoming MISD Board of Trustee elections!
MISD Education Foundation to host “Together We Grow” Fundraiser on Saturday, April 24
The Montgomery ISD Education Foundation is hosting the “Together We Grow” community fundraiser on Saturday, April 24th from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. in historic downtown Montgomery.
The Together We Grow community fundraiser will be a casual, adult night out with live music featuring the band Rapture, and a BBQ dinner catered by locally owned Jr’s. We hope that all MISD parents, staff and community members will mark their calendars and make plans to attend!
You can purchase tickets for the event here.
The Foundation will be holding a friendly campus competition at the event to award an MISD Principal a $2,000 grant for their campus! You can help your campus win by sharing the ticket link and encouraging people to buy sponsorship tickets for your campus. We will give more information about what each Principal will do with the money if they win, so keep an eye out on social media for those special announcements.
The goal of the MISD Education Foundation is to support each of our ten campuses through scholarships, grants, special projects and other financial matters, and this event is a great way to be a part of all that the Education Foundation does for students and schools in Montgomery ISD!
The MISD Premier Blog 