On Thursday, March 4, Montgomery ISD will host a second Strategic Plan Town Hall meeting from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Lake Creek High School.
Montgomery ISD is developing a district strategic plan with input from parents, staff, students, and stakeholders. The strategic plan is being developed based on the district goals adopted by the Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees, which focus on excellence in academic achievement (Goal 1), school safety (Goal 2), district finance and operations (Goal 3), human resources and staffing (Goal 4), and communications and customer service (Goal 5).
The Montgomery ISD strategic plan will consist of a set of measurable data targets, or “key performance indicators”, that will guide the district over the next several years and provide the opportunity to measure success in the areas addressed by the Board’s adopted goals. The strategic plan will also outline district initiatives and strategies that are intended to drive success toward meeting and exceeding data targets in the “key performance indicators”.
All parents, staff, students and community members who would like to provide their input and offer ideas on any of the topics addressed by the board goals are encouraged to attend.
If you have ideas and input for the district on academic achievement, school safety, finance and operations, human resources, and communications and customer service, we want to hear from you!
During the Town Hall Meeting, there will be five “breakout sessions” – each focusing on one of the five Board goals.
A remote participation option on Zoom will be provided for each breakout session, which will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. Zoom participation details are below:
Congratulations to our two Destination Imagination Teams!! Our DI.Oh_my! team won the instant challenge award and second place overall!!! The Flying Potatoes won second place in the Technical challenge!! We are so proud of these super talented and smart kiddos!! A big shout out to Mrs. Watkins and Mrs. Denn for their dedication and hard work with these students. Way to go Lincoln Bears!!!
The MES DI Team is HEADED TO STATE! Congratulations to this amazing team of students who won FIRST PLACE in BOTH Instant Challenge and Team Challenge in the Destination Imagination Regional Tournament! We are so incredibly proud of these students and all of their creativity, genius, and hard work! Shout out to their amazing leaders, Mrs. Robin Riley and Mrs. Cindy Siple for selflessly giving up their time and for their support and leadership of these incredible students! (masks were removed for photo)
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!
The MISD Premier Blog 