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August 5, 2008 - Vol. 5, No. 1

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In This Issue
Fanfest 2008
Changes for 2008-2009
It's a Boy!
Back to School
Free & Reduced Meal Benefit
Back to School Olympics
Accountability Ratings Released
Odds & Ends
Quick Links
Course Guides

Bell Schedules

Graduations Schedule

TAKS Exit Level Flowchart

2008-2009 AB-Student Calendar (printable)

Approved Fundraisers

Education Foundation
Short Cuts
Press Room

Your Mansfield ISD Blog

Follow MISD on Twitter

MISD Q&A

Athletics

MISD District Calendars

Parents Homepage

MISD Council PTA

Students Homepage
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Join us for the 2nd Annual Fanfest at Mansfield ISD Stadium.

Featuring: High School Varsity Football Coaches & Players and

Exhibitions by:
Mansfield High School Drumline
Mansfield Legacy High School Drill Team
Mansfield Summit High School Drumline
Mansfield Timberview High School Cheerleaders
Season Ticket Sales
Choose your team then choose your seat!

Free Hot Dogs � Concessions Available � Spiritwear
Bake Sale Items � Free T-Shirts (limited) � And More...

Thursday, August 14, 2008 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | MISD Stadium
Free Admission
Changes for 2008-2009

The Mansfield ISD would like to take another opportunity to give our Messenger readers a heads up on a few changes coming in the 2008-2009 school year:

Goodbye eSembler - Hello Infinite Campus
MISD transitioned to a new student records program last year (Spring 2008) and we look forward to offering new features for parents and students in the upcoming school year.

The district will no longer offer eSembler for student grades and attendance. This information and much more will soon be offered through a new parent portal system through Infinite Campus. Parents and students will be able to go to one place and find student information on grades, attendance, schedules, fees, class assignments and other pertinent information.

More information will be available soon on the District's Web site and Blog.

Grading Periods
Mansfield ISD has also moved from Nine (9) week grading periods to Six (6) week grading periods for ALL levels. This change was needed to help with A-B Block Scheduling in the high schools.

Sports will compete in separate U.I.L. divisions
MISD athletic teams will compete in two new divisions:
Class 5A District 4 - Mansfield and Mansfield Summit
Class 4A District 8 - Mansfield Legacy and Mansfield Timberview

Foreign Languages Offered at Ben Barber
Mandarin Chinese (NEW), Russian, and Latin Language classes are being offered at Ben Barber Career Tech Academy.



Attention:
There will be more changes coming this year so please pay attention to this e-newsletter and other correspondence from the district.
It's a Boy!

Not really, it's a school, but I got your attention.

Join us as we dedicate the newest addition to Mansfield ISD:

Cabaniss ElementaryLouise Cabaniss Elementary School Dedication

Sunday, August 24, 2008 at 2:00 PM

6080 Mirabella Drive
Grand Prairie, TX 75052

A reception and tour will follow the ceremony.

Related: Walking to School, Principal, teachers hit streets to meet students, Mansfield News-Mirror

Back to School

Free & Reduced Meal Benefit
Student Nutrition

photo

The 2008-2009 applications and application guidelines for Free and Reduced Lunch Meal Benefit Program are now available.

The Student Nutrition Department will accept applications for the Free and Reduced meals for the 2008-2009 School year Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Student Nutrition office, located at 1910 N. Main Street. Customers can also apply for the program on special Saturday hours for those who are unable to apply during regular business hours:
  • Saturday, August 9, 2008 - 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Saturday, August 16, 2008 - 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

To obtain an application, please visit your student's campus or the MISD Student Nutrition Department located at 1910 North Main, Mansfield, TX 76063.

Read on...

Related: Have you set up your student's Meal Payment account? ParentOnline, a safe and secure way for parents to make online payments for their children and view meal account activity.
Back To School Olympics at Hawaiian Falls Water Park

Education Foundation

PhotoThe MISD Education Foundation invites you and your family to the "MISD Back To School Olympics" at Hawaiian Falls Water Park, Mansfield.

Saturday, September 13
10:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Hawaiian Falls will be closed to the public, so come join us for an all day, family fun event!

You can customize your tickets if you'd like to include Meals, All Day Drink Passes, and a Discount to bring in a cooler. (No commercially prepared food will be allowed in coolers.)

While there you can:
  • Enjoy Hawaiian Falls many water activities
  • Cheer on Student Olympians as they compete in cool events while they represent their Elementary or Intermediate schools and compete against other MISD schools
  • Help us celebrate all the Olympians who have participated along with those teams who have won gold, silver or bronze medal in their events at our Closing Awards Ceremony
  • DUNK your favorite MISD Principals in the Dunking Booth

'08 TEA Accountability Ratings Released

On Friday, August 1, 2008, the Texas Education Agency released the accountability ratings for 2008. Mansfield ISD remains an Academically Acceptable district even after a series of changes in the system.

A new group of students was added to the accountability system. Science at grade eight along with Special Education students. Also, the baseline for reaching Acceptable and Recognized levels was raised.

"Despite the changes in the accountability system this year, most of our campuses maintained or improved." said Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Claude Cunningham. "This is a testament to the dedication and hard work by our campus and instructional staffs. However, we will not be completely satisfied until all MISD students are mastering the objectives for which they and we are held accountable."

The district has 8 Exemplary campuses, 11 Recognized campuses, 14 Academically Acceptable campuses, and 1 AEA: Academically Acceptable campus.

See the complete 2008 Accountability Ratings list of campuses.

Read the news release.

Odds & Ends

MISD Staff
- Medical Insurance Fall Enrollment (August 1-31). Get the details and forms.

MISD Communications Department
[email protected]
817-299-6345